“It seems passing this trial is hopeless,” Lin Yun thought, a pang of disappointment in his heart.
Based on the past three years of cultivation, he had to face the reality.
“No matter, I’ll give it my all.”
Lin Yun steadied himself and resumed studying *Cang Lei Palm*.
All he could do now was pour everything into mastering it; he couldn’t change the circumstances.
Even if he failed, at least he’d have tried his hardest. Perhaps he simply couldn’t meet the relic master’s standards, and that was beyond his control.
Thirteen years and one month passed in a flash.
“Phew, I’ve finally mastered the sixth palm,” Lin Yun exhaled with relief.
Counting the time, fifteen and a half years had elapsed, leaving only fourteen and a half.
During this period, Lin Yun hadn’t paused for a moment.
The fifth palm took four months, but the sixth consumed fifteen years, yet this was already impressive.
For the seventh palm, Lin Yun estimated, at his current comprehension speed, it would take a century.
That was optimistic. If progress stalled, he might never master it, no matter how long he tried—a real possibility.
Origin-level manuals weren’t for everyone. Some could only reach the fourth or fifth stage, unable to progress further, which was common.
If time alone guaranteed mastery of an Origin-level manual, wouldn’t immortals who lived millennia all perfect such manuals? That was impossible!
“With only fourteen and a half years left, mastering the seventh palm in such a short time is utterly impossible,” Lin Yun said, feeling helpless.
“Master, don’t give up yet, you might just get it. Try first,” Xiao Bai’s voice echoed in his mind.
“You’re right, I can only try my best. If I fail, it’s because my skill doesn’t meet the relic master’s demands,” Lin Yun murmured.
The relic master’s standards were undeniably steep.
Lin Yun, now at the Myriad Realm, had enhanced comprehension, no question. His talent, while not exceptional, was solid, yet this trial still overwhelmed him.
He began studying the seventh palm.
…
Two years later, sweat beaded on Lin Yun’s forehead.
“No good, I’m completely stumped!” he said, wiping his brow, exasperated.
The sixth palm, though time-consuming, at least offered some clarity during study.
The seventh? He had no leads whatsoever.
With the sixth, he’d made gradual progress, which fueled his drive.
But two years on the seventh with no headway, coupled with the trial’s pressure, left Lin Yun restless.
He’d tried shifting his approach multiple times, to no avail.
Stuck like this, let alone twelve and a half years, a century might not suffice.
It wasn’t that Lin Yun was inadequate.
Origin-level manuals were notoriously tough to grasp.
Even for those at the Dominion Realm, how many could fully master an Origin-level manual, despite their vast cultivation time?
“Master, I suggest you stop following the standard method for this palm, or you’ll never finish in time,” the spirit of the Qiankun Supreme Cauldron transmitted to Lin Yun.
“Oh? What’s your idea?” Lin Yun replied eagerly.
“Break the seventh palm into parts, comprehend each separately, then piece them together. It might spark some insights,” the spirit suggested.
Lin Yun paused. “That? Would… would that work?”
The spirit’s method was unorthodox, something Lin Yun had never heard of.
With only twelve and a half years left, trying this risky approach and failing after years would leave no time to start over!
“Master, it’s unorthodox, sure, but without taking this chance, your odds are zero. This way, you’ve got a sliver of hope, right?” the spirit pressed.
“You’re not wrong. Fine, I’ll try it,” Lin Yun said, determination flashing in his dark eyes.
He had to make a choice. Though unorthodox and unreliable, it kindled a spark of hope.
Continuing the standard way offered no chance of mastering the seventh palm in twelve and a half years—zero!
So, he’d gamble on this unorthodox path!
There was no choice but to try!
Failure meant expulsion from the relic, severing any chance to uncover its secrets.
But it was better than no chance at all!
Lin Yun resumed cultivation, breaking the seventh palm into parts and studying each, as the spirit advised.
…
The thirty-year deadline arrived.
In the quiet chamber, the figure reappeared in mid-air.
“You two, rise, time’s up,” it said.
Lin Yun and Xin Yu opened their eyes and stood from the cushions.
“Thirty years passed so quickly,” Lin Yun sighed.
“It seems you both failed. Mastering *Cang Lei Palm* to the seventh palm in thirty years is indeed a daunting task, even for Myriad Realm cultivators,” the figure remarked.
“Mastering such a manual to the seventh palm in just thirty years feels like deliberate sabotage. Does the relic master even want anyone to pass?” Xin Yu grumbled, his face dark.
The past ten-plus years without progress had fueled his frustration.
Lin Yun understood completely; long stretches without breakthroughs could make anyone irritable.
To Xin Yu, this trial’s difficulty seemed excessive!
“And how would you set it?” the figure asked, a playful smile in its tone.
