Chapter 20: Holy Son, Please Stop Fighting

Ren Baichuan’s idea was met with approval from the Holy Maiden and Mr. Ximen. Excited, he returned to Danyang Peak, only to find the alchemy room’s door ajar. Stepping inside, he saw Lin Hao, idle but having just refined another batch of Foundation-Strengthening Pills.

“You… succeeded again?” Ren Baichuan’s eyes nearly popped out as he gazed at the three pills freshly produced by Lin Hao. The ninth alchemical vein had become distinctly visible—no longer faint like the first time.

“Is there still a chance of failure?” Lin Hao asked.

Ren Baichuan rolled his eyes, reluctant to speak. Yet his mood had improved greatly; he now regarded Lin Hao as if he were a priceless treasure.

This was a true prodigy in alchemy—his success came effortlessly. Born with an unparalleled sensitivity to medicinal herbs and an exquisite control over flame, his mastery was innate, not acquired through training.

Innate talent was truly formidable, defying reason.

During the alchemical process, he could precisely control the melting points of various herbs and manipulate the flame with utmost finesse, extracting the herbs’ essence to the fullest.

Indeed, this was talent, not something mere effort could achieve.

“There’s something I need to tell you,” Ren Baichuan said. “In three days, I’ll take you to the Alchemy Pavilion to attend an alchemical exchange conference.”

“Alchemy Pavilion?” Lin Hao had never heard of it.

“It’s the highest organization for alchemists in Great Xia, located in the Imperial Capital. I’ll explain the details on the way back,” Ren Baichuan explained.

The words “Imperial Capital” sounded like a warning bell in Lin Hao’s heart, instantly turning his expression solemn.

“There’s one more thing I think you need to know. Just now, the Ling Clan sent someone to find Mr. Ximen and made it clear that they won’t allow you to set foot alive in the Imperial Capital. You’re going there as my true disciple, so you must not reveal your real identity.”

“Of course, if you’re afraid, just forget I said anything.”

Crack! The sound came from Lin Hao’s clenched knuckles. He suddenly lifted his gaze, his star-like eyes flashing with a chilling gleam.

“From the moment I left Tianbao City, I’ve never known fear. I have only one life. If they want it, let’s see if they have the ability.”

The harsh words forbidding Lin Hao from living even half a step into the Imperial Capital—how grating they were!

He was determined to go.

“All right, prepare well these three days. Feel free to ask me anything about alchemy. Don’t slack off in your cultivation; the Hundred Sects Grand Competition is drawing near, and not a moment can be wasted.”

Ren Baichuan praised him. From this young man, he saw a determination for revenge and slaughter. He also understood a fact: whether it was the Ling Clan against Lin Hao or Lin Hao against the Ling Clan, both intended to utterly destroy the other.

The next day, the news spread across Yun Chuan.

Late last night, the Li family, the top martial clan in Tianyang City, was utterly annihilated. Witnesses saw a mysterious figure wielding a long sword arrive, and with a single strike, reduced the Li family to ruins.

The news reached the Tai Xuan Sect, shaking the entire sect and sparking widespread discussion.

“Terrifying! The Li family is the top martial family of Tianyang City, with several experts at the Hua Yuan Realm guarding it. How could they be wiped out overnight? Who could have done this?”

“Yesterday, Li Qingchuan was killed by the Holy Son. After Li Kaixian left the sect holding his corpse, he vanished completely. That very night, the Li family was exterminated. Could it be…”

“Shh, keep quiet. Don’t speak recklessly. From the beginning, the Li family and father-son are to blame for this outcome. They sought the Holy Son’s life first, and he only fought back.”

No one expected such a great family to be destroyed like this. Lin Hao was shocked upon hearing it. He had only killed Li Qingchuan and was still considering how to deal with Li Kaixian, yet such a catastrophe had occurred.

“There’s a headless corpse outside the sect gate. It’s confirmed to be Li Kaixian.”

Early that morning, Ren Baichuan found Lin Hao and relayed the news.

“This…” Lin Hao was speechless for a moment.

“Looks like someone’s standing up for you,” Ren Baichuan said.

“Impossible. I haven’t even left Tianbao City these past years, never met such strong people.”

Lin Hao shook his head.

“That’s strange. It’s certain the attacker must be at least at the Tian Yuan Realm.”

Ren Baichuan guessed but could not figure out who.

“Dead is dead. He deserved it. Even if he hadn’t died now, I would have killed him sooner or later.”

Lin Hao said.

“Hmm, if this is related to you, then having a mysterious benefactor is a good thing.”

Ren Baichuan thought that if there truly was a powerful figure secretly protecting Lin Hao, it would be a great advantage. It also eased some pressure as he prepared to escort Lin Hao to the Imperial Capital.

“A mysterious benefactor? Who could it be?” Lin Hao scratched his head, racking his brain. Aside from Mr. Ximen, he didn’t know any other Tian Yuan Realm experts.

Mr. Ximen wouldn’t do such a thing—who else could it be?

The Tai Xuan Sect buzzed with speculation. Many, like Ren Baichuan, believed Lin Hao had a strong protector. Others thought the Li family had offended a powerful enemy and were wiped out as a result.

Some even speculated that Mr. Ximen had personally acted to protect the sect’s hope.

But this was unlikely, as Mr. Ximen’s character suggested he would have targeted only Li Kaixian, not destroyed the entire Li family.

