Master, There Is Hope

Lin Wujiu and Li Guanqi stood shoulder to shoulder as the three took to the air, flying toward the heart of the city. Outside the walls, all the cultivators kept their heads bowed, not daring to rise. Their expressions were varied and remarkably colorful. As for the reason... First, Lin Jinting, the patriarch of the Lin family, had come in person to receive them! Second was the terrifying strength displayed by the young man. A Mystic Immortal had actually intimidated a Heavenly Immortal so thoroughly that he had frozen in place, not daring to lift a finger. Li Guanqi's identity also sparked quiet speculation among many in the crowd. Yet no one guessed that he was Li Congxin. After all, Li Guanqi had not revealed his name just now. Furthermore, very few people had ever seen his true face. During his clash with the Tianhua Sword Sect, he had worn a mask at all times. Now, the only image circulating in the outside world alongside the name Li Congxin was the portrait capturing merely his turning silhouette. As Li Guanqi chatted and laughed with Lin Wujiu, he noticed that the power coursing through Lin Wujiu's body was somewhat amiss... Reason dictated that Lin Wujiu's bloodline had undergone an atavistic awakening; since it originated from a single source, it should not be so turbulent and chaotic. Yet he did not point it out directly, choosing instead to smile and say, "Your cultivation hasn't progressed slowly either. It's only been a short while, and you've already broken through to the sixth level?" The corner of Lin Wujiu's mouth twitched, and he shot Li Guanqi an exasperated look. "Are you mocking me on purpose? Tell the truth, what level are you at now? I can't quite perceive your cultivation. Seventh level?" Watching the chattering Lin Wujiu, Lin Jinting felt an unfamiliar pang for a moment. Was this really his taciturn, aloof son? Lin Jinting glanced back at Lin Wujiu and said softly, "Stop guessing. He has already broken through to the eighth level." At this, the man's gaze shifted slightly. He looked at Li Guanqi and asked in a quiet tone, "Young Friend Li, has it truly been less than a year since you ascended?" Li Guanqi cupped his hands and answered truthfully, "Just a little over eleven months so far. I also have a score to settle with Zhao Chengyong from the Tianshu Ascension Hall." Lin Jinting's heart trembled violently! *Eleven months... Ascending to immortality and then breaking through eight levels in a row!* *This youth's natural talent is truly peerless!* Lin Jinting offered casually, "Do you need any help?" Li Guanqi smiled, shaking his head. "He's only at the fourth-level Heavenly Immortal realm. There's no need to trouble Uncle Lin with such a minor matter." With that, he looked at Lin Wujiu and smiled. "On the other hand, regarding the chaotic energy inside Wujiu's body, this junior might have a way to smooth it out." Hearing this, Lin Jinting abruptly halted his steps! "Truly?" "It wouldn't hurt to give it a try. What if it works?" Lin Jinting gave Li Guanqi a deep, searching look, remaining silent. Before long, the three arrived at the very center of the Lin family estate—Lin Jinting's private courtyard. Fine immortal wine and immortal fruits were served at the table before the attendants withdrew. Lin Jinting asked casually, "Does young friend have any elders in the Immortal Realm?" Li Guanqi thought for a moment. "My sect in the Spirit Realm still stands, and we have foundations in the Immortal Realm as well. It's just that I haven't located where the sect resides yet." Lin Jinting was slightly taken aback, musing inwardly, *It seems his sect isn't particularly grand. Perhaps it has already faded into obscurity.* Looking at Li Guanqi with a gentle smile, he said, "You and Wujiu get along so well. If there is ever anything you need help with in the future, don't hesitate to mention it to Uncle Lin." Lin Wujiu curled his lip. "Tsk, my father really has changed his nature. How generous..." Li Guanqi's expression shifted. He rose and bowed respectfully. "Why wait for the future... This junior actually has a favor to ask of Uncle Lin right now." Lin Jinting showed no sign of displeasure. Instead, he smiled and said, "Let's hear it." Li Guanqi's expression turned solemn. Looking at the man with utmost gravity, he said in a low voice, "Back in the Spirit Realm, my master was murdered by villains. Now, only