Chapter 111: Golden Scales Taming the Waters, The Promise of the Path

Red Pine Dao Palace.

After the clouds on the platform dispersed, the sky regained its clear, azure hue. The recent duel had little impact on the Daoist sanctuary.

Because Lin You had deliberately chosen the void as the battleground, the mountain flora and spiritual plants remained unaffected, continuing to flourish vibrantly.

Only Zhao Fan and the others appeared somewhat dazed, as if still immersed in the intensity of the duel.

Among them, except for Qing Suo and Qing Wei, no one had witnessed a Dao Foundation cultivator’s true power unleashed, leaving them deeply shaken.

It was unimaginable what formidable abilities the legendary Xuan Dan Zhenren and Yuan Tai Zhenjun must possess.

At this moment, Qing Suo and Qing Wei exchanged bitter smiles, astonished that in this era of decline, there were still those who could reach such heights.

They had once thought reclaiming the Void Origin Cauldron from the Ancestral Realm was a sure thing, but now it seemed they had been presumptuous.

Yet, if they could persuade this senior before them to lend a hand, the endeavor might indeed bear fruit—though careful consideration was needed first.

Lost in thought, a cup of spiritual tea was quietly brought before them by several paper effigy children.

The fragrant aroma of the tea permeated the air, calming their minds and soothing their restless hearts.

Lin You glanced at the group; within the entire Red Pine Daoist sanctuary, only Zhang Yuanyi, Zhao Fan, Master Hushan, the siblings Qing Suo and Qing Wei, and a young man wearing beast skin with a reserved expression remained.

The other wandering cultivators had long since scattered like birds and beasts.

Reflecting on this, he smiled gently and said, “Just now, when a formidable enemy approached, I am grateful to all of you for not abandoning me. I, a humble Daoist, sincerely appreciate this kindness.”

Though none except Zhang Yuanyi had contributed greatly, those who chose to stay in such a critical moment were already deserving of deep respect.

Hearing this, everyone hastened to decline, “We are ashamed; not only did we fail to aid the Zhenren in the slightest, but nearly became a burden ourselves. We do not deserve such kindness.”

Those who truly understood themselves knew their own strengths and limits.

Lin You then looked toward Zhang Yuanyi. The latter had journeyed far to assist during the ceremony, and this goodwill was genuine.

After a moment’s thought, he asked, “Yuanyi, what are your plans next?”

Zhang Yuanyi was taken aback; he had not expected such a direct question from his teacher.

Without hesitation, he replied, “After settling affairs at the Hou residence, I intend to return to the Sword Tomb to confront Su Jun, avenging my father’s death and proving my own mastery of the sword.”

Lin You nodded knowingly, unsurprised.

That day, sensing Zhang Yuanyi’s deep-seated resolve, he had lent him a fragment of sword intent. Unexpectedly, Yuanyi had used it to breach the profound barrier, achieving the rank of Grandmaster of the Sword Dao.

From then on, Lin You knew the day would come when Yuanyi must personally resolve his vendetta.

This was his own karmic path to walk and must be settled by himself.

With this in mind, Lin You produced a jade talisman from his robes and handed it to Zhang Yuanyi.

He said, “Though you have found your sword path, it is still young and incomplete. Here is a complete strand of the Celestial Sword Intent. Study it further; when you reach a point where there is nowhere left to advance, then seek to verify your sword path with others.”

As Zhang Yuanyi had called him “teacher” and risked his life to help him now, this gift of sword intent was well deserved.

Zhang Yuanyi accepted the talisman solemnly and felt within it an unparalleled sword intent, as if capable of cleaving the heavens.

Though it held no tangible power, its vast and boundless meaning stirred him deeply—this was the true sword path he long sought.

He bowed deeply to Lin You and said, “Thank you, Teacher, for imparting the Dao.”

Rising, he suddenly recalled Guo Yuanlin’s instructions and added, “Teacher, there is one more matter on which I seek your counsel.”

He then fully recounted the situation concerning the Sanjiang Dam.

This matter affected the safety of hundreds of thousands of people. Even as a Grandmaster, he dared not decide lightly and needed Lin You’s guidance to gain confidence.

Lin You nodded gravely. “Water management has always been a matter of great importance. If you succeed, it will benefit tens of thousands along the riverbanks—a truly meritorious deed.”

After a moment’s thought, a smile appeared on his face.

Raising his hand toward the valley, a golden-scaled fish leapt from the spiritual spring and was carried by the Wind Spirit before the group.

The spiritual fish surfaced calmly, recognizing the Daoist who had frequently fed it spiritual pills, and showed a hint of affection.

Lin You said with a smile, “You have consumed many of my spiritual pills these past days. Now is the time for you to repay me. Will you assist in managing the floodwaters? If you accumulate merit through this, I shall not hesitate to grant you more spiritual pills to aid your cultivation.”

The fish’s eyes flickered with thoughtful calculation, weighing the pros and cons.

Its intelligence was considerable; it saw no ill intent in the Daoist and, having experienced rapid growth thanks to the pills, no longer wished to endure the hardship of scavenging in the water daily.

It is easier to enter luxury from thrift than to return from luxury to thrift.

For its own cultivation’s sake, it was willing to take this risk.

With a nod to Lin You, it accepted the task.

Zhang Yuanyi looked at the small spiritual fish with a peculiar gaze.

Lin You noticed his doubt and smiled. “Do not underestimate it, Yuanyi. It excels at stirring water and creating waves. When clearing the river channels, it can assist by guiding the flow. Later, I will refine more spiritual pills for you to feed it on the journey; consider it an advance on its reward.”

Nurtured by the essence of the Gui Water element, this spiritual fish’s intelligence had awakened, and its potential was extraordinary. With spiritual pills to nourish it, it would rival many true Qi cultivators.

Moreover, it was born with a natural gift for water manipulation. In great rivers and streams, it moves as effortlessly as a fish in water. Guided skillfully, this single fish could replace the labor of tens of thousands.

Zhang Yuanyi did not hesitate and promptly took the fish into his care.

Lin You nodded approvingly and added, “Regarding the flood management, Yuanyi, you may participate as well. If you truly succeed, I shall personally initiate you into the Dao.”

If they could resolve this century-old problem in Jinzhou, the karmic ties with Heaven and Earth would be profound, and the small tree’s feedback would increase greatly.

Therefore, Lin You made a direct promise: once Yuanyi and his companions accomplished this, he would use vast spiritual energy to condense their Dao seed, allowing them to embark fully on the immortal path and become complete Dao Foundation cultivators.

Hearing this, Zhang Yuanyi’s heart grew solemn. Having witnessed the power of a Dao Foundation cultivator just now, his longing for immortal cultivation was kindled. With his teacher’s promise, how could he not feel hopeful?

Even if their flood control work was not entirely for merit’s sake, having a goal would fuel their efforts.

The others nearby also could not help but envy Zhang Yuanyi.

Especially Qing Suo and Qing Wei, who understood well the immense resources required to nurture a Dao Foundation cultivator.

Though Yuanyi had breached the profound barrier and crossed the most crucial threshold, condensing the Dao seed and refining his powers demanded tremendous spiritual energy.

He estimated that, based on the spiritual pills just traded, at least a thousand would be needed—barely sufficient.

Even the top-grade Nourishing Yuan spiritual pills held by Zhao Fan would require hundreds.

Such resources could only be granted by a sect for those who had given their lives for it and contributed greatly.

Yet now, this Grandmaster was offering such lavish gifts merely for resolving a flood?

This astonished the siblings and sparked great interest in the concept of merit.

Page complete.