Mountain Venerable and Sea Immortal

The streaks of light streaked across the sky, the wind howled deafeningly.

Lin Yan led the group in a frantic flight, their companions enveloped in pale blue spiritual energy. The inkstone and the Dingyuan Pearl remained suspended before them, their flowing blue spiritual light forming a protective barrier that blocked all the fierce attacks from behind. Chen Dagang carried the unconscious Hailan and Su Chen, his breathing labored, yet he remained firmly by the injured disciples' sides. Ye Qing's fingertips moved ceaselessly, continuously unleashing the Green Wood Binding Technique to slow down the pursuers. Yi Azhu's palm glowed with an unending green light, constantly stabilizing everyone's spiritual energy and healing their injuries. Yun Xi stood at the rear of the group, her sword held horizontally, her pure white blade forming an impenetrable defensive line. Each swing of her sword deflected several incoming spells and sword energies, leaving her white robes stained with blood.

Four powerful auras clung to them like a malignant tumor: the raging flames of the Burning Heaven Sect, the sword energy of the Azure Cloud Sect, the water lock of the Water Moon Pavilion, and the blood Fiend of the Blood Fiend Sect. They intertwined to form a destructive net, relentlessly pursuing Lin Yan and his group, closing in ever closer.

"Youngster, trying to escape!"

Mo Tu of the Blood Fiend Sect let out a vicious laugh, his bloodthirsty aura surging once more. A giant blood-red axe materialized out of thin air, carrying a world-destroying force, and slashed towards Lin Yan at the forefront of the group. Wherever the axe wind passed, the air was torn apart with ear-piercing shrieks. Lie Cang of the Burning Heaven Sect followed closely behind, wildly waving his fire fan, and countless fire crows blotted out the sky, completely blocking the path ahead; Shen Qinghan of the Azure Cloud Sect rode his sword through the air, the Azure Rainbow Sword transforming into a long rainbow, aiming straight for the spirit turtle and the supreme treasure in Lin Yan's arms; Su Wanli of the Water Moon Pavilion had cold eyes, and her water spiritual energy condensed into several ice chains, wrapping around the ankles of the group, intending to drag them down from the clouds.

With experts from all sides joining forces, their overwhelming power was overwhelming. Lin Yan and his group of only five, along with the wounded and prisoners, were already in dire straits.

"Everyone, move together!"

Lin Yan's eyes were as deep as a cold pool, yet he showed no sign of panic. He raised his hand and pressed down on the two resonating inkstones in front of him, unleashing his Foundation Establishment realm spiritual power without reservation. Innate Dan Fire leaped up from his fingertips, intertwining with the pure water spiritual energy, transforming into a blue-gold spiritual light that spread along the patterns on the inkstone.

"The inkstone beads suppress the spirit, the water curtain shrouds the sky!"

With a low shout, the inkstone and the Dingyuan Pearl suddenly erupted with dazzling light, and a massive amount of Guixu spiritual energy surged out from between them, condensing into an incomparably thick water spirit barrier in front of everyone. The barrier shimmered with a warm blue light, and ancient restraining restriction patterns flowed across its surface. It withstood the blood-red giant axe, the sky full of fire crows, and the sharp sword energy, emitting a deafening roar.

boom--!

A deafening roar echoed across the sky. Lin Yan's body trembled violently, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, and his spiritual energy surged violently within him. He was already at his limit, having single-handedly fought against four sect deacons whose cultivation far surpassed his own. Even the spiritual light beneath his feet dimmed slightly.

"Lin Yan!" Yun Xi turned around and saw this, her eyes suddenly filled with anxiety. She immediately turned around to go forward to help, but was forced to retreat repeatedly by a sharp sword aura from Shen Qinghan.

"Hold on! We're almost at the main peak!" Ye Qing roared through gritted teeth, pouring all his spiritual energy into the defensive barrier. Yi Azhu also immediately sent a healing spiritual light to Lin Yan to stabilize his turbulent soul.

