Chapter 10: Ling Xuance Becomes Distinguished Guest Elder of Taiyi Sect

Chapter 10: Ling Xuance Becomes a Guest Elder of the Taiyi Sect

The Supreme Elder raised his hand slightly to gesture for them to rise, his gaze settling on Ling Xuance.

"Young and accomplished—comprehending the Nascent Soul Dao at such a tender age, with a composed disposition and an untainted aura. Truly rare."

With that, his eyes swept over the assembled disciples in the hall, and he spoke calmly: "This matter involves private matters. All unrelated disciples, withdraw and secure the perimeter of the hall. No one is to approach or eavesdrop."

The disciples stationed outside bowed and withdrew in unison, and the vast Lotus Hall instantly fell silent. In the end, only the Supreme Elder, True Person Lianhua, Jin Ling, and Ling Xuance remained within.

Once the outsiders had withdrawn, the Supreme Elder dropped his gentle smile, his expression turning more guarded.

"Young friend, I perceive that your aura is pure and unobstructed, yet you carry a hidden aura about you. Might you have someone else with you?"

Ling Xuance's mind tensed. He knew that a Spirit Transformation cultivator's perception spanned heaven and earth—further concealment was pointless. He nodded and replied candidly, "Yes, I have my Dao companion with me."

"My Dao companion is naturally timid and fears the noise and strife of the outside world. In my early years, I happened upon a supreme treasure—the Beast Cage—which contains a peaceful haven within. I placed him there to keep him with me, protecting his peace and tranquility."

The instant the words "Beast Cage" left his lips, the atmosphere in the Lotus Hall turned heavy.

True Person Lianhua's brows knitted slightly, a flicker of disgust passing through her eyes; Jin Ling was equally taken aback, confusion written across her face; even the Supreme Elder's kindly expression dimmed somewhat.

In the cultivation world, everyone knew that the Beast Cage was a sinister treasure, long used to imprison demonic beasts and evildoers—and also employed by evil cultivators to trap cauldron vessels. Those trapped within were left with no control over themselves.

Everyone instinctively assumed that Ling Xuance had used the artifact to forcibly confine his Dao companion—seeming to keep him close, but in reality, it was imprisonment in disguise.

Jin Ling's heart tightened, and she quickly spoke up to confirm.

"Daoist Lin—could it be the youth who exhausted his origin spiritual power to shield you in the secret realm that day?"

"It's him." Ling Xuance nodded in acknowledgment.

Jin Ling immediately spoke up to corroborate, recounting in detail what she had witnessed in the secret realm.

"Elder, Peak Master, in the secret realm that day, I saw with my own eyes that young Daoist's spiritual power was extraordinary. He didn't hesitate to overdraw his own life foundation to save Daoist Ling—he was by no means forced or restrained."

"However..." She paused, her face full of confusion. "Jin Ling truly doesn't understand—how could a youth so free and vibrant willingly stay inside a Beast Cage?"

True Person Lianhua and the Supreme Elder listened, but the doubt in their eyes remained.

Even with the precedent of them protecting each other in the secret realm, the Beast Cage's sinister reputation for imprisonment was deeply ingrained. They found it hard to believe anyone would willingly live inside it.

"Young friend, it's not that we're overly suspicious, but this matter is too abnormal. If your Dao companion truly follows you of his own will, could you ask him to show himself for a moment? That would avoid any unnecessary misunderstanding."

Ling Xuance's brows furrowed abruptly, and he instinctively moved to decline politely.

But before he could voice his refusal, the jade pendant at his sleeve grew warm and emitted a faint glow.

Inside the pendant's small world, Lin Yu had clearly heard every word of the conversation in the hall.

He clearly sensed Ling Xuance's wariness and defensiveness, and he caught the suspicion and conjecture hidden in the others' words. He did not want Ling Xuance—who had just found a foothold in the sect—to be tainted by a foul reputation because of him.

His divine sense transmitted through the jade pendant into Ling Xuance's ear.

"Brother Che, I can come out for a bit."

Ling Xuance immediately sent a transmission back.

"A Yu, don't force yourself. If you're unwilling, no one can make you appear."

"I'm fine," Lin Yu said firmly. "I don't want others to misunderstand you. I'll come out for a moment, let them know I'm with you willingly, and then I'll go back."

Ling Xuance sensed the youth's state of mind and confirmed he was not merely putting on a brave face. He raised his eyes to the three in the hall, his expression turning serious.

"Honored seniors and true persons, my Dao companion is extremely timid and shy of strangers. Please restrain your auras—do not startle him."

His tone was cold and earnest, utterly unlike the calm demeanor he had shown moments before.

The three in the hall were moved by his gravity and care, and none dared to be negligent. The Supreme Elder was the first to disperse all his Spirit Transformation pressure, leaving only a warm, unassuming presence.

True Person Lianhua set aside her air of authority, her features growing softer and gentler; Jin Ling also unconsciously slowed her breathing, the spiritual energy around her leveling out.

The vast Lotus Hall fell into absolute silence. No one spoke, and all deliberately sheathed their sharpness and curiosity.

Seeing this, Ling Xuance raised his hand and called softly, "A Yu, come out."

A faint light rippled, the jade pendant's glow gently undulating, and a slender youth stepped slowly out from the void of light and shadow.

Lin Yu had prepared himself mentally within the small world, repeatedly reassuring himself that it was just a brief appearance—but standing before a group of unfamiliar cultivators, he realized his preparation was far from sufficient.

