Chapter 230: Chapter 220: Leisure Cloud Hall
When Yang Lin and Zhao Lin returned to the inner courtyard, it was already late. The disciples who had been guarding the mountains outside were also trickling back.
At nine o’clock that night, Yang Lin gathered the disciples on the training grounds. Sect Leader Lu Chaohuan, the sect’s Left and Right Guardians, the elders of the various courtyards, and other high-ranking members of the Xingyun Sect were all in attendance.
"What’s going on? Why were we suddenly called back?"
"I don’t know, but this is a big deal. Even the Sect Leader is here..."
The disciples were all baffled, whispering amongst themselves.
Zhao Lin, of course, knew the reason, but he was sensible enough to say nothing.
Yang Lin silently counted everyone. After confirming no one was missing, he turned and gave a subtle look, at which Lu Chaohuan and the others let out a collective sigh of relief.
"I’ve called you back to announce one thing. From this day forward, everyone will return to the inner courtyard to cultivate. You no longer need to go out to guard the mountains."
Yang Lin waved his hand. "It’s getting late. All of you, go back and rest."
"Yes."
The disciples took their leave and departed one after another.
"The Flame Sect has gone too far! We must have justice!"
Law Enforcement Elder Fan Wenshu, though nearly ninety, still had a fiery temper. He spoke through gritted teeth, his whiskers and hair practically standing on end.
It wasn’t unusual for the various powers to plant spies in each other’s territories, but that was usually limited to snooping for secrets and gathering intelligence. A direct attempt to assassinate another sect’s genius disciple was a first.
Lu Chaohuan held up two fingers, his voice cold. "Elder Fan, rest assured. Two things. First, we will join forces with the Li Yang Sect and the Southern Suppression Sect to conduct a thorough investigation and root out the traitors within each of our sects."
"Second, the Flame Sect must be punished and must hand over the mastermind. If I fail to accomplish even one of these two things, I will step down as Sect Leader."
The Left Guardian, Zhang Zong, who was in charge of intelligence, immediately stepped forward. "Sect Leader, entrust the first matter to me. Within three days, I will root out these bad apples!"
Lu Chaohuan first nodded, then gently shook his head. "Three days is too hasty. Take ten. You and Elder Fan will oversee this matter together. Try to catch them all in one fell swoop."
Zhang Zong and Fan Wenshu cupped their fists in unison. "Yes!"
Lu Chaohuan’s gaze shifted to Yang Lin. "Yang Lin, did you say that Zhao Lin single-handedly killed five Blood Realm assassins, and that he possesses True Qi with wind, ice, and lightning affinities?"
Hearing this, the Guardians and elders were all stunned, their faces etched with disbelief.
"What? True Qi with three different affinities?"
"Brother Yang, are you sure you saw correctly?"
"Impossible! Someone with even one special affinity is already exceedingly rare. How could there be a person with all three..."
Yang Lin smiled. "It’s the absolute truth. I just confirmed it myself today."
"Zhao Lin, come in!"
His latter sentence was directed at Zhao Lin, who was waiting just outside the training grounds.
Zhao Lin strode back onto the training grounds, coming to a stop before the Sect Leader and the others.
A smile appeared on Lu Chaohuan’s face. He spoke gently, "Zhao Lin, would you mind if I inspected your cultivation?"
Zhao Lin couldn’t very well refuse. He extended his palm. "Sect Leader Lu, please, go ahead."
Lu Chaohuan placed his finger on the pulse point of Zhao Lin’s wrist, sending a stream of Primordial Qi directly into his Qi Sea. His expression changed instantly, mirroring the look Yang Lin had worn earlier.
"Well? Let me see."
Fan Wenshu held the highest seniority and had always spoken informally with the Sect Leader. He couldn’t help but press him.
Lu Chaohuan had no choice but to withdraw his hand.
In a short while, the other Guardians and elders had also taken their turn to test him. They were all so astonished their mouths hung open.
Lu Chaohuan stroked his beard and let out a long sigh. "It seems our Xingyun Sect’s time to shine has finally come. Yang Lin, you must guide him with the utmost care and ensure his safety!"
Yang Lin nodded. "Rest assured, Sect Leader."
Zhao Lin felt a wave of relief. ’The Sect Leader sure knows how to say the right thing,’ he thought. ’The last thing I want is to go through another assassination attempt.’
