I Learned It from Third Senior Sister Before Coming

West Niuhe Continent.

A streak of rainbow light sped downward. Hovering before the figure within was a command token.

With the token leading the way, none of the cultivators along the path made any move to intercept.

Lin Luoyu’s gaze swept over the Tai Dao Sect cultivators standing in solemn formation. She spoke not a word, heading straight for the main hall.

Indeed, compared to the magnificent momentum of the past, the collective prestige of the Three Sect Alliance had diminished significantly. This was the result of their own Tribulation Crossing cultivators departing completely, followed by the forcible stationing of numerous Buddhist Tribulation Crossing cultivators.

However, correspondingly, the Buddhist Sect was now exceptionally quiet within the Central Continent.

The entrenchment of forces was difficult to calculate clearly; the slight decline visible now might very well reverse in the future.

The spirit sword flew to the main hall, and Lin Luoyu descended from the air.

The token remained before her, and no one obstructed her path as she walked all the way to the hall’s entrance.

At the door, Lin Luoyu recalled the token and stepped into the hall. She raised her eyes to look at Daoist Yuyang, who sat in the center of the great hall with a stern expression. She then cupped her hands in greeting and said:

"This humble one is Lin Luoyu. I trust Martial Uncle Yuyang has been well?"

Daoist Yuyang held a jade command token in his hand, his gaze fixed on Lin Luoyu below:

"Why is it you? I thought he would send Bai Qing again."

Lin Luoyu straightened her posture:

"Master said Third Senior Sister suffered grievances here, so he did not wish to send her again."

Hearing this, Daoist Yuyang laughed: "Then how could he bear to send you? Does your master not heartache for you? Is he willing to let you suffer grievances here?"

"Master said Third Senior Sister has a soft temperament."

"Oh? So by that logic, your temperament is not soft? You simply believe whatever your master says?"

Lin Luoyu’s expression remained calm: "I naturally do not believe Master’s reasoning, but I trust Master’s words."

Daoist Yuyang clicked his tongue lightly and shook his head slightly:

"None of the disciples Chu Xingchen accepts are simple characters. I remember you—the cultivator of the Noble Spirit. I hear that while many Confucian scholars cultivate the Noble Spirit, there are very few Daoist cultivators in this world who possess it."

"Your Third Senior Sister recently acted under your master's name without authorization."

Hearing this, Lin Luoyu’s expression finally showed a slight fluctuation:

"Was that not, in fact, Master’s instruction? I heard Master later provided you with an explanation."

Daoist Yuyang stood up leisurely:

"This is simply the disciple playing tricks, followed by the master—that old swindler—coming to do the same. If your master truly remembered our friendship, he should have come himself, rather than staying holed up in the Tianyan Sect."

"He has been quite comfortable these past days. Now he sends a disciple and expects to just turn the page?"

"Does he not intend to continue being friends?"

Lin Luoyu did not rush to reply; instead, she calmly glanced at the Tai Dao Sect cultivators surrounding them.

Daoist Yuyang understood her cue. He waved his hand and said:

"Come with me."

Having said this, Daoist Yuyang rose and headed toward the rear hall.

Lin Luoyu stood and followed.

The architectural style of the rear hall was slightly different; the buildings were constructed around a square perimeter, enclosing a fairly large, open-air courtyard. In the center of the courtyard stood a rather ordinary-looking pavilion.

As Daoist Yuyang walked toward the pavilion, he spoke:

"Now that we are here, say whatever you wish. No sound will travel outside."

Lin Luoyu nodded gently:

"Master says that he was in the wrong regarding that matter and asks Martial Uncle Yuyang to please forgive him."

Daoist Yuyang’s expression softened considerably. He gestured for Lin Luoyu to take a seat on a nearby chair:

"It’s not really a matter of forgiveness; he did what he did, after all. I naturally understand his purpose in sending you. It is simply because your body is filled with the Noble Spirit, which signifies that you will not act against your conscience."

"I hope you, my martial niece, will not take my harsh tone in the front hall to heart. After all, handling affairs here involves the interests of more than just myself, and I must show them a certain attitude."

"Given the current situation, I face pressure both from within and outside the sect."

Lin Luoyu cupped her hands again, her tone sincere:

"Many thanks, Martial Uncle Yuyang."

