A technologically powerful nation: The national treasure is actually myself.

Within the secret cave.

Lin Yang sat cross-legged, and a large amount of cultivation resources were rapidly consumed.

His cultivation level also steadily increased.

As time goes by, we are getting closer and closer to the middle stage of the Yuanhe Realm.

Finally, when half of his resources were used up, Lin Yang successfully broke through to the mid-stage of the Yuanhe Realm.

The process went much more smoothly than he had expected, and took far less time than he had anticipated.

This is naturally thanks to the "boundary".

The power feedback function of "boundary" is a bit too strong.

"There are still more than half of the resources left..."

Lin Yang couldn't help but sigh.

This greatly exceeded his expectations.

He originally estimated that he would consume at least two-thirds of it.

But I never expected that only half of it has been used up.

"The remaining half shouldn't be enough to break through to the later stages."

Lin Yang thought to himself, while continuing to absorb the information.

The goal of this retreat is to absorb all the resources.

Although the remaining half was not enough for him to continue breaking through to the late stage of the Yuanhe Realm, every bit of improvement in his cultivation was real power.

There is no time to practice.

On this day, the resources that had been prepared were visibly running out.

"As expected, it's not enough to advance to the later stages." Lin Yang opened his eyes.

The resources required for the mid-to-late stages of the Yuanhe Realm are far greater than those required for the early-to-mid stages.

Even with feedback from the "boundary," the remaining half of the resources was insufficient to support his breakthrough to the later stage.

Lin Yang is about to leave the seclusion.

He planned to return to Xiwu City.

This seclusion must have drained the Zhao family's coffers.

Accumulating resources solely based on the Zhao family's current resources and territory is too slow.

The Zhao family needs to expand again.

He began to discuss with "Jie" about temporarily leaving the Cave Heaven Secret Realm.

Of course, the so-called discussion was mainly a one-sided notification from him.

He was unable to communicate with "the boundary" in any way; he simply uttered those words.

After all, the "realm" had given him so much power, so he had to say goodbye before leaving the cave.

This is basic courtesy.

However, in the next instant, the temperature in the entire closed room suddenly dropped.

A chilling power suddenly appeared.

"It's that ghost!"

Lin Yang felt a chill run down his spine and subconsciously touched the half of the tattered armor he was wearing close to his body.

Yueyou said that the armor's power could resist Yin spirits.

Now, it's time to verify.

The chilling force continued to intensify.

The secluded room gradually fell into darkness.

Lin Yang vaguely saw that ghost staring at him from afar across a dark place.

This gave him a sense of foreboding.

Last time, when the spirit appeared without going through the spirit communication array, it only brought some cold energy; the spirit itself did not show itself.

But this time, the true form of the ghost actually appeared.

This means that this spirit is probably becoming increasingly unrestrained by the so-called boundary rules.

Lin Yang was wary, but his expression remained calm.

He stared at the ghost from afar.

He wanted to see just how far this ghost could go.

He even thought for a moment and asked, "Why are you staring at me like that?"

He was also a little curious about this question.

Why did this ghost target him so specifically?

Since you can already appear regardless of the boundary rules, why don't you go find someone else?

Is there another reason or something else?
But the ghost just looked at him and didn't answer.

Lin Yang frowned.

He knew that this spirit could be communicated with.

The reason I'm not replying to him now is probably because... I think he might not be good enough for me.

After all, he was indeed very weak compared to this ghost.

Back in the ancient ruins, both the foreign emperor and his junior brother were beings beyond imagination, which is why this ghost was able to communicate with them.

Now it's his turn, and the ghosts are ignoring him. Lin Yang guesses that's basically the reason.

"This vengeful spirit wants to take over my body, yet it looks down on me..." Lin Yang thought to himself.

suddenly.

His vision blurred.

The ghost had already appeared before him.

However, Lin Yang always felt that even though the ghost was right in front of him, it was as if there was still a transparent layer between them.

Unlike the last time when the spirit appeared through the spirit communication array, it wasn't truly right in front of me.

This feeling is very subtle.

However, he quickly realized that the reason he had this feeling was probably because the spirit was affected by the rules of the realm and could not fully descend.

The spirits are likely fighting against the rules of the realm, trying to break free of their constraints.

Because he did not feel the power of the ghost controlling him.

In the past, every time it appeared, this ghost would immediately control him without saying a word, but it didn't this time.

This is enough to prove that his guess was correct.

Without a spirit communication array, this ghost can now manifest itself, but it cannot break the power of the boundary rules to attack him.

Therefore, Lin Yang was no longer so nervous. Instead, he watched the ghost with great interest and sensed its changes.

The ghost seemed to have also noticed Lin Yang's change.

