I cultivate the Purple Mansion Golden Elixir Dao on Earth

Lin Yu stood there in a daze. Jiang Songjing looked at him with some curiosity, but dared not ask.

"The underworld...reincarnation..."

Lin Yu held onto that faint stirring in her heart.

After a long while, he seemed to understand something, but ultimately gained nothing.

It's like trying to scoop up river water with a woven net; the water will naturally leak out little by little inside the net.

In the end, all that remains is a lingering, moist aftertaste.

"The matter of reincarnation was self-evident in the cultivation world of past lives. But in this world, it has never been manifested, and there is no empirical evidence of it."

"There must be a reason behind the gap between these two realms—that is the source of my understanding."

"But……"

"...That enlightenment seems to be something I can't grasp right now. Its direction, its response, is based on something deeper and higher than the attainment of fruition—"

"—That's the path after the Golden Core stage…a path related to immortals and immortal lords!"

Lin Yu regained her composure.

Although it wasn't a complete success, having this insight itself proves the existence of a certain path.

Like the silhouette of the rising sun atop a mountain, even if it is only an outline, the omen and revelation still hang there brilliantly, filling Lin Yu's heart with a clear and bright joy.

Therefore, his gaze towards Jiang Songjing softened.

"That's the nature of matters of life and death. But besides that, you must have another question, right?"

—Is there anything else?

These words initially confused Jiang Songjing, but she gradually came to her senses. However, the expression on her face was not one of curiosity and anticipation, but rather one of distortion and frustration.

"...Sect Master, are you referring to my family matters?"

"Exactly."

Lin Yu nodded.

Jiang Songjing frowned for a long time before sighing.

"This matter cannot be hidden from the sect leader. I do indeed have both resentment and hatred towards my cheap father. I despise people who abandon their wives and children to marry into wealthy families. Not to mention that now that the sect leader has introduced me to the path of cultivation and given me the opportunity to seek immortality, I naturally want to follow you at all times."

"But there's one thing I just can't let go of..."

Lin Yu immediately noticed the frown on Jiang Songjing's brow and said softly:

"You don't like that father, but you want to know where the other person is—"

"--your mother."

"……yes."

Jiang Songjing nodded with a deep, thoughtful look in his eyes.

Lin Yu smiled slightly.

"Go."

"You have pent-up emotions, and your destiny is not to be confined to one place for long. I believe that the opportunities and changes in your life are not within my observation, but rather outside of it."

"The spiritual energy has not yet recovered, so your path of cultivation cannot be opened. Staying in the Baiyang Temple is not suitable. Even if the spiritual energy recovers and the spiritual atmosphere is generated, the Baiyang Temple will become the center of the spiritual atmosphere of the Shenmu, a place of extreme yin. Although there is a transformation, what you want to achieve is embryonic breathing, not qi refining. You cannot utilize this yang transformation within yin yin... It will be difficult to enter the Dao here."

"Go and settle your worries. Those people will probably come again tomorrow. Go and deal with your origins. You will eventually return to your family."

These words dispelled any remaining doubts in Jiang Songjing's mind, leaving only a clear sense of composure and determination.

"yes!"

……

That's all.

And so, nothing was said that night.

The sun hides and becomes the moon, the moon rises and becomes the sun. Thus the morning sun shines brightly, its clear light filling the leaves, and the next day arrives again.

The Yang family arrived at the Baiyang Temple around noon today, neither too early nor too late.

To their surprise, as soon as the Mercedes-Benz GLS arrived at the entrance of the temple, they saw that the Baiyang Temple was already open, and a young man in a Taoist robe was walking out of it.

"Everyone."

Jiang Songjing looked at the guests with a reserved expression, displaying a completely different demeanor from yesterday.

"I've made up my mind. I'll go back with you to the Yang family to see my biological father."

Now, he can say the word "biological father" in a calm tone.

This is not flattery; it is simply stating the facts.

Upon hearing this, everyone reacted with varying expressions.

Needless to say, Yang Ruixing was overjoyed upon hearing the news.

Yang Wanyi, however, after a brief moment of smiles, immediately stood up and mocked Jiang Songjing:

"Oh, so you finally understand our family—"

"Wanyi, keep your mouth shut!"

Yang Ruixing glanced at Yang Wanyi, frowned, and immediately drowned out her sarcasm with an even louder voice. Then, his expression relaxed, and he gently and comforted Jiang Songjing:

"Now that you've made up your mind, I'm very happy. I'm sure Father will be just as happy to see you. Let's not delay any longer; why don't we leave today?"

