50: The dust has settled, the legend of the sect

Saint.

These two words, like two divine mountains piercing through heaven and earth, crashed into the depths of every single person's Divine Soul in the Qingyun Sect.

His status was equal to that of the Sect Head's personal Disciple.

Sect resources were his for the taking.

This was not an award.

This was an announcement to the world that the Qingyun Sect would pour all its resources into nurturing a future Heavenly God.

After a brief, suffocating silence, a fervent roar, like a mountain tsunami, erupted from the crowd at the foot of the mountain!

"Saint!!!"

"We, your Disciples, pay our respects to the Saint!!!"

Fatty Zhang was the first to react. His corpulent body burst forth with agility completely unsuited to his size. With a "thud," he prostrated himself, using all his strength to heavily knock his forehead against the cold ground!

He strained his voice, his face flushed purple with extreme excitement, and roared hoarsely:

"The Saint's Divine Might is unparalleled!!!"

This sound was like lighting the fuse of a powder keg.

Countless Disciples, both Inner Sect and outer, regardless of their cultivation level, all knelt down in unison.

The awe, worship, and fanaticism in their eyes were so intense they almost solidified into flames, shooting up into the clouds.

They were not only worshipping Lin Gou.

They were also worshipping a miracle, almost akin to the Dao, which they had witnessed firsthand—a miracle capable of overturning the common sense of a lifetime of Cultivation.

In mid-air, Zhao Linger stared blankly at the figure being worshipped by thousands.

Her heart, which had just experienced the abyss and the clouds, was now completely filled with a warm and surging current.

She covered her mouth, but tears could no longer be held back, silently falling.

This time, it was out of genuine joy for him.

Above the high heavens, the figures of the Sect Head and the Grand Elder slowly faded, but their awe-inspiring will, like Heavenly Might, was already imprinted in everyone's hearts.

From today onwards, the heavens of the Qingyun Sect had changed.

And the name Lin Gou would shine as brightly as the sun and moon... Three days later.

Holy Son Peak.

The Spiritual Qi on this peak was so rich that it was second only to the Sect Head's main peak. Amidst the swirling clouds and mist, immortal cranes danced gracefully, and the Spiritual Qi was even so dense that it condensed into dewdrops on the verdant grass blades, rolling down.

Lin Gou had changed into a moon-white Saint's Magic Robe. His sleeves fluttered as he stood with his hands behind his back on the white jade plaza in front of his Immortal Cave, looking down at the surging sea of clouds below.

Dozens of handsome Medicinal Pill attendants stood respectfully on either side, holding their breath, even deliberately slowing their breathing, fearing they might disturb this newly risen legend.

This feeling was very unfamiliar.

Yet, it was damnably intoxicating.

A middle-aged attendant, looking like a steward, approached Lin Gou silently with small, quick steps.

"Reporting to the Saint, there are two Inner Sect Disciples at the foot of the mountain, calling themselves Li Mo and Murong Fei, bearing heavy gifts, coming to... beg for your forgiveness."

Li Mo.

Murong Fei.

Lin Gou's eyes showed no fluctuation.

Those names, which had once swaggered before him, trying to crush him into the dust, now sounded as distant as something from another epoch.

He didn't even bother to turn around, merely letting out a soft, single syllable from his throat.

"Hm."

How shrewd was that steward? He instantly understood.

He bowed, quietly retreated, and the moment he turned, his respectful expression had already been replaced by one of cold arrogance, as he strode quickly towards the mountain gate.

At the mountain gate, Li Mo, Murong Fei, and the others were pacing back and forth anxiously, like ants on a hot pan.

Each of them held a heavy jade box, containing gifts of apology they had exchanged for their entire fortunes.

For the past few days, they had been unable to eat or sleep in peace.

The scene of Lin Gou Undergoing Tribulation replayed in their minds like the most terrifying nightmare.

The more they thought, the more afraid they became; the more afraid, the more regretful.

Who had they offended? Was it some Junior Brother who had gotten lucky?

That was clearly a true Dragon... capable of overturning rivers and seas, devouring the heavens and earth!

Seeing the steward come down the mountain, Li Mo quickly put on a fawning smile and went to meet him.

"This Senior Brother, may I ask about the Saint, he..."

The steward didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, walking directly past them, his voice as cold as ten-thousand-year-old profound ice, devoid of any emotion.

"The Saint is in seclusion, not seeing guests."

"Scram."

The single word "scram" was like an invisible Nine Heavens divine hammer, striking heavily on the crowns of Li Mo and the others.

Their smiles froze on their faces, their bodies completely petrified.

They watched helplessly as the huge Restriction light curtain slowly closed before them, separating two worlds.

They didn't even have the qualification to meet him.

Immense humiliation and even deeper fear, like a tide, completely engulfed them.

They knew.

It was over... Night.

The moonlight was like water, showering Holy Son Peak.

Lin Gou sat cross-legged in the quiet room, not Cultivating, but examining his new System panel.

"[Gou Dao Points Mall (Activated)]"

"[Life-saving Category]: Elementary Substitute Puppet, One-time Ten Thousand Li Escape Talisman..."

"[Stealth Category]: Elementary Presence Weakening Aura, Ever-changing Aura Mimicry Mask..."

"[Special Category]: Dao Comprehension Tea, Lucky Dice, Hatred Transfer Scarecrow..."

