Chapter 122: Hidden Dragon Lurks in the Abyss

Soon afterward.

In a supremely prosperous immortal city-state of the Chengyuan Immortal Sect.

This place teemed with life.

Looking around, many Outer Sect Disciples and Disciple-Servants below the Grotto-Heaven rank had settled here, building homes. Even some Outer Sect Disciples who had rendered great service to the sect had brought their families to take root here.

Under the misty clouds, merchants came and went like clouds.

Seated cross-legged within a treasure-selling establishment, Qiao Xiaoyun’s body glowed with a faint blue light. It illuminated her surroundings with a bright, hazy radiance. The indistinct sound of deep, surging waves crashing could be heard.

A moment later, a three-foot luminous glow faintly emerged from her crown. It coalesced and dispersed into a spirit pearl the size of a ping-pong ball. Yet, it seemed to pulse faintly, like something alive.

This was the Profound Kun Dark Spirit condensed from the profound Mysterious Abyss Sutra within the Chengyuan Immortal Sect’s thirteen Earth Immortal Dao methods.

Beside her, four small three-legged bronze cauldrons released water-attribute essence that rose like thin smoke. It was being absorbed by that Profound Kun Dark Spirit.

That was the most expensive Oceanic Whale Essence – supremely effective for stabilizing the Dark Spirit and purifying magical power.

Often, just a small spoonful could make cultivation efforts twice as effective. Yet Qiao Xiaoyun was burning four cauldrons worth simultaneously… a display of extraordinary extravagance.

As the qi energy within her circulated, gradually approaching completion, Qiao Xiaoyun frowned slightly and opened her eyes.

She was still dissatisfied. Compared to her time in the Xuanzhen Abode, this speed remained significantly slower.

That water-attributed spirit spring within the Xuanzhen Abode was truly a paramount treasure for cultivation support.

A flash of resentment crossed her thoughts. Just then, her expression moved. A jade talisman flew in through the window and instantly appeared before her.

“They failed? And now they ask me to take temporary refuge in the Primordial Sea?”

A flicker of embarrassment and displeasure lit in Qiao Xiaoyun’s eyes. However, after much consideration, she ultimately decided to follow the arrangements laid out for her.

The Chengyuan Immortal Sect was currently making preparations to open branch abbeys in several Spiritual Vein hubs.

The Primordial Sea branch was particularly crucial. It wasn’t merely about the struggle for Fortune over a portion of the waters; it also intertwined with a specific lineage legacy. If prepared well in advance, obtaining significant gains might be difficult, but securing some advantages would be easy.

This was also an opportunity, a way to temporarily avoid the opponent’s peak.

Qiao Xiaoyun sighed softly. Her gaze swept over the luxurious decorations surrounding her. Even with the formidable backing of the Qiao Family, she still couldn’t quite match that insignificant loner.

This feeling made her doubt – herself – for the first time.

A trace of regret flitted through her heart. If she had listened to her sister, the True Person Shuguang, back then, her current situation might have been different.

She’d heard that big sister had obtained a considerable amount of Heavenly One True Water from exchanging with that person. Her Life-Bound Treasure had already ascended to a higher level.

However, this thought vanished quickly. She bit her pink lip, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.

“Someday, you WILL fall into my hands!”

Pulling herself from these thoughts, Qiao Xiaoyun rose. She prepared to leave the immortal city-state, requesting to be transferred to participate in the branch abbey and the efforts to establish the new abode.

…

Not just the little loose ends within the Chengyuan Immortal Sect, but traces in many sects and organizations were vanishing at remarkable speed.

Wenchang County, within Xinyi Ward.

When Lin Yuan returned to Lin Manor, he found it brightly lit, seeming undisturbed. Lin Yuan quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

No harm had befallen Lin Manor!

But when his gaze swept towards the direction of Haitang Manor, a flicker of peculiarity crossed Lin Yuan’s expression.

Within his Innate Dharma Eye, he saw the lush green mountain had grown even more magnificent. A faint force, resembling that of dragon and tiger energy, was gathering. Where the mountain chain was once twisted, broken, and discontinuous, now its earth energy flowed unimpeded. Dragon Qi was stirring and giving birth. Within it, a small dragon was taking form.

