Lin Qingluan Drops the Act, Shocked Friends! Qingluan's Dao Companion Is a World Master?

City of Eternal Light, Shanshui Restaurant. Shanshui Restaurant was one of the premier establishments in the City of Eternal Light. The wine and drinks served here offered no assistance to one's cultivation, but their flavor was unparalleled. Naturally, many Transcendents had no real need to eat or drink, yet indulging in good food was at times a way to relax and savor life. After all, the appetite for food and drink was a desire in its own right. Cultivators could govern their various desires, but that did not mean those desires were extinguished. Consequently, Shanshui Restaurant had always enjoyed thriving business. Its sole drawback was the exorbitant cost. Ordinary Transcendents rarely came here to dine. At that moment, Zhang Yuan, Liu Yuan, and Xia Zhuang were gathered inside a private dining room in the restaurant, looking at one another in bewilderment. "Did you two also receive a transmission from Qingluan saying she had something important to discuss and asking us to meet here at Shanshui Restaurant?" "Indeed, it was Qingluan's transmission." "Even if it's something important, there was no need to pick Shanshui Restaurant, was there? This place is far too expensive." "Yes, a single meal here costs at least five source crystals. Order a bit more, and it could easily reach ten. Spending that much just for a meal is far too extravagant. I certainly couldn't bear to spend it." "Qingluan didn't specify what it was about either. What could possibly warrant inviting us to meet at Shanshui Restaurant?" For a moment, all three exchanged baffled glances, utterly clueless about what was happening. After a prolonged silence, they looked at one another again, a flicker of astonishment passing through their eyes. In truth, they had known Lin Qingluan for a long time—at least several centuries. By no means was that a short span. In their memory, Lin Qingluan was a quiet, taciturn Transcendent who had ventured to the City of Eternal Light from an ordinary plane to make her way in the world. On top of that, she was a Transcendent who walked the path of tempering the Great Dao. Tempering the Great Dao relied on comprehension and auxiliary treasures. Over the years, Lin Qingluan had never displayed any extraordinary comprehension, nor had she relied on external aids to perceive the Great Dao. Her cultivation speed was even the slowest among the four of them. Yet now, it seemed Lin Qingluan harbored a few secrets. "No use guessing. Once Qingluan arrives, we'll know naturally," Zhang Yuan said. The other two nodded. Indeed, continuing to guess was pointless; they would never hit upon the truth anyway. Since Lin Qingluan had invited them, she clearly had no intention of keeping them in the dark. And so, the three waited quietly. Roughly two hours later, Lin Qingluan finally arrived. Furthermore, she did not come alone; she was accompanied by a man they had never seen before. "Pardon me for keeping you three fellow Daoists waiting," Lin Qingluan said with a smile. Zhang Yuan and the other two immediately rose to their feet. "We only arrived a short while ago ourselves. Qingluan, who is this...?" Their gazes fell upon Lu Changsheng. "He is my Dao companion, Lu Changsheng," Lin Qingluan introduced openly and without hesitation. "Your Dao companion?" "I've never heard you mention him before, Qingluan." "To think you actually had a Dao companion!" "Fellow Daoist Lu, please have a seat." The three exchanged glances, thoroughly surprised. Out of nowhere, a Dao companion had suddenly appeared? Lin Qingluan explained, "Changsheng was in secluded cultivation until recently, which is why none of you had the chance to meet him." Zhang Yuan, Liu Yuan, and Xia Zhuang nodded. Though burning with curiosity, they refrained from pressing further right away. The group sat down once more. "Qingluan, what is this important matter you invited us here to discuss?" "Indeed, even if something came up, you didn't need to meet at Shanshui Restaurant. It's so expensive here. This visit will probably cost at least ten source crystals, won't it?" "Ten source crystals might not even cover it." Lin Qingluan smiled faintly. "I invited you three today because I do have something to discuss, but it's good news. I plan to head to Mount Feilong. I was wondering if the three of you would be interested in coming along?" *Boom.