Chapter 446: Celestial Bamboo Saint
Lin Yun couldn’t perceive Luo Feng’s Cultivation, but he could sense his power. However, when faced with this old man, Lin Yun could perceive neither the elder’s Cultivation nor his power. It was as if he were truly just a frail old man, without even the strength to truss a chicken.
"Young man, you are far too wary. Such a Mental Realm is not good," the old man said, stroking his long beard. He seemed able to read minds, as Lin Yun’s expression had not changed in the slightest.
One had to admit, the old man exuded an aura of peace and serenity. Though his hair and beard were completely white, his complexion was rosy and his skin as smooth as a baby’s.
"My apologies, Senior," Lin Yun replied softly upon hearing the old man’s words.
"Haha, there’s no need for that. But since you are here, why not listen to me play a tune?" the old man replied with a smile.
"Thank you, Senior."
The moment Lin Yun spoke, the old man’s hands began to drift across the Guqin. A tune, timeless and profound, floated out.
After only a few notes, Lin Yun and his companions were completely immersed in the melody. The beautiful music seemed to transport them, the scenery around them shifting without their notice.
Seeing Lin Yun’s eyes grow vacant and his expression gradually soften, his guard now lowered, the old man smiled faintly, a glint of amusement in his eyes.
As the sound of the Guqin swirled in his ears, Lin Yun found himself on a boundless grassland. Around him was nothing but lush green grass.
There was no conflict, no killing, no lust for power. Lin Yun lay on the grass, gazing at the blue sky as the enchanting music of the Guqin echoed around him.
Gradually, Lin Yun’s mind grew peaceful, and it felt as if all the pressure on his shoulders had been swept away.
"Young man, do you know why Martial Artists are able to become the Dominators of this world?" At that moment, the old man’s voice rang out of thin air, as ethereal as ever.
Lin Yun wasn’t startled by the sudden voice, nor did he feel the slightest bit wary. It felt as if the voice was always meant to be there.
Lying there comfortably, Lin Yun replied softly, "Because Martial Artists are powerful. Because they control the life and death of myriad beings."
Hearing Lin Yun’s reply, the old man’s voice sounded again. "Haha, are Martial Artists truly powerful? Even the mightiest Martial Artist will one day return to dust. The reason they can become the Dominators of the world isn’t because of their strength, but because they understand this world they inhabit better than anyone else."
’Because they understand the world?’ Lin Yun muttered to himself.
"Martial Artists, like ordinary people, are born of mortal flesh. Cultivation is a process of gradual transformation. Everything in the world has its own patterns, its own rules. A Martial Artist’s power comes precisely from understanding these rules."
The old man continued, suddenly saying, "Look."
At his words, Lin Yun looked ahead. He saw what was once a small, green blade of grass begin to grow at a speed visible to the naked eye, only to finally wither and die.
"The grass must obey the laws of the world to grow. No matter how hard it tries, it can only ever be grass; it can never become a towering tree. This is a law of the world."
"Therefore, the best results are achieved when all things follow their natural course. A peaceful Mental Realm benefits not only you, but others as well."
"Young man, you carry too many burdens. These burdens are of no use to you. They will not help you grow; on the contrary, they will crush you," the old man said slowly.
The old man said many things to Lin Yun on that grassland. When the music ended, Lin Yun found himself back in the simple courtyard.
Snapping back to his senses, Lin Yun saw the old man looking at him with a gentle smile. He immediately bowed. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior."
The old man waved his hand dismissively. "I wouldn’t call it guidance. Just a few of my own musings. I hope they are of some use to you."
Just as Lin Yun was about to speak, the Communication Token at his waist flashed. It was a message from Luo Feng, summoning him to the Main Hall immediately for an important matter.
Lin Yun looked at the old man, about to take his leave, but before he could speak, the elder said, "Go on. If you have any questions in the future, you may come here. Perhaps I can help resolve the doubts in your heart."
"Thank you, Senior. I will be sure to come and pay a formal visit another day." After bowing once more, Lin Yun left the Bamboo Courtyard with Lu Bingning and the other woman.
Watching their three figures disappear, the old man took a sip of tea and murmured softly, ’Don’t let obsession cause you to lose your true heart.’
Lin Yun didn’t know that the old man’s existence was a secret within the Flawless Palace, known only to Luo Feng and the Six Supreme Elders. Moreover, each of the Six Great Forces in the Eastern Domain possessed a guardian like him.
They were the true foundation of the Six Great Forces, and also their most deeply hidden secret.
The old man in the Bamboo Courtyard was one such guardian. His name was the Celestial Bamboo Saint...
On their way out of the bamboo forest, Lu Bingning asked Lin Yun what was going on. Lin Yun said he didn’t know either, only that Luo Feng had summoned him to the Main Hall at once, saying there was an important matter to discuss.
After escorting Lu Bingning and her companion back, Lin Yun made his way to the Main Hall. Upon entering, he discovered he wasn’t alone. The other Core Disciples were present as well, including Gong Lingqi, who had been sent to Jingsi Cliff for punishment.
In addition, Luo Feng and five of the Supreme Elders were seated in the seats of honor.
’With a lineup like this, something major must have happened,’ Lin Yun thought. He walked over to join the other Core Disciples. Seeing that Lin Yun had arrived, Luo Feng slowly began to speak.
"I have summoned you all today regarding one matter. Yesterday, Saint’s Relics emerged in the Spiritless Wilderness—a perfectly preserved site."
Upon hearing Luo Feng’s words, everyone was visibly shocked. The emergence of Saint’s Relics was a monumental event that would shake the entire Eastern Domain.
The importance of Saint’s Relics was self-evident. Caiyi, for example, had managed to break through to the Celestial Spirit Realm at age thirty precisely because she had obtained the legacy of the Blood Slaughter Saint.
Although that same legacy prevented Caiyi from using her martial arts freely or continuing her Cultivation, it was an undeniable fact that a Saint’s legacy was a prize anyone would covet.
There were only a little over a hundred recorded Saint’s Relics in the entire Eastern Domain. Now that a perfectly preserved site had suddenly emerged, who wouldn’t be tempted?
"I’ve summoned you today so you can prepare. The Supreme Elders have already hurried to the Spiritless Wilderness. Once they’ve scouted the situation, you will all head to the Saint’s Relics as well," Luo Feng said.
Even experts at the Spirit Realm would covet Saint’s Relics. Although the Six Great Forces surely possessed their own Saintly legacies, who would refuse the chance to acquire another?