Without a second thought, Lin Yun accepted it. Duan Heng had treated him with sincerity these past few days. No matter what questions Lin Yun had, he would always answer them to the best of his ability.
"Many thanks, Senior Brother."
Duan Heng waved his hand, his expression distant. "It's nothing. Speaking of which, if my little brother were still alive, he'd be about your age. It's not easy to break through to the Yuan Sea Realm. You mustn't be careless." His tone was serious.
Although Body Tempering and the Nascent Yuan Realm were two different stages, the gap wasn't that large. Success would come naturally when the time was right. But advancing from the Nascent Yuan Realm to the Yuan Sea Realm began to require a certain level of comprehension. Of course, Duan Heng had no doubts about Lin Yun in this regard. With the kid's cultivation speed, it wouldn't take him long to achieve it.
"Rest assured, Senior Brother, I know what to do."
Duan Heng patted his shoulder. "This Yuan Yang Jade I found for you should be a great help, but remember not to let anyone else know. Otherwise, the elders will surely find trouble with me."
Lin Yun agreed. After confirming that Duan Heng was alright, Lin Yun left.
He just didn't see that not far away, a person had been watching every move. After seeing Lin Yun off, Duan Heng glanced toward a certain spot, a triumphant smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, before swaggering back into his Cave Abode.
After leaving Duan Heng's place, Lin Yun went to find Deng Pengzu without stopping. However, he only found a message left behind. Traces of the Red Ghost Sect had been discovered at Five Yang Mountain, suspected to be related to the recent ambush on the Flowing Cloud Sect. Deng Pengzu had been pulled away to investigate.
This trip could take half a month!
Lin Yun frowned. With the one-month deadline drawing closer and closer, he was still stuck at the ninth level of the Nascent Yuan Realm. If he couldn't break through, there was a very high probability he would kick the bucket.
It was better to rely on himself than on others.
Lin Yun immediately returned to his Cave Abode and began to cultivate. He had already reached the Great Perfection stage of the first level of the "Primordial Chaos Sword Embryo" technique, but breaking through to the next level was proving difficult. He estimated that he would need a valuable real-combat experience.
His progress with the "Great River Sword Art" and the "Azure Origin Sword Art" had also slowed considerably, to the point where Lin Yun could only focus his mind on the "Void-Rushing Ghostly Art." The most unique thing about this movement technique was that it was no different from ordinary techniques at the beginning, but the further one progressed, the more ridiculously powerful it became! However, Lin Yun's progress was still slow.
"It seems that if the 'Primordial Chaos Sword Embryo' doesn't break through the first level, it will be difficult for either my swordsmanship or my movement techniques to reach the next stage."
"Am I really just going to sit here and wait for death?"
Lin Yun had never liked sitting around and waiting to die. Since he couldn't break through on his own, his only choice was to see if he could snatch someone else's opportunity.
The next morning, Lin Yun began to wander the mountain again. Just as he was passing Cloudsoar Pavilion, a familiar figure appeared.
Lin Yun was so moved he nearly shed tears. It's been so long. Senior Brother Xiao must have prepared a great opportunity for me, right?
With that thought, he took a look at Xiao Pingtian.
[Name]: Xiao Pingtian
[Realm]: Ninth Level of the Mystic Passage Realm
[Destiny]: Chosen of Heaven (Gold)
[Fate]: Feather Transformation Sword Heart (Purple), Heaven's Blessing (Gold), Celestial Appearance (Purple), Bloodthirsty and Cruel (Gray), Vengeful (White)
[Outcome]: Ascends to the rank of Great Emperor and slays one hundred thousand celestial demons with a single slash. However, due to his overwhelming killing intent, he is not tolerated by the mortal realm and is eventually besieged by the righteous path, falling at the God-Shattering Cliff.
[Recent Turning Point]: Accepts a sect mission to go down the mountain for training. Discovers a sneaky person on Weiyang Mountain and obtains a mysterious ancient manual from him.
Hiss, as expected of the Son of Destiny. He's started stacking buffs again.
With this in mind, Lin Yun took the initiative to approach him. "Senior Brother Xiao."
Xiao Pingtian, who had been lost in thought, glanced at Lin Yun. For some reason, he always felt an inexplicable sense of irritation and displeasure whenever he saw this kid. There was no reason for it.
"What are you doing here?"
Lin Yun smiled and explained, "I've encountered a bottleneck in my cultivation recently and was hoping to ask the Sect Master for some guidance."
Xiao Pingtian glanced at Lin Yun, a little surprised. The last time he saw him, he was at the first level of Nascent Yuan. Now, he was already at the ninth level, just one step away from entering the Yuan Sea Realm. Was this kid's cultivation speed powered by a rocket? Even Xiao Pingtian, who prided himself on his own genius, was a little envious of his speed.
"Have you forgotten the rules of Cloudsoar Pavilion? Although you are an inner-sect disciple now, you are not allowed to come here without permission. Scram!" he ordered impatiently.
Before Lin Yun could even open his mouth, he heard Gu Xiande's voice from inside. "Is that Lin Yun?"
Xiao Pingtian's expression turned a little ugly.
Lin Yun bowed. "Disciple pays his respects to the Sect Master."
Gu Xiande walked out from behind Xiao Pingtian, stared at Lin Yun for a moment, and then smiled. "So you ended up joining Qingxia Peak after all?"
Lin Yun gave a simple-minded laugh.
"Fine, fine. You can learn much by following that Ancestor. You've come today because..."
"Sect Master, it was my master who told me to come today." Lin Yun immediately began using his powerful backing as leverage. "She said that at my current realm, it's not easy to break through. The best way is to go down the mountain for training. A real fight with someone will allow me to advance."
Xiao Pingtian's face darkened.
Gu Xiande thought for a moment, then glanced at Xiao Pingtian. "Pingtian, since that's the case, you can take Lin Yun down the mountain with you!"
"Master, for this mission, I am enough on my own." Xiao Pingtian had always been used to being alone, not to mention he already disliked Lin Yun.
Lin Yun knew Xiao Pingtian wouldn't agree, but he didn't make a fuss. Instead, he put on a deceptively meek act. "Sect Master, I shouldn't trouble Senior Brother Xiao. Senior Brother Xiao is powerful, while I am just a nobody. It would be bad if I were to inadvertently affect Senior Brother Xiao."
If Lin Yun hadn't said that, it would have been one thing. But now that he had, Gu Xiande became even more determined.
"Your strength is negligible? Heh, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone in the entire Flowing Cloud Sect who can advance as rapidly as you. Pingtian, I know this is difficult for you, but the matter at Lei Family Fort this time is truly complex. It won't be convenient for you to go alone. Taking Lin Yun with you is for the best."
Xiao Pingtian wanted to say more, but Gu Xiande cut him off directly. "Alright, that's settled. You two pack up and head down the mountain together. You must be back within seven days."
Seeing Gu Xiande like this, Xiao Pingtian could only nod and agree.
"Lin Yun, your talent is good. Follow Pingtian and learn from him. The two of you are the foundation of our Flowing Cloud Sect's future!" He patted Lin Yun's shoulder and then watched the two of them leave.
Xiao Pingtian walked in front, moving very quickly. He wanted to shake Lin Yun off. To his surprise, however, the kid behind him kept up tightly. Lin Yun was currently using the "Void-Rushing Ghostly Art." It looked like an ordinary movement technique, but in reality, it was full of profound secrets.
After walking for a long time and finding that he couldn't lose him, Xiao Pingtian finally gave up. He snorted. "On this mission, if you dare to disobey my commands, don't blame me for being impolite."
With that, he shot Lin Yun a cold look. His killing intent was palpable.