At the critical moment, three golden beams of light suddenly rose from the direction of the main peak of Laoshan Mountain, shooting straight into the sky. Immediately afterwards, a vast pressure as powerful as mountains and seas swept across the entire airspace of Moshan Mountain, forcibly pushing back the attacks of the four sects by several feet!

"presumptuous!"

A clear, cold rebuke resounded like a thunderclap.

Elder Wudao, clad in a black Daoist robe that billowed in the air, descended on clouds, his aura restrained yet exuding an unassailable majesty. With a wave of his hand, a golden incantation burst forth, instantly transforming into a thousand-foot-long spiritual pattern that enveloped Lin Yan and his group, completely dissolving all remaining attacks. True Persons Guanhai and Yulan followed closely behind, one wielding a sword to suppress the airspace, the other forming hand seals to set up the Laoshan Mountain Protective Spirit Array. Layers of spiritual light spread from the main peak, completely blocking the forces of the four major sects from entering.

Lie Cang, Shen Qinghan, and the others, who had been relentlessly pursuing the group, all changed their expressions. They immediately stopped and looked at Elder Wudao, who stood in mid-air, with a look of fear in their eyes. Although they coveted the Guixu Treasure, they dared not openly confront Laoshan head-on.

Seeing the elders from the main peak arrive to their aid, Lin Yan and the others finally felt relieved. The tense spiritual energy around them slowly dissipated, and they all landed together, bowing respectfully: "Greetings, Elder!"

Elder Wudao's gaze swept over the disheveled but still upright group, then looked at the inkstone treasure in front of Lin Yan whose aura was not yet calm, as well as the messy Lingxian Valley, and Hailan and Su Chen who had been captured by Chen Dagang. A cold light flashed in his eyes, and he had already seen through the whole story.

"Lie Cang, Shen Qinghan, Su Wanli, Mo Tu," Elder Wudao's voice was calm, yet carried a mountain-like pressure, "When did it become your place to interfere in the affairs of my Laoshan sect? Openly hunting down my Laoshan disciples and plundering the sect's treasured vein, do you think Laoshan has no one to rely on?"

Lie Cang of the Burning Heaven Sect stepped forward, suppressing his greed, and cupped his hands, saying, "Elder Wudao, this is an ancient treasure from the Ruins of Return, concerning the stability of the spiritual veins of the world. It is not the private property of Laoshan. It should be jointly managed by the five major sects; this is the righteous way!"

"Indeed," Shen Qinghan of the Qingyun Sect sheathed his sword and echoed in a deep voice, "If the restrictions on the Guixu Spirit Vein were to appear in the world and be hoarded by a sect, it could lead to a great disaster. We are only thinking of the cultivators of the world."

Su Wanli of Shuiyue Pavilion nodded slightly, while Mo Tu of Xue Sha Sect stood silently to the side with a gloomy face, but did not make any rash moves.

Upon hearing this, Elder Wudao sneered, his gaze fixed on the Guixu restriction that still leaked spiritual energy from the crack in Moshan Mountain. He said in a deep voice, "This is the Guixu branch seal personally laid down by the ancient Laoshan sage Ling Xuanzi. The Inkstone and Pearl are also treasures left by the sage to suppress the vein, guarded by Laoshan disciples for generations. When did they become treasures shared by the world? You are taking advantage of the chaos caused by demons and evil spirits to try to plunder, which is disregarding the righteous path and driven by selfish desires!"

Having said that, he raised his hand and pointed, and a golden light fell into Lin Yan's hand: "Lin Yan, take the precious inkstone bead and go to the rift to rebuild the gap in the restriction, stabilize the spiritual vein, and prevent the spiritual energy of the Ruins from leaking out and causing even greater disaster."

"Your disciple obeys!"