...
Early the next morning, Yang Lin sent someone to summon Zhao Lin to Hongrong Pavilion.
"You wanted to learn how to control True Qi with special affinities, didn’t you? I’m taking you to meet someone."
With that, he led Zhao Lin up to the mountain peak, to a secluded and tranquil building.
The structure was built like a manor with blue-green bricks and dark tiles, giving it an ancient, elegant charm. Beside it was a natural hot spring, its steam coiling in the air, making the scene look like a fairyland.
It was Zhao Lin’s first time here, and he curiously looked all around.
Yang Lin walked ahead with his hands clasped behind his back. He suddenly turned his head. "Let me ask you a question. Where do you think all of our sect’s many Cultivation Techniques come from?"
Zhao Lin thought for a moment before answering, "I believe they were probably created by great martial masters who were experts in the principles of martial arts."
He had actually pondered this question before, but his motivation had been the pursuit of longevity.
Practicing martial arts could temper the body and unlock one’s potential, but ultimately, one couldn’t live past the age of one hundred and twenty.
Zhao Lin thought, ’Since our predecessors could discover realms like the Blood Realm, Primordial Realm, and Innate Realm, why can’t I deduce an even higher one?’
’Rather than pinning my hopes on some non-existent Cultivation Technique, it’s better to rely on myself.’
Yang Lin raised an eyebrow in approval. "You’re not wrong! Most people who practice martial arts know *what* to do, but not *why* they do it."
"They learn a Cultivation Technique and only know how to train desperately, never once thinking about becoming the kind of person who could create one."
"But there’s another kind of person in this world—one who is an expert in martial principles, who understands how to trace things back to their origin. They are the true connoisseurs of the martial path!"
As he spoke, he pointed ahead. "This is the place where our Xingyun Sect studies and researches the martial way... Leisure Cloud Hall!"
Zhao Lin glanced at the plaque above the manor’s entrance. Sure enough, the three large, calligraphic characters for "Leisure Cloud Hall" were inscribed there. ’So this is something like the sect’s research institute,’ he realized.
The two of them continued walking and talking, soon arriving before Leisure Cloud Hall.
Yang Lin presented his waist token, and the disciple at the gate immediately let them pass.
The courtyard inside the manor was spacious, flanked on two sides by covered walkways. Paved paths crisscrossed within, and the space was dotted with ornamental rocks, flowers, and trees.
Along the paths, one could see elderly Blood Realm martial artists everywhere, and even some at the Primordial Realm.
Some of these people were sitting on the ground, engrossed in books. Others were gathered in groups, loudly debating martial arts theories. Still others were holding various strange poses, practicing some unknown Cultivation Technique...
Zhao Lin was inwardly surprised. ’They don’t seem like martial artists who live for battle,’ he thought. ’They’re more like the research-obsessed scholars from my past life.’
Yang Lin lowered his voice. "These are the people I was just telling you about. Many of the sect’s Cultivation Techniques were created and perfected by them."
"The person I’m taking you to see is named Pan Yue. He’s the former head of the inner courtyard and the current Hall Master of Leisure Cloud Hall."
Before long, the two arrived in the rear courtyard.
In the rear courtyard stood a rockery. Beside it was a large table made of pear wood and marble, upon which were laid several inkstones and an assortment of brush holders. A white-robed elder was currently wielding a brush, his hand flying across a sheet of white paper.
"Brother Yang, what brings you here?"
The white-robed elder spoke without looking up, his hand continuing to write.
Yang Lin wasn’t offended. He chuckled. "Younger Brother Pan, I have a disciple in the inner courtyard that I can’t teach, so I’ve come to you for help."
The white-robed elder scoffed. "You’re joking, Brother Yang. What kind of disciple could you possibly be unable to teach?"
Yang Lin didn’t answer, instead saying to Zhao Lin, "This is Elder Pan."
Zhao Lin stepped forward. "Disciple Zhao Lin greets Elder Pan."
Hearing this, Elder Pan’s hand paused, and he raised his head to look at Zhao Lin.
Zhao Lin felt the white-robed elder looked somewhat familiar, and he too raised his eyes to meet the man’s gaze.
Their eyes met, and both of them froze, stunned.
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