The ghost, which had been making no movement, suddenly stretched out a hand, which was shaped like a claw, and reached out to grab Lin Yang.

But the speed was extremely slow, as if there was an invisible barrier hindering it.

The ghost's claws kept grabbing at the void, as if trying to break through some kind of barrier.

This is clearly a violation of boundary rules.

Lin Yang felt somewhat relieved.

However, the chilling power quickly intensified.

Wisps of black energy seeped out through the Yin spirit's claws, sending chills down Lin Yang's spine.

He sensed the power of the evil spirits trying to invade his body.

This surprised Lin Yang slightly.

This ghost's power is frighteningly strong.

It was only the second time it appeared without using the spirit array, yet it was already able to initially resist the influence of the realm rules and had some power seep out.

Puff puff……

The next instant, the power emanating from the Yin spirit attempted to invade Lin Yang's body.

An invisible wave erupted from the armor, dissipating all the power.

When this scene unfolded, Lin Yang could clearly sense that the Yin Spirit's face, which was completely obscured, seemed to be making some kind of subtle expression.

The ghost paused slightly in its movements, as if it were pondering something.

But soon, the ghost resumed its movements, and the power it was infiltrating grew stronger and stronger.

Lin Yang seemed to hear some kind of mockery.

It's as if to say, "It's just a dead object."

Seeing this, Lin Yang had no doubt that if it weren't for the restrictions of the boundary rules, the armor's power would be far from enough to contend with the Yin spirits.

This eerie spirit is indeed damnably powerful.

Feeling the Yin spirit constantly seeping into his power, Lin Yang didn't know how long the boundary rules could suppress this Yin spirit.

If he waits until the Yin spirit completely breaks through the limitations of the boundary rules and descends, he fears that it won't even take half a second before the Yin spirit takes over his body and consciousness.

An unprecedented sense of urgency washed over me.

The ghost seemed to be able to sense the changes in Lin Yang's emotions.

As Lin Yang's emotions fluctuated, the power he exerted intensified.

Even through the armor, Lin Yang could feel a chill seeping into his body.

"Could this guy be about to break through the suppression of the boundary rules this time?" Lin Yang became a little nervous.

Time passed slowly. Fortunately, in the end, the vengeful spirit failed to break through the suppression of the boundary rules.

The chilling power began to slowly dissipate.

It seems that after appearing for so long, this ghost has reached the limit of what it can show this time.

Lin Yang breathed a slight sigh of relief.

However, I'm still not feeling very optimistic.

Judging from the behavior of the spirit, it probably won't be long before it can completely ignore the influence of the boundary rules.

The ghost was about to leave.

Suddenly, something unexpected happened!
For some unknown reason, the "boundary" suddenly emitted a surge of power that flowed towards the Yin spirit.

The ethereal body, which was gradually becoming ethereal, slowly solidified again.

The chilling power intensified once again.

Lin Yang was momentarily stunned.

What is "Jie" up to?
They actually forcibly kept the ghost here again?
This is going to get him killed!

But before he could think further...

Change and regeneration.

The power of the "boundary" began to rapidly absorb the power of the Yin spirits.

Unlike the slow absorption of the secret realm, the speed was extremely fast.

It was as if it had transformed into a black hole, rapidly absorbing the power of the evil spirits.

Lin Yang could even sense the changing expressions on the ghosts' faces.

hum!
The vengeful spirits seemed to want to stop the "realm" from absorbing them, unleashing a terrifying surge of power in resistance.

However, the "realm" accepts all comers and absorbs all the power of the Yin spirits.

"Humph!"

Suddenly, Lin Yang heard the angry roar of the ghost.

The actions of "Jie" clearly angered the spirit.

He could sense the wrath of the spirits.

The spirits began to try to break free of their restraints, wanting to seize the "boundary".

Yes, it was a very mysterious feeling. He could sense that the ghosts were not targeting him this time, but rather the "realm".

The two sides thus began to clash.

However, "boundary" is clearly in the upper hand.

Perhaps due to the suppression of the boundary rules, the spirits were never able to stop the "boundary" from absorbing them, nor could they break through the constraints of the boundary rules to descend.

Finally, the spirit's body began to dissipate little by little again.

Perhaps he had already realized that he couldn't do anything to the "boundary" this time, or perhaps the boundary rules had increased their suppression, forcing him to leave.

In short, after a period of struggle, the evil spirit dissipated.

The secluded room was brightened again.

The "boundary" also stopped its frenzied absorption.

Lin Yang's expression was strange.

Previously, when the spirits appeared, the "realm" did not react at all.

This time, however, it was so different.

He didn't know why.

But it's definitely not a good thing that "Jie" has been exposed to the Yin spirits this time.

However, he quickly came to terms with it.

Anyway, he's already been targeted by this ghost, and even without the "boundary," the ghost won't let him go.

