In the past few days, the dining hall of the Yin Yang Sect had become much livelier.
On one hand, the Yin Yang Sect itself had many female disciples. On the other, with the arrival of several young swordsmen from the Imperial Sword Sect, they naturally became the center of attention.
Additionally, other sects had also sent their outstanding disciples. So the dining hall, where they were bound to meet, became a place for conversation.
Qing Luo, as previously agreed, introduced her junior sisters to those disciples of the Imperial Sword Sect. But whether they were genuine or not was unknown.
As for Lu Li, because of the way he used Charm Technique to defeat enemies in the arena, others approached him with a bit more awe.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Jiang Yuebai recently.” Lu Li swept his Divine Sense over the dining hall. “Where did she go?”
“She’s probably talking with people from other sects.” Qing Luo began to wolf down her food. “Because your progress is too fast, Lu Li, she feels she can’t recruit you into her family, so she’s looking for other options.”
“It seems her family situation is quite dire.” After hearing this, Lu Li could only shake his head.
He had a bit of understanding of Jiang Yuebai’s family situation. In a few more years, she would be the highest cultivator in the Jiang family. Relying on herself alone, she absolutely couldn’t defend the family. She would either need to find a marriage alliance or seek cooperation.
“Yes, everyone has their own troubles.” Lu Li took a cup of tea and looked at his own reflection. “I’m about the same.”
Three days passed in a flurry of activity, during which Lu Li and Qing Luo practiced martial arts together.
In the evening, Lin Yin would come, trying every way to help Lu Li retract the nine fox tails of Charm Technique. But no matter how she tried, it wasn’t very successful.
“Hmm…” Lin Yin reached out her hand, passing through the illusory tail. “I’ll need to check the classics again. Just go like this for tomorrow’s Foundation Building Trial.”
“True Master Lin, this is too…”
After these three days of getting along, Lu Li had come to understand this True Master Lin’s personality. That is, she was very casual about small matters, such as not caring how she was addressed, even if Qing Luo was present.
“There’s no use worrying about things you can’t solve.” Lin Yin pulled a longsword from her storage ring. “Oh, right. I know you plan to turn into a man during the Foundation Building Trial. This is the Yin Yang Sword I found for you from the warehouse.”
“Thank you, True Master Lin!” Lu Li had been wondering how he would face these enemies when he turned into a man, but he hadn’t expected Lin Yin to directly provide a solution.
“No need to thank me. As our Saintess, you wouldn’t actually lack these resources. But you… just like Wan Qiu said, you’re too used to doing things alone.” Lin Yin sighed and placed the longsword on the stone table. “If you have any thoughts or anything you want to say, you can tell Wan Qiu or me. If it really won’t work, we’ll refuse.”
“I understand, but it will take some time to get used to this situation.” Lu Li looked at the peculiar longsword on the table.
The sword was largely unremarkable, except for a Yin Yang Orb embedded in the guard.
“This is called the Yin Yang Sword, a weapon from a relatively earlier era of the Yin Yang Sect.” Lin Yin explained. “At that time, the Yin Yang Sect had more male disciples, so not everyone could get used to weapons like Light Gauze, so this kind of longsword was forged.”
“The Yin Yang Orb inside can automatically balance the Yin and Yang Qi in your body, allowing you to execute different techniques based on your situation or needs.” Lin Yin then took out a map. “Additionally, this secret realm has been built for over two thousand years, so if you encounter something strange, just escape directly.”
“Thank you, True Master Lin.”
“No need to be so polite. You can call me Venerable Master, or you can call me Master Lin Yin.” With that, Lin Yin stood up and walked toward the pavilion in the small courtyard. “Tomorrow, Shen Zhaoxue and Jiang Yuebai will enter with you, but after being teleported into the secret realm, you will be scattered.”
“Scattered everywhere…” Lu Li looked at the map, and another peculiar plan came to mind.
“Yes, you can discuss thoroughly whether to gather and move together or fight separately and regroup at the end.” Lin Yin waved her hand. “I’m off to rest as well.”
One dreamless night.
The next morning, when Lu Li arrived at the main hall, he found that it lacked its previous solemnity and instead seemed much more relaxed.
Especially around the main hall, many female disciples of the Yin Yang Sect had temporarily moved the market square from down the mountain here, starting to hawk their wares to those who wanted to enter the secret realm.
“Senior Sister Lu, you’ll get used to it in the future.” Shen Zhaoxue habitually patted the storage bag at her waist. “This kind of Foundation Building Trial happens once a year. It’s just that this year coincides with the Saintess appointment, so everyone came.”
“If it were before, we would gather at our respective sects and select suitable people to enter the secret realm.” Jiang Yuebai looked haggard and yawned several times. “Lu Li, do you have any plans this time?”
“I do have a plan.” Lu Li looked at the map in his hand. “For this Foundation Building Trial, aside from looking for the two herbs, are there any other requirements?”
“True Master Lin will explain.” Shen Zhaoxue looked at Lin Yin, who was now walking into the main hall. “But it should be the same as before.”
“Qi Refining disciples of the Three Sects and Four Gates.” As soon as the words fell, Lin Yin’s voice echoed before the main hall. “This Foundation Building Trial is about to begin.”
“As a side note, the trial is being opened simultaneously not only for our Southern Region sects but also for people from the other four domains and one continent.”
“But the rules are still the same as before. You will enter a jointly established secret realm, and from it you must find Heavenly Fire Fruits and Earth Vein Flowers, which are ingredients for refining Foundation Building Pills.”
“Of course, any herbs, rare treasures, or jewels you find inside will belong to your respective sects.” Lin Yin’s words stirred up the enthusiasm of many Qi Refining disciples. “Inside, there are also various cultivation technique legacies, all peculiar techniques we have been unable to decipher over the years. If anyone can decipher and cultivate them, we will not interfere.”
“But you must also be careful. If you are teleported out and haven’t secured your items, they can be picked up by others. So put important things securely into your storage ring.”
“After the trial ends, we will check the amount of herbs everyone is carrying. You must use your token within the specified time to return outside the secret realm.” Lin Yin continued her explanation. “If you exceed the time limit, even if you are carrying enough herbs, they will not count toward your reward.”
“Finally, the person who has the most herbs and does not exceed the time limit will receive a unique reward from the Three Sects and Four Gates.”
“Of course, as a Foundation Building Trial, injuries are inevitable, so you will be given a token.” As Lin Yin spoke, the Golden Core True Persons of several other sects also waved their hands, distributing different tokens to their disciples. “When you receive a fatal injury, the token will teleport you to a safe place.”
“Additionally, killing fellow disciples is forbidden.” Lin Yin swept her gaze across everyone. “If we discover you intend to commit cruel and dangerous acts, unless you can escape our pursuit… otherwise…”
As she spoke, Lin Yin slowly released the pressure of a Golden Core cultivation, making the faces of the many Qi Refining disciples waiting before the hall turn pale.
“Alright, hold the token before you.” Lin Yin finally looked at Lu Li, who had stretched out his hand. “I wish you all success in the Foundation Building Trial and that you find the herbs needed for Foundation Establishment soon.”