C9 What Lin Zhan Left Behind

"Uncle Yi, could you share some stories about my mother?" Lin Yunchen asked, his gaze fixed intently on Lin Yi, who stood not too far away. His eyes brimmed with hope. Throughout his life, Lin Yunchen had only been regaled with tales of his father's exploits, while his mother remained an unspoken mystery. Now, with the chance to uncover her story, he wasn't about to let it slip away.

Lin Yi turned to face the eager young man and slowly lifted his head, as if sifting through old memories. "Twenty years ago, your father joined the ranks of the Azure Dragon Holy Academy, one of the five prestigious academies. It was there he met your mother, the idol of countless admirers within the academy, her talent unparalleled. Fate brought your parents together, and five years later, you came into the world. When your mother's kin discovered she had secretly given birth to you, they sought to erase your existence. To protect you, your father left the Lin's Clan, engaging in a solitary battle against your mother’s family. He also sought a way to rescue her. Five years ago, by a twist of fate, your father ascended to the pinnacle of power on this continent, reaching the Great Sage realm. Realizing the extent of your father's might, your mother's family dispatched their few Great Sages in a desperate attempt to eliminate him. Your father, standing alone, emerged victorious against these formidable opponents, earning the title 'God of War' across the land. A year ago, your father returned..."

Hearing this, Lin Yunchen grasped the depth of his parents' sacrifices, understanding that their separation was a consequence of his very existence.

With a newfound resolve shining in his eyes, Lin Yunchen whispered, "Father, Mother, rest assured, I've grown strong. It won't be long before I come to find you. Just wait for me..." Strength was now Lin Yunchen's most pressing need. He required power to avenge the Huangfu family, to aid Xiu Wuji, and to finally reunite with his parents. Lin Yunchen acknowledged his current frailty, with the Great Sage realm seeming like a distant legend. Yet, he was determined to strive for that legend, ready to pay any price, even if it meant his life.

"Go ahead and open it; it's full of gifts your father prepared just for you." Lin Yi lifted the Storage Bracelet from the wooden table and handed it to Lin Yunchen.

Lin Yunchen gently accepted the blue bracelet from Lin Yi, a flood of emotions washing over him.

"Uncle Yi, how does this work?" Lin Yunchen was aware of Storage Tools but had never handled one, so he was unsure of its operation.

Lin Yi smiled at the question and explained, "Simply blend a drop of your blood with the Storage Bracelet, then channel your Yuan Qi into it, and you'll be able to access the stored items."

Lin Yunchen nodded, bit his finger, and let a drop of blood seep into the bracelet's surface. Instantly, his mind was filled with a barrage of mysterious information.

"Deep Sea Bracelet, a Seventh Rank top-grade Storage Tool..."

"A Seventh Rank top-grade! A King's Weapon!" Lin Yunchen gasped in astonishment.

Seeing Lin Yunchen's stunned face, Lin Yi chuckled, having anticipated his reaction. "Chen, take a look at what your father has left for you."

Regaining his composure, Lin Yunchen infused a wisp of Yuan energy into the Deep Sea Bracelet and was immediately struck with awe again.

"Sixth Grade cultivation technique, Heaven and Earth Technique."

"Sixth Grade offensive martial technique, Earth-Splitting Kick."

"Seventh Grade Martial Arts, Yunchen Technique."

...

...

...

Tears welled up in Lin Yunchen's eyes as he read on. His father had poured so much into these gifts, especially the Yunchen Technique, clearly sought out for him. Yet, having already mastered the Unparalleled Divine Arts, Lin Yunchen couldn't adopt another technique. If possible, he would have chosen the Yunchen Technique over the Heaven and Earth Technique, simply because it was his father's legacy.

Lin Yunchen laid out all the martial arts scrolls before Lin Yi and spoke softly, "Uncle Yi, these martial arts my father left in the bracelet... I believe the Lin family might have greater need of them than I."

Upon witnessing the martial arts collection, Lin Yi realized the true extent of the fortune Lin Zhan had bequeathed.

"Chen, you..." Lin Yi began, only to be abruptly interrupted by Lin Yunchen's cold interjection.

Holding the Cloud Yunchen Technique, Lin Yunchen looked up at Lin Yi and spoke gently, "Uncle Yi, this technique was prepared by my father for me. I won't be leaving it to the Lin family."

Lin Yi, hearing this, nodded in agreement, a smile on his face. "Naturally."

"In this room, there are one hundred and twenty Seventh Grade martial arts, three hundred and sixty Sixth Grade, seven hundred and twenty Fifth Grade, one thousand eight hundred Fourth Grade, three thousand six hundred Third Grade, and seven thousand two hundred Second Grade martial arts. Please safeguard them well, Uncle Yi." Lin Yunchen didn't wait for a response before he departed from Lin Yi's room, leaving behind a stunned Lin Yi.

Lin Yi had assumed that Lin Zhan hadn't left Lin Yunchen any significant martial arts, but he was astounded to discover the immense legacy that had been passed down.

