After returning to the mountain peak where he resided, Li Lin found Yu Yuqian, his master, arriving excitedly at the peak as well. Yu was thrilled to learn that his precious disciple had defeated three disciples ranked in the top ten of the Dragon List yesterday, including defeating Qu Daojue. This excitement significantly boosted his prestige within the Yunyang Sect.
Li Lin also informed his master that he would participate in the tri-sect quad-gate conference and mentioned the three conditions Yun Xiaotian had agreed to. Having his master as a witness would make it harder for Yun Xiaotian to renege on his promises.
Although Li Lin felt he might be overly worried, as Yun Xiaotian's promises seemed unlikely to be broken, he couldn't be too cautious. The first condition he would request was the ten-thousand-year-old Red Copper, one of the treasures that protected the Yunyang Sect's mountain. There was a chance Yun Xiaotian might go back on his word.
Yu Yuqian was overjoyed to hear his disciple would participate in the tri-sect quad-gate conference. After giving a long list of instructions, he handed over three sets of high-grade Yellow-tier martial arts techniques and several high-grade fourth-level pills to Li Lin, items he had taken directly from the Yunyang Sect's storeroom.
After Yu Yuqian left happily, Li Lin stood on the mountain peak, deep in thought about various matters, including his own affairs with the Flying Spirit Gate. It was surprising to him that the Yunyang Sect was fully aware of these matters, and he wondered if the sect knew about the Old Poisoner and Ghost Fairy as well.
The fact that the Yunyang Sect knew about the Flying Spirit Gate but had said nothing felt unusual to Li Lin. It almost confirmed that the Yunyang Sect was investigating him, though he was unsure why.
"Under someone else's roof, one seldom feels safe," Li Lin murmured, looking at the surrounding mountains. Decidedly, the first thing he needed to obtain was the ten-thousand-year-old Red Copper, which would require placing in the top three at the tri-sect quad-gate conference—a daunting task.
With determination in his eyes and only a month left, Li Lin knew he had to enhance his strength further. The opportunity for the ten-thousand-year-old Red Copper was worth the effort.
At night, when the sky was cloaked in darkness, Li Lin picked up a jade slip in his room. It was imbued with a strong water attribute aura, the second set of Xuan-level beginner martial arts technique he had acquired in the secret grounds.
Without hesitation, he dripped a drop of blood into the jade slip. As his mind explored it, a dazzling light transformed into a vast amount of information in his mind.
After a moment, the light from the jade slip faded, and its water attribute energy vanished. "Frost Seal," Li Lin muttered, learning from the information that this water system Xuan-level beginner martial art technique was called the Frost Seal. When executed to its extreme, it could freeze thousands of miles.
"Time to cultivate," Li Lin's eyes showed unwavering determination.
In a delicate courtyard under the night sky, Cui Yu's lips curled into a smile.
"Cui Yu, are you really with Li Lin…" Du Gu Binglan looked at Cui Yu and asked.
"This time, I want to make my own decision," Cui Yu said.
"But the clan might not agree, given how much they value you," Du Gu Binglan softly said.
"I know, but I believe Lin'er will make the clan agree," Cui Yu replied with a smile.
"Have you told Li Lin about your identity?" Du Gu Binglan asked.
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"No," Cui Yu shook her head. "Now is not the time. I don't want to impact him significantly. I'll tell him when the time is right."
"I hope he can satisfy the clan. I'm worried that if the clan finds out, it might cause trouble, even danger for Li Lin. You know how our clan operates," Du Gu Binglan said.
"Hmph, if the clan dares to harm Lin'er, I will make them regret it. This time, I must make my own choice," Cui Yu's eyes flashed with determination.
The next morning, as dawn broke, Li Lin was already riding a Winged Snow Lion to the Martial Spirit Illusion Realm. This time, he directly entered the fifth realm to cultivate the Frost Seal.
As days passed, Li Lin spent his days in the Martial Spirit Illusion Realm and his nights on the mountain peak. The Yunyang Sect was once again filled with the sounds of his intense cultivation.
Soon, Yun Xiaotian announced the five disciples participating in the tri-sect quad-gate conference: Yun Hongling, Zhao Qinghai, Han Feng, Li Lin, and Qu Daojue.
