Returning to Outer Sect residence, it was already past midnight.

  Lin Chen's dwelling was located at the edge of Outer Sect—a simple wooden hut, area only three zhang square. Inside, aside from a plank bed and a worn meditation cushion, nothing else. This was his entirety for the past ten years.

  Closed the door, sat cross-legged on the cushion. Didn't light a lamp; moonlight seeped through window cracks, drawing silver lines on the ground.

  "First check status."

  Inner vision of dantian: chaos star vortex slowly rotated, nine-colored light bands flowed ceaselessly. Cultivation stabilized at Condensation Stage Level 1 peak, just a step away from Level 2.

  "Three days, break through to Condensation Stage Level 6..."

  Recalling the chapter outline description, this goal seemed exaggerated, but with Chaos Stellar Body and 'Chaos Stellar Scripture' empowerment, not necessarily impossible. The key lay in finding a spirit-rich location and having sufficient resource support.

  Resources... that was a problem.

  Outer Sect disciples received only three low-grade spirit stones per month, far insufficient for cultivation. The savings left by father had been taken by the sect ten years ago under the pretext of "safekeeping". Now he was penniless.

  "Need to find a way to obtain resources."

  But the immediate primary task was to enhance strength. Zhao Hu and others were still searching; if discovered, trouble considerable.

  "First cultivate."

  Operated 'Chaos Stellar Scripture' first-layer heart method, absorbing the thin source spirit qi in the air. Effect very slow, far inferior to within Star Source Cave.

  Cultivated two hours; sky slightly brightened. Cultivation slightly grew, but still distant from Level 2.

  "This won't work."

  Lin Chen stopped cultivation, pondering countermeasures. Suddenly remembered father's left 'Basic Stellar Body Refinement Technique' and 'Basic Application of Star Pattern'.

  Took out jade slip and beast-skin book, first looked at body refinement technique.

  "Stellar Body Refinement Technique, draw stellar power to temper physical body. Nine layers total; first three layers can be cultivated during Condensation Stage."

  Browsed content, discovered this body refinement technique not only strengthened physical body, but also assisted absorbing stellar power, enhancing cultivation speed.

  "Fits perfectly."

  Tried according to method. Star Pattern sensed stars in night sky; though day had dawned, stars still existed, just invisible. Faint stellar power drawn down, integrated into body.

  "Hiss—"

  Power entered body, painful like needle pricks. But after pain, muscles and bones clearly strengthened a trace.

  "Effective."

  Continued cultivation. Daytime stellar power weak, effect limited, but better than nothing.

  Simultaneously perused 'Basic Application of Star Pattern'. Book detailed various abilities of Star Pattern: storage space, stellar perception, attribute amplification, resonance sense, etc.

  "Storage space already opened, about one cubic meter."

  "Stellar perception, that is Stellar Eye, already mastered."

  "Attribute amplification... can temporarily enhance power of one attribute among the nine, but consumes Star Pattern energy."

  "Resonance sense... when close to other Star Pattern bearers, will produce sensation, blessing or calamity unpredictable."

  Lin Chen focused research on attribute amplification. This ability useful in combat, could choose restraint attribute targeting enemy weaknesses.

  Practiced several times, initially mastered. But consumption indeed large; with current Star Pattern energy, at most support three amplifications.

  "Sufficient."

  Time passed; three days passed in a blink.

  These three days, Lin Chen didn't leave home, fully devoted cultivation. Daytime body refinement, nighttime absorbing stellar power. Resources insufficient, relied on willpower to endure.

  Effect significant.

  Third day late night, Lin Chen's body emitted "crack" light sound, cultivation breakthrough.

  Condensation Stage Level 2.

  Then, Level 2 peak, Level 3, Level 3 peak...

  Continuous breakthroughs, momentum unstoppable. Chaos Stellar Body matched with 'Chaos Stellar Scripture', cultivation speed far exceeded ordinary techniques. Moreover, stellar body refinement technique strengthened physical body, could withstand more violent energy impacts.

  Fourth day early morning, Lin Chen opened eyes; eyes gleaming with brilliance.

  Cultivation: Condensation Stage Level 6 peak.

  Three days, from Level 1 peak to Level 6 peak, breaking through five levels in a row. If spoken, probably no one would believe.

  "Chaos Stellar Body, truly heaven-defying."

  Feeling the surging power within, Lin Chen's confidence greatly increased. Now facing Zhao Hu, even if not a match, had self-preservation capability.

  But not enough. Chapter outline requirement was "hear cave outside searching sounds, design counterattack". Meant Zhao Hu and others still nearby.

  "Just right to use you as practice targets."

  Stood up and moved joints, making popping sounds. Physical body strength noticeably enhanced; now one fist's power, enough to split rocks.

  Pushed door walked out wooden hut, outside moonlight like water. Outer Sect area quiet, most disciples still cultivating or resting.

  Lin Chen executed Stellar Eye, scanning surroundings. Quickly, within hundred zhang external mountain forest, discovered six energy fluctuations—precisely Zhao Hu's team.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  "Still searching?"

  Stealthily approached, like night cat silent. Quickly arrived mountain forest edge, hidden behind tree observing.

  Zhao Hu six people currently sitting around campfire, faces weary.

