Eternal Swordmaster
Chapter 721 - 716: Shock Part 2

Chapter 721: Chapter 716: Shock Part 2

Cultivation practice required substantial meat nutrition to refine essence into Qi. After ample meat supplements were consumed, the Lake Mountain Immortal Sect dispatched Princess Huaiyang, who had made notable progress in her cultivation, to conquer the vast hillside territories of the barbaric tribes.

With an Ice Machine Fengyang Sword in hand, alone with her sword, she sprinted among thousands of soldiers, freezing everyone she touched solid, unbeatable by any.

Wielding this sword, Princess Huaiyang fought and won continuously, charging into enemy lines by herself, all attacks rebounding automatically when near her.

It took only a year for her to completely pacify the barbarians, who revered her as the Mysterious Ice Saintess.

A great variety of heavenly materials and earthly treasures, as well as medicinal resources, were continuously transported to the Lake Mountain Immortal Sect.

Those who were eliminated from selection mostly enriched the military forces, each one of them possessing formidable martial strength, having accumulated through a wealth of resources.

Often, a single soldier of the Empire could take down three or four from any other nation!

Another five years passed.

The Lake Mountain Immortal Sect began dispatching disciples overseas to explore other regions.

Zhou Songyun, Yao Yuanhui, Yao Qing, Lu Dabai, and others were sent one after another to go abroad.

With Jade Talisman transmissions, a significant amount of Spirit Jade was expended.

Additionally, more Spirit Jade void of Spiritual Energy was mined and sent to Qing Lake Mountain.

The Pure King officially ascended the throne, now titled as Great Emperor Yuanqing.

The Lake Mountain Immortal Sect was enshrined as the national religion, and the Thousand-Hand Divine Monarch was declared the Saint Teacher, that is, the teacher of the Holy Emperor.

Since then, the world was at peace, and the country’s power flourished to an unprecedented degree.

*********************

Gently pinching a black fruit in hand.

Lin Xin narrowed his eyes slightly, pensive.

"The nature’s spiritual energy is getting denser..."

He could clearly feel that in the past two years, the concentration of nature’s spiritual energy had gradually started to rise. Although it wasn’t much, it was palpably noticeable.

He had sent his disciples overseas and also received updates through Jade Talisman communications.

The Spiritual Energy overseas was still extremely scarce.

"It seems to be a regional change. With more practitioners of Qi Cultivation, the Qi they refine and use dissipates into the atmosphere, indirectly increasing the concentration of nature’s spiritual energy. This is the only explanation."

Thoughts crossed his mind.

He was currently standing alone on the Third Layer of the Taoist Palace, on a semi-circular balcony, gazing out at the sunrise.

The red morning sun slowly rose, like a huge orange fireball, radiating intense brightness.

"Honored Master, you called for me?"

Lu Li’s voice came from behind him.

Now, she had grown into a dignitary with a valiant aura, with sharp eyes that commanded respect.

Her body was clad in an extremely fitting and exquisitely crafted dark-gold lotus chainmail, exceedingly heavy, with a thick black and red cape trailing on the ground.

At her waist hung a bloodthirsty spirit sword, faintly emitting slivers of dark red fluorescent light, accompanied by subtle screams and sobs.

But as soon as it was near Lin Xin, the bloodthirsty spirit sword shrank back its resentment and bloodthirst as if it had encountered a natural predator, daring not to make any more noise.

Her long white hair hung loosely behind her back, which had turned increasingly snow-white over the years because of prolonged contact with fierce magic artifacts.

By that time, she had already reached the Third Layer of Qi Cultivation. However, her Spiritual Power was exceedingly fierce, remarkably vicious.

Ordinary people who got too close would probably not dare to look up at her directly.

"Lu Li..." Lin Xin watched his disciple with strong bloodline and talent carefully. "You are close to breaking through to the Fourth Layer, aren’t you?"

"Yes, Honored Master."

Lu Li had fully immersed herself in cultivation practice and now understood how powerful her former master really was.

As an elephant regards a sparrow beneath its feet, or a lion faces a frail fish, no matter how numerous, they could never harm it.

Moreover, even having cultivated to her current level, Lu Li still couldn’t remotely sense how advanced her current master stood.

"You have the second fastest cultivation progress; your senior brother Songyun has already reached the Fourth Layer of Qi Cultivation. He recently had an epiphany overseas while observing a vortex and successfully glimpsed an opportunity for the Fifth Layer."

Lin Xin sighed. "I’m afraid he could step into the Fifth Layer as soon as he returns."

"Senior brother Songyun’s talent is something I can’t compare to," Lu Li said softly.

"What about Xiao Shu and Green Clothes? And Wei Yu and Hong Xiu?" Lin Xin casually inquired further.

"They seem to have some interest, although they do not seem very compatible. Xiao Shu and Wei Yu are extremely resistant and do not want to settle down. They always think of escaping at any time."

Contempt flashed in Lu Li’s eyes; the once so-called Grandmasters were now in her view nothing but insignificant ants, not to mention in the eyes of her far stronger and limitless Honored Master.

"I might have to make a long trip away, and I called you here because you are more stable," Lin Xin said after some thought.

"The best candidate would have been your senior brother Songyun, but since he is not here, you will lead in his stead.

Additionally, Tong’er is about to come out of seclusion. You can delegate some external affairs to him as needed."

"Tong’er is good in all aspects, but he’s too merciful for a woman," Lu Li frowned and said.

"Everyone’s views differ. Don’t worry about the process, as long as the result achieves the goal, that’s good enough," Lin Xin smiled.

