The two hurried forward, avoiding the demonic beasts deep in the Blackwind Forest. After roughly an hour, they finally found a hidden cave. Small yet dry and clean, low-growing spirit herbs covered its corners. Though the spiritual energy was not as dense as in Spirit Grass Valley, it was extremely quiet — perfect for resting and cultivating.
Lin Yan leaned against the cave wall and sat down slowly. His spiritual energy was still chaotic, and though the Purple River Grass had soothed his chest wound, a faint ache lingered. Su Qingyao stood guard at the cave entrance, keeping watch for any pursuing demonic beasts or Lin Clan members.
After resting for a while, Lin Yan opened his eyes and took out the Millennium Spirit Ginseng. Crimson all over, brimming with spiritual energy and emitting a faint fragrance, even holding it in his palm allowed a pure stream of energy to flow into his body.
"Young Master Lin, the Millennium Spirit Ginseng contains extremely dense spiritual energy," Su Qingyao walked over and reminded him softly. "If you refine it directly, the violent energy might damage your meridians. I have a bottle of Calming Pills here — they can help you steady your mind and suppress the raging spiritual energy. Take one first."
Lin Yan took a Calming Pill and swallowed it. A cool stream of spiritual energy flooded his body, calming his mind instantly and smoothing his chaotic energy. "Thank you, Qingyao."
Su Qingyao nodded slightly. "I will guard you nearby. Refine the ginseng without worry — I will alert you at the first sign of trouble."
Lin Yan nodded, calmed his mind and focused his breath. He held the Millennium Spirit Ginseng in his palm and, following the methods of the Chaos Art, slowly guided the ginseng's energy into his body. The ginseng's spiritual energy was extremely pure and dense, like a rushing river flowing through his meridians, nourishing his meridians and Dantian.
Ordinarily, refining spirit herbs or demonic cores required slow absorption and conversion, but the Millennium Spirit Ginseng's energy was unusually docile. It merged perfectly with his Chaos spiritual energy, requiring no deliberate conversion to be absorbed by his Dantian. Lin Yan could clearly feel his Dantian growing fuller, his Early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation stabilizing rapidly — even showing signs of breaking through to Mid-stage.
As he absorbed more energy, the black jade pendant on his chest trembled again, its warmth intensifying. A faint black glow emerged on its surface, within which obscure patterns, like tadpoles, swam slowly.
A more complete passage of text flooded Lin Yan's mind — the middle chapter of the Chaos Art. Far more profound and domineering than the previously unlocked first half, it contained not only cultivation methods but also three basic Chaos spells: Chaos Palm, Chaos Sword, and Chaos Shield.
Lin Yan was shocked. He instinctively circulated the middle chapter's methods, and his Chaos spiritual energy's circulation speed doubled, absorbing the ginseng's energy even faster. At the same time, the techniques for casting Chaos Palm, Chaos Sword, and Chaos Shield appeared clearly in his mind — as if he had practiced them countless times, mastering them perfectly.
Before he knew it, the Millennium Spirit Ginseng's energy was completely absorbed, leaving only a withered root hair in his palm. Lin Yan opened his eyes slowly, a sharp light flashing within. A far stronger aura erupted from him — his Early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation was now fully stabilized, only one step away from Mid-stage.
He clenched his fist, feeling the powerful spiritual energy surging within him, joy filling his heart. The Millennium Spirit Ginseng had exceeded his expectations: it not only stabilized his cultivation but also unlocked the middle chapter of the Chaos Art and let him master three Chaos spells, bringing a qualitative leap in his strength.
"Young Master Lin, did you succeed?" Su Qingyao's eyes lit up with joy as she saw his aura, asking softly.
Lin Yan nodded, a faint smile on his face. "Thanks to this Millennium Spirit Ginseng and your help, my cultivation is now firmly rooted in Early-stage Foundation Establishment. I also unlocked new cultivation methods and spells."
