Chapter 252: What Can You Give Me?

Zhao Fangxu would not give up and continued to try: "If you have any special requirements, please feel free to propose them. As long as it is within my power, I will certainly do my utmost to satisfy them."

"Can you give him whatever he wants?" Xiao Qing, standing to the side, suddenly interjected playfully, her eyes flashing with a cunning light. "What if the benefactor wants this world?"

This unexpected question left Zhao Fangxu at a loss. He had navigated the business world for many years, yet this was the first time he had encountered such a situation. Even the usually composed Xiao Bai could not help but smile, his eyes carrying a hint of mockery.

"I have said it before," Lin Xuan put down the teapot, his gaze as calm as water. "I will not join any organization. This decision will not change. A practitioner of the Dao should let their heart wander beyond the material world and should not be fettered by worldly affairs."

Zhao Fangxu looked into those deep eyes and finally understood that his efforts were in vain. Sighing, he could only bid farewell to Luo Daming and leave Baiyun Guan. Along the way, his mood was exceptionally complex. Not only had he failed to persuade Lin Xuan this time, but he had also felt an unprecedented sense of powerlessness.

Just as Zhao Fangxu's figure disappeared outside the mountain gate, Wang Ye and Zhuge Qing could not wait to come before Lin Xuan. Both of them had a strong desire for knowledge in their eyes.

"Lin Daozhang," Wang Ye began, his tone carrying a hint of urgency, "we still want to continue improving our strength. I wonder if you could provide some more guidance? The cultivation during this period has made me feel a brand-new realm."

Lin Xuan carefully examined the two of them, then immediately used his Qi to begin checking their physical conditions. His powerful perception allowed him to clearly see the changes in every meridian. A moment later, he withdrew his hand: "Your bodies have reached the limit for this stage. Continuing to force improvement will instead damage your foundations. Cultivation is like rowing a boat against the current; if you do not advance, you retreat, but one must not be overly impatient."

"But..." Wang Ye was somewhat unwilling, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes, "I always feel like something is still missing. It is as if there is a thin veil in the way; I seem to be able to see a higher realm, yet I cannot grasp it."

"Then that is something you must find for yourself," Lin Xuan's tone was peaceful, yet it carried the essence of the Great Dao being simple. "On the path of cultivation, there is only so much an outsider can do to help. The most crucial breakthrough must still rely on one's own realization. So-called heavenly secrets cannot be forced; everything should follow Nature."

Just at this moment, Feng Shayan walked over, expectation in her beautiful eyes: "Lin Daozhang, I want to enhance my use of spatial abilities. The cultivation during this period has made me understand that the power of space is the path most suited to me. I wonder if you could help?"

Lin Xuan pondered for a moment: "That is simple." As he spoke, he placed his palm on Feng Shayan's back, and a powerful surge of Qi began to pour into her meridians. This power was like a surging river, unstoppable.

"Ah!" Feng Shayan could not help but let out a cry of pain. The feeling was as if countless small knives were cutting inside her body, and every meridian was being forcibly widened. Cold sweat soon soaked her clothes.

"Endure it," Lin Xuan's voice remained calm. "To master the power of space, you must first let your meridians be able to withstand this power. This is a process of qualitative change; there are no shortcuts."

After nearly an hour of painful torment, Feng Shayan finally completed the transformation of her meridians. The moment she opened her eyes, her entire temperament had changed. She discovered with pleasant surprise that her ability to control space had undergone a qualitative leap. Previously, she could only make her fists traverse space, but now she could perform spatial jumps with her entire body at will.

"It's too amazing!" She excitedly performed several spatial transfers in place, each one more fluid than the last. "Lin Daozhang's methods are truly breathtaking! This feeling is simply incredible!"

Just as everyone was still immersed in this atmosphere, a young disciple dressed in Tang Sect attire hurried over. He held a beautifully carved brocade box in his hands, his expression respectful: "Lin Daozhang, my Sect Leader specifically had me bring this gift, and at the same time, he invites you once again to visit the Tang Sect. The Sect Leader says that everyone in the Tang Sect looks forward to seeing your demeanor."

Lin Xuan was just about to speak when he suddenly received an urgent message from Er Zhuang. Traces of some Japanese devils had appeared in the Northeast; the situation was critical and needed to be dealt with as soon as possible.

"Just in time," a thought stirred in Lin Xuan's heart, and his eyes became sharp. "On the way to the Tang Sect, I will deal with those petty scoundrels along the way. It is time to teach these people a lesson."

Thinking of this, he said to the Tang Sect disciple: "Very well, I will make a trip to the Tang Sect this time."

The Tang Sect disciple was overjoyed upon hearing this and thanked him repeatedly, as if he had received a tremendous benefit.

Before long, the Tang Sect messenger walked quickly into the council hall, so excited he nearly bumped into the door frame. He knelt on the ground, his voice trembling slightly from excitement: "Sect Leader, Lin Daozhang has agreed! He said he will come to visit the Tang Sect in a few days. And..." he paused, "Lin Daozhang said he is very interested in our alchemy."

This news exploded in the council hall like a bombshell. Tang Miaoxing's hand shook slightly, and his precious purple clay teacup nearly slipped from his grasp. He took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart: "Truly? Did he really say that?"

"It is absolutely true!" The messenger nodded repeatedly. "Lin Daozhang said he happens to want to discuss a few questions regarding alchemy with us."

Tang Miaoxing stood up and paced back and forth in the hall. The plan for the Nine Dragons Awakening the World Map was originally a risky move, but he had not expected the effect to be this good. Thinking of this, he suddenly stopped his steps: "Prepare for the reception immediately! Clear out the Ancestral Hall as well, and also..." he looked around at the Elders, "organize all the alchemy recipes left behind by the past Sect Leaders."

"Sect Leader," Great Elder Zhang Ci could not help but remind him, "those alchemy recipes are the foundation of our Tang Sect..."

"I know." Tang Miaoxing interrupted him, a flash of sharpness appearing in his eyes. "But the opportunity is rare. If we can receive Lin Daozhang's insights, it is worth paying some price."

At the same time, the graduation ceremony at Nanbukai Daxue was crowded with people. Zhang Chulan wore his bachelor's gown, looking at the graduation certificate in his hand with complex emotions. Four years of university life was neither long nor short, but it had indeed made him grow a lot.

"Lao Zhang!" Feng Baobao came bouncing over, still in that innocent and naive manner. "Come, come, let's take a photo!"

Looking at Feng Baobao's silly appearance, Zhang Chulan felt a warmth in his heart. This simple girl would probably never know about the various changes that had recently occurred in the Outsider world. Especially the movements over at Baiyun Guan, which had already made the entire Outsider world jittery.

Just as he was thinking this, a familiar voice came: "What are you thinking about, so absorbed?"

Zhang Chulan turned his head and saw that Xu Si was already standing behind him at some point, holding an exquisite gift box in his hand.