Their participation was not surprising and was expected by many, as they were among the strongest of the younger generation in the Yunyang Sect.
They all went into seclusion to cultivate further, even Yun Hongling, who had stopped visiting Li Lin.
In the following days, the Yunyang Sect remained peaceful, with everyone's focus shifting back to the tri-sect quad-gate conference. The five participating disciples became the envy of all others, as appearing in the conference was a significant honor watched by the entire continent.
Achieving success in the conference could make one famous overnight, a tempting prospect for all disciples.
Li Lin continued his rigorous training regimen until, twenty days later, he left the Martial Spirit Illusion Realm with a smile.
"Snow Lion, let's go back," he said, mounting the Winged Snow Lion to return to his residence.
Upon arriving, Li Lin was greeted by Du Gu Binglan, who seemed to have been waiting for some time, appearing somewhat anxious.
"Lin'er, I was looking for you," Du Gu Binglan said upon seeing him.
"What's the matter?" Li Lin asked.
"Someone wants to meet you. Please, come with me now, or you might miss the chance," Du Gu Binglan urged.
"Who?" Li Lin inquired with curiosity.
"You'll know when we get there," Du Gu Binglan said, seemingly in a hurry.
Puzzled, Li Lin followed Du Gu Binglan on the Winged Snow Lion.
Shortly after, they arrived at the peak of the Yunyang Sect's main mountain, further deepening Li Lin's confusion. This was not an ordinary place; if Yun Xiaotian wanted to see him, he wouldn't have sent Du Gu Binglan.
At the peak, the surrounding mountains and waves of clouds set a majestic scene, now covered in snow. The square in front of the mountain's great hall was also blanketed in white.
"Who wants to meet me?" Li Lin asked upon reaching the square.
"You'll see. Wait here for a moment; I'll be right back," Du Gu Binglan said before entering the great hall.
Li Lin, still puzzled, waited outside.
"Lin'er," a beautiful figure rushed out from the hall moments later, revealing a stunning and delicate figure—it was Cui Yu.
"Cui Yu, is it you who wanted to meet me?" Li Lin asked, looking at the beautiful woman with a smile.
"Yes," Cui Yu replied softly. "I'm about to leave."
"Leave…" Li Lin's expression darkened. He had known Cui Yu would have to leave since their time in the secret grounds, but he didn't expect it to happen so soon.
Looking at the beautiful woman before him, Li Lin said, "After you leave, I'll find time to visit you."
Cui Yu smiled slightly, "If you want to visit me, you might not be able to enter my home. Leaving this time, I don't know when we'll see each other again."
"Is your home a dragon's den or tiger's lair, making it so hard to see you?" Li Lin asked, puzzled.
"Lin'er, there are some things I should tell you now, but you must promise not to be angry," Cui Yu said, looking into Li Lin's eyes.
"Go ahead," Li Lin replied with a slight smile.
"My name isn't Cui Yu; my real name is Du Gu Jingwen. I'm not Binglan's maid; actually, she is my maid," Cui Yu revealed.
Li Lin was shocked but not entirely surprised. He had suspected Cui Yu's identity as a maid was doubtful, but hearing it now was still somewhat surprising.
"Maybe I should have guessed this earlier," Li Lin said with a smile. "So, I should call you Miss Jingwen from now on."
"Stop teasing. I'm about to leave, and I really don't know when we'll see each other again. My family is not ordinary. Without absolute strength, you can't even visit me, and even if you could, it wouldn't be good for you. But I'll find a way to see you," Du Gu Jingwen said.
"Then take good care of yourself," Li Lin replied gently.
"Lin'er, I want to ask you now, can you give me a future if I wait for you?" Du Gu Jingwen looked at Li Lin, her beautiful eyes filled with reluctance.
"I will!" Li Lin affirmed. "Although I don't know about your family yet, I promise, once I have enough strength, I'll come for you."
"Your words are enough for me," Du Gu Jingwen smiled radiantly, then hugged Li Lin tightly, whispering into his ear, "Lin'er, there's a treasure in the Li family you need to obtain. As for the Zhao family and even the Li family, things are not as simple as you think. Be careful."