Admiration filled Su Qingyao's eyes. "Young Master Lin, you have extraordinary talent and fortuitous opportunities. You will surely become a powerful cultivator in the future." She took out several spirit herbs from her bosom and handed them to him. "These herbs are not as rare as the Millennium Spirit Ginseng, but they can still assist your cultivation. Take them."
Lin Yan accepted the herbs, warmth filling his heart. "Qingyao, you have been helping me all this time, but I have nothing to repay you with. Though I have refined the Millennium Spirit Ginseng, its root hair still contains a trace of pure spiritual energy — it may help you break through to Foundation Establishment. Take it."
He held out the withered root hair to Su Qingyao. Though it contained little energy, it was an excellent aid for Su Qingyao, who was on the verge of breaking through to Foundation Establishment.
Su Qingyao hesitated for a moment before taking the root hair, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you, Young Master Lin. I will remember this kindness."
Lin Yan nodded, his gaze falling on the black jade pendant on his chest. "Qingyao, have you ever seen a pendant like this? It hides many secrets — it not only helped me draw Qi into my body but also unlocks the Chaos Art. I suspect my parents' deaths are closely related to this pendant and the Chaos Art."
Su Qingyao walked beside him, examining the pendant carefully. She frowned, thinking for a moment before saying softly: "I think I read about something similar in the Su Clan's ancient texts. Legend has it that in ancient times, there was a Primal Chaos Immortal Lord who cultivated Chaos techniques and wielded a Chaos Jade Pendant, dominating the Three Realms. For some unknown reason, he suddenly fell, and the Chaos Jade Pendant and Chaos techniques disappeared, becoming a legend."
"Primal Chaos Immortal Lord?" Lin Yan's eyes widened in shock. "Could this pendant be the relic of the Primal Chaos Immortal Lord? And the Chaos Art be his cultivation method?"
Su Qingyao nodded. "It's very likely. The Su Clan's ancient texts record that the Chaos Jade Pendant can nourish a Primal Chaos Spirit Vein — the only qualification required to cultivate Chaos techniques. Young Master Lin, you were born with four mixed spiritual roots, yet you were able to draw Qi into your body and break through quickly. I'm afraid your roots are not mixed at all, but the legendary Primal Chaos Spirit Vein — sealed by some force, making it appear mixed."
Lin Yan suddenly understood. He was not a useless trash, but a bearer of the legendary Primal Chaos Spirit Vein — it had just been sealed. His parents had likely been killed and fallen in the secret realm because they were guarding the Chaos Jade Pendant and the Chaos Art. Lin Kun and the Lin Clan were probably only part of it; behind them, there was an even more powerful force coveting the pendant and the art.
"I must uncover the truth," Lin Yan clenched his fist, his gaze resolute. "I will find out the truth about my parents' deaths, the secrets of the Chaos Jade Pendant and the Chaos Art, and make those who harmed my parents and bullied me pay the price they deserve!"
Su Qingyao looked at his firm gaze and said softly: "Young Master Lin, I will stay with you always, helping you uncover the truth. No matter how many dangers lie ahead, we will face them together."
Warmth filled Lin Yan's heart. He looked at Su Qingyao and nodded. He knew he was no longer alone with her by his side. Though his path of defying fate remained bumpy, he had a clearer goal and stronger motivation.
After resting for a while, the two stood up, preparing to leave the cave. Lin Yan could feel his spiritual energy was full, and he had mastered the three Chaos spells. If he encountered another Mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator like Lin Kun, he was confident he could hold his own. Su Qingyao, having taken the root hair, also had denser spiritual energy, only one step away from Foundation Establishment.
The two walked out of the cave, heading toward the exit of the Blackwind Forest. They knew the Lin Clan's pursuit would not stop, and the Wang Clan would surely come for revenge. The secrets of the Chaos Jade Pendant and the Chaos Art would also attract more forces. But they were fearless. As long as they fought side by side and kept growing stronger, they would overcome all difficulties, uncover all secrets, and live their own lives.