Wang Lin's gaze fell on Xiao Zhener. "So, this is the one who Big Senior is hung-up on?"
The girl's slender figure stood silently in the darkness of the void – a pure lotus tenderly blooming in a world of chaos and sin, transcendent and dynamic.
A lady like this could only be nurtured by the affection of the Heavens, peerless as to make one's heart flutter.
But she, standing at Xiao Yan's side, had the expression of a young maiden now and then, which added a touch of youthful spirit to her air.
It was apparent that she was, at heart, one of reservation and cold grace; but she was gentle and tender whenever she was with Xiao Yan, including with his juniors.
Wang Lin nodded silently. "Such an exceptional lady…definitely a good match with Big Senior."
Clasping his hands in salute, he said, smiling, "Big Senior was merely covering for me. Among Master's disciples, I was the worst in talent, and thus must expend more effort in hopes of compensating for my lack of apititude."
Xiao Zhener smiled lightly. "Sir, you're too kind."
Behind her, the Ancient Brush Elder nodded in approval as well. Even though it was his first time meeting Wang Lin, but hearing his previous words – Advanced Aurous Core versus Nascent Soul stage, destroying one of Shi Tianyi's Polycoria eyes in a one-on-one duel – it was remarkable even for the Immortal Soul stage Ancient Brush Elder.
"Not to mention…" the Ancient Brush Elder stole a glance at Lin Feng. "This one's standards are rather high. If it's not exceptional talent, it's probably rather hard to move him."
Lin Feng, with a smile on his face, was watching the interactions between his disciples calmly.
He looked at the Ancient Brush Elder. "After this, what are your plans?"
Gazing at Xiao Zhener, the Ancient Brush Elder paused, in thought. "I came just to escort Zhener to pass her Thunder Tribulations and form her Nascent Soul in the Void Battleground. Now, the aim has been achieved…"
Xiao Yan jumped. "Zhener…you are leaving?"
Xiao Zhener raised her brows slightly as she looked at the Ancient Brush Elder. "Elder, I want to return at a later date."
The Ancient Brush Elder's gaze oscillated between Lin Feng and Xiao Yan. "You just formed your Nascent Soul…after you return, not only are you going to nourish it, but also study more advanced mantras and Abhijnas. It is better to not delay."
After a pause, he contined, "after this cultivation, you should be entering your experience phase. Then, you can freely go out and explore to gain experience…"
Lin Feng waved his hand as he looked at Xiao Zhener. "You can make the choice yourself."
With a swipe of his sleeve, a long, glossy black sword glimmering with a golden glow emerged in his palm. An atmosphere of dominance and supremacy, evoking an ancient soverign, radiated outwards – the Immortal Soul magic treasure, Ancient Royal Sword.
Lin Feng casually passed the Ancient Royal Sword to Xiao Yan as he spoke calmly. "Although this treasure did not originate from your legitimate branch of the Emperor of the Ancients, but it bears the strength of his line as well. With the help of this treasure, your cultivation during the Nascent Soul stage should meet little difficulty."
Xiao Yan, somewhat surprised, gazed at Xiao Zhener, to see that obvious joy was surfacing on her face as well. Beside her, the Ancient Brush elder was wearing a bitter smile.
"But, Master, this magic treasure was that guy…" After the surprise and elation, Xiao Yan was somewhat hesitant.
Lin Feng smiled slightly. "Not a problem."
He flicked his finger on the blade of the Ancient Royal Sword. "You yielded to a mere Nascent Soul cultivator and consented to being taken by him, because he acquired your former master's inheritance and pledged to help you evolve. Am I wrong?"
The Ancient Royal Sword emitted a loud hum as a voice flowed from it, like a burly middle-aged man speaking. "That's right. That man acquired the Seal of the Emperor of the Ancients, and I am optimistic about his potential as well, and that was I agreed for him to be my master."
