Soul Emperor Awakening

All signs of activity from Lin Xuan on the Sixth Layer had stopped. The crowd was bewildered. ’Is Lin Xuan locked in a desperate battle on the Sixth Layer?’

Regardless of whether Lin Xuan emerged, the disciple who entered the Martial God Tower after him had already come out, covered head to toe in wounds. His injuries were clearly severe. This once again proved there was nothing wrong with the Martial God Tower. Instead, it was Lin Xuan who was just too strong, capable of fighting his way to the Sixth Layer!

This time, they were thoroughly convinced. Lin Xuan had truly managed to break into the Sixth Layer. But wasn’t he taking an awfully long time?

Everyone turned their gazes to Tuo Zhanhong, hoping to get some answers from him. Tuo Zhanhong shook his head and said, "The Sixth Layer is different from the others. I imagine he’s staying up there for so long because he’s looking for the right opportunity to charge up!"

He knew the opponent was a Young Martial God. Since challengers could rest, they had the option to wait for their body to acclimate to the pressure before fighting again. He figured Lin Xuan would choose the latter—to fight without releasing any Martial Intent. He had witnessed the Martial Intent unleashed by the Young Martial God before, and it left him feeling that no amount of cultivation would ever allow him to match it!

But relying on physical strength alone was also quite difficult. That was why he hadn’t attempted the Martial God Tower himself. With only three chances, he couldn’t afford to waste them. He would only make an attempt when he was confident in his strength. To be precise, however, he only had one last chance remaining, which was why he hadn’t set foot in the Martial God Tower for a long time.

The Island Master was in the same situation, with only one chance left. They couldn’t waste it. As for the other disciples, none had reached the Sixth Layer, which was why the Young Martial God had grown bored.

Based on his own assumptions, Tuo Zhanhong concluded that Lin Xuan had chosen to fight without using Martial Intent and was likely recovering his strength now. If he had lost or been seriously injured, he would have definitely been ejected, so there was no need to worry about him dying inside.

After hearing Tuo Zhanhong’s explanation, everyone’s eyes filled with astonishment. Could it be that this time, Lin Xuan wouldn’t just pass the Fifth Layer, but the Sixth Layer as well? If he really succeeded, it would be truly heaven-defying. He would absolutely be the first person in the Tu Family’s history to become a powerhouse capable of ascending to the Seventh Layer!

In a sense, this meant he would have completely surpassed their Island Master and Grand Elder. It was quite a lamentable situation. The Martial God Tower belonged to their Tu Family, yet the person who achieved the greatest record was not from the Tu Family. Wasn’t that tragic?

「In the blink of an eye, a week passed.」

Lin Xuan remained on the upper layer, unchanging, and did not emerge from the Martial God Tower. By now, many people had chosen to leave. They didn’t have time to keep watching, as they all needed to focus on their own cultivation. Lingering here wasn’t a solution.

Tuo Yunhai had also diligently returned to his cultivation. He had many things to do; his Eighth-class Talent destined him for a busy life. He could only manage to come over and take a look every two or three days.

As time went on, the crowd dwindled. Some remained, meditating and cultivating near the Martial God Tower, waiting to witness the miraculous moment. Would he succeed in ascending, or would he finally emerge from the tower?

Whether Lin Xuan could ascend or not, no one would dare mock him anymore. The ability to pass the Fifth Layer of the Martial God Tower was proof that he possessed the strength to contend with the top powerhouses. Who would still dare to laugh? To laugh at Lin Xuan was to laugh at their own Island Master and their Grand Elder.

Tuo Zhanhong also had matters to attend to. As the Grand Elder, he had even more responsibilities and couldn’t just keep watch here indefinitely.

Time flew by. A month passed, then two... A full half-year went by. Lin Xuan still hadn’t come out of the Martial God Tower, but no one suspected he was dead. Even a corpse would have been thrown out of the tower.

They guessed that Lin Xuan must be cultivating inside, which would explain why he was in there for so long.

「While he was the center of attention here, things related to Lin Xuan were also unfolding back in the Soaring Dragon Empire.」

"Vice Pavilion Master, we still haven’t found Young Master Lin in the Demon Cloud Sea. We’ve been searching for half a year now, I’m afraid..." a guard said as he walked in to report to Zi Yi.

Zi Yi’s once beautiful and charming face now looked somewhat haggard. Hearing the guard’s report, a sad look appeared in her eyes. "Still no sign of him? It’s been a full six months... Young Master Lin, are you even dead or alive?"

"Vice Pavilion Master, there was a highest-level bounty issued in the Demon Cloud Sea for someone also with the surname Lin. They still haven’t caught him. Could it be that this person is Young Master Lin?" the guard said.

"I hope so. With his personality, he would definitely stir up a lot of trouble." Zi Yi sighed. ’But until we see him, no one knows for sure... For all we know, Young Master Lin might have been captured and enslaved in some forgotten corner. Young Master Lin, your daughter still doesn’t know about this. She hasn’t seen you in so long that she’s already stormed Qingcheng Mansion...’

"Vice Pavilion Master, Miss Lin is outside and requests to see you," an attendant came in and announced.

’Miss Lin? Let her in.’ Zi Yi collected her thoughts and turned to face the door.

No sooner had she turned than she saw Lin Xue walk in with a frosty expression. A chilling aura spread out from her, completely unrestrained, as if she were venting her furious dissatisfaction!

Lin Xue had already entered from outside without waiting for permission. She looked coldly at Zi Yi and demanded, "Have you found him?"

"Miss Lin, I’m sorry, we still haven’t found him..." Zi Yi said apologetically. "If we still can’t find him, I am willing to resign from my position as Vice Pavilion Master and never hold another post again!"

’It wasn’t as if she didn’t want to find Lin Xuan quickly; Qingcheng Mansion was about to explode.’

Qing Piaoyun was going mad. He had even come to the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion and caused a huge scene earlier. Both of his direct disciples had gone missing in the Demon Cloud Sea; one can only imagine how he felt. After finally taking on such an outstanding disciple, he too had now disappeared in the Demon Cloud Sea. The blow was simply too much for him to bear.

Seeing Zi Yi’s resolute stance, much of Lin Xue’s dissatisfaction dissipated. Although the incident had started because of Zi Yi, she couldn’t really be blamed. Lin Xuan had decided to go with her; it wasn’t as if she had held a knife to his throat and forced him.

"The responsibility doesn’t lie entirely with you. If he still can’t be found, I will go to the Demon Cloud Sea myself. If I can’t find him, I probably won’t be coming back in this lifetime..." The chilling aura around Lin Xue receded, and determination gleamed in her beautiful eyes.

"Miss Lin, then I will accompany you!" Zi Yi immediately said.

Their eyes met. Lin Xue gave a calm smile and said no more.

「At that very moment」

On the Sixth Layer of the Martial God Tower, Lin Xuan, who had been deep in meditation, snapped his eyes open. A gaze that seemed almost tangible shot forth. His entire aura had undergone a significant change. The look in his eyes was far more resolute than before, and more importantly, it now held a sharp, cutting edge!