Ayi looked up at the deep night sky, which was empty except for a few scattered stars and clouds.
The spark of inspiration Lin Yu gave Ayi was a glimpse of the Dao he had come to understand.
Its purpose is to enlighten people. It may not be useful at first, but as Ayi accumulates more knowledge, these hidden talents will begin to emerge.
You could say it's a weaker version of the comprehension boost.
After bestowing a wisp of Daoist energy upon Ayi, Lin Yu did not linger. His figure vanished into the starry sky, like a shooting star streaking across the night, flying towards the mortuary.
He can't stay in the Southern Border any longer. After what he did, the Gu Masters of the Ninth Palace will probably go crazy searching for him. Staying there is like walking into a trap.
And with the two-year period coming to an end, it's time to go back.
On his way back, Lin Yu didn't just rush. He familiarized himself with the new Gu Dao he had just comprehended while also deducing this brand-new cultivation system.
However, his cultivation level has not declined either. He has progressed from Refining Spirit and Returning to Emptiness to Refining Emptiness and Uniting with the Dao. In the past two years, Lin Yu has actually completed most of the transformation of his entire body into Pure Yang Immortal Body.
In the past two years, he has experienced the world, honed his skills in battle, and further comprehended the Dao and touched the origin in the Tome of Heaven and the True Understanding of the Gu Dao.
All of this greatly facilitated his transformation. He could feel his blood and qi becoming as pure as jewels, his bones as fine as jade, his lungs shining brightly, and his pure yang energy growing stronger day by day. It seemed that he was only one step away from the perfect and flawless state.
But as for those distant Heavenly Immortal, Lin Yu could only look on with longing but never reach them. Whenever Lin Yu's thoughts drifted to those two words, an invisible sense of obstruction would arise in his heart.
"Heavenly Immortal..." Lin Yu looked up at the sky, as if he were gazing up at the Divine Immortal who sat alone in the heavens.
Only when you reach a certain level of attainment can you sense the laws that transcend power.
Those who do not become immortals will remain mere ants.
That sense of blockage couldn't be broken by force; it was as if there was an invisible threshold, a barrier that required approval to cross.
"Received the Heavenly Register, attained enlightenment..."
These six words resurfaced in Lin Yu's mind once again.
The last time was when the Heavenly Master of Maoshan told him about the difficulties of becoming an immortal, but at that time he was just a cultivator who had just Refining Spirit and Returning to Emptiness, and he could not understand the powerlessness of the patriarchs.
But now he has also reached the level of a patriarch, and these six words are like heavy shackles, appearing in Lin Yu's heart.
Without a celestial position bestowed by the Heavenly Court, one is like a wandering rogue cultivator, lacking orthodoxy and forever unable to grasp the true power from Heaven and Earth.
Even though power can overcome certain barriers, the essence of life and one's status are always separated by an insurmountable barrier.
Without the ordination from the Heavenly Court, he could not be ranked among the immortals, and he could never attain the title of "Heaven".
Like Son Goku in Journey to the West, he attained the Great Dao, but he did not become Heavenly Immortal.
He remained a rogue cultivator until he became the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, gained the Heavenly Emperor's recognition, and was thus ranked among the immortals, attaining the position of Heavenly Immortal.
But he never joined the "system" and instead earned the title of a Taiyi Heavenly Immortal.
Only after he went on his journey to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures and became the Victorious Fighting Buddha did he enter the system and become Daluo Heavenly Immortal.
"There's really no other way, I can only learn from the Great Sage..." Lin Yu had the will, but no power.
Then the only option is to first strengthen our capabilities before seeking recognition.
The thought instantly dispelled the vexation in Lin Yu's heart.
At this moment, the outline of the mortuary in front of him became clearer, and Lin Yu suppressed these thoughts in his heart.
The familiar courtyard walls, and even the layout inside, were exactly the same as when he left.
Lin Yu slowed down and landed gently outside the mortuary gate.
The silence was broken by the creaking sound of the wooden door turning.
As soon as Lin Yu landed, the gates of the mortuary opened.
"Master, what old friends could there be at night?" Wen Cai Qiu Sheng yawned and weakly pushed open the door.
"Senior brother..." Lin Yu called out to the two of them with a smile.
Wen Cai Qiu Sheng, who were just complaining as they pushed open the door, suddenly froze. They looked up in disbelief, wanting to confirm if they were mistaken about the familiar voice.
"Junior brother--!" The two exclaimed almost simultaneously, their sleepiness vanishing instantly, their eyes wide open.
They rubbed their eyes and, by the dim moonlight, carefully examined the handsome young man before them.
Two years had passed, and Lin Yu's demeanor had undergone a dramatic change; he was no longer the naive child he once was.
His posture became more upright, and his brows showed a greater sense of composure and worldly experience.
He was surrounded by an unfathomable aura, much like that of Uncle Nine.
"It really is Junior Brother, you're back!" Qiu Sheng was the first to react, and stepped forward to give Lin Yu a big hug.
Wen Cai was quick to react, and excitedly jumped up while holding Lin Yu.
"That's great, Xiao Yu, you're finally back! You have no idea how much we've missed you these past two years. Although Master doesn't say it, he really..." Wen Cai's honest face was full of smiles as he expressed their longing.
"Hey! What are you making such a racket at the door in the middle of the night? Let them in!"
Before he could finish speaking, a calm yet subtly unsettling voice came from the courtyard.
It was Uncle Nine's voice.
Upon hearing this, Wen Cai Qiu Sheng shrank back and quickly made way for each other.
Looking at his master and fellow disciples, Lin Yu felt a warmth in his heart; this was family.
He straightened his robes, stepped over the threshold, and entered the familiar courtyard.
Uncle Nine stood in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, still dressed in his familiar simple clothes, his face serious, his gaze sweeping over Lin Yu.
Even though Uncle Nine tried his best to remain serious, the serious lines on his face softened slightly when he saw Lin Yu.
When she sensed Lin Yu's restrained yet powerful aura, a hint of undisguised surprise and relief flashed deep in her eyes.
"Master, your unfilial disciple Lin Yu has returned." Lin Yu walked up to Uncle Nine and respectfully performed a disciple's salute.
Uncle Nine nodded slightly and said calmly, "Yes, it's good that you're back. Judging from your aura, you've made quite a bit of progress these past two years."
Uncle Nine's words, though on the tip of his tongue, came out as a simple sentence without further questioning, yet that single sentence already contained his approval and concern.
"Thanks to Master's great blessings, I have gained some insights while traveling abroad," Lin Yu replied respectfully.
"Alright, stop standing in the yard." Uncle Nine turned and walked into the house.
"Wen Cai, go boil some water. Qiu Sheng, bring out my tea leaves."
As he walked, he gave instructions, finally saying, "Lin Yu, come in and tell me what you've been through these past few years."
"Yes, Master," the three replied in unison.
Before leaving, Wen Cai Qiu Sheng made sure to tell Lin Yu how worried their master had been about him these past two years.
The two happily went to make tea. The oil lamp was lit, and its dim, warm light filled the room, dispelling the chill of the Nightscape.
Uncle Nine sat down in the main seat and gestured for Lin Yu to sit as well. His gaze remained calmly fixed on Lin Yu, without urging him on, simply waiting quietly.