Heaven and earth bestowed titles, and the Great Dao took root within him.
Han Buyu stood before Lin Zhao, gazing at his own body with disbelief. At this moment, his Dharmakaya was far more powerful than it had been a decade ago. After all, Mount Tianchi was the foremost great peak in the northern territories of the human race, and it bore the deep heritage of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond. Thus, even the Lord of Mount Tianchi could not be mediocre.
Therefore, the moment Han Buyu accepted the bestowal from heaven and earth and became the Lord of Mount Tianchi, his cultivation base was directly elevated to the twelfth realm. A further advancement on the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond granted him combat power comparable to the thirteenth realm. Moreover, Han Buyu was a sword cultivator, so the combat power of this Lord of Mount Tianchi was not to be underestimated.
"Lin Zhao..."
After accepting the bestowal, Han Buyu was bathed in golden light and appeared much younger. However, he frowned and said, "This is a title meant for Lord Su. I... I..."
"..."
Lin Zhao remained silent for a long time, contemplating many things before speaking. "Old Sword Immortal Han, since it is a divine decree from heaven and earth, and thus the will of heaven, there is no need to dwell on it so much. Now that Lord Su is no longer in this world, whether he has reincarnated or is lingering somewhere in the human realm, the position of Lord of Mount Tianchi is indeed vacant. Even if Lord Su knew, he would likely wish for his old friend like you to temporarily take over as the Mountain Lord, as it is beneficial for the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond and for the human race."
"But..."
Han Buyu still hesitated, even considering refusing the bestowed title.
"Sword Immortal Han."
Not far away, Gu Lingyu cupped his hands in greeting and smiled, "Junior Uncle is right. Since it is a gift from heaven and earth, there is no need to be bound by it. When Lord Su returns in the future, naturally, other titles will await him. Lord Su's merits in the human world far exceed yours. If this world has not wronged you, how could it wrong Lord Su?"
"Precisely."
Tang Guangjun crossed his arms and chuckled, "Old Sword Immortal Han, perhaps when Lord Su returns, he will be bestowed the title of ruler of ten thousand leagues. At that time, even you will be his subordinate. So there's no need to feel anxious. Embrace what has come, and find peace. The Snow Domain Heavenly Pond indeed needs a Mountain Lord to oversee it. Please, do not refuse any further."
"Hmm."
Lin Zhao nodded again, his eyes filled with sincerity.
"Alright..."
Han Buyu furrowed his brow, bowed slightly, and said, "Han Buyu is not one to overstep his bounds. My merits can never compare to Lord Su's. If Lord Su returns and still desires this position, Han Buyu is willing to shatter his golden body and yield, returning to my former roles as a Master of Cloud or Rain without any issue."
Lin Zhao smiled joyfully, "Excellent! Yu Wan Ning, contact the Mohist Ancestral Court and dispatch some craftsmen. Starting tomorrow, they will help Old Sword Immortal Han renovate the Mountain Lord's shrine. Our Snow Domain Heavenly Pond should present a new face."
Yu Wan Ning nodded with a smile.
Everyone offered their congratulations to Han Buyu one by one. Only Tong Yu had vanished without a trace. As Lin Zhao looked up searching for her, he saw a solitary figure sitting on the cliff edge of the mountain peak.
He chuckled and shook his head, then immediately rode a streak of sword light towards the summit.
...
On the cliff edge, the evening breeze blew, feeling particularly cold.
Tong Yu, in a snow-white dress, sat by the cliff edge, her fair, slender legs swinging gently in the wind. She gazed at the distant mountains, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, her beautiful eyes filled with melancholy.
"Rustle..."
Lin Zhao descended gracefully and sat beside Tong Yu, watching the night scenery of the distant mountains with her.
"Brother Lin Zhao."
Tong Yu pursed her red lips and said, "Why are you here too?"
"To accompany you."
Lin Zhao spoke softly, "Tong Yu, Old Sword Immortal Han has taken Lord Su's position, so you are not happy, are you?"
"No, I just..."
The maiden wanted to argue, but then felt it was unnecessary. She was indeed unhappy about this matter.
Lin Zhao smiled slightly and said, "The bond between you and Lord Su, I am actually aware of it."
"Ah?"
Tong Yu's small mouth parted slightly. "Brother Lin Zhao, I'm sorry..."
Her delicate brows knitted, and she seemed to want to say more, but then she thought that as a Sword Immortal of the mountain, she should be more resolute. Acting coy like women of the mortal world would be too ungraceful. Thus, she said softly, "Originally, you were the one I loved most. I wanted to stay by your side forever. If you were willing, I would be your wife. If not, I would be your confidante. But... later, I suddenly seemed to awaken, remembering my past and present lives. Therefore, I could no longer place you first."
"It's alright, I don't ask for such things."
Lin Zhao smiled and said, "Regarding your past life and events with Lord Su, I have investigated some of them, and there are even many things you do not know."
"Ah?"
Tong Yu pouted. "Tell me."
"Do you know that the world we inhabit can be called the Spirit Realm? It is not truly real?"
"I have felt it a little."
Tong Yu frowned and said, "But not very clearly."
"That's right."
Lin Zhao said, "In another, more real world, your name was Lin Yue, and his was Lin Su. You were lovers who had never met. Just as you were about to meet, a disaster occurred. You were washed away by a mudslide, while Lin Su constantly yearned for you, eventually sacrificing himself for you, and also left the real world, becoming the Lord Su that we know."
