Chapter 41: Three Thousand Years Ago, Three Thousand Years Later

"Spirit Clan?!"

Lin Chuan stared wide-eyed, his tongue tied.

"That's right," Lin Yangyang blinked, "sigh, the so‑called Spirit Clan is just a name they gave themselves; in fact they're a bunch of half‑demons, nothing surprising."

Lin Chuan hoped it was a coincidence, but it was clearly not.

The half‑demons causing trouble in Youliang County act just like the early Spirit Clan in Forbidden Love.

There must be some connection between the two.

Interaction between reality and dreams is inevitable, and Lin Chuan already knows that.

What needs to be clarified now is the relationship among the Perfect Female Demon Lord, the Heir of Jianghu, the three dream‑reincarnation worlds of Forbidden Love, and the Nine‑phase World.

In the Forbidden Love dream‑reincarnation, he obtained an important clue: beyond the Tianyuan Continent lies the Nine‑phase World.

Thus, the three dream‑reincarnation worlds may all be small realms attached to the Nine‑phase World.

Perhaps there are deviations.

Lin Chuan considers himself a novice; his grasp of this vast world is still shallow, and it's possible the three worlds exist in other forms.

Lin Yangyang smiled, "The Demon-slaying Office has invited us to capture the rebellious Spirit Clan. Do you think we should accept?"

Lin Chuan thought for a moment, nodded, "Of course we should accept."

Lin Yangyang was surprised, "Aren't you averse to conflicts? This isn't a small matter; getting involved could make it impossible to get out."

Lin Chuan's goal was simple: since the Spirit Clan has appeared, follow the lead; there might be an unexpected boon.

Come to think of it, I'm also an ancient ancestor of the Spirit Clan!

If the Spirit Clan causing trouble in Youshui County truly shares the same origin as the dream‑reincarnation Spirit Clan, it would actually be a boost for him.

If that's the case, it means the reflections from the dream‑reincarnation into reality aren't limited to the rewards the system grants,

the entire reincarnation world is a massive treasure for him.

Such a boon must be clarified!

Of course, one can't say that about one's own sister.

Lin Chuan said solemnly, "Sister, look, the Demon-slaying Office is what kind of force? It's a cultivator organization directly under imperial authority,"

"Across the Great Yan Dynasty, who wouldn't give face to the Demon-slaying Office?"

"If we forge good relations with the Demon-slaying Office, the road ahead will broaden."

Lin Chuan analyzed briefly.

He and Lin Yangyang were instantly on the same page,

"It seems we siblings are in sync; I think the same. As long as we get along with the Demon-slaying Office, the Lin Family Trading House won't worry about development."

The current strength of the brother‑sister pair already equals that of a third‑rank Demon-slaying Envoy of the Demon-slaying Office; their status isn't low.

After all, the highest rank for a resident Demon-slaying Envoy in a county town is only fifth‑rank.

Lin Chuan asked, "When does the Demon-slaying Office want us to report back?"

"There's no specific time requirement."

Lin Yangyang said, "The people of the Demon-slaying Office said that if we're willing to help, we should go to the county town, complete the assessment registration, and we'll obtain the title of civilian Exorcist."

"Becoming an Exorcist has many benefits: not only can one receive official rations, but actions become much freer, and local officials will accommodate them."

In short, Demon-slaying Envoys have imperial permission to act first and report later.

Civilian Exorcists are slightly weaker, yet still enjoy far more privileges than ordinary government officials.

This is a means for the court to attract civilian cultivators.

Thus, it reduces civilian chaos while strengthening the court's power; the price is merely some cultivation resources, so the court gladly accepts.

"Then, pick a day and let's go to the county town."

Lin Chuan has often wanted to use the Great Yan court's power to solve his own predicament; with only she alone, it's impossible to negotiate with the Spirit Clan's higher‑ups.

In the short term, he won't re‑enter any dream‑reincarnation.

The dream's reflection of reality adds many considerations for him; it's no longer pure enjoyment, and he now bears an extra responsibility.

