Eternal Swordmaster Chapter 977 - 972 Storm Four

While talent might mask rapid early advancements, higher realms demand hands-on combat experience and deep cultivation insights that pure genius alone can't provide.

A Master's guidance proves essential.

Numerous cultivation methods, once hitting specific milestones, necessitate conditions like real battles or intense external pressures to advance further.

Several sects boast legacies refined over generations by brilliant talents who perfected them repeatedly.

Such profound realms and wisdom remain beyond any prodigy without proper mentorship.

Thus, he requires a justification.

A pretext to ascend to the peak independently and seamlessly.

"I’ll check it out personally."

Lin Xin grabbed his mother’s communication device.

This gadget resembles a portable computer, featuring a palm-sized screen linked to the Storm Empire's internet and nearby nations' networks.

By switching identities to evade firewalls, access to the Cosmic Alliance's core network allows viewing Nine Heart Empire data.

Such perks define the tech age.

Lin Xin launched the search engine, typing in "Electromagnetic Technique sects."

A single search click unleashed a flood of packed info lines.

After a swift scan, Lin Xin pinpointed the top Electromagnetic Technique sects.

’Ten Illusions Stream’, ’Extreme Truth Sect’, ’Spirit Annihilation Path’.

These three dominate with the largest gatherings of electromagnetic practitioners in the Storm Empire.

Lin Xin scrutinized them: Ten Illusions Stream harnesses Electromagnetic Technique to ignite spiritual power, emphasizing illusion-based martial arts where mind trumps flesh.

Extreme Truth Sect pursues unadulterated body fortification, while Spirit Annihilation Path fuses machinery and tech into the physique.

After all, Electromagnetic Technique excels at blending with technology.

Yet these sects' sway stays confined to martial artists, a scarce bunch, rendering them far feebler than major cultivation sects.

"I’ll go with Ten Illusions Stream."

Lin Xin selected it at random.

To him, the choice hardly mattered—merely a cover for his own progress.

"Ten Illusions Stream..." Diliya snatched the device to research it too.

Its mightiest leader was martial artist Ten Illusions Yunhe.

In Ten Illusions Stream, annual internal tourney victors earn the ’Ten Illusions’ prefix to their names.

Thus, outsiders instantly recognize the bearer as the stream's supreme powerhouse.

"For a martial artist, mother can pull strings for your entry."

Diliya pondered briefly; as a princess backing a minor nation, she held sway.

Even Storm Empire martial artists would grant her courtesy.

"Just ensure you conceal your real abilities, child...."

Her worry lingered.

"Rest easy, mother." Lin Xin assured calmly.

"Sigh....." Diliya let out a heavy sigh, approaching Lin Xin for a tender hug.

She dreaded that exposing his monstrous talent might lead to disaster.

*********************

During the following period.

Lin Xin awaited the Sixth Layer’s Heart of Thunder metamorphosis, an obligatory step for all Electromagnetic Technique practitioners.

Durations range from one to three months.

Diliya ventured out repeatedly, securing funds from her doting father, her homeland's king, then dispatched an invite to distant Ten Illusions Yunhe on Empire Meteor 19.

As a martial artist, though Ten Illusions Yunhe might dismiss a lower-ranked Imperial Concubine, the deluge of funds proved irresistible.

Sects demand resources to thrive, after all.

Especially with Ten Illusions Stream's dire straits.

Against the sturdy Extreme Truth Sect and the devastating Spirit Annihilation Path.

Ten Illusions Stream lags badly in combat prowess, defense, and popular draw versus those giants.

Hence, Diliya Imperial Concubine's monetary barrage forced her to journey across stars via interstellar liner.

.....

A month and a half passed....

Derin Palace Royal Garden.

Ten Illusions Yunhe occupied a banquet spot in the garden's corner, flanked by Diliya and Lin Xin.

A delicately sculpted young girl of twelve or thirteen, blooming into beauty, wore dark green form-fitting attire highlighting her budding figure.

This was Diliya’s firstborn, Xu Yejun.

Xu Yejun exuded natural fragrance, silky pale skin, inheriting her mother’s allure.

Since entering Flying Swallow Stream, her cultivation soared daily; luckily, imperial law barred women from the throne, sparing her talent-based persecution.

Lin Xin at the table eyed the martial artist Ten Illusions Yunhe.

She appeared a benign white-haired granny, akin to a regular college instructor.

Yet none would guess she rivaled small thermal armaments in power.

Though martial artists can't tank battleships like Masters, planetside they reign supreme, each matching a full division.

Otherwise, martial arts wouldn't retain devotees amid tech dominance.

Ten Illusions Yunhe inspected her prospective disciple Lin Xin closely.

