After all the parties made intensive preparations, the day finally arrived for the disciples of Peifeng Sect to set off. 

Only thirty percent of the Elder Council accompanied them, while the remaining seventy percent stayed behind to manage the sect and maintain daily operations. Meng Wanqiu was among those who went along. Originally, the Sect Leader hoped he would stay behind, as the travel and fatigue would not be good for his recovery. However, Meng Wanqiu bluntly stated that ever since his disciples had brought him Wild Thorn Vine for medicine three years ago, the demonic poison in his body had become much more bearable. He was tired of being cooped up in the same place every day and preferred to go out for a walk.

“Ultimately, you’re just worried about your two disciples, aren’t you?” 

Who could argue with that? This trip might very well change the fates of Xiaobai and A Ji. There are many opportunities on the path of cultivation; as long as one lives long enough, even a setback can lead to a chance for a comeback in the future. Just like the disciples who couldn’t go to the secret realm this time, it doesn’t mean they will necessarily fall behind those who did. Everyone has different circumstances, and there’s always time to rise.

That said, Meng Wanqiu still hoped his disciples would gain something during this crucial first turning point. So, before they set off, he specially summoned the two disciples to the sword-testing ground to meet.

“A Ji, how well can you handle the light sword?” 

Lin Ji replied, neither humble nor arrogant, “I’ve already mastered it. Please instruct me, Master.” 

With that, Lin Ji hopped onto the competition stage to demonstrate. He intentionally changed his previously sharp and vigorous style to one that was more adaptable and fluid, aligning with the characteristics of the sword. 

“Soft yet strong, the control of power in different moves is just right,” Meng Wanqiu praised as he stepped forward, then paused to add, “But it still lacks a bit of ease and casualness.” 

“A Ji, as a sword cultivator, what do you see the sword as?” 

Lin Ji pondered for a moment, “An unwavering partner, even an extension of myself.” 

Lu Xiaobai looked at Lin Ji and chuckled, “I thought with your obsession with the sword path, you would see your sword as a companion that follows you everywhere.” 

Lin Ji snorted lightly, “…I’m not crazy.” 

How could a sword be equated to a companion? He had already compared the sword to himself; what kind of companion could match the intimacy and synergy he had with his sword? 

However, there were indeed some sword cultivators in the cultivation world who were so obsessed with their swords that they ended up forming a partnership with the sword spirit once it was born. But that wasn’t him. 

“Go on, stop digressing,” Meng Wanqiu said helplessly, as his carefully prepared mood was interrupted! 

He looked at Lin Ji, “I agree with your view, but whether you see your sword as a partner or another self, you must harmonize with it.” 

Lin Ji was now more focused on adjusting himself to the light sword rather than making the sword adapt to his rhythm. He was aware of his issue; he felt that he was still missing something when using the light sword but didn’t know how to change it. 

At that moment, Meng Wanqiu took the light sword from Lin Ji’s hand, “In the past, I always guided you verbally; today, I will personally teach you a set of sword techniques.” 

“Watch closely; I will only demonstrate once!” 

Meng Wanqiu had collected many magical artifacts over the years, and a hundred years was a long time; he was proficient with all kinds of weapons. 

Even though it was his first time using a light sword, Meng Wanqiu moved as if he had practiced countless times before. His movements were light yet powerful, without any deliberate adjustments to his techniques. The sword felt like a part of his body, flowing effortlessly like water, moving with the current, forgetting both himself and the object. 

Every sword energy and technique merged into one, moving so fast that it was almost impossible to see his shadow. The sword’s momentum was like a mountain crashing down, powerful and overwhelming. 

Lin Ji watched intently, learning and comprehending from it. 

Lu Xiaobai couldn’t help but sigh: it had been a long time since he had seen such a master. 

Just when they thought Meng Wanqiu would conclude his sword techniques with a move that would surely cause area damage, they saw him gradually stop, retracting his spiritual power back into his body. 

