Chapter 213: Farewell and Departure, Changes in Changling
Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment, then added, “This thousand-year tribulation probably has nothing to do with the laws of heaven and earth. The fact that mortals can’t cultivate and demons and ghosts are rampant… it must be caused by something that happened even earlier. And this tribulation is likely related to the decline of the demon race.”
The Ninth Elder’s eyes widened in surprise.
“You’re right, Tianlu. Did you already suspect this?”
He hadn’t shown any signs of it when they returned from Hidden Dragon Abyss.
It seemed he had been keeping his thoughts to himself.
“It was just a guess.”
Lin Tianlu shook his head. “There’s no point in discussing this with Ruoyu and the others. It would only worry them. So I just kept it to myself.”
As Yu Xuanling had said, there was something important hidden in Hidden Dragon Abyss.
Not just the fragment of the Heart Sea Soul Pendant, which had restored some of her power, but also the sealed spiritual vein.
Perhaps it meant…
That the current state of the world, with its strange rules, was artificially created. And there were many secrets yet to be uncovered.
“You’re right, Tianlu. There’s no point in burdening Ruoyu and the others with this. It’s too abstract and distant for them. Even if they knew, they wouldn’t understand.”
The Ninth Elder nodded in agreement.
“But now it seems that the reason the Lunar Valley was established here a thousand years ago… perhaps our ancestors sensed the presence of the seal. Even with the spiritual energy sealed away, the valley could still benefit from its residual power.”
She waved her hand, and wisps of spiritual energy materialized, swirling around her fingertips.
“And now that the seal is broken, the concentration of spiritual energy in the Lunar Valley has increased significantly, even enhancing the Yin energy. It’s a great opportunity for our disciples.”
Lin Tianlu smiled. “Shouldn’t you be happy about this, Martial Aunt?”
“Of course I’m happy. It’s beneficial for us. And the unsealed spiritual vein only affects the area within a few miles. It won’t attract unwanted attention from outsiders.”
The Ninth Elder’s eyes met his, her voice serious.
“But what are your thoughts on this, Tianlu?”
“My thoughts?”
“If you were an ordinary scholar, or even a ghost practitioner, I wouldn’t ask.”
She softened her voice. “But you possess extraordinary power, Tianlu. You’re not an ordinary mortal. The rules of this world, the thousand-year-old grudges, the power struggles… they’re not beyond your reach. With your abilities, you could easily change the course of history. How many demons, ghosts, or cultivators could stand against you?”
“If you choose to intervene, this world will surely change.”
“…”
Lin Tianlu was silent.
After a moment of thought, he said seriously, “I have no intention of interfering in worldly affairs, or even unraveling this thousand-year-old mystery.”
The Ninth Elder’s eyes flickered. “Why not? With your power, you could achieve great things, even claim the throne. You could enjoy unimaginable wealth and status.
I’m not saying that you’re driven by greed, Tianlu. But to achieve greatness, to make a name for oneself… it’s a natural human desire. How could a young and ambitious man not dream of such things? Haven’t you ever considered it?”
Lin Tianlu didn’t hesitate. He smiled faintly and bowed slightly. “I have no desire for fame or fortune, Martial Aunt. Whether I’m known throughout the world or not is irrelevant to me.
Perhaps my words sound naive or even pretentious, but I’m being completely honest. Whether I live a life of luxury and power, or a simple life, worrying about everyday matters… it makes no difference to me.”
“It’s all just… life.”
“…”
The Ninth Elder stared at him intently.
After a moment…
A smile appeared on her lips. “I knew I could trust my judgment.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled. “You were still worried, Martial Aunt?”
“I just wanted to be sure.”
The Ninth Elder stood up gracefully. “It seems my worries were unfounded.”
She was relieved and pleased with herself for recognizing his true character.
And his lack of ambition was reassuring.
“You’re also different from ordinary people, Martial Aunt.”
Lin Tianlu sighed softly.
Most parents and elders would want their children’s spouses to achieve greatness, to climb the social ladder, or to become powerful figures in the world of cultivation, ensuring a comfortable and prosperous life for their family.
But this woman was different. She was surprisingly… open-minded.
“The world is changing, a storm is brewing. I just don’t want you to be caught in the crossfire, to waste your life on meaningless battles.”
The Ninth Elder’s voice was gentle and warm. “As long as you can protect Ruoyu and live a happy and peaceful life together, I’ll be content. I can finally entrust her to you without worry.”
She smiled faintly. “Even if you become an ordinary teacher in Changling County, I’ll be happy for you.”
Her words were simple, without any demands or expectations, just a heartfelt blessing.
But her genuine care and concern touched Lin Tianlu’s heart.
This mother-in-law was truly kind and compassionate, her only wish for him and Ruoyu to live a peaceful and happy life.
Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment, then bowed respectfully. “But I still need to find the remaining fragments for Xuanling and uncover the secrets of the Wan Sheng Immortal Sect. If I encounter similar sealed ley lines during my travels—”
“Right and wrong, good and evil… it’s all up to you, Tianlu.”
The Ninth Elder walked towards him and gently placed her finger on his chest, her eyes sparkling with a playful light.
“I won’t interfere in your decisions. Even if you choose to turn the world upside down, to challenge the established order, I, Wu Jingyun, will stand by your side, supporting you as your elder, until the very end.”
Lin Tianlu took a deep breath and was about to bow deeply, but the Ninth Elder stopped him, her smile gentle. “Now that I’ve entrusted Ruoyu to you, there’s no need for such formalities.”
“It seems I’m still too formal.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled and embraced her gently. “Martial Aunt, we’ll send you letters regularly. And we’ll visit whenever we have the opportunity. We won’t forget your kindness.”
