Chapter 967: Lin Chen: The Eight Desolates Sect's Fifth Realm Powerhouse Probably Won't Come

Purple Cloud Mountain Range!

Three hundred feet away, Qu Guanfu’s eyes narrowed, fully alert, simultaneously slowing down his speed, finally stopping a hundred feet away.

“Who are you?”

The man before him, although perceived as Innate Fourth Realm in his divine thought, seemed different upon closer inspection, revealing layers he could not discern.

The Innate Sixth Realm, each realm has distinct markers.

A martial artist at Innate First Realm has Gang Qi surrounding them, which is uncontrollable and can be sensed at a glance by higher realms.

A martial artist at Innate Second Realm has glimmering light points around them, as acupoints within condense Innate Crystals, visible to divine thought or higher realm martial artists.

A martial artist at Innate Third Realm has Innate Liquid internally, benefiting from its nourishment, with a layer of Innate Fluorescence covering their body, invisible to the eye but clear through divine thought.

An Innate Fourth Realm martial artist’s aura is tidal, surging outward, easily sensed by divine thought.

In Qu Guanfu’s divine perception, the man before him is Innate Fourth Realm, for his aura fluctuates constantly; yet, his wariness stems from the difference in aura fluctuations compared to typical Innate Fourth Realm martial artists.

Tides don’t remain eternal; high tides are followed by ebbs.

The aura of an Innate Fourth Realm martial artist fluctuates continually, releasing from weak to strong, one wave follows another.

But the man’s aura shifts from strong to weak frequently, extremely unstable, meeting yet deviating from typical Innate Fourth Realm aura.

“Disciple greets Elder Qu.”

Lin Chen smiled as he spoke, causing Qu Guanfu to be stunned—disciple?

This person is a disciple of my Canglan Sect?

Though as an elder, remembering every disciple is impossible; this refers to outer sect disciples and ordinary inner sect disciples, those reaching Innate Fourth Realm, he must know.

Qu Guanfu is certain he has not seen this man within the sect.

“No matter if you wish to remain anonymous, there’s no need to impersonate a disciple of my Canglan Sect.”

Though unaware of the man’s identity, Qu Guanfu is sure he is the mysterious expert recently slaughtering Eight Desolates Domain warriors, seeing not far away several bodies in Eight Desolates Sect attire.

“Elder Qu truly cannot recognize me? Perhaps inspect closer once more.”

Lin Chen smirked; back when Supreme Elder imparted cultivation techniques concealing appearance, although able to alter looks, adjustments were made upon existing appearance—this could be described simply as if you suspect something and look upon it, the resemblance grows clear; without such inclination, it’s imperceptible instantly.

Qu Guanfu frowned; unlikely he would deceive after his comment—could this truly be a sect disciple?

Staring at the man’s features, rapid thoughts traversed Qu Guanfu’s mind of Innate Fourth Realm disciples, particularly those at late period or peak, but none matched.

Late period of Innate Fourth Realm, middle period, early period… none fit.

Further back, that’s Innate Third Realm.

Disciples at Innate Third Realm, even if advancing to Innate Fourth Realm swiftly, can’t match…

Wait!

Considering sect disciples at peak of Innate Third Realm, a youthful image surfaced in Qu Guanfu’s mind, eyes fixated on Lin Chen, increasingly resembling.

Lin Chen saw Elder Qu’s wide-eyed gaze, knowing Elder Qu must have recognized him. He promptly saluted: “Disciple Lin Chen greets Elder Qu.”

Finishing, Lin Chen’s appearance began reverting to its true form.

“It’s truly you!”

Qu Guanfu, observing Lin Chen’s restored visage, gleamed with vitality in his eyes: “Are the Eight Desolates Domain warriors outside Bibo City all slain by you? Including these people in Purple Cloud Mountain Range?”

“Yes, it’s done by the disciple.” Lin Chen nodded in acknowledgment.

“Good lad!”

Qu Guanfu took a deep breath, though Lin Chen admitted it personally, his inner shock remained unmanageable.

Upon departing Canglan Sect, Lin Chen hadn’t reached even Innate Second Realm, but now, over three years, he’s already stepped into Innate Fourth Realm.

Three realms advanced in three years—how many have accomplished this in Flame Dynasty history?

“Are you at middle period of Innate Fourth Realm now?”

Facing such inquiry from Elder Qu, Lin Chen hesitated briefly before answering: “Disciple should count as peak of Innate Fourth Realm.”

His current state, no longer adheres to the division within Innate Fourth Realm.

Internally overlapping layers of Innate Liquid marks the entrance into Innate Fourth Realm; from one to three layers is early period, three to six layers is middle period, six to nine layers is late period, ten layers defines peak… thereafter comes Innate Fifth Realm.

But the Innate Liquid within my body now has already overlapped to eighteen layers, far beyond the limit of the Peak of Innate Fourth Realm.

As for why I am able to allow the Innate Liquid within my body to overlap so many layers, Lin Chen has already made his judgment, my physical body’s limit has already far surpassed the Innate Fourth Realm, even some Innate Fifth Realm martial artists.

Ordinary Innate Fourth Realm martial artists, who overlap to ten layers, already reach their limit and can sprint towards the Innate Fifth Realm because their physical bodies can only withstand the overlap of Innate Liquid up to ten layers.

Every layer of Innate Liquid added within the body not only enhances one’s power but also imposes extremely high demands on the body’s own load.

“Peak of Innate Fourth Realm?”

Qu Guanfu’s expression was somewhat odd, but he did not doubt Lin Chen’s words, because the corpses of four Innate Fourth Realm martial artists from the Eight Desolate Domain were evidence.

