The Unparalleled Sword Emperor Chapter 3 - 3 3 Mysterious Map

Exiting the Elder Pavilion, Lin Bai understood perfectly that the cultivation resources bequeathed by Lin Duo wouldn’t be reclaimed unless the Lin Family elders changed their minds.

Indeed, Lin Bai recognized that his current martial arts cultivation fell short of challenging the Lin Family’s Elder Pavilion.

“A bunch of bastards!

Back when my father was here, they wouldn’t dare utter a word, yet now they have the gall to snatch the cultivation resources he left for me!”

Returning home, Lin Bai unleashed his seething fury.

“Lin Bai.”

A elderly voice sounded from beyond the door.

Lin Bai glanced over and spotted a hunched old man with a face etched by years, smiling as he stepped inside.

Raising his gaze, Lin Bai remarked, “Third Uncle, what brings you here?”

The newcomer was Lin Bai’s third uncle, Lin Yue, who had shared a tight bond with Lin Bai’s father since youth.

Yet years back, during an outing with Lin Duo, Third Uncle’s Dantian got shattered by an unknown assailant, confining him to the Lin Family thereafter.

Entering with a smile, Lin Yue said, “I heard your awakened Martial Soul isn’t impressive, so I came to see how you’re holding up, lest you act rashly.”

“Thank you, Third Uncle. Despite your condition, you still came to visit me.” Lin Bai shook his head with a bitter smile.

Lin Yue chuckled, “Haha, your father and I went through life-and-death trials together. With him absent from the Lin Family, who else will watch over you if not me?”

“Lin Bai, even if your Martial Soul isn’t great, don’t despair. Didn’t Brother Lin Duo leave you a wealth of cultivation resources? Go claim them, boost your cultivation speed, and with your talent, a Yellow Level First Grade Martial Soul can still lead to remarkable achievements.”

Lin Yue encouraged Lin Bai warmly.

At the mention of those resources, Lin Bai’s anger flared. “That’s exactly what infuriates me. I just visited the Elder Pavilion to collect my father’s legacy, but those Elder Pavilion scum and Lin Zi’er refused, citing my weak Martial Soul.”

Lin Yue’s eyes widened in shock. “They dared to covet Brother Lin Duo’s belongings? Aren’t they fearful of his return and wrath?”

Coldly, Lin Bai replied, “They fawn over Lin Zi’er’s superior talent compared to my father’s!”

“Is that the case?” Lin Yue’s expression grew uneasy. “They’ve gone too far. So, Lin Bai, what’s your next move?”

“They assume my lowly Martial Soul and lack of resources will relegate me to mediocrity. Just watch—I’m heading to the Qingling Mountains to slay demon beasts and trade for cultivation resources.”

“Qingling Mountains? That demon beast haven is perilous; stay extremely cautious,” Lin Yue warned anxiously.

“Though fraught with danger, the Qingling Mountains offer the perfect training ground for me!”

Since the Devouring Sword Spirit thrives on devouring demon beasts’ divine blood, the Qingling Mountains proved an ideal cultivation spot for Lin Bai!

Lin Yue’s clouded eyes flickered as he pulled a sheepskin map from his robes and offered it to Lin Bai. “Here, take this—it’ll prove invaluable in the Qingling Mountains.”

“What’s this?” Lin Bai accepted it, curiosity piqued.

Grinning, Lin Yue explained, “Before my ruin, I ventured into the Qingling Mountains and found a Pregnant Spirit Fruit tree, though the fruits weren’t ripe yet.”

“I sketched the path, planning to harvest them upon maturity.”

“Fate had other plans; my destruction came before the fruits ripened.”

A wry smile crossed Lin Yue’s lips.

“Pregnant Spirit Fruits!” Lin Bai’s eyes bulged in astonishment at the name.

These fruits served to craft second-grade Elixir Pills, top-tier cultivation aids!

They bloomed after thirty years, bore fruit after another thirty, and ripened after yet thirty more.

At this juncture, these Pregnant Spirit Fruits were precisely what Lin Bai desperately needed.

“Third Uncle, this is far too valuable,” Lin Bai protested.

Laughing heartily, Lin Yue insisted, “Keep it. Childless and crippled as I am, this map holds no use for me. Cultivate diligently and honor your father’s name.”

“Also, take this secret technique manual. It’s the Dragon Emperor’s Divine Dragon Arm—immensely powerful. Master it, and you’ll gain tremendous strength swiftly!”

“Cultivating the Dragon Emperor’s Divine Dragon Arm demands vast amounts of demon blood. Since you’re off to the Qingling Mountains for beast hunting and tempering, practice this martial technique earnestly.”

The very name Dragon Emperor’s Divine Dragon Arm exuded grandeur.

“Thank you, Third Uncle.” Clutching the manual and map, Lin Bai expressed sincere gratitude.

“Third Uncle, you’ve never revealed who crippled you.”

At those words, Lin Yue’s eyes dimmed.

He chuckled, “Nosy kid, why pry into that? Focus on cultivation now. Off you go.”

“Fine, I’ll visit the Weapon Pavilion and Martial Arts Pavilion for a weapon and technique selection. Then straight to the Qingling Mountains.” Lin Bai declared resolutely, “In two months, everyone who scorns me will rue their disdain!”

Escorting his third uncle back, Lin Bai proceeded directly to the Weapon Pavilion.

Arriving there,

“Lin Bai, it’s not that I refuse you a weapon. Lintai Heng’s pressure is unbearable. Both he and Lin Zi’er dispatched messengers to threaten me. I can’t risk giving you one now.” The Weapon Pavilion elder sighed in resignation.

