Chapter Sixty-Five: Enlightenment and Breakthrough

The Way! This is the Way! Suddenly, Lin Xiaobao felt as if a veil had been lifted from his mind—this was the power of the Way! Long Xing Tian’s spiritual energy was identical to his own, but he did not wield it like a martial artist; instead, he channeled it through his understanding of the Way, unlocking its true strength. Wherever the Way pointed, it was invincible.

In that moment, Lin Xiaobao’s months of studying arrays and alchemy converged into a deeper comprehension of the Way, manifesting as cryptic principles in his mind. Suddenly, his entire body shimmered with radiant colors, and his aura surged upward.

On the viewing platform, the pavilion master and the five elders rose to their feet in unison. They recognized the scene too well—it was the precursor to breaking through as an innate martial artist and advancing to the Realm of Spirit.

No one doubted Lin Xiaobao’s potential; it was inevitable he would one day step into the Realm of Spirit. Yet none expected he would achieve enlightenment and breakthrough at this very moment.

“Lin Xiaobao is about to break through to the Realm of Spirit!” A shout rang out among the disciples, and everyone held their breath, fearful of disturbing Lin Xiaobao at this critical juncture.

Their gazes upon Lin Xiaobao were filled with complex emotions—envy, jealousy, admiration, and awe. In little more than three years since entering the sect, to rise from a novice to the Realm of Spirit—was that not worthy of envy, jealousy, and reverence?

Within the array, Long Xing Tian likewise sensed a powerful aura surging from outside; he was intimately familiar with this sensation—it was the sign of someone advancing to the Realm of Spirit. Could it be Lin Xiaobao?

Though he could not accept that Lin Xiaobao, after only three years of cultivation, was about to ascend to the Realm of Spirit, Long Xing Tian could not imagine anyone else who might emit such an aura.

He must be stopped! Such a thing could not be allowed! Sensing he was near the edge of the array, Long Xing Tian abandoned any subtlety and unleashed his spiritual power in a relentless barrage, seeking to break his way out. It consumed tremendous energy but was nonetheless one of the methods to break an array.

Long Xing Tian believed that, given Lin Xiaobao’s current resources, the array’s materials could not be of high quality. Breaking it with brute force, though costly, was the quickest solution. Of course, this was only true because Long Xing Tian lacked expertise in arrays; if it were Lin Xiaobao, he would simply decipher the formation and walk out, which was far more efficient. Thus, the way to break an array depended on the person.

Still, it was undeniable that, under Long Xing Tian’s relentless assault, the spiritual jades embedded in the arena grew dimmer, as if they might extinguish at any moment.

Yet Lin Xiaobao was oblivious to all outside events. He was immersed in a profound, mysterious sensation; the elusive thing that had often appeared in his mind was now clear: it was the Way, the Heavenly Way!

Chewing over those cryptic principles, Lin Xiaobao’s aura climbed ever higher, the radiant glow surrounding him grew increasingly dazzling. Some disciples with lower cultivation near the arena could not withstand the pressure; their bodies went limp, and they hurriedly retreated.

“I propose we suspend the match!” Lin Tian stood and spoke, his gaze fixed on the arena.

“Objection!”

No sooner had Lin Tian spoken than the Second, Third, and Fourth Elders objected. As Long Xing Tian’s master, the Third Elder added, “The purpose of the match is to strengthen our disciples’ ability to face opponents. If this were a life-or-death battle, could you expect the enemy to pause?”

With a cold snort, Lin Tian had anticipated their refusal. He wasted no more words and flashed to the edge of the arena, ready to intervene at any moment.

But as Lin Tian appeared, the other three elders followed, positioning themselves in a triangle around him, making it clear they would not stand idle should he act.

The atmosphere in the Everlasting Hall grew tense and strange, though most disciples watching failed to notice, thinking only that the elders were concerned about Lin Xiaobao.

Accompanied by crisp sounds, the spiritual jades embedded in the arena shattered one after another. Long Xing Tian finally broke the Yellow Sand and Flame Array by force, just as Lin Xiaobao let out a thunderous dragon’s roar, causing the entire Everlasting Hall to quake as if in an earthquake.

As he grasped the Heavenly Way, Lin Xiaobao instinctively activated the True Fire of Taiyi. Only now did he realize he had never understood its true essence; had he studied it seriously from the beginning, he might have reached enlightenment and entered the Realm of Spirit long ago.

Yet, because of the Spirit Gathering Array, he had always placed True Fire of Taiyi on the back burner, unable to comprehend its core.

With the technique’s continued operation, the spiritual energy in his dantian transformed into flames, illuminating it with a fiery glow. Meanwhile, the Spirit Gathering Array on his body frantically absorbed the spiritual energy in the air, making Lin Xiaobao the center of a vortex, drawing in energy ceaselessly.

Flying Star Sacred Finger!

Seeing that Lin Xiaobao was about to complete his ascension, Long Xing Tian grew desperate. He pointed dozens of times in rapid succession, each mark condensed from icy gray-white energy, shooting straight for Lin Xiaobao.

Lin Xiaobao was absorbed in the exhilaration of advancement, utterly unaware of the impending danger, his face serene as he let out a long, joyful howl.

“Outrageous!” Lin Tian had no time for hesitation. With a thunderous shout, he transformed into a streak of light and rushed toward the arena.

And as Lin Tian moved, the other three elders acted almost simultaneously. All four were ninth-stage Spirit Realm experts, their speed far beyond that of first-stage Long Xing Tian. On the arena, Long Xing Tian’s attacks had yet to reach Lin Xiaobao, while below, the four elders exchanged countless blows.

“I’m coming too!” Seeing his master act, Wang Dashan, though fully aware he faced elders of the ninth stage, could not hesitate when Lin Xiaobao’s safety was at stake. With a loud shout, he swung his cold iron hammer fiercely at the Third Elder…