Three entirely unfamiliar gazes fell upon him at once. Even without the slightest malice, the mere act of casual observation and scrutiny was overwhelming.

Instinctively, he hid behind Ling Xuance, his small hands clutching tightly at the back of the other's robes, his slender frame pressed close against his spine.

Sensing the youth's panic, Ling Xuance immediately shifted to block most of the gazes falling on him, leaning close to his ear and murmuring in a low voice, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Warm breath brushed past his ear, and familiar tenderness enveloped him. His tense body relaxed a fraction, and he spoke in a small voice to explain.

"Honored seniors, I—I am naturally timid and shy of strangers... It was my own choice to stay in the Beast Cage. No one forced me, and no one trapped me."

Mindful not to reveal the secret of the small world, he aligned with their understanding, attributing that spiritual-energy-rich haven entirely to the wonders of the Beast Cage.

At these words, the three in the hall were inwardly surprised.

The Supreme Elder looked at the youth before him—his features clean and clear, still so young—and found it impossible to associate him with someone "imprisoned or coerced."

The shyness in the boy's eyes was genuine, with none of the gloom or fear of one under duress. He was simply timid by nature.

The Supreme Elder's kindly expression grew even gentler, his aged, warm voice softening with the affection of an elder for a junior.

"Child, do not be afraid. We harbor no ill intent—we merely had our doubts before."

Looking at the boy's endearingly timid demeanor, warmth welled up in all three hearts.

Especially Jin Ling and True Person Lianhua—seeing such a clean, soft, adorable youth, their hearts were instantly flooded with tenderness and a desire to protect him.

With Ling Xuance shielding him and the Supreme Elder's warm, kind tone, Lin Yu's fear receded a little more.

He peeked half his head out from behind Ling Xuance's shoulder, glancing briefly at the three before quickly ducking back down.

Seeing him relax slightly, Jin Ling's eyes curved with gentle warmth. She softened her voice to a whisper and took the initiative to greet him.

"Daoist, no need to be so formal. I am Jin Ling of Qinglian Peak. In the secret realm before, I owe you my thanks for your generous aid."

Her tone was gentle, but to Lin Yu, who was extremely shy of strangers, it was still an unfamiliar person initiating conversation.

The boy's head, which had just peeked out, snapped back behind Ling Xuance in an instant, hiding his face and revealing only a sliver of pale, delicate neck—daring not to show himself again.

The air fell silent for a moment.

Jin Ling maintained her gentle smile, frozen on the spot, her raised hand pausing mid-air, inwardly wondering with some confusion:

Is she... really that scary?

Lianhua True Person, who had taken in the whole scene, understood at once.

A child this timid and shy would be most afraid of others striking up a conversation. The more warmly and closely others approached, the more flustered he became.

Everyone in the hall was perceptive and quick-witted. Seeing Lin Yu's timid, evasive manner, no one stepped forward to speak or urge him on; they simply stood there in silence.

The Lotus Hall lay serene and still, with only the faint scent of lotus blossoms drifting through the air.

After a long while, Lin Yu's tense shoulders relaxed, and he cautiously poked half his face out from behind Ling Xuance again.

It was then that Ling Xuance spoke calmly, cutting straight to the chase about the true reason for his visit to the Taiyi Sect.

"This junior has come to seek refuge with Taiyi for two reasons: first, to find a place of stability; second, I heard that your sect possesses a unique vitality-nourishing secret manual, most excellent for nurturing spiritual roots and protecting one's foundation."

The Supreme Elder nodded knowingly at these words.

"The sect's core vitality-nourishing secret manual is the treasure of Taiyi, never shared with outsiders. It is only taught to my personal disciples; others have no opportunity to learn it."

His tone shifted slightly, his gaze returning to the timid Lin Yu as he offered a compromise: "If this young friend is willing to become my personal disciple, I will teach you this manual in full."

Becoming a personal disciple of a Spirit Transformation grand cultivator meant access to top-tier cultivation resources, direct guidance from a grand master, and a smooth road ahead on the path of cultivation—enough to make countless cultivators envious.

Yet upon hearing this, Ling Xuance's brows furrowed, hesitation flickering in his eyes, not a hint of joy.

Sensing the shift in Ling Xuance's mood, Lin Yu clutched his robe, leaning close to ask in a small voice.

"Brother Che, do we really have to learn this manual?"

Ling Xuance looked down at him, all the gravity in his eyes melting into tenderness.

"A Yu, I want you to learn it. The path of cultivation in this world is never safe—conflict and bloodshed lurk everywhere."

"No matter how high my cultivation is, there may come a time when I can't fully protect you. I fear that one day I might... and you would be caught in danger with no way to save yourself."

He leaned down, pressing his forehead against Lin Yu's, giving him complete freedom to choose.

"But if you don't wish to become his disciple, we can turn and leave right now, return to the mountain to cultivate in peace. There are countless opportunities in this world—I'll search for them with you slowly. Everything will be as you wish."

Lin Yu listened quietly, his mind mulling over the words.

He wanted to grow stronger, to stabilize his foundation, so he wouldn't always have to hide behind others—able to protect himself and share the burden with Brother Che.

"I'm willing to learn."

After saying this, he glanced at the Supreme Elder and added his bottom line: "But I don't want to be separated from Brother Che."

He could take a master and study, but he absolutely could not accept being parted from Ling Xuance.

Upon hearing this, the Supreme Elder pondered for a moment, carefully devising a solution that satisfied both parties.

"That's easy to arrange—there's no need for the two of you to be separated."