“It cost me nearly four hundred Tribulation Pills, but it was worth it!” Lin Yun said with a smile.
With the Twelfth Layer of the Taixu Body Refining Technique achieved, mastering the accompanying Twelfth Layer Taixu Power came easily. This undoubtedly brought a significant boost to Lin Yun’s defence and strength.
If he had enough spirit crystals, he might’ve even attempted the Thirteenth Layer.
Was it enough now?
His chances of winning had increased considerably.
At the very least, he could guarantee a draw—his opponent no longer had any hope of defeating him.
But it still wasn’t enough!
Lin Yun wanted a guaranteed victory!
An Eighth-Turn Tribulation Realm opponent, especially one from a clan like the Baili Clan with Eternals, might have powerful trump cards up their sleeve.
To secure a steady win, Lin Yun needed to utterly crush him.
He couldn’t yet overwhelm an Eighth-Turn Tribulation Realm cultivator!
“If it’s not enough, then I’ll keep improving!”
With that, Lin Yun made up his mind again.
“Next, I’ll learn the Fifth Form of the Shadow Sword Technique!” A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
The Shadow Sword Technique was far more potent than other Heavenly Dao-grade sword arts, with each new form dramatically increasing its power.
The Fifth Form was no small challenge, but after Lin Yun mastered the Fourth, Emperor Huoyun had transmitted guidance specifically for the Fifth.
Thanks to that guidance, the difficulty of learning the Fifth Form was greatly reduced.
He’d already spent some time studying it before and wasn’t far off.
Now, he’d give it a shot.
Could he succeed?
Lin Yun wasn’t certain.
He closed his eyes, reviewing the information Emperor Huoyun had sent. It included visuals of practising the Fifth Form, along with techniques, insights, and critical points to note.
Of course, as the saying goes, “The master leads you to the door, but cultivation depends on yourself.” No matter how detailed the teaching, success still hinged on his own effort.
It was like studying a tough subject in school—even if the teacher explained it thoroughly, understanding and applying it depended on the student.
After mentally reviewing it for a few hours, Lin Yun stood and resumed practising his swordsmanship!
One day, two days, three days…
Time slipped by, and two months passed in a flash.
During this period, Lin Yun immersed himself fully in comprehending the Fifth Form.
He’d initially thought it wouldn’t be too hard, but he still fell short of mastering it.
“My sword practice has made clear progress, but I’m still missing something to fully grasp the Fifth Form,” Lin Yun murmured.
“Keep studying!”
He closed his eyes again, revisiting Emperor Huoyun’s guidance in his mind.
“The sword follows the heart, uniting as one.”
That was a line from the instructions.
“The heart, the heart!”
Lin Yun rose slowly, opening his eyes as he lifted his sword.
He’d always harboured a deep yearning for the way of the sword, but how could he truly express it?
The images of the Shadow Sword Technique flickered in his mind.
In the next moment, Lin Yun swung his sword sharply, light flashing from the blade.
His heart soared with the sword.
As the sword light danced, its power grew stronger, its edge more terrifying!
Even his eyes seemed to gleam with sword intent.
“Haha, that’s it!”
Lin Yun had fully grasped the Fifth Form of the Shadow Sword Technique.
Boom!
When he thrust the sword forward, its power surged dramatically!
Fifth Form of the Shadow Sword Technique, achieved!
The leap from the Fourth to the Fifth Form was far more than incremental.
Lin Yun sheathed his sword.
“Now, it’s time to fuse the Mysteries of Light and Darkness!”
Since mastering those two Mysteries, he hadn’t had the chance to fuse them.
Currently, he could fuse five Mysteries.
The boost from Mystery Fusion was significant, especially as it progressed—each additional fusion brought an astonishing increase!
Fusing seven would be incredible!
And with the Coffin of Mysteries, adding the final two wouldn’t be hard.
“Let’s begin!”
Lin Yun summoned the Coffin of Mysteries and started fusing the last two.
Two months later, the Sixth Mystery Fusion was complete!
The power of his Mysteries doubled from the Fifth Fusion.
Another two months passed, and the Seventh Mystery Fusion was achieved!
The power of seven fused Mysteries doubled again from the Sixth!
Seven fused Mysteries were thirty-two times the power of a single Mystery!
Before, with five fused Mysteries, it was eight times a single Mystery’s power.
Though a single Mystery’s power might not seem overwhelming in battle, multiplying it by thirty-two was staggering!
“This Coffin of Mysteries won’t be much use to me going forward,” Lin Yun said, eyeing it.
He’d now mastered all seven Mysteries and completed their fusion.
The Coffin of Mysteries ranked low on the Sacred Artifact List because it was of little use to Eternals. Since the list was compiled by Eternals, who found it unappealing, it was ranked lower.
But for cultivators yet to master their Mysteries—especially those in the Empty Void, Mahayana realm, or Tribulation Realms—it was more precious than some of the top twenty items on the list.
An object’s value depends on its utility to the individual.
Even if the Coffin of Mysteries lost its major purpose for Lin Yun, its inherent worth remained. Selling it could still fetch a hefty sum of rare resources.
“This retreat has lasted ten and a half months, which means just over two months have passed outside,” Lin Yun calculated.
In cultivation, time flies unnoticed—once immersed, even a month feels like a brief moment.
Ten and a half months felt like yesterday to him.
“Now, the only thing left to improve is the Heaven-Shaking Hand. I should have no trouble learning the Third Turn now,” Lin Yun mused.
Having spent so much time already, a bit more wouldn’t hurt.
He resolved to push the Heaven-Shaking Hand to the next level too.
“Let’s get started!”
Decision made, Lin Yun entered cultivation mode again, beginning work on the Third Turn of the Heaven-Shaking Hand.
The Heaven-Shaking Hand demanded a high realm and exceptional hand resilience, but Lin Yun’s robust foundation from the Taixu Body Refining Technique made it an ideal fit.
This time, mastering the Third Turn took another three months!
Three months later.
Third Turn of the Heaven-Shaking Hand, achieved!
