The Dawn of Liberation

The first hint of dawn seeped through the Secret Realm’s illusory dome. Morning light slanted across the scorched, cracked, and ice-and-fire-interwoven earth, draping the chaotic battlefield in a veil of almost tender softness.

Lin Mo, who had been meditating cross-legged, slowly opened his eyes. Beside him, Ji Xue had long since finished her meditation, now gazing quietly at the increasingly bright streak of light on the horizon. The Secret Realm was about to close.

Throughout this period, Lin Mo had remained in the central area, with only Ji Xue occasionally departing to seek out others for sparring. It seemed Lin Mo’s previous explanations had granted her many new insights, and her points had increased significantly. Though he had done everything within his power, Lin Mo couldn’t help but feel a rising tide of worry.

‘What would the Qiu Family do?’

‘The ‘Martial Dao’ he had so brazenly unveiled felt more like a desperate gamble. Would those ancient monsters outside truly accept it? Would the value he displayed genuinely suppress Qiu Jingwen’s furious rage? And what of the unfathomable Qiu Ku?’

His fate, ultimately, hinged on another’s whim. This sensation of his destiny resting in others’ hands was profoundly unsettling. Even with the Bright Jade Profound Yin aiding him in suppressing his emotions, Lin Mo found himself staring intently at Ji Xue.

In this silent torment, a hand, warm and familiar, gently covered his slightly clenched fist. Lin Mo looked up, his gaze meeting Ji Xue’s crimson eyes, clear as an autumn sky. She offered no comforting words, but her hand, slender yet strong, carried an undeniable firmness. Her fingers curled slightly, then firmly intertwined with his.

The warmth transmitted between their joined fingers felt like a strange current, instantly clearing the anxiety that had clogged his mind. Ji Xue looked at him, her crimson eyes curving into crescents, a faint yet incredibly bright smile blossoming on her lips. That smile was like a silent vow, quietly branded into his mind.

Lin Mo felt the decade-long string of fear in his heart suddenly slacken. He had risked everything and poured his entire being into what needed to be done. He straightened his somewhat rigid back, returning the grip on the hand that had granted him boundless courage.

‘Then let’s go.’

The intricate patterns of light surrounding them suddenly converged, transforming into a towering pillar of light that swallowed their forms. His vision plunged into an absolute, dazzling white, followed by an endless sensation of pulling and weightlessness.

The light dissipated.

The first thing that pierced his eyes was not the overwhelming ominous glow he had anticipated. It was… light. Gentle light, imbued with the warmth of the rising sun.

Immediately following, a deafening wave of sound, like a rolling tide, abruptly crashed into his ears!

“Xuan Nv Sect—!”

“Senior Sister Lin! Victorious—!”

“Champion! Champion!”

It was not a hallucination. Beneath his feet was the solid stone of the arena. Before him, a sea of cheering disciples, the sect’s banners, and the elders’ relieved smiles created an ocean of joyous celebration. The roaring sound enveloped him with real warmth.

On the high platform, Xian Chengyue, Mu Qingli, Qing You, and the others were all there, their gazes conveying relief and approval. Mu Qingli’s cold eyes even held a glimmer of unshed tears. He reflexively searched the crowd and locked onto the Qiu family’s viewing stand. The scene was not one of tense confrontation but of a strange, forced calm. Qiu Ku’s face was a mask of polite smiles.

And the Empress… his future mother-in-law… was high on her throne, the beaded curtain of her crown obscuring her expression, but the slight curve of her lips announced that Lin Mo’s gambit… had succeeded!

“Silence!”

Xian Chengyue’s calm yet authoritative voice cut through the fervent cheers. Qing You, her face flushed with unprecedented pride, stepped forward, her voice ringing clearly across every corner.

“The Xuan Nv Sect’s Myriad Manifestations Secret Realm Grand Competition, the champion is—” She paused, her gaze sweeping the crowd before landing on the white-haired figure below. With unparalleled pride, she declared, “The newly advanced Personal Disciple, Lin—Wan—’er—!”

“Boom—!”

A cheer even more deafening than before erupted, shaking the heavens! The disciples of the Xuan Nv Sect were ecstatic, their long-suppressed frustrations released in a cathartic roar. For too long, the sect had awaited a true heaven-defying genius.

Lin Mo stood at the center of the沸腾ing sea of people, bathed in a tide of adoration. He quietly looked up at the clear, boundless blue sky. No cages, no shackles, no oppressive eaves. The sky was high, the earth vast, free for him to roam.

Just then, a gorgeous golden road unfurled from the Empress’s high platform, shimmering with dragon patterns, extending directly to Lin Mo’s feet. An imperial attendant, holding a jade plate covered in yellow brocade, walked gracefully towards him.

“Personal Disciple Lin, by decree of Her Majesty the Empress,” the attendant’s voice was calm but held the weight of imperial authority. “Her Majesty has observed your exceptional talent, your world-shaking display in the secret realm, and your victory over all challengers. This is a blessing for the Xuan Nv Sect and a fortune for the Dynasty. You are hereby bestowed a great treasure—one Heavenly Star Condensation Pill!”

