The black-haired warrior, awakening from his stupor, beheld Wang Lin, now an immense and towering figure in his eyes. He dared to believe that within all the star-fields of Luo Tian, none could endure that gaze unscathed, not even the Lord of the Thunder Celestial Hall himself! The dismissive arrogance within those eyes suggested that all creation was but insignificant dust. A shiver wracked his body; never had such awe, such fervent veneration, risen within his defiant heart for any being. When power was balanced, his instincts screamed for rebellion. But before such overwhelming strength, thoughts of challenge withered. Compared to this being, all he had ever known were but shadows, and the only thought remaining was surrender.

“A Dao Nightmare… It was surely the legendary Dao Nightmare!” The warrior’s dread transmuted into zealous reverence. The very name caused tremors in his soul.

Mortals have their nightmares, and cultivators, too, are haunted by Dao Nightmares.

Though rarely whispered, the existence of the Dao Nightmare was known. In ages long past, a single figure arose within the Luo Tian star-fields. With but a single act of mystical power, he vanquished every Second Step cultivator in existence. Most were felled before even uttering a spell or raising a single enchanted trinket! Disappointed, the figure turned to leave, but a brave soul dared to inquire after the technique’s name. The reply came, uttered with serene indifference:

“It is called Dao Nightmare. I did not invent it. You shall have it too…”

The black-haired warrior drew a steadying breath and dismounted from his Thunder Beast, standing respectfully to the side. Freed from Wang Lin’s scrutiny, he at last perceived the seated figure upon a nearby boulder – a puppet, its mechanical nature plain. His gaze drifted further, to the horned Thunder Beast grazing at the edge of the lightning pool.

Before, overwhelmed by Wang Lin’s power, he had been blind to all else. Now, revelation dawned, and shock once again seized his face! “A silver-horned Thunder Beast! A Yin Void Puppet! …Could he be a Thunder Celestial Envoy as well?!” Doubt assailed him, not of Wang Lin’s identity, but that such a being could possibly be in the service of the Thunder Celestial Hall.

His thoughts were cut short as Wang Lin’s eyes opened once more. This time, his gaze was normal. The previous moment of terror had shaken not only the warrior, but Wang Lin himself. *Was that a glimpse into the Third Step of cultivation?* he wondered. Such sensations were fleeting, almost impossible to grasp. He felt as though he had touched something profound, yet his cultivation was too weak to comprehend it fully.

Those fleeting, unreal fragments of insight had opened a doorway to the Third Step, a chance encounter that would drive all cultivators within Luo Tian and beyond to madness! The pursuit of the Third Step was the singular obsession of figures such as Heavenly Fate Child, and they would sacrifice everything in its pursuit. To them, the path to the Third Step was invisible, a riddle without a solution, lost in an endless maze.

But Wang Lin, guided by the ancient bead, had glimpsed that forbidden realm. Destiny, it seemed, was a fickle mistress.

Having seen even a glimpse of the Third Step, Wang Lin’s future potential had become boundless and unimaginable.

“Junior Shen Gonghu, a Second-Grade Envoy of the Thunder Celestial Hall, greets Senior!” The warrior prostrated himself, his actions mirroring the profound respect he had shown only when taking his first master, expressing his feverish devotion.

Such a sight would astonish any witness, for Shen Gonghu was known for his unruly spirit and ruthless methods, a figure feared even among the Envoys. Many cultivation clans were loath to cross his path.

Moreover, his talent was undeniable. The very Lord of the Thunder Celestial Hall had declared that Shen Gonghu’s aptitude placed him among the top thirty talents in the entirety of Luo Tian.

Despite having cultivated for merely a thousand years, he had reached the peak of Yang Solidification, nearly perfected. Such rapid progress was more frightening than his ruthless disposition.

For none could predict the limits of his potential, and any day he might well breakthrough into the true Second Step.

Wang Lin remained unmoved, his gaze serene as he looked upon Shen Gonghu. Having touched the Third Step, his cultivation remained unchanged, yet his soul had undergone a fundamental metamorphosis. He could now face Heavenly Fate Child without fear, like a mortal who has witnessed the power of a god, and can meet the gaze of an earthly emperor without flinching.

Though Shen Gonghu no longer felt the crushing pressure of the previous moment, his heart still trembled. The terror of that encounter had been indelibly etched into his spirit, never to be forgotten.

In truth, this too was an opportunity of immense value. Had figures like Heavenly Fate Child been given the choice, and knowing there was no hope of obtaining the bead, they would not have hesitated to experience such a thing themselves. Even the Thunder Beast beside him lowered its head, devoid of all its former arrogance.