"……good."

Jiang Songjing replied.

These words made Yang Ruixing's smile even warmer.

Yang Ruixing looked at Jiang Songjing, and although there was a hint of disdain and relaxation deep in his eyes, his expression remained completely unchanged.

As long as he could finalize the matter of Jiang Songjing returning to the Yang family, fulfill his father's wish, and get him to hand over his property, he wouldn't hesitate to use a few warm words of address.

As for how to reduce his share when Jiang Songjing returns home and the property is divided, how to cleverly scheme to make him give up his share, and how to kick him out while doing so openly and legitimately so that no one can gossip...

That's a different matter.

As a scion of a prominent family and the recognized heir of the Yang family within the entire group, Yang Ruixing was fully confident in his ability to succeed.

Therefore, at this moment, he can act magnanimously—this is the demeanor of someone in a superior position.

Jiang Songjing's gaze swept across Yang Ruixing and Yang Wanyi's faces. The former was gloomy and self-sullen, while the latter was sharp and sarcastic, but the contempt and malice hidden in their hearts were exactly the same.

These things, however, did not stir any emotion in Jiang Songjing's heart.

Although she knows that the difference in her performance between yesterday and today will inevitably be misinterpreted as "arrogance followed by obsequiousness" or "waiting for a better price," Jiang Songjing is no longer moved by such worldly speculations.

Compared to the vast world that Lin Yu presented, the petty thoughts of these two people were simply too boring, too pale—and too ridiculous.

"If it weren't for the immortals... and the sect leader's prophecy and warning, I really wouldn't want to see these people's faces."

After Lin Yu preached the Dao, Jiang Songjing found that he had a calm mindset towards the secular world outside of the Daoist path that was unimaginable before.

Looking at the crowd in front of him.

At this moment, even the muscular man who seemed unusually gloomy and dangerous yesterday, as unshakeable as a mountain, could now be vaguely sensed by Jiang Songjing as a deliberate act, vanity, and greed behind that mountain.

That unwavering resolve and indifference may just be a mask that has been worn for a long time.

Only the girl who always seemed detached from the three of them, appearing to be absent-minded or deep in thought, made him feel something was off about her, as if she possessed something unconventional.

"I heard that this is also the biological father's child, named Yang Xiyi... When they were kicking people out yesterday, I think I saw her talking to the sect leader."

Jiang Songjing's expression changed slightly, but she quickly composed herself.

He bowed to everyone, but despite having already agreed on the itinerary, he did not take a step.

"Although I'm leaving, there's one more thing I need to do before I go. Please wait a moment."

As he spoke, he did not close the door, but gave Yang Xiyi a meaningful look. Before anyone else could react, he turned around and went back into the Baiyang Temple.

"What weird thing is this guy up to now...?"

Yang Wanyi's dissatisfied grumbling echoed from the side, Yang Ruixing's brows furrowed slightly, and even Uncle Shan's feet shifted in annoyance.

Only Yang Xiyi, watching Jiang Songjing's retreating figure, felt her eyelids twitch.

Thinking of the look Jiang Songjing had given her before returning to the temple, she remained expressionless, but in an instant, she took a step and rushed into the temple.

"Hey! Little sister/Little sister/Miss Xiyi!"

Several exclamations of surprise rang out behind them, but at that moment, Yang Xiyi had already rushed into the temple gate.

Then, the scene that was taking place under the big green pine tree in Baiyang Temple immediately came into her view.

Yang Xiyi stopped in her tracks, her eyes fixed on him intently without blinking.

Several hurried footsteps came from behind, and the others rushed over and stopped behind Yang Xiyi.

Then came gasps of incomprehension, dissatisfaction, and even disdain, along with mocking remarks.

"……whispering sound!"

"...Is this what he meant by 'there's still something else to do'?"

"...Kneel down to that middle-aged man!?"

……

Under the green pines.

Jiang Songjing's knees were covered in mud and leaves, and his forehead was a little red, but he was relaxed and satisfied as he slowly stood up from the ground.

Three bows and nine kowtows.

This is the most solemn etiquette passed down from ancient times.

Within the Taoist community, this kind of etiquette is used only on very rare occasions.

Watching Jiang Songjing slowly rise, Lin Yu, who hadn't stopped him while standing under the pine tree, smiled faintly after Jiang Songjing finished the entire ceremony, his expression unchanged:

"Why did it come to this?"

