"That’s the choice I’m giving you. But at the very least, now you know what the Lingxian Sect’s secret technique is like," Lin Tian replied, once again making it clear that he would not force Wu Yue into anything.

Whatever happened, it would be entirely Wu Yue’s decision. Lin Tian wouldn’t push her if she wasn’t fully ready.

He was worried that if he forced it, Wu Yue’s heart would end up in a bad place like it had before.

Lin Tian stayed quiet, but his attention shifted when Wu Yue called out to him. She had something to tell him, about the decision in her heart.

"Dual cultivation is a big deal to me. So I can’t make that decision quickly," Wu Yue said.

"That’s fine. I understand," Lin Tian said.

He summoned a white spiritual qi glow and sent it toward Wu Yue’s body. In an instant, her bare body was fully covered by her sect robe again. Wu Yue was dressed, her face clean and refreshed, her energy restored.

Not just her, but Lin Tian did the same for himself. His sect robe settled back onto his body. He snapped his fingers and cleared the hall floor of any trace of what had happened.

He swept his robe sleeve to the side, dissolving the illusion dome and letting Wu Yue know she was free to leave. The woman gave a quiet nod, pressed her hands together in a bow, and walked out.

Now Lin Tian was alone. He could still picture everything that had happened that night. But dwelling on it wasn’t going to help him focus.

Tomorrow, Li Qingxue will come with the tribute from the Yunlan Sect.

Maybe I can ask her a lot about the Qin Sect Alliance and the Alliance’s Qi Path.

[2nd Conquest Mission:]

[Objective: Help Wu Yue Learn The Lingxian Sect Secret Technique]

[Reward: -15 Hatred || Increased Breakthrough Momentum]

[Status: Completed]

[Cultivator Status:]

[Name: Wu Yue]

[Cultivation Stage: Mid Foundation Establishment]

[Emotional Stage: Hatred (60/100)] [-15]

While he was thinking about Li Qingxue’s possible arrival tomorrow, his attention shifted to the panel in front of him showing that the conquest mission had been completed.

There were benefits gained, one of which was an increased breakthrough momentum.

The hatred is going down. This is clearly good for Wu Yue’s development going forward.

[3rd Conquest Mission:]

[Objective: Help Wu Yue Break Through to Peak Foundation Establishment]

[Reward: -15 Hatred || 1x Profound Technique]

The second mission was done, and now he could see that the third conquest mission had become active. The message was straightforward: Lin Tian needed to help Wu Yue break through.

There are plenty of ways to break through to Peak Foundation Establishment. This should be an easy mission.

He would figure out how later. Lin Tian dismissed the system panel and tried to settle his mind. That night, the atmosphere was so quiet that only the sound of the wind could be heard.

A moment like this was the perfect time to cultivate, even though Lin Tian knew that finding the concept of his own dao would be difficult and time-consuming.

But for now, he would restore his energy and make use of his time cultivating. Maybe he could find a moment of heavenly insight through that.

Elsewhere, Yun Yun had returned to her dorm with a light and happy heart. The surge inside her had faded and her cultivation base had grown. That night, she had been truly fortunate.

In a different place, Wu Yue arrived at the Pill Refinement Hall alone. Her mind kept drifting back to the image of Lin Tian, and the moment she had watched Yun Yun take him into her mouth.

It was deeply distracting, not only disturbing her cultivation but also keeping her from sleep. Wu Yue was genuinely torn in this situation.

"Whatever happens, I have to stay focused on my cultivation."

"I’ll talk to him about this tomorrow. I’m glad he didn’t force me," Wu Yue said.

That night, Wu Yue began cultivating to build up her breakthrough momentum. Without realizing it, the chance for her to break through would have to involve Lin Tian in the process.

***

The next day.

"Greetings, Sect Leader Lin Tian," said a woman, her voice familiar.

Lin Tian opened his eyes. He saw the door of the main sect hall open as An Yue came in to let him know.

"Sect Leader Li has come to visit, Master Lin," An Yue said.

He smiled lightly, rose from his cross-legged seat on the cultivation altar, and walked with An Yue toward the sect’s front gate.

Lin Tian’s eyes found the visitor. It was Li Qingxue, Sect Leader of the Yunlan Sect. She hadn’t come alone. Two female elders were with her, each of them Core Formation cultivators.

"Last time I saw you, you were shutting yourself inside the sect hall," Li Qingxue said.

Lin Tian stepped outside the sect’s formation dome wall, looking up at them. Noticing Lin Tian standing on the ground, Li Qingxue descended immediately and set her feet on the ground as he had done.

"As agreed. I’ve come to bring tribute to the Lingxian Sect."

Li Qingxue patted her bag of holding and produced 35 medium-sized crates. The contents were varied, ranging from weapons, crystals, general technique and array scrolls, to level one and level two pills.

Lin Tian looked over everything. All the items inside the crates were ordinary grade, easy to come by, cheap in value, and nothing particularly special.

"It looks like you’re using this agreement as a chance to clean out your unused storage?" Lin Tian asked.

"What? We didn’t—"

"I knew you’d say that. Your eyes are sharp. No wonder you were able to get that Earth Flame," Li Qingxue replied.

The woman produced three items with a fairly strong qi aura, on par with a level above Core Formation. Lin Tian looked at all three: a pill, a technique scroll, and a map.

He looked at the pill and opened it. His eyes narrowed sharply. It felt familiar.

"Isn’t this the pill from yesterday’s auction?" Lin Tian asked.

"It is, and I thought it would be far better off in your hands," Li Qingxue replied.

"Alright."

Lin Tian stored the pill and turned his eyes to the technique scroll. He opened it and read the name clearly.

"The Ocean Mirror Barrier Technique?" Lin Tian asked.

"One of the Yunlan Sect’s Earth-grade techniques. I figured there was no harm in giving it to you. But I’m asking you to make me one promise," Li Qingxue said.

"What promise?"

"Don’t teach that technique to anyone else. Only you may study it," Li Qingxue replied.

"Alright."

He stored the technique scroll and shifted his attention to the side, picking up the mysterious map fragment that felt strangely familiar.

The map looked like part of another map, because the two shared the same qi aura. There was a good chance both pieces pointed to the same place.

"That’s a map that leads to the Grand Jade Palace. To find the entrance, all the pieces of the map need to be gathered," Li Qingxue said.

"It’s said that inside there are Immortal treasures that can help cultivators grasp the concept of heavenly dao. That would benefit us both, Fellow Daoist."

"Both of us?" Lin Tian asked.

"That’s right," Li Qingxue said.

I don’t know what she’s planning. But I shouldn’t rush into this matter.

"Alright. You and I will help each other find the remaining pieces of this map. Once they’re all gathered, we’ll go there together," Lin Tian replied.

He stored the map piece and extended his hand, "Do you have some time? There’s something I’d like to ask you about. Talking over tea would probably be a lot better."

Without hesitation, Li Qingxue gave a short nod, "Of course. I’m happy to accept your invitation, Fellow Daoist Lin Tian."