"Thank you, Lord Lin, for saving my life. Great kindness needs no words, but if you ever need help in the future, I will repay you even if it means being your servant," Yu Weiwei said, taking two steps before turning to Lin Yu and curtsying.
"Wait, actually, there is something I need your help with," Lin Yu replied, an idea sparking in his mind at her words.
Yu Weiwei looked at him in confusion, not expecting him to request help so soon after her gratitude. What could someone as capable as Lin Yu possibly need from her? She felt increasingly忐忑 (uneasy).
"Don't worry, I don't need you to repay me as a servant," Lin Yu said with a smile.
Relieved, Yu Weiwei grew more curious about his request.
"I need you to win a jade talisman for entering the ancient sect ruins during the trial," Lin Yu explained. Earlier, the Cauldron Lord had urged him to obtain such a talisman, and now the opportunity had arisen. As a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, Yu Weiwei's strength was unmatched among the trial participants, making it certain she could secure a talisman.
"Lord Lin, you… want a jade talisman?" Yu Weiwei guessed before he finished.
"Yes. Will you help me?" Lin Yu asked, smiling.
"Of course! After the trial, I will personally deliver the talisman to you," Yu Weiwei replied, smiling and nodding before waving and disappearing into the dense forest.
"Go ahead," Lin Yu said, summoning the God-Eating Cauldron once Yu Weiwei left.
"A Myriad Manifestations Second Grade cultivator? I'll reluctantly refine him," the Cauldron Lord said, now unimpressed by such cultivation—a palate spoiled by Lin Yu's adventures.
As starry ripples spread, Zhang Ling's body was drawn into the cauldron for refining. Thick spiritual energy then poured into Lin Yu, aiding his cultivation. However, for Lin Yu, the energy was insufficient to advance him to Myriad Manifestations Sixth Grade.
After Zhang Ling was completely refined, Lin Yu quietly returned to Su Miaozhen's camp unnoticed.
…
Thousands of miles away, on Misty Peak, pavilions and towers lingered among white clouds like a celestial paradise. Profound Heaven Immortal Sect, hidden by mountain-protecting formations, was invisible to outsiders without an escort.
Suddenly, nine tolls of a bell echoed through the peaceful sect, prompting figures to fly toward the Longevity Hall. Inside, a white-bearded elder in a purple robe stood before burning soul lamps, his face livid as he suppressed raging anger.
"Grand Elder, why the nine bell tolls? Has an elder fallen?" others asked, confused.
"Elder Zhang Ling and my grandson Jiang Xuan's soul lamps have gone out," the elder announced gravely. The sect used a secret art to place a wisp of each disciple's soul in a lamp; when a lamp extinguished, the disciple had died, without fail.
"What? Zhang Ling and Jiang Xuan went to the Great Zhou trial! With their strength, how could they fall?"
"The trial is in Moyun Ridge, where Myriad Manifestations monsters are rare. Only extreme bad luck could threaten them!"
"What about Yu Weiwei? How is my disciple Yu Weiwei?"
Amid the elders' discussions, Yu Weiwei's green-clothed master looked anxiously at the Grand Elder.
"Yu Weiwei's lamp is still lit; she should be safe," the Grand Elder said coldly. He knew his plans against Yu Weiwei, so their deaths and her survival made him suspect her—though he knew she couldn't have defeated Zhang Ling.
"Thank goodness, Weiwei is safe," the green-clothed woman sighed in relief.
"Brother Feng, go to Great Zhou and investigate Zhang and Jiang's deaths. If they were killed, I will not spare the culprit," the Grand Elder ordered, eyeing the green-clothed woman suspiciously.
"Yes, sir," replied a wooden-faced中年男子 (middle-aged man) with a sword on his back.
"Brother Feng will uncover the truth! He's a Myriad Manifestations Fifth Grade expert second only to the Sect Master and Grand Elder," others affirmed.
"Brother Feng, the Sect Master is in seclusion to break through to Void Formation. As acting leader, I will not allow any disciple to be harmed. This matter is yours," the Grand Elder said gravely.
"Rest assured, Grand Elder. If Zhang and Jiang were murdered, I will kill the culprit even if they flee to the ends of the earth," Feng Yifei vowed, bowing before leaving.
…
Back at camp, Lin Yu focused on cultivation, confident Chu Chu and Seventh Princess were safe without Zhang and Jiang's threats. He awaited the trial's end to see their results.
Days later, geniuses emerged from Moyun Ridge, presenting demon cores to the Zhou Emperor. Their records were listed on a daily-updated leaderboard outside the camp, showing who could enter the top nine for ancient ruins access.