"Of course not."
Lin Zhao chuckled, "Heaven gave me my talents, they must be useful. You have to believe in yourself."
"Mm."
Xu Ming'an frowned and asked, "What do we do next?"
"Leave it to me."
Lin Zhao crossed his arms and sat by the windowsill. A sliver of moonlight fell upon his face. Seeing his confident demeanor, Xu Ming'an finally felt at ease. Lin Zhao was roughly the same age as himself, not much different. Yet, Lin Zhao possessed a caution and composure that seemed innate. He wondered when he would become someone like Lin Zhao.
Xu Ming'an frowned. Lin Zhao couldn't protect him forever. He needed to become smarter. Learning from his mistakes was essential. Otherwise, how could he protect his two disciples in the future? It wasn't just about alchemy; he also needed to prioritize cultivating the heart method and immortal arts from the Danxia Scroll. In short, he needed to get stronger as soon as possible!
In front of the Taoist temple, Lin Zhao and Xu Ming'an processed the wild boar together. They separated the meat from the bones overnight, hanging the strips of meat to air dry. By morning, Lin Zhao personally brewed a pot of pork heart soup and called the two children to wake up for breakfast. The children ate with great joy. Fortunately, the children didn't recognize Lin Zhao, nor did they know he was the Mountain Master, otherwise Xu Ming'an would have known Lin Zhao's true identity.
It was also because Xu Ming'an had lived in the mountains for a long time, was out of touch with the world, and unwilling to associate with others, that he hadn't heard the saying "Lin Baiyi of the Snow Region Heavenly Lake, who in the world knows you?" Lin Zhao, however, was content with this anonymity. Being out of touch with the world allowed him to guard his peace of mind, and perhaps Xu Ming'an's cultivation realm would reach an astonishing level in the future.
After breakfast, Lin Zhao gave some instructions. He told Xu Ming'an not to descend the mountain recently and to stay on the mountain with his two disciples, cultivating diligently and refining pills. He said not to worry about other matters. After saying this, Lin Zhao descended the mountain. As he stepped into the forest, he rode the sword light of his red leaf flying sword southward, heading towards Fusu Great Wall.
...
Before even nearing Fusu Great Wall, he saw a figure clad in snow-white robes, enveloped in sword light, approaching him through the wind. It was Lin Wanhua. Having cultivated to her level, she no longer bothered with the conventional method of flying on a sword. Her body was one with the sword light, and her speed far surpassed that of low-level sword cultivators flying on their swords.
"You don't visit without a reason. What brings you here?" Lin Wanhua asked with a smile.
"Cough, cough..."
Lin Zhao scratched his head. "Would it be too fake if I said I came to see you?"
"Yes."
Lin Wanhua suppressed a smile and said, "And it would seem frivolous. Where did you learn such sweet talk?"
"So, I came to see Chi Zhongyu."
"Oh?"
Lin Wanhua replied, "Chi Zhongyu is cultivating in the Sword Tomb. He should be coming out today. If he doesn't come out soon, he probably won't ever come out."
"Sword Tomb?" Lin Zhao exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes, it's a forbidden area of Fusu Great Wall. Many talented individuals entered the Sword Tomb and never came out. Generally... no one willingly goes into the Sword Tomb to court death. Chi Zhongyu's state of mind led him there. Do you understand what I mean?"
"I understand!"
Lin Zhao adopted a look of disappointment, "What is this guy thinking? Giving up on himself?"
"I think so too."
Lin Wanhua turned around. "Let's go. Let's go see the Sword Tomb."
"Alright."
As the two arrived at the Sword Tomb, the morning sun shone brightly. Wei Yan, an old sword immortal of the twelfth realm imprisoned on the mountain before the Sword Tomb, craned his neck and took a look. He chuckled, "Rare visitors, rare visitors! Young lady Lin is actually here at the Sword Tomb. Who is this young man beside you? His cultivation is so low that you, young lady Lin, are personally accompanying him. Could he be your paramour?"
