For an entire month, Lin Chen was in seclusion within the Nine Dragon Ring, consuming second-grade Spirit Replenishment Pills as if they were free.
Fortunately, Shangguan Ling'er had collected enough medicinal ingredients for him beforehand, otherwise, this breakthrough might have ended prematurely due to insufficient spiritual energy.
Fortunately, he had made all the necessary preparations!
Two months flew by, and the spiritual energy within Lin Chen's body began to surge uncontrollably.
Lin Chen repeatedly suppressed this surge of spiritual energy, fusing it into a size no larger than his thumb.
For the previous three months, he had been repeating this process day in and day out.
"No, the spiritual energy is still not enough. Another Gold Tempering Pill!"
Sensing the changes within his body, Lin Chen did not hesitate and swallowed another Gold Tempering Pill.
"Boom!"
As the medicinal power of the Gold Tempering Pill bloomed within his body, Lin Chen's meridians were thoroughly cleansed. A golden Core, shining with dazzling light, formed within Lin Chen's sea of consciousness.
Core Formation stage, achieved!
"Now, it's time to end my seclusion and deal with the Ghost God Sect!"
Feeling the vigorous spiritual energy within him, Lin Chen was filled with heroic spirit.
The late stage of Foundation Establishment and the Core Formation stage seemed like a thin veil apart, but the vast chasm between them made even Lin Chen feel daunted.
When he had first mastered the "Thousand Layer Waves" and "Silver Dragon Transformation," he had been thinking of using these two techniques to withstand attacks from Core Formation cultivators.
Fortunately, he hadn't foolishly charged into the Ghost God Sect with his late Foundation Establishment cultivation. Otherwise, he would have been seeking his own demise!
"Oh? You're out of seclusion? What's your cultivation level now?"
Upon seeing Lin Chen emerge, Zhang Ying's eyes lit up in the pavilion, and she directly inquired.
Although she hadn't cultivated for decades, her cultivation level was that of a genuine Foundation Establishment cultivator. Yet, now, she couldn't sense the slightest ripple of spiritual energy from Lin Chen.
There were only two possibilities: either he was an ordinary person, or his cultivation was far higher than hers, and he was deliberately concealing his aura, making it undetectable to her.
However, neither possibility seemed plausible!
The first time she saw Lin Chen, his cultivation level hadn't even reached the first level of the Qi Gathering stage, although he did show signs of having cultivated.
This meant he definitely couldn't be an ordinary person.
As for his cultivation being higher than hers, that was even more impossible! Lin Chen, in appearance and bone structure, looked no older than his early twenties.
Core Formation stage or higher? That's a joke!
After emerging from seclusion, Lin Chen's first action wasn't to respond to Zhang Ying's question. Instead, he went directly to the edge of the formation and personally reinforced the restriction.
Now, even if a Core Formation cultivator were outside, they wouldn't be able to detect what was happening inside.
"Wait, you broke through to Core Formation?"
The moment Lin Chen acted, Zhang Ying also sensed his cultivation. It was definitely the aura possessed only by Core Formation cultivators!
This young man in his twenties had actually broken through to the Core Formation stage?
What was happening in this world? Had it gone mad?
Core Formation at the age of twenty-something?
"Senior Sister, I'll remove your Soul Locking Nails now, but don't shout. Remain calm, understand?"
After completing everything, Lin Chen walked directly up to Zhang Ying, deciding it was time to reveal everything.
"What? What did you call me? Senior Sister?"
Hearing Lin Chen's address, Zhang Ying was utterly bewildered.
Good heavens, was this kid out of his mind, calling her Senior Sister?
"I am Zhang Yunlong's last disciple. You are his daughter, so naturally, I call you Senior Sister."
Lin Chen smiled gently and explained to Zhang Ying.
"Heh heh, is that so? Alright, you don't need to pretend anymore. There's no need to waste your efforts. No matter what you want to get from me by pretending to be my father's disciple, I won't give it to you."
"The only thing you'll get is a corpse."
Zhang Ying let out a cold, mocking laugh, completely disbelieving Lin Chen's words.
If her father truly had a disciple, how could she, his daughter, not know?
"Everything I've said is true. Two years ago, I apprenticed under my master, and he told me some things about you."
"But at that time, my master said you had already died. I didn't expect to see you here now."
To gain Zhang Ying's trust, Lin Chen explained again.
"Alright, alright, stop explaining. If you're going to lie, at least be more skillful!"
"Firstly, my father died long ago. Secondly, even if what you say is true, and my father is still alive, and you became his disciple two years ago, you've already reached Core Formation now."
"Do you think I'm an idiot?"
Zhang Ying smiled, a brilliant smile.
Previously, she had admired this pretty boy for becoming an alchemist at such a young age. His future was undoubtedly limitless.
She hadn't expected him to be such a terrible liar, with his falsehoods so full of holes.
Someone like this trying to get something from her? Wasn't that just a comical act?
"Uh, okay, then just consider me an enemy of the Ghost God Sect. You are also their enemy, so an enemy of an enemy is a friend."
"I'll remove the Soul Locking Nails for you now. You are not allowed to escape or shout. How about it?"
Lin Chen rubbed his head, feeling a bit speechless, and could only think of another approach.
"Heh, now that's more like it. Alright, as long as you unlock the Soul Locking Nails for me, I promise to listen to you."
"But the prerequisite is that you can't have any improper thoughts about me."
Hearing Lin Chen's explanation, Zhang Ying could reluctantly accept some of it.
This person had concealed his true cultivation level and infiltrated the Ghost God Sect; he must have had a purpose.
However, for her, at this moment, it didn't matter what his purpose was.
As long as she could escape, she would have a chance to avenge her father and mother!
"Tch, don't worry. I'll unlock it for you right now."
With Zhang Ying's consent, Lin Chen finally felt relieved and immediately reached out, channeling the primordial energy from his dantian to unlock the Soul Locking Nails on Zhang Ying's hand.
"This is a second-grade Blood Replenishing Pill. Take it immediately to stop the bleeding and heal your wounds."
After the Soul Locking Nails were removed, two bloody holes appeared on Zhang Ying's hands, looking gruesome.
"A second-grade pill? You're quite something."
Seeing the second-grade Blood Replenishing Pill Lin Chen handed over, Zhang Ying's eyes immediately lit up.
She had traveled extensively with her father and seen countless cultivators, but this was the first time she had personally witnessed an alchemist offering a second-grade pill!
Especially a pill for healing, which was like a second life for cultivators!
Therefore, every second-grade pill or higher had previously been sold at an exorbitant price.
This person named Lin Chen was truly generous!