* The moment Lin Qingluan's words fell, their eyes snapped wide, their minds buzzing as if struck by thunder. What had they just heard? Mount Feilong? Lin Qingluan was actually going to Mount Feilong? And she wanted to bring them along? How... how could this be possible? "Qingluan, are you... are you serious?" "Mount Feilong! How will you get there? By flying boat? The cost..." "Even if you booked a flying boat right now, you wouldn't make it in time for Mount Feilong's opening..." The three stared fixatedly at Lin Qingluan, their voices laced with urgent disbelief. Mount Feilong—of course they wanted to go. They dreamed of it! But sadly, they simply had no means of getting there. "Of course I'm serious. I am going to Mount Feilong. As for how to get there, by relying on a World Master, naturally." "Oh, right, I forgot to properly introduce Changsheng. He was in seclusion previously, but he is a World Master with the Eternal Light Chamber of Commerce. Now that he has emerged, he can conveniently take us along to Mount Feilong." As soon as Lin Qingluan finished speaking, their eyes widened once more. Their mouths hung open, yet no words came out. A World Master? And a World Master of the Eternal Light Chamber of Commerce at that! Having spent so much time in the City of Eternal Light, they understood all too well what that meant. A World Master was practically dripping with wealth. Moreover, a World Master could travel anywhere in the Great Universe with effortless ease. Going to Mount Feilong was no exception. Forget just the three of them—taking thirty or three hundred people would be trivial. Yet the crux was that they had never known a World Master before. And now, Lin Qingluan's Dao companion turned out to be one? It was simply beyond belief. To think Lin Qingluan possessed such an immense backing—a World Master as a Dao companion! It was something they had never dared to imagine. Lu Changsheng spoke up, "Qingluan has told me about you all. You are her good friends in the City of Eternal Light. Since you all wish to visit Mount Feilong, bringing you along on the way is trivial for me—it's no trouble at all. I have been in seclusion all these years, so I must thank you for looking out for Qingluan." Lu Changsheng's words undeniably affirmed his identity as a World Master. Even so, Liu Yuan could not help but ask, "Fellow Daoist... Lu, I don't mean to doubt you, but it just feels so unreal. Are you truly a World Master?" Lu Changsheng understood the prestige of World Masters in the City of Eternal Light. Not just in the city, but across the entire Great Universe, World Masters held extraordinarily lofty status. It was only natural for Liu Yuan to find it unbelievable. Without speaking, Lu Changsheng simply willed his power. *Boom.* The True Realm descended, sweeping everyone in the private dining room straight into its expanse. Zhang Yuan and the others were struck with terror. They were Transcendents, after all. Though not peak Transcendents, they were seasoned veterans. For an ordinary World Master to pull them into a world would not be that effortless; it would at least take some time and struggle. Yet now? They had lacked even the slightest ability to resist, drawn into the world in a mere instant. It was fortunate that Lu Changsheng bore no malice and was no enemy. Otherwise, their lives would have rested entirely in his palms. This was also enough to prove that Lu Changsheng was not just any World Master, but an exceptional figure among them. "Is this a World Master's world?" "This is my first time being pulled into a World Master's world. This suppressing force is truly..." "It is said that once pulled into a World Master's world, one's life and death are almost entirely at their mercy..." At this moment, the three were thoroughly convinced that Lu Changsheng was indeed a World Master. Lu Changsheng soon retracted the True Realm. With all doubts dispelled, the three felt an overwhelming surge of excitement. They had never imagined that their "poor companion" of several centuries was actually a secretly wealthy powerhouse! In their eyes, Lin Qingluan was now a bona fide wealthy matriarch. Just how prosperous was the Dao companion of a World Master? In any case, it far exceeded their wildest imaginations. This was a truly magnificent leg to latch onto, and they had to hold on tight. As for resentment over Lin Qingluan keeping it a secret? Not a shred existed. They had roamed the Great Universe for countless years as Transcendents; what hadn't they experienced? They wouldn't harbor petty grievances over such things. Lin Qingluan surely had her own reasons for keeping a low profile. Besides, hadn't