The dazzling array of goods filled his heart with an unprecedented sense of security.

This was the real sense of security!

His gaze finally fixed firmly on "Elementary Presence Weakening Aura."

"[Elementary Presence Weakening Aura: Passive skill, slightly reduces the host's presence in others' Divine Sense and vision, making it easier to be overlooked.]"

Lin Gou's breathing quickened for a moment.

This was simply... a Gou Dao treasure, a death-seeking divine skill!

"Exchange!" He didn't hesitate.

"[Ding! Exchange successful!]"

Instantly, Lin Gou felt a subtle change in the air around him.

He was clearly still sitting there, but the feeling he gave off was as if he had merged into the surrounding shadows, becoming less conspicuous.

Just then, a gentle fluctuation came from the Restriction outside the Immortal Cave.

It was Zhao Linger.

Lin Gou waved his hand to open the Restriction.

Under the moonlight, Zhao Linger, in a moon-white long dress, slowly walked in.

She didn't bring any gifts, just a delicate tea set.

She also didn't ask any secrets about the Heavenly Tribulation, nor did she ask why Lin Gou could revive from the dead.

She simply walked quietly in front of Lin Gou, knelt down, and with delicate hands, began to make tea for him.

The Immortal Cave was very quiet, with only the gurgling sound of spring water pouring into the teapot.

A faint, elegant tea fragrance, mixed with the unique light herbal scent on her body, permeated the air.

Zhao Linger held the first cup of brewed Spiritual Tea with both hands and presented it to Lin Gou.

She looked up, and in her gentle, watery eyes, Lin Gou's figure was clearly reflected, with tenderness and adoration almost overflowing.

"Congratulations, Lin Gou."

Her voice was very soft, yet it carried a reassuring power.

Lin Gou took the teacup, and the warm touch spread from his fingertips, warming him all the way to his heart.

He looked at the beautiful face before him, and the slight impetuosity caused by the surge in his power quietly subsided.

"Thank you too, Ling'er."

They smiled at each other.

No more words were needed.

An unspoken understanding quietly flowed between them.

Their relationship was formally established at this moment.

In the days that followed, Lin Gou's life became regular and fulfilling.

He used his Saint's authority to freely enter and exit the top floor of the Sect's most core Scripture Pavilion.

He voraciously read those rare ancient texts about the geography, power distribution, and ancient secrets of this world.

A world far more magnificent than he had imagined slowly unfolded before him.

The Zhao Kingdom and the Qingyun Sect were merely an inconspicuous corner of the vast Eastern Domain Continent.

Beyond it, there were powerful Imperial Dynasties that ruled over billions of territories, Cultivation Holy Lands with tens of thousands of years of Legacy, and ancient aristocratic families with noble Bloodlines, looking down upon all living beings.

There were also countless forbidden lands and ancient desperate places filled with great terror and great Opportunities.

He learned from a tattered ancient book that the entire Cultivation World was entering a "Great Age of Competition" where Spiritual Qi was recovering.

This was a golden age where Geniuses emerged in large numbers and stars shone brightly.

It was also a bloody era where strong individuals fell like rain and it was extremely easy to die violently.

Reading this, Lin Gou's eyes gleamed with incomparable excitement.

Great Age of Competition?

Good!

The more Geniuses, the more strong individuals, the more targets he would have to "seek death," and the richer the rewards he would gain!

This was simply... an era tailor-made for him!

After reading all the Sect's ancient texts, Lin Gou quietly left the Sect.

He traveled west for a thousand miles, finally finding an extremely secluded underground cave (karst cave) deep in a barren mountain range where not even birds dared to shit.

"[Second Resurrection Anchor Point set successfully! From now on, the host can choose to revive at the Sect anchor point or this anchor point!]"

After doing all this, Lin Gou finally let out a long sigh of relief.

From this moment on, he finally had a real retreat and confidence.

He did not know that after the news of his successful Foundation Establishment spread, the Ye family of Tiannan County and the Blackwood Sect had already put him on their kill list.

An invisible net had already been silently woven.

Just waiting for this true Dragon to leave the protection of the Qingyun Sect.

Returning to the Sect, Lin Gou immediately sought an audience with the Sect Head and the Grand Elder.

"This Disciple wishes to enter the Mortal World for Cultivation, to temper his heart in the Mortal World, and to comprehend the Heavenly Dao."

Although the Sect Head and others were extremely reluctant, they knew that a true Dragon could not be confined to a shallow pond.

They eventually agreed and bestowed upon him a High Grade protective Magic Treasure and a massive amount of resources... Morning.

On the peak of Holy Son Peak, morning mist swirled.

Lin Gou and Zhao Linger stood side by side.

"I'm leaving."

"Hm."

Zhao Linger didn't say too many words to make him stay, merely handing him a sachet, personally embroidered and filled with various Medicinal Pills.

"You must be careful." Her eyes were red.

Lin Gou took the sachet and nodded solemnly.

"Don't worry, I'm best at being careful."

With that, he turned and, alone, walked down Qingyun Mountain.

Without disturbing anyone.

In the thin morning mist, his figure quickly disappeared at the end of the mountain path.

Ahead was a new world, wider, more dangerous, and filled with more "death Opportunities."

The legend of the Qingyun Sect had come to an end.

And a legend belonging to Lin Gou, the Death Artist, had just begun to unfold.