Ancestor Lan Ruo gestured for them to enter, smiling slightly. "It is an honor for our Luo River Sect to have you grace us with your presence, Senior. I will immediately arrange for my disciples to prepare spiritual food to welcome you."
Led by Lan Ruo, the two arrived at the main hall of the Luo River Sect. Inside the hall, several Nascent Soul stage cultivators were discussing the current situation of the Country of Hou Fen.
When they saw the two unfamiliar cultivators brought in by Ancestor Lan Ruo, they couldn't help but cast questioning glances.
Lan Ruo, fearing these people might offend Senior Lin Che, immediately informed the Nascent Soul stage ancestors of the matter upon entering the hall.
Upon learning that Lin Che had already reached the Soul Transformation stage (and possessed strength far exceeding the norm), the ancestors were stunned. They hadn't expected the young man before them to have already reached such a level.
No one dared to be negligent. They immediately stood up, bowed respectfully to Lin Che, and said, "Greetings, Senior."
"Fellow Daoists, there's no need for such formalities. I'm merely passing through and will not interfere in the affairs of your Country of Hou Fen."
Lin Che waved to the few Nascent Soul cultivators before him, walked to the main seat at the end, sat down, and then rested his chin on his hand, closing his eyes to meditate.
His earlier words were also a message to the Luo River Sect members: no matter what happened in the Country of Hou Fen, he would not intervene.
As for whether the cultivators in the Country of Hou Fen could survive the Fire Beast invasion, that depended on their own abilities.
Seeing this, Ancestor Lan Ruo naturally couldn't say anything. She could only personally arrange for a disciple to go to the inner sect and summon Li Muwan's brother, Li Qiqing, to the main hall.
Ancestor Lan Ruo picked up her teacup and said with a troubled expression, "Recently, the Fire Beasts in the Country of Hou Fen have been rampant and have gained the ability to break through the formation. Our Luo River Sect should make plans as soon as possible to prepare for any eventuality."
"Currently, my Luo River Sect, War God Shrine, He Huan Sect, and Corpse Yin Sect have made plans. If the Fire Beasts truly break through the formation, then from now on, our four sects will form an alliance and migrate together to the Country of Xuan Wu."
Li Muwan frowned slightly, asking in confusion, "Ancestor, what do you mean by this? Does this mean our Luo River Sect is going to leave the Country of Hou Fen?"
Ancestor Lan Ruo replied, "That's right. Your Foundation Establishment stage disciples naturally cannot detect that these Fire Beasts have already shown signs of breaking the formation. If the formation is broken, then the beasts will definitely pour out. At that time, our Country of Hou Fen will be littered with corpses."
"Ancestor, if all the cultivators of Hou Fen go to other countries, how will the mortals of Hou Fen face those powerful Fire Beasts?" Li Muwan asked anxiously.
"We have done our best to escort the mortals away from the Country of Hou Fen. The Great Dao is merciless, and we should prepare for the worst. There's no need to worry about this matter; just follow orders."
Ancestor Lan Ruo's gaze lingered on Lin Che, but Lin Che kept his eyes closed the entire time, showing no interest whatsoever, as if the fate of the Country of Hou Fen was already sealed.
Li Muwan approached Lin Che, gently biting her lower lip. "Senior Brother, can you... help the Country of Hou Fen deal with the Fire Beasts?"
Lin Che opened his eyes, looked at Li Muwan, and shook his head. "Wan'er, what Fellow Daoist Lan Ruo said is not unreasonable. The Great Dao is inherently merciless, and so is the cycle of karma."
"The cultivation world has always been like this. Mortals have their own destinies. We cultivators should pray for our own good fortune; otherwise, we will only perish."
Lin Che understood that Li Muwan's heart was too kind, and that kindness might very well be the key to her demise.
This was why Lin Che always wanted her to see the cruelty of the cultivation world. If no one had protected her, Li Muwan, with her cultivation level, would have already perished.
Li Muwan lowered her head in disappointment, feeling reluctant to leave the people of Hou Fen, but she also understood that the Great Dao has its own destiny. Whether or not they could survive was also the fate of the people.
"Wan'er!"
Just then, a startled cry rang out from outside the hall, followed by Li Qiqing rushing in.
"Brother!"
Li Muwan quickly turned around, and upon seeing Li Qiqing, she immediately ran over, her eyes instantly welling up with tears.
Li Qiqing, seeing his sister, also had red eyes. For so many years, he and his sister had depended on each other. Now that Li Muwan had been gone for so long, his heart, as her brother, was naturally breaking.
Every evening, Li Qiqing would think of his sister, wondering how she was doing.
Li Muwan gently stroked Li Qiqing's cheek, biting her lip as she said, "Brother, you've lost weight."
Li Qiqing smiled and said, "Recently, sect affairs have been busy, and cultivation has been quite intense, so losing weight is normal."
"Wan'er, you've broken through to the Late Foundation Establishment stage?"
At that moment, Li Qiqing noticed Li Muwan's new cultivation level and asked in surprise, "When we parted, you had only just broken through to the early stage. How long has it been, and you've already reached the late stage?"
Li Muwan gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and said softly, "It's all thanks to Senior Brother Lin Che. If it weren't for him, I'm afraid I'd still be at the early stage."
Li Qiqing quickly walked over, cupped his hands in greeting to Lin Che, and respectfully said, "Junior Li Qiqing greets Senior Lin Che."
"Long time no see. Several years have passed since our last meeting. Since you are Wan'er's brother, this Nascent Soul level protective magic treasure is for you."
Lin Che nodded and smiled, then took out a mirror-like Nascent Soul level magic treasure from his storage ring and gave it to Li Qiqing as a way to protect him from the upcoming Fire Beast calamity.
Seeing the Nascent Soul level magic treasure that Lin Che took out, the ancestors of the Luo River Sect were filled with envy. After all, not everyone among them, who were in the Nascent Soul stage themselves, possessed a magic treasure of that rank.
Now, this Senior Lin Che had directly given it to a Late Foundation Establishment disciple. To them, this was simply a waste!
Too extravagant!
Li Qiqing was also somewhat surprised. After all, he had only heard of such high-level magic treasures before and had never even seen one. Now, Senior Lin Che had actually given one to him.
"Brother, please accept it. Senior Brother has many Nascent Soul stage magic treasures on him; this will be a life-saving trump card for you."
Li Muwan smiled gently, her hands behind her back. "Besides, Senior Brother promised me that after I break through to the Core Formation stage, he will take my brother and me to live in the Country of Zhao."
"Ahem... Well, Wan'er, that's enough. If there's nothing else, you should go back and rest."
Ancestor Lan Ruo coughed awkwardly twice. Was it really appropriate to say such things right to her face?