In recent years, Lin Yuan had always been a lone wolf, yet he got along quite well with Qingping.
Mainly because Qingping would often come over to chat with Lin Yuan, bringing along the latest gossip from Dragon Tiger Mountain.
Apart from Qingping, Daoist Changqing also checked in on Lin Yuan every now and then.
To Daoist Changqing, Lin Yuan was almost like his own child.
Whether Lin Yuan became a Heavenly Master or not, Daoist Changqing's attitude would remain the same.
Deep down, Daoist Changqing always felt a sense of guilt towards Lin Yuan.
If he had arrived earlier back in the day, perhaps the Zhang Family Fortress might not have faced such a fate.
And Lin Yuan wouldn't have spent his childhood living a secluded life on Dragon Tiger Mountain.
"A few days ago, the chief asked the four of us to go down the mountain one by one to train," Qingping mentioned casually.
The "four" he referred to were the four young Daoists who had attended the Sword Mausoleum event and were granted the Heavenly Master Swords.
Although they couldn't compare to those like Lin Yuan who were chosen by the True Martial Sword, they were still considered the hopes of the Heavenly Master Mansion.
The reason for going down the mountain one at a time was to prevent extreme situations, like all four dying simultaneously.
With someone like Lin Yuan, a Heavenly Master seedling, going off the path, if all four with the Heavenly Phenomenon potential perished, Dragon Tiger Mountain would need at least fifty years to recover.
"Going down the mountain?" Lin Yuan was a bit curious.
Since arriving in this world eighteen years ago, aside from the day he was born, he had spent all his time on Dragon Tiger Mountain.
"Brother Lin, you're a Heavenly Master seed, not like us, so you can't go down the mountain," Qingping quickly remarked, feeling a tingle of fear.
He wasn't a clueless young Daoist anymore and understood how crucial the Heavenly Master seed was to the Heavenly Master Mansion.
Only disciples recognized by the True Martial Sword could become Heavenly Master seeds, and each Heavenly Master seed was inseparable from the True Martial Sword.
If Lin Yuan were to leave the mountain, the sword would have to accompany him.
Such a loss would strike an unprecedented blow to the Heavenly Master Mansion.
The current chief might just have a heart attack if that happened.
"I'm just kidding," Lin Yuan shook his head lightly.
He was far from being a naïve eighteen-year-old.
In truth, considering all his time, Lin Yuan's real age might have already surpassed fifty.
With his heaven-defying comprehension, he didn't need any so-called mountain hikes for training.
For Lin Yuan, Dragon Tiger Mountain was the ideal place, with everything he needed and utmost safety.
Why would he want to leave?
"That's a relief," Qingping exhaled deeply.
"By the way, Brother Lin," Qingping brought up another topic after chatting for a while, "I've been feeling odd during my recent cultivation."
Lin Yuan asked a few questions and soon grasped the root of the issue.
"You're making a mistake. Your state of mind is wrong. You're walking the path of the Sun Absolute. The Sun Absolute is the ultimate in steadfastness and positivity. Out of the thirty-six Heavenly Masters of our mansion through the ages, more than half walked this path, including the mightiest first generation Heavenly Master."
"What is the Sun Absolute? It represents the essence of being unwavering and fearless," Lin Yuan explained straightforwardly.
"Recently, your mind has been hesitant, second-guessing your choices. If you continue cultivating the Sun Absolute while in such a state, of course, it will feel off."
"I see," Qingping suddenly realized.
Indeed, the thought of going down the mountain had stirred his emotions; he wanted to explore the outside world but was apprehensive about potential dangers.
Lin Yuan's reminder brought clarity to his mind.
Buzz! Qingping felt the flow of Qi within him become smooth, a fiery current surging through his body.
Moments later, Qingping opened his eyes in excitement.
He had unexpectedly broken through from the fourth rank to the third rank, thanks to Lin Yuan's guidance.
It must be noted that in this world, cultivation is divided into nine ranks, with nine being the lowest and one being the highest.
Third rank was within the top three ranks, which was an impressive achievement even on Dragon Tiger Mountain.
