C10 Body Tearing Bone!

Kong Ling's gaze grew intense as she spoke.

"Revenge? Let them try," Lin Tian said with a dismissive smile. "I showed restraint earlier and spared their lives. Their retaliation won't be severe—merely a few more attempts to besiege me, which hardly concerns me. Give me a few days to cultivate and an opportunity to awaken the Spirit Body, and then it will be their turn to face death."

Kong Ling and Zhao Hai shuddered at his words. Zhao Hai asked eagerly, "Mr. Lin, are you sure you can awaken the Spirit Body?"

"Have I ever spoken falsely?" Lin Tian replied, his smile broadening, which only added to Zhao Hai and Kong Ling's delight.

However, Kong Ling's brow furrowed as she cautioned, "Still, Big Brother, you must be vigilant. The Zhang family is not like our Lin family. Sure, we hold significant sway in the Outer Sect of the Celestial Dragon Sect, but the Zhangs are an Inner Sect family—a notch above the Ye family. And Zhang Zhong's elder brother, Zhang Ye, is already a disciple of the Inner Sect with considerable renown. If he targets you, Big Brother, you may find yourself in deep trouble."

"Zhang Ye?" Lin Tian's eyes flickered with recognition. He was aware of Zhang Ye's reputation: at sixteen, having awakened his Spirit Body at twelve, he had reached the pinnacle of Martial Apprentice Level Six in just four years, a mere step from the Martial Artist Stage—a prodigy with limitless potential.

"Zhang Ye is an Inner Sect disciple; he wouldn't stoop to confront us Outer Sect disciples," Zhao Hai argued.

"Stoop to confront us? Did you not hear Zhang Zhong's words? He claimed to be above the law in our presence! If an Outer Sect disciple can be so brazen, what's to stop his brother? We must prepare for the worst," Kong Ling insisted, catching Lin Tian off guard with her maturity despite her youth.

Zhao Hai fell silent, nodding in agreement, but Lin Tian simply chuckled, "Fear not. I am a changed man from before. Should Zhang Ye come for me, I have my methods to handle him. There's no need for concern on my behalf."

"Oh!"

Kong Ling and Zhao Hai exchanged a fleeting glance, their eyes lighting up with surprise as they turned to Lin Tian. They had previously noticed a change in him, but it was only now, seeing him anew, that they realized the transformation was far from superficial. Lin Tian's entire demeanor had undergone a dramatic shift; he was radiating confidence!

"Enough about that," Lin Tian said, shifting the topic. "I'm off to find a cave for cultivation. How about you two? Care to join me?"

"Absolutely! We're here for the same reason—to find a cave and cultivate," Zhao Hai responded. Lin Tian nodded in agreement, and the trio set off along the mountain path.

As they made their way, other disciples on the path couldn't help but notice Lin Tian and his companions, sparking a flurry of hushed conversations.

"Look at that, isn't that Lin Tian? Wasn't he the one Ye Ku took down a few days back? I heard his heart meridian was shattered. How's he up and walking?"

"Shh, keep it down! Haven't you heard? Lin Tian's made quite the comeback. Just yesterday, he not only took out Ye Ku, but he also gouged out Ye Hu's eyes! And before the Ye family could even think of retaliation, they were stopped by Hoo Xiu, the Law Enforcement Elder from the Inner Sect!"

"What?! No way! How did he get so strong, and where did he get such nerve?"

"Who can say? But one thing's for sure—Lin Tian's not someone to mess with now. Best to steer clear."

Despite the buzzing of rumors, Lin Tian paid them no mind and pressed on. Soon, he reached the midsection of Dragon Martial Peak and spotted a modest cave. It didn't look like much, perched precariously on the cliffside, but Lin Tian could sense that this cave had the richest concentration of vital energy in this part of the peak. It was an ideal match for his current level of strength and the power of the Black Tortoise Stone.

"Mr. Lin, are you heading to that cave? We should stick together," Zhao Hai suggested, with Kong Ling nodding in agreement from the side.

Lin Tian offered a knowing smile. While Zhao Hai and Kong Ling claimed they wanted to accompany him into the cave, he understood their true intent—to look after him and ensure his cultivation proceeded without interruption.

Zhao Hai and Kong Ling both came from notable backgrounds. Their parents were not only Outer Sect Elders but also hailed from influential families within the Celestial Dragon Country. With such connections, few would dare to cross Lin Tian when he was in their company.

"Your concern is appreciated, but it's not necessary. The next phase of my cultivation requires solitude," Lin Tian explained.

The Dragon Gate Breathing Technique and various body-strengthening methods Lin Tian intended to practice were highly confidential, and he couldn't risk anyone discovering them.