Lin Yan received the golden light and felt a surge of profound and gentle elder spiritual power flow into his body. The spiritual energy he had previously depleted was instantly restored by more than half, and the blood at the corner of his mouth also disappeared. He hugged the spirit turtle in his arms tightly, held the inkstone and pearl in his hands, and turned to walk towards the underground rift in the Spirit Immortal Valley.

Yunxi and the other three immediately stepped forward, stood beside him, and formed a protective formation once again.

Lin Yan stood before the rift, feeling the surging energy of the Guixu spiritual vein beneath him, which perfectly merged with the aura of the supreme treasure in his hand. He closed his eyes and poured all his innate alchemical fire, foundation-building spiritual power, and Canglan water rhythm into the inkstone and Dingyuan Pearl. The spirit tortoise also raised its neck, and the ancient golden water patterns on its shell shone brightly, perfectly fusing the divine beast's spiritual energy with the power of the supreme treasure.

"The vast waters and clouds, the inkstone town returned to ruins, the ancient sages' prohibitions, now resealed!"

With a soft shout from Lin Yan, the two treasures, Yanzhu and Yanshi, soared into the air and plunged into the crevice. The blue and gold spiritual light spread along the ancient restriction patterns, and the original broken gap healed at a speed visible to the naked eye. All the leaked Guixu spiritual energy was sealed back into the ground, and the remaining demonic energy, evil energy, and fire energy in the valley were also completely cleansed by this power of suppressing the veins.

The cracks slowly closed, the ground returned to its flat state, and although Lingxian Valley was still in a mess, there was no longer any eerie or evil aura, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth returned to peace.

Seeing this, Elder Wudao's eyes sharpened as he looked at the members of the four major sects: "Considering that none of the sects have committed any serious offenses today, Laoshan will not pursue the matter for the time being. However, if they dare to set foot on Laoshan's territory again and covet the sect's treasures, don't blame Laoshan for being impolite!"

Guan Hai and Yu Lan, the two True Immortals, simultaneously activated the spirit array, and the disciples of Laoshan gathered in the air, with dense spiritual light covering the sky, creating an imposing aura.

Lie Cang and the others exchanged glances, knowing that there was no chance of seizing the treasure today. They had no choice but to give up in resentment, cupped their hands in farewell, and left with their disciples. However, as the four of them left, the look in their eyes when they looked back at the Inkstone Pearl treasure still contained an indelible greed and covetousness.

Lin Yan retrieved the precious inkstone bead, turned back to the group, and bowed to report: "Elder Master, the restriction has been resealed, and the spiritual vein is safe."

Elder Wudao nodded slightly, his eyes filled with undisguised praise: "You remained calm in the face of danger, protecting the treasure, guarding your fellow disciples, and stabilizing the spiritual veins. Your contributions are immense. Hailan and Su Chen, on the other hand, colluded with evil spirits, broke the restrictions, and let the enemy in. They should be immediately taken to the Discipline Hall and severely punished according to the sect's laws!"

"Yes!" The disciples of the Discipline Hall responded and stepped forward to take away Hailan and Su Chen, who were slumped on the ground.

Their eyes were filled with despair and resentment, but all traces of hostility had vanished. In the end, they paid a heavy price for their greed and rebellion.

Lin Yan stood up, looking at Yun Xi, Ye Qing, Chen Dagang, and Yi Azhu, who had fought alongside him, exhausted but with bright eyes. A gentle smile slowly appeared on his lips. An imminent crisis was thus averted, and Laoshan returned to its former peace.

But the next second, a bone-chilling cold suddenly came from the inkstone in his palm. Unlike the usual warm and moist feeling, it carried a trace of cold tremor from the depths of the Ruins. A faint, almost transparent dark shadow appeared on the hidden patterns on the bottom of the inkstone, and then disappeared in an instant.

Lin Yan paused slightly, then gripped the inkstone tightly without making a sound, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes.