Only a few leaves from the tree fell in front of the two. 

Lin Ji understood the earlier part; it was merely about finding a way to merge with the sword. But he didn’t grasp the final stage. 

“Master, how can you control your spiritual power so freely?” 

Meng Wanqiu returned the sword to Lin Ji and smiled, “Because I don’t want to harm the living beings around me, so I naturally have to retract it.” 

Lin Ji frowned, “But wouldn’t that hurt yourself?” 

Meng Wanqiu shook his head, “No, how could my spiritual power harm me?” 

“A Ji, what kind of mindset do you need to reach this level? That is what you need to comprehend in the future.” 

After the demonstration, Meng Wanqiu reminded Lin Ji a few more things, straightened his collar with a loving gaze, “A Ji, if you want to make a name for yourself in the world and become a strong person, the path is right in front of you.” 

“I hope you can achieve the results you seek. In the secret realm, you must give it your all, but also be cautious.” 

After a long while, Lin Ji smiled, “I will follow Master’s teachings.” His voice even choked a little. 

“Xiaobai,” Meng Wanqiu turned to Lu Xiaobai and sighed, “You really give me a headache.” 

If Xiaobai were in the mortal realm, Meng Wanqiu believed he could excel at anything he did and live a good life. Yet, he had chosen the path of ascension, which placed great importance on spiritual power, leading him to be overlooked and discriminated against. 

Sometimes he would reflect; perhaps he shouldn’t have casually planted the seed of cultivation in Lu Xiaobai’s heart back then, leading him into the door but being unable to assist him in his cultivation. 

But Lu Xiaobai broke Meng Wanqiu’s guilt with his words: “Old man, stop worrying so much. Everyone has their own fate. You should pay attention to maintaining your appearance and go to bed early. I heard that if dark circles under your eyes settle for too long, they won’t go away.” 

“What?” Meng Wanqiu exclaimed in shock, shoving the prepared booklet into Lu Xiaobai’s arms, “Just make sure you come out of the secret realm safely; your ranking doesn’t matter. Remember to look for and collect second-tier Marrow Cleansing Pills in the secret realm, and don’t get involved with troublesome people. Only use the formation diagram I gave you as a last resort!” 

“And when the time comes, you may not be in the same place, but don’t forget you two are sworn brothers; in life and death, you must help each other!” 

After saying that, he glanced at his two disciples and hurried back to check his reflection in the mirror. 

Lu Xiaobai tucked the booklet away and muttered, “What’s the point of not being able to use it for me?” 

Lin Ji: “……” 

The next day, the disciples of Peifeng Sect gathered at the mountain gate, watching the people heading to the secret realm gradually fade into the distance. 

To train the disciples, the Elders and leaders took the cloud boat, allowing the younger generation, who were about to showcase their skills, to all ride their swords. 

These cultivators flew through the sky, passing by mortals who thought it was just a clear day with a shooting star. 

Everyone was riding their swords, but only Lu Xiaobai was clinging to Lin Ji’s sword, making him particularly eye-catching in the sword formation. 

Lin Ji felt a bit uncomfortable being stared at, and what was even more eye-catching was the bright red bird flying beside them! 

Ever since the Yan Yu Shou was tamed as a spiritual pet, it had shrunk to the size of a pigeon, making it easier for its master to carry and feed. 

These cultivators were flying so fast that it was tiring for it, and it didn’t know how much longer it had to fly. 

Forget it, the Yan Yu Shou simply perched on Lin Ji’s shoulder, too lazy to fly itself. 

Lin Ji: “…It really is true that pets resemble their owners! What kind of bird is this that’s so lazy?” 

Lu Xiaobai raised his hand to pat the Yan Yu Shou’s head, teasing the bird, “That’s not right. If we go by your logic, since humans have legs, they must walk themselves. Why do we even ride swords? We wouldn’t need to build carriages or boats in the mortal realm.” 

