Chapter 42: Return

As I said before, Lin Yu’s manifestation on Tiantai Mountain was never merely an act of kindness.

He enlightened Sima Chengzhen precisely to see whether this foremost Daoist scholar of the age could use his knowledge and wisdom to help him refine and perfect this unique cultivation system.

If he succeeded, all the better; if not, he could still serve as a reference.

Either way, Lin Yu stood to gain nothing but benefit—why not do it?

As for the Spirit Seed, it is merely an inferior substitute for a Spirit Root, lacking the unique abilities inherent to true Spirit Roots; it can only grant the recipient the ability to absorb food and convert it into spiritual energy.

Lin Yu created the Spirit Seed primarily to further spread this system of power.

After all, Spirit Roots are too comprehensive—only Lin Yu can currently create them.

The Spirit Seed, however, is different: it is not a physical entity like a Spirit Root, but a magical matrix Lin Yu constructed within the human body using the meridian system and the Great Circulation.

Theoretically, anyone who possesses spiritual energy can bestow a Spirit Seed, provided they learn the method.

Of course, the method to construct a Spirit Seed is extraordinarily complex—even Yunye and Su Haoming today would likely fail, let alone Sima Chengzhen, who has only just gained qualification!

But nothing is absolute; Lin Yu eagerly awaited whether this Daoist master might surprise him.

For instance, by simplifying the method of constructing the Spirit Seed…

After bestowing the “Spirit Seed Chapter,” Lin Yu said calmly: “According to my calculations, the Tang Emperor will soon summon you to the capital to inquire about Yin-Yang numerology and state governance…”

Summon me to the capital?

Sima Chengzhen froze, then immediately bowed respectfully: “Yin-Yang numerology are trivial arts. I devote myself solely to the Dao, and my life’s purpose is to perfect this Internal Alchemy path!”

Lin Yu shook his head: “I reveal heavenly secrets not to dissuade you—on the contrary, this journey will bring you ample opportunities to refine your Internal Alchemy technique…”

“Moreover, if you encounter my White Jade Palace reincarnated True Lord on the way, befriend him—do not offend him.”

“I shall remember!” Sima Chengzhen nodded solemnly, then asked hesitantly, “But, True Lord, I am but a mortal—how am I to recognize a reincarnated True Lord?”

Lin Yu smiled: “That is simple. All who enter my White Jade Palace bear a piece of White Jade upon them. If you see such a jade pendant, it is surely another reincarnated True Lord of my White Jade Palace!”

As he spoke, Lin Yu pulled out a jade pendant and showed it to Sima Chengzhen.

Sima Chengzhen felt a pang of envy, thinking to himself how long it would be before he received such a pendant.

Pushing aside his distractions, he steadied his mind and carefully memorized the intricate patterns on the jade, then bowed deeply:

“Thank you, True Lord, for your guidance!”

“Good.”

Lin Yu gave a slight nod, then turned, hands behind his back, each step summoning clouds; in an instant, he vanished into the clouds, leaving only a celestial verse drifting softly from the sea of mist.

“Above lies the White Jade Capital, twelve towers, five cities. The Immortal strokes my crown, ties my hair, and bestows eternal life!”

Sima Chengzhen stood stunned, the image of the True Lord touching his head and implanting the Seed flashing in his mind.

“The Immortal strokes my crown, ties my hair, and bestows eternal life?”

Sima Chengzhen murmured the words several times, then drew a deep breath, tucked the “Spirit Seed Chapter” into his robe, and hurried down the mountain.

At the very least, he must first gather the Tiantai Sect disciples and erect a statue of the Universal True Lord to demonstrate their devotion!

…

…

With only ten minutes left until his return, Lin Yu finally returned to Chang’an.

At this moment, the County Magistrate’s residence held only Su Haoming alone.

Seeing this, Lin Yu stepped through the door and revealed himself.

“Big Brother Lin!”

Su Haoming’s face lit up as he hurried forward to greet him:

“Just one day apart—where have you been?”

“That’s a long story!”

Lin Yu smiled. “I’ve wandered through all three mountains and five peaks, all five lakes and four seas. I’ve encountered many interesting things—by now, word of them should reach Chang’an soon!”

“…Huh?”

Su Haoming stared at Lin Yu, bewildered.

