The waters of the deep pool churned violently, stone walls shattering as the colossal head of the Violet Lightning Serpent burst forth from the end of the hidden passage. Its twin eyes blazed with arcs of purple thunder, killing intent almost solid enough to touch. Wounded, it seethed with a mix of rage and pain, its aura so violent it felt as if it could rend the very fabric of space.
Lin Tian stood at the center of the pool, the Azure Spirit Pearl in his palm radiating a gentle glow. He could clearly sense a surging tide of spiritual power pouring into his meridians through his arm, battering every joint and bone. The force was both strange and familiar—strange for its sheer immensity and ferocity, familiar in its rhythm and sense of belonging, like an instinct buried deep within his bloodline awakening.
At the mouth of the pool, Zhao Xifei advanced swiftly with several Zhao family experts in tow. The moment he saw Lin Tian, a cold sneer touched his lips."Little bastard, so you're still alive."His gaze swept to the Violet Lightning Serpent, and his eyes grew colder still."But today, even with wings, you won't escape."
Lin Tian gave no reply, his eyes locked on the beast. The massive serpent lunged at him, waves surging like shockwaves, its gaping maw flashing with interwoven arcs of violet lightning between razor fangs. In that instant, the glow of the Azure Spirit Pearl flared blindingly.
"Wong—"
The pool seemed to be severed from the outside world by some invisible force; the surrounding water was instantly pushed aside, forming a vacuum more than ten feet wide. Lin Tian stood upon the void, spiritual light swirling around him, his aura soaring to an unprecedented height—surpassing the Condensed Mind realm, even brushing the threshold of Innate!
Sensing the threat, the Violet Lightning Serpent roared, striking down with its thunder-charged head. But just as it closed in, Lin Tian's figure flickered—his whole body becoming a streak of azure light—and in an instant, he was at the serpent's seven-inch mark.
"Break!"
With a low shout, his right palm condensed with azure radiance and slammed forward. A beam of blue light erupted from his hand, striking the serpent's scales. With a muffled bang, the tough armor split open, blood and lightning bursting out together.
The serpent howled in pain, thrashing violently, waves surging high as it swept its massive tail toward Lin Tian. But his movements were impossibly fast; gliding through the water like a dragon, he slipped past the deadly strike, flashing to the beast's flank. Blow after blow landed, azure light and violet lightning clashing, illuminating the entire pool.
Zhao Xifei's face finally changed. He had never seen Lin Tian display such terrifying speed and strength. This wasn't luck or coincidence—this was a crushing dominance that crossed realms.
"Kill him!" Zhao Xifei roared, charging with two Zhao family experts at the peak of the Condensed Mind realm.
Lin Tian's eyes were cold as ice. Instead of retreating, he stepped forward to meet them. The Azure Spirit Pearl's power raged within him, each strike faster than thought, each blow heavy enough to shatter stone walls. Against his palm strikes, the Zhao experts' defenses were as fragile as paper—within moments, both were sent flying, blood spraying from their mouths as they crashed onto the rocky bank.
Zhao Xifei lunged, his longsword flashing like cold light toward Lin Tian's throat. Lin Tian raised his hand to block, azure radiance swallowing the blade. With a sharp crack, the sword shattered inch by inch. In Zhao Xifei's brief moment of shock, Lin Tian's palm slammed into his chest. The impact hurled him several yards back, smashing him against the stone wall as he spat a mouthful of blood.
The Violet Lightning Serpent, witnessing the scene, let out a long hiss—fear flickering in its eyes for the first time. Lin Tian turned, gathering the Azure Spirit Pearl's glow once more, pouring all his strength into a single strike aimed at the serpent's head.
A thunderous boom shook the waters, the serpent's massive form twitching one last time before sinking slowly to the depths, its lightning fading into darkness.
The surface of the pool gradually stilled, leaving only Lin Tian's breathing echoing through the empty valley. Looking down at the Azure Spirit Pearl in his palm, its light was fading, but the slumbering power had already left an indelible mark in his bloodline.
Lin Tian lifted his gaze, his eyes icy cold."Zhao Xifei… this is only the beginning."