Lin Che smiled bitterly. If he could return, how could he continue to live in that world filled with killing and endless violence for a hundred years?
To enter and exit the Land of the Ancient God, one must perform a set of special hand gestures. These gestures can only be used upon reaching the vortex at the end of the level; otherwise, it is nearly impossible to leave the Land of the Ancient God successfully.
"This person can suppress the powerful Core Formation cultivators with just his aura... Could it be that he has reached the Nascent Soul Realm?"
Among the Heng Yue Sect disciples, a young man in a yellow Taoist robe stared at Lin Che in shock, his face filled with disbelief.
"This isn't the Nascent Soul Realm... it's the Soul Transformation Realm. I didn't expect a cultivator at that level to appear in a small place like the Country of Zhao."
As Wang Lin remained stunned, the voice of Situ Nan, sealed within the Heaven Defying Bead, echoed in his mind.
Even he sounded surprised. A strong cultivator in the Soul Transformation Realm had actually emerged in this remote Country of Zhao.
"Soul Transformation Realm?" Wang Lin asked with confusion, "Senior Situ, what is that realm? I've never heard of it before."
"I've mentioned before, the cultivation world is vast, far beyond the Nascent Soul Realm. Above the Nascent Soul Realm is the Diety Transformation Realm, and beyond that is the Soul Transformation Realm. Above that... lies the Ascendant Realm." Situ Nan's tone grew mysterious.
Lin Che before them was only a hundred years old, yet he had reached the Soul Transformation Realm—such talent was not only rare, but possibly unmatched in the entire cultivation world.
"It's really you... Senior Brother Lin Che—"
At that moment, Li Muwan, who had been watching from afar, ran toward Lin Che, her eyes filled with tears.
Lin Che turned and noticed her. He remembered her clearly. After he left the Land of the Ancient God and broke through a new realm, he secluded himself in Fire Country to stabilize his cultivation. During that time, he had saved Li Muwan when she was on the brink of death while being pursued.
They trained together for over a decade. During that time, he taught her alchemy and flame control.
When they parted, they shared the names of their sects, promising that if fate allowed, they would meet again. Unexpectedly, years later, Li Muwan had actually found him.
As a transmigrator, Lin Che understood her character well. She was gentle and stunning: her face like spring flowers, her voice like birdsong, her figure elegant, her skin fair like jade, and her heart poetic.
Li Muwan raised her head and looked at him, blushing. Her voice trembled, "I knew you'd return… Senior Brother, you really didn't lie to me."
Lin Che smiled faintly, then turned to look at the Heng Yue Sect's ancestor, Master Huang Long.
Although Huang Long appeared to be in the Core Formation stage, he was actually the clone of the fifth-generation Vermilion Bird Divine Emperor from the Four Divine Sects. His real name was Lu Yun. Disguised as the Heng Yue Sect's head, he possessed terrifying strength.
Even Punnan Zi, head of the small Xuan Dao Sect, or the entire Planet Suzaku, would be like ants before him. He was a being at the level of the Third Heaven's Blight.
However, Huang Long never revealed his past identity. He only silently guided Lin Che in cultivation without explaining anything further.
Lin Che never asked. After all, at his current level, he was still far from the realm of the Heaven's Blight.
Huang Long took Lin Che by the wrist and brought him into the main hall of Heng Yue Sect, asking about the events of the past years.
Lin Che answered honestly, recounting his time in the Land of the Ancient God. Over a hundred years, he had gained countless magical items and had reached the early stage of the Soul Transformation Realm—placing him among the most powerful cultivators on the entire Planet Suzaku.
Unlike others, his breakthrough to the Diety Transformation stage came with a unique domain called "God of Killing." Through constant killing, his domain evolved, making it nearly invincible. Huang Long was moved by the hardships Lin Che endured.
He recalled how Lin Che was once his proudest disciple. Had he not been sucked into a spatial rift, things might have been very different.
"You've endured much, Che'er. Tell me what you want. I will grant it without hesitation."
Lin Che shook his head. "No need. I'm not interested in worldly things."
The Country of Zhao, as a third-level cultivation country, had extremely thin spiritual energy. Lin Che could drain it all in an instant if he wished. The creatures here were like dust to him.
Liu Wenju couldn't help but ask, "Lin Che… is your cultivation truly at the Soul Transformation Realm?"
"If I stay here for a hundred years, Zhao can rise to a fifth-level cultivation country. But if I leave, the resources of a fifth-level country may attract stronger invaders."
"Soul Transformation Realm!"
The elders of Heng Yue Sect were stunned. Lin Che was only a hundred years old, yet he had reached a level few could imagine. Could any human even attain such a level?
Only Huang Long remained calm. He had already guessed Lin Che's breakthrough and did not show the same shock as the others.
Lin Che raised a hand. A golden glow gathered at his fingertip, entering the bodies of the elders.
"Though I can't stay, I'll leave behind seeds of spiritual energy formed from the world's essence. If you one day reach the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm, I will help you ascend to the Diety Transformation Realm."
Feeling the power within them, Liu Wenju and the others bowed excitedly. "Thank you, Senior!"
Lin Che waved his hand casually. "There's no need for formality. After all, I'm Master's direct disciple. In terms of seniority, I'm your junior, uncle."
Huang Long nodded, pleased. Even after reaching such a high level, Lin Che still kept a humble heart.
"Brother, have you been cultivating in Fire Country all this time?"
Li Muwan asked softly, her lips trembling slightly.
"Yes." Lin Che nodded. "After leaving the Land of the Ancient God, I reached the Soul Transformation Realm. But the spiritual energy in Chu Country was too weak to sustain me, so I established a cave in advance in the Fire Country. Now, my realm has stabilized."