68: The Hall Master's Gossip

"Oh? How so?" Lin Yan's curiosity was piqued by the Grand Elder's words.

In his mind, the image of the Hall Master with his flowing white hair emerged.

He was clearly just a middle-aged man, so why was his hair entirely white?

One had to know, Cultivators had long lifespans and excellent Physiques, so how could he go white-haired in middle age? Even the Grand Elder didn't have white hair.

Seeing Lin Yan's curious expression, the Grand Elder knew he had hooked him, so he patiently shared the gossip:

"Do you know the surname of the current Pavilion Master of the Sword Pavilion? Let me tell you, it's Bai!"

Lin Yan was shocked to hear this; the Hall Master's surname was also Bai!

"Understand now?"

Lin Yan nodded, not quite understanding but feeling it was profound:

"Bai... No wonder, I was wondering why the Hall Master's hair was all white. So the surname has something to do with it."

The Grand Elder frowned: "What are you talking about? His white hair has nothing to do with his surname."

"Oh, oh..." Lin Yan quickly nodded, smiling sheepishly: "This Disciple was confused."

The Grand Elder said leisurely: "Speaking of which, the Hall Master's hair does have a story behind it, related to his Dao Companion."

"Dao Companion?" Lin Yan's eyes lit up, signaling the Grand Elder to continue.

"The Hall Master's Lifebound Spirit Plant is a Needle Sword Pine, but his Dao Companion is a Blue-Leaf Iris..."

Lin Yan frowned slightly.

He understood every word the Grand Elder said, but put together, they felt strange.

Savoring the implication, he felt as if his brain's folds were being smoothed out, as if walking through a primeval forest or drifting through space...

"Are you saying the Hall Master's Dao Companion is a Blue-Leaf Iris?"

Lin Yan felt greatly shocked.

"What kind of look is that on your face?" The Grand Elder retorted dismissively: "Is it very strange?"

"Uh..." Lin Yan was speechless.

"How can you look at us Cultivators with worldly eyes?" The Grand Elder lectured Lin Yan:

"Taking a spirit plant as a partner is not an isolated case. Besides, a spirit plant is a life form, after all."

"There are non-living ones?" Lin Yan asked in shock.

The Grand Elder: "Do you know Tianyan View?"

Lin Yan: "I know, one of the The Seven Great Dao Lineages of the Human Race."

"Some Genius Cultivators in Tianyan View have comprehended their techniques to the Transcendent Realm, giving birth to a Technique Spirit." The Grand Elder continued:

"Among them, there are those who have taken their own Technique Spirit as a Dao Companion."

"Is that so..." Lin Yan was too shocked to speak.

Today, his horizons had been broadened.

It was he who had been too narrow-minded!

"You kid don't understand. These things cannot be confused with the fetishes of the mundane world. The ins and outs are not as simple as you think." The Grand Elder explained:

"Taking a spirit plant as a partner is because one can resonate deeply with it, feeling its emotions, its joys and sorrows."

"In the eyes of these Cultivators, a spirit plant is a living being, just like a human!"

"Moreover, high-grade spirit plants can even take human form!"

"And regarding deep resonance, you've heard of the benefits of deep resonance with a spirit plant, right?"

"I have heard a little." Lin Yan replied.

He had heard similar claims when Elder Xuan Mu was giving a lecture.

"Ordinary resonance can only enhance spiritual power through Dual Cultivation, but deep resonance can directly perceive the Origin spiritual charm of the spirit plant!"

"For us Spirit-Plant Cultivators, this is a great Opportunity!"

"Those who can reach this Realm are mostly geniuses; ordinary Cultivators cannot even hope for it!"

After the Grand Elder's explanation, Lin Yan understood a lot.

Indeed, his experience was too limited.

Lin Yan decided that upon returning, he must cram on cultivation common sense!

"Alright, enough nonsense with you." The Grand Elder began to issue a dismissal:

"The Hall Master is usually in seclusion. I will accept you as his Disciple on his behalf. You can perform the apprenticeship ceremony when he comes out of seclusion."

"Ah..."

Lin Yan wanted to say he hadn't agreed yet, but the Grand Elder didn't give him the chance.

"If you don't understand anything, you can come and ask me. Of course, you geniuses usually have your own ideas and don't need much guidance from me."