"Thank you, Brother Lin, for your guidance."
Qingping gave a deep bow to Lin Yuan with gratitude.
He understood that without Lin Yuan's insight, he might not have achieved the third rank and could have even regressed.
"No problem," Lin Yuan waved it off casually.
With his current level, guiding someone not yet at the Heavenly Phenomenon was no trouble at all.
In the True Martial Great Hall, Chief Cang Qing rubbed his temples, a weariness flickering in his expression.
The Ten Thousand Demons Sect had been causing endless trouble outside, and the Heavenly Master Mansion struggled to suppress them alone, having to join forces with other righteous factions.
To make matters worse, the sect's leader had acquired the Primordial Demon Sect's legacy, fueling the demonic forces' fighting spirit.
This has repeatedly led to the righteous factions being defeated in confrontations.
"The leader of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect seems to be truly a remnant of the Primordial Demon Sect," a chubby Daoist mentioned.
"The previous generation of Heavenly Master had found clues of the Primordial Demon Sect during his travels but couldn't track down their origin. It seems now the remnants were already active then."
"Discussing these matters now is too late," Chief Cang Qing said, shaking his head.
The primary concern was how to continue pressuring the Ten Thousand Demons Sect.
At that moment, Qingping dashed in from outside.
"Master, I've reached the third rank," Qingping announced cheerfully, spreading the good news.
As a Heavenly Phenomenon seed of the Heavenly Master Mansion, Qingping was one of the four young Daoists personally taught by Cang Qing.
Any progress in their cultivation was to be reported immediately to him.
"Third rank? So soon?" Cang Qing raised his eyebrows.
He wasn't unhappy about Qingping's breakthrough, but worried he might have used some shortcut.
Based on the typical progress of those chosen by the Heavenly Master Sword, it usually took fifteen to twenty years to reach the third rank.
Qingping had been cultivating for less than ten years, which was unusually fast.
"His foundation is solid. I don't see any issues," the chubby Daoist remarked after examining Qingping closely.
"Qingping, how did your cultivation advance so quickly?" Cang Qing asked, still puzzled.
"It was Brother Lin's guidance that helped me break through," Qingping admitted honestly.
Before, while Qingping often received pointers from Lin Yuan, his progress was only a bit faster than the other three.
It was still within a normal range, so Cang Qing hadn’t thought much of it, attributing it to Qingping's diligence.
However, jumping from the fourth to the third rank, which would typically take five to eight years, naturally caught Cang Qing's attention.
"Brother Lin's guidance?" Cang Qing was taken aback.
Qingping breaking through with just a few casual pointers signified that Lin's strength far exceeded the third rank, possibly more than even many Heavenly Phenomenon experts could achieve.
"Yes, Brother Lin has been guiding me for years. He's so skilled that every word he says opens my mind and advances my strength," Qingping replied.
Hearing Qingping's words was like thunder striking the ears of Cang Qing and the Heavenly Phenomenon experts present.
The ability to open someone's mind with a few words suggested a deep, unassailable understanding of the essence of cultivation and power.
"I always feel that Brother Lin is very powerful, like seeing my own master," Qingping added, emboldening by Cang Qing's silence.
The surroundings went silent again.
Lin being compared to Chief Cang Qing? But Cang Qing was a Heavenly Phenomenon expert.
Could Lin Yuan possibly be at that level too? Breaking into the Heavenly Phenomenon under twenty would be unprecedented among past Heavenly Masters.
"Is Brother Lin truly an unprecedented genius?" The chubby Daoist murmured in shock.
"A genius indeed," Cang Qing fell into silence, a hint of bitterness on his face.
If what Qingping said was true, Lin Yuan was a genius beyond their imagination.
But what did it matter if he was one? Pursuing both Sun and Moon paths, his limit was the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm, never able to reach past masters' heights, because the powerful yin and yang forces within him would explode upon becoming a Heavenly Master.
"So young and with such an understanding of the essence of power, our Heavenly Master Mansion..."
The chubby Daoist began but trailed off, overwhelmed by a painful thought.
Such a genius, why must he go astray?