Rise from a Poor Family: My Martial Arts Counterattack

Chapter 540 The Limits of the Physical Body
Five years later!
Feng Haoyu sat cross-legged in mid-air, his aura constantly rising. In the end, he let out a soft shout, and the terrifying energy caused the enormous pressure around him to ripple.

But this momentum only lasted for three breaths before dissipating.

Feng Haoyu opened his eyes, a hint of helplessness on his face. In two years, he had advanced from the early stage to the middle stage of the fourth realm of innate cultivation. This speed was not slow, but what he did not expect was that as his strength increased, the pressure of the sixth level would not decrease but increase, and it would be even more difficult to bear than before.

This means he can no longer stay on the sixth floor.

Before coming to the Entropy Clan, his father had warned him that once his strength broke through in the Thousand Layers Secret Realm, he could no longer stay there.

This is because the pressure in the Thousand Layers Secret Realm increases as the level of the entrant rises.

He used to be able to stay on the sixth floor with his strength at the fourth level of the Innate Realm, but now he can't.

After entering the Thousand Layers Secret Realm, there is only one way to continue staying in the secret realm after your strength has increased: rely on your physical body to withstand the pressure in the secret realm from the very beginning.

Only those who can withstand the pressure purely through their physical bodies will find that the secret realm will not increase the pressure after their strength is improved.

As for why the Thousand Layers Secret Realm has such rules, Feng Haoyu doesn't know, nor does his father. Only the patriarch and elders of the Entropy Clan know the inside story.

Five years on the sixth floor, four months outside.

In just four months, he broke through from the early stage to the middle stage of the fourth realm of innate talent. This speed is incredibly fast, equivalent to saving more than four years. Logically, he should be satisfied.

Indeed, without comparison, Feng Haoyu was very satisfied with his gains in the Thousand Layers Secret Realm. In fact, before he entered, his goal was to break through to the mid-stage, and now he had achieved that goal.

But when he saw Lin Chen still walking there purely by his physical strength, Feng Haoyu's expression became complicated.

It's been five years!
He witnessed Lin Chen go from having to roar in pain with every step to being able to walk normally now.

For five years, Lin Chen did not cultivate at all. His body was destroyed by the pressure of the sixth level. He would stop and use a certain technique to repair it. After his body was repaired, he would continue... and so on.

Feng Haoyu knew very well that Lin Chen must have mastered an extremely powerful body tempering technique, which allowed Lin Chen to recover quickly from injuries.

Otherwise, even if Lin Chen had such a strong will, his body would not allow him to repeat the same routine day after day for five years.

As a genius of the Fengxi Clan, Feng Haoyu was able to reach the fourth level of the Innate Realm at the age of thirty. He was proud of himself. Even when facing the geniuses of the four great clans, he did not think that he was inferior to them. He rarely admired others of his age.

But at this moment, Feng Haoyu had to admit that he greatly admired Lin Chen.

Although the flow of time in the Thousand Layers Secret Realm is much slower than in the outside world, one can only feel it when returning to the outside world. Those who enter the secret realm cannot perceive the difference in the flow of time.

Five years...

Even if he had a body tempering technique like Lin Chen's, he might not dare to do this!
Even if one dares to do so, there's no guarantee they can stick to it.

"No wonder he came from a desolate place in the martial arts world, yet was able to make a name for himself as a prodigy in the Yan Dynasty in just over two years."

Feng Haoyu murmured. Lin Chen's first place at the Martial Arts Mountain was not enough to attract his attention, but he did know that the Yan Dynasty royal family had launched the Tower of Babel and Lin Chen had won first place.

It was because he knew this that he went to learn about Lin Chen, and learned about Lin Chen's background and the reputation he had made in the martial arts world.

Even for a martial artist from a humble background who later joined the Canglan Sect, reaching this point was truly remarkable.

Now Feng Haoyu also understands why Lin Chen has achieved such success.
Such unwavering will is rarely seen in the world!

After Feng Haoyu left the spot, a short while later, he saw Lin Chen still walking.

"Brother Lin!"

This was the first time Feng Haoyu had taken the initiative to greet Lin Chen, and he even addressed him as "brother."

Lin Chen looked up at Feng Haoyu. After five years of walking, apart from the first three years when he was in pain, he was able to withstand the pressure with his physical body alone for the last two years. However, the three years of walking gave him more exquisite control over his body, and the last two years were in a mysterious state.

The human body is like a treasure; he vaguely felt that he had touched something, but he was just one step away from the final goal.

"Brother Feng, is something the matter?"

"I'm leaving the secret realm."

Upon hearing Feng Haoyu's words, Lin Chen was taken aback. He then took a closer look at Feng Haoyu. When he sensed that Feng Haoyu's aura had become even stronger, he knew that Feng Haoyu must have made a breakthrough here.

"Brother Feng is going to the seventh floor?"

Feng Haoyu's lips twitched. He didn't know why Lin Chen would think that way, but he quickly realized that Lin Chen probably didn't know the underlying rules of the Thousand Layers Secret Realm.

