Chapter 2839 Emerging from Seclusion

That day, within Lin Xun’s dwelling, the Limitless Abyss Cauldron floated quietly before him. This ancient vessel radiated solemnity and might, yet compared to the past, its form now shimmered with an ethereal, crystal-like brilliance, as though strands of temporal light flowed upon its surface.

Within the cauldron, clouds and mists churned, light and shadow intertwined, countless dao laws drifted, and ripples of temporal power spread outward into the air. Its divine aura had undergone a significant transformation. It was no longer what it once was, but something far deeper and more unfathomable.

Lin Xun’s eyes shone with astonishment.

For the past three years, he had entered the Realm of Exile almost every day, tempering the Limitless Abyss Sword Cauldron beside the Flow of Time. Each session, he would cultivate there for long hours, allowing the cauldron to absorb more of the power of time, day by day.

At the same time, the consumption of Divine Magnetic Iron had been astonishing. The hundred thousand pounds of Divine Magnetic Iron he had originally collected were exhausted in less than a month. Fortunately, by refining the Divine Magnetic Mountain, Lin Xun obtained more than three million pounds of Divine Magnetic Iron, and that allowed him to forge the Limitless Abyss Sword Cauldron into its current, transcendent state.

Divine Magnetic Iron, imbued with Primordial Magnetic Force, was uniquely suited to bear the weight of time. After refining such huge quantities of this power, the Limitless Abyss Sword Cauldron, both inside and out, brimmed with the aura of time itself.

Even without unleashing its full might, the sword cauldron already exuded a crushing pressure. Ordinary cultivators would be utterly incapable of moving it, let alone resisting its weight. It was simply too heavy, tempered from millions of pounds of Divine Magnetic Iron and suffused in the power of time itself. Even cultivators of the same realm would find it almost impossible to command.

“Before, I could only use the Time Stopping power to freeze my foes and strike them down afterward. But now...with the sword cauldron, I can unleash that same power directly, sealing time itself while delivering the killing blow!” Lin Xun’s eyes gleamed.

Not only could the cauldron unleash Time Stopping, but it could also channel the two forbidden divine powers, the Blade of Time and the Gate of Exile. Once wielded in battle, its destructive potential would be beyond imagination.

After quietly attuning himself to the Limitless Abyss Sword Cauldron for a long while, Lin Xun opened his mouth, and the sword cauldron instantly turned into a ray of light, vanishing into his body.

“It’s been nine years...I wonder what’s become of the sect in all this time.” He murmured, rising to his feet and stretching slightly.

These nine years had been peaceful and fulfilling for him. Besides cultivation, whenever he found a spare moment, he would chat with Xia Zhi within the Limitless Abyss Sword Cauldron.

He had promised Xia Zhi that once his confinement ended, he would ask the sect to let her remain by his side under the pretext of taking her as his disciple, so that she would no longer have to hide in the sword cauldron. Moreover, with the title of disciple of the Origin Sect, even if he were to leave on his own, she would remain safe.

After a brief rest, Lin Xun once again crossed his legs and sank into meditation. Nine years had passed, yet his cultivation remained at the initial Nirvana Spirit Stage. His progress had been painfully slow.

The reason was simple: he lacked law power! At this stage, refining law power was the key to advancement; the more one mastered, the faster one’s dao foundation grew.

Despite that, Lin Xun felt no urgency. With his current foundation, once his confinement was lifted, he would have countless chances to seek out and subdue law powers.

......

Three months later, Tao Leng arrived at Lin Xun’s dwelling to inform him the period of confinement had ended.

“How do you feel?” he asked with a smile.

“Not bad.” Lin Xun replied, his lips curving faintly. He invited Tao Leng inside, brought out some fine wine and they drank together as conversation flowed. Gradually, he began to learn about what had transpired over the past nine years.

During this time, no one in the sect shone brighter than Divine Son Yuan Changtian. In just nine short years, his cultivation had soared to the pinnacle of the Nirvana Spirit Stage, and it was a pace so terrifying that many found it hard to believe.

In addition, Elder Zheng Qian of the Ninth Peak had been stripped of his position and thrown into the Prison of Repentance for a thousand years.

Lin Xun was taken aback by the news, but Tao Leng chuckled and explained that the entire affair had been orchestrated by Peak Master Qin Wuyu. He himself had merely gone along with the tide. In short, Lin Xun hadn’t needed to lift a finger and Zheng Qian had already been brought down.

After all, with Lin Xun’s current standing, powerful figures like Qin Wuyu and Tao Leng were more than willing to act on his behalf.

𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

However, when Tao Leng mentioned Xuan Feiling, his smile faded, replaced by a trace of concern.

“A few years ago, word came from the Ninth Heaven Domain. A powerful figure there expressed the wish for Deputy Pavilion Master Xuan to go cultivate there.” Tao Leng said in a low voice. “Although Deputy Pavilion Master Xuan refused, rumors have been spreading in the sect. I fear he may soon be forced to accept the decree.”

Lin Xun’s eyes narrowed. “Who is this so-called powerful figure from the Ninth Heaven Domain? What right do they have to meddle in the affairs of our Origin Sect?”

“It’s said to be connected to the Divine Yuan Clan. Apparently one of the Yuan Clan’s ancestral elders was a close friend of our sect’s founding patriarch. Whether that’s true or not, I can’t say.” Tao Leng lowered his voice. “But one thing is certain...The Yuan Clan’s true aim is to pave the way for Yuan Changtian.

“This boy has already reached the pinnacle of the Nirvana Spirit Stage, and is only one step away from Transcendence. Once he breaks through, he’ll undoubtedly set his sights on the position of deputy pavilion master!