Lin Yu paid no mind, glancing casually around, and soon spotted Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng in the county jail.

“No wonder your cousin isn’t here—he’s still in prison…”

“Was it the same in the original story?”

“Yes. What’s the charge this time?”

“What else? He offended those ministers who drink black tea!”

Su Haoming sighed softly: “As for the charges: Lu Lingfeng disobeyed the Crown Prince’s orders by leaving his residence without permission; my cousin was noticed by the Princess for this incident, but refused her recruitment—so he was punished and imprisoned.”

Lin Yu asked with interest: “What are you planning to do?”

Su Haoming replied as if it were obvious: “Of course, I’m doing nothing!”

He grinned. “I’ve already infiltrated the Princess’s mansion and overheard her plans—she intends to promote him outwardly while demoting him in reality, assigning him as Regional Commander of Nanzhou.”

“How convenient—I never intended to stay in the capital. Leaving Chang’an suits me perfectly!”

So the original timeline has resumed…

“What about Lu Lingfeng?”

“I don’t know!”

Su Haoming answered without hesitation.

Lin Yu was speechless—this guy cared only about Su Wuming’s fate.

“Enough about that,” Su Haoming said cheerfully. “Big Brother Lin, judging by the time, you’re about to return. You came to see me before leaving—surely you have something important to tell me?”

“Correct.”

Lin Yu nodded and explained his arrangements of the day to Su Haoming.

Su Haoming exclaimed: “In just one day, Big Brother Lin has accomplished so much!”

“So from now on, the Shangqing Tiantai Sect will be under our White Jade Palace’s influence?”

Lin Yu smiled: “Sima the old Daoist’s status in the Daoist world is far more than just the founder of the Tiantai Sect. He’s over seventy, his Dao is profound—he’s a master revered throughout the entire Daoist community.”

“Recruiting him is equivalent to recruiting the entire Daoist sect. In the future, as you travel the world, maintain close ties with him…”

As he spoke, he pulled out a Dao scripture and a jade pendant, handing them to Su Haoming.

“This is the ‘Spirit Seed Chapter’ and the jade pendant I mentioned earlier. The former allows you to bestow Spirit Seeds and expand your influence; the latter is crafted from my demonic jade—it symbolizes your identity as a True Lord.”

Su Haoming reached out and took them, sighing: “I owe Big Brother Lin another favor…”

Lin Yu chuckled. “What favor? If you feel guilty, just consider it working for me!”

Su Haoming paused, then brightened: “Don’t worry, Big Brother Lin—I won’t let you down. I’ll build up your influence for you!”

…

…

Soon after, the countdown in the chat group reached its end.

Amid a flash of silver light, Lin Yu returned to the Frieren world.

Having learned from his experience entering the Tang Gui world, this time Lin Yu made no resistance.

After all, he had already made his arrangements in that world—there was no need to risk its destruction by attempting to interfere.

Moreover, a trace of his consciousness still lingered within the jade pendant he gave Su Haoming!

That trace was exceedingly faint—too weak to even generate sentience.

Yet even so, it meant he had finally succeeded in smuggling himself in, evading both the chat group and the world’s awareness, forcibly remaining in that world!

Thinking of this, Lin Yu couldn’t help but smile.

He turned his gaze, as if it could pierce infinite void and see the Tang Gui world.

This was no exaggeration—it was an objective fact.

Lin Yu could indeed faintly sense the presence of that trace of consciousness.

Through their connection, he could even gradually pinpoint the spatial coordinates of the Tang Gui world.

How long this process would take, he had no idea.

But no matter what, having taken the first step meant reaching the other shore was merely a matter of time.

Besides this, another matter deeply concerned Lin Yu.

That was: this return brought back not only the Sacred Scripture, but also the body he had used for a day!

Lin Yu regarded the body before him thoughtfully.

After brief consideration, he decided to leave the Sacred Scripture behind, using it to indirectly control the body as a proxy, and personally implanted the latest Spirit Root into the body’s dantian, ensuring this proxy also embarked on the path of magical cultivation.

Having done this, Lin Yu stirred internally—not rushing to strengthen the proxy’s cultivation, but opening a portal, stepping into his inner universe for the first time in human form…

(End of Chapter)