Indeed, Lin Chen came in to help the Moon Soul Clan princess obtain the Moon Soul Clan's treasures. Before that, he probably didn't know much about the Thousand Layers Secret Realm, so it's understandable that no one told him about the potential rules of the Thousand Layers Secret Realm.

"No, it's exiting the Thousand Layers Secret Realm."

Without waiting for Lin Chen to ask again, Feng Haoyu directly explained the underlying rules of the Thousand Layers Secret Realm.

Lin Chen suddenly realized that he really didn't know the rules. Yin Yue hadn't told him, probably because she didn't think he would use his physical body to withstand the pressure here, or she thought that he was at the peak of the third realm of the Innate Realm, and if he wanted to break through to the fourth realm of the Innate Realm, it wouldn't be so easy.

"Perhaps you will have the opportunity to go to the seventh level, but my suggestion is that since you have already adapted to the pressure of the sixth level, you might as well break through here. It's not too late to go to the seventh level after you have broken through your realm."

"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Feng."

Lin Chen nodded, and Feng Haoyu didn't say anything more; it's always a big no-no to talk too much with someone you don't know well.

He was just giving advice; whether Lin Chen listened or not was up to Lin Chen.

Feng Haoyu left decisively, and Lin Chen watched him exit the Thousand Layers Secret Realm.

For those who have entered the secret realm, exiting is also very simple. Just go to the entrance of each level of the secret realm, where there is a teleportation array. Stand on the teleportation array, and you will be teleported out after ten breaths.

Now, he is the only one left in the entire Thousand Layers Secret Realm.

Feng Haoyu's departure did not affect his mood; he continued walking on the sixth floor as before.

He can walk normally on the sixth floor now, but that's not enough. He needs to be able to walk leisurely to count.

……

……

Exit of the Thousand-Layered Secret Realm.

The moment Feng Haoyu emerged, he immediately felt himself locked onto by several powerful auras, two of which exuded obvious hostility.

"Are you a member of the Windbreath Clan?"

As soon as Feng Haoyu landed, two elderly men appeared in front of him.

Upon seeing the two elders, Feng Haoyu frowned, but still spoke up, "Feng Haoyu of the Fengxi Clan, is there anything you two need?" The two men before him wore clothing embroidered with golden cloud patterns, which was the clan uniform of the Yunyi Clan. Moreover, their auras were both above his own, so they should be at the late stage of the fourth realm of the Innate Realm.

"How is Lin Chen doing in the secret realm?"

One of the elders from the Yunyi clan spoke up, but as soon as he asked the question, Feng Haoyu's face turned cold. He didn't know why the two Yunyi clan members were questioning Lin Chen, but he didn't want to pay attention to them, especially since their interrogation tone made him even more dissatisfied.

So what if they are at the late stage of the fourth realm of the Innate Realm? At their age, their status in the Yunyi Clan is nothing special, while I am a genius of the Fengxi Clan and a candidate for future elder of the clan.

"I entered the Thousand Layers Secret Realm to cultivate, not to report to you two."

Feng Haoyu's tone was extremely cold, and he turned to leave after speaking.

"Brother Feng, please don't be anxious. We were a bit hasty just now, but this matter concerns our clan's genius, Yun Ye. Yun Ye died mysteriously in the secret realm, and the murderer is Lin Chen. This matter has angered our clan's elders. We hope that Brother Feng can inform us of the situation."

Yun Ye died in the secret realm?
Feng Haoyu was shocked. Of course, he knew Yun Ye, who was the second innate fourth-level martial artist among the group who entered the secret realm this time.

He was curious when he didn't see Yun Ye on the sixth floor, wondering how Yun Ye could possibly have retreated to the fourth floor due to the time storm.

Unexpectedly, Yun Ye died at Lin Chen's hands.

Doesn't this mean that the strongest person in the secret realm is not actually himself, a fourth-level innate cultivator, but Lin Chen?

However, even though he was shocked by Lin Chen's strength, Feng Haoyu did not intend to tell the two Yunyi people about Lin Chen's situation in the secret realm.

He greatly admired Lin Chen, but had no connection whatsoever with Yun Ye or the Yunyi clan.

"I have never met Lin Chen."

"But the people who came out said that Lin Chen was heading towards the sixth floor..."

"The pressure in the Thousand Layers Secret Realm is immense, and the distance of divine sense is less than ten feet. I entered the Thousand Layers Secret Realm to cultivate and break through, not to keep an eye on other people."

Feng Haoyu interrupted the other party rudely, his meaning was clear: he didn't know if Lin Chen was on the sixth floor.

Upon hearing Feng Haoyu's answer, the two elders of the Yunyi Clan looked grim. When they arrived after receiving the news, many people had already emerged from the Thousand Layers Secret Realm, and the princess of the Moon Soul Clan had also left the Entropy Clan. Therefore, they were unsure whether Lin Chen was still in the Thousand Layers Secret Realm.

