Bang!

Suddenly, Bai Lin's gaze sharpened. He stamped his right foot forward, his body flickering as several afterimages appeared, and charged toward Lin Zheyu at once. Seeing this, Lin Zheyu showed a trace of surprise. This method was extremely similar to the techniques used by Force Transformation realm martial artists, who combined true intent and true strength to produce such effects.

But unlike the crude techniques of Force Transformation realm martial artists, Bai Lin's attacks were far harder to read. As a martial artist who had opened two spirit divine repositories, he had refined and tempered his true intent over decades to an extraordinary level. It was no longer ordinary true intent. It had begun to touch upon the comprehension of Dao resonance and even rules.

I wonder if there are martial cultivation manuals like true intent diagrams that can be directly comprehended and cultivated, Lin Zheyu thought as he watched Bai Lin.

Origin Force could only improve based on existing techniques. Without a reference technique, relying solely on personal comprehension meant Origin Force could not be used effectively. This was why, although Lin Zheyu saw immense latent potential in martial cultivation true intent, he had not invested much effort into it. Further transformation and advancement of true intent required exceptional comprehension and a great deal of time.

In this process, Origin Force was of no help. Only if he obtained higher-level true intent diagrams containing deeper mysteries could Lin Zheyu use Origin Force to enhance it.

The thought flashed by in an instant. Bai Lin's eight afterimages rushed in from all directions toward Lin Zheyu. Lin Zheyu remained calm. He stepped back with his right foot toward the rear-left, twisted his waist, and suddenly caught the punch coming from behind him. A powerful force erupted as he flung Bai Lin's massive body away.

A dull thud echoed. The onlookers fell silent. By now, they were convinced that Fellow Daoist Xiao had definitely opened the spirit divine repository and most likely had awakened some form of spirit divine ability. Even they would not have been able to see through Bai Lin's attack so easily.

"Enough, enough. I concede," Bai Lin said, his figure flickering as he reappeared not far from Lin Zheyu, waving his hand.

"May I ask, have you opened the spirit divine repository, Fellow Daoist Xiao?" Bai Lin asked curiously.

Lin Zheyu smiled faintly and did not answer.

"My apologies. I was too presumptuous," Bai Lin said, startled, cupping his hands.

"Haha, I told you Fellow Daoist Xiao is impressive!"

Lei Yongtao's hearty voice rang out as he walked over with Shi Mulan and Tu Yuan toward Lin Zheyu and the others.

"It was just a spar. Fellow Daoist Bai held back," Lin Zheyu said modestly.

He could tell that Bai Lin had not used his full strength. His earlier attacks had still been controlled. But the same was true for Lin Zheyu. In the entire fight, he had barely moved, standing in place while responding to Bai Lin's attacks. Within his powerful Perception Domain, especially within a hundred meters around him, none of Bai Lin's movements escaped his awareness.

No matter what attack Bai Lin launched, Lin Zheyu could predict it in advance and respond accordingly. Only by attacking with greater strength, speed, or more unpredictable techniques could Bai Lin hope to catch him off guard. Unfortunately, he had not.

"You are too modest, Fellow Daoist Xiao. Your strength far surpasses mine," Bai Lin said with a wry smile.

That fight had felt extremely stifling for him, leaving him thoroughly unsatisfied.

"Alright, since no one objects, Fellow Daoist Xiao is now one of us. By the way, where is Fellow Daoist Zitong?" Lei Yongtao asked.

Ji Zitong should have arrived before them.

"She went to help Fellow Daoist Ziyang," Tu Yuan said casually.

"He still hasn't shaken off that barbarian?" Lei Yongtao asked in surprise. Earlier, he and Ji Ziyang had acted together. Ji Ziyang had tested a barbarian expert, while he had focused on Hu Xuefei.

"Oh, that barbarian already ran off. Fellow Daoist Ziyang discovered an Azure Demon Ginseng and chased after it. Who knows where he went? He should be back soon," Shi Mulan said calmly.

Her gaze occasionally drifted toward Lin Zheyu, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. She was very interested in this martial artist, who likely had opened the spirit divine repository and awakened a special divine ability. Even if such a person eventually reached the end of the martial path, they could still switch to the Immortal Dao. Many experts within the Martial Alliance had done exactly that. Individuals like this possessed astonishing latent potential and were highly sought after by various factions and families.

"An Azure Demon Ginseng! Fellow Daoist Ziyang truly has good fortune," Lei Yongtao exclaimed.

"What is Azure Demon Ginseng? Is it very valuable?" Lin Zheyu asked curiously. He had purchased illustrated guides of rare plants and yaos at the market, but there had been no mention of them.