"Prince Xu Hong, are you certain about joining my Ten Illusions Stream? Entry locks your path; switching later proves near impossible."

Foundational body traits solidify; only full mechanization allows escape from Ten Illusions Stream bounds.

"I’m sure." Lin Xin truly shunned repeating body enhancement routes.

They paled against direct attribute boosts in speed.

"The Imperial Concubine briefed me on your level. If you’ve hit Third Layer, prove it now."

Shi Huan Yunhe urged seriously.

"Alright." Lin Xin rose, palm out, as a blue arc danced across his fingers.

Shi Huan Yunhe’s eyes narrowed faintly.

A three-year-old wielding Third Layer Electromagnetic Force so adeptly....

This talent.....

She curbed inner excitement, demanding verification for authenticity.

True Third Layer Electromagnetic Technique in one month? She’d claim this twentieth prince gratis!

Shi Huan Liu hadn’t seen a top genius disciple in ages.

"Show electrification."

She stayed composed, pressing on.

Lin Xin pointed a finger; arcs coiled and crackled, then snapped sharply.

Finger arcs burst away.

An unseen electric field erupted nearby, raising hairs.

"Excellent!! True Third Layer!"

Shi Huan Yunhe shot up, beaming.

"Join as my Direct Disciple from here on—no tuition fees!"

"Alright." Lin Xin responded casually.

His aloof face and offhand reply drew a wry inner smile from Shi Huan Yunhe, yet securing such a prodigy for her sect was a boon.

Offending him risked defection to Extreme Truth Sect or Spirit Annihilation Path, eager suitors.

Shi Huan Liu desperately craved a genius leader...

Shi Huan Yunhe accepted his quirk; geniuses act thus, far better than Extreme Truth Sect’s troublemaker Zhao Zhuo.

Xu Yejun beside watched her brother strangely.

Three years old, yet poised beyond peers. Genius? Outshining her own prowess.

Sect matters resolved, all reveled happily.

Shi Huan Yunhe, poor with liquor, retired post few cups.

Diliya rose for errands; sect entry skipped annual tourney needs.

Yet prince-mentor travel for training warranted Palace notice; as twentieth prince, low profile possible, but Imperial Concubine’s role demanded formalities.

Still, Royal Family ties required protocols.

Adults departed.

Teen Xu Yejun sparked interest instantly.

She’d always favored this brother.

"I snagged fun stuff from my sect, Xiao Hong—call me sister, it’s yours!"

Lin Xin eyed her lollipop.

"Are you an idiot?"

Xu Yejun’s bright grin solidified.

"You jerk....."

"Also, not Xiao Hong—I’m Xu Hong; use my full name henceforth."

Lin Xin corrected indifferently once more.

"Thirteen and merely Third Layer Basic Merit Law—what a failure; scram and play alone."

Lin Xin shooed, abandoning the feast for his quarters.

Xu Yejun froze, face ashen deepening.

Wow!!

With a wail, tearful Xu Yejun fled to mother.

Halfway, Lin Xin heard trailing sobs, shaking head wordlessly.

Reporting proceeded flawlessly.

Diliya’s lavish spending blitz secured Lin Xin’s travel pass swiftly.

Now he trailed Shi Huan Yunhe to Shi Huan Liu headquarters for training.

Short goodbyes to Diliya and Xu Yejun followed.

Lin Xin left Derin Palace with Shi Huan Yunhe for Imperial Star No. 19.

Cultivation blurs time.

Lin Xin trailed Shi Huan Yunhe steadily, shuttling between Star No. 19 and Storm Imperial Capital.

In two months, Electromagnetic Technique hit Ninth Layer peak.

Two years on, revealing true strides hidden from Shi Huan Yunhe.

Basic Merit Law mastery in two-three years eclipsed genius peaks.

Ecstatic Shi Huan Yunhe granted all Cultivation Decisions.

Shi Huan Liu’s later stages: Heart-killing Illusion Technique, Decisive Moon Heart Technique, Heart-ensnaring Divine Technique.

These pure-mental arts warped foes’ perceptions via uncanny means.

Lin Xin conquered them smoothly; by twelve, Heart-ensnaring Divine Technique reached Ninth Layer Perfection.

He chose unveiling his potential, intending full disclosure to Shi Huan Yunhe.

Shi Huan Liu’s supreme Secret Manual demanded Heart-ensnaring Divine Technique pinnacle.

Feigning normalcy, even peak talent needed decades for unchallenged Great Achievements across techniques.

Lin Xin couldn’t stomach that wait.

Thus, direct confession for Shi Huan Soul-fusion Secret Manual, then Netherworld gateway.

Reincarnated yet, Sword of Compassion clues eluded him, baffling Lin Xin deeply.