30: The afterglow of the sacred pool, undercurrents on the return journey.

The five-colored spiritual light of the Spiritual Pond surged ceaselessly under the midday sun. Golden rays resembled shattered stars sinking into water, while the essence of wood was like green leaves floating on waves. Amidst the rising steam, five types of Spiritual Qi intertwined into a translucent light net, enveloping Lin Yang by the pond. The hem of his dark-colored tight-fitting attire was still dripping water, and the droplets fell onto the bluestone slab, splashing tiny water flowers that made his reflection in the water ripple slightly. When he introspected his Dantian, the Chaos True Essence had already coiled the five-elemental dantian core into a spiral. A grey-golden halo flowed, carrying a profound weight like collapsing mountains and towering peaks—this was the gift of the Spiritual Pond's tempering, and also the Breakthrough after the chaos star core devoured the Origin of the Five Elements. The aura of the Innate Fourth-Layer was so steady it didn't seem to belong to a youth.

The viewing platforms encircled the area in the shape of the Big Dipper, and the shadows of twelve Coiled Dragon Pillars stretched long figures of the various Sect Elders across the bluestone ground. In the White Cloud Sect's seating area, Elder Zhao clutched his left chest, his knuckles white from exertion, and a shallow mark was pressed into the rim of his teacup. Lin Yang's punch seemed casual, yet it precisely shattered the Protective Aura he had condensed over half his life. Now, his chest felt as if it contained a burning hot iron, with every breath bringing a searing pain. However, he didn't even lift his eyelids, merely using the act of sipping tea to conceal the malevolence in his eyes—the Elder from the Xuantian Sword Sect beside him was stroking his beard, observing, and the white-haired old man from the Star Moon Sect opposite him had eyes like burning torches. If he were to lash out publicly, it would only make the White Cloud Sect a laughingstock for 'bullying the small'.

"Young Master Lin's Five Elements Simultaneous Cultivation is truly astonishing and brilliant." The white-haired Elder of the Star Moon Sect stroked his long beard that reached his chest, his voice, imbued with True Essence, spread throughout the entire venue. "To be able to directly confront a Vicious Beast in the Gang Qi Realm while in the Xiantian Realm, and then to refine the Five Elements in the Spiritual Pond—this Comprehension Ability and resilience are rarely seen in Qingmeng Mountain in a hundred years." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the light net by the pond. "Since the tempering is complete, you should return early. Saintess Su will personally finalize the detailed documents for the Sect selection with you. Star Moon Sect's 'Wangyue Peak' has already prepared a Cultivation quiet room for you."

As soon as his voice fell, an echoing sound came from the eastern viewing platform. The green-robed Elder of the Xuantian Sword Sect nodded and said, "Young Master Lin, at such a young age, has achieved such mastery; his future is limitless. If you are interested in joining my Xuantian Sword Sect, the classics in the 'Jianxin Pavilion' are yours to browse at will." Even Shen Shuanghua, who had been silent in the Misty Immortal Palace's seating area, lifted a corner of her sedan curtain. The light reflected from her jade hairpin fell upon Lin Yang, carrying a probing gaze.

As Lin Yang bowed, the hem of his robe brushed against the wet stones at the edge of the Spiritual Pond, kicking up a string of water droplets. He deliberately avoided Elder Zhao's direction, but his peripheral vision caught sight of that ashen face—this Tenth Level of the Innate Realm expert was slowly stroking the rim of his teacup with his thumb, a deliberate movement that hinted at ruthlessness, clearly plotting something. But at this moment, the chaos star core in his Sea of Consciousness vibrated violently, and a sharp sense of crisis came from the direction of the Lin family, like a fine needle repeatedly pricking his Divine Sense, making him eager to return home.

"Thank you, Elders, for your kindness." Lin Yang straightened up, his voice clear and bright, "However, there is a sudden urgent matter in my clan, so the matter of joining a Sect can be discussed later."

