Chapter Two: The Legacy of the Great Cultivating Woman

In search of a breakthrough, he ventured boldly into the valley. An eerie atmosphere pervaded the place, with a chilling mist that sent shivers down one’s spine. Lin Feng proceeded cautiously, gripping his magic sword tightly, ever alert to lurking dangers.

As he walked deeper, Lin Feng arrived before a hidden cave. A faint light flickered at its entrance, as if beckoning him inside. After a moment’s hesitation, he resolved to enter and uncover its secrets.

Within the depths of the cave, Lin Feng discovered the corpse of a woman radiating immense power. Immediately, he recognized her as the famed female cultivator of great prowess.

Her features remained stunningly beautiful, as if merely asleep. Her skin was as pure as snow, her long hair cascading like a waterfall, lying there with an air of solemn nobility and mystery. A deep reverence stirred within Lin Feng’s heart; he knew this cultivator had once been a formidable force commanding respect.

Beneath her black robe, she wore an exquisite long garment, and in her hand rested a sword that shimmered with a cold, piercing light. The blade exuded a ruthless aura, as though it could sever all worldly bonds.

Lin Feng felt the overwhelming pressure emanating from her, filling him with awe—not only for her strength but for the unknown power she represented. He understood that in this realm of cultivation, where might was abundant, he must strive relentlessly to survive amidst countless challenges.

Though taken aback by his discovery, Lin Feng composed himself, clasped his hands respectfully, and whispered softly to the corpse, “Fellow cultivator, rest in peace. I mean no offense.” His voice echoed gently through the silent cave, tinged with sincerity and respect.

Having spoken, he swiftly retrieved a ring from the woman’s finger. The ring was crystal clear, shimmering with radiant colors, its brilliance suggesting extraordinary significance. Lin Feng’s heart quickened at its sight. He recognized it as a storage ring, often used by advanced cultivators. Upon its inner surface were the characters “Flowing Cloud,” likely the deceased’s cultivation title. He slipped the ring onto his left middle finger.

Infusing a trace of his spiritual energy, he was astonished by the vast space contained within—at least a hundred meters in radius. Compared to ordinary storage pouches, it was a world apart. More astonishing still were the items inside.

Within the ring lay a hundred exquisite spirit crystals, ten thousand rare spirit stones, and a million superior spirit stones, piled together, sparkling like countless stars united. Lin Feng estimated that even the treasury of the Azure Cloud Sect might not hold more spirit stones than this. Spirit stones served as universal currency in the cultivation world, used for trading and for refining one’s cultivation. One rare spirit stone could exchange for ten thousand superior stones; one superior stone, in turn, for a hundred medium-grade stones; and one medium-grade stone for a hundred low-grade stones. Clearly, Lin Feng had stumbled upon a fortune beyond imagination. The hundred spirit crystals were priceless and seldom traded.

Beside the gleaming stones lay several ancient tomes: The Eternal Spring Technique and the Azure Origin Sword Manual. These manuals emitted potent spiritual fluctuations, unmistakably precious treasures. The surging waves of spiritual energy conveyed immense power. Lin Feng sensed that these manuals might hold the key to his breakthrough.

The moment he lifted one of the tomes, the female cultivator’s body suddenly radiated a dazzling light.

Within the glow, her figure slowly materialized. She gazed at Lin Feng with eyes full of warmth and expectation. “Young one, since you have found this place, it means fate binds us. This manual is the fruit of my lifelong cultivation. I hope you will use it well to bring peace and tranquility to the cultivation world.” Her voice was ethereal and distant, as if from the far reaches of the heavens.

With that, her figure gradually faded away. Lin Feng’s heart brimmed with awe and gratitude. He knew he had received an invaluable legacy—not just a manual, but a responsibility and mission.

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Lin Feng placed the cultivator’s sword back into the storage ring. From one of the tomes inside, he learned that this magic sword was a high-grade artifact named the Flowing Cloud Sword. Of course, with his current level, he could not yet wield it; only upon reaching the Foundation Establishment stage would he be able to activate its power. For now, it was no more than a mere stick in his hands. The Flowing Cloud Sword lay quietly within the ring, its mysterious aura seeming to await Lin Feng’s growth to unleash its true might.

From the ring’s contents, Lin Feng also gathered that the female cultivator’s level was roughly at the pinnacle of the Golden Core stage, but her wealth was staggering. There was another black ring in the storage ring, likely left by the opponent in her final battle. With little time to spare, Lin Feng felt the urgency to depart immediately; danger was too great. If he had found this place, others could as well. The black ring exuded a mysterious aura, impenetrable and concealing countless secrets.