Zhao Hai and Kong Ling paused, a moment of surprise passing between them, before nodding in agreement. "Alright, we'll find a nearby cave to focus on our own cultivation," they decided.

With that, they departed to locate a suitable cave, while Lin Tian made his way into the one he had chosen.

As Lin Tian disappeared into the cave, the eyes of the surrounding disciples flickered with intrigue, some even contemplating a stealthy approach.

The caves at Dragon Martial Peak were available to any disciple, with the unspoken rule that they were fair game to be claimed by force. This practice by the Celestial Dragon Sect was designed to drive competition among its members: the capable could claim a cave, while the less skilled had to step aside.

Lin Tian's recent notoriety, especially his clash with the Ye family, had made him a target for those seeking to gain favor with the powerful clan. His entrance into the cave stirred temptation among a few disciples.

But before they could act, Zhao Hai and Kong Ling emerged from their nearby cave. Zhao Hai's voice cut through the air, icy and stern, "Anyone who dares to disturb Senior Brother Lin should think twice—we won't go easy on you!"

"Indeed. We may not come from powerhouses like the Ye or Zhang families, but that doesn't mean we're pushovers," Kong Ling added sharply. "So, unless you're looking for trouble, I suggest you back off."

Their warning resonated, and the faces of those plotting against Lin Tian darkened. They scattered, frustration evident in their hasty retreat.

Inside the cave, Lin Tian's gaze flickered with acknowledgment. He hadn't expected Zhao Hai and Kong Ling to look out for him in such a manner.

Although his parents had once saved Zhao Hai and Kong Ling's parents, and he had enjoyed a good relationship with them in his youth, their current level of care for him seemed excessively generous.

As Lin Tian pondered the news of his parents' passing, a sense of unease took hold. He and his sister had never seen their parents' bodies; it was as if they had vanished into thin air. How could one simply declare them dead?

"There must be some hidden truths here," Lin Tian whispered to himself before falling into a contemplative silence.

But he quickly shook off the thought. He recognized that uncovering these secrets was not his immediate concern. His priority was to fortify his physical body and awaken his Spirit Body. Only with strength could he pursue the full truth.

Lin Tian settled into a cross-legged position and pulled out ten Qi Cultivating Pills and some herbs from his pocket. "The Dragon Gate Breathing Technique has laid the foundation for my physique. Now it's time to use these pills and herbs to bolster my vitality and Qi. I'll have to consume all of them at once."

With a swift motion, Lin Tian rubbed his hands together, crushing the herbs into powder with his formidable strength before swallowing them directly. A harsh bitterness filled his mouth, but he pressed on, swallowing continuously. Once the herbal powder was gone, he popped the ten Qi Cultivating Pills into his mouth and gulped them down in one fierce swallow.

Boom!

The moment Lin Tian ingested the pills, a thunderous explosion resonated from within him. Cracks riddled his skin, and blood seeped out. Any onlooker skilled in the martial arts would be aghast at the sight, equating Lin Tian's actions to suicide given the overwhelming surge of energy.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Indeed, the situation was dire. The cracks on Lin Tian's body were just the beginning. They quickly widened, and a rapid series of popping sounds echoed, signaling the collapse of Lin Tian's flesh and blood both inside and out.

The agony was so intense that Lin Tian's body involuntarily convulsed, yet his gaze remained serene, as though the pain was not his to bear, leaving his emotions untouched.

At the peak of his spasms, Lin Tian's flesh turned inside out, transforming him into a grotesque figure drenched in blood. With a sudden gasp, he opened his mangled mouth and inhaled sharply.

Aooo!

A dragon's roar echoed from within him as he breathed in, and a surge of green vital energy rose from the cave, flooding into his body.

The Black Tortoise Stone at his heart vibrated, unleashing a formidable suction that turned the cave's vital energy into a stream of green brilliance.

In a moment, the concentration of vital energy intensified, rushing into Lin Tian's body with a force that seemed to multiply its potency.

Amidst this frenzied influx, Lin Tian's already ravaged form was further disfigured beyond recognition.

His flesh, organs, and even the very foundation of his Bone Root were pulverized by the impact.

This was the excruciating pain of being utterly shattered.

The torment twisted Lin Tian's previously tranquil expression into one of distortion, a testament to the unbearable pain.

Any other Martial Cultivator, or being of any realm, would find such suffering insurmountable.

But Lin Tian clenched his teeth and endured.

He understood that strength demanded endurance, that the path to power was paved with hardship.

The mightiest among us are those who can bear the greatest burdens.

While some are favored by destiny, moving faster than the rest, it ultimately comes down to their capacity for endurance.