  "Brother Hu, already searched three days, not even a shadow seen. That waste might already be dead?" Zhang San complained.

  "Alive must see person, dead must see corpse." Zhao Hu gloomily said. "Father gave strict order, must find Star Pattern secret."

  "But back mountain so big, how find?"

  "Continue search." Zhao Hu stood up. "Before dawn search again east side cliff. That waste jumped cliff place, perhaps has clues."

  Six people extinguished campfire, picked up weapons, walked toward east side.

  Lin Chen followed behind, maintained distance. Stellar Eye could clearly see their movements, and wouldn't be discovered.

  "East side cliff... precisely where I jumped. Could they have discovered crack entrance?"

  Heart slightly sank. If crack discovered, stele secret might be exposed.

  "Can't let them pass."

  But opponent six people, Zhao Hu Condensation Stage Level 6, remaining five minimum Level 4. Head-on clash unfavorable.

  "Need design trap."

  Observed terrain. This area mountain forest trees dense, ground vines overgrown, and had several natural sinkholes.

  "Got it."

  Lin Chen circled to front, found a narrow mountain path. Both sides high slopes, slopes piled with loose rocks.

  "First create chaos."

  Picked up several stones, aimed at slope top several key rocks. Starfall Fist·Meteor Descent operated, stones like cannonballs shot out.

  "Bang! Bang! Bang!"

  Hit slope top rocks, triggered chain reaction. Large quantity rocks rolled down, smashed toward mountain path.

  "Watch out for falling rocks!" Zhao Hu exclaimed.

  Six people flustered avoiding, formation disrupted. Seizing this opportunity, Lin Chen attacked from side, target weakest Zhang San.

  "Meteor Descent!"

  Fist wrapped with metal attribute sharpness, directly aimed back heart. Zhang San sensed danger, hastily turned to block.

  "Crack!"

  Arm fractured, screaming fell down.

  "What person?" Zhao Hu roared.

  Lin Chen didn't answer, Star-shifting Steps executed, already reached another disciple front. Similarly one fist, hit abdomen, opponent collapsed.

  Instantly resolved two people.

  "It's you!" Zhao Hu recognized Lin Chen, both shocked and furious. "You didn't die?"

  "Thanks to you, living very well." Lin Chen sneered.

  "Seeking death!" Zhao Hu furious, Blazing Fire Palm burst, crimson firelight enveloped.

  Lin Chen didn't meet head-on, Star-shifting Steps avoided. Simultaneously Stellar Eye discerned, discovered Zhao Hu palm technique though fierce, but after each burst, dantian had brief empty period.

  "Flaw here."

  Waited for opportunity. Zhao Hu continuous three palms missed, breath slightly disordered. Just at old strength already exhausted new strength not yet born moment, Lin Chen moved.

  "Meteor Descent·Dual Attributes!"

  Metal attribute sharpness superimposed fire attribute fury, fist transformed into crimson-gold flowing light, directly struck Zhao Hu chest.

  Zhao Hu hastily defended.

  "Boom!"

  Qi wave exploded, Zhao Hu retreated three steps, chest intense pain, mouth corner bleeding.

  "How possible..." He couldn't believe. Three days ago still Condensation Stage Level 3 waste, now actually could wound him?

  "Nothing impossible." Lin Chen pursued, Starfall Fist continuous unceasing.

  Zhao Hu barely countered, but injury affected, gradually falling inferior. Remaining three disciples wanted to help, but Lin Chen footwork bizarre, always able to escape within encirclement, instead using opponent's force, wounded another person.

  "Retreat!" Zhao Hu gritted teeth ordered.

  Continued fighting down, possibly entire force annihilated.

  Five people retreated in disarray, even injured companions couldn't care.

  Lin Chen didn't chase. Purpose already achieved—display strength, intimidate Zhao Hu. Moreover not suitable expose all trump cards.

  Walked to Zhang San front, opponent terrified begged mercy: "Lin, Lin senior brother spare life, I all were forced by Zhao Hu..."

  "Rest assured, I won't kill you." Lin Chen searched body, found several spirit stones and pills, stored. "Return tell Zhao Hu, again provoke me, next time break not just arm."

  "Yes yes yes!"

  Zhang San rolled crawled escaped.

  Lin Chen also searched other injured, harvest not bad: dozen low-grade spirit stones, several bottles healing pills, and a decent short blade.

  "Finally have some resources."

  Returned wooden hut. This battle though brief, but verified strength. Condensation Stage Level 6 peak, matched with Starfall Fist and Stellar Eye, already not fear Zhao Hu.

  But Zhao Hu behind has Zhao Executive, beyond Condensation Stage still has Spiritual Light Realm. Self still need low profile.

  "First consolidate cultivation."

  Sat cross-legged cultivating, absorbed just obtained spirit stones. Chaos star vortex rotation accelerated, cultivation steadily rose.

  Dawn time, cultivation thoroughly stabilized at Level 6 peak, not far from Level 7.

  Lin Chen opened eyes, exhaled a turbid breath.

  "This is just the beginning."

  Zhao Hu shocked and furious alternating: "This waste how possible wound my people?"

  Lin Chen sneered: "This is just the beginning."

  Real battle, still later.