Chapter 13: The Supreme Elder’s Gift, Jin Ling’s Visit

Chapter 13: The Supreme Elder's Gift, Senior Sister Jinling's Visit

Ling Xuance saw how eager yet timid he looked and spoke to him in a gentle, guiding tone.

"Thank the Supreme Elder for his kindness and patience. I'll make sure A Yu remembers this."

After speaking, he looked down at the boy beside him and gently encouraged him.

"I already thanked Master for you. No need to be nervous—want to try saying hello to him?"

Lin Yu hesitated for a moment, then nodded lightly.

He leaned toward the warm jade pendant in his palm and said softly, "Hello, Master. Thank you, Master."

The soft, clear voice drifted through the Communication Jade Pendant, and the Supreme Elder's expression softened as he sat in meditation on Qingxuan Peak.

The boy's sweet, obedient "Master" landed gently in his ears, warming the Supreme Elder's heart.

Now that the boy was officially his disciple, he couldn't just accept the boy's respects without giving something back.

The Supreme Elder waved his hand, and spiritual light shimmered from his storage ring as several top-quality protective artifacts floated out before him.

There was a soft jade pendant to ward off evil, a foldable barrier talisman that could block a fatal blow... each one perfect for someone with a pure heart to carry.

He was about to call for a servant disciple when a figure in light yellow appeared at the door—it was Jinling, coming to Qingxuan Peak to report on her cultivation.

Hearing that her master was going to send someone to deliver protective artifacts to the new junior grand-uncle, Jinling's eyes lit up and she eagerly stepped forward.

"Supreme Elder! Let me go! I've got nothing pressing to do, and running errands is perfect for me. No need to bother the servant disciples."

The Supreme Elder looked at her, a warm smile in his eyes, his expression gentle and indulgent.

True Person Lianhua was an orphan entrusted to him by an old friend, and he had raised her himself.

True Person Lianhua was extraordinarily talented, reaching Nascent Soul at four hundred and firmly holding the position of peak master. Before Lin Che appeared, she was the youngest Nascent Soul elder in the entire Taiyi Sect and had never once let down his careful guidance.

And Jinling was True Person Lianhua's first disciple—diligent, sensible, and always favored by the sect's elders.

In his early years, the Supreme Elder had fought high-level demon cultivators, leaving him with lingering internal injuries that never fully healed. He could only rely on his deep cultivation to forcibly suppress them.

Every time a secret realm opened, the laws of heaven deliberately suppressed cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage and above, so he couldn't venture in himself to seek healing treasures.

And he couldn't bear to send his Golden Core disciples into mortal danger in his place, so for years he'd stayed in seclusion, regulating his breath.

If Jinling hadn't entered the secret realm this time and desperately retrieved the Nine Spirit Jade Marrow to bring back, his old wounds would never have eased, and he might still be stuck in the deadlock of closed-door healing.

It was because of this gratitude that he usually showed this grand-disciple a bit more indulgence and care.

But now, thinking of that child's extremely shy nature, the Supreme Elder couldn't help but hesitate.

Jinling was outgoing and lively, and he worried her enthusiasm might scare his shy, reserved little disciple.

Jinling noticed the hesitation in his eyes and stepped forward half a step, gently swaying her sleeve with the charming playfulness of a junior.

"Elder~ I've got perfect discretion. I'll speak softly, stay quiet, and definitely won't scare the junior grand-uncle! You can trust me with this."

The Supreme Elder looked at her lively, endearing manner, shook his head with a helpless smile, and handed her the brocade box with the artifacts.

"Go on, then. Remember to be gentle and courteous—no noise or fuss."

"Thank you, Elder!"

Jinling took the brocade box, her steps light as the wind as she turned and dashed out.

Behind her came the Supreme Elder's fond scolding: "Slow down. Qingxuan Peak is a place of peace—no rushing."

Jinling didn't stop, turning back to playfully stick out her tongue at the hall. Then she stepped onto the cloud-sea stone steps and headed straight for Xuan Yue Peak.

The Supreme Elder stood at the hall entrance, watching her retreating figure, his eyes full of peace and affection.

Meanwhile, inside the bamboo cottage on Xuan Yue Peak...

Ling Xuance stood by the window, his fingers gently working through the boy's fine, soft hair, tying it into a simple braid.

