Chapter 53: The Storm Approaches

After journeying tirelessly day and night, Lingyu finally returned to Xuan Yuan Temple, two months having passed. Stepping down from the paper crane, she found the entire temple deserted.

Most disciples of Xuan Yuan Temple had been dispatched: the upper court sent out to gather materials, the lower court to various mines and herb gardens, while most of the masters from the Three Palaces hurried to the Antarctic, leaving only a handful behind. Lingyu mused that if anyone were to attack now, the whole temple might well be taken. Yet such an event seemed unlikely; with calamity looming, every cultivator in the world was on edge, too anxious to seize territory. Besides, Xuan Yuan Temple was no easy target—once its formations activated, it could withstand hundreds, thousands of cultivators. At such a critical moment, no other sect could match its confidence.

Returning to her quarters, Lingyu tidied up briefly before heading to Xuanming Palace to seek an audience with Han Funing. The disciple on duty reported that Han Funing was not scheduled to be on duty today and was likely in Yuxu Palace. From what the disciple implied, with no disciples remaining in the temple, even the masters no longer kept their usual rotations. The situation changed so rapidly, who had time to maintain daily rituals? With all disciples sent out, little remained to be done.

Lingyu went to Yuxu Palace, where Han Funing was indeed present. Upon seeing her, he smiled faintly. “Had you been any later, I would have left already.”

He appeared energetic, yet his eyes betrayed a weariness he could not conceal. Lingyu asked, “Uncle Han, are you heading to the Antarctic?”

Han Funing nodded.

“Did you summon me back so I might accompany you there?” Lingyu pressed.

Han Funing neither nodded nor shook his head, only smiling slightly. “Originally, I intended to wait until you reached the seventh level of Qi Refinement before bringing you into Yuxu Palace as an aide. But fate is unpredictable… Still, you are diligent, and can just barely serve.”

His tone was magnanimous, showing no concern that she might slip from his grasp.

Lingyu grumbled inwardly, but her expression remained unchanged; she only stared silently at him.

Han Funing laughed. “No need to look at me that way. If you wish to gain more autonomy from me, you must first demonstrate sufficient strength.”

At this, Lingyu decided to speak plainly. “Though I believe my aptitude is passable, compared to the true disciples, I am hardly remarkable. Why have you chosen me?”

Han Funing rested his fingers on the rim of his cup, his gaze calm. “Xuan Yuan Temple has stood for a thousand years. Its roots are tangled and complex, not easily unraveled. Sometimes it is better to choose someone with no background at all…”

Lingyu was taken aback. “Uncle Han, your ambitions are lofty and do not threaten them. Why risk being misunderstood?”

Han Funing merely shook his head. “Those who are clever tend to judge others by themselves. Even if something is true, after thinking it over three or five times, it becomes false.”

Lingyu thought of the Cheng family’s house full of wives and concubines, and fell silent. Sometimes, even when offering a sincere heart, others refuse to believe. Thus, since childhood she had tired of such matters, preferring to go with the flow and improvise when the moment arrived, rather than dissecting every word dozens of times for hidden meanings before trusting a sliver of it.

“This is the jade token of the true disciples,” Han Funing produced a jade token from somewhere and tossed it to her. “From now on, you are a true disciple of Xuan Yuan Temple. You have the authority to command disciples and stewards from both courts, second only to the Three Palace Masters.”

Lingyu took the token, stunned. “Uncle Han, this…”

Though Han Funing had promised her the position of true disciple long ago, she had never taken it seriously. Each Palace only named one true disciple every three years; even with Han Funing’s status, far above that of Yuxu Palace’s head, he could only recommend and then report to the temple master. Finally, there was a small ceremony to inspire the disciple. Lingyu had spent five years in Xuan Yuan Temple and never witnessed this ceremony, as not every three years brought a worthy candidate. They tended to appoint someone to succeed a master and then fill the vacancy.

Now, Han Funing had simply handed her the jade token that symbolized the true discipleship. It was far too abrupt!

“These are extraordinary times. There will be no ceremony. Your name is officially recorded, and you hold real authority,” Han Funing said calmly.

Lingyu composed herself, accepted the token, and bowed. “Thank you, Uncle Han.” She did not offer excessive gratitude, for she understood that this status was neither reward nor favor—merely an identity Han Funing required her to assume.

“What am I to do next?” she asked.

Han Funing answered without hesitation, “I leave for the Antarctic the day after tomorrow. You must complete a task for me, then hurry to join me.”

Lingyu nodded. “Please instruct me, Uncle Han.”

Han Funing gazed at her steadily. “Return to Baishui Temple and retrieve that batch of treasures.”

Lingyu was stunned, staring at him in disbelief.

Han Funing smiled lightly, leaning back in his chair. “Why are you so surprised?”

Lingyu regained her composure, still finding it incredible. Years ago, after Han Funing learned Baishui Temple’s secret through dream-guiding techniques, she had lost all desire for the treasures, seeing them merely as a gift to Han Funing in exchange for her position at Xuan Yuan Temple. She had never expected that, after all these years, Han Funing would finally have her fetch them—and not accompany her himself. Was it trust, or something else?

After pondering, she said, “Uncle Han, I am alone, only able to break the seal.”

“I have already prepared,” Han Funing replied. “You will have a companion—a descendant of the Fan family.”

Lingyu’s surprise deepened, though it made sense. He had known the requirements for retrieving the treasure all along; how could he not be prepared? She just hadn’t expected he had found a descendant of the Fan family, and moreover, a cultivator. Her heart stirred. “Is it Xianshi?”

Han Funing shook his head. “I investigated the two who ambushed Senior Brother Zheng. One has perished, the other vanished. I found no trace of your senior brother. This individual is a wandering cultivator I encountered by chance.”

Lingyu felt disappointed. After leaving the Cheng estate, she had spent three years with Xianshi, sharing meals and journeys. If there was anyone besides her own siblings to whom she felt close in this world, it was him. Yet, he had vanished without word, and even Han Funing could not find him. She wondered if she would ever see him again.

“What is your relationship with this person, Uncle Han? And what should be done with him once the treasure is retrieved?”

Han Funing replied, “He is a clever youth. Bring him with you to the Antarctic.”

Thus, this person belonged to Han Funing. Lingyu nodded softly. “Understood.”

“Go now.” Han Funing was not one for small talk, nor did he care to instruct others’ disciples. “Set out at dawn tomorrow, and reach the Antarctic as soon as possible.”

Lingyu rose and took her leave. Before departing, she hesitated, then turned back. “Uncle Han, is Uncle Liu away from the temple—has he gone to the Antarctic?”

Han Funing nodded, offering rare reassurance. “Liu Weiyi is formidable. You need not worry.”

Lingyu smiled and left.

She returned to her small courtyard, rested for the night, and at dawn the next day received Han Funing’s signal, instructing her to meet at the appointed place.

Lingyu mounted her paper crane and departed Xuan Yuan Temple. Half an hour later, at the city gate of Yuan City, she saw a young man in blue robes about her own age.

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Unknowingly, two months have passed since the opening of this new story, and the word count has reached the threshold for launching the paid chapters.

So, this is simply an announcement: tomorrow, the story will enter the paid section, and with it, the final plot arc of this realm begins. Once complete, the narrative will transition to the cultivation world familiar to everyone.

After entering the paid chapters, the update word count will be adjusted, with additional chapters depending on circumstances. I hope for your continued support with first subscriptions and votes^^

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