The deep hum of the stabilized spatial formations resonated through the stone floor of the pavilion, carrying a quiet rhythm that mirrored the steady rotation of the three cores in Fang Lin's chest. The colossal rings of light and the towering phantom of the King of Heavens had vanished, leaving behind only the soft, silver glow of the ancient stone lamps. The air was cool, smelling of damp moss and aged jade. Fang Lin stood in the center of the corridor, his simple black robes falling neatly without a single crease. His presence was entirely restrained, showing no leakage of the immense Core Force that now hummed within his dantian. Beside him, Feng Jiu'er and Xiao Chuan watched him with silent reverence, their eyes reflecting the quiet balance of his form.
The elderly Mansion Spirit stood nearby, his hands clasped before him as he looked at the group. The ancient examinee marks on his long robes glowed with a faint, warm light, and his expression carried the quiet respect of a guardian who had finally seen a true heir consolidate his foundation. He turned his eyes toward the legacy disciple, his voice low and serious as he spoke.
"Fairy Feng, the spatial trails of the Rivercloud and Lotus Lake events have settled. According to the scanning arrays of the inheritance boundary, your identity was not exposed to the pursuing forces. It appears that an unknown person has masked your traces, erasing the spiritual remnants that would have linked you to the group's escape and the aftermath of Heishui's demise."
Feng Jiu'er looked at the spirit in surprise, her slender fingers tightening slightly around the hilt of her Crimson Leaf Sword. "An unknown person?" she murmured, her brow furrowing as she searched her memory for any expert who would possess the power and motivation to shield her from the search of Core Formation pursuers and remembered something. She turned her eyes to Fang Lin, finding only a quiet, steady gaze. She knew that whoever had done this possessed immense capability, but for now, the safety it provided was a welcome relief. She let out a soft breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly under her legacy red robes.
Fang Lin stepped forward, his eyes scanning the quiet corridor before he addressed the group. "Our paths must split here," Fang Lin spoke, his voice carrying the firm weight of a decision already finalized. "I will remain here in the World-in-a-jar Mansion to consolidate my cultivation and operate in secret. Feng Jiu'er, you will take Xiao Chuan, Hu Zi, and Er Ya with you to the Green Bamboo Sect. Once you are safe, the senior will teleport Uncle Zhang, Auntie Mei, their nephew, and me to the outskirts of Mylan Village so that I can drop them there."
Xiao Chuan's young face instantly turned pale. He clasped his hands and stepped closer to the older youth, his eyes pleading. "Big Brother Lin, let me stay beside you in the mansion," Xiao Chuan protested, his voice trembling slightly but filled with absolute loyalty. "I can assist you with the arrays, or guard the chamber while you cultivate. I do not need the Mansion's resources. I want to help you."
Fang Lin did not smile. He looked down at the boy, his expression carrying a strict, unwavering resolve. "Your growth is the best way to help me, Lil Chuan," Fang Lin replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. "The path of a water-body cultivator requires active tempering and interaction with the laws of the outside world. Secluding yourself here will only stunt your potential. Go to the Green Bamboo Sect. With your talent, you will easily draw the attention of the elders. Under the protection of Fairy Feng, no one will dare to question your origin, especially with Feng Jiu'er vouching for you. Protect Hu Zi and Er Ya, and wait for my word."
Xiao Chuan looked at the firm expression on Fang Lin's face, knowing that once his decision was made, it could not be changed. He lowered his head, his chest rising and falling as he swallowed his reluctance, then bowed deeply. "I understand, Big Brother Lin. I will go to the sect, and I will protect them with my life. I will not let you down."
Fang Lin nodded, but before he could speak to the others, a hand grabbed his sleeve.
Feng Jiu'er's grip was tight, her knuckles white against the dark fabric of his robes. Her beautiful eyes were burning with a stubborn, fierce emotion, and she didn't care who was watching. "Come with me," she demanded, her voice a sharp whisper. Without waiting for a reply, she pulled him away from the group, leading him down the quiet hallway toward the Residential Quarters.
Fang Lin allowed himself to be pulled, his steps quiet as he followed her past the stone pavilions and empty courtyards. They finally stopped by the edge of the green spiritual pool. The pool was covered in a thick, emerald mist that rose slowly from the life-rich water, carrying a clean, earthy fragrance that purified the senses. The water was still, reflecting the soft silver light of the ceiling like a polished emerald mirror.
Feng Jiu'er released his sleeve and turned to face him, the soft rustle of her red robes cutting through the absolute silence of the courtyard. "Why must you stay here alone?" Feng Jiu'er asked, her voice carrying a soft tremor that she tried to hide. "You have already formed your core. Your strength is enough to make you a top legacy disciple or even a core elder in the Green Bamboo Sect. If we return together, we can face the investigations of the grand sects. Why do you refuse to let me stay, or refuse to come with me?"
