Chapter 844 - 389: The Secret of Xuantian, the Red-Clad Remnant Soul

Chapter 844: Chapter 389: The Secret of Xuantian, the Red-Clad Remnant Soul

...

With each passing day, a year quickly went by.

[Life Span: 280/872]

[Realm: Golden Core Late Stage (44/100)]

On the sunlit Celestial Spring Peak, Lin Chang’an stepped out of his cave dwelling, gazing at the abode he had lived in for a century, his eyes rarely showing a hint of nostalgia.

"It’s a pity, I have to leave."

In the year leading up to the opening of the Secret Realm, the entire Demon Beast Abyss instead fell into an eerie calm.

Over this year, with the guidance of the red-clad fellow cultivator, Lin Chang’an’s cultivation grew reasonably well, but his understanding and mastery of various spells advanced at a remarkable speed.

Although the other person had lost many memories, their instinctual advice on cultivation for Lin Chang’an was akin to a dimensional blow.

Meanwhile, to prepare for the impending crisis from the Secret Realm, Lin Chang’an had also been nurturing the other person’s divine soul with Profound Immortal Mana throughout the year.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t clear if it was due to the backlash from the Soul-devouring Curse or the fact that their residual soul was sealed within a magical treasure.

Every time this magical treasure was used, the red-clad residual soul needed to sleep for a while to continue existing.

"Master."

The sword servant, bowing respectfully with cupped hands, had already organized everything, turning all of Celestial Spring Peak’s precious spirit plants and spirit fruits into resources.

"Moo!"

The Cyan-Horned Bull seemed to sense the imminent departure and let out a low moo.

"Let’s brew another pot of spirit tea. Who knows how long it will be till we return again."

Upon reaching the familiar pavilion, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but smile calmly.

Maybe with everything he’d experienced and the long life he’d lived, there was always an emotional reluctance toward such farewells.

Alas, he still had a long road ahead of him.

When looking back, these paths he had traveled would be among his cherished memories.

The eight-sided pavilion, eroded by time, retained faint marks.

Amidst the lingering fragrance of tea, Lin Chang’an felt a different sensation this time.

There was reluctance in leaving the dwelling he had cultivated in for a century, and anticipation for the future path toward Nascent Soul.

"I hope there will be a day of reunion."

Setting down the cup, Lin Chang’an looked at the letters that had been delivered earlier.

With Li Yifan’s departure, Shen Fan and Wei Yingying were now nearing the age of two hundred and forty.

For Foundation Establishment cultivators, this was undoubtedly considered old age.

Only a few Foundation Establishment cultivators could live for three hundred years.

"Shen Zhuang also returned, and the letters were sincere, assuming responsibility for the Shen Family and stabilizing the market together with Li Tianmo."

Looking at a letter, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but smile.

"Old friends are fading away one after another, and these juniors whom I watched grow up are reaching the end of their years."

Under the bright sunshine, the Celestial Spring Peak’s plants thrived in the spring breeze, exuding a lush vitality.

This time, Lin Chang’an didn’t feel much sadness, for over the years the juniors have all fared well, and their homeland had not encountered calamities in this past century.

For a moment, his heart was clear, a detached smile upon his face, realizing he was merely one of the countless beings in pursuit of a path beyond the cycle of reincarnation.

"Fairy Ni Chang of the Profound Sound Pavilion seriously injured?"

Reading Fairy Ni Chang’s letter, Lin Chang’an softly laughed.

Everyone was progressing; he too could not afford to stop.

This so-called serious injury was merely a facade to mislead others. Clearly, Fairy Ni Chang, as she had previously disclosed to him, would also risk venturing into the Secret Realm.

"Considering her age, Fairy Ni Chang is nearing three hundred years as well. Achieving such a realm with a Celestial Spirit Root, how could she not be willing to strive for more?"

Regarding the Profound Sound Pavilion’s planning and arrangements over these years, Lin Chang’an found himself nodding in approval.

The Profound Sound Pavilion had not behaved as domineeringly as the Long Family did initially; instead, the Zhao Sisters had returned to the Yue Kingdom to stabilize the rear.

