Chapter 296: Intense Start but Disappointing Ending
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
After hearing Wang Lin’s comments, Dao Yuting was furious. However, she noticed that Wang Lin was serious beneath the calm exterior, but was unable to speak.
As the result had been determined, Dao Yuting activated the self-defense mechanism of the Hidden Dragon Gorge as she faced Wang Lin’s Lone Death Thumb. Whereas Wang Lin used his Finger of Rebirth to avert Dao Yuting’s Ice Blade. There was a thin line between victory and loss.
Wang Lin was actually taking a huge risk here. The Finger of Rebirth needed the appropriate conditions for it to work practically. If they were just a little bit off, failure would be the result.
Under Lin Feng’s guidance, Wang Lin comprehended the Destructive Powers and started to study the power concept of life. Recently, he managed to understand a few parts relating to it and completed his third finger of the Celestial Finger of Styx, the Finger of Rebirth.
This mantra was used to assist the injured and its main purpose was to help this group of people.
Under the power of life creation, it could be used to treat injuries. It could even bring someone back from the brink of death.
But that was only perfect theoretically. Practically, Wang Lin’s cultivation had to be taken into consideration and the other party’s extent of injury also had to be considered.
The principle of the Finger of Rebirth was to maximize the potential of the Destructive Powers. The forceful interaction of the extremes allowed the Destructive gas helped to boost the power of life and prolonged the longevity of a person.
Therefore, after using the Finger of Rebirth, Wang Lin’s mana would be depleted. Even after a long time, he would still be unable to enter the Destructive Stage of the River of Styx
This mantra could be used on Wang Lin himself. Besides preventing any wastage of mana, the effect would be even more pronounced.
But it was extremely difficult to grasp the perfect timing.
If it was used too soon, it would be a waste. If it was used too late, the person would be dead. As the mana was depleted, the mantra would be completely useless.
It had to be used at a perfect timing when the enemy was about to inflict a blow, so as to achieve its desired effect.
It was only the first time that Wang Lin had used the Finger of Rebirth. He was very fortunate to have pulled it off. That was why he was in awe of Dao Yuting, who had pushed him to the limit.
Previously when he faced Dao Yuting’s Ice Blade, Wang Lin retaliated with the Lone Death Thumb. His offensive attack was actually a daring move. He wanted to see if Dao Yuting would waver first and see who feared death less.
Even with the protection of the Hidden Dragon Gorge, most people would automatically enter self-defense mode in the face of death.
But Dao Yuting was able to curb her urge to self-defend. She did not waver and attacked Wang Lin, ready to wager her life with him.
Eventually, if it not were for Wang Lin’s Finger of Rebirth, he would have lost to Dao Yuting.
To Wang Lin, this battle was very fruitful to his development.
Outside the Hidden Dragon Gorge, the Sword Radiance Swordmaster came up with a conclusion, that Wang Lin was the strongest Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator in the spiritual conference.
The rest of the Immortal Soul Stage Elders were silent, but they looked like they agreed with that statement.
Everyone at the venue heard the words of Sword Radiance Swordmaster and they did not react well to that.
Even if they were indignant, it was pointless. That was because the final battle was between Wang Lin and Yue Hongyan.
Even if Wang Lin lost, the Celestial Sect of Wonders would still be the talk of the town.
Lin Feng looked at Cao Wei and Cao Wei looked back at him calmly. He nodded his head and wriggled his sleeves. A light dimension appeared in the sky and revealed the figure of an old person.
As the old person saw Cao Wei, he bowed towards and greeted him, "Master, what instructions do you have for me?"
Cao Wei replied, "Graft the Geocentric Fire Lotus from the volcano opening and send it to me at the Great Qin Sea of the Northern Wind. At the same time, find the Nine-Circled Orchid for me and send it over too."
The old person was shocked but did not probe. He hesitated for awhile before bowing, "I shall carry out your wishes, Master."
As the light dimension disappeared, Cao Wei continued to look nonchalant and looked at Wang Lin and Dao Yuting as they exited the Hidden Dragon Gorge.
Lin Feng smiled, "Old man, it is okay if I cannot dig out your intentions first time round. There is always a second try."
When he suggested to increase their stake, he was actually testing Cao Wei. He wanted to find out what Cao Wei was after.
Eventually, Cao Wei wanted the branch of the Black Heavenly Treasure Tree. This was fitting with the mountain rock from Mount Yujing, but it made Lin Feng even more certain that Cao Wei was just trying to distract him.
His true intention was different.
Lin Feng had a wild guess but he was unable to prove it. But he was not frantic, as he knew that Cao Wei would reveal his intentions sooner or later if he really wanted it.
Wang Lin exited the Hidden Dragon Gorge and walked towards the holding area of the Celestial Sect of Wonders. The other cultivators looked at him with perplexed expressions.
Out of Lin Feng’s disciples who took part in this Foundation Establishment Stage competition, the one who elicited the biggest reaction after his victory was undoubtedly Wang Lin.
