Only after a disciple had mastered the first realm of swordsmanship would Lin Xuantong impart the second realm.
Like always, Lin Xuantong guided Lu Changsheng and Lin Qinghan in their cultivation.
Lin Qinghan had also successfully stepped into the Immortal Emperor Realm and began practicing “One Sword Across Ages” just like the others.
While the two were pondering over their swordsmanship, a short and plump middle-aged man whose appearance was unremarkable but quite amiable arrived.
Lu Changsheng had never seen this person in Tai Hua Holy Land before.
When Lin Qinghan saw him, she was overjoyed, “Buyi, my senior brother, you’re back?”
The plump man smiled gently, “It’s been many years; my little sister has grown into a beautiful and graceful lady.”
He approached Lin Xuantong, “Disciple has spent two hundred thousand years outside the mountain for tempering, roaming forbidden lands, and upon receiving Master’s letter, I returned to the Holy Land at once, hoping I’m not too late.”
Lin Xuantong, with his hands clasped behind his back, said reflectively, “Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, two hundred thousand years would pass by. It has been that long since you and I, master and disciple, last met. How much has your cultivation progressed?”
The plump man replied modestly, “I am still far from matching our eldest brother.”
Buyi, my senior brother?
Lu Changsheng recalled the origins of this short and plump man.
Besides his two daughters, Lin Xuantong had taken in three direct disciples before Lu Changsheng. The eldest disciple, Qingyang Immortal Emperor, had once ranked sixth on the Qilin Ranking.
The second disciple, Buyi Immortal Emperor, had once ranked forty-ninth on the Qilin Ranking.
The third disciple, Fairy Shun Hua, had once ranked forty-second on the Qilin Ranking.
Although the second and third disciples did not possess the aptitude of the eldest disciple, they were outstanding talents of their time.
Once the cultivation of Lin Xuantong’s second and third disciples reached a certain level, they left the mountain to seek new breakthroughs by adventuring in forbidden lands and other dangerous places. This meant that since Lu Changsheng became Lin Xuantong’s disciple, he hadn’t yet had the chance to meet these senior brothers and sisters.
There were even rumors that the eldest brother, Qingyang Immortal Emperor, had perished while adventuring in a forbidden land.
The forbidden lands are treacherous, and for Immortal Emperors and Daluo Golden Immortals to fall within them is not surprising.
“Heehee, Master, I have also returned,” giggled a pleasant female voice as a female Sword Immortal appeared. With bright eyes and white teeth, skin as pure as snow, a hint of crimson on her lips, and her lustrous black hair tied into a ponytail, she looked ethereally beautiful yet exuded a valiant aura, carrying an Immortal Sword on her back.
Lin Qinghan was even more delighted, “Fairy Shun Hua, sister!”
“Hahaha, my little sister, it’s been ages since we’ve seen each other,” laughed Shun Hua.
Fairy Shun Hua pulled Lin Qinghan into a hug and playfully ruffled her hair.
Lu Changsheng was even more astonished to find these two elusive senior brother and sister returning to Tai Hua Holy Land at the same time.
Could it be that the exploration of the Nether Sea was to be led by Buyi Immortal Emperor and Fairy Shun Hua?
Lin Xuantong introduced Lu Changsheng to Buyi Immortal Emperor and Fairy Shun Hua, “This is my newly accepted disciple, your junior brother, currently ranked eleventh on the Qilin Ranking. His aptitude even surpasses that of your eldest brother.”
“Oh?”
Buyi Immortal Emperor and Fairy Shun Hua noticed their unfamiliar junior brother, showing surprise.
They had spent years traveling the dangerous lands like the forbidden territories and had been out of touch with the Qilin Ranking for a long time. They hadn’t expected that their Master had taken in another disciple, and this junior brother’s aptitude was said to be even greater than that of their eldest brother.
Fairy Shun Hua moved closer, her fragrance enveloping as she slung an arm around Lu Changsheng’s shoulder, “Haha, I didn’t expect that after one trip out, we’d come back to find a new junior brother whose talent surpasses that of our eldest brother. Perhaps in the future, I might need to rely on you for some extra care.”
Sweat.
This was the first time Lu Changsheng had met such a free-spirited and straightforward Immortal.
However, his two disciples, Lu Qinglian and Ning Qianqian, seemed to also be characterized by the same kind of straightforwardness.
“Junior Sister, stop fooling around. Master has summoned us back urgently, so there must be important matters he needs to instruct.”
Buyi Immortal Emperor knew that Lin Xuantong wouldn’t have suddenly called two of his direct disciples, who were traveling outside, without good reason.
Fairy Shun Hua’s giggling expression gradually became serious, “Whatever instructions Master has, just let us know.”
Lin Xuantong said, “Fifty thousand years ago, a Supreme Elder of the Holy Land, at the Immortal Emperor Realm, went missing. You should be aware of this, right?”
Buyi Immortal Emperor and Fairy Shun Hua nodded.
Even Lu Changsheng and Lin Qinghan knew about this.
