Chapter 247: Yue Kingdom, the Homeland
【Lifespan: 142//586】
This year, Lin Changan was one hundred and forty-two years old. As a Core Formation True Person, escorting a merchant ship posed no difficulty at all.
After all, their route passed entirely through the area under the jurisdiction of Bihai Palace—very safe.
The recent upheaval in the Sea Region of Five Dragon Island had, conversely, become an opportunity for Xuanyin Pavilion, allowing it to establish a connection with Bihai Palace.
Amidst the boundless sea, gusts of fierce wind occasionally swept across. At the bow of a third-rank spirit vessel stood a white-robed man, refined and otherworldly in appearance. With a calm expression and hands clasped behind his back, he controlled the ship’s formation.
Amid the surging waves and turbulent sea winds, the spirit vessel cut through the clouds and rode the waves forward.
“He’s come out. Truly worthy of being a Core Formation True Person.”
“Elder Lin is indeed a third-rank formation master. The same formation functions completely differently in his hands.”
Onboard, many disciples of Xuanyin Pavilion looked upon Lin Changan with admiration and reverence.
A Core Formation True Person and a third-rank formation master—these were heights they could only look up to.
Yet Lin Changan remained calm and indifferent. With a spirit vessel, it was far better than crossing the Sea Abyss of Beasts by relying solely on one’s own power.
After all, a spirit vessel operated using formations that absorbed ambient spiritual energy. If encountering powerful enemies, it could even be powered by spirit stones to unleash maximum combat strength.
One could say it consumed none of his own spiritual power and could still ride the wind and waves.
If relying on oneself alone, it would drain his spiritual power and expose him to danger.
“A third-rank spirit vessel is essentially a mobile formation fortress. No wonder one rarely hears of spirit vessels being robbed.”
At the bow, Lin Changan held a formation plate. To onlookers, he was scanning for signs of fierce winds or natural disasters.
But only Lin Changan himself knew—though such tools were decent, they still could not compare to his own spiritual perception.
Especially after breaking through to the Core Formation stage, he found his senses had become even more acute.
The earlier gusts of fierce wind and signs of calamity—he could sense them in advance with great accuracy.
This return trip to Yue Kingdom took the route controlled by Bihai Palace, which was not only safe but also smooth and fast.
They had traveled over the sea for less than half a year before they finally caught sight of long-lost land.
“It’s the mainland! We’re almost there!”
Many Foundation Establishment cultivators of Xuanyin Pavilion had tears in their eyes. For them, with lifespans of over two hundred years, Yue Kingdom was still their homeland.
This wasn’t the same for the disciples newly recruited in the Sea Region of Five Dragon Island, who didn’t share that same sense of belonging to Yue Kingdom.
“The mainland!”
Even Lin Changan, a Core Formation cultivator, was overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing the familiar continent—his nose tingled uncontrollably.
“Nearly fifty years since I left… and now, I’m finally returning.”
Standing at the bow, Lin Changan’s deep gaze turned inward. Scenes from his younger, weaker years flashed vividly before him.
Though insignificant now—merely the hardships of the journey—they were moments he still found unforgettable due to the people from his past.
The massive spirit vessel streaked across the sky, startling countless low-grade demon beasts below into fleeing in terror.
These were creatures seen only on the continent—seeing them again brought smiles of homecoming to many cultivators aboard.
…
A month later, the spirit vessel finally entered the borders of Yue Kingdom, and Lin Changan personally witnessed the changes in his homeland.
“Many spiritual veins have been polluted by miasma, and are no longer suitable for ordinary cultivators to cultivate.”
The vessel docked not far from the Xuanyin Pavilion sect grounds. Even the once-primary spiritual vein of Xuanyin Pavilion had been polluted by miasma.
This was the reason cultivators of the Seven Kingdoms had been forced to leave their homelands.
“Elder Lin!”
As he disembarked, greeted by respectful bows from Xuanyin Pavilion cultivators, Lin Changan gave a slight nod with a composed expression.
“Gather here again in three months. Then we’ll depart for the Sea Abyss of Beasts.”
“Yes!”
In the valley where the vessel was docked, Lin Changan personally laid down a formation barrier. After all, he was now a Guest Elder of Xuanyin Pavilion.
If he lost a third-rank spirit vessel due to carelessness, it would be a tremendous loss.
This time, the returning cultivators of Xuanyin Pavilion were eager to reunite with family and kin.
The cargo aboard the vessel would also be distributed, while local resources unique to Yue Kingdom would be stocked onboard.
The profit of merchant shipping came from price differences—without that, it would be a losing business. Xuanyin Pavilion wouldn’t engage in trade for free.
Lin Changan patted his spirit beast pouch. Upon sensing familiar surroundings, the Azure-Horned Bull let out a low moo.
“Alright, let’s head back and take a look.”
Mounting the Azure-Horned Bull, Lin Changan headed straight for the Qingshui Bay Marketplace.
In previous letters, it had been mentioned that Li Erniu and Li Yifan had initially returned to the Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace. But after the Li Family began to take shape, they had eventually settled in Qingshui Bay.