Lin Ji couldn’t argue with him, so he could only snort coldly and ignore him. The master and spiritual pet were both clinging to his sword and still had the nerve to say that. 

Lu Xiaobai seemed to sense his disdain and changed the subject, “We’re just riding on the coattails of others; others will only think you’re impressive.” 

Lin Ji laughed, disdainfully glancing at Lu Xiaobai, but then noticed he was squinting with a serious expression, tightly gripping his own arm. 

Lin Ji was even more speechless; even riding a sword had to be pretentious. No wonder he was the Dragon Ao Tian protagonist. 

Xuanzhou was located in the north, connected to the northern Snowfield Forbidden Land, and the climate was relatively cold. The Yunshang Immortal Sect was built on a high mountain, where the peak was covered in snow for half the year. 

This time, the secret realm appeared in Xuanzhou, requiring the elders of various immortal sects to work together to open it. Other sects that had come from afar naturally needed to find a temporary place to stay, and in Xuanzhou, apart from the Yunshang Immortal Sect, other small sects couldn’t accommodate them. 

A hundred years ago, the various immortal sects united to resist the attack of the Mo Shangxian, establishing a bond of camaraderie that has continued to this day, at least on the surface, still appearing harmonious, and they were still in a period of recuperation. 

The Yunshang Immortal Sect opened its gates to welcome guests from all sides, and other sects naturally had to present valuable gifts from the cultivation world, ensuring that no one lost out. 

The reality was that some smaller sects couldn’t afford to give gifts and could only find a lonely place to stay, waiting for the secret realm to open. 

Peifeng Sect’s Qingzhou was quite far from Xuanzhou, and it took two days to reach the Yunshang Immortal Sect. 

Standing once again in front of the familiar mountain gate, it would be impossible for Lin Ji to feel completely indifferent, but it seemed he didn’t have too many feelings about it. 

To him, the Yunshang Immortal Sect felt like being taken back to a wolf’s den for nurturing. Although he was spared from being torn apart by beasts, it provided him with a shelter to lurk and seek revenge, he had no attachment to the wolf’s den and felt no sense of belonging. 

Lu Xiaobai stood beside him, watching the scene that resembled his previous life, as hundreds of disciples dressed in uniform sky-blue sect robes came down to guide the guests. This time, he didn’t fall behind, following closely behind his own Sect Leader and Elders, and those people were naturally polite. 

The only difference was that the person who guided him in his previous life was now standing beside him. 

Lu Xiaobai withdrew his gaze from Lin Ji and looked at Luo Xiang, the leader of Zhu Jian Peak, who was walking at the front. A glimmer of determination flashed in his eyes. 

He believed that everything was in human hands; as long as the planning was appropriate, nothing was unchangeable. 

Meanwhile, Lin Ji turned around and only saw Lu Xiaobai staring at Luo Xiang. For some reason, he felt a wave of discomfort in his heart and pulled his hand to the side, pausing for a moment. 

“Hmm?” Lu Xiaobai put the Yan Yu Shou back into his storage bag to prevent it from getting lost and looked up at him, teasingly asking, “Do you have something to whisper to me?” 

Just then, the Sect Leader of the Yunshang Immortal Sect came to greet them, and it seemed the various sect leaders would have to exchange pleasantries for a long time. Standing at the back, they wouldn’t attract much attention. 

“…” But Lin Ji really had nothing extra to say. He was a bit puzzled by his earlier behavior and after a long pause finally said, “Are you cold?” 

Lu Xiaobai laughed. 

Perhaps among all the disciples from various sects, he was the only one who was completely mortal; others could use spiritual power to keep warm or cool, while Lu Xiaobai could only tough it out. 

He had dressed warmly for the journey, and hearing this made him feel even warmer, “It’s fine; we’re still at the foot of the mountain, and it’s okay for now. If it gets cold later, I can add more clothes.” 

Lin Ji looked away, “You don’t have to say so much to me.” He was just trying to make conversation. 

