Chapter Ten: Breaking Through as a Fighter

At such a young age, to possess such pure soul power—if he could be nurtured to the Dou Saint realm, for my Soul Hall… The expert from Soul Hall shook his head, leaving the thought unfinished.

“What do you intend to do now?” Yun Shan asked in a low voice.

“Isn’t he about to break through to One-Star Dou Practitioner? Then let’s help him. I’m quite curious whether this is due to a unique constitution or something else entirely…” Kun Yu, the expert from Soul Hall, replied.

Yun Shan nodded. Though he didn’t fully understand Kun Yu’s motives, all his hopes now rested on Soul Hall, and he could only comply.

For Lin An’s breakthrough, Yun Shan had prepared many valuable items: not just spiritual elixirs to aid his cultivation but also pills suited to Lin An’s needs.

“I trust you’re a clever one. I’ll give you three days to break through. If you cannot achieve it within that time, then there’s little use in keeping you here!” Yun Shan declared.

“I’d like to know—when you brought me here, was my master, Yun Yun, aware of this?” Lin An asked, eager to learn whether his master was complicit. If she knew nothing, he could accept it, but if she did, it would mean becoming an enemy of the entire Cloudmist Sect at this stage—something greatly disadvantageous and not what he wished for.

“Don’t worry. I told my dear disciple I was simply helping you reach the Dou Practitioner realm. But even if something unexpected happens to you here, I doubt she’ll pursue it too far,” Yun Shan said with a smile.

Clearly, Yun Shan had anticipated every eventuality. Should Lin An need to disappear from everyone’s eyes, Yun Shan had countless ways to arrange a reasonable end for him.

Without hesitation, Lin An took the spiritual elixir and pills from Yun Shan and began cultivating.

Though the cave’s environment could not compare to the Hall of Yama, it was still Yun Shan’s sanctuary for secluded cultivation and far superior to most places in the Cloudmist Sect.

Downing both the elixir and the pills, Lin An felt his Dou Qi begin to surge instantly. The Six Paths Reincarnation technique started operating unconsciously, and astonishing yin energy poured into his body, strengthening his flesh.

Observing Lin An, Kun Yu’s face betrayed a look of shock. He hadn’t expected such commotion just from Lin An breaking through to the Dou Practitioner realm, nor the ceaseless wave of soul power emanating from the boy. This soul power carried a hint of magic, stirring within Kun Yu a desire to claim it as his own.

If this youth were to mature, he would surely become a formidable obstacle to Soul Hall. Yet, if I can make use of him, it might be my chance to rise within Soul Hall, Kun Yu murmured softly to himself.

Even Yun Shan, seasoned as he was as the sect leader of Cloudmist, could hardly conceal his shock at Lin An’s breakthrough. He had seen many things, but never someone who could cause such a stir by advancing to the Dou Practitioner realm. This only confirmed for him that Lin An harbored secrets.

After a full day and night, Lin An finally broke through to the One-Star Dou Practitioner realm. The shackles within his body seemed to open, allowing torrents of energy to flood into him.

Neither Kun Yu nor Yun Shan disturbed Lin An as he cultivated; no matter how mysterious Lin An’s powers, with their strength, dealing with a mere Dou Practitioner posed no challenge.

After another half day, Lin An finally opened his eyes from cultivation.

[Congratulations, host, on reaching the Dou Practitioner realm. You have received Level One rewards from the Hall of Yama System!]

[Hall of Yama Permission Reward: Once per day, you may forcibly draw the soul of one hostile individual into the Hall of Yama. The stronger the enemy’s realm, the higher the chance of failure. Please use with caution!]

[Reward: Six Paths Reincarnation Technique, First Tier Skill—Great Yin-Yang Palm]

[Reward: Level One Yin Soldiers—Ten!]

Lin An was surprised by these rewards—he hadn’t expected to receive system gifts just for breaking through. The first reward, in particular, was a timely boon. With this skill, he might be able to deal with the Soul Hall expert first. Once that threat was removed, Yun Shan would no longer pose much danger.

At the same time, as Lin An’s consciousness entered the Hall of Yama, he saw ten Yin Soldiers clad in black armor, gripping long spears, their bodies exuding a baleful aura—seasoned veterans of countless battles, intimidating to behold. A Level One Yin Soldier’s power equaled that of a Dou Master and was even deadlier to souls.

“Impressive. He’s only just become a Dou Practitioner, yet his pure soul power rivals that of a third-tier alchemist!”

I am truly curious what kind of secret you’re hiding within, Kun Yu thought, his greed intensifying as he witnessed Lin An’s advancement.

Soul Hall was infamous for its many techniques—especially those designed to torment or control souls. Extracting an enemy’s memories was one such method. Against someone like Lin An, still at the Dou Practitioner stage, it would be child’s play to seize his memories or even body.

Kun Yu grew impatient and moved closer to Lin An. Chains seemed to emerge from his body, instantly binding Lin An tight. These chains radiated a mysterious force that could suppress a person’s soul—a hallmark of Soul Hall’s dreaded techniques, feared even by masters.

Yet, when the chains fell upon Lin An, they seemed to have little effect. Confident in his own abilities, Lin An did not immediately use the Hall of Yama’s power. Kun Yu clearly underestimated him, but to be safe, Lin An decided to wait until Kun Yu’s guard was fully down before acting.

“Keep watch outside for me. Once I’ve extracted all of this boy’s secrets, I’ll reward you double what I promised!” Kun Yu ordered, and Yun Shan obediently left.

Even then, Kun Yu didn’t fully trust Yun Shan, so he laid down precautions around the cave. Soon, a phantom silhouette drifted out from Kun Yu’s body.

“To die at the hands of Soul Hall at such a young age—consider it an honor!” he said, as his soul entered Lin An’s body, unaware that an even greater danger awaited him.