Chapter 35: The Forbidden Threshold

Lin Hao stood before the chest, motionless. The more critical the moment, the calmer his mind became, as he engaged in rapid-fire thinking.

"The seal on this chest was clearly placed a long time ago, whereas the Ten-Zhang Dragon Gate has only recently emerged. Theoretically, the seal can only sense those with the original Dragon Gate talent; it absolutely cannot sense me."

Lin Hao performed a precise analysis: "I should be considered the creator of the Ten-Zhang Dragon Gate, and with the Heavenly Dao Dragon Qi upon me, I transcend the Dragon Gate itself. I am safe."

He gritted his teeth. "Let's do it!"

Matters had reached this point, and with the Ling Clan’s supreme secret technique right before him, there was no reason to retreat. Furthermore, he was not acting recklessly; he had a basis for his confidence that the seal would not detect him.

*Click!*

The chest opened smoothly. An ancient scroll came into view, and an aura of antiquity rushed toward him.

Lin Hao’s eyes flashed with a sharp light as he looked at the four striking characters carved onto the scroll: *Hand of the Heavens!*

Outside the Scripture Pavilion, the brothers Ling Wen and Ling Wu were still waiting. As powerful experts of the Heavenly Origin Realm and senior elders of the Ling Clan, they stood high above the rest. Yet, today, they acted like mere gatekeepers for a youth in the Qi Sea Realm. It was an incredible sight, but the two were willing, vibrant, and wore expressions of blissful satisfaction.

"The time is about up," Ling Wen said.

As he finished speaking, Lin Hao walked out of the hall. He wore a long purple robe, his black hair loose but neat. His resolute face still carried the faint, youthful vulnerability expected of his age, but the corners of his mouth were turned up in genuine happiness.

He had won his gamble. The seal outside the *Hand of the Heavens* technique truly could not detect him.

"Master Tianbao seems to be in a good mood. You must have found a suitable technique," the brothers said, hurrying to greet him.

"Yes, I chose a Flame Palm technique. I like it very much," Lin Hao said with a smile. He was truly happy, his expression radiating a joy that came from the heart.

"A Flame Palm technique?" Ling Wen and Ling Wu exchanged glances and couldn't help but chuckle.

They had wondered what powerful technique the boy might have chosen, only to find it was a mere Flame Palm. As far as they knew, it was one of the most mediocre techniques in the inner pavilion—copies even existed in the outer clan’s scripture library, and many disciples practiced it.

"He really is from the Taixuan Sect; he hasn't seen anything worth having," Ling Wen transmitted via mental voice.

"How can the Taixuan Sect compare to our Ling Clan? Still, it’s understandable. Master Tianbao is an alchemist, after all. With such heaven-defying talent in alchemy, you can't expect him to be top-tier in other areas as well," Ling Wu replied. "Heaven is fair; it wouldn't give all the talent to one person. His innate alchemist constitution is already enough to make one jealous."

"True. Master Tianbao’s talent is entirely focused on alchemy, so he must be lacking elsewhere. It makes sense. In my opinion, if he can master this Flame Palm in three months, that would already be quite an achievement," Ling Wen laughed.

"Steward Wu, I would like to enter the Lightning Pool directly," Lin Hao said.

"Is Master Tianbao in such a hurry?" Ling Wu was taken aback. "No problem, I can take you there now."

Ling Wen and Ling Wu felt they understood his urgency; after all, coming from the Taixuan Sect, he must have been overwhelmed by the prestige of the Ling Clan, hence his impatience.

After taking leave of Ling Wen, Ling Wu led Lin Hao directly to the Ling Clan’s restricted area: the Lightning Pool. On the way, Ling Wu kept introducing the heritage of the Ling Clan, mentioning that experts of the Divine Origin Realm were not few in number.

"Does the Ling Clan have experts beyond the Divine Origin Realm?" Lin Hao asked.