The Grand Elder said to himself:

"After becoming the Hall Master's Disciple, the Spirit Herb Hall will invest resources to raise your Wood Spiritual Root to the top grade level, with a thousand-year-level wood-type treasure every six months."

"For convenience, this thousand-year treasure will be converted into one thousand merit points and deposited into your Waist Token regularly."

"Besides that, the Hall Master will also secure a spot for you to enter the Sword Tomb."

Lin Yan fell silent. This was giving too much.

He couldn't refuse!

Moreover, the Hall Master didn't seem to manage things much, and as his Disciple, he would be very free.

This was exactly what he wanted!

Staying in the Spirit Herb Hall was also very good; it was very remote, and Lin Yan's spirit field was even more remote.

This reduced the risk of exposing his secrets.

If he were truly moved to the Inner Sect, where big shots were rampant, he might be found out.

"Go back and Cultivate hard, don't slack off." The Grand Elder said sternly:

"Within ten years, the True Dragons Lair in the Ten Thousand Mountains of the Southern Ridge will appear again. You must seize this Opportunity."

"This Disciple will follow your teachings!" Lin Yan said respectfully.

The Grand Elder waved his hand: "Alright, go."

"Take this jar of zhenyang spirit tea."

Before leaving, the Grand Elder thoughtfully presented a small bamboo jar containing the zhenyang spirit tea he had cultivated.

Lin Yan didn't refuse and accepted it happily.

"This Disciple takes his leave..."

Lin Yan left satisfied, closing the courtyard door on his way out.

Inside the room, the Grand Elder was also very satisfied: "Little guy, can't I handle you?"

...

Lin Yan's small wooden house had always been "criticized."

But he had always been too busy to take care of it.

Now that he was finally free, he could build a new house.

That day, Lu Zhengfeng, Hua Chenan, and others each brought their own Utility Disciples and gathered in front of Lin Yan's small house early in the morning.

Everyone held tools in their hands and carried Materials on their shoulders, busy and happy.

"Junior Brother Lin, this time we must fix it up properly for you!" Lu Zhengfeng rolled up his sleeves and said boldly:

"You are now a prominent figure in the Spirit Herb Hall. This building must be nice to match your status!"

Sun Xiaochuan also smiled and echoed: "That's right! Let's build you a two-story pavilion and enclose a courtyard, ensuring it's both bright and imposing!"

Lin Yan stood aside and smiled: "Then I will trouble you all."

Lu Zhengfeng waved his hand: "Why be polite? We are brothers! Besides, if you make it big in the future, don't forget us!"

Sun Xiaochuan also laughed: "Exactly, we'll help you build the house, you just need to treat us to drinks later!"

Everyone was a Qi Refining stage Cultivator. Although their cultivation wasn't high, they had plenty of strength. They moved bricks, carried wood, dug soil, and built walls with ease.

Lin Yan originally wanted to help, but was unanimously refused by everyone:

"Senior Brother, what is your status? How can you do such rough work? Just supervise the work!"

So, Lin Yan had to stand aside and watch everyone bustle about.

In just five days, a brand-new two-story pavilion rose from the ground!

The main body of the pavilion used sturdy wood, the roof was covered with blue tiles, and the eaves were slightly upturned, looking both stable and elegant.

The first floor was a spacious bedroom and living room, while the second floor was designed as a study and stargazing platform, with a wide view, suitable for cultivation.

Around the pavilion, everyone also used bamboo fences to enclose a small courtyard.

A few spirit plants were planted in the courtyard. Ye Wangshu specially sent a few Spiritual Plants for decoration, saying they could help Cultivators calm their minds.

A small pavilion was also built in one corner of the courtyard.

There was a small stone table and stone stools in the pavilion, where one could drink tea and play chess in their leisure time.

Lin Yan stood in the courtyard, looking around, feeling very satisfied.

In the evening, the new home was finally completed.

Lu Zhengfeng and the others stayed to eat a simple meal to celebrate.

During the meal, everyone raised their glasses, and Lu Zhengfeng laughed:

"Senior Brother, this is your mansion from now on! When you become a big shot one day, don't forget us old buddies!"

Sun Xiaochuan also laughed: "Right, when that time comes, we'll come to mooch your spirit wine!"

"Hahaha!"