After all, the Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace already had the powerful beast-controlling Zhou Family. With another Li Clan present, they couldn’t compete with the established family in terms of resources.
…
Qingshui Bay Marketplace, Yue Kingdom. This time, autumn winds greeted his return.
Withered yellow leaves fell in the breeze, and Qingshui Bay had grown considerably more prosperous.
Ever since the major spiritual veins of Yue Kingdom had been corroded by miasma and sects migrated, the remaining cultivators gathered in these smaller marketplaces.
This led to many previously desolate marketplaces thriving anew.
One notable change was the presence of Xuanyin Pavilion shops and cultivators in every returning marketplace of Yue Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Lihuo Palace and Shensword Sect—the two once-greatest sects of Yue Kingdom—had already faded into the annals of history.
Amid the autumn breeze, a Foundation Establishment Li Clan occupied a sizable spiritual land in Qingshui Bay. Elegant houses were arranged in orderly fashion.
Nearby stood the Shen Family estate—not a cultivator clan, merely a household with a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
“Everyone, tidy up properly. Uncle Lin said in his letter last year that he’s now a legendary Core Formation cultivator. Our Li Clan must not lose face.”
Ever since the merchant route reopened last year, Lin Changan’s letters had begun arriving again, bringing news of his Core Formation breakthrough.
As he was now a Guest Elder of Xuanyin Pavilion, such news could hardly be kept secret.
Once they learned that Lin Changan would return this year, the Li Clan began preparations—more festive than the new year.
Passing cultivators in Qingshui Bay Marketplace looked curiously toward the Li Clan.
“Is there some celebration happening in the Li Clan?”
“Of course. It’s a grand occasion. The legendary True Person Lin successfully formed his core overseas, and he’s said to be returning aboard a Xuanyin Pavilion merchant vessel…”
“True Person Lin?”
“This True Person Lin is truly remarkable. He’s a genuine grassroots drifting cultivator from our Yue Kingdom—also the first Core Formation True Person among us drifting cultivators in over three hundred years.”
“First there was Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle, now there’s True Person Lin. We drifting cultivators are just as capable.”
Throughout the streets of the marketplace, stories of Lin Changan, this Core Formation cultivator, were circulating like wildfire.
This alone proved one thing—after achieving success, all your past experiences would be seen as legends.
Shen Family.
“Mother, are you feeling any better?”
On the sickbed lay the once-young girl Lu Qingqing, now a silver-haired, deeply wrinkled old woman.
Lu Qingqing weakly coughed. Supported by Wei Yingying, she slowly sat up, her murky eyes glancing toward the festively decorated Li Family next door. She lightly waved her hand and said feebly:
“I know my own body... But that Li Family sure is lively.”
Ninety-eight-year-old Wei Yingying, being a Foundation Establishment cultivator with decent cultivation, had reached mid-stage Foundation Establishment and still looked around forty.
“Mother, the Li Family has gone all out to welcome Uncle Lin. Of course they’d spare no effort.”
Though aging, Wei Yingying’s temper hadn’t changed one bit, and she joked bluntly with a huff.
Seeing this, Lu Qingqing shook her head and chuckled. “You—don’t be fooled by the Li Family’s growth. Their clan responsibilities have also hindered their cultivation.”
There was still a trace of pride in Lu Qingqing’s gaze.
Her son Shen Fan and Wei Yingying had both reached mid-stage Foundation Establishment.
In contrast, the Li Family, having been burdened by the pressures of clan development, saw Li Yifan still stuck at the bottleneck of early-stage Foundation Establishment.
In the end, the cultivation world revered strength above all else.
At that moment, a jade talisman placed on the table suddenly lit up.
Seeing this, Wei Yingying cried out in surprise, “Mother! Uncle Lin is back!”
It was one of the voice-transmission talismans they had exchanged with Lin Changan long ago.
Lu Qingqing saw it as well, and tears welled in her aged eyes as she trembled, “Quick—notify Fan’er, and the Li Family—Brother Lin has returned!”
In Qingshui Bay Marketplace, the Foundation Establishment cultivators of both the Li and Shen families each led their younger clan members and hurried toward the outskirts of the marketplace.
This scene naturally attracted many cultivators in the marketplace. The sharper ones quickly deduced what was happening and also followed in haste.
…
Less than half an hour later, outside Qingshui Bay Marketplace.
From afar, Lin Changan saw the familiar yet unfamiliar marketplace—and also Li Yifan, leading a group of younger family members, along with Shen Fan and Wei Yingying.
And in their eyes, they clearly saw a Core Formation cultivator riding atop an Azure-Horned Bull.
“Uncle Lin!”
From a distance, Wei Yingying spotted the figure and shouted joyfully.
Following her call, the others spoke up in unison.
“We greet Senior Lin!”
“Uncle Lin!”
“Greetings, True Person Lin!”
“Congratulations, Uncle Lin, on achieving Core Formation and returning to your homeland in Yue Kingdom.” Li Yifan respectfully led his direct kin in bowing deeply.
