After experiencing this series of events, Lin Yun had successfully rescued many people and, at the same time, slain his own enemies. But this did not mean he could now rest on his laurels.
In the Great Hall, Jiang Zhengqing looked at Lin Yun standing below, his face filled with satisfaction.
"You young man, you have truly brought us no small surprise this time. We can now truly acknowledge your strength. But do not become complacent. The path of cultivation is far more than just this."
As a disciple of the Beast Taming Sect, Jiang Zhengqing could not hide his fondness for Lin Yun.
"Rest assured, Sect Master. This disciple understands," Lin Yun replied. "However, this disciple has returned this time with a matter I hope to entrust to you."
Before Lin Yun could even elaborate, Jiang Zhengqing spoke with a smile. "You can rest easy. There is no problem with Qin Xiyan staying here at the Beast Taming Sect. Although she was once a disciple of the Flowing Cloud Sect, she has spent all these years in reclusive cultivation and never once colluded with them. So, no matter how you look at it, I will not concern myself with past matters."
Jiang Zhengqing's attention to Lin Yun was clearly greater than he had imagined. For him to even know about the relationship between him and Qin Xiyan left Lin Yun feeling a bit shy for a moment. Seeing Lin Yun's awkward expression, Jiang Zhengqing let out a hearty laugh.
But after the laughter, his expression immediately became serious again.
"Alright. What I just promised you is naturally not a problem. But there is another matter now that you must handle with extreme caution."
Lin Yun's current strength was immense; he had already become the most powerful genius in the entire cultivation world. No disciple from any other sect could compare to his achievements. But the tree that stands tallest in the forest is the one the wind will surely fell. A brilliant young man like Lin Yun would inevitably attract the attention of all factions, and it was highly likely they would make a move against him in the future. Therefore, Jiang Zhengqing had to make preparations in advance to prevent such a thing from happening.
Summoning Lin Yun here so early was precisely to make him realize the gravity of the situation.
In truth, Lin Yun had already thought of this long ago. Taking Qin Xiyan to the Nether River Dragon Palace had been an incredible risk. Fortunately, the journey had been more thrilling than truly dangerous. Though they had encountered a great deal of trouble, they had ultimately turned peril into safety and successfully passed through those trials.
But what would happen next, no one could say for certain.
"From what I know now, many sects have already put you on their kill list. Even the Flowing Cloud Sect has no intention of giving up."
Lin Yun was a little curious. Did the current Flowing Cloud Sect still have the ability to kill him?
"Sect Master, are you certain the news you received is true? With the Flowing Cloud Sect's current strength, they are already a spent force. Can it be that they still wish to kill this disciple?" Lin Yun didn't understand. At a time like this, how could the Flowing Cloud Sect still be thinking of opposing him?
Seeing Lin Yun's incredulous expression, Jiang Zhengqing nodded very seriously. "Though I am reluctant to admit it, this matter is indeed true. The Crimson Ghost Sect and the Flowing Cloud Sect have already begun to cooperate openly. Not to mention that the Flowing Cloud Sect's backer, the Shangqing Temple, has no intention of staying hidden either."
Previously, the Shangqing Temple had always remained in the shadows to preserve its strength. But after these events, they likely understood that no matter how much they held back, it was far from enough. If things continued to develop at this rate, it wouldn't be long before the Shangqing Temple would be forced into a passive position. They were furious after the Flowing Cloud Sect was decimated. They had dispatched several experts to take charge of the sect, hoping to quell the chaos in the shortest possible time.
Although the decline of the Flowing Cloud Sect was irreversible, they had not chosen to let Lin Yun go because of it. On the contrary, they were targeting him at every turn. It was only because the Beast Taming Sect's own power was gradually growing, and with the addition of Shen Miaokong, that they didn't dare to act rashly for the time being.
But one must not forget, the Daye Dynasty had not yet made its move. For so many years, the dynasty had never interfered in the affairs of the cultivation world. But with its immense power and the arrogance of its leaders, it was doubtful that the current state of the cultivation world was to their satisfaction. And under such circumstances, the choices they might make were all too clear.
After Lin Yun heard Jiang Zhengqing's words, he let out a contemptuous laugh. "I knew these people wouldn't be so easy to deal with. But it doesn't matter. If the Shangqing Temple wants to deal with me, then let them try."
Although Lin Yun's current realm wasn't considered very high, he was confident that he could increase his power even faster in the coming years. The reason he had returned to the Beast Taming Sect was because he knew it was a place that could protect him. After so many battles, Lin Yun urgently needed a period of peace and stability to allow his strength to grow more quickly.
Jiang Zhengqing had originally thought the same, and was surprised that Lin Yun had come to the same conclusion.
"It seems you also understand what you need to do most right now. With the advantages you currently possess, increasing your own strength is of the utmost importance." Jiang Zhengqing nodded with great satisfaction and walked forward to pat Lin Yun's shoulder. "During your cultivation, whatever you need, you have only to say the word."
Jiang Zhengqing arranged for Lin Yun's courtyard to be in the area of the Beast Taming Sect with the most abundant spiritual energy. And for the following period, Lin Yun immersed himself completely in cultivation.
As for Qin Xiyan, she began to follow Xu Miaoyun.
Qin Xiyan was not like Lin Yun. As a reincarnated empress, her own inherent power was immense. Even without cultivating, the rate of her improvement was still astonishing. So, what she needed to do was simple: just wander about to allow her power to transform more quickly.
She had heard many things about Xu Miaoyun before, so after arriving at the Beast Taming Sect this time, she was eager to meet her. The two of them felt like old friends at their very first meeting, and Qin Xiyan was filled with admiration for the many smithing techniques Xu Miaoyun had mastered. Soon after, Qin Xiyan became Xu Miaoyun's disciple, preparing to learn the art of smithing from her. And Xu Miaoyun, for her part, felt no resistance to taking on this girl.
And so, for the next year, Lin Yun remained in the Beast Taming Sect and never once went out. With the guidance of his life panel, he was able to find numerous opportunities even within the sect. With the help of these opportunities, Lin Yun's strength advanced by leaps and bounds, far exceeding anyone's imagination.
Even Jiang Zhengqing couldn't help but marvel that this young man was truly a monster who had achieved a height that many could never reach.