Emerging from Seclusion

Chen Lin held the talisman before his eyes and examined it over and over, but still could not guess what it did.

After studying it for a while, he set it aside.

He had completed the task.

Not knowing its function was better. Even if Yu Yuehai discovered it, he had an explanation ready: your woman asked me to refine it. How could I dare refuse? I didn't even know what it was.

That thought eased his heart a little, and he took out the Storage Bag he had coveted for so long.

Ye Jingyun had already said that once he refined the talisman, it would be his. Naturally, he would not stand on ceremony.

Storage Bags were rare commodities in Kaiyuan City. Not only were they extremely expensive, but like pills, they could not be bought even if one had the money.

Refining one required a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with some understanding of Space Spells. Apart from the Five Major Families, no one could make them.

He had never expected to obtain one so easily.

With a Storage Bag, he could carry many things with him instead of hiding them here and there, worrying they might go missing wherever he put them.

There was no spiritual imprint on the Storage Bag either. Using his newly learned secret art, Chen Lin smoothly planted his own spiritual imprint on it, then formed a wondrous connection with it.

When he probed it with his spiritual sense, he perceived a cramped, gray space, roughly one cubic meter in size and completely empty.

It was small, but sufficient.

Chen Lin was not dissatisfied. Following the method he had heard for using a Storage Bag, he enveloped a sheet of Talisman Paper on the table with his spiritual sense. With a thought, the Talisman Paper vanished.

He turned his perception back into the Storage Bag. Sure enough, the sheet of Talisman Paper lay quietly in a corner.

With another thought, the Talisman Paper shifted to a different spot.

Interesting!

Chen Lin nodded. This thing was quite simple to use.

Next, he put everything he could store into the Storage Bag and hung it at his waist.

He immediately felt that this seemed too conspicuous, so he took it off again, opened his robe, and found a sturdy cord to secure it around his waist.

He tugged hard on it a few times. Only after confirming it was firmly secured did he put his robe back on.

He looked himself over with satisfaction. This way, he would not have to worry about attracting covetous eyes.

Once he had finished, he stood by the window and looked toward Yu Yuehai's residence. Ye Jingyun still had not come out.

Perhaps she had never imagined he could refine the talisman so quickly. But he could not deliver it to her either, since she had warned him not to let Yu Yuehai find out.

He waited a while longer, but she still did not appear, so he resumed studying the Vajra Cover spell.

Little by little, the sky darkened.

After dinner, Chen Lin could no longer bear his own poor comprehension and began refining Enlightenment Pills again.

He had just fired up the cauldron when he sensed a powerful surge of energy outside. Then the door swung open without a breeze, and Yu Yuehai slowly walked in.

Chen Lin felt a power as deep as an abyss and vast as the sea welling from Yu Yuehai's body, making even breathing difficult.

Startled at first, he immediately rose to his feet and looked at Yu Yuehai with a complicated gaze.

If merely the stray ripples of mana could suppress him so severely, there was only one explanation: Yu Yuehai had successfully reached Foundation Establishment!

The Blood Demon Pill truly lived up to its reputation!

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Yu-no, my respects, Senior Yu. Congratulations on successfully reaching Foundation Establishment!"

Coming to his senses, Chen Lin hurriedly bowed and offered his congratulations.

Foundation Establishment and Qi Condensation cultivators were no longer on the same level. Among cultivators, strength reigned supreme. Regardless of age, anyone a major realm above oneself had to be respectfully addressed as Senior.

"Mm."

Yu Yuehai's face betrayed no emotion. He merely grunted, then swept his gaze around the room.

Just then, Ye Jingyun appeared in the doorway as well. Chen Lin noticed a trace of tension on her face. Though she did her best to conceal it, he could still discern a few signs.

But when she saw the scene inside, she immediately relaxed and even gave Chen Lin an approving look.

This change puzzled Chen Lin. A thought arose in his mind, but he felt it was impossible.

At that moment, Yu Yuehai, who had walked over to the Iron Cauldron Pill Cauldron, suddenly spoke. "Even with the Melanin Insect, you should use this modified Enlightenment Pill sparingly. The Melanin Insect isn't a true antidote. It only eases the pain. Prolonged use of this pill will cause irreversible damage to your spiritual sea."

Chen Lin froze.

He had never imagined Yu Yuehai would actually show concern for him.

But he immediately nodded. "Thank you for your concern, Senior Yu. I'll be careful."

Yu Yuehai seemed quite pleased with Chen Lin's attitude and nodded slightly. "Make your preparations. Once the time is right, we'll leave this place."

No sooner had he finished than Ye Jingyun spoke from behind him. "Senior Brother, why don't we leave right away? Every extra day we stay here adds to the danger."

Yu Yuehai laughed at her words.

"After being cooped up in this place for so many years, how could I leave empty-handed?"

With that, he took out a bottle and tossed it to Chen Lin. "These are Blood Qi Pills I refined with my own blood essence. Take one every ten days to feed the Melanin Insect. But don't feel burdened. If this trip goes smoothly, you'll only need to do one more thing for me, and I'll let you leave!"

Having said that, he turned and left.

After taking two steps, he turned back and tossed Chen Lin a small bottle.

"This is Mingqing spiritual water. Apply it to your eyes, and you'll be able to see the red lines for a short time. Use it sparingly. I don't have much left either."

This time, he truly left after speaking.

Ye Jingyun followed close behind, but before leaving, she gave Chen Lin a questioning look.

Chen Lin nodded slightly. Delight immediately appeared on her face, and she followed Yu Yuehai without looking back.

This scene only deepened Chen Lin's doubts. He could not understand what medicine this woman was hiding in her gourd.

After pondering it for a while without reaching an answer, he simply put it aside.

One thing did ease his mind, however: Yu Yuehai had said he would let him leave after he did one more thing for him.

Of course, he was not foolish enough to truly believe Yu Yuehai would release him. Rather, as long as Yu Yuehai still had a use for him, he would neither kill him now nor abandon him.

He was safe for the time being.

After thinking things over for a while and finding nothing else to do, he continued refining Enlightenment Pills. Once he obtained a pill, he immediately swallowed it and studied the Vajra Cover spell.

Despite Yu Yuehai's warning, this was not yet the time to give up Enlightenment Pills.

After taking the Enlightenment Pill, he finally grasped the Vajra Cover thoroughly and reached a proficient level.

He circulated his mana and formed a Dharma Seal with his hands. A faint light barrier enveloped him.

He tested it by controlling a Flying Sword with the Object Manipulation Art. Its defensive power was reasonably good.

Though it could not completely block the Flying Sword, it could dissipate most of its power and slow it down, giving him time to dodge.

As his proficiency increased, its defensive power could improve further.

Just then, the Bronze Bell in the corner rang. He immediately stopped practicing the spell and went to the window.

He pushed the window open and gazed up at the starry sky. Everything remained silent.

That faint sensation of energy draining from his body appeared again, and it seemed faster than before.

He took out the small bottle of Mingqing spiritual water and dripped one drop into each eye.

After keeping his eyes closed for a while, he opened them again. Instantly, red lines filling the sky came into view!

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