Originally, he thought Lin Chen might be in the late period of Innate Fourth Realm, as the five Innate Fourth Realm martial artists arranged by the Eight Desolate Domain in the Purple Cloud Mountain Range were all in the early period of Innate Fourth Realm, and Lin Chen being in the middle period close to late period was possible to achieve, yet he did not expect Lin Chen to have directly cultivated to the Peak of Innate Fourth Realm.

After cultivating for so many years himself, Qu Guanfu was only in the early period of Innate Fifth Realm, leaving Lin Chen just a step away from him.

Despite finding it difficult to accept, thinking of such a Celestial Pride being a disciple of his Canglan Sect, Qu Guanfu’s mood suddenly became pleasant.

“Lin Chen, although you’ve broken through to the Peak of Innate Fourth Realm, this Elder must still criticize you. You should not have recklessly ventured to the Purple Cloud Mountain Range like this.”

Qu Guanfu put on a stern face: “Do you know why I came here? Because based on your action trajectory, I determined your next target was the Purple Cloud Mountain Range. Since I could determine that, the Elders of Eight Desolates Sect could also guess. Fortunately, the Elders of Eight Desolates Sect have not yet acted; otherwise, arriving here ahead of you would mean walking right into their trap.”

Lin Chen, being able to cultivate to Innate Fourth Realm in such a short time, is definitely praiseworthy. However, the cultivation talent Lin Chen has shown indicates his importance to the sect, and he must not take risks lightly.

He must discuss this matter with the Sect Leader and Elder Du. Lin Chen has cultivated to the Peak of Innate Fourth Realm at such a young age, and at a youthful, spirited time, his words may not be easily accepted; he can only rely on the Sect Leader and Elder Du to advise Lin Chen.

“Leave the Purple Cloud Mountain Range for now; the Innate Fifth Realm experts of Eight Desolate Domain could appear at any time.”

Hearing Elder Qu’s words, Lin Chen rubs his nose: “Elder Qu, the Innate Fifth Realm experts of Eight Desolate Domain likely won’t show themselves anymore.”

“Lin Chen!”

Qu Guanfu’s voice suddenly lifted, his face also sank: “Don’t be careless. No one who can cultivate to Innate Fifth Realm is foolish, and in this area, the Eight Desolates Sect is overseen by Xi Zelang. This person is meticulous and can definitely judge this; maybe he is already on his way now.”

“Cough, cough, Elder Qu, the Xi Zelang you mentioned from Eight Desolates Sect, is he the one with a black mole under his left eyelid?”

“How do you know?”

“The disciple just had a confrontation with an Innate Fifth Realm expert from Eight Desolates Sect. Fortunately, under the protection of the sect, the disciple exerted full effort to slay him.”

Qu Guanfu: …

After a moment of time passed, seeing the incomplete corpse dug out from the rocks, Qu Guanfu could confirm it was Xi Zelang.

Even upon falling, an Innate Fifth Realm martial artist’s corpse still possesses the characteristics of an Innate Fifth Realm expert; it still retains residual aura.

After confirming the body was Xi Zelang’s, Qu Guanfu’s gaze towards Lin Chen became very complicated.

If Lin Chen could slay Xi Zelang, can’t he also slay me?

I am stronger than Xi Zelang, but only by a limited margin. The most crucial point is, he already deduced the battle situation: Lin Chen’s opposition not only included Xi Zelang but also these four early Innate Fourth Realm martial artists.

Peak of Innate Fourth Realm, slaying one Innate Fifth Realm expert and four early Innate Fourth Realm… even if I were to say it, I’m afraid no one would believe it.

However, as an Elder, Qu Guanfu quickly composed himself and seriously asked Lin Chen: “Does anyone else know of this matter?”

“While at Ten Thousand Ridges Mountain, the disciple met with several senior brothers…”

Hearing Lin Chen’s response, Qu Guanfu hesitated, but then his expression returned to normal. Tu Ruoxing from Ten Thousand Ridges Mountain hadn’t reported Lin Chen’s return to him, perhaps fearing I would keep Lin Chen at the front line.

Nephew Tu surely kept a wary eye on me.

“Nephew Tu is correct; your task now is to return to the sect and not remain at the battlefront. Moreover, do not reveal your true identity on the return journey, but continue using your previous disguised appearance.”

Qu Guanfu had already made up his mind. Upon his return to Azure Sky City, the first thing he would do was to seal the news of Lin Chen’s return, especially not letting the Eight Desolates Sect know that Lin Chen already possessed the strength to contend with the Innate Fifth Realm.

Seeing Elder Qu’s serious expression, Lin Chen vaguely felt a premonition that this sect war seems to have some underlying truth, which also seems disadvantageous to Canglan Sect.

That I could defeat an Innate Fifth Realm, logically, the sect should publicize this news to boost the morale of Canglan Domain martial artists, but Elder Qu insists on concealing my identity—what is there to dread?

“Don’t overthink it. When you return to the sect, the Sect Leader will be happy to answer any questions you may have.”

Seemingly reading Lin Chen’s thoughts, Qu Guanfu gave a reassuring statement. As an Elder, he only knows general details of some matters; more specifics are known only by the Sect Leader and a few Supreme Elders.

However, with Lin Chen’s current strength and talent, he is already qualified to partake in the sect’s major decisions, and the Sect Leader will likely inform Lin Chen of many recent incidents’ details.

“Hmm, so should the disciple leave now?”

“Go ahead.”

Qu Guanfu waved his hand, watching Lin Chen leave after a salute, he sighed lightly, but in the next moment, his face brimmed with boundless killing intent.

With Xi Zelang dead, the Innate Fifth Realm martial artists of Eight Desolate Domain in this area are now leaderless; it’s time to seize this opportunity and counterattack, thereby relieving pressure on other battlefield areas.