Lu Zhiyuan staggered to the door, where he saw a person standing by a pillar.
He was tall and slender, dressed in a pine-frost-colored robe, with a golden incense burner and jade pendant hanging from his waist, and his demeanor was extremely outstanding.
He looked up and saw a handsome face and eyes that shimmered like jade and frost, looking at him with a smile.
" Senior Brother Chen...?"
Lu Zhiyuan can no longer be called his junior brother; according to the rule that those who have achieved mastery in cultivation come first, he should be called his senior brother.
Looking at Chen Shuangbai, whose brilliance surpassed even his former self and whose aura was as profound as the sea, he was momentarily speechless, "You... you've emerged from seclusion? Foundation Establishment... did you succeed?"
Chen Shuangbai nodded slightly and said, "I was fortunate enough to successfully Foundation Establishment and only emerged from seclusion a few days ago. I was just looking for an old friend to catch up with, so I came uninvited. I hope you won't mind."
Lu Zhiyuan felt a surge of heat in his heart, his cheeks flushed red, and his voice trembled with excitement.
" Foundation Establishment successful!!!"
"Right."
His voice trembled, and upon hearing the answer, he felt a lump in his throat. Only when his face had turned somewhat purple did he finally exhale a long breath.
"Good!"
"Very good!"
"I knew it! I knew it!"
He couldn't help but feel overjoyed, his heart filled with mixed emotions, yet two lines of clear tears streamed down his face.
There was both the joy of seeing an old friend successfully Foundation Establishment and the hope of escaping a desperate situation.
Huang Shanglan also looked at Chen Shuangbai with shock and astonishment. Only then did the two of them realize the unique aura that only a Foundation Establishment cultivator could possess on Chen Shuangbai.
The two seemed to snap out of their daze and were about to kneel down, but Chen Shuangbai was faster, stepping forward to help them up, saying:
"There's no one else here, please don't make such a grand gesture; it would be too much for me!"
Lu Zhiyuan, however, insisted on paying his respects.
He said, "Friendship is friendship, but the sect has its own rules and regulations, which cannot be abolished here."
"My wife and I are merely Qi Refining cultivator is not only a matter of etiquette but also a sign of respect! If we were not to bow today, wouldn't we be disrespecting our status and disrupting the established order?"
He shook off Chen Shuangbai's outstretched hand, took a step back, and, pulling Huang Shanglan, whose eyes were also red and who seemed hesitant to speak, lifted the hem of his robe and bowed deeply to Chen Shuangbai.
"Outer disciple Lu Zhiyuan, along with his wife Huang Shanglan, congratulates Martial Uncle Chen on successfully Foundation Establishment and receiving the True Disciple!"
Seeing this, Chen Shuangbai felt a slight pang of emotion.
He decided not to press the matter further and accepted the bow with composure, but said, "It's alright in public, but please don't be so overly polite in private. It's too much for me."
His words were sincere, his eyes clear, and he showed no arrogance whatsoever that of Foundation Establishment cultivator. Instead, he carried a hint of old friendship.
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhiyuan felt a lump in his throat and was about to shed tears again.
The three met and were quite moved.
Once the three entered the cave abode, Chen Shuangbai got straight to the point. "I've already heard some rumors within the inner sect... so I came here specifically to lend Senior Brother Lu a hand."
Lu Zhiyuan was just thinking about what to say when he suddenly heard Chen Shuangbai ask this question. He felt the blockage in his heart gradually fading away, and he sighed deeply, "It's all due to the selfish thoughts of some people within the clan."
He recounted the entire incident to Chen Shuangbai, without personal bias or covering up for his clansmen. He simply sighed, "That's how it is... I hate them for disregarding the bigger picture, but I also know that the clan is one. So there's nothing I can do now. I can only hope to comfort the Lu Lineage clan members within the sect."
During this time, Huang Shanglan served tea and sighed upon hearing this.
There were some things Lu Zhiyuan couldn't say, but she was easy to talk about, so she said, "What Zhiyuan means is that the sect's laws and regulations cannot be ignored. They should be dealt with according to the proper procedures, and no one should be let off the hook."
"I only hope that this will not affect the Changlin Lu Lineage who are loyal to Jade Spring... I just ask that they not be involved too much."
Chen Shuangbai, her fingers gently stroking the rim of her teacup, lost in thought.
It turned out to be an unexpected disaster!
He then said, "I see. I thought my senior brother was involved too..."
Lu Zhiyuan waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "I am a disciple of the sect, how could I not know the strict rules and regulations? How could I do such a thing..."
That makes things much easier!
Chen Shuangbai felt a certain affinity for his fellow disciples, so he said, "Since my senior brothers and sisters aren't involved, this matter should be easy to handle."
"Senior brother, please write a petition explaining the reasons and consequences..."
With each word he spoke, Lu Zhiyuan's eyes lit up a little more.
Later, Lu Zhiyuan's eyes shone brightly, and he nodded repeatedly, "Senior Brother's great kindness will never be forgotten by the Changlin Lu Lineage!"
"This is serious!"
This is not a big deal, so it's unlikely to be blown out of proportion.
Lu Zhiyuan was somewhat blinded by his own involvement.
Chen Shuangbai was merely delivering the petition to his senior master Shi Yubai, on his behalf. Furthermore, since the matter was not serious to begin with, it was unlikely to implicate the Lu Lineage members within the sect.
After Lu Zhiyuan finished writing his True Intention petition, Chen Shuangbai took out a crane whistle. As soon as Law Power into it, a clear and melodious sound resounded throughout the mountains.
Before long, a clear and melodious cry of a crane suddenly came from the sky.
Looking in the direction of the sound, he saw a White Jade Crane at the Late Qi Refining Stage emerge from the misty white clouds, lightly landing in front of him, bowing its head and stretching out its neck.
This is a right that all Foundation Establishment in the sect should have: a White Jade Crane crane at their beck and call at any time, making communication very convenient.
Chen Shuangbai then channeled her Law Power into the petition, instructing White Jade Crane to deliver it to the Jade Guarding Hall. She then turned to the two eager-looking individuals and smiled, saying, "It should be alright now."
Lu Zhiyuan finally breathed a sigh of relief, the cold sweat on his body gradually receding, and he felt an unprecedented sense of comfort.
He collapsed to the ground, utterly exhausted.
Huang Shanglan looked at Chen Shuangbai and said, "Thank you..."
Chen Shuangbai waved her hand and said, "It's alright, it's alright. To be honest, I came to the outer sect on some business."
Lu Zhiyuan hurriedly scrambled to his feet and said, "Senior brother, please give your orders. Whether it's climbing mountains of knives or plunging into seas of fire, I will do it for you."
Chen Shuangbai solved a major problem for the Changlin Lu Lineage!
Even if Chen Shuangbai wanted half of Lu Zhiyuan's life right now... he would still give it to her.
Chen Shuangbai took a sip of tea and said, "It's nothing serious. It's just that my clan also has a desire to seek the Dao, so I hope the Changlin Lu Lineage will pay more attention to it in the future."
Lu Zhiyuan nodded hurriedly, "That's what I should do."
"I will write home and have the Changlin Lu Lineage send generous gifts to thank my senior brother's clan. I will also leave behind some connections to help my senior brother's clan gradually enter the world of cultivation."
[PS: This is the third update today! I'm still asking for five-star reviews to improve the rating! If you enjoyed it, please consider a donation! Thank you!]