Lin Feng clasped his hands together in a solemn bow to the female cultivator three times. Then, respectfully, he sealed her body into the ring for proper burial at a safer place later, lest any unwanted trouble arise from others discovering her remains. His movements were reverent, expressing profound respect.

Once done, Lin Feng used a low-level fireball spell to erase his tracks and aura, then quickly departed to avoid lingering dangers. The fireball traced a brilliant arc through the air, instantly wiping away all traces. His figure vanished into the darkness, knowing his adventure was only just beginning.

Leaving the cave behind, he headed straight for the Yibao Inn in Azure Origin Town. His mind was a whirlwind of excitement over his unexpected fortune and concern for the uncertain road ahead. He moved swiftly through the woods, carefully avoiding potential threats.

Shortly after Lin Feng’s departure, two streaks of meteors blazed across the sky, swiftly descending to the site of the previous fierce battle between two powerful figures. Their expressions were grave.

Approaching on sword flight were Elder Yang Jian and Second Elder Zhang Kuang of the Azure Cloud Sect, both at the pinnacle of the Foundation Establishment stage. Elder Yang, with his white beard, exuded a steady and reserved aura; his star-like eyes were deep and far-seeing, seemingly able to pierce through all veils. Beside him stood Zhang Kuang, brash and fiery, like a newly forged sword, his sharp gaze reflecting his fierce nature, aptly named.

“Senior brother, it seems we’ve come too late. Judging by the marks of the fight, it must have been a Golden Core master’s doing. Only a Golden Core cultivator could disrupt the local laws so severely,” Zhang Kuang said.

Even at their Foundation Establishment peak, neither could cause such chaos in the natural order.

Yang Jian’s starry eyes flickered as he furrowed his brows solemnly. “I don’t know what caused this Golden Core master to engage in such a brutal fight. Both sides struck with ruthless intent. When we return, we must inform our disciples to keep a close eye on the Ten-Thousand Mountains region. Also, with the recent surge of beast tides, our disciples should undergo more rigorous training.”

Zhang Kuang gazed into the distance leisurely. “Senior brother, there’s a snake demon ahead, at the True Spirit stage. Let’s take it down to protect our disciples during their training.”

“Mm. Leading this mission is Li Changqing’s daughter, Li Xiaoxia. I have high hopes for her—three spiritual roots, and she’s now in the late Qi Refining stage. The sect leader has noticed her and intends to accept her as a true disciple.”

Zhang Kuang nodded. “That girl is naturally charming and kind-hearted—truly likable.”

“Junior brother, once we report back to the sect leader, the battle between those Golden Core masters is beyond our concern. Whoever wins is not for us to meddle in.” With that, Yang Jian flew on his sword toward the snake demon’s location.

Zhang Kuang followed closely behind. The True Spirit stage snake demon was roughly equivalent to a human at the Foundation Establishment stage. Moreover, a True Spirit beast was often stronger than a human cultivator at the early Foundation Establishment period.

The snake demon’s body was a treasure trove: its scales could forge high-grade magical artifacts, its gallbladder was the prime ingredient for Barrier-Breaking Pills—the best auxiliary pill for Qi Refining cultivators striving to establish their foundation, aside from Foundation Establishment pills. Its flesh was also a rare and excellent body-strengthening medicine.

This was the main reason the elders sought to capture it.

The two elders sped through the sky on their swords like lightning, their target clear: the True Spirit snake demon. Yang Jian pondered the event’s repercussions—this clash of Golden Core masters had stirred significant waves in the region. The effects on Azure Cloud Sect and surrounding areas remained uncertain. Zhang Kuang, meanwhile, was exhilarated, eager to face a formidable opponent and prove his strength.

As they neared the snake demon, tension thickened the air. The powerful aura radiating from the beast heightened their vigilance. Sharing a glance, the two elders readied themselves for battle.

Given the beast tide, it was uncertain whether the snake demon was alone. To avoid complications, the elders unleashed their ultimate techniques immediately, aiming for a swift victory.

The mere snake demon, only at True Spirit stage, was no match for two Foundation Establishment peak elders. The battle ended within fifteen minutes. Many Qi Refining stage beasts perished in the fray, and with the snake demon’s death, the beasts scattered like birds. Yang Jian took the gallbladder, leaving the rest of the materials to Zhang Kuang. Both returned satisfied.