she remembered them in the end? She was even willing to extend a helping hand and take them to Mount Feilong. Without her, they might never have set foot on Mount Feilong in their entire lives. "Alright, let's finish this meal first, then head back to pack our things. We set out tomorrow!" Lu Changsheng said. The three nodded eagerly. And so, the group of five enjoyed a wonderful, joyous meal at Shanshui Restaurant. The next day, the five reunited. With a sweep of his True Realm, Lu Changsheng said, "Let's go." Instantly, Lu Changsheng's True Realm retreated into the Boundary Sea. Zhang Yuan, Liu Yuan, and Xia Zhuang were entering the Boundary Sea for the very first time. Of course, they were observing it from within the True Realm. Lu Changsheng allowed them to see the conditions outside, and all three looked on in marvel. Such an experience was not something just anyone could have. "Is this the Boundary Sea?" "It looks like a colossal bubble containing countless smaller bubbles. Those smaller bubbles must be the worlds of World Masters, right?" "World Masters generally mind their own business and keep their distance from one another. While a World Master cannot die in the Great Universe, if they perish in the Boundary Sea, they are truly dead. No one provokes conflict lightly here." The three marveled continuously. Watching the True Realm inch forward within the Boundary Sea seemed deceptively slow, yet they knew that a tiny shift in the Boundary Sea translated to an unimaginably vast distance on the scale of the Great Universe. The distance from the City of Eternal Light to Mount Feilong was indeed immense. Under normal circumstances, if it were an ordinary distance, Lu Changsheng could arrive within several hours. A somewhat farther journey would take a few days. Anything exceeding ten days was considered exceedingly remote. To travel for over a month was distant beyond imagination. And this time, Lu Changsheng navigated through the Boundary Sea for three full months! This alone showed how vast the distance was. Without a World Master, traveling from the City of Eternal Light to Mount Feilong would have been virtually impossible. "We've arrived!" At last, Lu Changsheng came to a halt. He peered ahead. "Hmm? Another World Master?" Lu Changsheng spotted another "bubble" ahead of him—in truth, another World Master's world. Lu Changsheng rarely encountered other World Masters in the Boundary Sea, let alone at such close quarters. Furthermore, the other party's destination was clearly Mount Feilong as well. Meeting within the Boundary Sea, both World Masters grew extremely tense, regarding each other with wary caution. No World Master wished to stumble across another here. "Fellow Daoist, are you also headed for Mount Feilong?" the other party suddenly called out. "Indeed," Lu Changsheng replied. As the two conversed, the tense atmosphere between them gradually eased. "This is no place for idle chatter. Let us depart the Boundary Sea first," Lu Changsheng suggested. He had no desire to linger in a standoff inside the Boundary Sea. Who knew what unforeseen accidents might occur? Both shared the same sentiment. Thus, the two "bubbles" swiftly broke out of the Boundary Sea and descended into the Great Universe. *Rumble!* The descent of two World Masters caused quite a commotion. Before long, their worlds manifested in the Great Universe. Lu Changsheng cast his gaze forward. Before him stood a mountain. Yes, a mountain—yet one so colossal that it seemed larger than an entire plane, straddling the Great Universe itself. It was said that Mount Feilong was originally a supreme treasure of the Great Universe belonging to Sovereign Feilong. Even Second Realm powerhouses could easily be suppressed by it. No one dared act insolently on Mount Feilong. Even without setting foot on the mountain, Lu Changsheng could feel the sacred, majestic aura radiating from it. "Fellow Daoist, meeting like this is fate. Have you also come to Mount Feilong to try your luck and see if you can become a disciple of Sovereign Feilong?" the World Master who had encountered Lu Changsheng spoke first. "Indeed. And you are...?" "I am World Master Lie Yang of the Myriad Ancients Chamber of Commerce." "I am World Master Lu Changsheng of the Eternal Light Chamber of Commerce." The two introduced themselves. One hailed from the Myriad Ancients Chamber of Commerce, the other from the Eternal Light Chamber of Commerce. Both were World Masters. Naturally, Lu Changsheng knew of the Myriad Ancients Chamber of Commerce. It