Compared to before entering the Qianlong Abyss, Lin Yun was still at the Second Layer of the Myriad Realm, with no change in realm, but his combat power had undoubtedly seen a significant boost.
This time, he not only acquired the Dragon Claw and Divine Dragon Art, two formidable dragon clan techniques, but also elevated his physical body to the Origin level.
Lin Yun was quite satisfied with these gains.
If he faced Ao Tiancheng again, Lin Yun was confident he could thoroughly overpower him.
“There’s still time, so keep cultivating.”
With so many events recently, Lin Yun hadn’t had time to cultivate. Now, during this waiting period, he was determined to focus on self-improvement.
There was still room for growth in many areas.
Since he had been cultivating the Divine Dragon Art, Lin Yun decided to strike while the iron was hot and continue with its Advanced level.
The first two levels had been smooth, but the third level proved more challenging.
Four months later.
“Finally done!”
Lin Yun opened his eyes, channelled his inner energy, and activated the Divine Dragon Art. The energy underwent a qualitative transformation into dragon qi, its power surging dramatically.
Reaching the Advanced Divine Dragon Art made its effects remarkably potent.
Undoubtedly, this would significantly enhance Lin Yun’s strength.
“Next are the Special and Ultimate levels, but those might be out of reach for now,” Lin Yun murmured.
The third level had already been difficult, so the Special and Ultimate levels were likely even more daunting.
“Let’s give it a try,” Lin Yun thought, beginning to cultivate the fourth level, Special Divine Dragon Art.
But moments later, he stopped.
“My bloodline isn’t strong enough,” Lin Yun said, shaking his head.
Upon attempting the fourth level, he clearly felt his dragon clan bloodline was insufficient to support it.
The Special Divine Dragon Art required a high-grade dragon bloodline to transform inner energy into more powerful dragon qi—a strict prerequisite.
Even with high-grade dragon essence blood, the fourth level would still be challenging.
Without it, he didn’t even qualify to attempt it.
Lin Yun reckoned that cultivating the fourth level would require at least five drops of second-grade dragon essence blood, ideally more.
“Second-grade dragon essence blood, and in such quantity, won’t be easy to obtain,” Lin Yun said with a wry smile.
Dragon essence blood was invaluable, and no one would willingly part with it.
Dragons with second-grade bloodlines were top-tier forces in the dragon palaces, even less likely to give up their essence blood.
The single drop Lin Yun had absorbed when joining the West Sea Dragon Palace as a guest elder was likely from a sixth- or seventh-grade dragon.
However, the three drops he had extracted from the East Sea Dragon Palace’s five-clawed golden dragon were likely around fourth-grade quality.
Those three drops had enabled him to succeed at the third level of the Divine Dragon Art; otherwise, he’d have been stuck at the second.
Even if the West Sea Dragon Palace had some essence blood in reserve, Lin Yun was certain it wouldn’t include second-grade blood.
No dragon palace would be foolish enough to extract essence blood from their second-grade bloodline dragons.
Even if they tried, those dragons, being high-ranking with significant influence, would refuse.
“If I could get some essence blood from Ao Tiancheng, that’d be perfect,” Lin Yun said with a mischievous grin.
He knew Ao Tiancheng had a second-grade bloodline.
But that was no easy feat. Ao Tiancheng was poised to become a pillar of the East Sea Dragon Palace, which would protect him fiercely.
Lin Yun paused his cultivation of the Divine Dragon Art.
Without enhancing his dragon bloodline, further progress was impossible for now.
The Advanced Divine Dragon Art was already quite effective, though.
“Next, I’ll cultivate the Heaven-Slaying Seal,” Lin Yun decided.
The Heaven-Slaying Seal was another of Lin Yun’s trump cards. Though its side effects meant he used it sparingly, its power was significant. However, it hadn’t been improved in a while, and its effect was less potent for Lin Yun’s current Second Layer Myriad Realm.
With his current foundation, Lin Yun was confident he could advance it.
After entering a cultivation state, he successfully condensed the fourth Heaven-Slaying Seal in just three days.
“On to the fifth seal.”
After succeeding with the fourth, Lin Yun pressed forward.
One month later.
“Buzz.”
The fifth seal slowly formed before Lin Yun’s chest.
“Success!” Lin Yun smiled.
Condensing the fifth seal took a full month, showing the increasing difficulty.
Only two seals remained, but Lin Yun felt uncertain about them.
Calculating the time, he had spent over six months in the One Thought Bright Heart Pagoda, equivalent to just over a month outside.
“I wonder how Little Green Dragon is doing,” Lin Yun murmured.
During his cultivation, Lin Yun occasionally used his divine sense to check the outside situation.
Strangely, none of those who entered the Dragon Emperor’s trial had emerged.
Over a month had passed outside, so those who failed should have come out by now.
Though curious, Lin Yun couldn’t investigate and could only continue cultivating, improving, and waiting for results.
With the Heaven-Slaying Seal at the fifth level, what should he cultivate next?
“I’ll continue with the Dragon Claw,” Lin Yun decided.
He could still improve the Dragon Claw and the Tianyuan Sword Technique.
But the sword technique’s third form was extremely difficult, likely requiring extensive time to master.
With his decision made, Lin Yun entered a cultivation state, beginning the fifth level of the Dragon Claw.
The Dragon Claw had seven levels, and Lin Yun had progressed through the first four relatively smoothly.
Its difficulty was high, but Lin Yun’s Origin-level physical body provided a strong foundation, enabling his progress. Otherwise, he’d have been stuck long ago.
