Chapter 82: Master Li Jun the Daoist

In recent days, Lin Qing could truly be said to be in high spirits. Not long ago, he finally obtained the Foundation Establishment cultivator’s legacy he had schemed for so long. Upon returning to the sect, he participated in the Heart-Tempering Path and was promoted to the inner sect.

Having lived a second life, many things previously hindered by his status could now finally be put on the agenda. With the support of abundant cultivation resources, his cultivation was steadily approaching the ninth rank of Qi Refinement. If luck was on his side, he might even break through within the year.

“No matter what the ultimate fate of this Abyssal Sect may be, there are several great opportunities within the inner sect that I must seize at all costs.” He calculated silently. “The sect competition is one such opportunity…”

“If nothing changes, soon an elder will announce that the upcoming Sword Trial will lift the restrictions between inner and outer sects…”

“The rewards are extraordinary. Should I place in the competition, I’ll even qualify to participate in the grand contest of the Nine Peaks of Dragon Pool Mountain.”

“The second is in a few years, where the Dao Child’s former abode will appear at Junping Prefecture, on the border between the Central Domain and the Kingdom of Chu.”

As for the Flower Festival at North Yashan he was to attend in a few days, he had heard of it in his previous life. Most likely, it was just for show, not yielding any substantial gains.

“…But these all require careful planning.”

“For now, a great opportunity is right before me!”

Inside the Mission Hall, Lin Qing’s eyes glimmered as he meticulously examined each task and commission floating before him.

“Pear Blossom Brew…”

He continued searching for words related to wine, pear blossoms, and the like.

In his past life, a remarkable event once circulated within the Abyssal Sect. An inner sect disciple had received a very odd commission: to retrieve three jars of Pear Blossom Brew from a tavern in Fengan County and bring them back to the sect. The commissioner’s name was “Qingrou.” The reward was a mere twenty spirit stones.

On the surface, this seemed ordinary. Perhaps there was a fellow disciple fond of drink who missed the taste of home but was bound by sect duties, so had to issue such a commission. To simply run an errand for twenty spirit stones was actually quite generous.

But perhaps the issuer was unfamiliar with the commission process. For a Qi Refinement stage cultivator—already late-stage within the inner sect—there were many ways to earn spirit stones without leaving the sect. Fengan County was some distance from the sect, and those below Foundation Establishment couldn’t fly on swords, making the journey time-consuming. And those above Foundation Establishment wouldn’t bother running such an errand for a mere twenty spirit stones.

If this task had been placed in the outer sect’s Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, it would have been fought over. As it happened, the disciple who accepted the task was originally from Fengan and had been cultivating in seclusion during the New Year, unable to return home. On the second day of the second month—the Dragon Raises Its Head—he accepted this odd commission, visited his family, and fetched the wine for some extra spirit stones.

Who could have guessed that this strange task’s commissioner, “Qingrou,” was in fact the sect’s Golden Core powerhouse and head, Daoist Lord Li Jun?

Such is fate—when one’s fortune arrives, anyone may stumble upon an opportunity.

Later, the news leaked out; even the tavern’s sign and precise location were spread throughout the sect. For such a simple task, besides the stated reward of twenty low-grade spirit stones, there was also a Sword Talisman personally crafted and sealed by Daoist Lord Li Jun.

Others might not know the true extent of Li Jun’s cultivation, but Lin Qing, having lived through another life, knew well.

Ordinary Golden Core stage? Impossible.

He was at the peak of Golden Core! Half a step into Nascent Soul!

If not for his aversion to action, with his power, he could walk unhindered across the Kingdom of Chu.

A Sword Talisman personally crafted by such a figure was priceless. Not to mention that day when Xuan Yuan Sect came looking for trouble—with a casual sword strike, he split the clouds and rivers, dimming the heavens and earth. The sword qi sealed within the Sword Talisman would be no less formidable.

Thinking of this, Lin Qing’s eyes grew ever more fervent.

This truly was a great opportunity!

Suddenly!

His gaze sharpened. At last, he found that almost hidden commission tucked away in the corner.