was a top-tier chamber of commerce across the Great Universe, in no way inferior to the Eternal Light Chamber of Commerce. In fact, most World Masters were affiliated with chambers of commerce. After all, a World Master's travel capability was a unique advantage across the Great Universe. For a chamber of commerce to expand, transport was indispensable. Who could be better suited for transport than World Masters? And World Masters were glad to join, as it was lucrative and relatively easy work—a clear win-win. Even so, World Masters also yearned to become disciples of Sovereign Feilong. Consequently, whenever Mount Feilong opened, quite a few World Masters would come to try their luck and see if they could be taken as disciples. Regrettably, successful World Masters were practically nonexistent. "Fellow Daoist Lu, I merely came to test my fortune. After all, Sovereign Feilong is not a World Master himself, and over all these years, not a single World Master has succeeded in becoming his disciple." Lu Changsheng nodded. Their identity as World Masters granted them an edge in major factions across the Great Universe, but Mount Feilong was different. Sovereign Feilong cared nothing for the status of a World Master, making it far harder for one to catch his eye. "Then let us enter Mount Feilong together." "Very well." Lu Changsheng released Lin Qingluan and the others from his True Realm. As Transcendents, they were naturally permitted to enter Mount Feilong as well. The group flew directly toward the mountain. The moment they crossed its threshold, Lu Changsheng sensed a distinct difference. A terrifying pressure seemed to hang suspended above their heads at all times—the suppression inherent to Mount Feilong. It was said that even Second Realm mighty figures were subjected to this suppression upon arrival. Upon entering, they immediately arrived at an immense city: Feilong City. Feilong City was so vast that no matter how many people gathered, it seemed impossible to fill. However, it was said that Feilong City was merely the outer perimeter. For now, the Transcendents arriving at Mount Feilong could only remain within Feilong City, as the mountain had not yet officially opened. "Let us find lodging in Feilong City first." Lu Changsheng and Lie Yang got along quite well; being World Masters, they shared plenty of common ground. After settling down in Feilong City, both began inquiring about the mountain's opening. Over the next few days, Lu Changsheng and the others pieced together a clear picture of the situation. Mount Feilong had not yet opened and was still a few years away from doing so. Once opened, it would remain accessible for only a century. Although Sovereign Feilong was said to teach without discrimination, it was impossible for everyone to receive his personal guidance. Thus, a century-long deadline was set. During this century, Mount Feilong would present trials. Those who passed could enter Tianlong City. Entering Tianlong City meant gaining permanent residency on Mount Feilong. Naturally, reaching Tianlong City was no easy feat, and even doing so did not guarantee becoming Sovereign Feilong's disciple. Still, Tianlong City offered countless benefits. As for Feilong City, it too held advantages. For instance, public cultivation techniques were made available here: techniques for tempering the Great Dao, physical cultivation methods, and World Master methods. These techniques were openly shared as a gift from Sovereign Feilong, and some of them were quite exceptional, ranking among the upper tier. However, neither Lu Changsheng nor Lie Yang paid them much heed. As World Masters, what cultivation methods couldn't they obtain? Lie Yang sighed with emotion. "For World Masters like us coming to Mount Feilong, even if we fail to enter Tianlong City, it is no great loss. At worst, we return to the chamber of commerce to continue handling transport, earning source crystals and cultivating at our own pace. But other Transcendents are different. Many of them staked everything on this single throw, exhausting fortunes accumulated over countless eons just to reach Mount Feilong, hoping to gamble on a chance to enter Tianlong City. Once they fail, they must leave Mount Feilong in disgrace, drifting across the vast Great Universe without even enough source crystals to return home..." Cultivation was difficult, even after becoming a Transcendent. As long as one sought to advance further, the path remained arduous. World Masters had nothing to worry about; at worst, they could simply traverse back to their chambers of commerce. But for other Transcendents, it was a harsh plight. Those who succeeded through sheer desperation were few and far between. Stripped of source crystals, they could only wander the Great Universe, sometimes even degenerating into marauder cultivators. Days slipped by, and in the blink of an eye, three years passed. Lu Changsheng and the others grew thoroughly familiar with Feilong City, all of them awaiting the day Mount Feilong would open. And now, Mount Feilong finally opened. *Rumble!