Before Lu Xiaobai could tease him with “hard on the outside, soft on the inside,” he suddenly felt Lin Ji tense up, his pupils constricting. 

Following his line of sight, Lu Xiaobai saw that Lin Ji was staring intently at a disciple of the Yunshang Immortal Sect standing ahead. 

The disciple was waiting at the corner with his sword resting on his shoulder, looking very young and quite handsome, wearing an expression that suggested he was indifferent to his surroundings and slightly impatient. 

But Lu Xiaobai knew that Lin Ji wasn’t looking at the disciple’s appearance; he was focused on the disciple’s waist, where the disciple’s token hung. 

All disciples of the Yunshang Immortal Sect wore tokens at their waists, categorized by color: yellow for third-tier disciples, green for second-tier disciples, and red for first-tier disciples, corresponding to outer sect, inner sect, and direct disciples, with status increasing in layers. As for the servant disciples, they were not worthy of tokens. 

The disciple wearing the red token was a direct disciple, and more importantly, the center of his token bore the character “Yi.” 

Xuan Yi Zhenren of the Yunshang Immortal Sect was Lin Ji’s master in his previous life. 

Although Lin Ji knew that in this life he wouldn’t be accepted as a disciple by Xuan Yi Zhenren, who would take in other disciples, his feelings towards Xuan Yi Zhenren were quite complex, and he didn’t want to be his disciple again. 

Yet his mindset was strange; when he discovered that his old master from his past life had taken in a new disciple, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of jealousy and grievance. 

At that moment, as the greetings in front finally concluded and they began to move, Lin Ji walked forward with a gloomy face alongside Lu Xiaobai, and the disciple at the corner noticed them. 

In that instant, the disciple’s expression suddenly became excited. He first stared at Lu Xiaobai for a while, and as they gradually approached, he shifted his gaze to Lin Ji. 

He showed confusion towards Lin Ji: how could they be standing together? 

After thinking of something, the disciple’s expression turned unusually angry, reflexively rolling up his sleeves as if he wanted to rush over to hit someone or demand an explanation from someone. But after a moment, he calmed down: he couldn’t win, so forget it. 

However, he still stared at Lin Ji, his eyes filled with resentment. 

Coincidentally, Lin Ji was also staring at him, and as they brushed past each other, despite being strangers meeting for the first time, their gazes locked, seeing each other as enemies. 

Once Lin Ji and Lu Xiaobai walked far away, Song Ruoci recalled the devilish life he had lived over the past two years, and the only words that could describe it were “tragic.” 

Song Ruoci stood until all the sects had entered, and only then did his master, Xuan Yi Zhenren, come down to find him. 

“Did you see? The ones who came this time are all the backbone disciples of their respective sects, many of whom are exceptionally talented.” 

“If you don’t work hard in your cultivation in the future and fall behind them, I will be humiliated because of you!” 

Song Ruoci closed his eyes, suppressing his anger, gritting his teeth as he replied in a drawn-out tone, “I saw!” 

He not only saw the Dragon Ao Tian protagonist but also the beautiful and strong tragic villain; they were actually walking side by side as fellow disciples. 

How infuriating! No wonder… 

Lin Ji, I have suffered for you! 

Song Ruoci endured Xuan Yi Zhenren’s incessant nagging in his ear, not expecting that he would actively volunteer to observe the strength of the disciples from various sects at the foot of the mountain, trying to show his diligence, only to be scolded by Xuan Yi Zhenren. 

Song Ruoci covered his ears, “Master, stop nagging!” 

“……” 

On the first day of arriving at the Yunshang Immortal Sect, the main focus was on the exchanges between the elders of various sects. These sect leaders hadn’t seen each other for years, and they needed time to spar or show off their progress in cultivation. 

The disciples could rest in their rooms. 

Lin Ji looked around and paused for a moment, and when he came back to his senses, he found that there was no one beside him. 

