CHAPTER 194: CHAPTER 62: HALF-STEP IMMORTAL RANK [SECOND UPDATE]

The sky suddenly started to rain. At first, it was a light drizzle, but then it grew heavier and soon became a downpour. Of course, this was not ordinary rain; it was spiritual rain bestowed by the Heavenly Dao as a reward after advancement.

The spiritual rain fell on Si Lin, and the charred skin on his face where the lightning had struck began to crack open, washed away by the rain. His skin turned fair, as smooth as a peeled egg.

Sitting cross-legged on the ground, he used the spiritual rain to replenish the dried-up Spiritual Power within his body, healing his internal injuries, while he contemplated the differences between the Half-step Immortal Rank and Peak Rank Nine.

Not far away, the disciples who had been arranged to witness Si Lin’s advancement also sat cross-legged, cultivating. This was spiritual rain, which greatly benefited their cultivation—an opportunity not encountered in everyday life—which they naturally did not wish to waste.

The spiritual rain lasted for about two quarters of an hour before stopping, and by then the sky had already turned dark.

Si Lin emerged from his cultivation, his internal injuries completely healed. Feeling the surging Spiritual Power within him and the sensation of being able to manipulate clouds and rain, Si Lin curled his lips slightly, satisfied with his current state.

"Little Si Lin, congratulations on advancing to the Half-step Immortal Rank. From now on, our Lingxi Sacred Land counts another Half-step Immortal Rank among us!" Lan Chi said with a smile, looking at Si Lin.

"Master, Uncle Pharmacist, Master Lan." Si Lin stood up and greeted Wen Guiyun and the other two.

"Well done, haha, Si Lin is impressive. Our Lingxi Sacred Land’s position in the Sub-immortal Realm is now more secure!" Yao Leming said approvingly as he looked at Si Lin.

"Thank you for your hard work." Compared to Lan Chi and Yao Leming, Wen Guiyun appeared much calmer, smiling as he spoke to Si Lin.

"The disciple is not weary; it’s the masters who have worked hard protecting me!" Si Lin bowed his hands again to the three of them, expressing his gratitude.

"Alright, you’ve just made a breakthrough, so take your time to consolidate your cultivation. Your residence is currently uninhabitable, so stay at mine for now, until it’s tidied up." Wen Guiyun looked at Si Lin’s residence and advised.

Si Lin nodded; he had planned this beforehand, and with Wen Guiyun’s suggestion, he naturally wouldn’t refuse.

Summoning the disciples serving him to clean the courtyard, Si Lin followed Wen Guiyun back to Wen Guiyun’s residence.

"I have already sealed off the news of your advancement, so it won’t be spread for the time being. Shortly, I’ll send word to Geng Geng and the others, informing them to return to Lingxi Sacred Land as soon as possible." After returning to the courtyard, Wen Guiyun spoke to Si Lin.

"Master, is there anything unusual in the Sub-immortal Realm recently?" Si Lin asked with concern.

Typically, for such a significant event, Lingxi Sacred Land would not only announce it throughout the Sub-immortal Realm but also invite people from other sects to celebrate Si Lin’s achievement. But now, Wen Guiyun chose to conceal the news, warning against certain individuals.

"Things have been unsettled on the Demon Path’s side recently. We are well aware of the situation on both sides. If a real conflict arises between them, you would be our trump card." Wen Guiyun did not hide this from Si Lin and spoke directly.

"I understand, Master." Si Lin naturally realized that over the years, friction between the Righteous Path and Demon Path had been constant. Upon hearing Wen Guiyun’s words, he instantly understood Wen Guiyun’s intention and nodded, agreeing to Wen Guiyun’s arrangements.

"Alright, go rest." Wen Guiyun waved his hand, urging Si Lin to leave.

...

Gu Qingqing and the others received the news of Si Lin’s advancement to Half-step Immortal Rank the next morning. Although in their hearts, they believed Si Lin would eventually advance, now that he had, they were very pleased for him. At the same time, following Wen Guiyun’s instructions, they did not spread the news either.

"The boss indeed deserves to have the Innate Sword Body, always a step ahead of us!" Nan Hua remarked with some sentiment as he looked at the fan in his hand.

Although the five of them entered the sect at different times, had different physiques, and cultivated different Taoist skills, over the years, they had often compared their progress. Si Lin, with his Innate Sword Body, had a significant advantage in cultivation. In breakthroughs, they had almost never surpassed Si Lin, and now that Si Lin had reached the Half-step Immortal Rank, it stimulated them greatly.

"Master asked us to return to Lingxi Sacred Land as soon as possible, so we shouldn’t delay too long. Once we reach a suitable place, Nan Hua, you can set up a Transmission Array so that we can get there faster." Yue Zhao was quite calm; he had also touched the threshold of the Half-step Immortal Rank previously and was just waiting for the right moment, not overly anxious. He simply arranged to follow Wen Guiyun’s instructions.

"Alright, I know." Nan Hua responded, indicating there was no issue.

Once they had tidied up, they bade farewell to Shangguan Sect Master and left the Wuji Sect, heading towards Lingxi Sacred Land. Hua Shiyu had no choice but to part ways with them, unable to accompany them to Lingxi Sacred Land.

After leaving Qing City, it took them three days to arrive at Chiyun Prefecture’s capital, Chicheng. Nan Hua spent a day setting up a Transmission Array, and then activated it, teleporting them back to Lingxi Sacred Land.