Daoist Yuyang retrieved several bottles of immortal brew from his spatial ring:

"Since I made a promise to a friend, I naturally intend to handle matters properly. Regarding those letters I sent out—I assume he read them and didn't take them too seriously, did he?"

Lin Luoyu replied with perfect candor:

"Master didn't read them."

Hearing this, Daoist Yuyang’s hand trembled slightly, and he took a slow, deep breath.

He had originally assumed he and Chu Xingchen shared a tacit understanding, but he hadn't expected it to be this tacit.

What if he had actually been furious?

Good heavens!

However, upon hearing this, Daoist Yuyang actually felt a greater fondness for Lin Luoyu. Compared to those who spoke pretty words but whose actions did not match, Daoist Yuyang much preferred someone like Lin Luoyu, who was endowed with the Noble Spirit.

Daoist Yuyang nodded, his expression remaining calm as he steered the conversation to the main topic:

"What business has your master sent you here for? You must know that the situation in the West Niuhe Continent is already dire. If I were not still here, causing the Buddhist Sect to have some reservations, I fear you might not have even been able to enter the West Niuhe Continent at this moment."

"Wukong and the Bright Buddha have been fleeing the entire way. Even under my specific protection, they have encountered danger several times."

"If you have come alone, you can likely only handle clerical work. Judging by your solitary arrival, it does not appear that you have brought any Tribulation Crossing reinforcements."

The Eighteen Immortal Sects were all massive leviathans. Once one side seized the initiative, the other would usually back down—unless they were truly prepared to tear up all pleasantries and trigger a Great War of Tribulation Transcenders.

After all, once such a conflict erupted and casualties were sustained, it would be impossible to bring things to a halt easily.

Although the probability of such an event occurring was extremely low, the various sects still maintained a strong tacit understanding regarding it.

This was precisely why a single person could stand before the Pudu River and bar the way for the entire Buddhist Sect.

Now that the Buddhist Sect was in the Western Niuhe Continent, it was the Taidao Sect's turn to make concessions.

Unless, of course, they truly intended to fight a duel to the death with the Buddhist Sect.

Lin Luoyu naturally understood this logic. She had fully grasped all necessary information before her arrival. Her gaze remained calm as she watched Daoist Yuyang pour her a cup of immortal wine.

In her heart, she had already made her judgment.

Lin Luoyu accepted the immortal wine handed to her by Daoist Yuyang with both hands, speaking softly as she did so:

"Aside from myself, Master has also concealed his tracks and arrived in the Western Niuhe Continent. He is currently heading toward the location of the Bright Buddha."

"I came openly to attract the attention of the Buddhist Sect. What Master intends to do is the truly significant undertaking."

Daoist Yuyang instantly grasped the situation. He smiled and asked:

"So, you want me to cause a bit of a scene?"

Lin Luoyu nodded gently.

"If necessary, Daoist Yuyang can even drive me away."

Hearing this, Daoist Yuyang looked Lin Luoyu up and down with a suspicious expression.

Chu Xingchen planned to stage a falling-out?

Shouldn't a role like this be played by Chen Baiqing? Why would he have a cultivator of the Haoran Path play it?

As if seeing through Daoist Yuyang's thoughts, Lin Luoyu spoke softly:

"The Noble Spirit resides in the heart, not in the form."

Daoist Yuyang's gaze remained skeptical.

Seeing this, Lin Luoyu quoted her Master:

"Before I came here, I learned a thing or two from Third Senior Sister."

Understanding immediately dawned on Daoist Yuyang's face, and he nodded in agreement.

"Since your Master has come to the Western Niuhe Continent, I assume Bai Xuanling has arrived as well?"

Lin Luoyu did not answer directly.

"Only Master knows the arrangements he has made."

Daoist Yuyang understood the implication. He asked no further questions and simply raised his cup.

Lin Luoyu raised her cup as well.

However, Lin Luoyu actually did know the truth of the matter.

Senior Bai was still at Zhuji Peak and had not come to the Western Niuhe Continent.

Bai Bo's final strike before death had been far more potent than they had initially anticipated.

Currently, she was relying entirely on the medicinal pills refined by Master just to maintain her state of mind.