Chapter 50: Unfathomable Potential

As the first light of dawn stretched across the Lin estate, the air grew heavy with an oppressive stillness. A distant rumble of thunder rolled across the horizon, faint but growing stronger with each passing moment. Lin Moyi stepped outside, his gaze fixated on the ominous clouds circling Northern Moon.

The storm's strange behavior tugged at the edge of his awareness, its energy unnatural yet familiar like any other approaching thunder storm, but was it really just a thunder storm?. He frowned, the faintest chill crawling up his spine. The heavens were not merely angry, they were preparing to pass judgment.

'Could it be him?' Lin Moyi thought as he turned to look inside the main hall.

Inside, Jiang Feng stirred, his body reacting to the celestial disturbance. The golden threads of energy coursing through his veins began to pulse, their rhythm quickening in time with the distant thunder. His eyes fluttered open, the once-familiar hall around him blurred by the aftereffects of his breakthrough. He clenched his fists, feeling the newfound strength coursing through him.

His muscles felt taut, his energy unrelenting like never before. Yet deep down, a subtle ache reminded him of the tribulation that awaited him, a trial of lightning and fire that could either temper his soul or annihilate it and he was no stranger to it either.

As the Eternal Flame Codex and his father had once warned him, reverse cultivation came at a terrible cost. It was a taboo for a good reason. Millions of years ago, countless practitioners had fallen to its allure, and just as many had met their end beneath the wrath of the heavens. Tribulation lightning was the most common punishment—merciless, all-encompassing, and indiscriminate.

Not only would the cultivator be struck down, but anyone connected to them through karmic ties could be caught in the storm's deadly wake. Families, friends, entire sects—all wiped out by the unforgiving will of the heavens.

To attempt such a path was to gamble one's life and the lives of everyone around them, one's resolve had to be firm and the strength of their fate and destiny had to be heaven defying. Only those with unimaginable resolve, unshakable faith, and a destiny blessed by the heavens could hope to survive the karmic storms of reverse cultivation.

But for those who did survive, the rewards were equally unimaginable. Power that defied logic, a body reforged by heavenly might, and strength that could shake the very foundations of the world awaited those bold or foolish enough to persevere.

As the morning  stretched on, the storm clouds thickened, their ominous presence pressing down on the city like an unspoken threat. And yet, in the Lin Courtyard, there was no fear—only the stillness of an unconscious boy whose cultivation was breaking through barriers long thought unbreakable. Jiang Feng lay at the center of it all, his body glowing faintly as his blood, bones, and muscles resonated with an otherworldly hum. Above, the heavens continued their silent watch, waiting to deliver their judgment.

-

"Father, is what you say true? But how... such progress is unheard of, even in the long history of the four continents." Lin Rou's voice carried a mixture of disbelief and intrigue as he sat on a carved oak chair beside his father. His gaze lingered on the sprawling courtyard outside, where sunlight filtered through ancient trees.

Lin Moyi stood by the window, his hands clasped behind his back. The light cast a long shadow of his figure against the floor. His deep sigh filled the room, the weight of centuries evident in his tone. "Nothing is impossible in this world. It is only that our view is often limited by the sky above our heads."

Lin Moyi's eyes, ancient yet sharp, held the wisdom of a man who had lived for more than a millennium. His words, layered with the weariness of countless experiences, lingered in the air. He shook his head lightly as though brushing away invisible dust.

"How is your progress?" Lin Moyi asked suddenly, shifting the subject as his gaze followed the Lin courtyard members leaving for their daily duties.

Lin Rou straightened, his face lighting with pride. "In two more days, I should reach the fourth stage. The spiritual energy in Northern Moon is far richer than in the outer regions. Cultivating here feels almost effortless," he replied, satisfaction evident in his tone.

"Good." Lin Moyi nodded approvingly, though his expression remained tempered. "I received word earlier that Jiang Feng ran into a bit of trouble with the Bia Clan's little firebrand, Bia Zhen. Apparently, even the young miss of the Fang Clan got involved. They started a fight that escalated until the city guards intervened to bring it to an end."

Lin Moyi allowed himself a rare smile. His amusement was mild, more reflective than entertained. "The young will always be reckless. Without challenges, how can they grow stronger? Northern Moon will temper them. I am curious to see how Jiang Feng fares under the weight of this city."

Lin Rou rose from his chair, the excitement in his eyes tempered by determination. "Father, I should get going. The Situ Army is recruiting today. I'd like to test my luck."

Lin Moyi gave a faint nod, still looking out the window. "Go. I'll take care of Jiang Feng."

Bowing deeply, Lin Rou turned and strode out of the hall, his figure soon disappearing down the stone-paved path.

Only after his son had left did Lin Moyi finally turn away from the window. His calm eyes flickered toward a shadowed corner of the main hall. "You might as well step out now," he said evenly, his voice carrying no hint of surprise.

From the darkness emerged an elderly man, his long beard flowing like silver silk. His eyes held a sharp gleam of curiosity, contrasting with the sagely demeanor he exuded. This man was Zhen Chen, an enigmatic figure who seemed to appear and vanish at will.

"With a bit more effort and the right resources, your son should reach the Golden Core Realm in a few years if not sooner" Zhen Chen remarked, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "He has talent, but not enough to command the grand stage, he will need guidance."

Lin Moyi chuckled lightly. "Lord Zhen Chen flatters my son too much. It would already be a great achievement if he reached the Golden Core before three hundred."

Zhen Chen waved his hand dismissively. "His talent is not far behind that of the Bia girl who recently made it onto the regional rankings. The only issue is that your prolonged absence slowed his cultivation. The Situ Army's resources should help him catch up."

Zhen Chen approached Jiang Feng, who laid in a semi unconscious state on a cot in the room's corner. Placing a hand on the young man's chest, Zhen Chen sent a stream of spiritual energy into his body. He closed his eyes, his brow furrowing as he probed deeper.

Fifteen minutes passed in silence. When Zhen Chen finally withdrew his hand, his expression was one of intrigue laced with frustration. "Strange... I cannot locate the source of the power that devoured the essence of the Spirit Burst Pill. And these five meridians—open? They were not this way yesterday."

Turning to Lin Moyi, Zhen Chen's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "I recently came out of seclusion and visited the Obsidian Battlegrounds to clear my mind. I watched the juniors spar, but just as I was about to leave, I saw this young man enter. At first, I thought nothing of him, but I stayed to observe. You see, I was seeking candidates for the Obsidian Waterfall Realm opening in two months."

Lin Moyi remained silent, his hands clasped behind his back once more. His calm expression betrayed no emotion, even as Zhen Chen's penetrating gaze tried to dissect his thoughts.

Zhen Chen stroked his beard again, his mind replaying the peculiar events he had witnessed at the battlegrounds. "When I saw you feed him that Spirit Burst Pill, I almost thought you meant to kill him. But what unfolded afterward..." He shook his head, his voice trailing off. "Perhaps I'll stay a little longer to see how this unfolds. The boy has unfathomable potential—whether it's a blessing or a curse remains to be seen."

The room fell silent once more, the faint hum of spiritual energy dissipating into the stillness.

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