Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

The third step, the solidification technique, involved Lin Zhao obtaining the secret technique for forming the talisman array from his family.

"Talisman Array" is the product of over a hundred years of combining the arts of talisman masters and array formations by the second-generation Foundation Establishment ancestor of the Lin family.

Therefore, Lin Zhao's Four Elements Sword Dragon is a product of the combination of the Way of the Talisman Master and the Way of the Sword Cultivator.

The final process and the three stages of talisman drawing: drawing, infusing, and sealing.

They have similarities, or rather, all cultivation techniques ultimately lead to the same goal.

Lin Zhao's previous Four Elements Magic Sword technique was actually only able to be displayed thanks to the Four Elements Bead, a top-grade magic artifact.

If he loses the Four Elements Pearl, he himself can't say for sure how much strength he will have left.

The current "Four Elements Sword Dragon" still uses the Four Elements Beads, but they only serve as its energy source; its core is its magic domain.

The Four Elements Beads can be completely replaced with other magical artifacts, even without using any magical artifacts.

Lin Zhao can still cast the Four Elements Sword Dragon spell, although its power will be greatly reduced.

But his "Celestial Sword Way" has already taken its first step.

Furthermore, because Lin Zhao lacked both earth and wind spiritual roots, the control of spiritual power in the previous Four Elements Sword Technique was unbalanced.

The current Four Elements Sword Dragon can actively adjust the proportions of various spiritual energies, avoiding the limitations of spiritual roots and forming a perfect balance.

"Four Elements Sword Dragon"

It hovered silently in the air, with four-colored spiritual light flowing between the gaps in its scales (runes), and the runes on the scales constantly transformed energy into destructive sword energy that swirled around it.

The dragon's eyes radiated a cold and sharp gaze. They could pierce and slash like a flying sword, containing extremely powerful sword energy;

It can also move and burst forth like a living thing, releasing a terrifying torrent of sword energy that rages like earth, water, fire, and wind!

Lin Zhao's face was pale, and his soul and spiritual power were greatly depleted, but looking at the masterpiece he had created with his own hands, his eyes were filled with excitement and exhilaration.

The Second Elder, who had been standing to the side with a tense expression, finally relaxed slightly, revealing a barely perceptible curve of approval.

"Barely, that's good enough."

He turned around, bowed deeply to the Second Elder, and knelt down.

"I will never forget the guidance I received from the Second Elder." His voice was clear and firm. "This experience was no less important to me than imparting knowledge and teaching skills."

"I owe you a favor. From now on, whenever any descendant of the Second Elder comes with my token, I will definitely do my best to help them."

As he spoke, he took out a blank jade slip and, using his own sword energy mixed with his divine sense, left within it the method for composing and releasing the "Four Elements Sword Dragon" and his special mark.

He respectfully handed it to the Second Elder. This mark could not be forged; it represented Lin Zhao's promise.

Lin Zhao naturally understood that the Second Elder's help in perfecting this spell was both a form of mentorship for the younger generation of the family and a way to support them.

This is also because he is about to attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, a task fraught with peril, while Lin Zhao has a much greater chance of achieving Foundation Establishment in the future.

He did this to secure a future for his lineage.

After a moment of silence, the Second Elder put away the jade slip.

Then came the Second Elder's calm yet relieved voice: "That puts my mind at ease. Accompanying you to complete this 'Four Elements Sword Dragon' will put my mind at ease."

With your promise, I can go on my final journey without any worries.

His words contained no sorrow, only a peaceful satisfaction at having achieved his goal and a resolute determination to embark on his final journey.

After bowing deeply once more, Lin Zhao turned and left the Second Elder's cave, his steps more steady than when he arrived.

He did not return to his own cave dwelling, but went directly to his grandfather Lin Xiaotian's place.

After briefly explaining his meeting with the Second Elder and his creation of the "Four Elements Sword Dragon," Lin Zhao announced his decision.

"Grandfather, I plan to go out and gain some experience."

Lin Xiaotian paused slightly, holding his teacup, and looked at him: "Oh? Why now?"

"I witnessed the Second Elder's unwavering determination, his willingness to sacrifice himself for his cause," Lin Zhao's eyes flashed with a sharp light.

"My swordsmanship still needs honing. Learning by doing in isolation is ultimately inferior; a true sword must be tempered in blood and fire."

I will put what I've learned into practice in real combat, and let this 'Four-Element Sword Dragon' drink blood and unleash its power!

He looked at his grandfather and said firmly, "I need to forge my own path."

The grandfather gazed at Lin Zhao for a moment, seeing in his eyes an unquestionable determination and a vigorous spirit.

He only said two words: "Go."

There were no lengthy instructions, no sentimental farewells; everything was understood without words.

Lin Zhao bid farewell to her grandfather without disturbing any of her clansmen, leaving the Lin family of Qingxi Mountain, which had become the focus of attention, as quietly as a drop of water entering the sea.

He first returned to Po Jun's garrison, where he learned about the situation in the market and some basic maps of the wilderness.

I heard that although the beast tide has been contained, it has not been completely quelled. There are still a large number of monsters running rampant, and many monster-hunting teams have set out to wipe them out.

Gao Yuan's squad had already gone to the front lines to fight the beast tide several months ago.

Lin Zhao understood. The Lin family had been closing the mountain for a year, so the team members naturally couldn't wait for Lin Zhao to return indefinitely.

He then went to the inner workshop. From afar, he saw a familiar figure in front of his own shop.

The father was sitting at the front desk, and his cousin Lin Xuan was talking to Zhao Ziming. After the clan leader achieved foundation building, they returned to the market.

Lin Zhao realized that she had completely embarked on a different path from them.

Once the family becomes a Foundation Establishment family, no one else in the market will be able to make things difficult for them.

He didn't step forward. He simply watched quietly for a moment, etching that peace into his heart, then resolutely turned and sped off in the direction where the beast tide had erupted.

As Lin Zhao passed through the Wind Spirit Canyon, he once again sensed the powerful aura of the Foundation Establishment cultivator guarding the canyon. In the past, he would have thought it was unfathomable and unattainable.

Now, having initially mastered the "Four Elements Sword Dragon," his divine sense has reached the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining, and his domain has made his perception even more acute.

Even with a low-grade Foundation Establishment cultivation level, he could still sense the powerful strength of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but he could already feel the limits of Foundation Establishment, which were no longer out of reach.

The closer one gets to the beast tide, the stronger the stench and faint smell of blood become in the air.

When he arrived at a plain, the sight before him was breathtaking.

As far as the eye could see, almost everything was covered by this black swarm of insects.

Like a writhing black carpet spread across the earth, the hissing sounds coalesced into a disturbing noise, numbering in the hundreds of thousands.

This is a type of monster called "Black-spotted Insect." Most of these Black-spotted Insects are only of mid-to-low rank first-tier strength, posing very little threat individually.

But they are incredibly numerous, with hard shells and sharp mouthparts.

The acid they spew is corrosive, and when it accumulates, it can put a considerable strain on the spiritual energy shield.

For ordinary Qi Refining cultivators, being trapped in a sea of ​​insects is extremely dangerous; they will be slowly worn down and die.

However, the insect swarm's advance was not entirely random; it was guided by human cultivators and automatically attacked the herds of other demonic beasts.