Chapter 51 Rank 4 Stage

Splash! Splash! Splash!

Within the aperture, waves of snow-silver primeval essence rose and fell, churning like a raging tide. Under Lin Feng’s control, seventy percent of the primeval sea crashed toward the aperture walls.

The endless torrent crashed against the aperture again and again, each impact bringing about subtle changes. What had once been a gradual accumulation was now approaching a qualitative transformation.

This was the threshold of Rank Four! Under Lin Feng’s control, the torrent split into countless streams, each one relentlessly striking the aperture walls. Every bit of his previous accumulation was being sublimated at this very moment.

A faint cracking sound echoed throughout the aperture as countless fine cracks slowly spread across its walls.

Within the cracks, dazzling white light burst forth. The fractures spread faster and faster until the aperture walls finally collapsed. Countless crystal fragments broke away and fell into the primeval sea below.

The transformation continued throughout the entire night. Only when the first rays of dawn rose over the horizon did it finally come to an end.

The crystal walls had vanished completely, replaced by a thin membrane of light. Though seemingly fragile, it was far more resilient than before, illuminating the entire aperture with a radiant glow.

At the bottom of the primeval sea, a wisp of pale golden primeval essence slowly condensed. As more and more golden essence appeared, the sea gradually began to rise.

Golden primeval essence!

Its appearance marked Lin Feng’s successful breakthrough. He had shattered the limits of Rank Three and officially stepped into the realm of a Rank Four Gu Master.

In the Gu world, Gu Masters are divided into five mortal ranks, from Rank One to Rank Five.

Rank One Gu Masters are little more than apprentices, responsible for miscellaneous tasks and the most dangerous, least rewarding missions. Upon reaching Rank Two, they become the backbone of their clan, capable of leading small teams and choosing suitable missions for themselves.

Rank Three marks the point where a Gu Master truly enters the clan’s upper ranks. They become elders or key members entrusted with managing part of the clan’s affairs and In many small and medium-sized clans, a Rank Four Gu Master is already qualified to become the clan leader and command the entire clan.

Rank Five Gu Masters stand at the pinnacle of the mortal world. Every one of their actions can influence the fate of an entire region, drawing the attention of countless Gu Masters.

Regardless of whether it was Southern Border, Central Continent, or the other three regions, a Rank Four Gu Master was already considered a major figure. Many clans possessed only one or two such experts, and reaching this realm was enough to travel the world with confidence.

Only now could Lin Feng truly be considered a powerhouse among mortal Gu Masters.

Now, if Lin Feng wished, he could find an unclaimed mountain, locate a primeval spring, and establish a brand-new village. By taking wives and raising descendants, he could build a small clan from nothing within a few decades.

Unfortunately, that had never been the life he wanted. His wish was simple: to live freely, without being bound by anyone or anything.

Everyone is born into an invisible prison. Family, love, ambition, responsibility… one chain is replaced by another. As the years pass, people gradually learn to wear masks, living not for themselves, but for the expectations of others.

In his previous life, he had always believed freedom lay just ahead. As a child, he was told, “When you grow up, you’ll be free.” After growing up, it became, “Find a stable future, then you’ll be free.” After that came work, love, marriage, children, and countless responsibilities. Before he knew it, half his life had slipped away.

Looking back, he realized he had merely stepped from one cage into another. The things he truly wished to do had always been postponed until tomorrow.

Then one day, he would repeat the very same words to his own children, just as his parents had once said to him.

Only then did he understand. For ordinary people, freedom had never truly existed. Life was an endless cycle of responsibilities, with each generation inheriting the chains of the last.

The time when people are truly the freest is often their childhood. Yet it is precisely then that they long most desperately to grow up, believing adulthood will grant them the freedom to do whatever they please. It is like holding the key to freedom in one’s own hands, only to let it slip away without ever realizing its value. People rarely recognize freedom while they possess it. Only after losing it do they begin to understand what it was worth.

That was why, for Lin Feng, a transmigrator fortunate enough to begin life anew in another world, there was no reason to repeat the regrets of his previous life. Since fate had granted him a second chance, he intended to live it on his own terms. At this moment, he wanted nothing more than to follow his own heart and pursue his goals in the way he believed was right. Only such a life was worth living. Only then could he truly feel the passion of life and the meaning of freedom.