"The Divine Origin Realm is already the pinnacle of combat power in the Cangyuan World—the peak of the pyramid. As for beyond... never mind, why am I telling you this? You are only in the Qi Sea Realm; it is too far off for you. Cultivation is like rowing a boat against the current; the further you go, the harder it becomes. For most cultivators, reaching the Transformation Origin Realm in their lifetime is already quite an accomplishment," Ling Wu said.

From Ling Wu’s words, Lin Hao gained a clear understanding of the cultivation levels in the entire Cangyuan World: Pulse Opening, Qi Sea, Transformation Origin, Heavenly Origin, and Divine Origin. If, as Ling Wu said, the Divine Origin Realm was the peak, did anyone beyond that exist in the Great Xia?

However, Ling Wu was right; his own cultivation was too weak, and he still had a long way to go. For now, he only wanted to consume the resources of the Ling Clan and use them to strengthen himself before the Hundred Sects Grand Competition.

"Let's go to the Lightning Pool first," Lin Hao said.

"Very well. In any case, Master Tianbao has already joined our Ling Clan. More resources will be opened to you in the future. If you have any questions about your practice, you can come to me," Ling Wu added.

"Steward Wu, I want to be clear about one thing: for now, I am only half a member of the Ling Clan, because the Taixuan Sect has not yet been struck from the list. When the Hundred Sects Grand Competition arrives, I must return to see it through. If the Taixuan Sect is removed, I will wholeheartedly join the Ling Clan. If the Taixuan Sect survives, I will explain the situation to them and then return to the Ling Clan. After all, my talent was discovered by my master; I, Tianbao, cannot be an ingrate," Lin Hao said solemnly.

"Well said, Master Tianbao. A man of loyalty—that is exactly what our Ling Clan values most," Ling Wu praised. "But rest assured, the Taixuan Sect is destined to be removed. Expecting a discarded disciple at the Pulse Opening Realm to turn the tables is a pipe dream. Even if that discarded disciple reaches the Qi Sea Realm before the competition, it won't matter. The arena of the Hundred Sects Grand Competition will be his grave."

Lin Hao did not answer, only shaking his head. He had set these conditions simply to have a valid reason to leave before the Grand Competition.

But Ling Wu’s words made Lin Hao cautious: "The Hundred Sects Grand Competition will definitely not be simple. The Ling Clan will surely scheme in the shadows to have me killed in the arena. Hmph! Let them use whatever tricks they have; I will be waiting."

Lightning Peak was the tallest of the Ling Clan’s nine great peaks, straight as a sword, piercing through the clouds and reaching toward the heavens.

At the summit stood an ancient hall. Above the hall, dense lightning flashed from time to time, dancing like spirit snakes.

"Master Tianbao, this is the Ling Clan’s restricted area, the Lightning Pool. It is a true land of blessing. Years ago, our ancestors discovered a massive lightning-attracting stone within the mountain. They used great methods to set up a celestial array, creating this Lightning Pool that absorbs the power of heavenly thunder year-round," Ling Wu explained. "The lightning power within can cleanse your marrow and temper your body, improving your physical constitution by at least one level. However, because the power is so fierce, ordinary people cannot stay long. If you feel you have reached your limit, do not push yourself—leave quickly to avoid being injured by the lightning."

"Understood. Thank you for the warning, Steward Wu."

Lin Hao cupped his hands, turned, and pushed open the doors of the hall.

*BOOM!*

The moment he pushed the door open, a thunderous roar exploded, leaving his ears ringing.

Before him lay a massive, ten-zhang square lightning pool. Above it, dense electric light crisscrossed like millions of spirit snakes dancing, and the entire hall was filled with an aura of supreme rigidity and purity.

Just standing there, before even entering the pool, the Supreme God Pulse within Lin Hao began to pulse on its own.

The throbbing of the Supreme God Pulse stimulated his emotions. His eyes grew bloodshot, and feeling like a thirsty man, he leaped into the pool without hesitation.