Meanwhile, the Five Dragons Island Sea Region had Xu Lingfeng and Liu Ruyu, both Core Formation Middle Stage cultivators, along with two Core Formation Early Stage cultivators.

One had only advanced last year; though perhaps not aggressive enough, as long as major issues were avoided, they could sustain themselves.

"With such actions, the major sect clans of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance could at least be somewhat reassured."

After all, a too-powerful Profound Sound Pavilion would first be a concern for those within it.

"Yun Yao!"

Finally seeing the familiar letter, Lin Chang’an’s expression grew serious, knowing the appointed time was approaching, with Yun Yao set to head to Sea Abyss City.

This was why he planned to set off early, with Sea Abyss City being his first stop.

"Let’s go."

"Yes, Master!"

The sword servant respectfully cupped her hands, her cool gaze fixed only on Lin Chang’an.

To her, the Celestial Spring’s water was a memory, but following her master was her whole world.

"Moo!"

With a gentle, lingering low cry from the Cyan-Horned Bull, the Celestial Spring Peak returned to its usual tranquility.

Only a warm teacup within the pavilion seemed to tell of recent visitors.

The picturesque landscape, and the cultivators training at the foot of the mountain, remained oblivious to the happenings moments before.

The distance between mountain top and bottom seemed to mirror the gulf between high and low tier cultivators.

...

Half an hour later.

Two streams of light flickered, as Liu Ruyu and Xu Lingfeng appeared once more on Celestial Spring Peak.

"Elder Lin has left."

Seeing the empty space, only a tepid cup in the pavilion, Liu Ruyu couldn’t help but appear wistful.

Xu Lingfeng, however, remained silent, gazing here, recalling once meeting Lin Chang’an, full of spirit and vigor.

In just over a hundred years, Lin Chang’an had caught up with the sect master’s cultivation, leaving Xu Lingfeng far behind.

Over the years, Lin Chang’an’s contribution to the Profound Sound Pavilion couldn’t be understated.

"Junior Sister Liu, take the helm of our sect here. I’ll establish a cave dwelling at the mountain’s waist to focus on cultivation. Though I can’t keep pace with the sect master anymore,

I mustn’t give up, and I believe Sister-in-Chief and Elder Lin will return."

With this Core Formation Late Stage elder gone, and the sect master also secretly leaving,

the heavy burden fell onto their shoulders, letting them truly understand the immense pressure the Sect Master Ni Chang once bore.

At that moment, Xu Lingfeng seemed to grasp something, his expression grave, knowing only by cultivating and breaking through to the Core Formation Late Stage could he protect the sect.

Liu Ruyu also knew, despite being outshone in talent by her brother, the sect master’s aid in her breakthrough aimed for her to stabilize the sect’s internal matters.

Brother Xu’s actions, while fostering personal cultivation, also aimed to preserve the developmental direction left by the sect master and avoid power struggles.

"With that, I entrust the sect to you, Junior Sister."

Liu Ruyu took a deep breath, aware that the Profound Sound Pavilion was facing the imminent upheaval from the Demon Beast Abyss.

Such turmoil posed mortal risks to Nascent Soul cultivators, let alone those of the Core Formation sect.

The changes in the Profound Sound Pavilion weren’t overly surprising to many.

Over the years, Lin Chang’an had intentionally downplayed his presence, as had Fairy Ni Chang, coupled with the Seven Kingdoms Alliance diverting attention through spiritual ore exploitation abroad.

This led to the Profound Sound Pavilion and the Seven Kingdoms Alliance appearing less aggressive and overbearing.

Unlike the Long Family back then, where a crisis was immediately exacerbated by opportunists.

Of course, a more significant reason was the looming storm, causing everyone to quietly anticipate its arrival.

The Four Seas Commerce Association, having suffered severe losses, contracted to lick its wounds.

While on Bibo Island, Meng Xinghai secretly departed towards Sea Abyss City, aware that his master also knew of his intent to enter the Secret Realm.

As the Secret Realm opened, turbulence arose from all directions.