After transmigrating into the body of the protagonist's childhood friend, he was targeted by a

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions more varied than the last.

Elder Xuanqing was the first to recover, and cautiously asked, "Isn't the Immortal Venerable one cultivating the Path of Ruthlessness? To undergo the Tribulation of Emotion... wouldn't that mean going against the will of the Dao?"

Yu Linzhou scoffed, "So what if it's the Path of Ruthlessness? Who told you that the Path of Ruthlessness means being heartless and emotionless? I cultivate the Path of Ruthlessness myself, and do I look like someone who is detached from worldly desires and wants?"

These words shocked the entire hall, even the usually composed Grand Elder couldn't help but widen his eyes: "You also cultivate the Path of Ruthlessness?!"

Yu Linzhou lazily raised an eyebrow: "Otherwise what? We come from the same sect and cultivate the Path of Ruthlessness together. What's wrong with that?"

The elder opened his mouth, his gaze sweeping over Yu Linzhou from head to toe. He hesitated for a few moments before finally saying, "But you look..." really not like someone who cultivates the Path of Ruthlessness.

Yu Linzhou rolled his eyes: "Who said the Path of Ruthlessness requires one to be detached from worldly desires and have no wants? The Path of Ruthlessness cultivates the ruthlessness of the Great Dao, not the ruthlessness of human beings, understand?"

"Heaven and earth are ruthless, treating all things like straw dogs; this is the ruthless nature of the Great Dao. But humans live a lifetime, with flesh and blood, with feelings and righteousness, and thus return to the same Great Dao; this is the true essence of the ruthless Dao. Yan Lingcang is inferior to me in this respect; I don't know how Master chose him back then."

Speaking of old stories, his tone carried a hint of bitterness, "Back then, he would rather pass the position of sect leader to an outsider than to the original master."

Yan Lingcang finally lifted his eyelids and glanced at him, so he said helplessly, "I've explained to you many times that the reason Master didn't choose you back then was because your personality wasn't suitable. It wasn't because he was prejudiced against you."

Yu Linzhou snorted, leaned back in his chair, and pouted.

The two brothers started bickering as if no one else was around, and the crowd below looked at each other, none daring to interrupt.

Seeing the topic veering off course, the Grand Elder quickly coughed lightly, forcefully bringing the conversation back on track: "Since the Immortal Venerable is going to undergo a tribulation of love, has anyone been chosen?"

Yan Lingcang was slightly taken aback, then nodded very lightly.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as there's someone to choose from, the emotional ordeal will eventually be overcome.

This good news eased the tense atmosphere in the hall somewhat.

However, Yu Linzhou's next sentence made everyone's hearts jump into their throats again.

"Speaking of which," he leaned back in his chair, his tone casual as if it were just a passing remark, "I have already overcome my tribulation of love and have found someone I love. You all get ready, I intend to become his Daoist partner."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall widened their eyes in surprise.

The elder shakily pulled a bottle of pills from his sleeve, poured out two pills and put them in his mouth. He took several breaths before he could barely calm himself down.

As you get older, everything becomes more difficult.

He put the medicine bottle back, took a deep breath, and tried to make his voice sound steady: "When...when did this happen? Why are you suddenly ending your cultivation?"

"Where is the other person from? How old are they? What is their cultivation level? What is their family background?"

Yu Linzhou frowned, annoyed by his rapid-fire questions: "Why ask these questions? I don't care about these external things when I'm building my Dao. I just want what I like."

The elder clutched his chest, feeling that the two pills he had just swallowed had been wasted.

"You like it, that's all that matters!" What a load of rubbish! You are the Celestial Venerable of the Tianheng Sect, the face of the sect!

What if another sect deliberately sends a vixen to seduce you and kidnaps you?

He knew that those ill-intentioned people outside were always eyeing their treasure!

Since Yan Lingcang was difficult to seduce, he turned his attention to Yu Linzhou. He was caught off guard and Yu Linzhou succeeded!

If he really gets kidnapped, how will he explain it to the old sect leader after he dies?

Old Sect Master! I'm so sorry!

Yan Lingcang's brows furrowed even more, and he suddenly spoke, coldly saying, "I do not agree to this matter."

Yu Linzhou turned his head and glared at him, looking completely bewildered: "Why don't you agree? I'm not going to form a Dao bond with you, so why do you disagree?"

Yan Lingcang confronted him: "Just because I am your senior brother. Just because your actions are immoral."

Yu Linzhou sneered, "I'm saying this today to inform you, not to ask for your consent. Whether you agree or not, this Daoist partnership is now set!"

Everyone: "..."

Yan Lingcang didn't speak again, but just looked at him with his thin lips slightly pursed.

Yu Linzhou glared at him defiantly.

Suddenly, Yan Lingcang raised his hand to cover his chest, and his face lost all color at a visible speed, turning as pale as paper.

The surrounding elders panicked immediately. Some rushed forward to help him up, while others frantically searched for medicine.

"What's wrong with Immortal Venerable Wu Cang? Could it be that he's been angered by Immortal Venerable Feng Heng?"

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

Although Feng Heng Immortal Venerable's words were indeed infuriating, this wasn't the first time. We've never seen Wu Cang Immortal Venerable so angry before.

Yu Linzhou frowned, suppressing his earlier bickering thoughts, and reached out to hold Yan Lingcang's wrist to check his pulse.

A moment later, his expression darkened: "Your ailment has flared up again. Why is your pulse so weak?"

Yan Lingcang's forehead was covered in a fine layer of cold sweat, but he still looked at him stubbornly, his voice weak but unwilling to back down: "Promise me you won't break the Dao."

"What kind of time is this for you to argue with me like this?" Yu Linzhou was so angry he wanted to curse, but his hand remained firmly gripping the other man's wrist, continuously channeling spiritual energy to stabilize his heart. "Can't you take care of yourself first?!"

Yan Lingcang reached out and grasped his hand. "Promise me first."

Yu Linzhou paused, remained silent for a moment, and slowly withdrew his hand.

"There are some things I can compromise with you on, but not this one."

Yan Lingcang closed his eyes, sighed, and leaned back silently.

"Immortal Venerable Wucang has fainted from anger!" someone shouted.

"Nonsense! That's just a relapse of his hidden illness, what does it have to do with me!" Yu Linzhou retorted subconsciously, catching the man firmly in his hand.

He looked down at the bloodless face, muttered something under his breath, then looked up and shouted at the crowd, "What are you all standing there for? Quickly help him to the quiet room!"

The elders then seemed to realize what was happening and stepped forward to help.

After settling Yan Lingcang into the quiet room, there was no point in the others staying there; they all had their own things to do and left one by one.

Only Yu Linzhou and the Grand Elder remained.

The Grand Elder reached out and checked Yan Lingcang's pulse; it was icy cold to the touch, and his pulse was extremely weak.

A thin layer of frost covered Yan Lingcang's cold face, and even his eyelashes were covered with tiny ice crystals.

The Grand Elder withdrew his hand, his expression serious. He turned to Yu Linzhou and asked, "Linzhou, tell me the truth, what exactly happened between you two? How did Ling Cang's condition deteriorate to this point?"

"Didn't the old sect leader leave him a Frost Lotus back then? Judging by the time, that lotus should have matured long ago. If he had consumed it, his hidden illness wouldn't have dragged on to this state today."