Hearing this, looks of realization appeared on Xiao Zhener and the Ancient Brush Elder's faces. They instantly realized that, after the Antiquity Age, a great cultivator found the Seal of his mantras that the Emperor of the Ancients left behind; through the Seal, he studied and understood part of the Way of the Emperor of the Ancients, and then forged this Ancient Royal Sword.
After this cultivator passed away, the Seal of the Emperor of the Ancients and the Ancient Royal Sword were both left behind, and were finally acquired by the Marquis of Jinghuan.
"Before you stand the legitimate branch of the Emperor of the Ancients' line. You can help her first; after she reaches Immortal Soul stage, you will have the opportunity to attain the realm of Metaplasia as well," Lin Feng said calmly.
"If you followed the Marquis of Jinghuan, without the complete Tao and inheritance of the Emperor of the Ancients, you will forever stagnate at the realm of Gestation."
The Ancient Royal Sword emitted another hum and immediately said, "I am willing to return to the legitimate branch of the Emperor of the Ancients. Regardless of whether she could reach Immortal Soul, I will still help her in her cultivation and recognize her as my master."
After all, the Marquis of Jinghuan has not yet attained Immortal Soul. The Ancient Royal Sword did not really yield to him; they were more of a cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship.
When the master was an Immortal Soul cultivator, the magic treasure would be unable to sever the bond between the two, except when a Mahayana realm magic treasure chooses to release itself from tribulations and undergo reincarnation.
As for cultivators below Nascent Soul stage, their magic treasures have a high degree of autonomy; eradicating the mark of the master was troublesome, but not impossible.
He has his own sentience; after observing Xiao Zhener closely, he knew that she was from the legitimate branch of the Emperor of the Ancients' line, with his inheritance and mantras. Also, from the fact that she was just an Aurous Core cultivator undergoing her Tribulations, but already has the Immortal Soul Ancient Brush Elder escorting her, he could tell that she has a formidable background.
The line of the Emperor of the Ancients did not wither, but in fact prospered.
Thus, if he followed Xiao Zhener, even if Xiao Zhener herself was eventually unable to attain Immortal Soul, her organization must have Immortal Soul cultivators. With that, the Ancient Royal Sword will return to the legitimate line of the Emperor of the Ancients; and thus, there would be hope for it to attain the realm of Metaplasia.
In fact, when he followed the Marquis of Jinghuan, the main reason was that the Marquis of Jinghuan promised to use the Seal of the Emperor of the Ancients to find the complete inheritance of the Emperor of the Ancients, and help him to further evolve.
Looking at the Ancient Royal Sword, a smile surfaced on Xiao Zhener's face. She will not covet Lin Feng's magic treasure; in fact, when she returns home this time after forming her Nascent Soul, she would probably be awarded a magic treasure.
Maybe not at home, but as long as she was outside, there will always be a magic treasure for her protection.
What she was happy about was that this way, she could be with Xiao Yao for a while longer.
At the side, Shi Tianhao said jovially, "Big Senior must really thank sister Zhener. Master said that after we form our Nascent Soul, everyone will get a magic treasure; you haven't even formed your Nascent Soul and you've already got one."
Xiao Yan just laughed; looking at him, Lin Feng smiled. "The Ancient Royal Sword does not actually suit you; now, it's only yours temporarily, primarily to help Miss Zhener in her cultivation. After you form your Nascent Soul, I have specially selected a magic treasure for you."
"Sir, you can just call me Zhener," Xiao Zhener said hurriedly.
She turned to face the Ancient Brush Elder. "Elder, I will not stay long."
Right now, the Ancient Brush Elder did not know whether to laugh or cry. "What is this exactly? Not a bridal gift, is it?"
Lin Feng actually wasn't thinking along that line. It's just that he saw that Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhener finally met again after a long separation, but must still go their separate ways soon; both really loathe parting, and thus he casually decided to fulfill their wish.
Although, if had it really been a bridal gift, a magic treasure would definitely not be considered light.
