Li Muwan realized that she might have spoken out of turn and hurriedly bowed to Ancestor Lan Ruo. She wanted to explain, but Ancestor Lan Ruo stopped her.
"Alright, if you want to leave, I will not stop you. Besides, being able to cultivate under Senior Lin Che is your good fortune."
Ancestor Lan Ruo understood the value of a Soul Transformation stage expert better than anyone else. It was not difficult to see from Li Muwan's words and actions that her relationship with Senior Lin Che was definitely not ordinary.
If she refused, what would be the consequences? Even if Lan Ruo didn't voice it, the other Nascent Soul stage ancestors would know better than to offend him.
Just then, a cry for help suddenly came from the entrance, followed by a token that appeared out of nowhere. From inside the token came the voice of a powerful figure from the War God Shrine.
"The Fire Beasts have broken through the seal and are currently launching a full-scale attack on our Country of Hou Fen. Fellow Daoists of the Luo River Sect, please come to the War God Shrine immediately to discuss countermeasures."
"So fast!"
The Luo River Sect's Ancestor's face turned ashen. She hadn't expected the Fire Beasts to break through the seal so quickly. If they were to descend upon this place, all the disciples of the Luo River Sect would be annihilated.
Ancestor Lan Ruo frowned and looked in Lin Che's direction. "Senior, we juniors need to leave the Luo River Sect for a meeting. Could you please help look after the sect in our absence? We would be extremely grateful!"
"Go ahead."
Lin Che readily agreed. After all, he planned to resolve the Heaven Separating Pill issue here before leaving the Country of Hou Fen with Li Muwan and her brother.
After leaving the Country of Hou Fen, Lin Che also planned to go to the Land of the Ancient God to obtain the Memory Inheritance that Tuo Sen had been longing for.
According to the original plot, after Wang Lin entered the Land of the Ancient God, Tuo Sen completely broke his seal. However, without the Memory Inheritance, Tuo Sen was unable to leave the Land of the Ancient God, which gave Wang Lin time to escape.
If Lin Che went to the Land of the Ancient God after Wang Lin entered, Tuo Sen would definitely notice him immediately. Tuo Sen would arrange for Duo Mu and the others to hunt him down relentlessly, making it impossible to obtain the Memory Inheritance.
Therefore, to obtain the Memory Inheritance ahead of time, he had to enter the Land of the Ancient God first, secure the inheritance, and become a powerful expert at the Ancient God realm.
Lin Che slowly stood up and followed Li Muwan to her original courtyard.
As elite disciples, the Luo River Sect prepared separate courtyards for all disciples for cultivation. Li Muwan, due to her outstanding alchemy skills, had been given the most luxurious courtyard.
"Senior Brother, this is where Wan'er used to cultivate. Let me show you."
Lin Che nodded and followed Li Muwan into the courtyard. As for her brother, Li Qiqing, he tactfully left, leaving the time for Senior Lin Che and his sister.
Li Muwan's courtyard was located in a quiet bamboo forest, surrounded by a faint spiritual aura, making it exceptionally elegant.
The courtyard was filled with various rare spiritual herbs emitting a faint medicinal fragrance, clearly the result of her daily alchemy practice.
In the center stood a small pavilion containing a stone table and several stone benches, with an exquisite tea set resting on the table.
Lin Che walked into the courtyard, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings, inwardly marveling at the exceptional treatment the Luo River Sect provided to its elite disciples.
Li Muwan's courtyard was not only rich in spiritual energy but also exquisitely decorated, revealing her taste and meticulous attention to detail.
"Senior Brother, this way please," Li Muwan said softly, leading Lin Che through the courtyard to her room.
Pushing open the door, a faint, refreshing fragrance wafted out. The room was simply yet elegantly furnished, with several landscape paintings hanging on the walls and bookshelves filled with various alchemy manuals and cultivation techniques.
In one corner of the room stood an exquisite alchemy furnace. The fire had long since died down, but a faint medicinal fragrance still lingered on its surface.
"This is where I usually refine pills and cultivate," Li Muwan said softly, a hint of nostalgia flashing in her eyes.
Lin Che nodded, his gaze sweeping across the room, then said softly, "You'll stay here and cultivate for the next few days. After this is over, I'll take you to the Country of Chu."
"The Country of Chu?"
Li Muwan pursed her lips, asking curiously, "Why the Country of Chu?"
"There's a sect within the Country of Chu called the Cloud Sky Sect. You may have heard of it; the Cloud Sky Sect is a renowned alchemy sect in Chu. Its elders and disciples are all famous for their alchemy skills, which will greatly benefit your future cultivation."
Li Muwan understood the implication in Lin Che's words and immediately asked, "Senior Brother, are you leaving?"
"That's right."
Lin Che put one hand behind his back, slowly walked to the window, gazed at the dazzling starry sky, and said softly, "After this trip, I need to go to the Land of the Ancient God."
"The Land of the Ancient God is fraught with danger, teeming with powerful figures. Even I dare not say I can guarantee my survival there. Therefore, I can only leave you at the Cloud Sky Sect for now, so I can feel at ease."
Li Muwan didn't act unreasonably like other women might; she respected his choices, so she readily agreed. "I understand, Senior Brother. Then I will go to the Cloud Sky Sect and wait for you."
"Waiting for the day you return."
Lin Che glanced sideways at Li Muwan standing behind him and smiled. "It's been a long time since anyone said those words to me. In the past hundred years, I've witnessed countless deaths and reunions. Now it's time to relax."
Li Muwan smiled gently, came to Lin Che's side, and watched the dazzling starry sky with him, whispering, "Being able to accompany Senior Brother, Wan'er has no regrets in this life."
Stars streaked across the silent night sky like sparkling diamonds scattered across the boundless heavens.
Lin Che looked up at the firmament, a deep light flashing in his eyes. He stood quietly in the courtyard, feeling the gentle caress of the night breeze, his mind filled with countless thoughts.
Li Muwan stood beside him, her gaze also fixed on the endless starry sky, a hint of longing and tranquility in her eyes.
The next morning, as the sun rose.
Lin Che, having finished his meditation, slowly opened his eyes. The room was quiet; Li Muwan had already left the courtyard.
Lin Che stood up, dusted off his robes, and went to the courtyard, intending to sample the tea from the Country of Hou Fen.
"Master, the Fire Beasts in the Country of Hou Fen seem to have broken their seal and are slaughtering mortals and cultivators here."
Just then, the voice of Lei Ji, the progenitor of the Giant Demon Clan, rang in Lin Che's ears.
Lin Che picked up the teacup on the table, gently swirled it, and smiled, saying, "The Fire Beasts breaking the seal is a foregone conclusion. Besides, we came to the Country of Hou Fen only for Wan'er's Heaven Separating Pill, and her brother Li Qiqing."
"As for the fate of the Country of Hou Fen... let it follow the cycle of cause and effect."