After thinking it over, Cui Ranqing had made her calculations.
It truly was unnecessary to stake the entire Night Moon Palace on a single opportunity for Sainthood. She opened her mouth, about to refuse, but Lin Yu spoke first.
"Rest assured, yours won't be the only sect involved. Other forces will join in as well. When the time comes, you'll only need to cover a portion," Lin Yu said mildly.
Although entrusting the task to a single sect would have been the most convenient option for Lin Yu, among all the major sects in the Eastern Wasteland, not one had the financial resources to meet his standards.
Hearing this, Cui Ranqing could not help looking delighted. The Night Moon Palace could just barely afford that price.
At this thought, Cui Ranqing turned to look at her precious daughter. Even after being silenced, Yu Hongyan was still puffing with anger, glaring at Lin Yu as though she feared neither heaven nor earth.
As for Lin Yu, although he had silenced Yu Hongyan, he seemed utterly unconcerned by her fierce expression, and even looked a little intrigued.
After making some calculations, Cui Ranqing suddenly said, "Hall Master, I see that you have many guards here, but hardly any maids. Why not let Hongyan stay and keep you company as your maid? She could also learn more about the way of cultivation."
Yu Hongyan had not expected her mother to make such a suggestion. She tugged angrily at her sleeve, yet could not help stealing a cautious glance at Lin Yu.
Lin Yu was quite surprised by Cui Ranqing's sudden remark, but she soon understood.
For Cui Ranqing, leaving Yu Hongyan behind offered a hundred disadvantages and not a single benefit. If Lin Yu truly wanted to harm Yu Hongyan, doing so would be effortless. Yet he had still let them come up here like this-did that not show that Lin Yu was an upright gentleman?
"Fine." Lin Yu nodded, mainly because he found Yu Hongyan's temperament rather cute and likable.
Cui Ranqing was right. Although there were Primordial Guards on the mountain, they did not possess human feelings, after all. Having another person keep him company would bring a little more life to the place!
Besides, Yu Hongyan was a genuine beauty. Keeping her in the Primordial Hall would also be pleasing to the eye.
Since he had already agreed to Cui Ranqing's request, he naturally could not go back on his word.
Lin Yu immediately had the system begin its deductions.
"System, calculate which places within the Eastern Wasteland can help cultivators reach the Saint Domain."
"Ding! Calculation beginning... calculation in progress... calculation complete!"
"A total of four regions found!"
A notification sounded, and all the results appeared before Lin Yu.
[Short Sky Island: information unknown, estimated danger rating: ##########] [Spirit Heart Abode: three opportunities for Sainthood in total, estimated danger rating: ######### (click to expand)] [Dongwei Jiayang Harbor: eleven opportunities for Sainthood in total, estimated danger rating: ######### (click to expand)]
Lin Yu quickly browsed the results. There had not been many to begin with, and after filtering them, even fewer remained.
This time, he had to consider not only the dangers involved but also whether any forces occupied the locations. If a place fell within a powerful force's territory, Ancestor Wangyue could forget about it.
He would probably have to fight three hundred rounds against that formidable sect first, and even then, victory would not be certain.
If the Night Moon Palace truly possessed such strength, they would have long since stationed themselves at a site with an opportunity for Sainthood. Why would they need to come all the way to Lin Yu specifically for a deduction?
In the end, Lin Yu chose a location: [Chengling Zishan County].
"System, expand the relevant information on Chengling Zishan County!"
[Search results for opportunities for Sainthood in Chengling Zishan County:] [Opportunity for Sainthood 1: Nine-Bend Soul-Refining Flower, located southeast of Chengling Zishan County, guarded by a damaged saint-grade formation. (Click to expand detailed information on the formation...)] [Opportunity for Sainthood 2: Heaven-Reaching Tranquil Enlightenment Pool, located in central Chengling Zishan County, under a saint-grade seal. (Click to expand detailed information on the sealing method...)] [Opportunity for Sainthood 3: Big Dipper-Reaching Origin-Splitting Pool, located in northwestern Chengling Zishan County, under a saint-grade seal. (Click to expand detailed information on the sealing method...)] [Opportunity for Sainthood 4: Primordial Tribulation-Breaking Pool, located on the outskirts of Chengling Zishan County, under a saint-grade seal. (Click to expand detailed information on the sealing method...), guarded by saint-grade spirit beasts nearby. (Click to expand detailed information on the saint-grade spirit beasts...)]
After filtering through the options, Lin Yu still felt that the first one, the Nine-Bend Soul-Refining Flower, was the most reliable. He selected a scroll with his divine sense and inscribed all the relevant information onto it.
"What you want is in here." Lin Yu tossed the scroll to Cui Ranqing.
Cui Ranqing instinctively unfurled the scroll and glanced at it, unable to keep the delighted surprise from her face. "The Nine-Bend Soul-Refining Flower?!"
The conditions that produced a Nine-Bend Soul-Refining Flower were complex. It was said to be a rare treasure that could only emerge if at least nine Radiant Body Realm experts perished at the same time. Only with the right timing, favorable terrain, and human harmony could it bloom and bear fruit. The slightest mishap along the way could prevent it from flowering.
Yet such a rare treasure was actually located southeast of Chengling Zishan County!
"Thank you for your help, Hall Master!" Cui Ranqing said gratefully. If they could find the Nine-Bend Soul-Refining Flower, their Night Moon Palace's Ancestor Wangyue would have hope of attaining Sainthood!
Having confirmed the news, Cui Ranqing turned to leave. After all, this sort of matter could not wait. Time was of the essence, and she had to hurry and take people to search for it.
Before leaving, Cui Ranqing glanced at Yu Hongyan. Her precious daughter was looking at her with watery eyes, clearly wanting to return with her.
Yet Cui Ranqing had no choice but to harden her heart. For Yu Hongyan, Hongmeng Mountain was an opportunity one could encounter but never seek out. If she could stay beside Lin Yu and learn a little, that would be excellent too!
At this thought, Cui Ranqing hardened her heart, turned, and left.
Fortunately, Lin Yu had already restored her spiritual power. Although she could still only descend by the stairs, she was able to use her spiritual power.
Cui Ranqing turned straight into a streak of light and swiftly vanished from Yu Hongyan's sight.
Seeing her mother leave, Yu Hongyan intended to follow, but the moment she lifted her foot, Lin Yu pinned her firmly in place with his spiritual power.
Feigning bewilderment, Yu Hongyan asked, "Hall Master, I'll take my leave. I'm going back to the sect with my mother!"
Lin Yu could not help finding her behavior amusing. "What do you mean, going back to the sect? Your mother just gave you to me as a maid!"
"From now on, you're mine. Hahahaha!" After delivering those utterly domineering words, Lin Yu burst into laughter.