141: Enlightenment Cliff: Sword Comprehension; Tranquil Heart Abode: Secret Inquiries

The Qinglan Sect underwent a massive, top-to-bottom purge and rectification. The Grand Elder's faction was uprooted, and the Sect's atmosphere was completely refreshed. Supreme Elder Yuheng and Grand Elder Lieyang temporarily took charge of the Sect. Upright Elders like Li Qingfeng from the Hall of Legacy were heavily promoted. Due to her outstanding performance during this turmoil and her awakened Bloodline, Su Wanqing's prestige soared, making her an implicit candidate for the next Sect Master.

Lin Xuan politely declined the magnificent Immortal Cave arranged by the Sect and continued to temporarily reside in Ziyun Valley. Three days later, he went to the Enlightenment Cliff as promised.

The Enlightenment Cliff is located in a secluded area behind Qingyun Peak. Its walls are steep, shrouded in clouds and mist. The flat cliff top, where only a few ancient pines stubbornly grow, has historically been the site where generations of Qinglan Sect experts meditated and sought Enlightenment.

Supreme Elder Yuheng was already waiting there, still dressed in his simple azure robe, his aura completely integrated with the surrounding heaven and earth.

"You've arrived." He smiled slightly and pointed to the edge of the cliff beside him. "Sit."

After Lin Xuan respectfully bowed, he sat down as instructed.

"No need to be reserved." Supreme Elder Yuheng watched the sea of clouds churn and slowly said, "I called you here for two reasons: first, to thank you for saving the Sect from collapse, and second, because I observed that your Sword Dao Foundation is unique—it doesn't seem to be the orthodox Qinglan Sect method, yet it is grand and righteous, possessing the might of Thunder. I wish to Discuss the Dao with you; perhaps we can verify each other's insights."

Lin Xuan understood in his heart that Supreme Elder Yuheng was guiding him and further observing his Foundation. He stated frankly, "This Disciple obtained some non-Sect Legacy through fortuitous Opportunity. I am still exploring the path of the Sword Dao, and I ask the Grand Elder for guidance."

The two then discussed various topics atop the Enlightenment Cliff, ranging from the most basic refinement of Sword Qi and the control of Sword Intent, to the rudimentary form of the Sword Domain, and even the realm of Sword Heart Clarity. Supreme Elder Yuheng possessed profound cultivation and vast knowledge; often, just a few words could pinpoint Lin Xuan's confusion and bottlenecks in cultivation. Although Lin Xuan's cultivation was shallow, his Fusion of the breadth of the Primal Beginning Sword Scripture, the Battle Intent of the sin-severing sword, the might of his Golden Body Vitality, and the profundity of the Supreme Yin Law gave him wildly imaginative ideas. The insights he occasionally proposed caused Supreme Elder Yuheng's eyes to flash with brilliance, deeply feeling that this child's Comprehension Ability was extraordinary.

[Detected infusion of high-level Sword Dao concepts. Analyzing and integrating... Comprehension of the Primal Beginning Sword Scripture Incomplete Manual has increased to 35%... Host's Sword Dao Foundation has been solidified, and Sword Intent refinement has improved...]

The System's notification sounds kept ringing, helping Lin Xuan rapidly digest the gains from this session of Discussing the Dao.

The discussion lasted a full day. As the sun set, Supreme Elder Yuheng stroked his beard and sighed, "The younger generation is formidable. Your Dao lies not in Qinglan, but in the wider world. I have little to give you, so please accept this 'Qinglan Sword Seal.' It contains a trace of my Sword Qi and some insights into the Sword Dao. It can protect you once in times of crisis, and studying it regularly will also benefit your Sword Dao."

He flicked his finger, and a jade talisman shaped like a small sword, emitting a faint azure light, landed in Lin Xuan's hand.

[Obtained special item 'Qinglan Sword Seal' (Yuheng). Contains Soul Transformation Stage Sword Dao insights and protective Sword Qi.]

