Cultivation: Being Immortal - Chapter 183

Yun State，Zhonghang Sect

Zhang Wanjing and his group arrived at Zhonghang Sect and were warmly welcomed. The relationship between the three main sects in Yun State is generally good, although occasional disputes are normal behavior.

Zhonghang Sect has always been paying attention to Five Elements Sect. When Zhang Wanjing returned as a baby, Zhonghang Sect speculated that there would be internal turmoil in Five Elements Sect. However, they didn’t expect that Zhang Wanjing would bring Shi Yuntang and receive unconditional support, instantly suppressing any dissent within Five Elements Sect.

The subsequent transformation went very smoothly. Now, more than ten years have passed since the transformation of Five Elements Sect, and it has shown great results. The most direct manifestation is their actions in the Wilderness. Five Elements Sect occupies two or three times the territory of Zhonghang Sect and has gained a lot of benefits.

This makes Zhonghang Sect extremely envious. They also want to invest more power in the Wilderness, but they cannot do it because, just like Five Elements Sect before, they have a bloated system and most of their manpower is consumed within the sect, making it impossible to effectively utilize their human resources.

Therefore, Zhonghang Sect also attempted to transform, but their attempts were only superficial. They don’t have someone like Zhang Wanjing, someone with outstanding character and abilities, as well as the courage to risk everything. After all, initiating transformation means challenging the vested interests, and who is willing to jeopardize their own position?

Zhonghang Sect’s Nascent Soul is not cherished by anyone like Soul Changing cherishes Zhang Wanjing, with unconditional support.

The success of a transformation often requires the combination of many factors, such as favorable timing, location, and people.

Because of this, Zhonghang Sect greatly envies the fact that Five Elements Sect has produced a disciple like Zhang Wanjing. They have a tremendous interest in him and give him a very warm welcome.

“Senior Brother Zhang, how did you make Soul Changing Ancestor trust you so much?”

In private, a Nascent Soul from Zhonghang Sect secretly asked. We envy you for this. When we were at the golden core stage, we didn’t receive the Life Talisman bestowed by Soul Changing. Is it something that normal people can have? With this treasure, even Nascent Souls can walk confidently.

“You naturally have the protection of the Ancestor because you have always served the Sect wholeheartedly.”

Zhang Wanjing said calmly. It sounded like empty words, but it was also true. If it weren’t for his personality and actions, Shi Yuntang wouldn’t favor him.

However, the Nascent Soul from Zhonghang Sect just smiled dismissively. Serving the Sect wholeheartedly, why would they joke around? Does that make him a villain? Why doesn’t Soul Changing from Zhonghang Sect favor him?

Without further ado, Zhang Wanjing came to discuss matters. He represented Five Elements Sect and wanted to discuss the situation in the Wilderness with Zhonghang Sect. Ever since the Heavenly Wolf King died, the Thunder Cloud Beast has become the new Demon King of the Wilderness.

However, the power of the Thunder Cloud Beast is not as strong as the previous Heavenly Wolf King. It has been heavily defeated by the three major sects. Several fourth-level demonic beasts have been killed by the humans in recent years. After that, the Thunder Cloud Beast went deeper into the Wilderness to seek help. When it returned, its strength had greatly increased and was no weaker than the previous Heavenly Wolf King. There are even new fourth-level demonic beasts appearing, causing another tug-of-war between the demons and humans.

The three sects need to join forces to protect their own interests. They also need to expand their territory as much as possible, restrict the recovery of the demon race’s power, and limit the development of other forces. It’s not an easy task.

The three sects have long understood this implicitly, but they still need to spend a long time discussing the details. When it comes to interests, they all have to compromise with each other.

······

The Lin family’s residence, Anhua City. The Lin family is getting stronger and stronger. They have also bought properties in Yunzhong City as a permanent residence. Lin Die is currently discussing with the Lin family’s young members. This time, she brought a large sum of money to Yunzhong City to purchase a lot of resources and further enhance the Lin family’s strength.

“Third Ancestor, someone outside is requesting to see you.”

“Who is it?”

“Cao Ying, a disciple of Zhonghang Sect.”

“Take her to the living room. I will come later.”

“Yes, Third Ancestor.”

“You guys discuss first, and when you’re done, take separate actions.”

Lin Die said to some children of the Lin family. This time, many members of the Lin family have come. There are representatives from three or four generations, including young people from the seventh and eighth generations.

“Taoist Friend Cao”

“Sister Lin, no, Senior Lin”

Cao Ying saw Lin Die and was amazed to find that Lin Die had already reached the Nascent Soul stage. She quickly changed her way of addressing her.

“Let’s stick with calling me Sister Lin, don’t make me sound so old.”

“I envy you, sister. You are already at the Nascent Soul stage.”

