Chapter Forty-Seven: Moment of Choice, The Storm Rises Again

The turmoil in the main hall temporarily subsided with Zhao Yuanzhen's departure.

But everyone knew that this was merely the calm before the storm.

When Lin Xuan walked out of the main hall, it was already near dusk. The afterglow of the setting sun fell upon the upturned eaves of Bailian Villa, coating those simple and ancient buildings in a layer of warm gold. However, there wasn't the slightest bit of warmth in his heart.

Fairy Lengyue's final words were like a thorn, stabbing deeply into his heart.

The Yunni Sect's Grand Elder had finished his seclusion, and his target was the mark inside Su Qingyue's body.

For a Late Stage Golden Core like Fairy Lengyue to specifically mention him, that Grand Elder's cultivation must be at least—the Nascent Soul Stage.

Nascent Soul Stage.

These three words were like a massive mountain, weighing on him until he could barely breathe.

He stopped his pace and looked up at the darkening sky to the north. In that direction was the Yunni Sect. There, Su Qingyue was being held under house arrest, waiting for that "investigation" which was either a blessing or a curse.

"Brother Lin!"

Wang Mang's loud voice came from behind. He and Li Dali had caught up at some point, both of them wearing expressions of relief after surviving a disaster.

"Brother Lin, I heard you left that guy named Zhao speechless in the main hall? That's incredible!" Wang Mang said with a face full of excitement. "I knew that no matter how powerful that Zhao guy was, he couldn't beat you!"

Li Dali was more steady, whispering, "Brother Lin, what Fairy Lengyue said at the end... is it true?"

Lin Xuan was silent for a moment before slowly nodding.

Li Dali's expression changed. "Doesn't that mean Miss Su's side..."

"Yeah," Lin Xuan interrupted him, not saying anything more.

Wang Mang scratched his head, looking completely bewildered. "What are you guys talking about? Miss Su? Which Miss Su?"

Li Dali glared at him and whispered, "The one... the one who was previously engaged to Brother Lin."

"Ah? Her?" Wang Mang's eyes widened. "But didn't she break off the engagement with Brother Lin? Why is she..."

"Shut up." Li Dali slapped the back of his head.

Wang Mang clutched his head, looking aggrieved, but he didn't dare ask any more questions.

Lin Xuan ignored their bickering and continued walking forward.

His steps were slow, as if he were contemplating something with every pace.

Wang Mang and Li Dali exchanged a glance and silently followed behind him.

...

Guest Elder Courtyard.

Night fell, and the shadows of the bamboo swayed.

Lin Xuan sat alone in the courtyard, holding the Xuanji Pavilion's Guest Elder token in his hand. The token was as warm as jade, giving off a faint luster under the moonlight. The engraving of the nine-story pavilion was so exquisite it seemed as if it would emerge from the token at any moment.

What was he thinking about?

He was thinking about Liu Yanran's proposal—that the Xuanji Pavilion could arrange a secret passage to help him avoid the Yunni Sect's pursuit and fly far away.

He was thinking about Leng Ningshuang's promise—that Xuanbing Valley was willing to provide him with protection in exchange for a future favor.

He was thinking about the escape route Ouyang Ye had given him—the "Blood-Burning Escape Method," which consumed essence blood in exchange for a chance to escape thousands of miles.

These were all ways to survive.

As long as he was willing, he could take Wang Mang and Li Dali, leave Bailian Villa, leave the Northern Region, and go to a place where no one knew him to live a peaceful life.

But...

He raised his head and looked toward the north.

There, a cold and elegant figure was being imprisoned in the darkness.

That figure had once been high and mighty, viewing him as "immortals and mortals are different." But when he needed help the most, she had stepped forward, not hesitating to offend Han Feiyu, Zhao Yuanqing, and the entire Yunni Sect.

She said, "I'm afraid... but I'm more afraid of becoming a person like them."

She said, "I'm sorry... thank you."

The clarity and determination in her eyes when she said those words were something he remembered clearly.

If she hadn't stood up for him that day, the outcome of the public trial would likely have been very different.

He owed her this favor.

And Lin Xuan never left a debt of gratitude unpaid.

He put away the token and stood up.

Under the moonlight, a flash of determination crossed his eyes.

...

"You're going to the Yunni Sect?"

Early the next morning, when Lin Xuan told Wang Mang and Li Dali his decision, both of them were stunned.

"Brother Lin, are you crazy?!" Wang Mang was so anxious he stomped his feet. "What kind of place is the Yunni Sect? It's a dragon's pool and a tiger's den! Going there now, aren't you just seeking death?"

Li Dali also looked solemn. "Brother Lin, I know you want to save Miss Su. But you have to think clearly. The Yunni Sect's main headquarters has at least three powerhouses at or above the Late Stage Golden Core, plus a Nascent Soul Stage Grand Elder. What can you do by going alone?"

Lin Xuan looked at the two of them and said slowly, "I know."

"Then why are you still..."

"But I know even better," Lin Xuan interrupted him, his gaze as calm as water, "that if I don't go, she will certainly die."

Wang Mang and Li Dali were stunned.

Lin Xuan continued, "That Grand Elder has been in seclusion for many years and suddenly emerged, targeting the mark inside her. Do you think he's going there to 'save' her?"

The two looked at each other, speechless.

Lin Xuan turned around and looked toward the north.

"She testified for me and offended Han Feiyu and Zhao Yuanqing. I have to repay this favor."

"If she dies because of me, I won't have peace of mind for the rest of my life."

"So..."

He paused and said word for word:

"I must go."

Wang Mang fell silent.

Li Dali also fell silent.

After a long time, Wang Mang suddenly raised his head and gritted his teeth, "Brother Lin, I'm going with you!"

