Eternal Life from Talisman Painting

Chapter 768: Chapter 368: Meng Family’s Response, Two Women Meet (Part 4)

Lin Chang’an helplessly lifted his spirit tea as a gesture, yet Xu Lingfeng felt no awkwardness. Instead, he shook his head and clasped his hands:

"Mr. Lin, indeed, I did have some displeasure towards you in the past, but I have never doubted your character. If, after a hundred years of friendship, I still can’t see through your nature, then I’m truly blind."

Xu Lingfeng’s candid manner left Lin Chang’an at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

He was indeed this way; at least he showed his displeasure openly without harboring ill intentions.

Thinking from another perspective, his admired senior sister naturally wouldn’t want to let an outsider benefit, especially since he was a loose cultivator.

Although he was a loose cultivator, Lin Chang’an had to admit that most loose cultivators were indeed selfish.

Even he couldn’t escape this trait.

Though, cultivators within a sect, while also selfish, hold a greater sense of belonging regarding their sect and family.

So, during every upheaval, one could see the chaos mainly caused by loose cultivators, while the sects and major clans preferred a stable cultivation environment.

It wasn’t that loose cultivators were bad, but rather a flaw in human nature.

"Mr. Lin, actually, over the years, my senior sister still took the time to help you care for the spirit flowers and exotic fruits at Celestial Spring Peak."

Over the years, Xu Lingfeng saw through it all; after all, Mr. Lin was a sincere person.

Of course, it was also crucial that Lin Chang’an didn’t have a family or descendants, which was better than the Meng family.

"Then I really must thank Mr. Ni Chang."

Lin Chang’an amusedly clasped his hands. For years he had been cultivating on Bibo Island because of its favorable environment, rarely returning to Celestial Spring Peak.

However, this attitude of Mr. Xu, trying to mediate, left him speechless.

This person was eyeing his wealth.

However, who would be interested if he had nothing at all?

Seeing Lin Chang’an like this, Xu Lingfeng took a deep breath and said solemnly in a low voice:

"Mr. Lin, to be honest, that Meng guy secretly already promised the senior sister that if she’s willing to form an official Dao Companion, the Secret Realm opportunities will be shared in the future..."

An official Dao Companion!

Hearing this, Lin Chang’an squinted. Meng Xinghai was indeed decisive.

He could see clearly that the other party wanted to leverage the power of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance.

However, Xu Lingfeng sneered incessantly.

"What is that Meng guy? My senior sister clearly doesn’t like him, but he clings on like a leech..."

Hearing Xu Lingfeng’s words, Lin Chang’an chuckled and nodded.

The Meng family, though it seemed promising and offered enticing promises, Profound Sound Pavilion’s foundation was still in Yue Kingdom, not here.

"By the way, Mr. Lin, it’s just the right timing for you to come out. The sect is preparing for a major competition, ostensibly for distributing Foundation Establishment Pills and selecting talented disciples to train.

In secret, it’s actually aiming to plan for the sect’s disciples’ Core Formation. If you have time, perhaps you could join and watch."

When Xu Lingfeng said this, it reflected Lin Chang’an’s hundred years of trust in Profound Sound Pavilion.

Otherwise, such significant matters would be difficult for an Honored Guest Elder like him to access.

"Oh, then I shall accompany Mr. Xu to have a look."

Lin Chang’an did not refuse the goodwill from Profound Sound Pavilion; after all, the other party had extended goodwill, and he was not insensible to human affairs.

After all, he was an elder of Profound Sound Pavilion.

Meanwhile, as Lin Chang’an and Xu Lingfeng discussed recent events on Bibo Island, his Celestial Spring Peak on Five Dragons Island welcomed two guests.

...

Celestial Spring Peak.

Under the peach tree, in the pavilion, two figures were sipping spirit tea, their chess pieces crisscrossing on the board.

"Mr. Ni Chang, it’s your move."

In white battle attire, Yun Yao looked indifferently at her opponent’s tea-drinking disguise, showing a hint of disinterest.

