Chapter 34: The True Immortal Red Whisk

Lin Yang opened a gap in the grand formation to let him in.

Soon, he walked into the small courtyard.

A young woman entered, dressed in plain clothes and wearing a simple wooden hairpin. Her appearance was modest, yet she was still astonishingly beautiful. “Uncle Lin, my master sent me to invite you to attend his Golden Core Ceremony.”

“Who is your master?” Lin Yang asked with some curiosity, as he hadn’t heard of any fellow cultivator successfully forming a Golden Core.

“My master is Master Hongfu.”

“Oh, so it’s Senior Sister Hongfu’s Golden Core Ceremony. Since it’s her, I’ll be sure to arrive on time. When will the ceremony be held?” Only then did Lin Yang recall that Hongfu possessed a Golden Essence Pill, and after lingering at the peak of Foundation Establishment for quite some time, her breakthrough was only natural.

“It will be held one month from now at the East Gate Plaza.” Having delivered her message, the young woman stood there motionless.

“All right, I understand.”

“But wait, I’ve never heard that Senior Sister has an apprentice.” Lin Yang suddenly felt puzzled.

“Uncle Lin, I’m Yun Ting,” the young woman replied with some annoyance.

“Oh, so it’s little Yun Ting! Don’t blame me, it’s been five years, and you’ve changed so much. The older you get, the prettier you become—I couldn’t even recognize you.” Lin Yang laughed, trying to play it off.

“Well then, Uncle Lin, I’ll take my leave.” Yun Ting bid farewell.

“Very well, off you go.” Lin Yang, slightly embarrassed, saw her out the door. He then returned to the courtyard to look for Wang Ling’er.

“Ling’er! Ling’er!” Lin Yang shouted at the top of his lungs.

Wang Ling’er, hearing his howling, hurried out. “Are you trying to die, yelling like that?” She gave Lin Yang a thump on the chest.

“Hey, you usually shout even louder than I do. Why do you mind so much?” Lin Yang teased deliberately.

“I’m ignoring you,” Wang Ling’er said, stomping on his foot.

“Ow, ow, ow! Don’t leave—I have something to tell you!” Lin Yang quickly stopped her as she was about to go.

“What is it? Say it quickly and don’t waste my time,” Wang Ling’er replied, skeptical of his excuses.

“It’s like this. My senior sister has successfully advanced to Golden Core and is holding a Golden Core Ceremony. I wanted to let you know and invite you to attend with me,” Lin Yang explained.

“That won’t do. I’m only your concubine—how could I accompany you to such formal occasions?” Wang Ling’er refused, shaking her head.

“Oh, it’s not a big deal. As long as you come back and give me a few chubby sons, that’s all that matters.”

“If you don’t go, I’ll just pester you,” Lin Yang said with a hint of childishness, leaving Wang Ling’er speechless.

“Fine, fine, I’ll go. But don’t mind me too much—you can do your own thing.” She replied helplessly.

“All right, but there’s still a month to go. We’ll wait until then.”

“No point in going early. It’s boring to just sit around.”

…

Yue Kingdom

The Taiyue Mountain Range.

On the plaza of Yellow Maple Valley.

This time, to celebrate the addition of another Golden Core cultivator, Yellow Maple Valley hosted a grand banquet, inviting many disciples and the heads of all the affiliated clans.

Lin Yang, accompanied by Wang Ling’er, arrived at Senior Sister Hongfu’s cave residence.

“Please come in.” At the entrance, Yun Ting opened the door.

Lin Yang nodded at Yun Ting and entered. Walking into the main hall, he saw Senior Sister Hongfu and greeted her.

“Greetings, Master Hongfu.”

“Junior Brother Lin, there’s no need to be so formal—just call me Senior Sister.”

“All right, then I’ll boldly call you Senior Sister. After all, you’re so young, calling you ‘Master’ doesn’t quite fit.” Lin Yang replied with a flattering smile.

“Oh, you little trickster.” Senior Sister Hongfu looked pleased. After all, what woman doesn’t like being told she’s beautiful and youthful?

“Come now, I’m not just flattering you.”

“Senior Sister, here’s a gift for you. Please open it.” Lin Yang took out a small jade bottle and handed it to her.

“What could it be?” Senior Sister Hongfu asked curiously, taking the bottle.

“Open it and see.”

She uncorked the jade bottle. “Ah, a Beauty Retaining Pill! Thank you, Junior Brother Lin.” She received it with a bright, smiling face, then asked, “Who is this young lady beside you?”

“This is my Dao companion, Wang Ling’er.” Lin Yang pulled Wang Ling’er, who had been hiding behind him, forward.

“So you’re my junior sister-in-law.” Senior Sister Hongfu stepped over. “I haven’t met you before. Lin Yang, you go out. I want to have a chat with your wife.” She took Wang Ling’er’s hand and, with a gentle force, shooed Lin Yang away.

Bewildered, Lin Yang found himself ushered out. With nothing else to do, he visited some other acquaintances, greeting everyone he knew. By then, evening had fallen.

Now, the Golden Core Ceremony was about to begin. He made his way to the plaza, where a platform for ascension had been set up. Ancestor Linghu was seated at the highest place.

On the platform, Sect Master Liu and Elder Zhong Ling began to speak.

“As cultivators, we must stand on our own feet, strive with courage, and dare to challenge the heavens for our destiny.”

“Now, after nearly a century of diligent cultivation, our sect’s Master Hongfu has finally become a Golden Core cultivator. The Golden Core Ceremony begins now. May our Yellow Maple Valley thrive and prosper!”

And so the Golden Core Ceremony began. In essence, it was a gathering for the higher-ups, while those of lower rank enjoyed the banquet. Lin Yang joined the banquet among the sect’s elite cultivators.

“Well, if it isn’t Master Lin!” A Foundation Establishment cultivator whom Lin Yang did not recognize walked over.

“May I ask—” Lin Yang truly didn’t know him.

“Ah, Master Lin, I’m Wei Ming from the Wei family. I once bought pills from you.” Wei Ming tried to strike up a conversation.

“Oh, it’s you, Fellow Daoist Wei. Now I remember.” Lin Yang replied awkwardly.

“So, what brings you here, Fellow Daoist Wei?” Lin Yang grasped for conversation.

“I came for the Golden Core Ceremony. What about you, Fellow Daoist Lin?” Wei Ming replied, equally uncomfortable.

Regardless, Lin Yang exchanged a few more words before finding an excuse to slip away.

“Look, Master Hongfu is coming out,” he said quickly, spotting his senior sister.

Seizing the chance, Lin Yang melted into the crowd to escape the awkward Wei Ming.

“My goodness, doesn’t that man feel awkward, chatting away like that?” Lin Yang finally rid himself of him, knowing full well he wasn’t suited to such occasions.

Once the ceremony truly began, many cultivators stepped forward to present gifts to Senior Sister Hongfu.

Lin Yang found himself nibbling on pastries and watching the dancers, his head propped on one hand, quite bored.

“Uncle Lin, Master Hongfu is looking for you,” said a disciple who found him.

“All right, I’ll go now.” Lin Yang got up lazily.

“Senior Sister, what do you need?” he asked, finding Hongfu and Wang Ling’er sitting together.

“It’s like this—my apprentice wishes to learn alchemy. I hope you’ll take her back and teach her.”

“With so many alchemists in the sect, why are you asking me?”

“Hmph, you were the one who brought her to me in the first place. Now you’re trying to shirk responsibility?” Hongfu spread her hands, her tone leaving no room for argument.

“No way. She’s your apprentice, isn’t she?”

…

And so, when Lin Yang left, he found himself with another little burden in tow.