What if Lin Chen claims he's going to the sixth floor, but actually intends to sneak out by finding a teleportation array?
They also inquired with the Entropy Clan, but the Entropy Clan told them that they were only responsible for opening the Thousand Layers Secret Realm, and they did not care when those who entered would come out.

They believed this to be true, because the Entropy Clan had no reason to protect Lin Chen.

Feng Haoyu walked straight away, and the two elders of the Yunyi Clan did not stop him. They were stronger than Feng Haoyu, but they were not as good as him in terms of territory. If they forcibly stopped Feng Haoyu, it would probably provoke the dissatisfaction of the Fengxi Clan.

Among the ancient races, the Yunyi Clan is not considered strong, and the Fengxi Clan is someone they cannot afford to offend.

"It seems that Lin Chen must have secretly left the Thousand Layers Secret Realm. Even Feng Haoyu came out, so Lin Chen couldn't have lasted that long."

“I think so too. Although Feng Haoyu is arrogant, he wouldn’t lie to us. There’s no need for us to wait here any longer. Let’s go back and report to the elder.”

……

In the courtyard of the Second Elder of the Entropy Clan, the Second Elder was leisurely lying on a rattan chair when he suddenly opened his eyes: "This is quite interesting. Feng Haoyu said that he had not seen Lin Chen in the Thousand Layers Secret Realm. Can you guess what Feng Haoyu meant by this?"

Qianshan and Qianlang in the courtyard were deep in thought. They knew perfectly well whether Lin Chen had left the Thousand Layers Secret Realm or not. With the Thousand Layers Secret Realm open, how could the clan not keep an eye on it? They knew exactly when everyone who went in would come out.

Lin Chen did not come out after entering. Instead, the three members of the Flower Clan came out and went to see Princess Yin Yue of the Moon Soul Clan. Afterwards, Yin Yue and the three members of the Flower Clan left the Entropy Clan together.

Those who came out said that Lin Chen went to the sixth floor, so it must be true, and Feng Haoyu couldn't possibly have missed seeing Lin Chen on the sixth floor.

“Feng Haoyu deliberately concealed the truth for Lin Chen.” Qian Shan and Qian Lang spoke at the same time.

"Then why do you think Feng Haoyu would cover up for Lin Chen?"

The second elder of the Entropy Clan continued to inquire, and this time Qian Shan and Qian Lang fell silent at the same time. They couldn't understand why Feng Haoyu would hide it for Lin Chen.

"Are you two convinced of Lin Chen's abilities?"

Seeing the two remain silent, the second elder of the Entropy Clan asked a meaningful question. This question immediately made their eyes light up, and they understood what the elder meant.

They were naturally impressed by Lin Chen; he had won them over with his abilities.

“But Feng Haoyu is a fourth-level innate martial artist,” Qian Lang said subconsciously.

"Wasn't Yun Ye also a fourth-level innate martial artist? He also died at Lin Chen's hands."

Qian Shan had figured it out: Lin Chen was able to kill Yun Ye, so his strength might not be inferior to Feng Haoyu's.

Perhaps Feng Haoyu, like them, was impressed by Lin Chen's strength and talent.

"It's not just about strength; Lin Chen's actions in the secret realm must have made even Feng Haoyu feel inferior."

The second elder of the Entropy Clan spoke slowly. He would keep Lin Chen's fact that he had not yet come out of the secret realm because he owed Lin Chen a favor. However, Feng Haoyu was willing to offend the Yunyi Clan for Lin Chen's sake, which could only mean that Lin Chen's actions in the secret realm had impressed Feng Haoyu.

"This Lin Chen... is probably a hidden dragon, it's just a pity..."

Hearing their elder sigh with regret in his voice, Qian Shan and Qian Lang were puzzled, wondering what the elder was regretting.
Was it because he killed Yun Ye of the Yunyi clan?

With the Canglan Sect backing him and now having a relationship with the Moon Soul Clan princess, Lin Chen should be able to protect himself.

The second elder of the Entropy Clan also saw the doubt in Qian Shan and Qian Lang's eyes, but did not explain. It was a pity that Lin Chen was born too late. If it had been five hundred years earlier... perhaps there would still have been such an opportunity.

But at this point, the greater the potential, the greater the regret in the future.

……

……

In the Qiandie Secret Realm.

Lin Chen didn't know how long he had been there. At this moment, he could not only walk on the sixth floor, but also run, and his limbs moved without any restriction.

At this moment, the original glazed light on Lin Chen's body had reappeared, but now it had completely subsided once again. He exuded a profound and dignified aura, as if he had survived countless tribulations and been tempered into steel.

With each breath he took, his internal organs resonated deeply and profoundly. His skin, muscles, tendons, and blood vessels had all reached their critical points.

After a long while, Lin Chen slowly opened his eyes. His eyes were as calm as a deep sea, and an indescribable, profound fluctuation suddenly emanated from the deepest part of Lin Chen's body.

There was no earth-shattering momentum, nor a dazzling explosion.

[Immortal Body: Fourth Level]

(End of this chapter)