“Friend Cao’s aura is complete. It shouldn’t be difficult for him to advance to the Nascent Soul stage.”

Lin Die said, many years ago Cao Ying had already achieved perfection in the Golden Core stage. She just hesitated to break through due to her Heart Demon problem.

“Sister Lin, I came here to ask if you know where my uncle is.”

“He passed away, didn’t you know?”

“What”

As soon as Cao Ying heard it, her face turned pale and her eyes widened.

“You heard correctly, he died.”

“Ah, impossible! How could he have died?”

“How long has it been since you last saw him?”

“It has been a hundred years. The last Centennial Celebration, he left without saying goodbye. After that, I received several letters from him, but for the past thirty years or so, I haven’t received any.”

“That’s right, that’s why he died.”

“No way, Sister Lin, don’t lie to me.”

“Calculate it yourself, how old is he?”

“This, this…”

Cao Ying couldn’t answer because she didn’t know how old Lin Jiang was.

“The Building Foundation Period is only 200 years, but that’s just a theory. It could be around 170-180 years, or even a little over 200. Lin Wu adopted you when he was already quite old, so it’s only natural for him to pass away.”

“Impossible, impossible! Sister Lin must be deceiving me.”

“Why would I deceive you?”

“My uncle is rich and can buy longevity treasures. It’s impossible for him to just die like that.”

“You can’t simply buy longevity treasures. Taoist Friend Cao, there’s no need for you to be like this. Life, aging, sickness, and death are common to all humans, and the same goes for cultivators. After all, cultivators are not immortals.”

“Impossible, impossible!”

“If you can’t understand, there’s nothing I can do.”

Lin Die shook her head, feeling sorry for Cao Ying, but she had to do it as told in the Ouyang Qing, no matter if he was dead or not, she had to bite him to death, Lin Wu is dead.

“Sister Lin, how did he die and where was he buried?”

“I don’t know. I’m sure he’s dead because his beast pet has returned and the Master-servant Contract has disappeared. You should know that either the owner voluntarily terminates the Master-servant Contract or the owner dies.”

“Yes, Big Shadiao and Small Shadiao, can I meet them?”

“No, this belongs to my Lin family.”

“Sister Lin, this is my uncle’s beast pet.”

“Lin Wu inherited it from his father, who was a descendant of my Lin family. Who do you think it belongs to?”

“I just want to meet them once. I won’t take them away, Sister Lin, please.”

“Taoist Friend Cao, don’t blame me for being heartless. High-level beast pets are of tremendous value. If you don’t want it, it doesn’t mean the Zhonghang Sect won’t come for it. To avoid future disputes, it’s better not to meet them. I’m also sad that Lin Wu died, after all, he was a member of my Lin family, but people can’t come back to life, so please mourn.”

Lin Die firmly refused, the reason seemed reasonable. The third and fourth level beast pets were already very valuable, and it was uncertain if Zhonghang Sect had other ideas. The successor was yet to be determined.

Cao Ying kept begging, but Lin Die remained firm, with a very cold expression, worsening Cao Ying’s mood once again.

“Friend Cao, your dao heart is unstable, it’s time for you to go back and meditate. I have something to attend to, so I’ll leave first.”

“Sister Lin···”

“Seeing the guest off.”

Lin Die said coldly, and several golden core experts appeared, gesturing for Cao Ying to leave. Cao Ying hesitated but had no choice but to go.

After everyone left, Lin Die took out a Sound Passing Talisman and sent a message towards Zhonghang Sect, informing Ouyang Qing that she had done what she had asked. Whether Cao Ying could let go and move on was no longer her concern.

A moment later, Ouyang Qing in Zhonghang Sect received the message, crushing the Sound Passing Talisman. Chen Mingyang, who was nearby, asked. Madam, what’s the matter?

“It’s about Cao Ying, Lin Die helped.”

“Is it useful to do this?”

“It’s the only way for now. We’ve tried everything, and Lin Wu is nowhere to be found. We can only resort to this last resort.”

“If Cao Ying finds out about this, she will hate you.”

“Hate all you want. It’s still better than ruining everything now. There are few women with Nascent Soul in the cultivation world, and crossing the line of emotions is the most difficult. Family, love, friendship, once involved, there will be no good outcome.”

“*cough cough*”

Chen Mingyang coughed twice, saying such things. Don’t you have any feelings for him anymore? It’s so hurtful to say it in front of him.

“I wasn’t talking about you, I was talking about Cao Ying.”

“I know, I know. Let’s not talk about it anymore, let’s not talk about it.”

“We must keep this matter a secret, understand?”

“I won’t tell you, I promise.”

Chen Mingyang nodded. The sect had invested a lot in Cao Ying, and they expected her to repay them once she broke through the Nascent Soul stage. He surely wouldn’t speak out of turn.