Chapter 78: Sending Invitations

Lin Yang walked over, and at that moment, Lin Hu also saw him. So startled, he stood up abruptly, almost bringing Lei Hong, who sat beside him, crashing down as well.

“Junior Brother Lin, are you out of your mind, jumping up like that?” Lei Hong complained, standing up as he spoke. Only then did he notice Lin Yang. Recognizing him, he recalled how at home, Realman Lei always compared him to Lin Yang. This had long fostered a deep dislike for Lin Yang.

However, as Lin Yang had achieved Foundation Establishment long ago, Lei Hong could only stand awkwardly to the side.

“I need to speak with you. Come with me for a moment,” Lin Yang said.

Lin Hu immediately stepped forward and stood behind Lin Yang.

Lin Yang then approached and asked the young woman her name.

“Niece, what is your name?” Lin Yang inquired, his face full of curiosity.

“Uncle Lin, my name is Lin Shiyu. I entered the sect together with Senior Brother during the same Ascension Festival,” Lin Shiyu replied.

Hearing her explanation, Lin Yang suddenly realized why she seemed so familiar—he already knew her, though not well.

“Oh, so you’re Junior Sister Lin. I have matters to attend to, so I won’t keep you,” Lin Yang said.

“Uncle, please do as you wish.”

“Very well, let’s go.” With that, he led Lin Hu away.

On the journey back, Lin Yang kept casting Lin Hu odd, gossip-laden looks. Finally, Lin Hu could no longer endure it and gave up, saying, “Uncle, if you want to ask, just ask.”

“It’s nothing, really, but you’d better seize this chance. Do you know how hard it is to find a good cultivation partner? Your uncle here had to rely on eight lifetimes of luck to find your aunt,” Lin Yang advised, encouraging Lin Hu to pursue Lin Shiyu.

“Of course, Uncle. I won’t let the opportunity slip. But, may I ask what you wanted to see me about?”

“I have advanced to the Golden Core realm, and in a month I’ll hold a Golden Core Ceremony. I need you to deliver some invitations,” Lin Yang explained.

“How is that possible? Uncle, you’re only in your thirties!” Lin Hu, living in the sect, had no idea about Lin Yang’s breakthrough. He’d likely been spending all his time trying to win Lin Shiyu’s favor.

“What’s impossible? Don’t use ordinary logic to describe a peerless genius like me. I advanced to Foundation Establishment in my teens. I am nothing like you ordinary folk,” Lin Yang boasted.

“Enough talk. I have a task for you now. Take these invitations and deliver them to the elders named here. Invite them to my Golden Core Ceremony next month,” Lin Yang instructed.

“Which elders?” Lin Hu took the invitations. They had been prepared by Senior Brother Zhong, only needing names; Lin Yang had just written them.

“There’s Realman Hongfu, some elders from the Alchemy Pavilion, and several cultivators I often interact with. Go invite them all,” Lin Yang assigned all the tasks to Lin Hu.

“So many… What if they don’t let me in?” Lin Hu worried.

“I’ll give you my token,” Lin Yang said, handing over his token and patting Lin Hu’s shoulder. “I have faith in you, young man. Go forth and fulfill your task—the world needs you.”

“The world needs me? What does that mean?” Lin Hu was bewildered by Lin Yang’s words. He couldn’t understand them, but seeing Lin Yang walk away, he had no choice but to study the names on the invitations, figure out where these elders lived, and deliver them.

After handing the invitations to Lin Hu, Lin Yang returned to the council hall where Sect Master Zhong and the others were. He decided to personally escort the disciples to the Crimson Trial.

After all, with Lin Hu participating, Lin Yang felt uneasy. But he couldn’t stop him; fledgling hawks must eventually fly, young tigers must learn to hunt. He could only wait outside the Crimson Secret Realm for Lin Hu to emerge.

Lin Yang found Zhong Lingdao and informed him of his decision to escort the disciples to the Crimson Forbidden Grounds himself.

“Junior Brother, do you really want to go? It’s quite a tough assignment,” Zhong Lingdao cautioned.

“How is it tough? It’s just escorting disciples. It shouldn’t be dangerous,” Lin Yang questioned, puzzled.

“You may not know, Junior Brother, but each Crimson Trial means a month of hardship in the wild, not to mention dealing with cultivators from other sects. I fear you won’t manage,” Zhong Lingdao explained.

“It’s not such a big deal. I have my reasons for going, so there’s no need to persuade me further,” Lin Yang replied firmly.

“Very well. The Crimson Trial will be in half a year. Come to the sect hall then to escort the disciples,” Zhong Lingdao said.

“Understood. Farewell, Senior Brother,” Lin Yang said, leaving the hall.

……

By then, Lin Hu had already delivered the invitation to Senior Sister Hongfu. For the elders of the Alchemy Pavilion, he handed the invitations to one elder, who agreed to pass them along, saving Lin Hu a great deal of time. However, the last invitation brought him some embarrassment.

This invitation was for the Grand Elder—Lin Shiyu’s master. Lin Hu did not know whether Lin Shiyu was near her master.

He stood outside the Grand Elder’s cave residence, hesitant to enter, as if he were about to face execution, his anxiety mounting.

Eventually, a disciple spotted Lin Hu lurking outside and called out, “Who’s there?” He hurried over and blocked Lin Hu’s path.

“Who are you? Why are you sneaking around?” The disciple, sword in hand, confronted Lin Hu. Lin Hu quickly explained everything, saying he was merely delivering an invitation.

“Is there any need to be so furtive just to deliver an invitation? Show me your token,” the disciple demanded sharply.

“Alright, alright, I’ll give it to you,” Lin Hu said, handing over his token. The disciple examined it, confirmed its authenticity, and lowered his sword.

“Apologies, Junior Brother. Whom are you here to see? I can inform them for you.” This disciple was the Grand Elder’s gatekeeper. Within the residence were the Grand Elder’s disciples and family. The gatekeeper did not know whom Lin Hu sought.

“I’m here to see the Grand Elder. My uncle will hold a Golden Core Ceremony in the sect in a month. I hope the Grand Elder will attend.” Lin Hu handed the invitation to the disciple.

The disciple took it, saw the official sect seal, and was deeply astonished. Possession of this seal meant the invitation was genuine.

……

End of page.