"Before leaving, I came to bid farewell to the sect leader, and naturally I had to express my gratitude to my teacher with the most solemn etiquette."

Jiang Songjing looked in Lin Yu's direction, but lowered her eyes slightly, so that her gaze only reached Lin Yu's chin and chest.

His thoughts and facial expression were perfectly aligned; there was no other thought but pure gratitude and peace.

"Oh?"

At the very top of Jiang Songjing's field of vision, the man's lips curved into a deeper smile.

"So you want to become my disciple?"

Lin Yu was laughing, but Jiang Songjing sensed the teasing in her words.

Recalling Lin Yu's words when he heard about "Sheng Yu" that day, and his own thoughts at the time, he felt somewhat dazed, but without a trace of regret. He still managed an awkward laugh:

"I was raised from a young age. The word 'master' is to me almost like 'my only father.' So to have another master is practically equivalent to saying 'get a new dad'..."

"Moreover, I have already received the grace of the sect leader to enter the Evergreen Sect and obtain the true teachings. This is already a fortunate opportunity, and I dare not ask for more. With your divine abilities and planning, sect leader, if you were to accept me as your disciple, it would not be my presumptuous assumption of your divine will and my own initiative to ask for it."

"My only wish now is to settle my affairs in the mortal world, embark on the path of immortality, write books based on the sect leader's words, and hope to one day attain enlightenment. I have no other desires."

Jiang Songjing revealed his entire mindset, down to the smallest detail.

Lin Yu nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied, yet also seemingly oblivious.

"Go."

Jiang Songjing bowed deeply again, then turned around and walked with bright eyes toward the entrance of Baiyang Temple, in front of the few people who were looking at the border situation with great astonishment.

"So this is what my brother meant by 'important matter'."

Seeing Jiang Songjing approaching, Yang Ruixing went to greet her. Although he was smiling, he couldn't help but reveal a hint of sarcasm and dissatisfaction in his words.

Regardless of what kind of ending he has planned for Jiang Songjing in the future, at least today, this guy will return as half a "Yang family member," which means that part of the Yang family's face is saved.

In front of everyone, Jiang Songjing performed three bows and nine kowtows to a middle-aged man.

Even when worshipping ancestors, such a gesture might not be performed with such solemnity and precision.

This fact really annoyed him.

"...Jiang Songjing, let me remind you, if you get involved with any cult, don't drag us down with you—"

On the other side, Yang Wanyi stood aside and sneered.

The familiar sarcastic tone remained, but his gaze was fixed on Jiang Songjing.

It was as if she was deliberately avoiding touching the middle-aged man beneath the pine tree, the one she feared and dreaded most.

Jiang Songjing stopped and glanced at her indifferently.

For some reason, today, just one look from him was a hundred times more powerful than Jiang Songjing's obvious anger yesterday.

She even made Yang Wanyi swallow back the words she was about to utter.

"You have your own plans, and I have my own important matters. Why waste words between us?"

Jiang Songjing's cold remark caused the atmosphere to freeze.

Before Yang Wanyi could speak again, Yang Ruixing frowned.

But at that moment, one of the people moved.

Suddenly, Yang Xiyi also started walking towards Lin Yu's direction—

This startled both of them, and Uncle Shan's expression wavered somewhat.

Only Jiang Songjing had a thoughtful smile on her face.

"Little sister, what are you doing?!"

"...Why are you getting involved!"

Yang Xiyi ignored these sounds and quickly walked to the pine tree and stood in front of Lin Yu.

"Uncle, we're going back now."

She squinted as she watched Lin Yu standing quietly under the pine tree, bathed in sunlight filtering through the pine needles.

"I remember the inspiration you mentioned yesterday, about the quantum effect experiment on bryophyll peptides. I plan to try it out as soon as I get back, and I'll probably have many questions to ask you during the experiment. I'd like to leave you my contact information—I was interrupted yesterday, so I was wondering if I have a chance today?"

She took out her phone and stared intently at Lin Yu.

But Lin Yu smiled and nodded slightly:

"sure."

For some reason, Yang Xiyi suddenly felt a sense of relief.

Contact information exchanged successfully.

Yang Xiyi put away her phone, looked at Lin Yu, and said seriously:

"Thanks."

Although the idea of ​​suddenly encountering a scientific genius in a Taoist temple sounds far-fetched.

But since Lin Yu's idea was inspiring, Yang Xiyi wouldn't consider anything else.

"Goodbye, uncle... I'll ask you for advice when I get back."

