Chapter 52 Part 2

Lin Yu said unhurriedly, “Rest assured, this time he will definitely accompany you.”

Perhaps knowing his request was a bit demanding, Lin Yu cut Shen He off with a benevolent smile before he could respond. “By the way, you performed outstandingly this time. As your Shizun, I prepared some rewards for you.”

He produced two storage bags, handing one to Hong Kui and one to Shen He.

“You’re about to form your core soon. I prepared some Magic Artifacts and materials for use after Core Formation.”

Lin Yu spoke first to Hong Kui, then turned to instruct Shen He. “For you, I prepared three protective talismans that can block a full-powered strike from a Nascent Soul cultivator, plus one spatial teleportation talisman. Upon activation, it will unfold a shield released by a Soul Transformation cultivator and teleport you to the nearest relay station, regardless of True Realm or Demon Domain.”

To be fair, Lin Yu had taken Shen He as a disciple, but the time was too short, and there was little bond between them.

Lin Yu held no ill will toward Shen He; he even thought Shen He had good talent, was diligent in cultivation, sincere and courteous in dealings—a fine child.

Unfortunately, he had offended Pei Jiye.

Thus, Lin Yu brought out a protective talisman prepared for him by his own former master Ying Xiaotian, fulfilling this master-disciple bond.

Moreover, as long as Shen He remained on good terms with Xie Yu, the one who would be more stifled and frustrated in the end might not be so clear.

Shen He was unaware of the twists in Lin Yu’s mind and was genuinely moved. What he lacked most were defensive Magic Artifacts. The Black Bone Bell Shizun had given him last time… ahem, sorry, after this period of use, it had cracked again!

Perhaps my usage was improper. With that thought, Shen He said, “Master, this disciple has some questions about cultivation…”

Lin Yu thought this might be his last lesson and said mildly, “Ask away.”

Shen He first raised some everyday doubts, then some pill refining questions. Though he had Xie Linlang’s guidance, he had to ask about related matters occasionally to avoid suspicion.

Finally, he said, “The Black Bone Bell Shizun bestowed isn’t very sturdy…”

Lin Yu found it odd. This Black Bone Bell was a carefully refined artifact; to amplify sound transmission, it incorporated ear bones from numerous demonic beasts and embedded many sound-related runes. How could it not be sturdy?

“Bring it here for me to see.”

Lin Yu examined it hands-on, and his face went wooden.

“…How did you use the Black Bone Bell?”

“Uh, smashed it directly?”

“Utter waste!!”

Lin Yu flew into a rage. He had never seen an idiot use a sonic attack weapon as a brick or hammer to smash head-on! It infuriated him!

Shen He shrank his neck, trembling like a frightened little bird.

Pei Jiye stood on one leg at the furnace edge, watching Lin Yu berate his two disciples coldly, motionless.

Though he appeared irritable, as if ready to thrust madly in the next second, he was extremely adept at seizing flaws and grasping essences.

This was also a hallmark advantage of sword cultivators.

He caught Lin Yu’s subtle warnings: Shen He’s unclear origins meant rash action was unwise; Shen He still owed Xie Yu a debt; Lin Yu hinted that Pei Jiye could handle Shen He as he saw fit once in the True Realm, and so on.

Pei Jiye was no longer in a hurry.

He had rescued Lin Yu from certain death, and Lin Yu owed him an irredeemable favor. In theory, Lin Yu would not oppose Pei Jiye’s decisions, yet even so, he had not immediately killed Shen He.

Whether it was a cultivator’s instinct to seek profit and avoid harm, or Shen He truly having something extraordinary, it was worth Pei Jiye’s careful observation and consideration.

As Pei Jiye scrutinized Shen He intently, for some reason, he suddenly felt that Shen He looked a bit familiar?

Was it his illusion? Shen He’s features faintly resembled…

Suddenly, Lin Yu and Pei Jiye both looked up toward the window. A streak of purple cloud shadow flashed outside.

In the next second, Pei Jiye vanished. Lin Yu hesitated but remained in the pill room without moving.

A massive white bone beast descended from the sky. Only up close did it become clear it was a dog demon formed of white bones.

After landing, the dog demon shook itself and transformed into a white-clothed youth—Ying Xiaotian of the White Bone Sect.

“Is your palace lord here?”

He casually asked a nearby Silent Night Palace cultivator on guard, who hurriedly shook his head. “This disciple does not know…”

Ying Xiaotian rolled his eyes dramatically. “Forget it. I’ll go find him myself.”

The white-clothed youth flitted lightly to the mountain gate at the topmost layer of Silent Night Palace, following the old routine: plunging downward all the way, entering the Underground Palace, and finally arriving at the innermost chamber.

Two black-armored cultivators still stood at the chamber door, but this time they did not block him. Ying Xiaotian charged straight through unimpeded.

“Hey, Pei Little Chicken, I’m back.”

The black-haired youth reclining on the Crimson Tree Branch Throne seemed to be looking down at something. Upon seeing Ying Xiaotian, he calmly set aside the already upside-down scroll and said leisurely, “Did you get it?”

“Got it.”

Ying Xiaotian flicked his hand, and a round, pill-like jade stone fell into Pei Jiye’s palm.

Pei Jiye examined the ink-green spherical stone closely. It was thumb-sized, thoroughly cool to the touch, with a faint white light flickering at its center—extremely eerie in appearance.

“It’s said to be this Pill Furnace Essence, a treasure that only Linlang Dao Lord could extract from a pill furnace.”

Ying Xiaotian grumbled, “Carrying this thing, I was tracked and eyed by so many people, especially crossing the boundary gate—like a carp leaping the dragon gate, with cultivators openly and covertly ready to strike at any moment…”

His words had just fallen when a clear and melodious voice drifted from afar.

“Gao Chunqiu has come specially to visit the Jiye Palace Lord.”

Pei Jiye looked deeply at Ying Xiaotian.

Ying Xiaotian spread his hands awkwardly. “You deal with him?”