As before, they returned to Nan Hua’s courtyard.

After stepping out of Nan Hua’s study, they each went back to their respective courtyards to tidy themselves up before heading to pay their respects to Wen Guiyun.

Ever since Si Lin’s advancement, Wen Guiyun had been in high spirits, and seeing Nan Hua and the others return made him even happier.

"Geng Geng, come here." His gaze fell on Gu Qingqing, and once she approached, he scrutinized her from top to bottom. "Let me take a good look at you, ensure the injuries you sustained earlier have fully healed."

Although Yue Zhao had already sent a message saying Gu Qingqing’s injuries had healed, and even her cultivation had improved, Wen Guiyun still wasn’t completely at ease without seeing her in person.

"Everything’s fine, Master, don’t worry." Gu Qingqing was always very obedient in front of Wen Guiyun, allowing him to check her over.

"That’s good." Seeing that Gu Qingqing was indeed well, Wen Guiyun finally felt assured.

At this time, Si Lin, who had just finished practicing swordplay, also walked in and greeted Wen Guiyun before looking towards Gu Qingqing and the others.

"Senior Brother, congratulations on successfully advancing to the Half-step Immortal Rank." Gu Qingqing looked at Si Lin and said happily.

"Senior Brother, congratulations, rest assured, we will soon catch up to you." Nan Hua put away his fan and said sourly from the side.

"Congratulations." Yue Zhao also smiled and congratulated.

"Senior Brother, you’ll have to take good care of us in the future." Mu Chen joked as well.

"Hmm." Si Lin smiled and nodded, accepting their congratulations, his gaze landing on Gu Qingqing, "Has Qingqing’s injury healed?"

Since returning to Lingxi Sacred Land, Si Lin had begun seclusion. After advancing, he had asked Wen Guiyun about Gu Qingqing and learned her injuries had healed, and she had even fortunately advanced to the ninth rank. But, like Wen Guiyun, he wasn’t at ease until he saw her himself.

"It’s completely healed, if you don’t believe me, Senior Brother, you can test me later and give me some pointers." Gu Qingqing blinked playfully.

A flash of amusement appeared in Si Lin’s eyes, "Alright."

Gu Qingqing didn’t expect Si Lin to actually agree, and was momentarily speechless, glaring at him with an aggrieved look.

"You little rascal!" Si Lin tapped her head affectionately.

Gu Qingqing immediately put on a flattering smile, hoping Si Lin wouldn’t actually instruct her. Given Si Lin’s seriousness, he never held back during sparring, and she would be terribly beaten!

The others, seeing Gu Qingqing’s reaction, laughed out loud.

After everyone exchanged greetings, Wen Guiyun spoke again.

"I have called you back for two matters; the first concerns Rong Ye. Not long ago, I received a message from Rong Ye. He has found the enemy who killed his parents, and it is actually his uncle. He plans to go back and take revenge on his uncle."

After Wen Guiyun finished speaking, the expressions on Gu Qingqing and the others changed.

"Fifth Brother is being too impulsive, the Rong Family Master is nearing the Half-step Immortal Rank, and besides, the entire Rong Family is controlled by him. If Rong Ye rashly goes back, he won’t gain anything." Since coming to the Sub-immortal Realm, Gu Qingqing had inquired about the Rong Family and had some understanding of the situation, which, combined with Yue Zhao’s words, made her think Rong Ye was being too impulsive.

"That’s right, the Rong Family Master has let Rong Ye live till now only because he’s had good luck. If he finds out Rong Ye has evidence of him killing Rong Ye’s parents, he definitely won’t let Rong Ye live!" Nan Hua rarely put away his smile, frowning as he spoke.

"Master, where is Rong Ye now? We should go bring him back; he can’t be allowed to go like this." Yue Zhao frowned, speaking worriedly.

"Rong Ye knows he can’t be impulsive, so this time going back to the Rong Family, he didn’t mention his parents but instead requested to enter the Rong Family’s Trial Land." Unlike the others’ agitation, Wen Guiyun was calm and leisurely poured himself a cup of tea.

"The Rong Family’s Trial Land?" Yue Zhao’s face turned more serious, "That’s a place of nine deaths and one life, the Rong Family hasn’t had anyone pass through there in three hundred years!"

As a walking encyclopedia, Yue Zhao was knowledgeable about the Sub-immortal Realm’s various families and sects’ situations, and upon hearing Wen Guiyun’s words, he immediately realized, becoming even more worried.

Hearing Yue Zhao’s words, Gu Qingqing and the others’ expressions worsened again.

"Master, what exactly is the Rong Family’s Trial Land like?" Gu Qingqing knew Wen Guiyun must know and couldn’t help asking.

"It’s said to be another space, essentially a land of death, with extremely harsh environments where Spiritual Power often cannot be used. Hardly anyone comes out alive, at least in the Rong Family’s history, besides the founding ancestor, only three have come out in recent years." Wen Guiyun’s eyes glinted as he explained slowly and deliberately.

"Since it’s a land of death, why does Fifth Brother want to go?" Gu Qingqing asked, puzzled.

"The Rong Family’s rules state that whoever passes through the Trial Land can become the Family Head. Rong Ye can’t confront the Family Master directly, but if he passes the Trial Land, he can become the new Family Head." Wen Guiyun put down his teacup and spoke calmly.

The others looked at each other, still somewhat bewildered.

"There are many ways to take revenge; I don’t think this is the best one." Yue Zhao frowned and said.