Chapter 114: Memory Crystal

Holding the Cloud-Swallowing Sword, Lin Hao said, "I truly thank you. I know it was you who saved me."

At this, all the onlookers from the Qingcheng Sect began whispering among themselves. "Look, Lin Hao is unharmed! He even managed to sit up!"

"Yes, such a powerful heavenly thunder struck him four times, yet he’s completely fine. Impossible!"

"Right? Even if he survived, he should be crippled. Was that golden light really from his sword just now?"

"Is that sword really that powerful?"

The crowd buzzed with various opinions—some lamenting, others relieved. But overall, they felt that Lin Hao had truly opened their eyes today. Being struck by such heavy heavenly thunder and still not succumbing to death was unbelievable.

The Elders, including the Grand Elder, stood there with grave expressions. Although they were discussing Lin Hao, no one dared to approach. The heavenly thunder had ceased striking directly but still rumbled incessantly in the sky, showing no sign of dissipating. Everyone stood far off, whispering cautiously, unwilling to advance. Who knew when the thunder might strike again, bringing calamity?

Meanwhile, Lin Hao’s face was resolute, no longer resigned as before. Supporting himself on the Cloud-Swallowing Sword, he slowly sat up. Though his entire body throbbed with pain and his meridians were severely damaged—every movement felt like a thousand arrows piercing—he gritted his teeth and sat upright.

"Hmph! Ugh!" Gripping the sword tightly, Lin Hao clenched his fist and said, "Since you haven’t given up on me, why should I give up on myself? Don’t worry!"

Then, he lifted his gaze toward the thunderclouds. "Hmph, you’re just here to strike me? Fine, let’s see how many bolts of thunder you want to throw at me today! Come on!"

After speaking, Lin Hao withdrew the medicinal pills he had previously obtained from Qingcheng Sect through his system space. Regardless of their names, as long as they were beneficial to his body, he stuffed them all into his mouth without hesitation.

"What’s he doing? He’s provoking the heavenly thunder!" Lin Hao’s loud challenge caught the attention of the Qingcheng Sect members gathered around. They were astonished by his audacity.

"Isn’t he crazy?" Many stared at Lin Hao as if he were mad, eyes flickering with curiosity, then glanced up at the raging thunder above.

At that moment, everyone’s attention was drawn to Lin Hao’s defiant behavior. Only one person watched with burning hatred as Lin Hao consumed the pills greedily—it was Qing Ci. All those pills had been deceived out of Qingcheng Sect by Lin Hao. Seeing him consume them as if they were worthless, Qing Ci’s eyes flashed with pain and a wish for Lin Hao’s demise.

After finishing all the pills, Lin Hao closed his eyes and began healing in place. Though none of the pills were particularly rare, some were excellent healing medicines. They temporarily eased his injuries enough to allow him to gather spiritual energy.

After a while, Lin Hao opened his eyes, filled with unwavering determination. Grasping the Cloud-Swallowing Sword, he slowly stood up, raising his gaze to the thunder in the sky.

Lifting the sword, he pointed it at the lightning and declared, "Come on! I’m not afraid of you! Today, I’ll face you head-on."

Having uttered these fierce words, Lin Hao concentrated all his spiritual energy, channeling it into the Cloud-Swallowing Sword. Once again, a golden light shimmered from the sword.

With a loud roar, it formed a giant golden bell dome, enveloping Lin Hao within.

At that moment, it was as if Lin Hao had enraged the thunder itself. Thunder rumbled louder and the sky darkened further, extending over a wider area than before. Even the spot where the Grand Elder and others stood was caught within the thunder’s range, prompting them to hastily retreat to a safer distance.

Lin Hao stood unflinching, continuously pouring spiritual energy into the Cloud-Swallowing Sword, the golden bell shining brightly around him.

Suddenly, a massive bolt of lightning struck down with an earth-shattering crash.

This thunderbolt was far mightier than any before. After it struck, a huge, deep crater was left within several miles of Lin Hao’s position. The entire Qingcheng Sect trembled as if an earthquake had struck.

Everyone panicked, especially the Elders witnessing the scene, their pupils dilated in shock.

Fortunately, after this bolt, the thunder began to dissipate and the sky cleared.