* Feilong City shook violently. Simultaneously, a majestic figure materialized in the void. Some recognized this imposing figure at once. "That's Sovereign Feilong's personal disciple, the mighty figure Fang Chuan!" "It truly is Mighty Figure Fang Chuan! It is said that in the past, he was extraordinarily brilliant; he passed the trials after Mount Feilong opened, rising step by step to become Sovereign Feilong's personal disciple, and eventually advanced to the Second Realm, becoming a mighty figure!" "Mighty Figure Fang Chuan has always been our role model..." Many Transcendents looked up at Fang Chuan, their eyes brimming with longing. Fang Chuan was their exemplar and their hope. They, too, wished to emulate him—to perform exceptionally after Mount Feilong opened, catch Sovereign Feilong's eye, become his disciple, and soar to the heavens, advancing into a Second Realm mighty figure! Lu Changsheng looked at Fang Chuan as well. The aura emanating from him exerted an enormous pressure that seemed nearly impossible to resist. This was a Second Realm mighty figure. To be revered as a mighty figure across the vast Great Universe was proof enough of how terrifying his strength was. Once one reached the Transcendent level, defeating an opponent across a major realm was practically impossible. For instance, a First Realm cultivator defeating a Second Realm cultivator, or a Second Realm cultivator defeating a Third Realm cultivator—such feats were virtually unheard of. Even if an extraordinarily gifted genius did appear, they were merely deemed "infinitely close," or perhaps capable of surviving before a Second or Third Realm expert. That alone was already worthy of pride. Standing in the void, Fang Chuan surveyed the crowd with an aloof, commanding gaze. "Mount Feilong will remain open for one hundred years. Those who fail to enter Tianlong City will be expelled from Mount Feilong without exception and permitted no further stay until the next opening." "The trials of Mount Feilong begin now. Extending from Feilong City to Tianlong City is a Hundred-Step Soul Path, which tests the soul. The soul encompasses mind, will, and a series of inner attributes. The time limit is one hundred years. Those who successfully reach Tianlong City will be granted permanent residency." "Only upon reaching Tianlong City can the second stage of the trial be unlocked. Remember: the faster you pass the trial, the better." With that, Fang Chuan pointed a finger. Instantly, tiers of stairs materialized in the void, stretching all the way from Tianlong City down to Feilong City. There were exactly one hundred steps. These stairs glowed with golden light, appearing utterly wondrous and extraordinary. Yet the nature of the test was somewhat baffling. "The soul?" Lu Changsheng found it peculiar. From the start of his cultivation until now, he had never encountered any methods dedicated to soul cultivation. It seemed cultivators paid no heed to the soul—or perhaps lacked one altogether. Yet this trial on Mount Feilong made Lu Changsheng realize that cultivators indeed possessed souls, and that the soul was exceptionally vital, closely intertwined with the mind and will. Sovereign Feilong clearly valued this trait immensely; otherwise, it would not have been chosen as one of the criteria for selecting disciples. "It truly is the soul staircase," Lie Yang remarked, seeming entirely unsurprised, as though he had known the trial's nature all along. Yet he had never mentioned it before. "Fellow Daoist Lie Yang, you know of this staircase?" Lu Changsheng asked. At once, the gazes of Lu Changsheng, Lin Qingluan, and the others converged on Lie Yang. Lie Yang nodded. "I've heard a little. In truth, this soul staircase is very unique, and many Transcendents are aware of it. As is widely known, cultivators do not cultivate the soul—since we cannot perceive it, how could we cultivate it?" "Yet many cultivators firmly believe that the soul must exist and that it is inextricably linked to one's