Mountain Venerable and Sea Immortal

As the setting sun cast its last golden rays upon the seventy-two peaks of Laoshan Mountain, the sea of ​​clouds was dyed a brilliant orange-red, and the mountain mist slowly rose. The Lingxian Valley, which had just been filled with the aura of killing, was now a scene of utter devastation, telling the story of the thrilling chase and standoff that had taken place not long ago.

As Elder Wudao gazed at the ground where the Guixu rift had completely healed, the immense pressure of the mountains and seas surrounding him gradually subsided, and the cloud patterns on his black Daoist robe appeared even more serene in the twilight. The two True Immortals, Guanhai and Yulan, also dispelled the protective mountain array, signaling the gathered Laoshan disciples to return to their positions, leaving only a few inner disciples to clean up the mess in the valley and repair the spiritual plants and rocks damaged by the war.

Lin Yan clutched the inkstone and the Dingyuan Pearl in his palm. The two treasures had completely calmed down, their shimmering blue light now subdued, no longer as dazzling as when they sealed the restrictions. Only his fingertips could still clearly feel that fleeting, chilling tremor, like eyes hidden deep within the void, silently observing the world. He tightened his grip slightly at his sides, suppressing that strange feeling in his heart. He turned and bowed again to Elder Wudao and the others. The Foundation Establishment realm spiritual energy around him still carried a slight tremor from the battle, but it couldn't conceal his upright posture.

"If it weren't for the elders' timely assistance, we would have likely perished at the hands of the four major sects," Lin Yan said in a deep voice, his tone filled with genuine gratitude.

Yunxi, Ye Qing, Chen Dagang, and Yi Azhu beside him also bowed. Having escaped death, everyone was exhausted. Chen Dagang's thick arms were still slightly sore, but he still stood straight. Ye Qing's green wood spiritual energy at his fingertips had been completely exhausted, and his face was slightly pale. The healing spiritual light around Yi Azhu had faded, and her brows and eyes were full of weariness. Yunxi held her sword horizontally, and the bloodstains on her white clothes were particularly eye-catching, but her eyes were still sharp as she watched the direction where the four major sects had left, fearing that there might be any further changes.

Elder Wudao raised his hand to help them up, his gaze sweeping over Lin Yan and the others one by one. His eyes softened, losing their previous sternness and gaining more of an elder's approval: "You all faced danger without fear, helped each other as fellow disciples, and did not lose the integrity of Laoshan disciples, especially you, Lin Yan."

He looked at Lin Yan, his gaze deep and his words clear: "With your Foundation Establishment cultivation, you single-handedly resisted the deacon-level experts of the four major sects, firmly guarded the treasure, and resealed the Guixu restriction. Not only were you without fault, but you also performed a great service. The sect will definitely reward you according to your merits. From now on, you will be the rightful successor of the Guixu Guardian of Laoshan, and no one can question it."

Upon hearing this, Ye Qing and the others all beamed with joy, turning to look at Lin Yan with eyes full of fervent happiness for him. Master Guanhai's eyes were filled with satisfaction; he had indeed made the right choice in passing the inkstone to Lin Yan.

Lin Yan, however, felt no joy, only a growing heaviness in his heart. He knew that Elder Wudao's public confirmation of his status as the successor of the lineage guardian, while seemingly granting him protection and glory, had in reality thrust him into the eye of the storm. The greed of the Burning Heaven Sect, Azure Cloud Sect, Water Moon Pavilion, and Blood Fiend Sect for the Inkstone Pearl treasure had never diminished, and the secrets of the Returning Void had only just begun to surface. This inheritance was an opportunity, but also an immense burden.

"This disciple will certainly live up to the trust placed in me by the elders and master, and will vow to guard the Guixu Spirit Vein with my life to protect the safety of Laoshan." Lin Yan bowed and accepted the order, his tone firm and without the slightest hesitation.

Elder Wudao nodded in satisfaction, then his expression darkened further as he looked towards the horizon outside Lingxian Valley. His voice turned cold: "Those four major sects, though they seem to have left in a huff, will certainly not let this go. The Burning Heaven Sect is domineering and greedy, the Azure Cloud Sect claims to be righteous but is extremely selfish, and the Water Moon Pavilion, which seems to be on good terms with Laoshan, also participated in the pursuit today. Their intentions are unpredictable. Not to mention the ruthless and cunning Blood Fiend Sect, they will definitely lie in wait in the shadows, waiting for another opportunity to strike."

"Elder's words are absolutely right," Master Yulan stepped forward, his brows furrowed. "When Su Wanli made her move just now, she seemed to show mercy, but she also relentlessly entangled our group. Clearly, Shuiyue Pavilion has also coveted the Guixu Treasure. Their thousand-year-old friendship has probably been no match for the allure of the treasure. Qingyun Sect and Laoshan have always been allies, but today Shen Qinghan openly tried to snatch it. He clearly wants to use the treasure to overpower Laoshan."

Master Guanhai's expression was solemn as he continued, "The Blood Fiend Sect is also eyeing us covetously. Mo Tu is holding back today, but he will surely join forces with other evil cultivators to cause trouble again in the future. Although the Guixu Restriction has been resealed, news of the leakage of spiritual energy has already spread. Before long, the entire cultivation world of the East Sea will know that Laoshan hides the Guixu Treasure, and then there will only be more trouble."

The atmosphere instantly became heavy again. The relief of having just averted the crisis vanished in an instant, replaced by anxiety about the impending storm.