This only gives that vengeful spirit another reason to be even more determined to pursue him.

Thinking of this, Lin Yang sighed slightly and prepared to return to Xiwu City.

However, the next second, he involuntarily stopped in his tracks.

His expression also became even stranger.

Because the "boundary" suddenly began to give him immense power!

It was no longer the gentle stream of feedback, but a torrent of powerful waves.

"This……"

Lin Yang was taken aback, but he didn't hesitate. He immediately sat down cross-legged and began to absorb the immense power feedback.

Time passed little by little.

When the "boundary" stops providing feedback.

Lin Yang was shocked to discover that he had unknowingly reached the late stage of the Yuanhe Realm, and was only half a step away from the peak.

Lin Yang was completely dumbfounded again.

The power feedback from "the boundary" this time actually lifted him from the mid-stage to almost the peak!

That's a bit of an exaggeration.

"boundary……"

Lin Yang kept repeating the name "Jie". Although breaking through the realm was a good thing, his feelings became more and more complicated.

The stronger the "boundary," the more dangerous it is to be exposed.

Imagine what would happen to him if others knew he possessed such an extraordinary ability; it's easy to imagine what his fate would be.

"Oh, Jie, you've truly surprised and delighted me..."

After a long while, Lin Yang gave a wry smile, suppressed his chaotic thoughts, strode out of the secluded cultivation room, and left the cave-heaven secret realm, returning to Xiwu City.

……

Xiwu City.

Zhao family.

Zhao Yuan, Zhao Xiong, and all the elders gathered together to look at Lin Yang, who had just returned.

Since the last invasion of the ancient ruins ended and Lin Yang helped them seize resources and territory, he has been living in the cave realm for tens of thousands of years without coming out.

Today, as Lin Yang returned, the Zhao family celebrated his breakthrough in cultivation, but also harbored some hidden expectations and hopes.

Zhao Yuan's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and his gaze lingered on Lin Yang for a moment.

Feeling Lin Yang's powerful aura, Zhao Yuan was quite shaken.

"Guest Elder Lin, your cultivation level doesn't seem like that of someone who has just broken through to the mid-stage," Zhao Yuan said tentatively.

Lin Yang smiled slightly: "Fellow Daoist Zhao has a keen eye. I was fortunate enough to make a breakthrough during my seclusion this time, and now I am only half a step away from reaching the peak."

"hiss……"

"What???"

"..."

As soon as Lin Yang spoke, a collective gasp filled the main hall.

The Zhao family knew that Lin Yang would break through to the mid-stage after this seclusion, but how come he's only a little short of reaching the peak?
Everyone looked at each other, somewhat bewildered.

The resources Lin Yang took were limited.

At most, it can only support him to break through to the mid-game; no matter what, it cannot reach the late game.

Not to mention when you're nearing your peak!
This is totally against common sense!

The Zhao family members stared at each other, speechless for a moment.

Lin Yang's breakthrough this time was beyond their comprehension.

Zhao Yuan was equally shocked.

As a mid-stage Yuanhe Realm cultivator who had remained at this level for many years, he understood better than the other elders just how difficult it was to break through.

Therefore, he was even more shocked.

One seclusion period led to a breakthrough from the initial stage to near the peak.

He simply couldn't imagine it!
"Lin...Guest Elder, are you...alright?"

After a long silence, Zhao Yuan spoke, his tone devoid of joy, but instead tinged with worry and concern.

He was a little worried that Lin Yang had used some special method to achieve such a rapid breakthrough.

He knew that there were some little-known secret techniques on the Primordial Ancient Continent that could temporarily and quickly improve one's cultivation, but these had endless consequences.

Using it is tantamount to cutting off your own path to success.

Lin Yang's cultivation has improved at a rapid pace, and his future is limitless.

He was genuinely worried that Lin Yang might go astray in his pursuit of faster breakthroughs.

Lin Yang smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, don't worry. I only had some unexpected gains this time. I didn't improve through any special means. I wouldn't ruin my path to the Great Dao."

Hearing this, Zhao Yuan was relieved: "That's good, Guest Elder Lin, you really gave us a fright."

After saying this, Zhao Yuan became completely happy, repeatedly congratulating Lin Yang. Then, under the expectant and excited gazes of the other elders of the Zhao family, he whispered:
"Guest Elder Lin, what are your plans for this trip out of seclusion?"

Lin Yang couldn't help but smile: "Fellow Daoist Zhao, I am now nearing my peak, and my need for resources is even greater, so..."

He looked at Zhao Yuan:

"Does Fellow Daoist Zhao have any ideas about advancing the Zhao family to a higher level?"

Zhao Yuan was instantly shaken.

His gaze hardened. (End of Chapter)