"Yue Kingdom is currently free of war. You should cultivate peacefully and nurture the next generation. If there are outstanding disciples, you may send them to the Profound Sound Pavilion."

Before leaving, Lin Chang’an still took care of these juniors.

On the basis of the existing large arrays of the two families, he made some improvements and upgraded the arrays to Tier Two Late Stage. Any higher, and they wouldn’t be able to withstand it.

At the same time, before he left, he granted Shen Fan, Wei Yingying, and Li Yifan some elixirs and protective talismans.

Before departing, Lin Chang’an also visited the Zhou Family.

This was because the Zhou Family had previously provided a large amount of materials and Spirit Stones, intending for him to enhance the family’s protective array.

In terms of family development, the Beast-Taming Zhou Family was clearly taking a cautious approach. Even with a pseudo Tier Three Profound Water Turtle stationed, they remained low-key.

However, Lin Chang’an understood well that with the pseudo Tier Three Profound Water Turtle holding down the fort, the Zhou Family was likely just accumulating resources, waiting for a talented cultivator to emerge within the clan.

Steady progress would eventually turn it into a Golden Core family.

The Zhou Family’s choice in beast taming couldn’t be labeled as right or wrong. After all, a momentary impulse could lead to catastrophic failure, and the Zhou Family wasn’t just one person, but an entire clan.

...

"The juniors of Elder Lin will also be under our protection within the sect. If there are noteworthy disciples, they will even be accepted under our wing."

On the way back aboard the Spirit Ship, a Foundation Establishment Steward from the Profound Sound Pavilion sincerely assured this Elder that they would look after Elder Lin’s juniors.

Upon hearing this, Lin Chang’an nodded slightly.

This is the benefit of having strength, not to mention he is an Honored Guest Elder at the Profound Sound Pavilion.

Even if he wasn’t, building a good relationship with a Core Formation Cultivator alone would still ensure the Profound Sound Pavilion’s protection.

In the Immortal Cultivation Realm, strength is ultimately respected above all.

"It’s time to return."

As he glanced at the gradually disappearing silhouette of the continent behind him, Lin Chang’an’s eyes were filled with resolute determination.

This time, upon returning and witnessing the passing of old friends, his heart became even more steadfast on the path of cultivation.

Everyone’s life has their own journey and regrets. For instance, Erniu, Shen Lie, and Wei Buyi, their regret might be that they never persisted in cultivation.

But they also found their own happiness, surrounded by children and grandchildren. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

In his years of perseverance on the path of cultivation, there were indeed many regrets along the way, but this is the path he chose.

"The regrets on one’s journey in life are also uniquely special."

His journey is just beginning; it is far from the time to stop.

Standing at the ship’s bow, Lin Chang’an suddenly understood something, and he couldn’t help but reveal a determined smile.

"Upon returning this time, I will begin preparing to refine the Spirit Supplement Pill. On the path of cultivation, taking one slow step can slow down every step. It’s far from my time to rest."

If the path ahead seemed daunting, he might choose to return to the Yue Kingdom and become a patriarch, using his identity as a Core Formation cultivator.

But the opportunities he has encountered have made his path incredibly clear, so there’s no reason to give up.

...

The journey back was calm and uneventful, just delayed by a little over a month.

Upon returning to the Profound Sound Pavilion and completing his tasks, Lin Chang’an also received his reward for the mission.

"A Tier Three Middle Grade Demon Core and these valuable spirit grasses?"

Seeing these precious materials being requested by Elder Lin upon his return, Fairy Ni Chang was taken aback.

These resources are extremely valuable and far beyond what an ordinary Core Formation cultivator can easily gather.

"Sect Leader, when I was in the Heaven-Reaching Mist Sea, I met a friend. Although he only has Fake Pill Cultivation, his alchemy skills are extraordinary.

This time, he also asked me to collect these materials on his behalf."

Upon returning, Lin Chang’an spoke of having a Tier Three Alchemist friend without blushing or feeling embarrassed, even smiling.

After all, it’s up to oneself to establish one’s identity when away from home.

Having a Tier Three Alchemist friend would significantly increase his own worth, and he could also benefit from the Profound Sound Pavilion.

"A Tier Three Alchemist!"

Upon hearing that Lin Chang’an knew a Tier Three Alchemist who was a loose cultivator, Fairy Ni Chang, who was always eager to strengthen the sect, couldn’t help but have her eyes shine.

As for worrying about being usurped?

A Tier Three Alchemist in the Fake Pill Realm would be the perfect candidate for their needs.

The so-called Tier Three Alchemist friend Lin Chang’an spoke of was, of course, his own alter ego.

Ever since the entire green leaf of the Profound Celestial Immortal Vine revived, his divine technique of external incarnation had become more proficient.

"This old friend of mine back then..."

Lin Chang’an hesitated for a moment and revealed the identity of his Tier Three Alchemist friend. Everything he said was true, except that Mr. Wen was no longer alive.

