Wu Taichu, with his Sixth Layer of Soul Gathering Realm cultivation, now felt pressure even when facing Lin Hao.

Wu Taichu retreated over ten meters before the pressure finally dissipated.

He let out a long breath...

But after that one breath, Wu Taichu’s body tensed up again.

The aura around Lin Hao was changing once more.

Not only had the pressure grown stronger, but a vaporous mist now swirled into existence around Lin Hao, enveloping him.

If the Lin Hao from a moment ago was a Divine King, then the man before him now was an Immortal King!

Despite having witnessed many of Lin Hao’s miracles, Wu Taichu was still utterly shaken.

His own cultivation was at the Sixth Layer of Soul Gathering Realm, yet facing Lin Hao, he felt an urge to prostrate himself in worship. The thought of resistance didn’t even cross his mind.

It was unimaginable.

Wu Taichu retreated again. This time, he had to back away for over a hundred meters before the pressure vanished.

Before he could even catch his breath, a look of sheer terror appeared on Wu Taichu’s face, and he shot backward!

Several hundred meters away, large beads of sweat rolled down Wu Taichu’s face. He scanned his surroundings as if facing a great enemy.

Just a moment ago, his Divine Soul had almost been pulled from his body by a mysterious, uncontrollable force.

The realization terrified him.

’To be able to do that from such a distance... it has to be a master among masters.’

’Could someone have been secretly coveting Grand Uncle-Master all this time?!’

A resolute look appeared in Wu Taichu’s eyes, but just as it did, he froze.

’That mysterious power... it seems to be coming from Grand Uncle-Master?’

Confused, Wu Taichu stared at Lin Hao and witnessed a truly soul-stirring sight.

The dark clouds had retreated, revealing the twinkling stars in the sky. But now, a large swathe of those stars was undergoing a strange transformation.

They trailed long tails behind them as faint beams of light shot down, all converging on Lin Hao.

The space between Lin Hao’s eyebrows became incredibly bright.

’Drawing the power of the stars into his body to nourish his soul!’ At this point, Wu Taichu understood everything and cried out in his mind.

Then, a look of ecstasy flashed across his face.

He had seen Lin Hao use the sun and moon for Body Refinement, and now he was witnessing him use the stars to nourish his soul. How fortunate he was!

If not for the inappropriate time and place, Wu Taichu would have roared aloud to vent the sheer excitement in his heart.

’Body Refinement with the sun and moon, soul nourishment with the stars... I fear not even a Great Emperor of old could do both, but Grand Uncle-Master has done it!’

Wu Taichu trembled all over with excitement.

This continued for a full hour. If Lin Hao hadn’t opened his eyes, Wu Taichu would have likely remained in his agitated state.

Wu Taichu noticed the moment Lin Hao opened his eyes. It was only then that he realized Lin Hao was now just a step away from the Soul Gathering Realm Third Layer.

When Lin Hao had returned to the Heaven-Stepping Sect, he had just entered the Soul Gathering Realm. In what couldn’t have been more than a day, his cultivation had now reached the Peak of the Second Layer. While shocked, Wu Taichu also felt a deep sense of shame.

Compared to Lin Hao, he felt like a complete idiot. He was too embarrassed to even remain in Lin Hao’s presence.

Having refined three Divine Springs and absorbed the power of the stars, Lin Hao’s Spiritual Sense was now astonishing. He immediately sensed Wu Taichu’s unease.

’My progress is all due to fortuitous encounters. It’s nothing special. I hope I don’t discourage him.’

As the thought crossed his mind, Lin Hao was about to speak, but he held his tongue.

’For a sect master, Wu Taichu’s cultivation is a bit low. A little pressure might be good for him.’

With this in mind, Lin Hao ultimately said nothing.

"Master, thank you for your trouble." Lin Hao stood up and greeted Wu Taichu.

"Grand Uncle-Master, it is my honor to be of service." Facing Lin Hao, Wu Taichu found it increasingly difficult to accept the title of "Master." Hearing Lin Hao use the term made his heart pound with anxiety.

’Grand Uncle-Master’s cultivation has reached such a level... I need to find an opportunity to formally correct his title.’

Wu Taichu was already scheming in his mind. This feeling was truly unbearable.

"By the way, Master, another secret realm has opened. I’m afraid the next one will require Martial Artists at the Soul Gathering Realm to handle it. I’m thinking of going to bring the two elders out now." Lin Hao was unaware of Wu Taichu’s thoughts, but he had his own plans.

Logically, Lin Hao should have stayed to search for the God-Demon Secret Realm. However, he didn’t know when the Heaven-Breaking Pavilion would open, and it wouldn’t be worth it if the secret realm delayed his trip there.

Besides, the two elders had been mining Flowing Light Divine Stone in that secret realm for a long time. It was time to bring them out.

After all, the Flowing Light Divine Stone wasn’t needed at the moment, but improving the sect’s overall strength was an urgent matter.

Hearing Lin Hao’s tone, Wu Taichu was overwhelmed by the gesture and repeatedly told Lin Hao to arrange things as he saw fit.

Lin Hao nodded, took his leave of Wu Taichu, and headed straight for the secret realm.

Having been to the secret realm many times, Lin Hao knew the way well.

Upon entering the secret realm again, he found it had changed drastically. The jungle at the entrance, which had withered because of the Nine Dragon Flower, had now become a dense forest. And Tier Two Devil Beasts were now a common sight within it.

But to the current Lin Hao, they posed no threat at all.

Lin Hao became an afterimage, speeding through the area and reaching the ruins in an instant.

Without stopping, he navigated with practiced ease, entering the underground palace, passing through the corridor, and appearing at the Flowing Light Divine Stone vein.

When Lin Hao saw the two elders, he was startled despite being mentally prepared. They had completely turned into wild men.

Not only were their bodies covered in black grime, but they also reeked of a foul odor. Yet, the two of them were completely oblivious, still mining the Flowing Light Divine Stone with great enthusiasm.

Lin Hao called out to startle them awake, then explained his reason for being there.

When the two heard how long they had been inside, they both looked at him in disbelief.

They had completely lost all sense of time.

Though reluctant, at Lin Hao’s strong insistence, the two finally had no choice but to leave with him...

When Lin Hao appeared before Wu Taichu with the two elders, Wu Taichu could hardly believe his eyes. These weren’t elders; any beggar you could find on the street would be cleaner than them.

Once out of the secret realm, the two elders saw the disgusted look on Wu Taichu’s face and finally realized their own state. They then scurried away in a flash; their speed was incredible.

It was only then that Wu Taichu suddenly noticed that both elders’ cultivation had reached the Fifth Layer of Soul Gathering Realm!

This not only shocked Wu Taichu but also made him feel utterly mortified.

’Those two reached this level just by mining in the secret realm. If it weren’t for the divine brew, I would only be at the Fifth Layer of Soul Gathering Realm myself...’

The more Wu Taichu thought about it, the worse he felt.

Lin Hao, standing to the side, was secretly amused. ’The environment in that secret realm is countless times better than the outside world. It’s not strange at all that the two elders reached such a cultivation level.’

"Master, that secret realm that was originally withered will reopen soon. Have the disciples with sufficient cultivation get ready." Lin Hao interrupted Wu Taichu’s wild thoughts to give him the news.

This wasn’t just speculation on Lin Hao’s part. By using his own method to enter and exit the secret realm, he could clearly feel that the airflow in the passage had weakened significantly compared to before.

Hearing Lin Hao’s words, Wu Taichu’s eyes lit up, and he readily agreed.