Emerald skies cleaved asunder by a thunderous bolt, in whose heart a colossal beast rode the storm. Its form, a monstrous amalgamation, possessed silver horns yet emanated a golden aura, crackling with celestial energy—a sight of divine terror.

Upon this thunder-forged mount sat Wang Lin, his long hair whipped back by the tempestuous winds. His eyes, pools of concentrated essence, opened and closed with flashes of inner light. Though his posture was unassuming, an aura of extraordinary power radiated from him, a testament to his arduous path.

Indeed, any who beheld him at this moment would swear he was an emissary of the Thunder Celestial Temple. His likeness to the Thunder Daoist who ventured towards Ran Yun Star so many years ago was uncanny, a mirror image.

Even the true envoys of the Thunder Celestial Temple might pause, a flicker of doubt in their eyes, upon encountering him.

Nine centuries of cultivation had elevated Wang Lin to the peak of the Asking stage, a feat akin to the legendary Vermillion Bird.

Were Zhu Que Lan alive to witness this, what thoughts would stir within him? The insignificant figure he once dismissed, even used as a pawn, had risen to such formidable heights!

A cultivator at the pinnacle of Asking was akin to a god in the smaller cultivation realms—untouchable. Only those wielding heaven-defying artifacts could even dare to challenge them, and even then, defeat was almost certain.

After nearly a year of absorbing celestial energy, Wang Lin had finally reached this breathtaking apex. One more step, the mastery of his cultivation and understanding of the Dao brought to completion, and he could embark upon the second step of cultivation!

The second step, a path walked by few, was a trial far exceeding anything encountered on the first.

Though Wang Lin had not yet reached it, his limited encounters with cultivators of the Yin Yang Void Realm had granted him a chilling understanding of their immense power.

“Even the first step of cultivation is fraught with such peril,” he mused. “Recalling these past nine hundred years, danger lurked at every turn. A single misstep could have meant utter obliteration. Had it not been for the Venerable Zhou Yi, I would have perished during the Trial of Knowing the Dao.”

If the first step was so treacherous, the second would undoubtedly be even more arduous, a crucible of life and death. “Whether I can overcome it, I do not know. But in life, to yield is to be mortal; to defy is to seek immortality. As long as the Dao heart burns, all obstacles can be shattered!” Determination ignited in Wang Lin’s eyes.

“And then there is the third step, a realm even Tian Yunzi and others have yet to grasp, a pursuit they desperately chase. What manner of existence is this third step? How does it compare to the Ancient Gods?” A flicker of anticipation danced within his gaze.

He knew, however, that the third step was impossibly elusive, a path he might never even glimpse before his lifespan ran its course.

“The three steps of cultivation are like scaling a mountain, each more treacherous than the last. How many levels lie within the third step? And does a fourth step even exist?” Wang Lin placed his hand upon the thunder beast’s head, stroking it gently. Lightning danced across his arm, yet it had no effect on him.

“A fourth step…could it be?” he whispered, as if questioning the vast, star-strewn cosmos itself.

In this realm, no one could answer.

With a roar, the thunder beast carried Wang Lin towards Thousand Illusions Star. Dan Yun Star, the place of buried memories, he had no desire to revisit.

“The opportunity to explore the Cloud Mist Star’s Wang Yue has arrived. A large quantity of Ascending Immortal Fruits is needed, and the Illusion Clan is the best choice!” Though slower than using the Stellar Compass, the thunder beast’s speed was still formidable.

“My true form has absorbed the essence of a small planet, its power approaching the Four-Star level. Yet it lacks the aura of a fully matured Ancient God. I wonder if such a thing exists within the Luo Tian Star Field…” A spark of inspiration ignited in Wang Lin’s mind.

“Wang Yue, as a parasite within the body of an Ancient God, might possess remnants of that ancient power!” He pondered, recalling a scene from years past.

“During my time on Tian Yun Star, the emissary of the Cultivation Alliance possessed a Star-Tracking Beast. This creature is highly sensitive to the H憾峰神步 and , making finding Ancient God remains significantly easier.”

The thunder beast streaked across the void, and after half a month, Thousand Illusions Star appeared in Wang Lin’s sight. His gaze was serene as the beast hurtled towards the planet.

As they approached, countless thunderclouds materialized above Thousand Illusions Star, and deafening roars reverberated across the heavens, immediately drawing the attention of the planet’s cultivators.

The thunder beast tore through the atmospheric barrier and hovered in the sky above Thousand Illusions Star. Then, it lifted its head and unleashed a deafening roar, the very essence of all thunder in existence.

With a cataclysmic boom, the roar ignited the surrounding thunderclouds, unleashing a torrential downpour of lightning that echoed endlessly.

Just as the Thunder Daoist had descended upon Ran Yun Star, this thunderous symphony sent tremors of spiritual power throughout the bodies of nearly all cultivators on Thousand Illusions Star.

With the third imprint unlocked, the thunder beast’s innate power, combined with its ancestral abilities, rivaled that of a cultivator in the Yin Void Realm!

Wang Lin frowned. He had not intended such a flamboyant entrance. He patted the beast’s head, and the roaring ceased. The thunder beast descended, flying swiftly towards the ground.

Guided by Wang Lin’s memory, the thunder beast headed directly for the Illusion Clan’s domain.

Before they could even approach, the Illusion Clan rose to meet them, led by the clan head, Huan Fengshen, their eyes wide with shock as they beheld the approaching thunderous light.

Especially when they recognized Wang Lin, seated upon the back of the monstrous beast, murmurs of disbelief and terror swept through the clan.

The people of the Illusion Clan would never forget Wang Lin.

“Illusion Clan Head, step forward!” Wang Lin commanded from atop the thunder beast, his gaze crackling with electric energy.

Huan Fengshen took a deep breath, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully. “Huan Fengshen, Clan Head of the Illusion Clan, greets the envoy of the Thunder Celestial Temple. Forgive my ignorance, I was unaware of your esteemed identity.”

Wang Lin did not bother to correct the misidentification. “Let us not dwell on the past. I ask you, do you have a way to acquire a large quantity of Ascending Immortal Fruits in a short time?”

“Ascending Immortal Fruits?” Huan Fengshen hesitated, then said with a bitter expression, “Envoy…this…”

Wang Lin’s gaze hardened, his eyes fixed on Huan Fengshen. The thunder beast beneath him growled menacingly.

Huan Fengshen sighed inwardly, a look of determination settling on his face. “Very well. The Illusion Clan will relinquish our opportunity to enter the Thunder Celestial Realm in a hundred years. We will offer all the Ascending Immortal Fruits we have gathered to the envoy.”

Wang Lin’s expression remained impassive, but his interest piqued. Huan Fengshen’s words suggested that the Ascending Immortal Fruits were somehow connected to the Thunder Celestial Realm. He had heard of the Thunder Celestial Realm opening in a hundred years from Sun Xi many years ago.

Wang Lin remained unfazed and nodded slightly.

The Illusion Clan possessed a considerable number of Ascending Immortal Fruits, but it was still not enough to meet Wang Lin’s needs.

“I may have to borrow the reputation of the Thunder Celestial Temple to request assistance from the Northern Domain of Luo Tian!” Wang Lin stroked the thunder beast’s head, a plan forming in his mind.