Having prepared beforehand, he had already visited the tavern on a previous trip outside the sect and bought three jars of Pear Blossom Brew.

It was indeed a famous establishment among mortals, its sign passed down through generations. Especially the Pear Blossom Brew—its fragrance lingered, its taste was sweet and mellow, lacking the harshness of other spirits. The owner, seeing anyone, would boast that even celestial maidens from the heavens had praised its flavor.

At this moment, the three jars of Pear Blossom Brew were stored in his universe pouch.

Taking the commission, Lin Qing immediately left the Mission Hall, heading to the location indicated for the exchange.

Skirting Dragonhead Peak, he arrived outside a secluded valley. A thin mist shrouded the valley—Lin Qing recognized it at once as a mountain-protecting illusion formation.

In his previous life, he had no information about this exchange spot and didn’t know its purpose within the sect. He only knew that Daoist Lord Li Jun often visited this place.

“Inner disciple Lin Qing, here to fulfill the commission…”

He announced himself, choosing “inner disciple Lin Qing” instead of “disciple Lin Qing” to feign ignorance of the true situation.

“Fellow Daoist…”

Buzz—

There was no reply, yet the jade slip floated out of his universe pouch, radiating emerald spiritual light, and landed in his palm.

…

After a moment’s thought, Lin Qing stepped into the valley.

Following the narrow path along the creek, he soon found himself before a stone monument.

A young man in white robes sat before it.

Lin Qing’s heart skipped a beat.

This was the Abyssal Sect’s leader, Daoist Lord Li Jun—Chen Linyuan!

The young man’s expression was warm and gentle as he smiled and beckoned, “Come.”

Lin Qing braced himself and stepped forward.

“Senior…”

Chen Linyuan, with interest, asked, “How did you know I was a senior?”

“Junior cannot discern your cultivation…”

He nodded. “The wine?”

Lin Qing quickly produced three jars of Pear Blossom Brew from his universe pouch and carefully placed them before the stone monument.

Chen Linyuan opened one jar, inhaled the fragrance lightly.

“Indeed, Pear Blossom Brew from Drunken Immortal’s Tavern—it hasn’t changed much in all these years.”

Beneath the pear tree, he filled two empty bowls.

“I once tried brewing this myself, but I never could capture the flavor. In this, I am outdone even by mortals, ha…”

He seemed to be speaking to himself, not to anyone in particular.

“Here are twenty spirit stones.”

He tossed a small pouch from a distance, which Lin Qing caught with both hands.

…

After a moment, Chen Linyuan asked, “What is the old alley by Drunken Immortal’s Tavern in Fengan like these days?”

Lin Qing hadn’t paid much attention to the surroundings when he’d visited. But since the senior seemed nostalgic, he gave a general, plausible answer.

“It’s much the same as ever. When I went to buy the wine, there was a market—crowded and lively.”

“Though, recently, Fengan has a new magistrate. I heard some of the old, dilapidated houses near the tavern are to be torn down.”

Lin Qing tried to sound casual and at ease.

Chen Linyuan nodded, a look of reminiscence in his eyes.

Lin Qing quietly stood aside, waiting for this peak Golden Core cultivator to bestow that precious Sword Talisman—a treasure that would see him safely through his entire Foundation Establishment stage.

“If, in this life, the tides of fate still cannot be turned…”

“With this Sword Talisman, I can leave the Abyssal Sect, even depart the Kingdom of Chu, and venture to the Central Domain!”

“The world is vast—where can I not go?”

At this thought, Lin Qing’s heart blazed with excitement.

Yet, as things unfolded, they did not quite match his expectations.

Before the monument, Chen Linyuan suddenly looked up, a trace of sharp sword light flickering in his eyes, his expression strangely curious.

“My young friend…”

“What are you so happy about…”

He gazed into Lin Qing’s astonished eyes, that look seeming to see right through his heart.

A powerful pressure swept over him before he could utter a defense.

“What is it you’re waiting for me to give you?”

Under the profound weight of that gaze, Lin Qing was horrified to find himself unable to control his own mouth as it slowly opened…

…

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