Fang Lin stood by the stone railing, looking at her with a steady, warm gaze. "If I return, the eyes of the Green Bamboo Sect will be fixed on me, and we can never guess the attitude of Thousand Leaf sect." Fang Lin spoke calmly. "The events at the Rivercloud Ruins will undoubtedly attract investigations. Heavenly Sword Lake and the Demon Suppression Temple will likely send their people to search for clues regarding Heishui and the legacy. Returning now, after being involved in such a major incident, would only draw their scrutiny toward me. It is better for me to remain in the shadows for now. By staying in the mansion, I can consolidate my strength in absolute safety and operate completely outside their view."
"I know the danger, Lin," Feng Jiu'er whispered, stepping closer until her red robes brushed against his black sleeve. "But secluding yourself in this empty space for years... it is too lonely. I want to stay beside you. We can cultivate together. The mansion has the time-dilation chambers, and we can find a way to hide from the world together. I do not care about the Green Bamboo sect's legacy disciple trial or the sect's expectations."
Fang Lin raised his hand, his fingers gently brushing a stray lock of dark hair from her cheek. His touch was warm and steady. "The Green Bamboo Sect needs you, Feng Jiu'er," Fang Lin replied, his voice soft but unyielding. "A legacy disciple candidate returning alive will satisfy the sect's immediate concerns and draw attention away from the missing disciple. If we both disappear, it will only provoke deeper investigations. Your presence there will act as the perfect shield for my absence. I am not locking myself in a tomb; the guardian of this place is here to help, and I can step outside whenever the path is clear. Go back, consolidate your current foundation, and wait for me."
Feng Jiu'er stared at him, her lips pressing into a thin line. The thought of leaving him behind in this silent mansion filled her heart with a heavy ache. "You always do this," Feng Jiu'er murmured, leaning slightly. "You carry the heaviest weight alone, and you expect me to just walk away and wait. Promise me you will not take unnecessary risks. If you are in danger, you must use this token to call me, or return to the sect immediately."
Saying that, she stuffed an extremely expensive Billion-Mile Sound Transmission Talisman into his hands.
"I promise, Feng Jiu'er," Fang Lin whispered.
Feng Jiu'er said, "Just call me Jiu'er."
He stepped closer, his other hand rising to cup her cheek. The green mist of the spiritual pool swirled slowly around their feet, acting as a silent witness. Feng Jiu'er looked up, her breath catching. The distance between them dissolved, and their lips met in a deep, lingering kiss.
It was a silent, passionate promise of their bond, carrying the warmth of their shared battles, the years of time spent, and the unspoken feelings that had grown between them. Feng Jiu'er wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him tightly. Fang Lin held her waist, his touch firm and protective. When they slowly parted, Feng Jiu'er's face was slightly flushed, her eyes carrying a bright, emotional light. She stepped back, her expression turning firm once more.
"I will go to the sect for you," Feng Jiu'er said, her voice carrying the proud resolve of a legacy disciple candidate.
"Let us join the others," Fang Lin smiled quietly. They turned and walked back toward the Myriad Halls Plaza.
---
In the vast plaza, Xiao Chuan, Hu Zi, and Er Ya were standing near the central altar. Uncle Zhang, Auntie Mei, and their young nephew were resting on a nearby stone bench, their faces carrying a mixture of fatigue and quiet relief. The golden Spatial Escape Talisman, which Fang Lin had received from the Mansion Spirit, remained resting silently and untouched inside the deep recesses of his leather storage bag—a valuable single-person trump card saved for future emergencies.
Fang Lin walked to the center of the plaza, nodding to the elderly spirit. "Senior, activate the spatial alignment. Send Feng Jiu'er, Xiao Chuan, Hu Zi, and Er Ya to the outskirts of the Green Bamboo Sect first."
The Mansion Spirit bowed his head, his hands tracing a complex spatial seal in the air. The massive stone pillars of the plaza flared with a brilliant, silver light as the ancient array lines engraved on the floor hummed with deep spatial energy. A towering spatial vortex materialized above the altar, spinning silently.
"Stand within the circle," Fang Lin instructed.
Feng Jiu'er, Xiao Chuan, Hu Zi, and Er Ya stepped onto the altar and stood within the circle. Feng Jiu'er channeled her Wood/Fire Qi, forming a warm, emerald barrier around the two younger children to cushion them from the spatial pressure, while Xiao Chuan stabilized his own Qi.
With a deep, resonant chime that echoed through the legacy palace, the spatial vortex descended. In a flash of silver starlight, the four figures vanished, leaving no trace behind as the arrays settled back into stillness.