Even if he activates a dream, he can no longer pair with a beauty.

Just Yun Zhi Yi, Mo Sangyu, and Tu Shan Jiao Jiao alone are enough to give him a headache; another would be unbearable.

The next dream‑reincarnation must be considered carefully.

……

A distant land, Tian Yuan Zhou.

The Spirit Clan's sacred site, Wu You Shan.

Majestic ancient structures tower atop the mountain range, shrouded in mist, with thousands of auspicious ribbons fluttering.

At the highest peak that pierces the clouds, two lifelike statues stand proudly at the summit, overlooking all other mountains.

Below the statues lies a grand hall resplendent in gold and jade.

Its name—Spirit Divine Hall.

Each generation's hall master holds a status equal to the Spirit Clan's clan chief; the two check each other to prevent one side from dominating.

This is the foundation of the Spirit Clan's development.

At the highest point of the Spirit Divine Hall, two brilliant destiny tablets float.

The two tablets represent the Spirit Clan's first clan chief Ye Xue and the first hall master Tu Shan Yue Ming's life states.

These two are also the current strongest of the Spirit Clan.

Further down are many more destiny tablets—some shattered, some dim, and many still bright.

The light emitted by the tablets is all drawn toward a Soul Lamp on the table.

In front of the hall, an elderly man with graying hair sits with his eyes half‑closed, resting, as the Soul Lamp on the table suddenly brightens considerably.

Elder suddenly opened his eyes, gazing at the lit Soul Lamp, his face full of disbelief.

"Lit?"

"The Soul Lamp of the Tushan Ancestor has lit!!"

The aging elder was, at that moment, as happy as a child.

Swish swish swish!

In an instant, a dozen figures descended one after another, landing outside Ling Shen Dian, their expressions mirroring the elder's, incredulous.

Those who can descend upon Ling Shen Dian are all high‑ranking Clan Elders of the Spirit Clan, holding great prestige in the world.

But upon seeing the lit Soul Lamp, these Clan Elders either wept with joy, wore a heavy expression, or stood dumbfounded.

It shows how shocking this scene was to them.

"Three thousand years have passed!"

"A full three thousand years! The Soul Lamp of the Tushan Ancestor has lit again!"

"Quick! Quickly go ask the Second Ancestor to emerge!"

The Second Ancestor they speak of is the First Hall Master of Ling Shen Dian, also the sole offspring of Wu You and the Tushan Ancestor—Tu Shan Yue Ming.

The other Second Ancestor is the First Clan Chief of the Spirit Clan, Ye Xue.

"Wait!"

One elder furrowed his brow and said, "Second Ancestor Yue Ming is nearing the end of his lifespan, in the crucial stage of seclusion; he must not be disturbed."

This person is the current Spirit Clan Deputy Hall Master of the Heroic Hall, a highly placed figure.

"Then what shall we do?"

The crowd looked at each other in bewilderment.

"First, find Ancestor Ye Xue."

The Deputy Hall Master sighed, "Although Ancestor Ye Xue has never involved herself in Heroic Hall affairs, now is a critical moment; we have no choice but to seek her."

The party rushed straight toward the mountain peak where Ye Xue resides.

"Is the Second Ancestor present?"

"The Soul Lamp of the Tushan Ancestor has lit; for reasons unknown, we request the Second Ancestor to descend the mountain and clarify!"

A group of old men and women knelt before the Mountain Gate, shouting for the Second Ancestor; this scene left an extremely strong impact on the younger members of the Spirit Clan.

There was no response from the mountain.

Despite the Spirit Clan's myriad pleas, there was still no movement.

The Deputy Hall Master felt a bad omen in his heart.

Ancestor Yue Ming is already near his end; presumably Ancestor Ye Xue is similar. If Ye Xue encounters a mishap during seclusion, it would be a huge loss for the Spirit Clan.

After numerous requests went unanswered, the Deputy Hall Master bowed his head, murmuring, "Second Ancestor, I have offended you."

Having said that, he stepped toward the Mountaintop.