Wang Lin retracted his gaze. “What is it?” he asked, his tone flat. His thoughts remained entangled with the fleeting vision, shaping his very words.

Moreover, despite being a Yang Solidification cultivator, Shen Gonghu’s spirit was damaged, his Dao Heart weakened. It was doubtful he could even muster the strength of Yin Void.
The thunder beast dared not lift its head, cowed by the spectacle it had just witnessed. Terror held it captive.

Wang Lin’s simple words struck Shen Gonghu dumb. He stammered, bowing low, “Junior…”

Before he could finish, Wang Lin waved his hand dismissively, saying slowly, “If you have no other business, be gone!”

He longed to study the Heaven Defying Bead’s strange transformation. Its power far exceeded his wildest imaginings. Merely opening a sliver had granted him a glimpse into the Third Step of cultivation. If it were fully unlocked…

Wang Lin’s heart pounded in his chest. He could scarcely conceive of the possibilities.

Moreover, this recent dream had eased the tension within his comprehension, bringing him closer to the pinnacle of the first step of cultivation, the Grand Completion.

Shen Gonghu considered Wang Lin’s demeanor perfectly normal. Such was the nature of a powerful being. He had disturbed this senior’s cultivation, and the fact that he wasn’t slain was a mercy beyond measure.

Recalling that piercing gaze, Shen Gonghu had no doubt that the senior had spared him. Otherwise, certain death would have been his fate! His trembling mind and shock had transformed into overwhelming fervor and reverence. He took a deep breath and said respectfully, “Senior, this junior, Shen Gonghu, of the Shen Gong family of the Southern Domain of Luo Tian, a Second-Class Envoy of the Thunder Immortal Hall, a cultivator of the Yang Solidification Realm, begs to become your adherent!”

He could not discern Wang Lin’s true cultivation, yet that terrifying gaze made him disregard such concerns. He even believed this to be the mark of a true master! A true master, even when concealing their power, would project an air of one who could not be concealed, like a veritable Ascendant cultivator.

“Adherent?” Wang Lin asked, taken aback, as he looked at Shen Gonghu.

Shen Gonghu hastily replied with utmost respect, “Junior’s cultivation is insufficient, and I know I am unworthy to be your adherent. However, my sincerity is boundless! Moreover, many cultivation families are attached to this junior. If you have any needs, they will be met without question. Junior knows these worldly trifles are beneath your notice, but I implore you to consider my sincere intentions and allow me to be your adherent…”

Wang Lin frowned, and after a moment’s contemplation, shook his head. He could not repeat the technique he’d used earlier, and he saw the arrogance within this man at a glance. Should he ever discover the truth, it would cause unnecessary trouble.

Seeing Wang Lin’s rejection, Shen Gonghu quickly spoke, “Senior, I am sincere and unwavering. I shall never regret this decision, nor will I ever trouble you. I ask only for a few words of guidance upon my next breakthrough. I offer my Dao Soul, requesting you to accept my adherence for a millennium!”

As he spoke, he formed a hand seal and pressed it upon his crown. Instantly, a swirling black aura rose from his head, containing his comprehension and Dao Essence.

Within the Luo Tian Starfield, adherents were given the choice of what to offer, and this Dao Soul was the highest, and most restrictive, of all.

Once the Dao Soul was in another’s grasp, one’s very mind could be influenced, an act with profound implications, though it did not mean instant death.

The offering of his Dao Soul revealed Shen Gonghu’s sincerity! He was truly terrified by Wang Lin’s earlier gaze. A feeling stirred within him – should he forsake this opportunity, he would regret it for the rest of his days.

Shen Gonghu trusted his instincts implicitly. Many important decisions in his life were based on these strange feelings, and now, that feeling was stronger than ever, reinforcing his conviction.

Gazing at Shen Gonghu’s offered Dao Soul, Wang Lin’s eyes narrowed. Although he did not recognize it specifically, he understood its significance. After a long deliberation, he slowly said, “Are you sure you won’t regret this?”

Shen Gonghu immediately replied with utmost respect, “Junior will never regret it!”

Wang Lin no longer hesitated. He summoned Shen Gonghu’s Dao Soul with a flick of his wrist and swallowed it whole, merging it into his own Primordial Spirit.

“Why did you come here?” he asked plainly after claiming the Dao Soul.

“The Thunder Immortal Realm is about to open. I planned to cultivate my Yuan Power in this area…” Shen Gonghu said with a wry smile.