Fang Lin turned to the remaining mortals. "Uncle Zhang, Auntie Mei, it is our turn," he said warmly. He guided the three of them toward the center of the altar. Fang Lin focused his mind, sending out a dense cocoon of Nether-Life Spirit Qi to completely envelop the three mortals, buffering them from the transit force.
He looked at the Mansion Spirit. "Send us to the outskirts of Mylan Village."
"As you command, Little Lin," the spirit replied. He raised his hand, and the silver arrays flared once more. The spatial vortex formed and descended, wrapping them in a silent fold of space.
---
In the quiet forest outskirts of Mylan Village, the dappled sunlight fell softly through the canopy of green leaves. The space above a small grassy clearing suddenly rippled, and a silver light flared before vanishing. Four figures materialized.
Uncle Zhang and Auntie Mei staggered slightly, a wave of mild dizziness washing over their senses. The young nephew yawned deeply as the spatial friction induced a sudden, heavy sleepiness. Fang Lin stood perfectly steady, his Core Force instantly stabilizing the minor Qi turbulence in his chest.
He looked at the familiar trees, the sound of a nearby stream, and the warm breeze that carried the scent of pine. A deep sense of nostalgia washed through him. He waited a few minutes for the mortals to recover, his hand gently supporting Uncle Zhang's arm.
"Uncle Zhang, Auntie Mei, the village is just ahead," Fang Lin spoke softly, gesturing toward the dirt path leading out of the woods.
Auntie Mei opened her eyes, looking at the familiar path. Tears welled in her eyes. "Lin Er... will this be our home from now on?" she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
Uncle Zhang wiped his eyes, a rugged smile appearing on his face. "Fang Lin, are you not coming with us to see the Chief of this Village?" Fang Lin had already explained about the Village Chief and Aunt Ma to them prior to this.
Fang Lin shook his head, a gentle smile on his face. "If I walk into the village now, it will only draw unwanted questions and potential danger to our home. They must continue to believe I am pursuing my path far away. Go on. I will watch you from here, and make sure you do not speak of me. Just say that you are here searching for a new home. If the Village Chief asks, you may disclose how you found this, but only to the Village Chief."
Auntie Mei patted his arm affectionately. "You have always been so thoughtful, Lin Er. Please, stay safe on your path."
Fang Lin bowed deeply to them. "I will. Take care of yourselves."
Uncle Zhang and Auntie Mei turned, holding the nephew's hands as they walked slowly down the dirt path. Fang Lin stood in the cover of the forest canopy, completely silent and hidden. He watched as they reached the edge of the crop fields, where a few villagers looked up in shock. He watched as Aunt Ma dropped her basket of vegetables and ran forward, to see who the newcomers to the village were.
Seeing the warm emotions from afar, a quiet peace settled over Fang Lin's heart. He had fulfilled his duty to them.
Once he saw them safely enter the village, Fang Lin turned and stepped deeper into the dense forest, concealing his presence. The Green Bamboo Country was five hundred miles away from the Rivercloud Demon Sealing Ruins, and because the Mansion Key Token could only be activated within a designated one-hundred-mile radius of the ruins, he could not enter the Mansion from here.
Fang Lin circulated his Core Force, his body rising silently into the air. He stepped forward onto the wind, utilizing his air-stepping technique to fly high above the forest cover, hidden within the thick layer of clouds. As an Early Core Formation cultivator, he maintained a steady, swift flight speed of nearly two hundred miles per hour. The journey back to the Rivercloud region took him slightly over two and a half hours, a silent, solitary flight through the cold mountain winds as he focused on refining the Core Force within his meridians.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long silhouettes over the landscape, Fang Lin descended into a secluded mountain ridge approximately eighty miles away from the Rivercloud ruins—well within the designated boundary. He landed silently on a bed of dry pine needles, checking his surroundings to ensure no other cultivators were nearby.
He raised his hand, his successor token appearing in his palm. He focused his mind, channeling a small thread of his Soul Energy into the token. The activation consumed only a tiny fraction of his spiritual sense, a soft hum vibrating through the jade piece. The space before him rippled, a minor local spatial bridge flaring with a soft silver-green light.
He stepped forward into the ripple, his figure vanishing into the void.
Fang Lin materialized back in the empty, silent Myriad Halls Plaza. The massive stone pillars stood quiet, their silver lamps casting soft puddles of light across the vast stone floor. The silence was absolute, a heavy contrast to the warm noises of Mylan Village he had just witnessed.
Yet, his heart was calm. He stood alone in the center of the space, a sovereign master in his own world, his black robes rustling quietly as he walked toward the Residential Quarters to plan his next move.
-