Chapter 57: Goodbye

Wang Yu, in a daze, felt shadowy figures moving before him, asking him questions—whether he was a disciple of the Dark Soul Sect, and why he had appeared here.

In a half-sleep, half-awake state, he answered truthfully without thinking, then something was fed into his mouth, and he lost consciousness entirely.

Much time passed—perhaps two or three days, perhaps four or five.

Wang Yu suddenly sat up on a large bed, startled as he surveyed his surroundings.

It was a tidy side room; besides the comfortable bed beneath him, it held various delicate furnishings, and even a potted unknown pink flower stood by the window.

Outside the window, sunlight shone brightly, and crisp bird songs echoed.

Where am I?

Wang Yu swiftly checked his belongings and found both storage bags intact, every one of his artifacts still present—only then did he feel slightly at ease.

He then leapt from the bed, intending to walk to the window and take a look outside.

At that moment, footsteps suddenly sounded outside, and the door burst open as two people entered.

The one in front was a stunning woman in a long purple gown; behind her walked a petite girl in a short-sleeved green dress, holding a wooden tray.

“Linglong.”

Wang Yu, seeing the fairy-like face of the purple-gowned woman, blurted out her name.

“You’ve finally woken up. Drink some meat broth first, replenish your strength—after all, you haven’t eaten in days.”

Yin Linglong, seeing Wang Yu had gotten out of bed, smiled on her milky-white face and gestured to the girl behind her.

“Young Master Wang, please partake of your meal.”

The green-dressed girl stepped forward quickly and offered the wooden tray with both hands, stealing curious glances at the tall young man before her.

Wang Yu glanced at the tray: a large bowl held creamy-white broth, emitting a rich meaty aroma.

“This can wait—first tell me where I am, what happened, how did I end up… gurgle… gurgle…” Wang Yu waved his hand, urgently questioning Yin Linglong, but halfway through, his stomach let out a loud rumble.

“Giggle.”

Seeing this, Yin Linglong laughed until her shoulders shook.

Wang Yu grinned awkwardly, grabbed the large bowl, and drained the broth in one gulp, then placed the empty bowl back on the tray.

“Xiao Mei, you may leave,” Yin Linglong instructed the girl.

The green-dressed girl replied and backed out of the room, still holding the tray.

“This is Cuiyun Mountain, where the Yin family’s ancestral home stands. You’re here because of this Yin family token.”

“Two days ago, a disciple from the Four Symbols Sect who knew the Yin family brought you here, saying you were caught in the backlash of Tianchan the Elder’s spiritual beast at Guangyuan Market, your soul temporarily falling into slumber—recovering in a few days.” Yin Linglong pointed at the black ring on Wang Yu’s finger, her smile fading.

“So that’s it. I suppose I was lucky—if not for this token, I’d never have made it to the Yin family so easily.” Wang Yu nodded, having suspected as much.

“So you didn’t meet Wu the Blacksmith at Guangyuan Market?” Yin Linglong caught something in his tone, slightly surprised.

“No. When I reached Guangyuan Market, Wu the Blacksmith had just died from a furnace explosion.” Wang Yu gave a bitter smile.

“Really? Wu the Blacksmith was a mortal, but he’d always been loyal to our Yin family. I never expected him to die like this. Even if this hadn’t happened, when the Black Soul Sect invaded, he’d have had little chance of survival.” Yin Linglong sighed at this.

“Linglong, how is Guangyuan Market now? Why did the Black Soul Sect cross borders to invade? Isn’t Tianchan the Elder a Golden Core elder of the Four Symbols Sect?” Wang Yu could no longer hold back his questions.

“I don’t know the current state of Guangyuan Market or why the Black Soul Sect invaded. But the news we received from the Yin family suggests more than just the Black Soul Sect has mobilized—this isn’t limited to Guangyuan Market alone.”

“Also, a Golden Core-level battle erupted outside the Four Symbols Sect’s main gate—rumor says it destroyed nearly half the sect’s grounds.” Yin Linglong replied gravely.

“Golden Core battle.”

Wang Yu sucked in a sharp breath.

Before, he had no real sense of what the Golden Core realm meant—but he had personally experienced the spiritual beast’s power of Tianchan the Elder; its might was unfathomable.

“Though such a monumental event occurred, it has no immediate impact on our Yin family—in fact, in some ways, it brings advantages.” Yin Linglong seemed to recall something, and her smile returned.

“Advantages?”

“Yes. If a sect-level conflict truly breaks out, the Four Symbols Sect may temporarily lower its entry requirements and open up some resources to affiliated factions, to rapidly strengthen their side—this has happened before.” Yin Linglong spoke with certainty.

“So joining the Four Symbols Sect will be easier now.” Wang Yu fell into thought.

“Likely. But your spiritual roots can’t be too poor. By the way, you should have already condensed your spiritual roots—what element?” Yin Linglong nodded, her eyes like autumn water, filled with anticipation.

“Water, fire, metal, wind—four spiritual roots, but my fire root is top-grade.” Wang Yu spoke frankly, with no concealment.

“Four spiritual roots, with an anomalous root, and a top-grade one!” Yin Linglong froze at this.

“Heh, that was exactly my expression when I first tested mine.” Wang Yu chuckled at her reaction.

“Excellent. Even with four roots, your top-grade fire root alone, combined with your bloodline talent, makes your admission to the Four Symbols Sect almost certain. Now, if the Yin family uses our family token, we can summon a Four Symbols Sect official directly to conduct your entrance test—you’ll become a sect disciple.” Yin Linglong’s smile bloomed like a thousand flowers, radiant and breathtaking.

“Before that, aren’t there still some things we haven’t done?” Wang Yu stared at the woman’s exquisite face, speaking almost involuntarily.

“What haven’t we done? You mean… are you thinking of something lewd again?” The stunning woman blinked, then blushed deeply and spat lightly at him.

“I’m not thinking anything improper. Didn’t you say that upon arriving at the Yin family, I must first pay respects to your ancestors, then marry you formally, before I’m truly considered an adopted son-in-law?” Wang Yu said solemnly.

“The ancestral rites and the wedding must be completed before the sect official arrives. Rest here for now—I still need to prepare, and perhaps persuade a few Yin elders.” Yin Linglong’s smile faded as she spoke slowly.

“Linglong, will there be trouble? Do I need to do anything?” Wang Yu sensed something, his eyes flickering.

“No need. Don’t worry—this won’t take long. I am the current head of the Yin family, and the highest cultivator here. Even if someone has other ideas, do they really think I, Yin Linglong, am a puppet?” The stunning woman declared with pride.