The elder perceived that Elder Lintai Heng and Lin Zi’er aimed to doom Lin Bai utterly!

“Lin Bai, don’t fault us. Elder Lintai Heng and Lin Zi’er just sent word. We truly can’t allow you to select a martial technique!” Echoing the Weapon Pavilion elder, the Martial Arts Pavilion elder blocked Lin Bai’s path.

“Lintai Heng! Lin Zi’er! Think this will break me? How naive!”

“No weapon? No martial technique? I’ve still got these fists!”

A chilly smirk on his lips, Lin Bai strode out through the Lin Family’s main gate.

Lin Bai knew full well: Lin Zi’er and Lintai Heng sought his total obliteration from the start.

“Oh, isn’t this our Lin Family’s once-celebrated genius young master, Lin Bai? Why the disheveled look after the Martial Arts and Weapon Pavilions?”

As Lin Bai neared the exit, a suave youth barred his way.

This was Lin Family disciple Lin Xuanqing.

He and Lin Bai had awakened their Martial Souls three days prior.

Boasting a Yellow Level Seventh Rank Martial Soul, his talent ranked just below Lin Xuan and Lin Zi’er’s in the family.

Wielding his treasure sword, Lin Xuanqing taunted, “Behold? Fresh from the Weapon Pavilion, this grade one spiritual tool—the Soul-Slaying Sword. Plus, a Yellow Level Ninth Grade martial art from the Martial Arts Pavilion: Qixue Sword Skill!”

“Jealous much?”

Lin Xuanqing had trailed Lin Bai from the Weapon Pavilion solely to gloat over his downfall.

While Lin Bai reigned as the family’s top prodigy, Lin Xuanqing burned with jealousy.

Now fallen, Lin Bai became the perfect target for his flaunting!

Spiritual Tools spanned grades one through nine.

Legends spoke of superior magical treasures beyond them, unseen by Lin Bai.

Martial Skills graded as Yellow, Xuan, Earth, Heaven, Emperor—each with nine sub-grades.

“Step aside; a smart dog doesn’t block the path!” Lin Bai bellowed, murder in his eyes.

Lin Xuanqing scowled, snarling, “Hmph? You trash dare speak to me so? Time for a lesson.”

“Here!”

With that, Lin Xuanqing thrust his sword at Lin Bai!

Post-awakening, Lin Xuanqing remained at Martial Arts First Level, unpracticed.

Yet Lin Bai now stood at Third Level of Martial Arts!

Facing the aggressive sword thrust, Lin Bai sneered, “Offering your weapon? I’ll accept!”

Advancing, Lin Bai poured power into his wrist, seizing the Soul-Slaying Sword and wrenching it away.

Enraged at losing his spiritual tool, Lin Xuanqing bellowed, “Lin Bai, return it now, or face consequences. Remember, my brother is Lin Xuan!”

“Lin Xuan? His brother? Perfect. I’ll extract some interest from you first!” Fury ignited in Lin Bai upon learning Lin Xuanqing’s kinship.

Strike!

A palm smashed into Lin Xuanqing’s face, sending him sprawling.

Buzz!

Suddenly, arcane incantations surfaced in Lin Bai’s mind.

“Martial Soul Talent! Soul Searching!”

“Press this on a martial artist’s crown to plunder all memories from their mind!”

“Warning: the victim faces dire repercussions—death for the worst, idiocy for the milder!”

Stunned, Lin Bai thought, “Awakened a Martial Soul Talent already? And not sword-related—odd.”

Typically, unlocking Martial Soul Talent demanded a master’s guidance or miraculous fortune—near impossible otherwise.

Higher-grade Martial Souls awakened talents quicker and stronger!

Battered, bleeding from mouth and nose, Lin Xuanqing howled, “Lin Bai, you struck me! Wait till I fetch my brother—he’ll skin you alive!”

“Skin me?” Lin Bai shot back venomously.

Lin Xuanqing spat furiously, “Yes, skin you! Beg all you want; my resolve stands. Prepare to die.”

“Forgotten already? Your life’s mine, yet you bluster? Fine, you mentioned your Yellow Level Ninth Grade martial art—I’ll claim it.”

Grinning wickedly, Lin Bai added, “Perfect chance to test my Martial Soul Talent!”

Approaching, Lin Bai placed his right hand atop Lin Xuanqing’s head.

“What’re you doing?”

Terror dilated Lin Xuanqing’s pupils.

“Soul Searching!”

Whoosh——

Lin Bai invoked the incantation, initiating Soul Searching.

Instantly, Lin Xuanqing’s lifetime memories flashed before Lin Bai like a sped-up film.

In mere fifteen minutes, Lin Bai absorbed every crystal-clear recollection—including the Yellow Level Ninth Grade martial art acquisition!

Qixue Sword Skill!

Soul Searching complete, Lin Xuanqing convulsed, foaming at the mouth, before collapsing lifeless minutes later.

“You courted this doom. Without your provocation and murder attempt, why would I end you?” Lin Bai stated coolly.

“Weapon and martial art secured—time for the Qingling Mountain Range.”

“Lintai Heng, Lin Zi’er, await my return; I’ll upheave this realm!”

Shouldering the Soul-Slaying Sword, Lin Bai departed Lingxi City that night, bound for the 10,000-mile-distant Qingling Mountain Range.

Lin Bai’s venture to the Qingling Mountain Range chiefly aimed at hunting Demon Beasts and seeking Heavenly Thunder and Earth Fire.