"It turned out to be Mr. Wen from Sha Yun Kingdom."

Fairy Ni Chang’s eyes flickered. She knew little about Mr. Wen and his wife, but it’s easy to obtain information about anyone from the Seven Kingdoms.

"The Three Fierce of the Zhong Family plotted against the two, with only Mr. Wen escaping injured..."

Lin Chang’an spoke with melancholy, appearing to lament for his friend’s experience.

What he said was true; unfortunately, Mr. Wen and his wife had long been killed by the Three Fierce of the Zhong Family.

For the Three Fierce to impersonate the Wen couple for so many years, they naturally knew a lot about them.

And since Lin Chang’an had killed the Three Fierce, he understood all the information about Mr. Wen and his wife through their memories, so he wasn’t afraid of being exposed.

Considering things carefully, Mr. Wen seemed the only reasonable identity he could impersonate as a Tier Three Alchemist, whose background was clean.

It also provided a convenient excuse for collecting materials for the Spirit Supplement Pill, offered an additional fake identity as an alchemist, and presented another opportunity to earn Spirit Stones openly.

Furthermore, he could receive a stipend as an Honored Guest Elder at the Profound Sound Pavilion, no matter how you looked at it, he wouldn’t lose anything.

At least, he avenged Mr. Wen and his wife. Using their identity as a payback would likely be appreciated by them if they knew.

"Elder Lin, could this Mr. Wen personally be invited over?"

Apparently, Fairy Ni Chang was very interested in this Tier Three Alchemist.

As this person is only at the Fake Pill Realm, a cultivator of such level typically wouldn’t easily change their allegiance after joining a sect.

After pondering for a moment, Lin Chang’an solemnly responded to Fairy Ni Chang’s request:

"Ever since experiencing that event, Mr. Wen’s personality has changed greatly..."

"As long as Mr. Wen has a clean background, our Profound Sound Pavilion is willing to present a Tier Three Middle Grade Demon Core as a gift."

Fairy Ni Chang gritted her teeth; she was making a significant concession. A Tier Three Middle Grade Demon Core possesses substantial value.

Upon hearing this, Lin Chang’an hesitated for a bit. After listening to further promises and rewards from Fairy Ni Chang, he reluctantly agreed to persuade Mr. Wen.

"Sect Leader, my Celestial Spring Peak happens to be near a Red Fire Peak, which could help us win this friend over."

The Celestial Spring Peak was a main peak designated for him to oversee by the Bihai Palace; the rest were not under his jurisdiction, which required planning.

The Red Fire Peak was one of the three Spirit Peaks second only to Celestial Spring Peak. Rich in Spiritual Energy, it was enough to accommodate a Core Formation cultivator.

Conveniently, it was also under the jurisdiction of the Profound Sound Pavilion.

"Good."

There was no doubt from Fairy Ni Chang about this decision, as offering at least a cultivation cave mansion is essential to attract any cultivator.

Lin Chang’an also accepted these benefits, agreeing cheerfully.

But just as Lin Chang’an was about to return to his cave mansion, the Profound Sound Pavilion unexpectedly delivered a Sound Transmission Jade Talisman from Sea Abyss City.

"Old Hu!"

Seeing this Sound Transmission Jade Talisman, Lin Chang’an was taken aback. He didn’t expect to receive a reply from Hu Jin after failing to contact him before forming his core in Sea Abyss City, even after such a long time.

...

Celestial Spring Peak.

Upon returning to his cave mansion again, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but stretch lazily. Escorting the merchant ship seemed easy this time.

But in reality, being on guard outside wasn’t nearly as comfortable as being at his own cave mansion.

After releasing the Phoenix Cry Bird and the Cyan-Horned Bull, the Phoenix Cry Bird excitedly flew through the cave mansion, headed straight for the underground Earthfire cave mansion.

The Cyan-Horned Bull leisurely headed to the waterfall lake beneath Celestial Spring Peak.

Leaving Lin Chang’an alone in the pavilion, he opened the Sound Transmission Jade Talisman from Hu Jin.

"Old Lin, congratulations on forming your core. During that time, your old buddy Hu was in seclusion and didn’t receive your message, it was already several years old by the time I got it.’

Afterward, I inquired all around and found out you formed your core and even became an Honored Guest Elder at the Profound Sound Pavilion, and that Fairy Ni Chang is the number one fairy in the Seven Kingdoms..."

The familiar carefree laughter echoed through the Sound Transmission Jade Talisman, and Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but smile.

It’s prevalent for Core Formation cultivators to be in seclusion for several years.

This old Hu hasn’t changed at all over these years.

First, he congratulated and teased a bit, then old Hu shared his experiences of forming his core in Sea Abyss City over the years.

Old Hu had initially wanted to contact him, but during the turbulence at the Five Dragons Island Sea Region, Lin Chang’an was hiding in the Heaven-Reaching Mist Sea, causing them to lose touch for over twenty years.