But, considering Lin Feng's net worth now, he was not really concerned about a captured Gestation realm magic treasure. The previous goal to get a magic treasure for every single Immediate Disciple was no difficult feat now.
Seeing his composed demeanor, the Ancient Brush Elder sighed internally. "Not valuing even magic treasure…the Leader of Celestial Sect of Wonders, his standards are indeed high!"
"From details, one can tell a lot. Him, and his Celestial Sect of Wonders…their strength, I'm afraid, could only surpass the imaginations of many. Such a prominent figure…previously, there was no information about him at all! He just rose to prominence without a single sign…unthinkable, unthinkable indeed."
Lin Feng, meanwhile, looked at the Ancient Brush Elder as he spoke calmly. "Zhener was finally reunited with my disciple after a while; it is natural that they are more fond of conversation. You would not need to worry; I would naturally ensure her safety."
"As for you, I will not bid you stay further. It's not a matter of rudeness; just that I have a word that needs you to relay to the current patriarch of the line of the Emperor of the Ancients."
Hearing this, the Ancient Brush Elder and Xiao Zhener were both stunned for a moment. The Ancient Brush Elder composed his expression. "Please speak, Leader of the Celestial Sect of Wonders. I will relay the message."
Lin Feng, his hands clasped behind his back, stood in the Void as his calm voice sounded. "The benevolence of the Emperor of the Ancients was recognized and praised by all. Dethroning the Emperor of the Dead, and even leading Humankind to defeat the Demon invasion, but suffering injuries as a result and the opportunity being capitalized on…regretful, regretful indeed."
"However, the rule of the Emperors of Man can no longer be restored. Even if the Emperor of the Ancients himself was reincarnated into this world, the result would be the same. Standing in his way is not one person or some persons, but the times."
Lin Feng spoke calmly. "The times have changed. Today, this moment, is no longer Primordial or Antiquity. For Humankind to grow and prosper until today, the vast majority of the Emperors of Man made immense contributions. However, the era for one particular man to rule the Heavens, for his word to be law and all life to bow before him…that era, is gone and never to return."
"It's not the forgetfulness and ungratefulness of the masses, but rather, the inevitable result of the wheels of history."
The Ancient Brush Elder and Xiao Zhener both fell into silence. After a long pause, the Ancient Brush Elder spoke slowly. "The words of the Celestial Sect of Elders…I shall not pass any judgment or comments, but your message, I will definitely relay."
Lin Feng smiled slightly. "So, we shall part here." With a wave of his sleeve, he enveloped all of his disciples as well as Xiao Zhener, disappearing from the void. They have already left the Void Battleground and returned to the Greater World, the Divine Lands.
The Ancient Brush Elder stayed where he was. Thinking back on everything that had happened today, he let out a low, involuntary sigh.
Lin Feng led the rest in the return to Mount Yujing. On the way, he took some time to observe Xiao Zhener; he found that although her expression was slightly confused and panicked, but her emotions were stable and calm, and Lin Feng's previous words did not result in much mental disturbance for her.
She has never been particularly supportive of her Clan's original proposed path, save for the ties of blood and family.
Lin Feng's lips curled upwards slightly and did not focus on the matter further. His Awareness turned towards Wang Lin, to see him sitting cross-legged, focused on cultivation and concentrating on healing his wounds.
He was seriously injured from his Bridge over Troubled Waters being severed by Shi Tianyi's Holy Light of Creation.
"Little Lin, calm your heart and ruminate. Understanding the truths within would not only help in healing your injuries, but also help your cultivation to advance." As he spoke, Lin Feng, with a point of his fingers, has already passed the mantra of the Four Appearances Heaven Cleaving Script to Wang Lin.
Wang Lin's body trembled, but he did not speak. As he concentrated on studying the mantra, the aura of Mana around him grew even more vast and mysterious.
An extremely spirited atmosphere rose from his body. Quantitative accumulation has led to a qualitative transformation; shocking changes has started to appear on Wang Lin. Seeing this, Lin Feng shook his head. "Good boy, you did not let me down."