"Thank you for the generous gift, Grand Elder!" Lin Xuan solemnly put it away; this gift was exceptionally valuable.

"Go now. The Sect will not forget your merits, but ultimately, you must forge your own path." Supreme Elder Yuheng smiled, and his figure gradually merged into the clouds and mist, disappearing from view.

Leaving the Enlightenment Cliff, Lin Xuan felt his understanding of the Sword Dao had deepened significantly, and his Qi was more refined. Without delay, he immediately set off for the Quiet Heart Studio.

The Quiet Heart Studio was still serene and secluded. Gu Qingqing maintained her usual languid appearance, holding an Ancient Scroll, as if she had never moved.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lin, you could say your name is soaring high in the Qinglan Sect now." Gu Qingqing poured him a cup of clear tea, her tone carrying a hint of teasing.

"Fairy Gu jests; it was merely Luck." Lin Xuan sat down and cut straight to the chase. "What did you mean when you messaged me, saying 'they' are 'thirsty' for this realm?"

Gu Qingqing put down the scroll. A hint of gravity flashed in her hazy Sleeping Phoenix Eyes. "The Guixu Cult collects ancient Bloodlines and Origin to awaken the remains of the demon god. Their ultimate goal is certainly not simple destruction. The essence of 'The Void' is annihilation and ending, but it is not an unconscious disaster; it is more like... a hungry predator."

She paused, looking at Lin Xuan. "This realm, or rather, the Star Domain we inhabit, experienced an unimaginably brilliant era long, long ago. Numerous supreme Dao Lineages, such as the 'Moon God Palace' and the 'Thunder Emperor Palace,' were born, and experts were as numerous as the clouds. However, prosperity led to decline. For unknown reasons, these Dao Lineages collapsed one after another, the experts vanished, and the Legacies were severed. But the scattered Origin, shattered Laws, and even the unwilling wills of those fallen supreme beings did not completely dissipate; instead, they settled within the heaven and earth and the Bloodlines of this realm."

Lin Xuan's heart shook violently; he vaguely grasped the crucial point.

"And The Void," Gu Qingqing's voice was low, "is 'hungry' for precisely these remnants—the 'nutrients' from that glorious past! Devouring these can accelerate its growth, and even... complete itself! The remains of the demon god sealed by the Qinglan Sect, Miss Su's Supreme Yin Imperial Clan Bloodline, and even the strange Luck on Fellow Daoist Lin that attracts numerous Opportunities... in the eyes of The Void, all of these are incredibly delicious food!"

"It doesn't seek to destroy this world; it seeks to... digest this world! To thoroughly turn all the glory this world once possessed into a part of itself!"

These words exploded like a thunderclap in Lin Xuan's mind!

He finally understood why the Guixu Cult was obsessively fixated on Su Wanqing and various ancient ruins! This was not a simple conflict between good and evil; this was a war of survival concerning whether this realm could continue to exist!

"So, it sent coordinates, calling for more of its 'kind' to come... and feed?" Lin Xuan's voice was dry.

"That is one way to look at it."顧清清 nodded. "Time is running out for this realm. You must grow faster and gather all the strength you can. Miss Su's Bloodline, your Luck, and even the Legacies of the ancient ruins scattered everywhere are all key to fighting 'The Void.'"

She looked at Lin Xuan, her gaze more serious than ever. "The help I can offer is limited, but I will do my best to guide you toward the locations of those who might still possess ancient Legacies or have special Bloodline potential. Investing in them and helping them grow is also accumulating strength for yourself and for this realm."

Lin Xuan took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent waves in his heart, and his gaze became exceptionally resolute.

"I understand. Thank you for informing me, Fairy."

His path had become clearer than ever before. He not only needed to become powerful himself, but he also needed to motivate the "Fairies" around him, and even more potential allies, to 'get involved' and collectively face the impending darkness that threatened to devour everything!