Wuling City.

A gentle breeze swept past, stirring golden ripples across a river's surface.

In a modest courtyard by the riverbank, Lin Zheyu pushed open the gate and entered. This small courtyard, which he had bought earlier, was situated beside the river and was surrounded by beautiful scenery.

I'll find someone to clean it up. I'll be living here from now on, after all, Lin Zheyu thought as he glanced over the dust-covered courtyard.

With a casual wave of his hand, true origin surged from his body and transformed into a gust of clear wind that swept through the courtyard, sending fallen leaves scattering into the corners. This was one way to apply true origin. With Lin Zheyu's current control and the strength of his spiritual sense, it was easy enough to accomplish. Compared to an immortal cultivator's proper spells, such as a dust-cleansing art, it was still rather crude, but it was passable.

After giving the courtyard a simple cleanup, Lin Zheyu sat by the stone table, took out the Spirit Resonance Sphere from his storage pouch, and began studying it. He was extremely interested in this unusual communication device.

Thirty Spirit Resonance Sphere sub-spheres should be enough for now. I'll merge in the ones others gave me first.

He did not know many immortal cultivators. Currently, only seven, including Ji Ziyang and Ji Zitong, had left contact information for him. There was also the Wanli Alliance. What he received from the Wanli Alliance was not just an ordinary means of contact. It was more like a platform or network, capable of many functions. Only cultivators valued by the Wanli Alliance were qualified to obtain it. Even cultivators with high-grade Spirit Resonance Spheres could not access the platform without a Wanli Alliance jade token.

Lin Zheyu gave it a quick look and found a variety of request missions posted by powerful experts that could be accepted. Unfortunately, aside from browsing Wanli Alliance goods, every other function required spirit stones.

Though curious, Lin Zheyu could not use it for now. In the end, he failed to top up. After all, he was broke.

"I'll leave Tu Yuan a message first. Later, I'll fleece him properly, then top up my account and try out those Wanli Alliance functions," Lin Zheyu muttered as he took out the Spirit Resonance Sphere Tu Yuan had left him.

Though called fusion, the process was simple. He only needed to bring the two Spirit Resonance Spheres close together, establish a connection with spiritual sense, and merge the key formation-pattern restrictions within the sub-sphere into his main sphere. Once the fusion succeeded, the original sub-sphere would become a blank sphere, which could be refined again and reused.

Lin Zheyu immediately sent the message.

"After you leave seclusion, you can go to No. 13 Willow Alley in Baiyang District and find the Spirit Resonance Sphere sub-sphere I left there. After that, we can contact each other."

Although Wuling City had the Heaven-Monitoring Formation in place, and immortal cultivators did not dare act recklessly, Lin Zheyu still did not want to expose his current address to Tu Yuan. He didn't trust Tu Yuan much, as he didn't seem honest to him.

Lin Zheyu did not want trouble finding him for no reason. He merged all the Spirit Resonance Spheres on him into the main sphere one by one, and seven different aura signatures immediately appeared on it. He trusted the other people he met much more. While sending a greeting to each of them, he also left his Wuling City address, inviting them to come find him for a drink when they left seclusion and had time.

I should head back to the Wuji Sect first. Once I deal with the Wuji Sect's matters, it will be time to go into seclusion for a while. It's been so long that I actually miss them a little. I also wonder how Master Liang and Senior Brother Han are doing. I hope all is well...

Lin Zheyu let out a faint sigh as he suddenly thought of his master, Liang Song, and his senior brother, Han Mo, back in the Southern Barbarian Region.

The Southern Barbarian Region had now fallen into the hands of the Nine Nether Sect. Even with strength comparable to the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm, Lin Zheyu did not dare venture there alone. All the cities of Great Wei had Heaven-Monitoring Formations in place. He did not believe the Nine Nether Sect lacked similar methods.

***

In Wuling City, at the Wuji Sect's Azure Tide Pavilion branch.

"Martial Uncle! It's Martial Uncle Lin! Hurry and inform the Pavilion Master!"

The moment Lin Zheyu arrived outside the compound, someone recognized him and cried out in shock.

"Ah! Wasn't Martial Uncle Lin...? How... He, he's still alive!"

Someone stammered out the words in a fluster, almost incoherent, leaving Lin Zheyu unsure whether to laugh or cry. As expected, his sudden disappearance had led the sect to believe he had encountered danger. With the situation so tense, sect members often died while away. When no news came back for this long, it usually meant the person was gone.

Lin Zheyu called over a disciple and asked softly, "Is the Pavilion Master in the sect?"

"The Pavilion Master has been away from the sect for some time. The sect's affairs are mainly being handled by Elder Yang and the third elder right now," the disciple replied respectfully.

"Has anything major happened in the sect while I was away?" Lin Zheyu asked.

"If we're talking major events, then yes. Nearly all the experts above the Force Transformation realm have been transferred away. Even many martial artists above the Blood Qi realm have joined the City Guard on missions. Right now, the sect is short-handed. Everyone is being worked as if one person must do the work of two," the disciple said after a moment's thought.

"No one has come to harm, I hope?" Lin Zheyu asked with concern.

"There have been casualties, but mostly among disciples below the Marrow Refining realm. Not many died, though some were severely injured. I'm afraid their path in martial cultivation may be cut off from now on."

The disciple's mood dimmed as he spoke, clearly affected.

"Mm, that's all. Go back and cultivate well," Lin Zheyu said, patting his shoulder in encouragement before walking into the sect.

