Yun Jin smiled.
If she thought about it, since stepping onto the path of cultivation, the person she'd spent the most time with was the old man right in front of her.
She'd stayed firmly atop the Sacred Mountain for three whole years.
In these three years, she'd tilled the land and sowed seeds alongside him, and they'd harvested the crops together.
Yun Jin understood now why, whenever he shared tea with her, it was made from leaves he'd grown himself.
For people like them, those rare and precious teas were easy to get.
The tea he cultivated and harvested with his own hands carried the true meaning.
The old man had a vast array of experiences. When the farm work was done, he'd tell Yun Jin stories from his past. No one knew how long he'd lived. Pulling out a random segment of his life, every story was incredible.
Yun Jin listened and felt as if she'd lived through those long stretches of time herself.
In these three years, her strength hadn't outwardly changed, but she knew something had settled deep in her heart.
Before, her life had been too rushed.
At first, it was the crisis on Tianjian Peak. She had to grow stronger fast.
Later, the demons started moving more, and Qingxiao Pavilion became a den of evil. She still had to grow stronger fast, and bring the entire Wushuang Sect up with her.
Even later, the demon race was gone, but the Polar Night Demon World still hid dangers, and a few bombs still lurked in Sky City.
Time was just too tight.
She couldn't even remember the last time she'd had a proper rest.
It seemed like she was always busy getting stronger, always busy saving this or that.
Only in these three years, atop the Sacred Mountain, cut off from the world, could she live a life of rising with the sun and resting at dusk.
This peace of mind was something Yun Jin had never known before.
Sometimes, pausing temporarily was the only way to move forward better.
In these three years, Yun Jin hadn't deliberately thought about understanding the Primordial Force, yet she gradually felt as if she were already immersed in it.
The feeling was subtle, pleasant, and even enjoyable.
Her bond with Língzūn had long become a friendship beyond age. Between them, there was no need for constant thanks.
"This codex can be practiced by all spirit beasts in the world," Língzūn said with a smile. "Remember to pass it down to the Vast Azure World as well."
Yun Jin nodded. "But won't spreading such a powerful codex so directly risk it falling into the wrong claws?"
Língzūn replied calmly, "Good and evil coexist, and you can't judge them easily. Screening for every single one would be tedious and never fully accurate. I believe that for every evil beast that cultivates it, there'll be dozens of good ones doing the same. When all the spirit beasts grow stronger, any evil acts will be checked by the stronger ones."
Yun Jin nodded softly. "I understand."
After a brief discussion, Yun Jin and Língzūn each transmitted the codex to their respective worlds.
This codex, tailor-made for spirit beasts, lacked ranks, yet was truly god-tier.
Once passed down, the spirit beasts in both worlds rejoiced.
Língzūn didn't hide anything, openly telling the world that this codex was created by Wushuang Sect Sect Master Yun Jin, who had meticulously studied the secret methods of the world to produce it.
Over three years, the spirit beasts had become familiar with the Wushuang Sect. They'd heard Yun Jin's name countless times from the disciples.
But only now did they truly realize the weight that name carried.
It turned out Língzūn had collected the secret methods for this very reason.
As expected, his decision was once again proven absolutely correct.
The moment the codex spread, Yun Jin's Emotional Value began skyrocketing.
Previously, she'd spent trillions of Emotional Value fusing the world's secret methods.
Now, in just one day, all that cost came back, and at a staggering speed.
Three years ago, Yun Jin would've been ecstatic seeing the surge.
Now, she remained in her unusual state of mind, smiling gently without much disturbance in her heart.
It seemed like she was subconsciously mimicking Língzūn's way of life, capturing that same peace and composure.
She knew she could break out of this state anytime she wanted.
But she didn't want to.
Since her mission had shifted to accompanying Língzūn on his final journey, she wanted to savor this tranquility for these last moments.
In the Trial Grounds, the three youngsters had reached the eighth floor and were struggling toward the ninth.
The challenges had grown tougher at the eighth floor, yet their growth was faster than ever.
Even away from Yun Jin, they were discovering themselves.
Yun Jin felt a sense of comfort watching them.
She didn't think that reaching the ninth floor was the only mark of success.
Gaining anything along the way was already victory.
Moreover, Gun Gun and the others were likely the last challengers of this Trial Grounds.
Yun Jin had vaguely realized the Trial Grounds contained Língzūn's energy.
Much of the place was supported by his spiritual power.
When Língzūn fell, the Trial Grounds would vanish.
The Wushuang Sect disciples were now fully accustomed to traveling between the two worlds.
Countless guides circulated within the sect.
The most popular guide was crafted personally by Yue Zhao:
"How to use the time difference for maximum gain.
It's common knowledge that the two small worlds flow differently. Ten days pass in the Spirit Beast World while only one day passes in the Vast Azure World.
We also know the Trial Tower can be challenged three times a day. But the gains require time to digest.
Through my repeated tests, the most efficient method is to enter the Tower at zero o'clock, complete the challenges, then pick simple side quests or high-level tasks that can be done quickly, and go to the Spirit Beast World. Time flows slower there, so you can complete tasks while consolidating your gains.
After about seven days in the Spirit Beast World, one day passes in the Vast Azure World, which will be evening. At that point, speed up tasks to not miss the next Tower run. After ten days, immediately return to Wushuang Sect to start another Tower cycle.
Repeat this, and it's the fastest way to grow strong!"
Yue Zhao's strategy earned a flood of 666s.
While it seemed the Spirit Beast World only benefited spirit beasts, the time difference allowed Wushuang Sect disciples to gain immense advantage as well.
A year passed in the Vast Azure World.
Ten years passed in the Spirit Beast World.
Atop the Sacred Mountain, Yun Jin watched Língzūn, looking unusually frail, and felt a pang of sadness.