After that, Lan Qingyan first asked for leave and began traveling toward his sect.
Sect Master Han looked at him venomously, his eyes cold and filled with restrained hostility. But the Grand Elder placed a firm hand on Han's shoulder and said in a low voice,
"We have more important things to do, Sect Master."
Han's expression darkened, but he said nothing further.
Lan Qingyan hurried to a secluded location where he had long ago hidden a teleportation array leading near Azure Wind. After activating it and arriving safely, he did not move immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes and carefully probed outward with his divine sense.
Only after confirming that no one was tailing him did he speak calmly,
"You can come out now, Elder Yun."
The space beside him suddenly warped and folded inward. A ripple passed through the air, and the man Lan Qingyun had saved stepped out as though emerging from water.
Lan Qingyan looked at him with slight admiration and said,
"Your technique is certainly wonderful, Elder. You easily passed the probing of peak Golden Core experts while being only mid-grade Golden Core."
Elder Yun gave a modest smile.
"It is merely my good luck, Sect Master Lan. I discovered this technique in the ancient ruins of our region. Though it is a forbidden zone, the outer regions can still be explored by Golden Core experts. Unfortunately, this is only a fragment of the original technique—yet even at the beginning stage, it is already this wondrous."
Lan Qingyan nodded.
"It seems Elder is blessed with great fortune to obtain such a technique."
Elder Yun immediately cupped his fists.
"It is nothing, Sect Master. I present it as a gift to you. I am deeply grateful for you saving my life twice. To repay your grace, I can only toil for you in this life."
Lan Qingyan's gaze flickered slightly but he did not interrupt.
Elder Yun continued,
"And Sect Master, if possible… the next time you enter the rift, let us visit my region. We could transport some people from my former sect. Though there are no more Golden Core experts, there are many Foundation Establishment disciples and talented juniors. I believe they would eagerly join Elder Lan's sect."
Lan Qingyan replied evenly,
"We will see about it, Elder Yun. First, let us return to the sect."
They teleported directly near the outer territories of Azure Wind and swiftly ascended the mountain paths. The moment Lan Qingyan's aura spread outward, his master and the newly established Foundation Establishment disciples sensed it and came out immediately.
The disciples bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Sect Master!"
The old master stepped forward, but his eyes were fixed cautiously on the mid-Golden Core expert standing beside Lan Qingyan.
Lan Qingyan spoke calmly,
"Elder Yun, these disciples will show you your compound. I will join you shortly. You should focus on recovery first."
Elder Yun nodded and followed the disciples away.
Lan Qingyan then turned and went with his master toward his private chambers.
"You left into a storm," Elder Wei said calmly, his gaze steady, "and returned with a mid–Golden Core guest." Lan Qingyan did not flinch.
"Do not worry, Master, he can raise no waves here," he replied evenly After a brief pause, his voice lowered slightly. "And it seems the storm is much bigger than we thought."
Elder Wei's eyes sharpened "How big, to be precise?"
Lan Qingyan met his gaze directly.
"Big enough that sect rivalry no longer matters… and big enough to destroy the whole of Azure Wind."
Silence settled heavily in the room. The air itself seemed to grow dense.
Elder Wei exhaled slowly. "Alas… it seems the world itself is adamant on our destruction. But that is how cultivators are—always raging against the heavens."
He turned his gaze toward the window, toward the distant mountains.
"Well, dear disciple… in a few days, I will face the Nascent Soul tribulation."
Lan Qingyan's eyes shrank.
"No, Master. You are already in a perilous situation. At least think about the sect."
Elder Wei smiled faintly.
"You know, Qingyan, I have always thought about the sect. But now… I believe our sect has a worthy anchor and pillar to support it." His eyes softened slightly. "Do not worry about your master. Have I ever failed you?"
Lan Qingyan said nothing when he departed, his heart was heavy.
He knew the spirit essence he had brought back was not enough. Not nearly enough to guarantee success against a Nascent Soul tribulation.
But did it really have to happen now?
Elder Wei was the only family he knew. The only person who had been his everything for the one hundred and one years he had spent in this world.
If his master fell… Lan Qingyan knew his Dao heart would shatter.
His steps slowed for a moment then his eyes hardened.
The forbidden zone, without hesitation, he turned and hurried toward Elder Yun's chambers.