Furthermore, his cultivation was only in the beginner stage of the Foundation Establishment Stage and he had not even erected a spiritual altar. On the other hand, all his opponents were already in the advanced stage of the Foundation Establishment Stage. They were all elites in the same realm and were only a step away from forming the Aurous Core.
Under such a circumstance, Wang Lin was still able to overcome all his opponents. His dominance was a testament to the invincibility of the disciples of the Celestial Sect of Wonders in the same realm.
The overwhelming feeling he brought was more intense than Yue Hongyan or Yang Qing.
Jiao Junchen looked at Wang Lin curiously and his line of vision drifted towards Zhu Yi, "Initially when they say Zhu Yi could defeat an Immortal Soul Stage Elder even if he was only in the beginner stage of the Aurous Core Stage, I was skeptical."
"Now that I have witnessed his junior’s performance, I am convinced." He revealed a smile on his face, "I am excited to spar with a Celestial Sect of Wonders disciple."
Shi Xingyun wanted to say something, but she realized that Shi Shaogan was staring at Dao Yuting. She pulled Shi Shaogan away and turned to look at Jiao Junchen, laughing, "I hope you get what you wish, but I certainly hope not to spar with them."
"I am more willing to fight with Tao Yaoyao for three hundred rounds instead."
Jiao Junchen laughed, "I am afraid Tao Yaoyao has a different thought about that."
Wang Lin was indifferent to the opinions and stares of others, but creased his brows, as if he was thinking of something.
After he returned back to Lin Feng, he regained his awareness. He greeted Lin Feng and suddenly said, "Master, I have gained a new understanding on the power concepts of life and destruction. I wish to meditate to gain an even deeper understanding."
"I will like to forfeit the last round."
After he finished speaking, Xiao Budian and the rest were a little taken aback, but they were also understanding of his decision.
They understood that Wang Lin was dying to comprehend the logic behind the new mantra that he had just used, as they all had the same experience before.
Furthermore, if he did not take the opportunity to grasp the sudden realization, it would be difficult to explore it again.
Only Yue Hongyan was a little disappointed. After watching the battle between Wang Lin and Dao Yuting, her adrenaline was rushing and she was looking forward to sparring him. She believed that it would be an even more intense battle compared to the previous round with Shi Shaogan.
However, Yue Hongyan could understand Wang Lin’s rationale.
"Fourth Junior, after using the Finger of Rebirth, I am now unable to enter the Destructive Stage of the River of Styx. Even if I spar with you, it would be meaningless."
Wang Lin looked at Yue Hongyan apologetically. Only when facing his own sect members did he reveal his true emotions.
Speaking from the bottom of his heart, Wang Lin was not a nice opponent to spar with. But he could sympathize with her, which made him a little regretful.
He did not care about his own personal fame either. After all, the Celestial Sect of Wonders’ reputation was established regardless of the final result.
It was not that he was entirely selfless and without desire. It was just that he was unconcerned about such materialistic fame.
Yue Hongyan nodded her head regretfully, but she still smiled. "I hope that you can achieve something out of your meditation, Third Senior."
Wang Lin smiled and nodded his head. He looked towards Lin Feng, who smiled and tapped his finger lightly. A Celestial Small World created by Purple Clouds was formed and Wang Lin was fitted inside.
It was like an independent world on its own. As Wang Lin meditated inside, he would not be disturbed.
Lin Feng kept the Celestial Small World well and explained the situation to Shi Zongyue and the rest.
The Gambling Holy Man slightly creased his brows, "Is he so excited for it?"
Lin Feng nodded his head and said, "We are all cultivators. I am sure we all have had such an experience."
Although the Immortal Soul Stage Elders were taken aback, they still accepted Lin Feng’s explanation.
In this way, Yue Hongyan had become the champion of the Foundation Establishment Stage competition in the Huanghai Spiritual Conference.
The cultivators from the various sects gathered and discussed about the competition.
After the Celestial Sect of Wonders bagged the first two placings, everyone was preparing to witness another internal competition between the Celestial Sect of Wonders. For now, they could only accept such a result. It was an intense start, but a disappointing ending.
After all, they could not ask Dao Yuting or Shi Shaogan to battle Yue Hongyan. Even if the Great Qin Empire or Heaven Lake Sect were thick-skinned enough, they also could not say such words.
As Shi Zongyue tapped the Hidden Dragon Gorge lightly, the Hidden Dragon Gorge enlarged by several times. It was now as huge as a mountain.
"As with the previous years, the spiritual conference will pause for some time." Shi Zongyue said as he pointed at the Hidden Dragon Gorge. "After this, all of you can move freely. If you want to trade with one another, please enter the Hidden Dragon Gorge. The Aurous Core Stage competition will begin tomorrow."
He turned his head to look at Lin Feng and the rest of the Immortal Soul Stage Elders, "Let them move around and interact with one another. All of you please follow me to the opening of the Ancient Huanghai World."