Immediately, Lin Wanhua's cheeks flushed. She glared fiercely at Wei Yan and said, "Elder Sword Immortal Wei, have you been getting too much itch recently? Do you particularly want to experience the sword qi of the thirteenth realm, or do you want to compare whose sword qi is sharper – mine or that of Elder Sword Immortal Lu Xinghe from a hundred years ago?"
"No need to compare."
Wei Yan laughed. "Lu Xinghe didn't have your sword heart and sword intent, young lady Lin. If he did, back then the demon race would have had to lose at least two more great demons of the thirteenth realm to destroy that old fellow Lu Xinghe."
"Hmph!"
Lin Wanhua's eyes held disdain. "Elder Sword Immortal Wei, don't you find it regrettable that you didn't go north with Elder Sword Immortal Lu Xinghe to kill demons back then? And now you're imprisoned in a place like this. Don't you find it bleak?"
"What could be done?"
Wei Yan's expression was bitter. "My thirteenth realm Great Dao was severed by that ruthless old fellow Lu Xinghe with a single sword strike. If he hadn't, my old Wei might have genuinely been able to muster the strength to become a thirteenth realm sword immortal a hundred years ago. Alas, it's the bitter fruit he sowed. I can't blame anyone for his death."
"Some people,"
Lin Wanhua sneered, "have their hearts twisted. Even if they were at the thirteenth realm and went to the Northern Region, that sword might not have landed on the demon race. Perhaps it would have landed on their own people."
Wei Yan grinned. "Young lady Lin, let's make a bet. If you let me go, I, Wei Yan, will perform a feat of a sword strike against a great demon for you! I was gambling on that pride back then, for the sake of the prosperity and honor of the hundreds of thousands of Xia clan descendants in our Fusu Great Wall. Why shouldn't I kill demons? As long as there's an opportunity, I, Wei Yan, will kill demons without hesitation!"
"I know."
Lin Wanhua smiled faintly, too lazy to pay him any mind.
However, Wei Yan narrowed his eyes and stared intently at Lin Zhao. When Lin Zhao felt a prickle all over his body, this peak twelfth realm old sword immortal, who was being held captive, squinted and smiled. "Hey, son-in-law, tell me, how did you get young lady Lin? This girl has such a bad temper and a particularly capricious personality. She draws her sword and attacks people at the slightest disagreement. Her cultivation is high, and her swordsmanship is strong. How did you tame a woman like this?"
"Wei Yan!"
Before Lin Zhao could speak, Lin Wanhua became furious. A flash of sword light swept past, and the old sword immortal's thigh was instantly struck by a sword, bleeding profusely. He immediately clutched his thigh and sighed mournfully. "She's gotten angry! I told you, with young lady Lin's terrible temper and her thirteenth realm cultivation, how many men are fortunate enough to endure her? Son-in-law, have you perhaps cultivated the Golden Bell Shield? And the invincible Nine Heavens?"
Lin Zhao scratched his head, wanting to explain, but Lin Wanhua said, "There's nothing to say to people like him. Let's go to the Sword Tomb."
"Oh."
Lin Zhao clasped his hands in a salute to Wei Yan. "Elder Sword Immortal Wei, my name is Lin Zhao."
"Alright."
Wei Jianxian, while sealing his wound and dispelling the fine sword qi from the sharp sword intent, looked up. Suddenly, his heart trembled. Lin Zhao? Lin Baiyi? My god, could it be that young martial artist from a hundred years ago? Oh my heavens, this kid actually disassembled himself and reincarnated? Incredible! No wonder young lady Lin fell for him. If it were him, it wouldn't be strange. After all, what maiden doesn't yearn for love, and what woman doesn't love a hero?
Elder Wei Jianxian grinned. If nothing else, his understanding of emotions and the human heart was exceptionally profound!
...
Lin Wanhua raised her finger, and the Sword Tomb instantly separated a sword path prohibition. When Lin Zhao also stepped into the forbidden area of the Sword Tomb, the entire spiritual void and the three Sword Containment Lakes began to hum, reacting strongly. The sword intent and Yin energy in this realm were too dense. Ahead, strands of Yin souls were suppressed by Lin Wanhua's sword intent and all cowered. In the distance, a tattered figure was stumbling forward. It was Chi Zhongyu.
