Chapter 46: The Chains of Power

Lin Yun's breath was unsteady as he stared at the **cracked jade tablet** in the chained man's hands.

The eerie glow pulsed like a beating heart, filling the air with an unsettling energy. He could feel it—**power**—but something about it was deeply unnatural.

The chained man's hollow eyes locked onto him. "Take it," he whispered. "With this, you will shatter your limits."

Lin Yun's hands trembled slightly.

Was this what he needed?

The battle with Bai Ziyan had shown him the truth. He was still **too weak**. No matter how skilled his techniques were, his cultivation realm remained a limiting factor.

But this tablet… it radiated something different. Something beyond the traditional realms of cultivation.

**"What's the price?"** Lin Yun asked, his voice calm but firm.

The chained man's lips curled into a faint, almost sad smile. "You will never be the same."

Lin Yun's mind raced. He had already lost his Qi Core once, already suffered humiliation and pain. He had sworn never to be weak again.

**But was he truly desperate enough to take an unknown power?**

His fingers inched toward the jade tablet—

**BOOM!**

A powerful **shockwave** erupted behind him, sending dust and debris flying. Lin Yun **spun around**, his instincts screaming danger.

Emerging from the mist was a figure clad in silver robes, his long black hair flowing behind him. His cold, piercing eyes locked onto Lin Yun with murderous intent.

Lin Yun's heart sank.

**This man was strong.**

**Far stronger than Bai Ziyan.**

The silver-robed cultivator glanced at the chained man, then back at Lin Yun. "So, you're the one who was chosen." His voice was deep, filled with contempt.

Lin Yun's mind was racing. **Who is he? How did he find me?**

The man took a step forward, his aura pressing down like a mountain. "Hand over the tablet, and I'll grant you a swift death."

Lin Yun clenched his fists.

Even without fighting, he knew—**this man was at least in the Qi Gathering Realm, probably higher.** He had no chance in a direct battle.

But he wouldn't kneel.

"I refuse," Lin Yun said coldly.

The silver-robed man sighed. "I expected as much."

**Then he vanished.**

Lin Yun's eyes widened. **So fast—!**

Before he could react, a fist **slammed into his chest**, sending him flying across the ruins. He crashed into a broken statue, his ribs burning with pain.

**He couldn't even see the attack.**

The man was too fast. Too strong.

Lin Yun gasped for air as he tried to stand, blood dripping from his lips. The silver-robed man approached slowly, disappointment in his gaze.

"This is the difference between us," he said. "You think talent and willpower alone can defy the heavens?"

Lin Yun gritted his teeth. He refused to accept this. **There had to be a way!**

The chained man's voice whispered from behind him. "You are out of time."

Lin Yun turned his head slightly.

The jade tablet still pulsed in the chained man's palm.

"Take it… or die as you are now."

The silver-robed cultivator raised his hand, preparing to finish Lin Yun off.

Lin Yun's **mind screamed** with indecision.

If he took the tablet, he would be embracing an unknown fate. A curse, a power beyond comprehension.

But if he refused—

He would die here.

His journey would end.

**He made his choice.**

With a burst of desperation, Lin Yun **lunged for the jade tablet** just as the silver-robed man's palm struck down.

**BOOM!**

The moment his fingers touched the tablet, an explosive force erupted from it, sending a dark wave of energy in all directions.

The silver-robed cultivator **staggered back**, his eyes narrowing. "What—?!"

Lin Yun's body **convulsed** as a burning pain surged through his veins. His vision blurred as ancient, unknown **martial scriptures** flooded into his mind.

His skin turned deathly pale, but his aura—

**It was rising.**

The silver-robed cultivator's expression changed. "This energy…!"

The chains on the mysterious man rattled violently as he let out a hollow chuckle. "Ah… the cycle begins again."

Lin Yun's breathing was ragged as his **Qi surged to an entirely new level**, his body shaking from the transformation.

His eyes snapped open—

**And for a brief moment, they glowed with a terrifying, unnatural light.**

The battle was far from over.