At this moment, Fairy Ni Chang, holding spirit tea, looked at the interwoven chessboard, finding herself utterly routed, speechless.

"Mr. Yun, your chess skills are as extraordinary as always, just like in the Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market or Celestial Profound City."

The two were old acquaintances, though back then, Fairy Ni Chang was the most dazzling prodigy in Yue Kingdom, while Yun Yao was merely an ordinary genius of Li Huo Palace.

Later, they became more familiar because of Su Miaoyin during their time in Celestial Profound City.

After all, they shared a common enemy back then.

The Yun Yao of the past had never betrayed Li Huo Palace’s information to them.

"Mr. Ni Chang, your chess skills remain as ordinary as ever, though over the years, your mindset has been well trained, losing thirty-six games without changing expression."

Yun Yao’s teasing left Fairy Ni Chang speechless; was her chess that bad?

Facing Mr. Lin, she seemed to win decisively.

Perhaps next time, she should spar a few rounds with Mr. Lin when available.

Finally, the white piece landed on the board with a crisp sound, symbolizing Fairy Ni Chang’s resignation.

"Enough, Mr. Yun. It’s been years since we’ve met; I never expected you to reach this point."

Fairy Ni Chang, in her cyan and white dress, gazed at Yun Yao’s current cultivation with deep emotion.

Back in Yue Kingdom, she was the foremost prodigy of the Seven Kingdoms, and the other was only a newly Foundation established cultivator, quite reserved in front of her.

Later, she took the lead in Core Formation in Celestial Profound City, a vast gap between them.

Who would have thought, in merely over a hundred years, the other party had caught up with her pace.

If it were the former self, she might have been unsettled, yet now, she could face everything calmly.

The two looked at each other with calm expressions, mutually acknowledging each other as close acquaintances with Brother Lin/Mr. Lin.

Otherwise, how could they access Celestial Spring Peak so easily?

Fairy Ni Chang pondered internally, understanding clearly about Mr. Lin and Yun Yao’s relationship, based on past intelligence, without overthinking.

Having walked the Immortal Path together and supported each other over the years, having personal bonds was normal.

Meanwhile, Yun Yao mused inwardly, even if one guessed tirelessly, they wouldn’t fathom the relationship and plans between her and Brother Lin.

"The grand Saintess of Profound Yin Demon Sect, having cultivated the incomplete Gui Water Demonic Skill to such an extent, Li Huo Palace truly misjudged then."

"Alright, Mr. Ni Chang, don’t test anymore. Here’s the Secret Realm Fragment; let’s discuss our trade."

"In addition, with Profound Yin Demon Sect’s intelligence on the Secret Realm, I’ll exchange this treasure."

"Not enough..."

In the pavilion, they embarked on trading this Secret Realm Fragment, hotly contested externally.

Underneath Yun Yao’s indifferent facade, the Secret Realm Fragment was originally obtained from Blood Evil Master’s descendants.

She hadn’t understood its value initially but later realized.

With the Secret Realm’s imminent opening, the old demon required her entry; naturally, she would have been prepared adequately. She intended to sell this fragment for a good price.

In the end, they reached an agreement.

The spring breeze whistled, and amidst the fluttering rain of peach blossoms, the two bid farewell.

As pink petals brushed past her brow, Yun Yao pondered momentarily and whispered, "Mr. Ni Chang, I hope after the Secret Realm, we’ll meet again."

Fairy Ni Chang also fell into silence. Having cultivated for over two centuries, with her teacher and relatives gone, only the sect accompanied her.

Reflecting on her journey, she realized it was only these few friends she had left.

"We shall meet again, only hoping that when the time comes, Mr. Yun won’t be reckless and practice demonic skills to the point of deviation and temporary memory loss like in Yue Kingdom.

That period remains unforgettable for Mr. Su and me."

Mentioning it, Yun Yao snorted coldly without uttering extra words, turning to leave.

Just wait, she thought, one day, she’d have that former prodigy entirely under her heel.