"Not many people know about Azure Demon Ginseng. It is an extremely rare treasure herb," Shi Mulan explained. "It only appears in the early stages of a space-time node opening. It is formed from the collision and fusion of the Dao laws of two worlds. This miraculous plant can be refined into special medicinal pills that increase resistance to demonic qi."

"I see. Many thanks for the explanation," Lin Zheyu said in realization.

No wonder the others reacted that way when they heard about Azure Demon Ginseng.

"However, Azure Demon Ginseng is not easy to capture. It has little offensive ability, but its escape methods are extremely formidable. Fellow Daoist Ziyang and the others may not necessarily be able to catch it," Bai Lin said, shaking his head.

"There's still time. Are we going to wait here, or go out and find some others to spar with?" Lei Yongtao looked at the group, his eyes eager.

He was a battle maniac. His earlier fight with Hu Xuefei had gained him nothing, leaving him frustrated, and now he wanted to vent by crushing weaker opponents.

"We won't go. Be careful not to end up stumbling in a ditch," Shi Mulan said, waving her hand, somewhat speechless.

"Haha, I'll go have some fun and come back. Fellow Daoist Xiao, want to join?" Lei Yongtao looked at Lin Zheyu.

Lin Zheyu shook his head and replied, "I'll pass."

It was very dangerous inside the demon god barrier; who knew what Lei Yongtao was thinking? Was his brain filled with nothing but fist momentum and muscle?

"Don't mind him. His vitality is incredibly strong. He won't die," Bai Lin said with a smile as he walked over, noticing Lin Zheyu's speechless look.

He looked at Lin Zheyu and asked curiously, "May I ask who your master is, Fellow Daoist Xiao?"

Lin Zheyu pondered briefly, then shook his head. "Apologies. My master once instructed me not to reveal his name to outsiders."

"I was too presumptuous," Bai Lin said. Though slightly suspicious, he did not doubt him too much.

Such situations were not uncommon in the cultivation world. Disciples of reclusive seniors, ancient, esteemed families, or hidden factions often chose not to reveal their background after coming out into the world. In Bai Lin's eyes, Lin Zheyu was likely a disciple of some powerful expert, sent out alone to temper himself.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, would you be interested in joining the Martial Alliance?" Bai Lin asked suddenly.

Lin Zheyu looked at Bai Lin, slightly surprised.

So direct?

He had been wondering how to get closer to Bai Lin and find a way into the Martial Alliance, yet Bai Lin had taken the initiative to invite him.

"Are there any requirements?" Lin Zheyu asked. He did not know much about the Martial Alliance, only that it was a powerful organization formed by Martial Innate realm martial artists and above.

"The Martial Alliance is simply an alliance of Martial Innate realm martial artists. It mainly serves as a platform for those unwilling to switch to the Immortal Dao and instead walk the path of Immortal Martial Cultivation. That path is full of thorns. Without joining forces and exchanging knowledge, it is difficult to develop it into a grand path comparable to the Immortal Dao. Therefore, there are almost no restrictions for joining. Any human Martial Innate realm martial artist who is not part of an evil sect can join," Bai Lin explained with a smile.

Inviting other martial artists into the Martial Alliance came with considerable rewards. Upon learning that someone as strong as Lin Zheyu had not yet joined, Bai Lin had immediately thought of extending an invitation.

"I see. I have long heard of the Martial Alliance and have always wanted to visit and exchange insights with its seniors. I just never found the right opportunity," Lin Zheyu said with a smile.

"Haha, perfect. I haven't returned to the Martial Alliance in quite some time. Once this is over, I'll go back with you," Bai Lin said with a laugh.

"Then I'll trouble you, Fellow Daoist Bai," Lin Zheyu said, cupping his hands.

"No need for courtesy, no need for courtesy. By the way, have you cultivated some special body-refining techniques? During the fight, I felt..." Bai Lin asked curiously, and the two began exchanging insights on martial cultivation.

Bai Lin had many doubts about Lin Zheyu and found him somewhat strange. But as they talked, those doubts gradually faded, replaced by astonishment and admiration. Lin Zheyu's knowledge of martial cultivation was incredibly vast, encompassing many insights from the Immortal Dao and barbarian totem cultivation methods. Tu Yuan watched the two chatting enthusiastically, his gaze occasionally drifting toward Lin Zheyu.

An hour later, seeing that Lin Zheyu and Bai Lin reluctantly ended their discussion, a faint smile appeared on Tu Yuan's face. His figure flickered as he arrived beside Lin Zheyu.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, could you return my storage pouch? Name any condition, as long as it is within my means," Tu Yuan said sincerely.

There were many valuable items in his storage pouch, things extremely important to him. If he did not know he could not defeat Lin Zheyu, Tu Yuan would have already resorted to underhanded methods.