"..."
Tong Yu remained silent, but her eyes were already filled with tears. In the moonlight, pearl-like tears continuously rolled down her cheeks.
Lin Zhao said, "I am the junior brother of Ding Muchen. In my heart, not only am I his junior brother in this Spirit Realm, but in reality, I am also the junior brother of Ding Muchen, the last Knight of the national server."
His eyes reddened, and he looked at Tong Yu. "Lin Su is Ding Muchen's best brother, so he is also my elder brother Lin Su... Tong Yu, do you think I would not favor him? No matter the time or place, I never want to let down elder brother Lin Su..."
Tong Yu cried and nodded, "Brother Lin Zhao, I know, I know..."
Lin Zhao looked into the distance and said, "This world is very strange, and also very vexing. Many things do not turn out as we wish. Therefore, we must work harder. Because only those who are willing to strive will eventually be able to reach each other. I hope you can remember that life as Lin Yue. She left on her way to Lin Su. So in this life, I hope you can find him smoothly. In the past, it was always elder brother Lin Su waiting for you. This time, it is your turn to wait for him..."
"Mm... Mm..."
Tong Yu wiped her tears as she nodded, "Brother Lin Zhao, I understand."
"Alright."
Lin Zhao turned around and looked at Tong Yu. "Don't cry anymore. Wipe your tears. You are now the peak combat power of our Mountain Peak Villa, Tong Yu of the twelfth realm. There are many things to be done in the future. I promise you, after we eliminate the demon race, I will give you a long vacation. You can travel the world, wander through mountains and seas, and slowly find him. Moreover, your bond and karma are so deep, I believe you will definitely find him. So do not cry. The future will certainly have a good outcome."
Tong Yu vigorously wiped her tears with her sleeve, revealing a smile, and nodded firmly. "Mm!"
Lin Zhao stood up and practiced his punches under the moonlight.
Tong Yu sat beside him with a smile, her sword intent flowing naturally. Even watching Lin Zhao practice did not disrupt her own cultivation. Furthermore, Tong Yu's state of mind had become more open. The one she loved most was Lord Su, but this did not affect her liking for Brother Lin Zhao. The relationship between them was akin to family, surpassing mere kinship. Her love for Lord Su did not preclude her second preference for Brother Lin Zhao; the two were not in conflict.
The corners of her mouth turned up slightly, and she suddenly began to understand Sister Su Qingjiu's feelings for Brother Lin Zhao.
...
Early morning.
Dong Cang and Liu Liying prepared various kinds of noodles, and everyone gathered around, slurping them down with gusto. After eating, they each attended to their own tasks. Huang Tingyu and Yu Wan Ning went to the Snow Domain Army camp below the mountain to take command. Zhuo Zhi and Tong Yu went up the mountain to inspect the progress of the construction of the buildings in the Mountain Peak Villa. Zhang Luobai and Zhuang Yirong practiced in the forest. Lin Zhijie wandered in the wilderness. Lin Zhao did not stay in the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond either; he rode his sword alone to the Ghost Realm to level up.
"Swish!"
A streak of fiery red light landed in a valley within the Ghost Realm. As Lin Zhao looked up, a large tomb exuding a dense aura of death lay before him. This was the heartland of the Ghost Realm, where the monster levels were very high. Even ghouls and gaping-mouthed ghost soldiers were high-level monsters around level 225. In addition, there were many high-tier monsters like undead knights and zero-fire knights, and even quasi-bosses like crimson hellfire. The gains from killing them were bound to be substantial.
"Here it comes, here it comes!"
He laughed heartily. Leisurely leveling up was the happiest time. With one hand outstretched, he activated the Flame Demon Wolf Phantom Armor to increase his attack power. Immediately, he charged into the monster horde, holding the Zhanlu Sword. He lured over a thousand monsters and then unleashed his full firepower. His four natal flying swords shuttled back and forth through the monster horde like shooting stars. The 72 Ephemeral Flying Swords also flew out of the orange gourd one by one, unleashing rows of damage numbers above the monsters.
The sword blade gleamed with icy light. Several ultimate moves from the Eternal Sword Scripture continuously refreshed and fell upon the monster horde, dealing terrifying damage numbers. At this moment, Lin Zhao's leveling efficiency was monstrous. At this rate, he could level up in about 30 minutes. Reaching level 220 was not a dream. The reason he was leveling up so desperately was not to climb the national server's level rankings, but to gain more levels as material for his realm transformation.
...
In the evening, Lin Zhao, with monstrous efficiency, had leveled up to 214, regaining the top spot on the national server's level rankings. This caused a stir on the national server forum, with many jokingly saying "Lin Baiyi is leveling up again, damn it." Lin Zhao no longer cared how the national server commented on him. His sole focus now was to eliminate the demon race and provide the people of the national server with an excellent environment for leveling and grinding.
Once the demon race was defeated, the era of players being suppressed would be over!
Dinner, everyone was present.
Even, at Lin Zhao's suggestion, Lin Xingchu and Shang Xuli were invited. Coupled with Han Buyu of the twelfth realm, the combat power purely from divine beings was already terrifying.
After several rounds of drinks, Lin Zhao put down his wine cup and said, "Eat some more dishes. In a while, we will all go to the Demon Ancestral Mountain. We need to retrieve Xiao Jiuer's Seeking Deer Sword and Tang Guangjun's Ascending Heaven Sword!"
Immediately, everyone was invigorated. Finally, Lin Zhao had given the order.