Chapter 15: Thunderclap Manor!

The young sapling dared not delay, quickly sending out its vines to entwine Lin Ning’er’s wrist.

After a thorough examination, the sapling furrowed its brow. “The cold poison has deeply penetrated to the bone. Relying solely on pills won’t truly cure it…”

“Is there any way?” Lin Chen asked anxiously.

“I can only help alleviate it for now, but this is merely treating the symptoms, not the root. To completely eradicate this cold poison, it would require pure and potent flame power…” The sapling’s expression turned serious. Though usually jovial and carefree, it was earnest when it came to important matters.

“Alleviation first, even if just alleviation, is fine. I will take my sister to find an expert to cure her!” Lin Chen’s eyes flickered with tension.

In the past, they had only used pills to ease the condition. The pill called the Three Fires Pill contained three kinds of fire energy, capable of suppressing the cold poison.

“Very well.”

The sapling controlled the vine to pierce Lin Ning’er’s skin. Immediately, a bone-chilling cold burst forth, radiating a visible icy blue light. Anyone who came into contact with it felt goosebumps all over.

Eventually, all the cold energy was absorbed into the vines.

Within the span of a tea break, the sapling had drawn out every bit of cold poison from Lin Ning’er’s body, finally exhaling a relieved breath.

“Burp.”

The sapling let out a hearty burp, releasing a blast of piercing cold from its mouth.

Lin Ning’er’s complexion brightened considerably. After a moment, she slowly opened her eyes. “Xiao Chen…”

“Sis, don’t overthink it. I’ll take you to get treated!” Lin Chen quickly comforted her.

A faint smile curved Lin Ning’er’s lips as she spoke softly, “Xiao Chen, you don’t have to bear such a heavy burden for me… I don’t want to become a burden to you.”

“How could that be? I have a close friend who is a divine healer, skilled in curing all ailments. I’ll take you to see them! Once you recover, you can train again, and then I’ll teach you every day!” Lin Chen soothed her gently.

Soon, Lin Ning’er fell into a peaceful sleep.

Lin Chen grabbed the sapling and stepped out of the cave.

“What chance do we have to cure my sister’s condition?” His arm trembled slightly, and his voice carried a trace of quiver.

He never flinched when facing enemies many times his size, nor did he blink despite grievous wounds. Yet, when it came to his sister’s cold poison, he felt utterly helpless.

“I can temporarily draw out the cold energy, but the poison itself can’t be eradicated. As I said before, only the purest flame power can drive out the cold poison… Are there any sects nearby skilled in flame power?”

The sapling inquired.

“There is…”

Lin Chen clenched his fist tightly. “The Sect of Departed Flames!”

Compared to the Wind Sword Sect, the Sect of Departed Flames was far stronger.

It was the strongest sect in the Five Nations.

However, the Sect of Departed Flames had many restrictions for recruiting disciples.

Candidates had to possess a level four or higher spirit beast, and the beast had to have a fire attribute.

Only then could one have the chance to train within the sect.

There were exceptions, of course.

If one’s talent was exceptional enough, the sect would disregard all rules and admit them.

Even though Lin Chen had once been the top prodigy of the Great Cang Nation, he had never drawn the favor of the Sect of Departed Flames.

This showed just how difficult it was to gain entry.

“Alright, once things here are settled, we’ll go to the Sect of Departed Flames!”

The sapling said casually.

“Going to the Sect of Departed Flames… do you know how strict their recruitment is?” Lin Chen couldn’t help but complain. “You’re only a level one spirit beast. You can’t even get past the entry requirement!”

The sapling was furious. “Nonsense! That’s infuriating! I am the Primordial Cosmic Tree, roaming the universe and suppressing eternity! No one should look down on your Tree Bro! Back in the day—”

“Enough with the past, live in the present!” Lin Chen patted the sapling’s lush green leaves on its head and sighed.

Actually, it wasn’t entirely hopeless.

Every year, the Sect of Departed Flames held a trial in the imperial capital of the Five Nations to select disciples.

Whoever took first place would be specially recruited as a prodigy, admitted beyond the usual limits.

“This trial should be happening in the next two days. I must hurry to the capital!” Lin Chen gazed at the swirling mists ahead, determination flashing in his eyes.

Since a path had been laid before him, no matter what, he had to persevere.

“Swish! Swish! Swish!”

Suddenly, sounds of something slicing through the air came from the cliffside.

Someone was moving swiftly through the thick fog.

Startled, Lin Chen quickly hid behind a massive rock, straining his ears.

Seven figures passed through the dense mist, heading deeper into Purple Link Mountain.

“The Lin family thinks that with half of the fractured map, they can team up with us to explore the Purple Link Mountain ruins. How laughable!”

“If we have a chance to claim it all ourselves, why invite them?”

“Hurry, the time is almost upon us.”

Their conversation drifted on the wind into Lin Chen’s ears.

“People from the Zhang family?”

Lin Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly.

The situation was becoming clear.

The Zhang family and the Lin family each held half of a fragmented map, planning to cooperate in exploring the Purple Link Mountain ruins.

The half-map from the Lin family was now in Lin Chen’s possession, taken from Lin Yiming’s soul ring.

The Zhang family, meanwhile, had learned the exact location of the ruins by other means and planned to abandon the Lin family and claim everything for themselves.

After some thought, Lin Chen decided to make a bold move.

He stepped forward, gently lifted Lin Ning’er onto his back, and swiftly slipped through the fog, pursuing them.

Thanks to his Ten Thousand Trees Majestic Body, Lin Chen could sense the surrounding flowers, grasses, and trees.

The vast dense forest was completely visible to him.

He trailed the seven figures from the Zhang family at a safe distance.

“You’re really daring, kid, crashing into this kind of commotion,” the sapling sighed. “Your Tree Bro used to be so steady and conservative; now you’ve spoiled me!”

“Being cowardly is cowardly, don’t flatter yourself,” Lin Chen retorted.

Deep within Purple Link Mountain, occasional beast roars shook the sky.

The closer they got, the more oppressive and vicious the beastly aura became.

No wonder few dared to enter this place.

The countless beasts made it deadly; one wrong step meant becoming prey.

Within half an hour, the seven from the Zhang family had faced at least five waves of beast attacks.

Fortunately, their strength was formidable, and they escaped unscathed.

The leader, likely Zhang Xuan, head of the Zhang family, possessed sixth tier Earth Spirit Realm strength.

The other six were all experts at the fifth tier of the Earth Spirit Realm.

Finally, the group suddenly halted.

Lin Chen peered ahead, surprise flashing quickly through his eyes.

On the mountain cliff before them stood a cave residence, hidden behind tangled trees.

The Thunderclap Residence!