Gazing in the direction Lin Yunchen had left, Lin Yi murmured softly, "Child, rest assured. When you reach the pinnacle, the Lin family will stand behind you as a pillar of strength, not a hindrance."

Back in his room, Lin Yunchen chose not to practice cultivation. Instead, he retrieved the Cloud Yunchen Technique and two other items his father had left him from the Deep Sea Bracelet.

One was a silver-white pike, its shaft adorned with cloud patterns, seemingly tailored for Lin Yunchen.

The other was a cloak, imbued with an inscrutable power that Lin Yunchen couldn't fathom.

"Who would have thought you'd be the son of the God of War from the Five Elements Continent? Fate truly has a sense of humor," remarked Xiu Wuji, emerging from within Lin Yunchen and materializing as a blood-red silhouette on the bed.

Startled by Xiu Wuji's revelation, Lin Yunchen asked, "Elder Xiu, did you know my father?"

Xiu Wuji nodded slightly and replied, "I can't say I knew him personally, but I'm aware of his exploits. They're tales from a bygone era, best left unspoken." Observing Xiu Wuji's demeanor, Lin Yunchen understood that the elder was revisiting some sorrowful memories.

Lin Yunchen hastily addressed Elder Xiu, "Could you please examine this cloak for me? I can't shake the feeling that it's imbued with a mysterious power."

Upon hearing Lin Yunchen's request, Xiu Wuji glided over to the wooden table. As Xiu Wuji laid eyes on the pike resting there, Lin Yunchen caught a glimpse of shock on his face for the first time. "This... This pike is crafted from Divine Creation Iron!"

Lin Yunchen was immediately enveloped in a fog of bewilderment.

"Elder Xiu, what exactly is Divine Creation Iron?" Lin Yunchen inquired, his gaze filled with a thirst for knowledge.

Regaining his composure, Xiu Wuji's face broke into a smile. "Divine Creation Iron is the stuff of legends. Not only are weapons forged from it unbreakable, but they also possess a formidable trait: the ability to grow!"

Lin Yunchen's confusion deepened. Noticing his befuddled look, Xiu Wuji elaborated, "This growth allows a weapon to absorb and assimilate other weapons, thereby enhancing its own capabilities. Furthermore, once your pike has refined another weapon, it can acquire that weapon's abilities and even its form. This means, with skillful use, your pike could potentially evolve into an unbeatable, all-powerful weapon!"

With Xiu Wuji's explanation, Lin Yunchen began to grasp the true value of the weapon his father had bequeathed to him.

"Father, I misunderstood you before. From this day forward, I vow to diligently cultivate my skills and swiftly ascend to the Great Sage realm. Together, we will rescue Mother and reunite our family." A fierce determination shone in Lin Yunchen's eyes. Though still a teenager, just sixteen, he harbored dreams of one day reaching the pinnacle of the world.

"Hmm, isn't this the fabled Invisible Cloak?" Xiu Wuji's astonishment resurfaced as his attention shifted to the cloak on the table.

Hearing this, Lin Yunchen turned to Elder Xiu, who preempted any questions by explaining, "This Invisible Cloak may lack offensive powers, but it possesses a superlative ability unmatched even by divine artifacts: the power of transformation."

"Transformation..." The word was new to Lin Yunchen, and it sparked a flicker of confusion in his eyes.

"The Invisible Cloak earns its name because some of its abilities are on par with divine skills or arts," Xiu Wuji clarified.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yunchen eagerly draped the cloak over his shoulders. In an instant, he was astonished to see the cloak not just blending with his clothes but, more accurately, fusing with his skin.

A revelation struck Lin Yunchen: The Invisible Cloak could transform anything, even conceal its wearer from all eyes. It was undetectable, a secret hidden between heaven and earth.

This insight laid bare the true horror of the cloak—the very transformation Xiu Wuji had alluded to, imperceptible to even the most formidable beings.

Stowing his pike and the Cloud Yunchen Technique into the Deep Sea Bracelet, Lin Yunchen gazed at the levitating Xiu Wuji and murmured, "Elder Xiu, I wish to visit Ghost Street."

"Oh? What brings about this sudden interest? It's hardly a welcoming place," Xiu Wuji responded upon hearing Lin Yunchen's request.

With a smile, Lin Yunchen replied, "There is no corner of this vast world that Lin Yunchen cannot explore."

"You seem to have a plan for your next steps. In that case, while you're at Ghost Street, gather some heavenly treasures and a medicinal cauldron for me—I have great need of them." Before he could finish, Xiu Wuji transformed into a crimson glow and retreated into Lin Yunchen's being.

Lin Yunchen eased the door open, casting a glance at the dim sky before heading towards the Lin Family's grand entrance.

Inside the Lin Family Hall, a steward noticed Lin Yunchen's departure and promptly informed Lin Yi.

Lifting his head, Lin Yi's gaze followed to the family's threshold, his face breaking into a gentle smile. "Chen has come into his own, knowing well the path he must take. Henceforth, I declare that all resources of the Lin Family are at Lin Yunchen's disposal. Time is of the essence for the boy, and it's uncertain how much longer his uncle can hold on..."