His powerful perception spread outward, and he quickly found Elder Yang. Elder Yang was sitting in the main hall, discussing important matters with Wu Xuan. Lin Zheyu strolled through the sect, looking at the familiar surroundings, and an inexplicable emotion rose in his heart. He had only been gone a few months, yet it felt as though far longer had passed.

A disciple rushed excitedly into the hall and shouted, "Report! Elder Yang, I have urgent news!"

Elder Yang and Wu Xuan both stopped and looked over in curiosity.

"What is it?" Elder Yang asked calmly.

"Sir, Martial Uncle Lin has returned," the disciple said excitedly.

Lin Zheyu was now a renowned figure in the Wuji Sect. He was the genius who had made the Limit Cultivation Method sweep through the sect and was the foremost of the younger generation.

"Lin... Zheyu?" Elder Yang froze for a moment, then quickly reacted, a flicker of excitement flashing in his eyes.

Wu Xuan was no different. She could not help blurting out, "Where is Martial Nephew Lin? Quickly have him... no, I'll go see him myself."

"Martial Uncle Lin is already outside. He specifically asked me to come in and report first," the disciple said hurriedly.

"Quick, quick, let him in," Elder Yang said impatiently.

Lin Zheyu was the one he had recognized first and had Huang Baizhong take in as a disciple. Elder Yang had always held high expectations for him.

"Yes, I will go at once!"

The disciple jogged out of the hall. Not long after, Elder Yang and Wu Xuan saw that familiar figure once more, after months apart.

Seeing Lin Zheyu's powerful aura and that he appeared uninjured, Elder Yang relaxed slightly and laughed. "Haha, you brat! You finally decided to come back."

Lin Zheyu cupped his fists and bowed to Elder Yang and Wu Xuan. "Greetings, Elder Yang and martial aunt."

"It's good you're back... It's truly good. While you were missing, Senior Brother mobilized a great many people to search for you, but there was no news at all." Wu Xuan smiled, clearly delighted that Lin Zheyu had returned alive and safe.

"This was my fault. I made my elders worry," Lin Zheyu said apologetically.

He had originally planned to inform Master Huang Baizhong or Elder Yang before heading to the demon god barrier to cultivate, but he had not expected to run into that old man from Soaring Cloud Pavilion. Now, because of that very old man, Lin Zheyu no longer dared remain in the Wuji Sect, for fear of bringing trouble to it. Whatever the old man's purpose, as long as Lin Zheyu gave him no weakness to exploit, the old man could do nothing to him.

"What are you saying? It's enough that you came back safely." Elder Yang smiled with relief.

"Elder Yang, has Master gone out on a mission? Did he say when he would return?" Lin Zheyu asked.

If possible, he still wanted to meet Huang Baizhong once and properly say farewell.

"Baizhong won't be back anytime soon. He's reached the threshold of advancing to the Martial Innate realm in martial cultivation and is seeking an opportunity to break through. It won't be quick. Why? Have you run into difficulties in cultivation and want Baizhong to give you guidance?" Elder Yang said with a smile.

"If you've encountered trouble in cultivation, you can come to me as well. Though your martial aunt may not be as strong as your master, guiding you is no problem," Wu Xuan said with a smile.

"It isn't a matter of cultivation." Lin Zheyu paused before continuing, "I have run into some matters and will be leaving Wuling City. I may not return for a very long time, so I wanted to personally bid my master farewell."

"What? You're leaving?" Elder Yang and Wu Xuan both cried out in shock.

The two exchanged a glance. Wu Xuan gave a slight nod, and Elder Yang asked, "Have you run into some trouble?"

"I told you before, once you became a true disciple of the Wuji Sect, the sect became your greatest backing. Whatever talent or aptitude you have, show it without reservation. Whatever enemies or troubles you face, do not fear. The sect is your greatest support!" Elder Yang said sternly, his voice ringing out.

A powerful aura suddenly spread from him, and his bearing changed at once, no longer that of the kindly old man from moments ago. Feeling Elder Yang's concern, warmth stirred in Lin Zheyu's heart. Life in the Wuji Sect had been comfortable. There had been none of the scheming and deceit found elsewhere. Elder Yang, his master, Huang Baizhong, and his senior brothers and sisters had all treated him well. Here, he had felt the warmth of home.

"I haven't run into trouble. It's a matter concerning me. Before long, I'll be leaving the Guanghua Region. I'm sorry, but when I entered the sect, I concealed some things about my background. I meant no ill intent. There were simply reasons I could not reveal it," Lin Zheyu said after careful consideration, half true and half false.

"Why bring that up? I was the one who helped falsify things when you entered the sect. Do you think I didn't know?" Elder Yang rolled his eyes and said dismissively, "As long as you passed the heart inquiry and signed the contract, whatever your past, you are a disciple of the Wuji Sect."

"Do you need help?" Wu Xuan did not try to stop him. Instead, she asked with concern.

"Thank you for your concern, Martial Aunt. This trip should not be too dangerous. It is only that I may be gone a long time... and it is possible I may never return," Lin Zheyu said slowly.

"Then go! I permit you to leave. But no matter where you are or what trouble you encounter, remember this always: you are forever a true disciple of the Wuji Sect. If you ever face an enemy you cannot overcome, come back. The Wuji Sect will always be your backing," Elder Yang said in a deep voice.

When serious, he carried an overwhelming air of authority. With Lin Zheyu's current strength, he could clearly sense that Elder Yang and Wu Xuan's concern was sincere, not a show to win loyalty.

"Mm, I will never forget," Lin Zheyu said solemnly.

"Enough, let's leave that aside for now. When are you leaving?" Elder Yang asked with a smile, moving past the matter.

"I will leave shortly. I came back specifically to say farewell," Lin Zheyu replied.