The Grand Elder looked at Lin Sheng for a long moment before a faint smile appeared on his weathered face.
"Although my body refinement technique isn't suitable for you, that doesn't mean this old man can't give his grandson disciple a small gift."
With a flick of his sleeve, a storage ring flew through the air before stopping gently in front of Lin Sheng.
"There are some things inside that should be useful on your journey."
Lin Sheng reached out and caught the ring.
Unlike an ordinary cultivator who would immediately probe its contents with divine sense, he simply closed his hand around it before respectfully cupping his fists.
"This disciple thanks Grandmaster."
The Grand Elder nodded in satisfaction.
"There'll be plenty of time to see what's inside later. A cultivator who cannot even suppress his curiosity will find it difficult to survive in the outside world."
Lin Sheng smiled faintly.
He wasn't pretending to be polite. The Grand Elder had already done enough for him.
He had revealed the path beyond Astral Gang, explained Martial Will, answered countless questions regarding cultivation and even spent several days guiding him personally. Those lessons alone were worth far more than whatever treasures the storage ring contained.
The Grand Elder slowly stood and walked toward the entrance of the cave abode. Looking beyond the valley, layers of mountains stretched endlessly beneath the afternoon sun.
"So..."
"You've truly decided to leave Dragon Yuan Mountain?"
"Yes."
Lin Sheng answered without hesitation.
"I've already reached a bottleneck in several aspects. Remaining here will only slow my progress."
The Grand Elder nodded approvingly.
"A martial artist who hides within a sect or family forever will eventually become like a sword left inside its sheath."
"The blade may remain sharp..."
"...but it will never know how to kill."
He folded his hands behind his back.
"The Martial Dao has never been cultivated through peaceful meditation alone."
"It is tempered, tested and forged".
His voice remained calm, yet every word carried an indescribable weight.
"You've already comprehended Martial Intent and stepped into the Realm of Realisation. From this point onward, if you wish to advance further, you'll need constant pressure."
"Pressure from stronger opponents."
"Pressure from life and death."
"And pressure from yourself."
Lin Sheng quietly listened.
These words perfectly matched what he had been thinking.
The Grand Elder suddenly turned around.
"If that's the case..."
"I know a place that's particularly suitable for someone like you."
Lin Sheng's attention immediately sharpened.
"The South Sea Province."
"The province bordering the eastern coastline?"
"Exactly."
The Grand Elder nodded.
"Among all the provinces of the Eastern Region, South Sea Province is perhaps the most chaotic."
"It borders the endless sea."
"The deeper one travels into those waters, the stronger the aquatic yao beasts become."
"Every year, beast tides erupt from the sea."
"They crash against the coastline like waves."
"Sometimes they're small."
"Sometimes..."
He smiled.
"They're large enough to swallow entire cities."
Lin Sheng's expression became slightly solemn.
The Grand Elder continued.
"Because of those beast tides, every major city along the coastline has established defensive stations."
"Martial artists, Immortal cultivators, independent cultivators and mercenary groups."
"They all gather there."
"Some seek fortune."
"Some seek fame."
"Others simply wish to survive."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"The cities of South Sea Province are unlike the cities you've seen elsewhere."
"They're built around war."
"The constant hunting of aquatic yao beasts has made the province extraordinarily prosperous."
"The markets are filled with yao beast blood."
"Yao beast meat."
"Scales."
"Bones."
"Demon cores."
"Internal organs."
"And countless cultivation resources harvested from both the beasts and the sea itself."
"As long as one possesses enough spirit stones..."
"...almost anything can be purchased there."
Lin Sheng's eyes brightened.
That was precisely the sort of place he needed.
The Grand Elder naturally noticed his reaction and chuckled.
"I knew that would interest you."
"You cultivate both the Martial Dao and the Immortal Dao."
"Your body consumes resources at a frightening rate."
"The South Sea Province can support that."
"But..."
His expression gradually became serious.
"It'll also try to kill you every single day."
Lin Sheng smiled.
"I'd be disappointed if it didn't."
That answer made the Grand Elder laugh heartily.
"Hahaha!"
"Good!"
"That's exactly what a martial artist should say."
He looked toward the distant horizon as though recalling old memories.
"When I was your age, I also wandered throughout the Eastern Region."
"I fought bandits."
"I challenged wandering cultivators."
"I hunted yao beasts."
"I even crossed hands with disciples from other great powers."
"There were times I nearly died."
"There were also times I questioned whether continuing along the Martial Dao was worth it."
His voice remained calm, yet Lin Sheng could hear the countless years hidden within those words.
"It was during one of those journeys that I entered an ancient secret realm by chance."
"There..."
"I discovered the Rank Four body refinement manual I cultivate today."
"If I had remained within Dragon Yuan Mountain..."
"I never would've found it."
He looked directly at Lin Sheng.
"That's why I didn't stop you from leaving."
"Some opportunities..."
"...cannot be handed to you."
"You have to walk toward them yourself."
Lin Sheng silently nodded.
He understood.
The Grand Elder wasn't simply recommending a destination.
He was telling him that his future lay outside these mountains.
After a long silence, Lin Sheng cupped his fists once more.
"This disciple understands."
"I'll first settle a few matters within the family before departing for South Sea Province."
The Grand Elder nodded.
"Good."
"There's one more thing."
"A martial artist must know when to fight..."
"...and when to run."
Lin Sheng blinked.
The Grand Elder smiled.
"Don't think escaping is shameful."
"The dead have no future."
"If you encounter someone you cannot defeat..."
"Leave."
"When you've grown stronger..."
"You can always come back."
Lin Sheng laughed softly.
"I'll remember that."
The Grand Elder waved his hand dismissively.
"Enough."
"This old man has said everything he wanted to."
"Go."
"The next time we meet..."
"I hope you'll have reached heights that even surprise me."
Lin Sheng bowed deeply.
"This disciple won't disappoint Grandmaster."
Turning around, he slowly left the cave abode.
As the formation behind him quietly closed, he couldn't help but glance back one last time.
During these few short days, his understanding of the Martial Dao had undergone another transformation.
He now knew there truly was a road beyond Astral Gang.
He had learned what Martial Will was.
He had also found the direction of his next journey.
His first thought after leaving was naturally to find his sister.
Unfortunately, after asking several members of Lin Yan's group, he learned that she had accompanied the Head Elder on family business and likely wouldn't return for several days.
Lin Sheng could only sigh helplessly.
"I wanted to tell her in person."
After thinking for a moment, he took out a Sound Transmission Jade.
Infusing it with spiritual qi, he left behind a brief message explaining that he intended to leave Dragon Yuan Mountain for some time to temper himself in the outside world before putting it away.
"She'll understand."
His next destination was Martial Guardian Zhao's residence.
After all, Guardian Zhao had guided him ever since he first entered Dragon Yuan Mountain.
Regardless of where he was going, it was only proper to say goodbye.
The two chatted for quite a while.
Guardian Zhao didn't ask many questions.
He simply reminded Lin Sheng to remain cautious, handed him a few maps of the Eastern Region and wished him a safe journey.
Only after leaving Guardian Zhao's courtyard did Lin Sheng finally return to his own immortal abode.
Closing the stone door behind him, he activated the surrounding formations before sitting cross-legged inside the meditation room.
The storage ring the Grand Elder had given him quietly rested in his palm.
A smile slowly appeared on Lin Sheng's face.
"Let's see..."
"...what kind of gift Grandmaster has prepared for me."