The Heavenly Sword Sect was now thriving in the Xingwu Empire, its fame resounding across the land.
This, of course, was tied to the Sect Master’s decision back then.
When the Sect Master chose Lin Yun, it nearly led to the sect’s destruction, but the facts proved he had made the right bet.
At this moment, Lin Yun hurriedly stepped into the main hall.
“Lin Yun, you’re here.” Seeing Lin Yun, the Sect Master immediately set down his teacup, stood up with a broad smile, and greeted him.
“Sect Master.” Lin Yun clasped his fists in respect.
“Lin Yun, you’re now a top-tier Dominator realm expert. How could I accept such a gesture?” the Sect Master said with a laugh.
“Sect Master, no matter how strong I become, you will always be my elder,” Lin Yun replied with a smile.
Pausing briefly, Lin Yun quickly asked, “By the way, Sect Master, what’s the matter? You could have just sent word. Why did you come in person? Is it something significant?”
“There is indeed a very important matter, one I had to tell you face-to-face!” the Sect Master said, his face beaming with a smile.
“Oh? Judging by your expression, it must be good news, right?” Lin Yun remarked.
Seeing the Sect Master’s smile, Lin Yun knew it couldn’t be bad news.
“Indeed, it’s great news. I’m sure you’ll be thrilled to hear it. Your Master, Elder Cui, has been found!” the Sect Master said with a smile.
“Sect Master, is… is it true?!”
Upon hearing this, Lin Yun was stunned for a moment before erupting into ecstatic joy.
Over the past five hundred years, besides training his strength, Lin Yun had also been cultivating his temperament, becoming much more composed and reserved than before.
But this news still sent Lin Yun into an emotional frenzy.
When he first arrived on the cultivation continent, the Heavenly Sword Sect was the first force he joined.
Back then, Lin Yun was alone and unsupported in the sect, targeted for offending a prominent family.
In those circumstances, it was Elder Cui who repeatedly protected Lin Yun at great cost, helping him immensely.
But Elder Cui was too old, nearing the end of his lifespan and unable to break through further. To seize a chance, Elder Cui chose to use a secret technique to seal his soul and reincarnate.
Lin Yun still vividly remembered the farewell outside the Immortal Gathering Pavilion in the Xingwu Empire.
That morning, the sun was bright, marking the last time Lin Yun saw Elder Cui.
Elder Cui had given Lin Yun many instructions and hoped he would soon reach the Mahayana realm.
At the time, Lin Yun was unaware that Elder Cui was about to seal his soul and reincarnate. He hadn’t even had the chance to say goodbye before hurriedly boarding the empire’s carriage.
This had always been a lingering regret in Lin Yun’s heart.
“Lin Yun, recovering memories after sealing and reincarnating a soul is incredibly difficult, but your Master, Elder Cui, managed it,” the Sect Master said with a smile.
“Sect Master, where is my Master, Elder Cui, now?” Lin Yun asked eagerly.
“Having sealed and reincarnated his soul, he naturally has a new identity now, but he has awakened his memories. Shall I take you to see him?” the Sect Master said.
“Yes! Yes! Let’s go now!” Lin Yun could hardly contain his excitement.
Immediately, Lin Yun followed the Sect Master out, heading straight for the Xingwu Empire.
In the Xingwu Empire, the current emperor was Li Tian, who held the temporary position.
Li Tian ranked eleventh on the Heavenly God List and previously belonged to no faction, which was why he was chosen for the role.
Although Li Tian was now emperor, the Xingwu Empire retained its imperial title, and the original royal family was fully preserved, all to honour the contributions of Emperor Xingwu.
Xingwu Empire, Annan Kingdom.
Fengshan County City.
The Sect Master led Lin Yun, landing outside the county city before entering.
The city was bustling. The Sect Master brought Lin Yun to a residence.
Along the way, Lin Yun learned from the Sect Master that Elder Cui had sent a letter to the Heavenly Sword Sect, which was how the Sect Master found out.
Upon receiving the letter, the Sect Master came to find Lin Yun immediately, so he had not yet met Elder Cui in person.
But based on the letter’s contents, there was no doubt it was Elder Cui.
“Fortunately, Elder Cui was reincarnated into a fairly decent family. If he had been reborn into a very ordinary one, he might never have awakened his memories,” the Sect Master said.
To awaken memories, one needed to cultivate to the Void Refinement realm after reincarnation.
For an ordinary family, this was nearly impossible, making the odds of successful reincarnation extremely slim.
“I wonder what Elder Cui looks like now,” Lin Yun said, feeling a bit nervous.
“Haha, Lin Yun, a mighty Dominator realm expert, getting nervous?” the Sect Master laughed heartily.
Then, the Sect Master led Lin Yun towards the residence’s gate.
“Halt!”
As they approached the entrance, two guards shouted at them.
“I am the Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect. Call your master out,” the Sect Master said, releasing his powerful aura.
The two guards, startled by the overwhelming presence, stammered, “Yes, yes, we’ll report immediately.”
They hurriedly ran into the residence.
Soon, a richly dressed middle-aged man came jogging out.
“Greetings, Sect Master. Your visit to our Jing family is truly an honour!” The middle-aged man bowed respectfully to the Sect Master.
As the head of a prominent family in the county city, he was notable locally, but how could he compare to the Heavenly Sword Sect?
The Heavenly Sword Sect’s reputation in the Xingwu Empire was immense.
At the same time, the Jing family head felt uneasy. Why would the Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect personally visit their home?
“Master Jing, take us to see your family’s Jing Shi,” the Sect Master said.
Jing Shi was the name Elder Cui had in this life after reincarnation.
“Sect Master, has… Jing Shi offended you?” Master Jing asked, visibly worried.
“Don’t speculate wildly. Just take us to him,” the Sect Master said calmly.
“Yes, sir,” Master Jing replied obediently.
Then, Master Jing led the Sect Master and Lin Yun into the residence, crossing the main courtyard to reach the back courtyard.
The back courtyard was desolate. They stopped before a dilapidated door.
“Sect Master, I’ll bring Jing Shi out. If he’s committed any offence, feel free to punish him,” Master Jing said before entering the room ahead.
Moments later, Master Jing emerged with a weary-looking old man with grey hair.
Nearly six hundred years had passed since Elder Cui’s reincarnation. For someone in the Void Refinement realm, this age was considerable, and such an appearance was not unusual if one did not maintain their youthful looks.