He looked into the distance and saw that Lu Xiaobai had actually walked off by himself. Lin Ji was momentarily stunned and quickly followed after him. 

The servant disciples settled the accommodations for the Peifeng Sect disciples. Since Lin Ji and Lu Xiaobai were from the same lineage, they were also assigned adjacent rooms. 

Lu Xiaobai exchanged a few pleasantries with the servant disciples and was about to push the door open. 

Only then did Lin Ji take the key to their room and walk over to Lu Xiaobai, asking, “Why didn’t you wait for me?” 

“Why should I wait for you?” Lu Xiaobai retorted. 

Lin Ji was momentarily at a loss for words. 

Lu Xiaobai stopped pushing the door and turned to look at him directly, “What were you looking at just now? Your eyes were practically glued to that person.” 

“Were you admiring the deep spiritual energy and grand architecture of the Yunshang Immortal Sect, or were you envious of their imposing disciples? Do you regret not joining the Yunshang Immortal Sect?” 

Lin Ji widened his eyes in disbelief, “What are you talking about?” 

In his eyes, was he really someone who looked down on others? 

Lu Xiaobai paused and lowered his gaze, “I take back what I said earlier. But I still want to ask, what were you looking at?” 

Lin Ji thought for a moment and said ambiguously, “I just noticed that the person earlier seemed to be a disciple of Xuan Yi Zhenren.” 

He raised his eyes, secretly observing Lu Xiaobai’s reaction. 

Lu Xiaobai’s expression remained unchanged, and he disdainfully asked, “Who is Xuan Yi Zhenren? I’ve never heard of him. Is he more famous than my master?” 

Lin Ji: “……” 

Xuan Yi Zhenren was a Nascent Soul cultivator who had achieved military merit a hundred years ago; the disciples of the immortal sects should have heard of him, right? 

However, compared to Ling Yun Zunzhe, it was natural that their master was more renowned. 

Lu Xiaobai continued, “Oh, so you’re thinking about someone else’s master.” 

“Alas,” Lu Xiaobai sighed and shook his head, “Your master has treated you wholeheartedly for three years, and you still…” 

Lin Ji quickly interrupted, “No! I know my master treats me well, and I am also filled with gratitude and admiration for him; he is incomparable to anyone else!” 

He just had some lingering feelings about Xuan Yi Zhenren from the past. 

Lu Xiaobai glanced at him, feeling finally at ease. 

He actually understood Lin Ji’s reaction but couldn’t help but feel a bit angry. 

Suddenly, Lu Xiaobai leaned closer to Lin Ji, placing a hand on his shoulder, and quietly asked, “What about me?” 

Lin Ji looked puzzled: What about you? 

“You remember your master’s kindness, but haven’t I treated you well these past three years?” 

Lin Ji: “……” 

Lu Xiaobai smiled and skipped over the topic, “I brought some good things this time; do you want to take a look?” 

Lin Ji rummaged through a pile of wooden dolls on the table, “Is this what you call good things?” 

Lu Xiaobai carefully examined each one, “What do you mean? These are all famous young talents in the cultivation world that I carved.” 

“While the younger generation of cultivators are here, I can sell these painted puppets to the female cultivators who admire them, and wouldn’t that be a big profit?” 

“……” You really never forget to make money wherever you go. 

Lu Xiaobai took out a carefully carved finished product, “This is for you.” 

Lin Ji took it in a daze and saw that the wooden puppet was dressed in sky-blue clothing, holding a sword, with long hair tied up high. 

No matter how skilled the sculptor was, it was a bit difficult to identify who it was just from the wooden puppet’s facial features; people were usually recognized by their attire and signature accessories. 

Lin Ji was surprised, “Is this me?” 

Lu Xiaobai smiled, “It’s just similar.” 

Lin Ji was a bit puzzled; why did Lu Xiaobai like to give him things so much, from the Yan Yu Shou to the wooden puppet?