He looked up in the direction the four major sects had left. No one was visible on the horizon, yet the lingering covetousness and undercurrents still lingered above Mount Mo. Although the Guixu Spirit Vein seal had been resealed, it was now exposed to the sects' view. Today's retreat was merely a temporary measure of restraint. The secrets of the ancient alchemy and the treasures that suppressed the veins were intertwined with ancient, long-buried mysteries. Even the faint disturbance that came from the depths of the earth when the seal cracked was far more than just the self-healing of the spiritual veins.

The spirit tortoise beside him seemed to sense its master's mood, gently nuzzling his palm. The golden patterns on its shell shimmered slightly, revealing a hint of barely perceptible vigilance.

Yunxi noticed his unusual expression, walked closer slowly, and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Lin Yan turned to look at her, a hint of composure flashing in his eyes. He shook his head slightly, but he wasn't entirely relieved: "It's nothing, but this turmoil may be far from over."

He looked up into the misty depths of Laoshan Mountain, then into the endless sky, and the premonition in his heart became clearer.

The calamities involving Hailan and Su Chen were merely the beginning. The greed of the four sects, the secrecy of the Guixu Spirit Vein, and the potential threat of the Youying Demon Clan had already invisibly woven a vast net covering the Immortal Mountain. The temporary peace that has subsided today is only the prelude to the next storm, and the supreme treasures in his hands and the inheritance he possesses are destined to push him into even greater turmoil.

After the people from the four major sects had completely departed, Elder Wudao gazed at the two treasures in Lin Yan's hands, then suddenly sighed softly. He spoke slowly to the True Persons beside him, as if explaining, yet also as if making a conclusion:

"Please do not be confused. The fact that these two items were left on Lin Yan is not out of neglect, but rather a matter of course."

Yu Lan nodded slightly: "We understand the meaning of the Grand Elder. It is understandable that Mo Yan was privately taught by Elder Guan Hai; however, the Minghai Dingyuan Pearl has an extraordinary origin and is a tremendous opportunity. As an inner disciple, Lin Yan should, according to the law, inform the sect and let the Elders Hall discuss its ownership."

Elder Wudao's gaze fell on Lin Yan, carrying a mixture of understanding and expectation:

"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. The Minghai Dingyuan Pearl was obtained by him through countless brushes with death at the mouth of the Guixu Sea. It was neither a sect's treasury nor a privately bestowed item. According to the conventions of the cultivation world, it should belong to the one who has the opportunity. Moreover—"

He paused, looking at the crack that had closed again, his voice deepening:

"The Ink Jade Abyss Inkstone and the Abyss Sea Stabilizing Pearl were originally one, a pair of supreme treasures forged by the ancient Ling Xuanzi himself. They only recognize pure water spiritual roots, are only suitable for the cultivation of alchemy and swords, and only serve the lineage holder. Even if others take them, they are nothing more than two inanimate objects."

Upon hearing this, Master Yulan suddenly realized: "So, from the very beginning, the elder tacitly agreed to let these two items go to him?"

"Junior Brother Guanhai entrusted the lineage to Lin Yan long ago, making him the one designated by the sect to guard the lineage." Elder Wudao's gaze was gentle, yet carried an undeniable determination.

"Lin Yan's temperament, innate qualities, opportunities, and Daoist heart all align with the last wishes of the sages. Treasures choose their masters; they cannot be obtained by force, nor can they be secured by confiscation. Rather than letting them gather dust in the treasure pavilion, it is better to entrust them to someone who can activate, guard, and protect the spiritual veins of Laoshan."

Lin Yan stood to the side and heard the conversation clearly, and the last trace of doubt in his heart dissipated.

He finally understood that from the moment his master gave him the inkstone, and from the moment he found the Dingyuan Pearl in Guixu, it was not a fluke, nor a matter of favoritism, but rather a destiny or a lineage.

The inkstone and pearl, their brilliance subdued, returned to tranquility, as if they had truly accepted their master and would never waver again.

As the setting sun faded, twilight enveloped Laoshan Mountain.