Elder Wudao sighed softly, his gaze falling on Lin Yan, his tone solemn: "Lin Yan, remember this well. The combined Yanzhu and Yanzhu are the ancient sage Ling Xuanzi's treasured artifact, containing all the secrets of the Guixu Sea Mouth, even concerning the life and death of the East Sea Spiritual Vein. It must never fall into the hands of others again. In your future cultivation, you must delve deeper into the mysteries of the two treasures and hone your own cultivation. Only by becoming strong can you protect this inheritance and safeguard Laoshan."

"Disciple will keep Elder's teachings in mind." Lin Yan replied. The inkstone in his palm seemed to sense his emotions and became slightly warm. The chilling aura was suppressed by this warmth and slowly merged with the water elemental power of the Dingyuan Pearl, nourishing the spiritual energy that had been depleted in his body.

"As for the four major sects," Elder Wudao's eyes flashed with a cold light, "starting today, strengthen the defenses throughout Laoshan. Increase the number of disciples on guard at the outer islands and border valleys. If any outer sect cultivators are found to have trespassed, do not tolerate them; report them immediately. I will personally preside over an elders' meeting and send letters to the Qingyun Sect and Shuiyue Pavilion, questioning them about today's events. If they refuse to give an explanation, Laoshan will not back down."

After giving his instructions, Elder Wudao gave a few more words of advice and then left with the two True Immortals, Guanhai and Yulan. The golden spiritual light of the main peak gradually faded, leaving only the twilight shrouding the Laoshan Mountains.

After the elders had gone, Chen Dagang breathed a sigh of relief, patted Lin Yan on the shoulder, and laughed gruffly, "Brother Lin Yan, you're amazing! You managed to protect us from four opponents, and now you've become the successor of the Guardian Lineage. From now on, who in Laoshan won't admire you!"

Ye Qing smiled and nodded, his brows relaxed: "Yes, if it weren't for you today, we wouldn't have been able to hold out until the elders arrived. You truly deserve the title of successor of the guardian lineage."

Yi Azhu smiled gently, sending a wisp of warm green light to everyone, and said softly, "Everyone is quite exhausted, so let's go back to the sect to recuperate. I will help you with anything you need in the future."

Yunxi sheathed her sword, walked to Lin Yan's side, and seeing his still solemn expression, asked softly, "Are you still worried about the strange thing about the inkstone bead earlier?"

Lin Yan raised his eyes and looked into Yun Xi's clear eyes. He did not hide anything, nodded slightly, and lowered his voice to say, "When the rift was sealed, I could feel a strange disturbance deep in the Guixu underground. It was not the spiritual vein healing itself. Moreover, the cold aura that the inkstone bead had just had was definitely not from the treasure itself. It was as if something had secretly attached itself to the inkstone bead by taking advantage of the leakage of spiritual energy."

Upon hearing this, the previously relaxed group instantly stopped smiling, their expressions tightening.

"You mean there's something else inside the Ruins of Return?" Ye Qing's expression changed slightly, and he asked in a low voice.

Lin Yan frowned and shook his head: "I'm not sure either. That aura was very faint and vanished in an instant, but I'm certain it's not from a benevolent group. Coupled with the covetousness of the four major sects, this turmoil is far from over."

As dusk deepened, the night gradually swallowed the light and shadow of Laoshan Mountain. The spiritual mist in the mountains turned cold, and the distant peaks disappeared into darkness, like lurking beasts. Lin Yan looked up at the sky. The direction where the four major sects had left was pitch black, and not a single person could be seen. However, he could clearly feel an invisible undercurrent quietly surging above the East Sea.

On the Red Reef Islands of the Burning Heaven Gate, flames soared into the sky. Lie Cang smashed the fire fan in his hand, his face full of anger: "That old man Wudao is too arrogant! If it weren't for the fear of Laoshan's power, I would definitely have seized that precious inkstone today!"

At the summit of Daze Mountain in the Qingyun Sect, Shen Qinghan stood on the sword platform, gazing towards Laoshan with icy eyes: "The treasures of Guixu belong to the virtuous. Laoshan's monopoly is ultimately against the rules. This matter will not be left unresolved."

At the edge of the misty lake at Shuiyue Pavilion, Su Wanli stood quietly by the lake, her fingertips stroking the water as she sighed softly, "The Guixu spiritual vein is connected to the foundation of Shuiyue. We must obtain the Inkstone Pearl, otherwise, if Laoshan harbors any ill intentions in the future, Shuiyue Pavilion will be in grave danger."

Meanwhile, amidst the gloomy mists of Black Reef Island in the distant sea, Mo Tu gripped a blood-red giant axe, his sinister laughter echoing throughout the island: "The successor of the Laoshan lineage? Perfect. Once we obtain the Inkstone Pearl, we'll massacre Laoshan, and the entire East Sea will belong to my Blood Fiend Sect!"

All the undercurrents were pointing towards Laoshan Mountain, and towards the precious inkstone in Lin Yan's hands.

Lin Yan gripped the two treasures tightly, feeling the spiritual energy flowing through his body and the heavy responsibility on his shoulders. He knew that from this night onward, he was no longer just an ordinary inner disciple of Laoshan, but the successor guarding Guixu, the target of covetousness from all sects. The road ahead was destined to be fraught with thorns.

Yunxi stood beside him and whispered, "No matter how many storms we face in the future, I will be with you."

Ye Qing, Chen Dagang, and Yi Azhu also stepped forward, their eyes resolute: "We are too! We are of one mind, and we will overcome this difficulty together!"

Looking at his comrades fighting alongside him, Lin Yan felt a little less heavy-hearted, and a determined light rekindled in his eyes.

As night deepened, the Laoshan Mountains fell silent, and all was still.