cultivation. Sovereign Feilong is a prime representative of this belief; he is convinced of the soul's existence and has researched it for a very long time, continuing to this day." "And truth be told, Sovereign Feilong seems to have actually uncovered something, such as this soul staircase. Any cultivator capable of passing the soul staircase truly possesses extraordinary potential. In the future, their cultivation will at least reach the peak of the Transcendent realm, and a rare few might even advance to the Second Realm!" "However, don't count on me to tell you how to pass the soul staircase. In reality, there is no trick or shortcut. None of us can sense the soul; even Sovereign Feilong is merely researching it based on deductions. Since no one can cultivate it, no one can master any technique to clear the soul staircase." "The only factor is whether your luck is good enough." The group listened attentively to Lie Yang's words. Souls or no souls, they didn't care. All they cared about was whether they could reach Tianlong City. After all, only by reaching Tianlong City could they secure permanent residency, thereby gaining the opportunity to become Sovereign Feilong's disciple. Even without becoming his disciple, residing in Tianlong City was a massive achievement in itself, giving them a firm foothold. "Let's go. We should try it as well." Many people had already begun moving, and Lu Changsheng had no desire to delay. Whether he became a disciple was not important; what mattered was Lin Qingluan. Lu Changsheng could provide her with source crystals and resources, but when it came to cultivation, having the guidance of a Sovereign would undoubtedly yield twice the results with half the effort, offering immense benefits. Her chances of advancing to the Second Realm would also increase dramatically. "Alright, let's set out." With that, Lu Changsheng, Lie Yang, Lin Qingluan, and the others stepped onto the soul staircase. Each golden step of the staircase appeared massive, yet looked as though it could not accommodate too many people. In reality, spatial techniques were woven into them. No matter how many people stepped onto the first step, it seemed capable of holding them all. "Truly miraculous. Though I am a World Master who opened a True Realm, my application of space is far inferior to Sovereign Feilong's..." Lu Changsheng was thoroughly astonished by the soul staircase. Yet it encompassed far more than mere spatial manipulation; it held other wondrous properties as well—such as its effect on the soul. Upon stepping onto the staircase, Lu Changsheng still could not sense the presence of his soul. However, he felt his body grow somewhat heavier, as if an invisible force from all directions was binding him. Yet this binding force was quite weak, exerting little influence on him for now. "Qingluan, how are you feeling?" Lu Changsheng asked. "My body feels rather heavy," Lin Qingluan replied truthfully. "Me too..." "I feel like I can barely breathe..." One cultivator after another admitted the same. Lin Qingluan's three friends all felt a tremendous weight. Clearly, their souls were nothing remarkable. Lie Yang was similar to Lu Changsheng; he felt only slightly weighed down, enough to easily press forward. Exactly how many steps he could manage, however, remained unknown. "Alright, let's keep moving." Lu Changsheng, Lin Qingluan, and the others ascended to the second step. Upon reaching the second step, the pressure mounted slightly—at least, that was Lu Changsheng's sensation. But for Zhang Yuan, Liu Yuan, and Xia Zhuang, the pressure surged drastically. This was only the second step; there were still ninety-eight steps remaining! How could they possibly proceed? Clearly, the three had already concluded that reaching Tianlong City was most likely beyond their reach. In truth, this was normal; most cultivators were the same. Feeling heavy-bodied on the first or second step meant that reaching Tianlong City was a distant dream. Yet not a single person gave up. Everyone wanted to test their limits. And so, the crowd pushed forward. Third step, fourth step, fifth step, sixth step... Everyone gritted their teeth and endured. However, the soul had its limits. Once pushed past that limit, one would faint. Even Transcendents would lose consciousness, at which point the soul staircase would send them directly back to Feilong City, signaling failure. Lu Changsheng and his group climbed steadily to the ninth step, where the first cultivator finally collapsed, unable to hold out any longer.