Lin Manor’s common red-and-white Feng Shui layout had transformed into that of a Hidden Dragon pattern.

Moreover, wisps of Green-Purple Dragon Qi, intimately familiar to him, emanated from its heart.

His eyes filled with strange light, Lin Yuan descended and walked towards the Lin Family residence in Xinyi Ward.

Guards at the gate quickly recognized Lin Yuan, the Immortal who had emerged from Lin Manor. Instantly, the entire Lin Manor erupted into commotion and became lively.

Hearing the news, numerous clan members hurried over. Lin Manor turned into a sea of joyful celebration.

As if their anchor, their pillar, had finally returned!

Even relatives from the branch lineages displayed immense delight.

The unity and influence of the clan were visibly potent.

After his return, Lin Yuan first paid respects to the Matriarch Madame Liu and his mother, Lady Li. Only afterward did he go to meet the family patriarch, Lin Chengzong.

Within the great hall.

Lin Chengzong’s expression was cool and detached. He took a sip from his teacup before casting a sidelong glance at Lin Yuan. Seeing the old man adopt the mannerisms of a stern feudal patriarch, Lin Yuan inwardly chuckled.

The old man’s eyes, brimming with worry, had already betrayed his true feelings.

Lin Yuan sat down in another grand master chair nearby and asked directly:

“Old Master, just tell me plainly. What exactly happened to Big Brother?”

Lin Yuan’s gaze held solemnity as he looked over.

In his memory, his elder brother, Lin Min, was a rather easy-going person. He possessed scholarly spirit, held upright values, enjoyed making friends, and was truly kind to Lin Yuan and their second brother. Every time he returned from his scholarly journeys, he would eagerly share tales of customs, human affairs, and places he’d visited throughout the lands.

Lin Chengzong took a letter from his sleeve. Lin Yuan casually took it. His gaze abruptly lifted to Lin Chengzong, now filled with strangeness.

“He got engaged with a young lady from a major family? And is exhibiting abnormal behavior—!”

Lin Yuan’s expression turned deeply peculiar. Lin Min had long passed the age of adulthood.

By the standards of other families, he should have been married with children by now.

It was already unusual that this eldest brother, defying convention, remained single past adulthood.

Thus, this engagement shouldn’t have been that strange.

Lin Chengzong spoke coolly, “I sent quite a few experts to watch over your big brother. Several have recently gone missing!”

Stroking his long beard, the old man fixed his eyes on Lin Yuan. His implication was clear: there had to be something seriously wrong here.

Lin Yuan’s heart sank slightly.

He recalled the ambushes he had faced on his return journey, a chill rising within him.

Still, seeing that Lin Min had managed to send this letter back eased Lin Yuan’s worry somewhat.

“Don’t worry, Old Master. I will personally investigate this matter. If there’s anything abnormal, I’ll resolve it without question.”

Briefly acknowledging this, Lin Yuan then turned his gaze back to Lin Chengzong and continued:

“Also, Old Master… there’s another matter you should brace yourself for.”

“What matter?” Lin Chengzong’s expression remained placid, betraying neither joy nor anger. He casually lifted the fragrant tea beside him, pleasantly sniffing its aroma before taking a small sip.

Lin Yuan glanced at him and stated:

“Old Master, I’ve observed that our Lin family’s Feng Shui layout… has changed.”

“Feng Shui layout?” Lin Chengzong’s expression became considerably more serious.

This was no small matter.

“The pattern influencing our clan has now given birth to a wisp of Dragon Qi. The vital energy coalesces into Dragon and Tiger; it has formed the ‘Hidden Dragon Lurks in the Abyss’ pattern.”

“Hidden Dragon Lurks in the Abyss??”

Lin Chengzong reacted instantly. He shot up so fast he nearly dropped his teacup. His gaze of authority fixed on Lin Yuan with utter disbelief. His fingers actually trembled slightly.

“Hidden Dragon” was often another name for feudal lords. Many great families in the current dynasty got their start precisely by nurturing a Hidden Dragon!