The last time the two of them were ambushed by Blood Sea Palace in the Nether Sea, it was precisely because Tai Hua Holy Land had sent people there to search for the whereabouts of the missing Supreme Elder.
Lin Xuantong continued, “I originally thought this person was just missing, but recent investigations have revealed that he has defected from the Holy Land and is now at the den of the Candle Dragon Clan in the Nether Sea. The last time the Blood Sea Palace set a trap for Han’er, there were Candle Dragon Clan powerhouses who assisted Blood Sea Palace. I’ve received information that there’s a split within the Candle Dragon Clan, and part of their powerful figures are colluding with Blood Sea Palace, intending to seize the position of the Clan Leader of the Candle Dragon Clan.”
Following Lin Xuantong’s line of thought, Buyi Immortal Emperor conjectured, “Does Master mean for us to lead a team to the Nether Sea, capture the traitor of the Holy Land, ascertain the details of the situation, and also work with those within the Candle Dragon Clan who have not yet sided with Blood Sea Palace to eliminate the traitors within the Candle Dragon Clan?”
“That is exactly the case.”
“Then why doesn’t Master take action personally? With your strength, even the Clan Leader of the Candle Dragon Clan might not be able to handle you.”
“There may be those within the Holy Land secretly communicating with Blood Sea Palace. If I were to move, I fear it would alert the enemy. As far as I know, some powerful figures of the Candle Dragon Clan aspire to take over the next Clan Leader’s position. As one of the ancient Dragon Clans, the Candle Dragon Clan has countless powerhouses. Through normal means, Blood Sea Palace will not be able to seize the position of the Clan Leader, hence why Demon Realm powerhouses backing the Blood Sea Palace might personally intervene.”
“Demon Realm powerhouses…”
Both Buyi Immortal Emperor and Fairy Shun Hua were shocked to hear that the Demon Realm planned to meddle in the internal struggle for the Clan Leader’s position within the Candle Dragon Clan, thereby indirectly controlling this ancient Dragon Clan tribe.
The Demon Realm was going to great lengths to infiltrate the Immortal Realm, using methods that were nothing short of clever.
Moreover, even within the Tai Hua Holy Land’s internal ranks, there were spies from the Demon Realm, making it difficult for Lin Xuantong to take action personally.
It wasn’t that Lin Xuantong feared the Demon Realm powerhouses, but if he made a move, then Blood Sea Palace would likely retreat and hide.
“You two have been traveling outside for quite some time and were summoned back in secret by myself, unknown to others. This time, as you head to the Nether Sea, it will appear as if Lu Changsheng and Han’er are leading the team, but in reality, you two will be following in secret, finding a way to capture the Demon Realm powerhouses. If we succeed in capturing a Demon Realm powerhouse alive, then we can continue our investigation.”
“The Nether Sea is within the influence of the Guanghan Holy Land, which will also send a team to act together with you.”
“Understood.”
Buyi Immortal Emperor and Fairy Shun Hua both grasped Lin Xuantong’s intent.
This trip to the Nether Sea had three objectives. First, to capture the Immortal Emperor Elder who betrayed the Tai Hua Holy Land. Second, to thwart the conspiracy of Blood Sea Palace to control the Candle Dragon Clan. Third, to coordinate with the Guanghan Holy Land and capture the Demon Realm powerhouses appearing among the Candle Dragon Clan.
“If you encounter any mishaps, ensure your own safety first, and I will come to the rescue at the earliest opportunity. In addition, there will be others assisting you in secret.”
Lin Xuantong made his arrangements thoroughly, covering all bases and anticipating various scenarios.
Lu Changsheng admired Lin Xuantong not only for his profound cultivation but also for his intellect.
Lin Xuantong had always been scheming to eradicate the Blood Sea Palace, which, despite having Demon Realm powerhouses as backing, still needed to operate covertly and evade detection.
The Holy Son and Holy Maiden of Tai Hua Holy Land would lead the team, while Buyi Immortal Emperor and Fairy Shun Hua, two Immortal Emperor Realm powerhouses, would secretly follow without leaving any traces. Even if Blood Sea Palace learned that Tai Hua Holy Land and Guanghan Holy Land had sent people to the Candle Dragon Clan to supervise the selection of the Clan Leader, they would still underestimate the strength of Tai Hua Holy Land.
Buyi Immortal Emperor and Fairy Shun Hua were not new talents who had just reached the Immortal Emperor Realm; they had been Immortal Emperor powerhouses for millions of years.
Besides Buyi Immortal Emperor and Fairy Shun Hua, Lin Xuantong also arranged for a Supreme Elder at the sixth level of the Immortal Emperor Realm to lead the team.
“No matter the outcome, at least I will be able to see Xia Ningxue,” Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but look forward to it, thinking to himself.
Lin Xuantong then said to Lu Changsheng, “On this trip to the Nether Sea, take your Dragon Clan disciple along. She has some connections with the Candle Dragon Clan that might come in handy at critical moments.”