In any case, the attacker’s goal was clear: to eradicate the source and leave no future threat.

The once-mighty Li family of Tianyang City was utterly destroyed, becoming a tragic memory.

“One wrong step leads to eternal regret. In this era where the strong rule, some people are truly untouchable,” someone lamented. The fate of Li Qingchuan and his family taught many in Tai Xuan Sect a harsh lesson.

Putting aside worries about Li Kaixian’s sneak attack, Lin Hao left Danyang Peak and returned to the Holy Son Peak, which had just been cleaned for him.

His cultivation had surged yesterday, breaking through from the seventh tier of the Opening Meridian Realm to the peak of the first tier of the Qi Sea Realm—and his foundation was stable. Yet to advance further, mere seclusion was insufficient.

Lin Hao called over Huang Liang, who now had a completely different status. He was a favorite before the Holy Son, thriving throughout Tai Xuan Sect. Even many Qi Sea Realm disciples sought to befriend him.

Today, Huang Liang was the first to step onto Holy Son Peak, an unprecedented honor.

“Hao Ge, I’m here!” Huang Liang’s excitement was unmistakable upon seeing Lin Hao.

“Xiao Huang, here’s a Foundation-Strengthening Pill to help you break through the Qi Sea Realm.”

Lin Hao casually tossed Huang Liang a pill.

“This is… an Eight-Vein Foundation-Strengthening Pill?” Huang Liang’s hands trembled, disbelief written all over him.

“A pill makes you this excited? That’s impressive,” Lin Hao said, speechless.

“Hao Ge, this is an eight-vein pill. How could I have the right to take such a high-level pill?”

Huang Liang was so moved he nearly cried.

“Are eight-vein pills really that precious?” Lin Hao asked.

“Of course. Pills are graded up to nine veins. As far as I know, only the Pill King can refine nine-vein pills in all of Great Xia. Even Elder Ren, the chief alchemist of Tai Xuan Sect, can only produce seven-vein pills.”

Huang Liang explained.

“Elder Ren didn’t tell me this,” Lin Hao muttered. “No wonder the old guy cried and laughed looking at the pills yesterday and wants to take me to the Alchemy Pavilion. If my first pill is already eight veins, am I the legendary one-in-ten-thousand alchemist prodigy?”

Huang Liang, looking at the pill in his hand, was even more determined to follow Lin Hao’s path. Throwing out eight-vein pills so casually—the Holy Son was truly generous.

“Xiao Huang, go to the inner sect and find some experts—those between the fourth and sixth tiers of the Qi Sea Realm. Bring them here to Holy Son Peak, and be quick.”

Lin Hao instructed.

“All right, I’ll get on it right away.”

Huang Liang turned and left. To him, Lin Hao’s orders were like imperial decrees.

When he reached the inner sect, announcing the Holy Son wanted a group, chaos erupted. Eligible disciples scrambled to offer gifts to Huang Liang, eager for a spot.

They had clawed their way up from the bottom through relentless effort and cherished any chance to curry favor with the Holy Son.

Huang Liang quickly selected eighteen people—six each from the fourth, fifth, and sixth tiers of the Qi Sea Realm—and brought them to Holy Son Peak.

There was a moderately sized training ground on the peak. Lin Hao stood in the center, surveying the energetic and distinguished disciples Huang Liang had chosen, quite pleased.

“Hao Ge, I carefully picked these guys. Let me know if there’s any task you want to assign them.”

Huang Liang said. Calling him “Hao Ge” further drew them closer, sparking envy among others.

“Don’t be nervous. I called you here to spar with me. If you win, you’ll be rewarded with ten lower-grade spirit stones.”

Lin Hao announced.

He had just reached the peak of the first tier of the Qi Sea Realm. Before heading to the Imperial Capital, he wanted to test his true combat power.

“What?” The eighteen were stunned, doubting their ears at first, but soon realized the Holy Son wanted to use them as sparring partners to gauge his strength.

Ten lower-grade spirit stones as a reward—quite generous.

For the next half hour, screams echoed continuously across Holy Son Peak.

Afterward, the twelve disciples at the fourth and fifth tiers of the Qi Sea Realm lay groaning on the ground, battered and bruised.

Lin Hao was still locked in battle, fists flying, with the six disciples at the sixth tier.

His black hair wild like a humanoid beast, his true energy surged ceaselessly.

Indeed, fighting six against one, he not only showed no weakness but maintained the upper hand throughout.

“Holy Son, stop! We lost!”

“We really can’t win. Our true energy is depleted. No more fighting!”

Several pleaded, waving their hands, unable to continue. Some had teeth knocked out, clutching their faces, squatting on the ground.

Neither side used any combat techniques—just raw true energy and physical strength in pure confrontation.

“At my current strength, ordinary sixth-tier Qi Sea Realm disciples are no match. If I unleashed my combat technique, the Heaven-Shattering Palm, enhanced by Supreme Flame, I should be able to contend with seventh-tier Qi Sea Realm experts.”

Lin Hao made a precise assessment of his power.

The disciples were utterly convinced, believing Lin Hao was no ordinary person—defeating opponents five tiers above was unheard of.

Truly worthy of being the Tianmen Dragon Gate prodigy.

Completely convinced.

Two days later, Ren Baichuan and Yi Fuyao took Lin Hao quietly and set off—destination: the Imperial Capital!