Qin Ping turned around and saw that Feng Linglong's face was already streaked with tears.
His gaze softened as he gently patted her head. "Alright."
For reasons unknown, over the past few millennia, a saying had gained traction: to cultivate immortality, one must sever all ties of love and emotion. Only by walking the Path of Ruthlessness could one ascend.
Indeed, a thousand years ago, many cultivators did manage to ascend by following that path.
That was because the Path of Ruthlessness avoided karmic entanglements, focusing solely on the self. As a result, during their Tribulation, their inner demons struck with far less ferocity compared to those who cultivated other paths.
Thus, the idea that cultivation required heartlessness became widely accepted.
But around a thousand years ago—roughly when the entire Wushuang Sect was wiped out—that path lost its efficacy.
For the past millennium, no matter how emotionless they tried to become, no matter how deeply they pursued their own Dao, not a single person had broken through the invisible barrier of the Heavenly Dao to step into the Immortal Realm.
Some began to speculate.
They believed that something had gone wrong with the Heavenly Dao of this world.
But as for what exactly had gone wrong…
No one knew.
With the Luck bestowed upon him, Qin Ping could faintly sense that the Heavenly Dao of this world had indeed faltered. And it was trying—struggling—to correct itself and return the world to its proper path.
But for all its effort, the Heavenly Dao alone was likely not enough.
It was, after all, only an embodiment of laws. It had no mind, no emotions. In this chaotic time, it simply could not manage everything on its own.
All living beings of this world were recipients of the Heavenly Dao's blessings. Now that it was in crisis, it was only right that they step in to help.
Qin Ping could vaguely feel it too.
Ji Wusi and the others, who were so intent on eradicating demons, were likely being subtly guided by the Heavenly Dao as well.
However…
Some could receive that guidance. Others had long since been consumed by demonic obsession and now stood entirely opposed to the Heavenly Dao and the people of this world.
Which side would ultimately prevail?
Perhaps the answer to that question would determine the fate of the world itself.
To save itself, the Heavenly Dao would surely nurture a new generation of Heaven's Chosen, children of Luck, to resist the dark tide.
Now that Wushuang Sect was about to reemerge, and with someone as shockingly talented as Yun Jin appearing…
Qin Ping had a strong premonition.
In the great era to come, Yun Jin would be at the very heart of it all. She would grow swiftly and restore order to the chaos.
Though she would shine brightest, those around her would also gain tremendous benefits and grow rapidly in her wake.
That was why Qin Ping wholeheartedly supported the bond between Feng Linglong and Yun Jin. His disciple did possess some talent, but it wasn't particularly exceptional.
Yet sometimes, the choices one made in life mattered far more than raw aptitude. With the right person to follow, Linglong would undoubtedly go much farther.
Qin Ping silently made a decision.
Once the Wushuang Sect's secret realm opened successfully, he would immediately return to the capital. This resurgence of the Wushuang Sect might very well be the first step in the Heavenly Dao's counterattack. As natives of this world, it was their duty to aid their own Heavenly Dao.
Moreover…
Cultivators from the Imperial Kingdom always struggled to gain entry into sects because they were tied to the fortunes of the entire population.
Even if they entered a sect, their Luck would remain bound to the Kingdom, not the sect itself. Most sects cared deeply about this. But Qin Ping knew—Wushuang Sect never had.
Wushuang Sect's strength had always come from within. It never relied on stockpiling sect-based Luck.
Imperial cultivators and Wushuang Sect were a perfect match.
Qin Ping had a growing certainty.
This time…
The fact that he had brought Feng Linglong here, met Yun Jin, and repeatedly received guidance from unseen forces—it couldn't be coincidence.
This was a destined meeting.
In the skies above Lin City.
Yun Jin watched the crowd's reaction and spoke in a calm voice, "My Wushuang Sect had no shame before the people of this world a thousand years ago. Now, a millennium later, it is about to rise once more. Our sect does not judge based on aptitude or talent, only on comprehension. As long as one possesses a spiritual root, when Wushuang Sect is formally reestablished, they are welcome to come and try."
The crowd's pupils contracted sharply.
Not based on aptitude.
Not based on talent.
Only on comprehension.
But what did "comprehension" really mean?
They weren't quite sure.
Still, just those two "nots" were enough to stir their hearts.
"This news," Yun Jin continued, "you may spread freely. My Wushuang Sect awaits you all."
Only then did she set down the loudspeaker.
With this announcement, she had not only made a name for herself, but had also harvested a massive wave of Emotional Value—a perfect outcome.
"All done talking?" Duan Yiwei looked at Yun Jin with a faint sneer. "Can we leave now?"
Heh.
So Yun Jin really thought she could rebuild Wushuang Sect?
How ridiculous. Let her play the fool if she wanted. No matter how high she leaped, it would all come to nothing.
Jin Yu and the others wore complex expressions. Only now did they truly understand what kind of sect Wushuang Sect had been. And that understanding stirred their hearts.
Jin Yu remained silent. So this was why his master had instructed him from the start to fully support Wushuang Sect?
Ye Liuqin and Cheng Su also felt a strange unease.
They were both peerless talents, admitted into the Holy Land at a young age. To them, everything outside the Holy Land had always seemed beneath notice. Yet a thousand years ago, there had been people like this—stunning talents who were willing to give their lives for the sake of the so-called "ants" outside the Holy Lands.
That ran counter to everything they had been taught.
They couldn't help but feel lost. But… was this wrong?
The Dao was heartless. If they deliberately burdened themselves with so many attachments, how could they possibly reach the end of the path?
Right now, they had no answer.
But they knew this:
Since the Sect Master had tasked them with aiding Wushuang Sect and Yun Jin, they would have much time ahead to walk beside her.
And they wanted to see for themselves…
What Wushuang Sect would look like, once rebuilt.
"Let's go." Yun Jin, having harvested a massive wave of Emotional Value, was in a good mood. She didn't bother arguing with Duan Yiwei. She took to the skies, and the others quickly followed.
Luohua Mountain.
In a concealed cave, three figures were huddled together, scheming.
"These days, the Sacred Flower's only been able to feed on Nascent Soul cultivators. We've only found four at the Divine Transformation stage in the past few years. After having tasted Unity cultivators before, these low-level ones are starting to leave her irritable."
The leader was burly, his skin pitch-black. If not for the gleam of his bared teeth, he'd be nearly impossible to spot.
"Can't be helped. This place is remote. So many people have gone missing over the years that local cultivators now steer clear. Only a few reckless outsiders still come to explore."
Even then, it was rare. Who would travel thousands of miles just to explore this desolate region? The Divine Transformation cultivators they had captured were only found because the trio had gone hunting outside. Otherwise, they might not have found any at all.
"Being remote has its perks too. If we were near a major city, some expert would've come long ago and wiped us out.
Hmph. Experts? With the Sacred Flower's help, all three of us have reached Unity. Even that former head of the Yu family died under our combined assault. If it really came to a fight, even someone at the Tribulation stage wouldn't scare us.
A Tribulation-stage expert holds high status even in a top-tier sect. Why would someone like that bother coming here? Besides, we've been extremely cautious. Even though we've hunted many, we've never dared touch disciples from major sects. Those kinds of people wouldn't come here without reason."