C9 Blood Transformation!

Perhaps something went awry with Lin Yan's blood transformation eleven years ago, which is why he's lived like an ordinary person until now. But moments ago, the Alien Clan Soul shattered the chains binding Lin Yan's bloodline, unleashing the power that had lain dormant within him for years.

"Martial Pulse, open!" Lin Yan's eyes snapped open as he bellowed. The Martial Pulse at his brow instantly solidified, his aura surging upward. In an instant, he approached the prowess of those at the Martial Pulse Stage.

Following the opening of the pulse at his brow, another, more elusive pulse emerged on his back, mirroring the crimson, robust vein at his forehead.

"Martial Pulse! Open again!" A subtle red glow radiated from Lin Yan's eyes as he activated the second Martial Pulse. With the opening of this second pulse, a resonant hum vibrated through his body. The inner gates of his flesh flung wide open, and in that moment, Lin Yan ascended to the ranks of martial cultivators.

His diligent training over the past year, though not culminating in his breakthrough, had nonetheless established a firm foundation for this day.

As the sound of the copper bell persisted, Lin Yan stood firmly on the ground, eyes flashing with a newfound formidable power surging from within.

"More?" Even Lin Yan was taken aback. This time, three Martial Pulses surfaced on his chest.

Boom! In one concerted effort, Lin Yan unlocked two additional Martial Pulses, while the third dimmed. With proper guidance, he might have been able to awaken that pulse as well.

The Martial Pulse is essential, the conduit for the body's strength. Breaking through to the Martial Pulse Stage bestows one with Yuan Qi, making the pulse's existence crucial.

The bell's echo ceased, and the clanking of chains filled the air once more. Lin Yan's gaze shifted, sensing a creature bound in chains to a stone pillar.

What kind of creature could be imprisoned here?

"Tell me, where are my brother and the soldiers who accompanied us?" Lin Yan inquired of the Alien Clan Soul within his mind.

The Alien Clan Soul, quivering in the recesses of Lin Yan's consciousness, now faced the emerging royal presence of the Alien Clan. Lin Yan's potential had long been stifled by unknown forces.

"Speak!" Lin Yan's roar sent the Alien Clan Soul into more violent tremors.

"I... I don't know. Those beings might have merged with your brother's flesh and fled this place by now," the Alien Clan Soul stammered.

"Is there still a chance for my brother to survive?" Lin Yan's heart raced with anxiety. His eldest brother had vanished, and the other three were somewhere in this cavern, taken by the Alien Clan.

"It's uncertain. They might perish, or they might retain their consciousness. Body snatching is perilous. I wouldn't have rushed to merge if I hadn't recognized the exceptional nature of your body," the Alien Clan Soul explained.

"They're likely more cautious now, probably desperate to escape. Your brother may yet cling to a sliver of hope."

Lin Yan's brow furrowed. The Alien Clan Soul's words held merit. His immediate task was to locate Doggie and the others. Perhaps, just as he had subdued this Alien Clan Soul, he could suppress the others as well.

"I'll spare your life for now."

Lin Yan cast a lingering glance in the direction of the floating stone platform before sprinting towards the exit.

His speed had increased exponentially since becoming a martial cultivator. Even in the pitch-black cave, Lin Yan made it out in less than half an hour—a stark contrast to the nearly two hours it took him to enter.

Outside the cave, the flicker of firelight greeted him. No sooner had Lin Yan emerged than a squad of soldiers swarmed from all sides, pinning him to the ground.

"Take him away immediately!"

A young man with an icy demeanor stood before Lin Yan, who recognized him as Guo Feng, the district chief's guard. His authority rivaled that of Battalion Commander Chen, and in some respects, even surpassed Chen Yan's.

"What's going on? Where are my brothers, my comrades-in-arms?"

Lin Yan demanded of the surrounding soldiers, who offered no reply, only tightening their grip and shackling him with chains.

"Move it, take him away now."

Guo Feng commanded, his impatience evident.

Despite being an early-stage Martial Pulse Stage warrior, with four Martial Pulses awakened, Lin Yan was still in the dark about the current turn of events.

Battalion Commander Chen had vanished, and everyone from the Golden Eagle Battalion was missing. What had transpired? Even with Shen Zhong's antagonism towards Chen Yan at the district chief's office, things shouldn't have escalated so rapidly.

Thick iron chains, inscribed with numerous runes, bound Lin Yan securely.

"With these runes designed to subdue Alien Clan Souls, this kid won't stand a chance at breaking free, no matter how strong he is now," the escorting soldiers murmured among themselves.

"Runes for the Alien Clan Souls? Have those foreign entities already breached our world?"

Lin Yan's anxiety deepened. It seemed likely that Monkey, Lao Ma, and Doggie had been captured. Judging by the tone and actions of these men, the situation was far from simple.

But Lin Yan was out of options, forced to follow his captors to the most formidable battalion, the Green Python Battalion. Along the way, he spotted several unclaimed bodies from the Golden Eagle Battalion. It appeared his suspicions were correct; those possessed by the foreign invaders may have clashed with his fellow battalion members.

Shackled and burdened, Lin Yan trudged for a full hour until reaching the Green Python Battalion.

"Battalion Commander!"

The figure of a broad-shouldered, middle-aged man came into view—it was Chen Yan, the commander of the Golden Eagle Battalion.

"Chen Yan, you may not have been able to prevent this, but you cannot shirk responsibility for what has occurred under your command," Shen Zhong said, his face betraying a hint of smugness. The downfall of the Golden Eagle Battalion was a sight he relished.

"I accept full responsibility for this incident. I will not shy away from it," Chen Yan declared, removing his helmet and kneeling. He lifted the helmet high above his head and called out to the most ornate tent within the Green Python Battalion.

"I, Chen Yan, have erred. I implore the Western Barbarian District Commander to mete out my punishment!"