“Silly child…”
The Ninth Elder patted his back, her voice soft. “We should be the ones thanking you, Tianlu.”
She had so much more to say, so many words of gratitude and affection.
But she simply enjoyed the warmth of his embrace, a feeling she hadn’t experienced in decades. “I’ll prepare lunch for you. We can eat together before you leave. It’s not safe to travel at night.”
“Alright, Martial Aunt.”
As they parted, the Ninth Elder looked up at his handsome face, her eyes sparkling with a gentle light. “Tianlu, remember my name. Not as the Ninth Elder of the Lunar Valley, but as… Wu Jingyun.”
“I understand.”
…
After noon…
Several figures stood outside the valley gate.
After loading their luggage onto the carriage, Lin Tianlu turned to Wu Jingyun and the others, bowing slightly with a smile. “There’s no need to see us off, elders and Valley Master. It wouldn’t be appropriate for the other disciples to see this.”
To be seen with a group of men in an all-female sect would surely cause a commotion.
It would be like… a group of men barging into a girls’ school.
“You’re our benefactor. It’s just a simple farewell. There’s no need to be so shy. It would be disrespectful to us if word of this got out.”
The Valley Master, dressed in her elegant robe, her beauty radiant under the sunlight, smiled warmly. “I wanted you to stay longer, but with the wedding approaching, you should return and prepare.
I’ll send Jingyun and the others to Changling in about half a month. They can help with the arrangements.”
“Thank you for your understanding, Valley Master.”
Lin Tianlu, Mao Ruoyu, and Hua Shuya bowed in farewell.
Mao Ruoyu smiled sweetly and waved to Wu Jingyun.
They had already shared a heartfelt conversation during lunch, so there was no need for lingering farewells or tearful goodbyes.
They would see each other again soon.
“We’ll see you all again soon.”
“Take care.”
…
As the carriage disappeared into the distance, the elders sighed softly and dispersed.
Only the Valley Master and the Second Elder remained.
“It seems Jingyun’s heart has finally found peace. Her expression is much softer now. I’ve never seen her so gentle and affectionate before.”
The Second Elder looked in the direction of the Ninth Elder’s departing figure and nodded approvingly. “It’s not just Ruoyu’s return, but also that Lin boy—”
“That Master Lin has a unique charm.”
The Valley Master smiled mysteriously. “His aura is so pure and comforting, it can easily disarm people, making them trust him implicitly. Those ten days were enough to melt Jingyun’s icy heart, to break through her years of loneliness.”
The Second Elder frowned.
After a moment of silence, she said in a low voice, “Valley Master, everything that happened these past few weeks… was it all part of your plan?”
“Shh—”
The Valley Master raised her finger to her lips and chuckled softly. “It wouldn’t be any fun if I revealed everything.”
Seeing the enigmatic smile on her face, the Second Elder sighed. “You’re truly unfathomable. I can never tell what you’re thinking.”
“Sometimes, fate is just that mysterious.”
The Valley Master’s eyes flickered, as if filled with starlight, her smile widening.
“And it’s the first time I’ve encountered someone whose fate is so difficult to decipher, like a hazy mist, impossible to see through. Not just those three women who accompanied him, but even Jingyun’s fate has become unpredictable, as if it’s been altered!”
“Fate…”
The Second Elder’s expression turned serious. “What does this mean for the future of the Lunar Valley?”
“Now that we’re connected to Master Lin, I can’t see clearly anymore.”
But the Valley Master’s smile remained carefree. “But that’s what makes it so interesting.”
“…Are we truly not going to re-enter the world?”
“Re-enter the world?”
The Valley Master scoffed and turned to walk back towards the estate.
“It was just a lie, a carefully crafted illusion. We’re not foolish enough to fall for it.
Let those other factions fight amongst themselves. We have no need to get involved in their petty squabbles. Now that the Soul Moon is gone, and the thousand-year legacy broken, we, the ‘Lunar Valley,’ are the true inheritors of the past.”
…
In Changling County, within the Cheng residence…
The weather was growing colder, the autumn wind biting.
Inside an elegant and antique study, a warm fire crackled in the hearth, its fragrant smoke filling the air.
A beautiful woman with white hair sat at the desk, her expression focused as she wrote, an air of authority and dignity about her.
“…”
Cheng Yishi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, thought for a moment, then continued writing.
After a while, she handed the paper to her maid, who had just entered the study. “Have Uncle Li purchase these items, and send some fine wine and silk to the prince’s residence. There’s no rush. Within the next two or three days will be fine.”
“Yes, Miss.” The maid took the list respectfully.
“And in a couple of days, purchase some new winter fabrics and furs. The New Year is approaching. We need to prepare.”
“Yes, Miss.”
The maid hesitated for a moment, then asked softly, “Aren’t you going to meet the distinguished guest who has arrived in Changling, Miss?”
Cheng Yishi looked up at her, a faint smile on her lips. “I’m not interested in currying favor with the powerful and wealthy. The Cheng family doesn’t need their patronage. We’re content with our simple life.”
“But if you don’t pay your respects, Miss, I’m worried it might cause trouble.”
“This distinguished guest is not a savage or unreasonable person. He’s a learned scholar. He won’t make things difficult for us.” Cheng Yishi put down her brush and sighed softly. “Our hesitation has already made our intentions clear. He won’t force us.”
The maid nodded thoughtfully.
But then her eyes flickered, and she looked towards the quiet courtyard, her expression troubled. “But what about… ‘her’?”
“…”
Cheng Yishi froze, her hand on her back.
After a long silence, she sighed deeply.
“I suppose I should go and meet this Miss Yang.”
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