She lifted the silk, revealing a dragon-eye-sized, glass-like pill. Within it, countless tiny points of light shimmered like a captured galaxy. Just the faint aroma made Lin Mo’s spiritual energy stir, washing away his fatigue.

Lin Mo didn’t know its value, but Ji Xue whispered in his ear, “This is the legendary ‘Heavenly Star Condensation Pill’! It contains the essence of the stars to strengthen one’s foundation and can even refine the divine soul, lowering the risks of forming a Golden Core! Its value is immeasurable.”

This was more than a reward; it was an invisible shield of imperial favor.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!” Lin Mo bowed deeply, accepting the jade plate.

The crowd erupted once more. An imperial-gifted pill! What an honor!

As the Empress raised her hand, the last of the noise died down.

“Lin Wan’er!” The Empress’s voice seemed to come from the heavens, imbued with the authority of law. “In the secret realm, you were brave and unyielding. You triggered a heavenly phenomenon, proving your talent, temperament, and fortune are unmatched in this age. By the name of the Human Emperor, wielding the power of the land, I have witnessed your journey through tribulations to achieve grace… I hereby bestow upon you the title of—”

The plaza was silent enough to hear a pin drop.

“Heavenly Martial True Lord!”

The four words landed like divine thunder! Golden light flared! The honor was immense!

‘But why such a grand display? I just shared a concept of martial arts, and I’m a “True Lord”?’

Though bewildered, he gratefully replied, “Thank you, Your Majesty!” He didn’t know what the title was for, but with the royal seal of approval, he didn’t believe the Qiu family would dare to openly move against him now!

“Furthermore—” The attendant presented another item. “A piece of Primordial Gold is bestowed! To be refined as you wish, to forge a Dao-protecting weapon!”

Ji Xue explained that it was an incredibly rare divine material for forging.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!” Lin Mo bowed again, the joy of a little money-grubber shining in his smile.

‘Wait… there’s more?! Could it be countless spirit stones?!’

“There is no need for thanks.” A hint of a smile softened the Empress’s expression. “What I saw today has pleased me greatly.” Her gaze shifted to Mu Qingli and Lin Ruoli. “The Xuan Nv Sect has taught well and discovered such a fine talent for the nation. This is a great service. The sect’s tribute, from this day forward, will have its taxes reduced. Furthermore… let it be decreed: the Xuan Nv Sect shall establish the Heavenly Martial Pavilion, using the forbidden land on the main peak’s flank as its foundation, to gather all under heaven who follow the Martial Dao! It shall be personally assisted by Lin Wan’er! The Dynasty’s Ministry of Works will provide full support!”

‘Huh?’

Lin Mo’s body shook. ‘What… what does this mean? If I heard correctly… does this mean she wants me to… establish a new school within the sect?! In the Xuan Nv Sect’s territory?’

The Empress wasn’t finished, her gaze deep as an abyss. “Lin Wan’er. I hope that one day, I can personally place an imperial crown upon you on the Thirty-Three Heavens Cloud Platform outside the capital.”

One sentence, and all was silent! Every cultivator, from the young disciples to the elders, felt a chill shoot up their spine.

‘What was that?!’ Only Ji Xue, looking at the figure on the throne, subtly curled her fingers in her sleeve.

After a brief, dead silence came a roar more violent than any before, nearly tearing the main peak of the Xuan Nv Sect apart!

“Heavenly Martial True Lord!”

“Senior Sister Lin! Senior Sister Lin!”

“Xuan Nv Sect! Xuan Nv Sect!”

Lin Mo stood in the center of the cheering sea. He looked up at the clear, boundless sky, washed clean by the dawn. No cages, no shackles. The sky was high, the earth vast, free to roam. He took a deep breath, slowly and greedily drawing in the air he hadn’t breathed so freely in ten years.

An invisible shackle had just shattered. He had finally… welcomed the liberation he had long awaited but never dared to believe in.

“Disciple!” Mu Qingli had rushed to his side, her usual cold composure broken by a choked voice. “Well done! Well done!”

She excitedly threw her arms around Lin Mo, pulling him into a solid embrace, her shoulders trembling slightly. This earned a jealous glance from Ji Xue.

Ji Xue believed Lin Mo was happy not because he was safe, but for some other reason. The sunlight was warm. He slowly tilted his head back, letting the real sun embrace his whole body. Countless cheers echoed in his ears, Ji Xue’s hand held his tightly, and the embrace was so soft and comfortable.

He looked at Ji Xue with his most sincere gaze. But she just gave a delicate snort and squeezed his hand, as if to say, “Enjoy it.”

The gloom of ten years of fear and despair finally, strand by strand, quietly dissipated under today’s sun.

“Come, disciple. Let me introduce you to your Grandmaster! She came down with me!”