When he turned to face Su Qingyue, she had already descended from the Star Moon Sect's seating area. Her moon-white skirt swept across the stone steps, carrying a faint, cool fragrance. In her palm, she held a token, its silver moon pattern glowing softly in the sunlight, with smoothly polished edges. On the back, a tiny character ' clear' (Qing) was engraved—it was her personal token, carrying more weight than a standard Sect token. "Keep this Star Moon Token." She placed the token into Lin Yang's palm, her fingertips inadvertently brushing against the calluses on his tiger's mouth. "Three li outside Qingshi Town, at the Sanli Pavilion, is my Sect's Shadow Guard Camp. With this token, you can mobilize a hundred people. If you encounter a life-or-death tribulation, crush the token, and Cultivators above the Innate Seventh-Layer will arrive within half an hour to assist you."

Lin Yang's fingertips caressed the coolness of the token, and he suddenly noticed a faint, almost imperceptible line of small characters engraved on the edge: "Lin Hongfeng secretly colluded with a Misty Immortal Palace steward; your grandfather has been placed under house arrest." His heart abruptly tightened. When he looked up, his gaze met Su Qingyue's. The cinnabar mole at the corner of her eye was faintly visible in the sunlight, and she whispered, "I've dispatched three Innate Fifth-Layer Disciples to protect you. They will remain hidden and will not reveal themselves unless absolutely necessary."

"Thank you, Saintess." Lin Yang clutched the token in his palm; the metallic coolness seeped through his skin, suppressing the turbulent waves in his heart.

At this time, Liu Qingluan and Liu Hongluan had already hurried over with their travel bags. Liu Hongluan was carrying a plain cloth bag, which contained Lin Yang's change of clothes that he had left by the Spiritual Pond, as well as some Calming Herbs she had secretly gathered; Liu Qingluan, on the other hand, held two short daggers coated with medicine, clearly fearing an ambush on the road. The sisters stood behind Lin Yang, their gazes towards the viewing platforms filled with trepidation, yet they still held their backs straight.

"Then we shall depart," Lin Yang nodded to Su Qingyue.

"Be careful on your way." Su Qingyue stepped back half a pace, her gaze sweeping over the viewing platforms, her voice neither high nor low, "Young Master Lin is someone my Star Moon Sect values. If anyone dares to harm him within Qingmeng Mountain territory, they will be making an enemy of my Sect."

These words were like a stone thrown into still water, and the viewing platforms immediately fell silent. Elder Zhao's hand, holding the teacup, paused in mid-air. The malevolence in his eyes faded slightly, but was replaced by a layer of sinister gloom.

Lin Yang turned with the two sisters, and the five-colored spiritual light of the Spiritual Pond gradually faded behind them. The gazes from the viewing platforms washed over their backs like a tide—there was scrutiny, apprehension, and undisguised malice. As they passed through the third vermillion-lacquered archway, he suddenly stopped. Under the guise of adjusting his collar, he looked back and caught Elder Zhao giving a meaningful glance to a Disciple behind him. The Disciple understood, quietly slipped off the viewing platform, and his figure quickly disappeared into the dense forest on the west side.

"Young Master?" Liu Qingluan softly called out.

"It's nothing." Lin Yang retracted his gaze, clutching the Star Moon Token tightly in his fingertips. "Let's move faster; we need to reach the Lin family before sunset."

The mountain wind passed through the leaves, carrying the fresh scent of pine needles. Liu Hongluan couldn't help but look back at the Chaotiantai, only to see that the Spiritual Pond's light net had dispersed, and the flags of the various Sects fluttered in the wind. Before the White Cloud Sect's seating area, Elder Zhao was gazing in the direction of their departure, his teacup empty at some unknown point.

The path ahead was winding, and Lin Yang clenched his fist, the throbbing of the chaos star core growing more urgent. He knew that this return journey would definitely not be peaceful—Elder Zhao's hidden move was already in motion, the Lin family's crisis was imminent, and the Star Moon Token in his palm was both a protective talisman and a thread tied around his neck. Even if there were a thousand difficulties and dangers ahead, he could only step forward.