When the dust settled, all who saw the vast crater assumed Lin Hao could not have survived. They thought the strike was so powerful that even his body might be lost.

From behind, someone muttered, "My heavens, this is the first time I’ve ever seen thunder this powerful, even stronger than when our sect leader ascended!"

"Yeah, I’ve never witnessed anything so terrifying. Lin Hao must be finished."

Just as everyone thought this, a few Elders cautiously stepped forward to the crater’s edge.

Suddenly, a coughing sound startled them, then movement came from within the pit.

When they looked closely, they saw a figure holding a sword, blackened all over from the thunder’s strike—an unmistakable charred man.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Lin Hao slowly rose from the pit’s edge, then turned to face the Elders.

He approached them with a smile, flashing a row of white teeth.

In his charred and battered state, he looked ghostly—if it were night, people might have mistaken him for a specter.

Lin Hao ignored their stunned looks and, seeing their fearful gazes, stepped forward boldly. Some more timid individuals took a step back.

Feeling exhilarated, Lin Hao grinned and continued toward them.

Despite the thunder’s immense power, the golden bell dome he had formed was no mere illusion.

In truth, Lin Hao himself didn’t fully understand why. Though he felt the lightning strike and the bell dome shatter, just as he was about to be overwhelmed, a mysterious force burst forth from within him. At the moment the bell shattered, he absorbed the full might of the immense thunderbolt.

Yes, Lin Hao absorbed the thunder’s power, expanding his meridians. What had been shattered was instantly restored, even multiplied many times over.

He now felt that his ability to absorb spiritual energy had increased by at least a hundredfold.

At that very moment, as Lin Hao walked forward, a steady stream of spiritual energy surged into his body.

To outsiders, nothing was visible—they only saw the blackened, scorched man who had just barely survived the thunder. Only Lin Hao understood the true benefit.

Holding the Cloud-Swallowing Sword, Lin Hao approached the Elders of Qingcheng Sect.

Seeing their suspicious, wary, and incredulous looks, he felt a wave of satisfaction.

With a light step, in a flash, he leapt out of the huge crater, landing before the Elders.

By then, the weather had cleared, the sun shining bright. If not for the enormous pit on the ground, no one would guess what had just occurred.

Lin Hao stood at the pit’s edge and addressed the Elders, "May I ask, is this the final trial? Am I now allowed to approach the teleportation array?"

The crowd was still stunned by Lin Hao’s survival. Hearing his words, they instinctively nodded, though none truly understood what he meant—merely a mechanical assent.

With that nod, Lin Hao smiled with satisfaction, then without concern for his appearance, turned and flew off toward the southeast.

Having endured everything and gained such tremendous benefits, Lin Hao was eager to reach the teleportation array and return to Qingfeng Sect.

Only after Lin Hao departed did the crowd regain their composure.

"Was that really Lin Hao? He’s not dead?!"

"Heavens, this is unbelievable!"

"Didn’t he say he was going to the teleportation array?"

"Yes, he’s about to face Senior Brother Cao Yi in battle. Let’s hurry and see!"

Having witnessed Lin Hao’s indomitable spirit, the crowd grew concerned for Senior Brother Cao Yi.

As they discussed, the Elders frowned heavily, sharing a deep sense of unease. Exchanging glances, they hurried to follow.

Just as they were about to proceed, a figure descended from the sky, emanating an overwhelming aura that stopped them in their tracks.

Upon seeing him, everyone’s eyes widened in surprise, then filled with respect. The Grand Elder immediately shouted, "Supreme Elder!"

Meanwhile, Lin Hao flew southeast for nearly half an hour until he saw a natural barrier in the distance.

Beyond the barrier stood Cao Yi, calm and composed.

Lin Hao’s face brightened. "So this is the teleportation array!"

Slowly, he guided the Cloud-Swallowing Sword down and landed smoothly before Cao Yi.

Seeing Lin Hao’s battered state, Cao Yi waved his sleeve, retracting a large screen—a memory crystal.

Lin Hao raised an eyebrow, realizing Cao Yi had witnessed everything that had transpired.

With the screen withdrawn, Cao Yi looked at Lin Hao.

Lin Hao immediately stepped forward and said, "Senior Brother, I have passed all the trials you set. May I now enter the teleportation array?"