At this moment, Chi Zhongyu could be described as covered in wounds. Lin Zhao felt his scalp tingle. Even from Chi Zhongyu's torn clothes and wounds, there were wisps of ghastly green Yin soul remnants. However, Lin Zhao inexplicably felt that although Chi Zhongyu was in a sorry state, he seemed to have become stronger than before, especially his sword intent, which was much stronger than before.
"Looks pretty good."
Lin Wanhua smiled. "It's good that you can walk out alive."
"Heh heh!"
Chi Zhongyu leaned on a sword with a chipped blade and smiled. "The Sword Tomb is indeed quite interesting."
"How was your harvest?" Lin Zhao asked.
"Not bad!"
Chi Zhongyu said, "Reporting to the Mountain Master, I obtained two immortal-grade flying swords, and I also received the recognition of eight ancient sword intents. Although this trip was dangerous and I almost didn't make it back, you know, if you're willing to fight for your life, even ghosts will fear you. I just walked back like this. I feel... I'm now a peak Star River realm sword cultivator, right, City Lord?"
"You are."
Lin Wanhua chuckled. "Star River realm perfection. Only one step away from the eleventh realm. The next step is to slay the inner demon and break through. It depends on whether you can cross this hurdle."
"Yes, thank you for your guidance, City Lord!"
"Is it very artistic to talk in the Sword Tomb? Let's go out first."
"Okay."
...
The three of them walked out of the Sword Tomb.
"Yo, little brother Chi Zhongyu is out! Nice, nice!" Wei Yan said jovially. "Don't forget our agreement. You owe me two roast chickens."
"Don't worry."
Chi Zhongyu nodded with a smile. Then, he looked at Lin Zhao and said, "Mountain Master, did you come to find me this time?"
"Mm."
Lin Zhao frowned, looking at his severe injuries. "Originally, there was something that felt most suitable for you to handle. But now, with your injuries being too severe, it probably won't be as suitable."
"What are you saying..."
Chi Zhongyu said, "Mountain Master, if you have any instructions, just say the word. Let's hear it first. If I can do it, I will. If I can't, I won't pretend to be capable."
"Mm."
Lin Zhao pondered for a moment. "I have a friend named Xu Ming'an who lives in a Taoist temple on Jiuhua Mountain. He previously obtained a secret manual from Old Taoist Wang and managed to refine the lost Zhenyuan Pill. Afterward, he was targeted. The ones targeting him are Medicine King Valley and the Lu clan of Yun Prefecture. They are quite troublesome. However, I can't assign Huang Tingyu, Zuo Zhi, or Chen Ben to be stationed at the Taoist temple permanently. They need to guard the Snow Region Heavenly Lake. So, I was looking for the most idle person..."
"Ah?!"
Chi Zhongyu was stunned. "In your eyes, I was the most idle person..."
"Otherwise?"
"Hahaha~~~"
Chi Zhongyu scratched his head. "Indeed... but what are the strengths of Medicine King Valley and the Lu clan of Yun Prefecture?"
Lin Wanhua narrowed her beautiful eyes and smiled. "Medicine King Valley has three eleventh realm cultivators: Medicine King Sun Qinghe, martial artist Su Zhe, and Patriarch Sun Tingxuan. Their combat strength is only average. The Lu clan of Yun Prefecture has an eleventh realm retainer named Hu Qi, who is a paper-tiger Heavenly Origin realm cultivator. With your current strength, Chi Zhongyu, fighting all four would be fatal. If you fight any one of them alone, you have a good chance of winning against a spiritual cultivator. Fighting a Heavenly Origin martial artist would be difficult, but in any case, it would be enough to delay them for a while. That time would be enough for me to reach Jiuhua Mountain."
"What about your injuries?" Lin Zhao asked.
"I'll be fine after a nap. They're just superficial wounds," Chi Zhongyu said, patting his chest.
"Alright!"
Lin Zhao gently patted his shoulder and chuckled, "It's you!"