NOVEL WEB Chapter 2: First step to power
The cool night breeze swept through the Lin Clan estate, rustling the leaves of ancient trees. Within the secluded training courtyard, Lin Xuan stood motionless, his golden eyes reflecting the silver moonlight.
His body still trembled from the explosive breakthrough he had just undergone. The power of a Dou Zhe—a realm he had reached in mere moments—flowed through his limbs like a raging current.
"In the original novel, Xiao Yan was stripped of his talent and struggled for years before regaining his strength. But I… I've already taken the first step."
Yet, he knew that talent alone would not guarantee survival in this dangerous world. This was not Earth—power dictated everything.
"I must be cautious. Even though I've awakened my Golden Dragon Sovereign Physique, I can't reveal my strength too early. If my clan discovers my monstrous growth, I'll become a pawn at best and a target at worst."
He needed time to grow.
He needed resources.
And he needed powerful techniques.
The next morning, Lin Xuan stepped into the Lin Clan's vast Technique Pavilion. The large hall was built from ancient stone, its towering bookshelves filled with cultivation techniques and Dou Skills, each radiating faint energy fluctuations.
An elder sat near the entrance, lazily sipping tea. His eyes flickered toward Lin Xuan, but seeing it was the so-called "waste," he quickly lost interest.
Lin Xuan ignored him and calmly walked into the depths of the pavilion.
He had already memorized the general power structure of Battle Through the Heavens:
Dou Zhe → Dou Shi → Da Dou Shi → Dou Ling → Dou Wang → Dou Huang → Dou Zong → Dou Zun → Ban Sheng → Dou Sheng → Dou Di
But cultivation alone was not enough.
He needed a powerful Dou Qi Method to refine energy more efficiently.
He needed Dou Skills to maximize his combat ability.
Lin Xuan ran his fingers along the spines of the scrolls, each one containing a different technique. Most of them were Yellow or Xuan Rank, far below what he desired.
"The best technique in the Lin Clan is only a low-tier Xuan Rank cultivation method. Useless to me."
He needed something far stronger.
Lin Xuan closed his eyes and took a deep breath, activating his Golden Dragon Sovereign Physique's hidden ability—a heightened sense of Dou Qi fluctuations.
Instantly, the entire pavilion lit up in his mind's eye. Every technique, every scroll, every hidden compartment became visible to him.
And then he sensed it.
A hidden chamber beneath the floor.
Lin Xuan smirked. "Found you."
Casually glancing around, he made sure no one was watching before swiftly pressing a loose stone near the corner of the hall. A faint click echoed, and a hidden compartment silently slid open.
Inside lay a single, dust-covered scroll.
He reached for it and unrolled the aged parchment.
[Xuan High-Tier Cultivation Method: Crimson Dragon Scripture]
Lin Xuan's eyes gleamed.
"Not bad. This technique is already leagues ahead of anything available to the younger generation."
But this was not enough.
He needed a powerful Dou Skill.
Turning his attention back to the scrolls, he quickly identified the strongest available techniques:
1. Phantom Shadow Steps (High-Tier Xuan) – A movement technique that allowed the user to leave behind afterimages.
2. Exploding Flame Palm (Mid-Tier Xuan) – A fire-based palm technique capable of shattering boulders.
3. Golden Spear Art (High-Tier Xuan) – A spear technique with piercing power.
Lin Xuan wasted no time and memorized all three techniques.
That night, Lin Xuan stood once more in his private courtyard. He took a deep breath and activated the Crimson Dragon Scripture.
Fiery Dou Qi surged within him, circulating rapidly through his meridians. The Golden Dragon Sovereign Physique absorbed the energy greedily, refining it at an absurd rate.
In just a few hours…
[Ding! Breakthrough: Dou Zhe 2-Star!]
Lin Xuan clenched his fists, his golden eyes shining with excitement.
"My cultivation speed is monstrous! This physique is a cheat!"
He exhaled sharply, calming his excitement. Now, it was time to test his combat abilities.
He took a step forward and unleashed Phantom Shadow Steps. His body flickered, and in the next instant, an afterimage remained where he once stood.
"Fast!"
He then thrust his palm forward, activating Exploding Flame Palm. A fiery shockwave erupted, shattering a nearby stone target into dust.
Lin Xuan grinned.
"With my current strength, I can easily crush anyone at the same level. Even a 5-Star Dou Zhe wouldn't be my match."
But this was only the beginning.
Now, it was time to make his first move.
The next morning, news spread through the Lin Clan.
Lin Xuan, the so-called 'waste,' had challenged one of the clan's top young talents to a duel.
His opponent? Lin Feng, a 5-Star Dou Zhe.
Everyone scoffed.
"Has Lin Xuan gone mad?"
"Challenging Lin Feng? He's just asking to be crippled."
"Tsk, let's go watch the show. This will be hilarious."
But as the sun rose, and the Lin Clan gathered in the training arena…
No one expected that today would mark the rise of a monster.
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End of Chapter 2