Chapter 340: Resolving Doubts

In the evening, the setting sun was blood‑red, casting its light over the slightly desolate lands of Yingchuan.

After days of marching, Cao Cao and his cavalry were exhausted, so he ordered a camp to be set up at a spot near water with relatively gentle terrain, to rest for a night before resuming the journey tomorrow.

Among his motives, he also harbored the subtle intention of getting more acquainted with the unexpectedly encountered Immortal Master.

At the camp's center, the bonfire crackled, its dancing flames driving away the night's chill.

Cao Cao sat by the fire, yet his gaze drifted involuntarily toward the nearby area.

He saw Yu Lin patiently teaching the little girl named Diao Chan how to turn the meat skewers in her hand and control the heat.

In the firelight, Yu Lin's expression was focused and calm, his breath restrained to the utmost; aside from his unusually handsome looks, not a single ripple of power leaked from his body, making him no different from a wealthy young master tutoring his younger sister.

Cao Cao thought to himself in amazement: "Is this the bearing of a celestial deity? Returning to simplicity, merging with the mundane—if one has not witnessed its marvels firsthand, who would dare claim this is the one who wields Chi Xiao and shakes Luoyang?"

After a moment of contemplation, sensing the right moment, he spoke proactively, his tone bearing just the right mix of respect and probing: "Immortal Master, your arrival in Yingchuan, a land of war and danger… is it for the Yellow Turban matter?"

He paused briefly, observed Yu Lin's expression, and continued, "Could it be that, seeing the turmoil of the divine realm and the suffering of the common folk, you wish to intervene and quell this disaster, restoring peace to the world?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Lin placed the perfectly roasted meat skewer into the eagerly awaiting Diao Chan's hand, then turned his head toward Cao Cao, first nodding, then shaking his head: "I came here indeed because of the Yellow Turban."

He shifted his tone: "But it is not to quell any Yellow Turban rebellion."

"I am merely here to observe."

"Suppressing the revolt and stabilizing the world are your affairs."

He lowered his gaze, watching the leaping flames, and uttered a sentence that made Cao Cao's spirit tremble slightly: "To me, both of your sides are no different; you are all merely sentient beings."

Cao Cao was first startled, then enlightened, and bowed deeply: "The Immortal Master speaks truly; I, Cao, have been thoughtless."

He realized that, to such a transcendent being, the Han Court or the Yellow Turban might merely be a ripple in a long river, the rise and fall of dynasties no more than a flick of the finger.

He even vaguely speculated that Yu Lin might be the Immortal Master who once presented the book to the High Ancestor and took Chi Xiao.

For such a figure, human authority and dynastic ambition are likely but fleeting clouds.

Perhaps he might intervene on a whim, but the earlier affront by Luoyang's Zhao Zhong and others has undoubtedly caused the Han Court to lose favor in his eyes.

Seeking his assistance is difficult.

Cao Cao, no longer tangled in this, swiftly and cleverly steered the conversation toward a direction he cared more about.

He showed a sincere expression of inquiry: "Not to hide from the Immortal Master, my family also has a bit of inheritance; I have occasionally dabbled in the Lian Qi Method on my own."

He sighed, lowering his posture further, "But lately in my cultivation, many doubts and obstacles arise; I cannot fathom them, and my progress is slow."

"Encountering the Immortal Master today is a three‑life blessing! May I dare to ask the Immortal Master to clear a few of my doubts?"

Yu Lin was not surprised that Cao Cao possessed the Lian Qi Method, for his family's foundation was deep; though not on par with Yuan Shao's four‑generation Three Dukes, it was still first‑rate.

Seeing Cao Cao's respectful attitude, earnest words, and the serendipity of their meeting, Yu Lin thought a few pointers would be fine.

He agreed: "If it is a cultivation doubt, speaking about it is no problem."

When Cao Cao saw Yu Lin's assent, he was overjoyed, quickly suppressing his excitement, and laid out, in clear order, the several key questions that had long tormented him like looking through gauze at fog.

These questions spanned qi‑circulation routes, heart‑spirit condensation, heaven‑earth resonance, and other aspects, indeed quite intricate, showing Cao Cao's diligent effort and great talent in cultivation.

Yu Lin, after listening, did not launch into a long discourse; he offered only a few words targeting the crux, perhaps a simple metaphor or a pointing out of a misconception.

Though brief, his words were each a pearl, striking at the source of the Dao, like a sharp sword cleaving fog, like a bright lamp illuminating the path ahead.

Cao Cao was initially a bit puzzled, but after a brief reflection felt as if thunder cracked in his mind, and the previously stagnant confusions suddenly clicked into place within those few words.

He could not help but clap his hands in admiration, his eyes flashing: "So that's it! Wonderful! Exquisite! The Immortal Master truly awakens the dreamer with a single phrase!"

When all his doubts vanished, Cao Cao felt his dantian become clear, and the qi around his body began to circulate faster of its own accord.

Suddenly, with him as the center, the bonfire's flames subtly drew inward, the surrounding air forming an invisible tiny vortex, drawing the qi of heaven and earth from all directions like countless rivers merging into the sea, continuously pouring into his body!

This process lasted about the time a incense stick burns, after which the invisible vortex slowly dissipated.

When Cao Cao opened his eyes again, the qi surrounding him had already changed dramatically!

No longer the previously sharp and outward, it became more settled and profound, like a great river flowing into a deep pool—calm on the surface yet harboring far greater power.

He had, under Yu Lin's few pointers, pierced the veil of confusion, climbed another hundred feet, and directly broken through a minor realm!

By today's Lian Qi standards, Cao Cao now ranks among the present masters, roughly comparable to the later so‑called 'Unblemished Realm.'

Yu Lin watched Cao Cao's newly refreshed qi and gave a slight nod.

Indeed, as a historic hegemon, his talent, insight, and temperament far surpass ordinary people.

If placed in a later era with a more refined system, dedicating a few decades to cultivation might well achieve the Tai Xu realm.

Cao Cao felt the surging power within and an unprecedented clarity, his heart stirred beyond words.

He suddenly rose, straightened his attire, and gave Yu Lin a deep bow almost to the ground, his voice filled with heartfelt gratitude and respect:

"Mengde, thank the Immortal Master for the favor of clearing my doubts! This grace and virtue I shall never forget!"

Yu Lin waved his hand: "No need."

"Sit down, don't disturb others' rest."

"If in the future you encounter her, just look after her a bit for me."

He pointed at Diao Chan.

"Yes." Cao Cao sat down, though in his heart he thought.

To look after Diao Chan?

Someone following Yu Lin needs care? Just learn some real skills… perhaps Diao Chan caring for him is about as good as it gets!

Anyway, with Yu Lin's words here.

In the future, making a connection would be nice… only she's too young.

Cao Cao looked at the young Diao Chan, his gaze tinged with regret.

Diao Chan, unaware of his thoughts, simply handed the roasted meat in her hand to Yu Lin:

"Brother, it's done!"