CHAPTER 73 — A WORLD THAT TREMBLES
The world did not return to silence.
It couldn't.
A catastrophe of that magnitude left ripples—
shockwaves that raced across mountains,
skies that still crackled with residual lightning,
and spiritual veins deep beneath the earth trembling like frightened snakes.
Even hours after the explosion, the skies above the crater were streaked with purple tribulation arcs—leftover scraps of heavenly wrath, aimlessly slashing through the clouds.
The forest was gone.
An entire region erased.
What remained was a giant scar upon the land.
And inside Lin Xuan's inner Earth, the Cloudsky Sect disciples, elders, and even Danfeng struggled to comprehend what had just happened.
---
Inside Inner Earth — Panic, Awe, and Disbelief
A shockwave rolled across Lin's inner world, causing trees to bend and mountains to groan as if the realm itself were evolving.
Mu stared up at the sky, hand pressed to her chest.
"Is… is this world… alive?"
Sheng wiped sweat from his forehead.
"It's not alive. It's becoming more complete. Like a true minor realm."
Wen staggered back as the ground vibrated beneath him.
"Or like a world being reborn…"
Bai clenched his fists, struggling with the panic that forced its way into his chest.
"Lin… don't you dare die on us."
Just then, the central sky split open—
a window forming above the lotus lake healing field, showing the outside world.
The scene nearly crushed everyone's hearts.
---
Lin Xuan — Blood, Lightning, Determination
He stood at the center of the crater, barely upright.
Lightning still danced around him.
Dual-star light shimmered beneath his skin.
His spear was planted in the molten earth, holding him up.
Lin's chest rose and fell in ragged breaths.
He was clearly exhausted—
bones cracked, muscles torn, and his soul force flickering.
But he was alive.
Barely.
Mu broke into sobs.
Sheng let out a shaky breath.
Wen punched the air in celebration.
And Bai?
Bai didn't cheer.
He whispered:
"Idiot… how are you still standing?"
---
Cloudsky Sect Outside — The Survivors Arrive
Moments later, the inner Earth portal rippled.
With a wave of Lin Xuan's hand, he released them back into the world.
The first to appear beside Lin was Bai, rushing forward in a blur.
"LIN!"
He caught Lin before he fell.
Lin's legs gave out at last—
his body swaying like a collapsing tower of battered steel.
Bai lowered him gently to the ground.
Mu, Wen, Sheng, and the remaining expedition members emerged next, surrounding Lin in a protective circle.
Mu knelt beside him, tears streaking her face.
"Don't move! I— I'll start healing you now!"
Lin gave her a faint smirk.
"I've… had worse."
"No you haven't!" Bai yelled. "No mortal has had worse!"
Lin chuckled weakly, but didn't argue.
---
The Aftermath — A Million Reactions
Word spread like wildfire.
Demonic Sect Scout Outposts
Every demonic sect scattered across the continent felt the heavenly wrath.
One scout trembled so hard he dropped his communicator jade.
"T-The tribulation… it came from the Cloudsky region…"
"Impossible!"
"It's true! The pulse signatures—
No Golden Core cultivator should produce world tribulation! W-What kind of monster—"
"Shut up and gather information! If this is the same cultivator who produced the Celestial pill—"
"Then we need to report directly to the Demonic Sovereign!"
Panic spread through the demonic ranks.
For the first time since the war began…
they were afraid.
---
Orthodox Sects — Shock and Uncertainty
In the righteous alliance headquarters, a cultivator burst into the strategy chamber.
"Reporting! A world-level phenomenon detected in Cloudsky territory!"
Gasps erupted.
Scrolls and maps were nearly dropped.
The Flower Pavilion Sect Master stood from her seat, robes rustling like petals in a storm.
"A world-level phenomenon… in Cloudsky?"
The Sword Saint narrowed his eyes.
"No mortal cultivator should be capable of such a thing. Unless…"
"Unless they produced a miracle," she finished quietly.
Their gazes turned toward the southeast.
Toward Cloudsky.
---
Cloudsky Sect — Reactions from Home
Back at the sect itself—intact only because Lin evacuated them into his inner Earth—the disciples stood in awe as the protective field faded and they saw the devastation beyond.
The remaining elders stared in horror.
The Sect Master—pale, weakened from his battle with the demonic elder—leaned on his sword as his knees threatened to buckle.
"That aura…" he whispered.
"That phenomenon…"
Danfeng finished for him, voice trembling.
"It was Lin Xuan."
The Sect Master closed his eyes.
"…We have birthed a calamity-level cultivator."
---
Back at the Crater — Lin Awakens
After several long minutes of Mu channeling healing qi into him, Lin finally opened his eyes fully.
His consciousness sharpened.
His aura stabilized.
He sat up slowly, still propped up by Bai.
"Lin…" Mu choked out. "Why didn't you tell us what you planned?"
Lin wiped blood from his lips, then gave a faint smile.
"Because you would've tried to stop me."
"Damn right we would have!" Bai snapped. "Do you have a death wish!?"
Lin shook his head.
"No. I have a goal."
Sheng swallowed hard.
"What goal justifies risking your life like this?"
Lin raised his eyes to the sky.
Lightning flickered behind his pupils.
His dual-star core pulsed softly.
> "I will end the demonic sects."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Mu's hands trembled.
Wen stared wide-eyed.
Bai's jaw dropped.
Lin continued:
> "If they won't stop hunting me…
Then I'll give them a reason to fear me."
---
The World Reacts to Lin's Evolution
Cloudsky disciples stood on the crater's edge, staring down at Lin like he were an ancient god descending to the mortal world.
Whispers spread rapidly.
"That explosion… was that… Senior Brother Lin?"
"No way. That scale of destruction—"
"I saw it! It was definitely him!"
"Is he human?"
"He saved the sect! Alone!"
"Sheer insanity… or divine talent…"
Some disciples cried with relief.
Some trembled.
Some looked ready to kneel.
And some whispered in fear—
"Is he… really on our side?"
---
Lin's Response
Lin pushed himself to his feet.
The dual-star light dimmed but did not fade, now permanently resting like sunfire beneath his skin.
He glanced at the crater.
Then at the scared disciples.
The awe-struck elders.
The trembling Cloudsky Sect Master, barely able to stand.
Lin spoke calmly, but his voice carried like thunder rolling across plains.
> "Cloudsky Sect protected me when I was weak.
Now I will protect Cloudsky Sect while I am strong."
The tension broke instantly.
The disciples kneeled.
The elders bowed.
Even the Sect Master closed his eyes in relief.
---