Riding the Azure-Horned Bull, Lin Changan slightly furrowed his brows upon seeing this scene.
He had already anticipated some commotion upon his return, but hadn’t expected it to be this large.
“Junior Sister…”
Among the crowd, he caught sight of the old woman supported by Wei Yingying—her hair neatly combed, and her youthful features still faintly discernible.
At the sound of “Junior Sister,” Lu Qingqing’s eyes instantly welled up, and she choked, “Brother Lin!”
This reunion had been nearly fifty years in the making.
Lin Changan gently raised a hand, and a strand of Xuantian spiritual energy flowed into Lu Qingqing’s body, calming her emotions so as not to endanger her health.
“Brother Lin, you’ve really reached Core Formation. Before he passed, Shen Lie and Second Bull, they all believed you could do it.”
As her tearful voice echoed, Lin Changan’s eyes revealed sorrow.
As expected, he hadn’t seen these old friends in their final moments.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, this Core Formation True Person, Lin Changan, returned to Qingshui Bay accompanied by the Li and Shen families.
At the same time, news of a Core Formation cultivator arriving at Qingshui Bay caused an uproar.
As for the Li Family and Wei Yingying leveraging the prestige of his Core Formation, Lin Changan was fully aware—and understanding.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent them a voice transmission before returning.
Having a Core Formation elder in the family—even if not a direct relative—meant both families would enjoy certain privileges in the future.
Ordinary cultivator clans wouldn’t dare provoke them lightly.
This was Lin Changan’s simple way of offering protection to his juniors and sending a message to the outside world.
…
Lin Changan did not visit the Li Family but went instead to the former residence of Elder Lu, now home to Lu Qingqing.
Having been away for nearly fifty years, Lin Changan learned much about the current state of Yue Kingdom during their conversation.
With the destruction of Shensword Sect and the betrayal of Lihuo Palace, the two major sects of Yue Kingdom had either fled or defected.
Now, the once-prosperous Yue Kingdom among the Seven Kingdoms had fallen entirely under Xuanyin Pavilion’s control.
Of course, most of the Seven Kingdoms’ primary spiritual veins were now polluted with miasma. Only small clans and drifting cultivators remained. Most major sects had left only skeleton forces behind.
“After Second Bull passed, Wei Buyi got drunk for a day and fell gravely ill. Then…”
Listening to his junior sister Lu Qingqing, Lin Changan remained quiet.
Still, Second Bull had passed with a smile—because he had witnessed the establishment of the Li Family as a cultivator clan.
Back then, he had yearned endlessly for this dream but had once fallen into despair. Who would’ve thought fate would turn and the numerous descendants he’d left behind would truly form the prototype of a cultivator clan?
The main house was, of course, led by Li Yifan and a few full-blooded brothers, while many half-brothers made up a sizable group.
Their cultivations weren’t high, but they had begun expanding the family tree early.
And thus, a fledgling cultivator clan had taken shape.
“These two fools—who would’ve thought they’d pass away one after the other.”
Recalling how Li Erniu and Wei Buyi had quarreled all their lives, yet passed away one after the other, Lin Changan shook his head.
And then there was Shen Lie—after losing all his old friends, he too passed away one winter, wearing a peaceful smile.
Of those old friends, only Lu Qingqing remained.
She had been the youngest back then, but the deathly aura surrounding her now made it clear—his junior sister’s life was nearly at its end.
She likely wouldn’t last through the year.
“Brother Lin, I never thought you’d actually reach Core Formation.”
At Elder Lu’s old residence, Lu Qingqing beamed with pride at Lin Changan’s achievement, her eyes filled with admiration.
To have a Core Formation cultivator as a friend—what more could one ask in life? With his lingering prestige, he could shield future generations.
“Indeed. I never imagined it either. At the time, it was just unwillingness to give up… Who would’ve thought I’d really form a core?”
Lin Changan sighed sentimentally. The world of cultivation did have prodigies, but opportunity always defied logic.
The two talked extensively. Lu Qingqing shared anecdotes from the twilight years of their friends. Though they missed Lin Changan, they had lived well.
And Lin Changan, in turn, spoke of his experiences in the Sea Abyss of Beasts.
To outsiders, it might sound like a legendary tale, but to old friends, the danger beneath it all was crystal clear.
Opportunity and risk always came hand in hand.
“Brother Lin, did you know? The first time we all gathered at Gathering Immortals Tower… Sister Yun…”
Lu Qingqing smiled as she reminisced. Lin Changan knew—this clever junior sister had likely already guessed Yun Yao was still alive.
There had been many clues. For example, the wedding of Shen Fan and Wei Yingying—he had delivered a dual cultivation secret technique on Yun Yao’s behalf, something he couldn’t have easily obtained back then.
“Actually, I could tell even back then. Sister Yun did have feelings for you, Brother Lin…”
Listening to the secrets known only to their old friends, Lin Changan smiled and nodded.
This easy comfort—they both knew—was probably the last time.