his soul remains... "The reason I ascended to the Immortal Realm was also to seek a way to revive him! "If Uncle Lin could lend a helping hand, this junior would be eternally grateful!" Lin Jinting froze for an instant, his eyes flickering as he regarded Li Guanqi deeply. He knew Li Guanqi was a sharp young man; otherwise, the subtle probe from earlier wouldn't have occurred. Yet... the sharper a person was, the better they should understand that given their current acquaintance, he would likely only have one chance to ask for a favor! And yet, he wanted to squander this chance on the remnant soul of a master from the Spirit Realm?! If this was not a calculated act to curry favor, then it was undeniable proof that he was someone who valued loyalty and affection above all else! Lin Jinting's eyes turned calm. "Is the soul still around? Let me take a look." Little did Li Guanqi know that this was Lin Jinting's test! Whether it was an act or not could easily be deduced from that soul. Lin Wujiu, knowing nothing of this beforehand, also turned his gaze toward Li Guanqi. Li Guanqi took a deep breath. From his sea of consciousness, he carefully drew out the shattered, pieced-together soul that had been nurtured by his power. Cupping the cluster of spiritual light with both hands, he walked toward Lin Jinting with gingerly care. From beginning to end, Li Guanqi's eyes never left the glow in his hands. Every step was slow and deliberate, terrified of disturbing the soul. When Lin Jinting sensed just how utterly fragile that soul was, he was thoroughly shaken. "You... you've been nurturing it with your own origin energy?" "This... this soul... you used a soul-gathering technique to scour heaven and earth just to piece it back together?" Li Guanqi pressed his lips together, looking at Lin Jinting with eyes full of yearning hope. "Yes..." "Senior, is... is there any way to revive my master?" For the first time, Lin Wujiu saw vulnerability on Li Guanqi's face. He had thought that Li Congxin—the man whose slaughter had struck terror into the Northern Region—would care little for such sentiments. Naturally, he could also sense the power of that fragile soul; at most, it was no higher than the Soul Formation Realm. Such a weak cultivation... and yet this was his master... Lin Jinting extended a hand and pressed down gently. Ripples of powerful yet tender energy enveloped the soul as he furrowed his brow. The more he examined it, the more shocked he became. By his estimation, Li Guanqi had nurtured this soul for many years at the very least. And it had been done continuously, without stopping for even a single breath. A pieced-together soul was far too delicate; halting for just a moment risked having it shatter once more. Yet such a fragile soul, delicate as a newborn babe, had been carried all the way from the Spirit Realm to the Immortal Realm by sheer force of will! Lin Jinting resolved inwardly that he would help with this! Such a pure and devoted heart was truly moving. Lin Jinting slowly opened his eyes, his gaze toward Li Guanqi softening considerably. Cupping his hands, waves of formidable, profound energy wrapped around the soul. To Li Guanqi's delight, the originally ephemeral soul grew visibly more solid! Wisps of milky-white spiritual light manifested across the translucent figure. Li Guanqi knew that those glowing spots were the very fissures where the fragments had been stitched together! His eyes reddened as he watched in silence. A full half-hour passed. Every pieced-together crack upon the soul vanished without a trace, leaving it whole once more. Choked with emotion, Li Guanqi was about to drop to his knees in a grand bow, but Lin Jinting's broad, sturdy hands caught him and helped him up. "Don't. You possess a pure, loyal heart, and this uncle is deeply moved. "Most cultivators who tread the Dao become callous and unfeeling. "Our Lin family has stood proud in Qinzhou for thousands of years precisely because we remain united as one. "Set your mind at ease. Uncle Lin will help you!" Li Guanqi nodded incessantly, tears pooling in his eyes, weeping and smiling at the same time. He stared tenderly at the healed soul and let out a soft laugh. "Master, there is hope." As if hearing that choked murmur, the soul's fingers twitched faintly. From the eyes of that translucent form, tears silently traced down its cheeks, its lips trembling uncontrollably.