Yang Xiyi waved to Lin Yu, revealing a smile that was a rare sight for her.

Then, she turned around, put away her smile and phone, and went back to the door.

Everyone else had a different expression.

Yang Ruixing, in particular, had a gloomy expression.

"Little sister, what are you going to do with that person?"

"Get his contact information."

"Contact information! Why?!"

Because the book he was reading was also one of my favorite works back then...

His ideas were very helpful in my interdisciplinary research on physics and biology...

Because the short-stalked bacterial peptides he proposed—both in terms of molecular weight and biological species—seem to be useful as experimental examples of the "quantum effect of life"...

Looking at Yang Ruixing, and at her older brother who graduated from an Ivy League university in the United States with a degree in finance and had been in charge of the company's investment matters since returning to China, Yang Xiyi frowned slightly.

Although various ideas were running through her mind, Yang Xiyi felt that it would be too troublesome to explain them in a way that Yang Ruixing could understand.

In the end, she said nothing, only shook her head slightly, uttered a few words, and walked out of the temple.

"Because I want to."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Songjing raised an eyebrow, as if she had thought of something, but then smiled.

Then, he followed Yang Xiyi out of Baiyang Temple.

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Yang Wanyi visibly clicked her tongue and made a sound of displeasure.

"cut!"

Yang Ruixing's face showed a slightly distorted expression, but he still maintained his composure.

Yang Xiyi's words stirred up some deep-seated thoughts in his heart. A certain desire for control and obsession that he had been hiding all along churned in his chest, making Yang Ruixing's face turn even more ashen.

His gaze swept over the figure under the large pine tree, but he did not retaliate at that moment. Instead, he snorted coldly and led the last person out of Baiyang Temple.

"Uncle Shan... could you help me investigate that person's background later?"

He gave the order.

Without needing to be reminded, the man named Uncle Shan understood what he meant.

"……yes."

……

Everyone except myself has left Baiyang Temple.

He was all alone in the small Taoist temple, which was only about an acre in size.

Lin Yu stood with his hands behind his back in the Taoist temple, slightly raising his head to look at the clear blue sky with its scattered gold patterns, a slight smile on his lips.

The Yang family left the Taoist temple.

Apart from Yang Xiyi, the rest of the family didn't even get a single word from Lin Yu, yet there was already a subtle tension between them.

However, despite the fear and resentment of Yang Wanyi and the suspicion and hatred of Yang Ruixing reflected in her heart, Lin Yu was not disturbed in the slightest.

Of that family, only Yang Xiyi piqued his interest somewhat.

But not because of her appearance, but because...

"This woman has an extraordinary destiny. Moreover, she possesses a clear and lucid mind... If she had such a destiny and mind in her previous life, she would have been most suited to cultivate the sword—and would have had the opportunity to touch the most precious [sword of wisdom] in the [way of the sword]."

Lin Yu's eyes flickered as he recalled things about Yang Xiyi, and a thought of the sword cultivators in his previous life stirred within him.

"If one wishes to become an ancestor in this world, to expound the Dao of Heaven and Earth, and to attain all fruits in vain, then this woman can be used as a pawn in the scheme of [Sword Dao]."

"Of course, if I want to make any plans, I have to wait until I enter the Qi Refining stage and the spiritual energy recovers before I can begin."

"—But it will be soon."

Lin Yu closed his eyes slightly, and the "Su Fu Ling Ji Jing" responded at that moment.

His internal magical power was perfectly integrated, like streams of nectar flowing through him, with profound mysteries flowing within.

And right between the eyebrows, a glimmer of light flickered.

He reflected inwards at himself and extended outwards for several feet, transforming into a strange sensory domain that also enveloped him.

That's the spiritual awareness that only those at the fourth level of the embryonic breathing stage, the perfected realm, possess!

"Last night I entered the stage of perfect embryonic breathing. I only need to consume a mouthful of corresponding spiritual energy to activate the 'Su Fu Ling Ji Jing' and step into the Qi Refining stage."

"My cultivation is within myself, yet I expound the Dao through Heaven. I need not consider the timing of Heaven, choose an auspicious time, or select a lucky day for my breakthrough. Everything depends on my own thoughts and preparations."

Lin Yu smiled and reopened her eyes.

"Then... let this world open up the path of cultivation within these two days, and let the first spiritual atmosphere arise in this world."

Such a thought gently surfaced in my mind.

In the next instant, Lin Yu's figure had already disappeared into the Baiyang Temple.