“If Deputy Pavilion Master Xuan leaves, the timing couldn’t be more perfect for him.” Lin Xun frowned. “Each of the three pavilions has nine elders, most of whom are at the Transcendence Stage, and some have even reached their pinnacle. Even if Deputy Pavilion Master Xuan leaves, it shouldn’t fall to a ‘newcomer’ like him.”

“For Yuan Changtian, there’s hardly any real competition.” Tao Leng said coldly. “Take our Origin Sky Pavilion, for instance. Once Deputy Pavilion Master Xuan Feiling leaves, the remaining two deputy pavilion masters are both firmly on Yuan Changtian's side. With their full support, the moment Yuan Changtian attains Transcendence, he’ll surely take Deputy Pavilion Master Xuan’s place.”

Lin Xun nodded slightly. “If that’s the case, then it truly is troublesome.”

Tao Leng hesitated for a moment before saying, “Brother, I do have a suggestion. If you ever get the chance to contend for an elder’s seat, you could challenge Yuan Changtian. If you manage to take his position, he’ll have no path left to the deputy pavilion master post.”

Lin Xun replied calmly, “I wouldn’t mind doing that. But if he refuses to accept the challenge...things could get complicated.”

Tao Leng couldn’t help but sigh, “You’re right about that.”

Lin Xun remained composed. “I’ll speak to Deputy Pavilion Master Xuan about this personally. No matter what, I can’t let Yuan Changtian have his way.”

The two continued talking for a while longer before Tao Leng finally took his leave. Afterward, Lin Xun stepped out of his dwelling and made his way straight to Xuan Feiling’s residence.

Wild Cloud Abode.

As though he had long anticipated Lin Xun’s visit, Xuan Feiling was already waiting inside when Lin Xun arrived.

Before Lin Xun could speak, Xuan Feiling said evenly, “You cannot meddle in the affairs of the Ninth Heaven Domain. So even if you ask, I won’t tell you a thing.”

Lin Xun was stunned for a moment then asked, “Elder...do you really have to leave?”

A faint smile touched Xuan Feiling’s lips. “I don’t have to, but I’ve long intended to make a trip to the Ninth Heaven Domain. If, along the way, I can take that final step and break through...all the better.”

He had already reached the pinnacle of the Transcendence Stage and was just one step away from the Eternal Realm. If he could break through, it would naturally mark the beginning of his journey on the Eternity Path.

This answer caught Lin Xun by surprise. “Elder, aren’t you worried about being bullied?”

“Hahaha!” Xuan Feiling laughed heartily. “The Ninth Heaven Domain may be home to Eternal Divine Clans, but it’s still an unimaginably vast world. With my cultivation, the only beings capable of bullying me are those old monsters of the Eternal Stage. Besides, if I dare to go, it means I’m well prepared. I’m not foolish enough to go courting disaster. Boy, save your worrying for yourself.”

He spoke as though nothing in the world could trouble him. Lin Xun fell silent. He knew too little of the Ninth Heaven Domain to argue. After a pause, he asked, “Then...when do you plan to leave, Elder?”

Xuan Feiling seemed to see straight through him. “You intend to stop Yuan Changtian from seizing the position of deputy pavilion master before I depart, don’t you?”

Lin Xun nodded. “Of course.”

“That will be no easy task. Even if you succeed in becoming a deputy pavilion master, your enemies will be old foxes like Fu Wenli and Qi Xiaoyun. In addition there’s old monsters like Yuan Xiliu, Chi Wen, and Tang Qiu... Once you stir that nest, the trouble will be endless.”

“Elder, do you think I’m afraid of a little trouble?” Lin Xun asked in response.

Xuan Feiling paused, taken aback, then sighed, “You’re still only at the initial Nirvana Spirit Stage. The road to Transcendence is a long one. And I...will remain in the Origin Sect for no more than thirty years.”

Thirty years!

Lin Xun’s heart sank. Even with his talent, even if he amassed vast amounts of law power, thirty years was still far too short to guarantee a breakthrough to the Transcendence Stage.

After a moment’s thought, Lin Xun said, “Elder, before you leave, I still want to give it a try.”

Xuan Feiling’s gaze grew solemn. “Haste makes waste. Too much is as bad as too little. The dao cannot be forced. If you allow impatience or obsession to take root in your heart, it will only hinder your path.

“Besides, it’s merely a deputy pavilion master’s seat. It can’t change much. My advice is not to rush into competing with Yuan Changtian, but rather to set your sights on the future...on the position of pavilion master of the Origin Clarity Pavilion.”

After hearing this, Lin Xun smiled faintly, “It’s only a try. If I fail, I can always compete again later.” He appeared calm and unruffled. However, beneath that composure burned an unshakable will.

Xuan Feiling studied him for a long moment before letting out a deep sigh. “If that unfilial grandson of mine possessed even half your ambition and courage, I’d gladly trade ten thousand years of my life for it.”

He was, of course, speaking of Xuan Jiuyin.

Lin Xun replied softly, “The great dao holds countless paths. He doesn’t need to walk the same road as I do. As long as he follows his heart, that’s enough.”

Xuan Feiling waved a hand dismissively. “This’s what we call being disappointed that iron won’t turn to steel. When you have children and grandchildren of your own, you’ll understand this feeling.”

After a brief pause, he continued, his tone softening, “Since you’ve already made your decision, I won’t try to dissuade you further. In the years to come, I’ll do everything within my power to support you.”

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he smiled. “Not long ago, the higher-ups of the sect reached a unanimous decision. You, together with four other Immortals, will represent the Origin Sect in the upcoming Immortal Dao Battle to be held at the Shaman Sect Ancestral Court.”