"How long will you be gone, Honored Master?" Lu Li inquired further.

"I don’t know... perhaps ten years, maybe twenty years... or even longer," Lin Xin replied with a light smile.

"For us cultivators, time is merely a number. All you need to do is cultivate well. Should there be any issues, we can discuss them when I return."

Lu Li was slightly startled, realizing he would be gone for such a long time.

She opened her mouth as if wanting to say something but then closed it again without making a sound.

"Lu Li understands."

"The vast Immortal Sect will be under your care; don’t disappoint me," Lin Xin gently patted Lu Li’s shoulder.

"Yes."

Lu Li bowed her head slightly, falling silent.

Suddenly, she took a deep breath and looked up to speak, only to realize that the person in front of her had already vanished into thin air.

"Honored Master...."

Standing in the sunlight, she felt somewhat dazed for a moment, her hands tightening slightly around the helmet she was cradling.

*******************

Void Ghost Realm.

Shh!

The stone door opened.

Lin Xin slowly walked out of the secret chamber, his face slightly pale.

He removed his exquisitely crafted black Taoist Robe and changed into a tight-fitting black outfit. With a thought, five Talisman Swords shot out from his back and, with a clang, automatically inserted themselves into the scabbards on the adjacent wall.

"My lord, you’ve returned," greeted Lin Yi, the first to arrive. The evolved snow monster, leaning on a Purple Jade cane and sporting a white beard long enough to drag on the ground, had the appearance of someone in their twilight years.

"What’s changed during the years I’ve been away?" Lin Xin asked casually, straightening his hair with a hand, as he walked toward the central courtyard of the Taoist Palace.

The pale-yellow ceiling overhead emitted a soft, bright light that filtered through multiple layers of Protective Shields, replacing the natural cycle of the sun.

Lin Yi followed closely and carefully by Lin Xin’s side.

"Nothing much, just that the patrolling teams went out to exterminate a few minor Void Demon Spirits. Also, your Honored Master has sent a message, asking you to visit him as soon as you emerged."

"Honored Master?"

Lin Xin took mental note.

He took out a Jade Talisman and looked at it.

It contained two messages from Feng Huai, as well as a message from his elder brother Oro about the current situation of Feng Huai’s foster daughter.

There were also messages from his sister, Lin Youke.

He opened them to look. His expression immediately turned unpleasant.

"My sister has gone missing?"

He quickly sent a reply.

"When did this happen?"

A reply from Lin Youke arrived almost immediately.

"Reporting to the master, it was six months ago. All the experts we dispatched to protect her discovered at the same time that Miss Yaoyang had disappeared. We’ve looked everywhere, to no avail...."

"Not even Qiushi?"

"No, we’ve searched the entire realm. There’s only a rumor that someone saw Miss Yaoyang leaving with a few young men and women, and then she was never seen again."

Lin Xin’s face shifted ever so slightly.

"Young men and women...." The first person he thought of was the Demon God King, Song Danhao!

He had repeatedly instructed Lin Yaoyang not to get involved with Song Danhao. Could it be that fate could still not be avoided?

"What about the Demon God King? Any new rumors from his side?" he asked again.

"Er.... We’re still investigating...." Lin Youke seemed somewhat afraid, "It’s said... reportedly, Song Danhao indeed has a new woman by his side.... but it’s unclear if it’s Miss Yaoyang...."

"Make sure of it before you report back to me!" Lin Xin’s voice rose with a hint of anger.

"Yes..."

If it really was Lin Yaoyang....

Bang!!

Lin Xin punched the wall beside him, causing a large crack to spread out across the wall’s surface.

The sudden action startled both Lin Yi and the newly arrived Lin Wai.

"Song Danhao!!!" His eyes grew chillingly cold.

"Never mind, no rush."

After calming his anger, he spoke in a heavy tone to Lin Youke.

"First, confirm if it is my sister, and then report back to me."

"Yes!"

Regaining his composure, he turned to address Lin Yi and Lin Wai.

"Is the portal ready?"

"Everything has been prepared, and the sealed Cave Mansion for cultivation practice has been built, with the concentration of Spiritual Energy the same as the rest of the Ghost Realm," Lin Wai promptly replied.

"Good, then we begin establishing the passage right away."

Lin Xin took out the Boundary Stone from his chest and held it in his hand.

He needed to merge with the Boundary Stone first, fully integrating it with the Ghost Realm, so the entire realm could more smoothly and thoroughly connect with the minor world.

The greatest benefit of merging with the Boundary Stone was the rapid mastery of every secret corner of the minor world. This would allow the quickest access to resources to nurture oneself.

Moreover, it afforded a great understanding and insight into the structure and laws forming the world.

"Before I seclude myself for cultivation, I shall first visit my Honor Master."

Merging with the Boundary Stone was the urgent task at hand, but the Honored Master generally didn’t reach out to him unless necessary, and if he did, it most certainly meant there were important matters.

***************

Dragon Serpent Realm

Inside the Deep Fire Palace, the Dragon Serpent sat on the throne, his expression showing a trace of weariness.

Beneath him, Lin Xin knelt respectfully on one knee, giving his salutations.

"Lieshan, pays his respects to the Honored Master."

The Dragon Serpent inspected Lin Xin closely, noting that his cultivation practice had reached the pinnacle of Human Immortal, the Perfection realm, and nodded slightly.

"I have summoned you here to personally hand you something."

He waved his hand, and instantly a sword-shaped Jade Talisman miraculously appeared in the air before him, spinning and flying toward Lin Xin.