C15 Broken Martial Skill

Despite Lin Yan's reluctance to express gratitude to Ximen Meng, a girl whose eccentric and seemingly unreasonable demeanor irked him, he recognized that her act of saving his life was a debt greater than any other. Gratitude outweighed his distaste.

Ultimately, he bowed his head in acknowledgment.

"Thank you, Miss."

"Enough for today, I've had my fill of watching. Let's tidy up and tomorrow find a place to have some fun," she said, casting a mischievous glance at Lin Yan.

Lin Yan was puzzled by her look, but it elicited a cold sweat on the brows of the onlookers.

"This poor guy's done for. If it weren't for today being Meng's mother's birthday, he'd be in pieces by now!"

"Indeed, but at least we all performed well today. It's just a shame that the spotlight was hijacked by that fool."

"Are you dense? Would you really want that kind of attention?"

After Ximen Meng had departed, the young warriors in the training ground murmured among themselves. Lin Yan gleaned from their whispers that Ximen Meng was even more formidable than he had initially thought.

"Lin Yan, it seems you're in for a rough day tomorrow," Xiao Qi said, his smile as warm as sunlight, clapping Lin Yan on the shoulder. "But don't worry, I've been with the Miss for nearly a decade. She's not at all like what others perceive."

With that, Xiao Qi showed Lin Yan to his quarters within the estate and helped him settle in.

After cleansing himself and donning a set of fresh gray linen clothes, Lin Yan returned to the secluded courtyard, once again taking up residence in the woodshed.

In the deep silence of the night, Lin Yan sat cross-legged on the straw, eyes closed in meditation. Hidden within his consciousness was an Alien Clan Soul that referred to him as a member of the Emperor Clan. This being's actions suggested a power far beyond the Martial Pulse Stage. Lin Yan was baffled as to why such a formidable Alien Clan Soul would halt its attempt to consume his will and instead exhibit absolute fear and subservience. The mystery of its presence in the cave also plagued him—could the cave possess a force that imprisoned their freedom?

Lin Yan sought out the Alien Clan Soul in the recesses of his mind and initiated contact.

"Why do you address me as the Emperor Clan? I am merely a common member of the human race."

The Alien Clan Soul, composed entirely of green mist without a physical form, stirred from its slumber at Lin Yan's voice.

"My lord, I am at your service. I was blind to your stature and dared to covet your body. Had you not shown mercy, my soul would have been obliterated, forever barred from the cycle of rebirth," it groveled before him.

"Spare me the flattery, just answer my questions," Lin Yan commanded, his tone stern.

"Of course, of course. My apologies," the Alien Clan Soul quickly replied, then proceeded to explain.

"The alien race is not as the humans of today depict. In ancient times, the alien and human races coexisted on the same continent. 'Alien race' is simply a term humans coined for other species.

Unlike humans, the alien races are interconnected, each possessing a constitution far superior to that of humans, with a higher starting point for cultivation!

Among the alien races, there are distinctions in bloodline. The most powerful are known as the royal races. You, my lord, must be one of these royal lineages. However, there is a fearsome power within you that has sealed your path of cultivation and obscured your aura. Hence, even within your consciousness, I cannot discern your true race."

Despite the alien race's might, the true events that unfolded on this continent remain a mystery. Suddenly, it was as if they were forsaken by the cosmos—many alien races could no longer sustain themselves here.

"Had I not been trapped under that mountain by a mysterious force, the world's power would have likely obliterated me long ago."

"What force could suppress you? The cave looked like it had been the site of a great battle."

"That conflict predates my time—it's part of a much more ancient history. The force that suppressed me is immensely powerful, well beyond my comprehension, so I'm in the dark about all of this.

The cave's power doesn't affect humans, which is why we seek to possess your bodies. Those of us with benevolent intentions might refrain from consuming human consciousness."

"Does that make you one of the more malevolent ones?"

Lin Yan's gaze turned icy.

Feeling the chill in Lin Yan's voice, the Alien Clan Soul trembled, completely at the mercy of Lin Yan's will. It knew that its existence could be snuffed out by his mere thought.

"Master, let's leave the past behind and focus on you. It was only after I entered your body that I realized you're different from the alien imperial races.

Neither humans nor aliens can detect the alien bloodline within you from the outside. It's not suppressed by any external force; it's intrinsic to your body."

"I've always been human. You must be confused."

Lin Yan had grown up among humans and struggled to accept the possibility of being an alien. Now, the alien race was virtually extinct on the continent, and any that were discovered by human forces faced certain death.

"You're not mistaken, but there's no need to dwell on that. What's crucial now is enhancing your strength!"

At the Alien Clan Soul's words, a peculiar gleam sparked in Lin Yan's eyes.

"Really? So you can help me gain strength rapidly?"

"I can offer you modest assistance, Master. Ultimately, your growth is up to your own efforts. I've managed to unlock a small part of the shackles within you. As you grow, these shackles, which seal a power inside you, will continue to weaken.

For now, you should focus on growing stronger within the human realm.

I'm not well-versed in human martial arts, but I do have two that would be perfect for you."

"Martial arts!"

Lin Yan's breath quickened at the thought. Martial arts could significantly boost a warrior's combat abilities. Take Shen Zhong, for instance, who had merely opened one Martial Pulse and nearly cost Lin Yan his life. It was his practice of martial arts, albeit a low-grade, incomplete one, that had pushed Lin Yan to the brink.

The Alien Clan Soul floated before Lin Yan, releasing a strand of consciousness filled with knowledge. It swiftly coalesced within Lin Yan's mind, eventually manifesting as two semi-transparent scrolls.