Morning light streamed through the bamboo window, casting a glow over the two of them.

As his fingers gathered the last strand of hair, Lin Yu picked up a water-polished jade mirror and obediently looked at his reflection.

Ling Xuance sighed inwardly—Xuan Yue Peak was livelier than in the quiet days of old, with visitors coming one after another since early morning.

The next moment, the Communication Jade Pendant flickered with spiritual light, and a clear, respectful female voice came through:

"Senior Uncle, I'm Jinling from Qinglian Peak. By order of the Supreme Elder, I've come to deliver something to the junior grand-uncle. May I come up to visit?"

Down at the mountain, Jinling stood at the edge of the formation, stroking her chin thoughtfully.

She gazed at the mist-shrouded Xuan Yue Peak, curiosity flickering in her heart—she wanted to test the high-level formation personally set by a Nascent Soul elder and explore its mysteries.

But on second thought, this was her first visit, and forcing her way through would be too rude and might upset someone. In the end, she chose to send a message to ask properly.

By seniority, Lin Che was the same generation as her master True Person Lianhua—a true elder. She deliberated for a long time, dropped the distant title of "Elder Lin," and decisively called him "Senior Uncle"—humble yet close, the most fitting choice.

Out in the world, she was the dignified, proper direct disciple of the Taiyi Sect, carrying herself with the bearing of a prestigious family.

But back in her own sect, facing her elders and close fellow disciples, her naturally lively and familiar nature came fully to the surface.

Inside the bamboo cottage, Lin Yu clearly heard the voice from the jade pendant. Seeing Ling Xuance about to get up, he reached out a small hand and gently tugged his sleeve.

"Brother Che, maybe... let her come up."

"If you don't want to, you don't have to force yourself. I can just decline."

He always put Lin Yu's feelings first, never willing to force him into contact with strangers.

But deep in his heart, he had deeper considerations.

A Yu was shy and reclusive by nature, always shrinking into his small, safe corner. It brought temporary peace, but it would ultimately make it hard for him to adapt to the complex and dangerous cultivation world.

The ways of heaven were unpredictable. He couldn't guarantee he'd always be by A Yu's side. He hoped to guide the young man to step out—so that even if something happened to him one day, A Yu could still stand on his own in the world.

"I've met Senior Sister Jinling before. It's fine to meet her—I'm not scared."

Ling Xuance saw the calm ease in his eyes, with no trace of reluctance or fear, and lightly tapped the Communication Jade Pendant.

"Come on up."

As the words fell, the maze formation at the mountain's foot silently dissolved, clearly revealing the stone steps winding up the mountain.

At the foot of the mountain, Jin Ling had just received the message when the high-level formation before her vanished without a trace, not a single ripple of spiritual power, melting away seamlessly.

She looked in amazement at the now-open mountain path, a vague feeling of déjà vu rising within her.

This minimalist, flawless formation style—she felt she'd seen a similar artistry somewhere before, yet upon careful reflection, the fragmented memory eluded her, and she could not recall its exact origin.

She had barely taken a step onto the mountain's territory when a faint hum of spiritual energy emanated from behind her.

In an instant, the hidden maze formation that had just dissolved snapped back into place.

Ling Xuance had already anticipated her path, removing the barrier around his mountain dwelling in advance, leaving only the basic concealment formation on the mountain path.

Jin Ling made her way up the slope at a relaxed pace, her eyes sweeping over the lush spirit plants, her heart marveling again and again.

Xuan Yue Peak had once been a neglected, idle solitary summit, its spiritual energy only middling at best—yet now it rivaled that of the sect's finest spiritual peaks.

Reaching the summit, a neat, elegant little bamboo cottage came into view.

Fearing she might startle her shy Little Senior Uncle, Jin Ling obediently stopped a few paces from the bamboo house, not daring to approach or enter unbidden.

Moments later, the bamboo door slid open gently.

Ling Xuance, dressed in pure white, stepped out first, followed by Lin Yu half-hidden behind him, clutching at his robes.

Seeing the two emerge, Jin Ling immediately softened her voice and greeted them warmly: "Senior Uncle, Little Senior Uncle."

Then, raising the brocade box in her hands, she reiterated her purpose.

"I come today on the orders of the Supreme Elder, to deliver several protective spirit artifacts to Little Senior Uncle."