Lin Xuan shook his head. "No. You two stay."

"Why?!" Wang Mang grew anxious. "Even though our cultivation is low, we can still help! We might not be able to beat the powerful ones, but we can at least block the small fries, right?"

Lin Xuan looked at him with a deep gaze. "It's precisely because your cultivation is low that you cannot go. A trip to the Yunni Sect is a life-and-death gamble. If I go alone, there might be a slim chance of survival. If I take you..."

He didn't finish, but the meaning was already clear.

Wang Mang opened his mouth to say something but was pulled back by Li Dali.

"Brother Lin is right," Li Dali whispered. "If we go, we'll only be a burden to him."

Wang Mang's eyes reddened, and he lowered his head, speaking no more.

Lin Xuan patted his shoulder, then looked at Li Dali and said softly, "Take care of yourselves. If I don't come back..."

"You will definitely return!" Wang Mang suddenly looked up and roared. "I'm still waiting for you to teach me the rest of the Cultivation Technique! You can't die!"

Lin Xuan looked at him and suddenly smiled.

The smile was faint but carried a hint of warmth.

"Alright. I will definitely return."

...

At noon, Lin Xuan arrived in front of Ouyang Ye's stone house.

Old Wu was still standing outside. On that face that was forever expressionless, there was a trace of complexity today.

"The Old Ancestor is waiting for you," he said hoarsely, stepping aside.

Lin Xuan pushed the door and entered.

Inside, Ouyang Ye was still sitting cross-legged on a prayer mat. A pot of tea and two cups were set before him. The tea's fragrance curled up, mixing with the scent of herbs; it was still that familiar atmosphere.

"Sit," Ouyang Ye pointed to the prayer mat opposite him.

Lin Xuan sat down across from him.

Ouyang Ye poured two cups of tea and pushed one in front of Lin Xuan. His cloudy old eyes lingered on Lin Xuan's face for a moment as he said slowly:

"Have you decided?"

Lin Xuan nodded. "I've decided."

Ouyang Ye was silent for a long time before picking up his teacup and taking a sip.

"Do you know that this journey is a life-and-death gamble?"

"I know."

"Do you know that the Grand Elder is at the Nascent Soul Stage?"

"I know."

"Do you know that even if you go, you might not even get to see Su Qingyue?"

"I know."

Ouyang Ye looked at him, a complex light flashing in his cloudy old eyes. "Since you know all that, why do you still want to go?"

Lin Xuan raised his head, meeting his gaze, and said word for word:

"Because if I don't go, I will regret it for the rest of my life."

Ouyang Ye was stunned.

After a long time, he suddenly laughed.

The smile was old and gratified, like an elder looking at his most prized Junior.

"Good lad." He stood up, walked to a wooden chest in the corner, opened it, took out a palm-sized, jet-black wooden box, and handed it to Lin Xuan.

"Take this with you."

Lin Xuan took the wooden box. It felt heavy in his hand, and a faint, warm fluctuation emanated from within.

"This is..."

"Soul-Breaking Talisman," Ouyang Ye said calmly. "Something I obtained by chance when I was young. Injecting it with spiritual power can unleash a blow equivalent to the Early Stage Nascent Soul. It can only be used once; after use, the Talisman will destroy itself."

Lin Xuan's heart jolted.

A blow from the Early Stage Nascent Soul!

A treasure of this level was of immeasurable value! Ouyang Ye was actually willing to give it to him?

"Senior, this is too precious, I cannot..."

"Take it," Ouyang Ye interrupted him, a complex light flashing in his cloudy old eyes. "I've lived for nearly three hundred years and seen too many geniuses, and also seen too many geniuses fall. You are the one with the most hope. If you can return alive, just remember to burn a stick of incense for me in the future."

Lin Xuan looked at him and bowed solemnly. "Thank you, Senior."

Ouyang Ye waved his hand. "Go on. I can only help you this much. The rest is up to you."

Lin Xuan stood up and prepared to leave. As he reached the door, he suddenly stopped and looked back.

"Senior, if I don't return, Wang Mang and Li Dali..."

"Don't worry," Ouyang Ye nodded. "I will take care of them."

Lin Xuan gave him a deep look, turned around, and strode away.

Behind him, Ouyang Ye watched his departing figure, a complex emotion flashing in his cloudy old eyes.

"Kid, you must come back alive..."

...

Outside the mountain gate, Wang Mang and Li Dali stood there, waiting for him.

Seeing Lin Xuan come out, the two hurried to meet him.

"Brother Lin, this is for you." Li Dali took out a cloth bag from his robes, containing various Medicinal Pills he had refined. "Although they can't compare to the ones in the villa, they might be useful in a critical moment."

Wang Mang untied a bundle from his back, containing the dry rations and water he had prepared overnight.

Lin Xuan took both items, looked at the two of them, and nodded.

"Take care."

He turned and strode away.

Behind him, Wang Mang and Li Dali stood there, watching his back for a long time without speaking.

The mountain wind blew, fluttering their robes.

In the distance, Lin Xuan's figure gradually disappeared among the mountains.

(End of Volume 2, Chapter 47)

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[Next Chapter Preview]: Moment of Choice, The Storm Rises Again! Lin Xuan decides to go to the Yunni Sect alone to rescue Su Qingyue. Ouyang Ye gifts the "Soul-Breaking Talisman," adding a slim chance of survival to this life-and-death journey. Wang Mang and Li Dali bid a tearful farewell, watching his back disappear among the mountains. Thousands of miles away, deep within the Yunni Sect's headquarters, the mark inside Su Qingyue's body is bit by bit breaking through the Seal... Next Chapter: Traveling Thousands of Miles Alone, Shadows in the Dark Night!