Chương 216: Chapter 105: Dissolving Barriers, Re-entering the Azure Jade Palace

Three days later, Reyn fully refined the White Jade Dragon-Whiskers Rice within his body. A rich, vibrant surge of life force instantly melted into his limbs and bones. His entire body felt wrapped in a warm, comfortable halo, bringing a subtle, relaxed smile to his lips. He slowly opened his eyes. Two beams of sharp, brilliant light burst forth from his dark irises, piercing three feet into the open air before gradually fading.

His pitch-black, bottomless eyes appeared even deeper now, completely unfathomable to any onlooker.

"Master! My most beloved Master! You're finally awake! Today is the day we agreed upon—I was starting to think you'd forgotten!" The moment Reyn stirred, a noisy, clattering voice squeaked out, dripping with blatant flattery. The Little Divine Hall hovered over enthusiastically, balancing a wet towel on its top as it fluttered to Reyn's side.

"Master, quickly wipe your face! Your cultivation is simply too diligent, too hardworking! Staying motionless for three whole days without end... I truly admire you from the bottom of my heart!" For cultivators, going into secluded meditation was a mundane, daily affair. Short sessions lasted a few days, while longer ones spanned months or even years. It was completely routine. Yet, coming out of this fellow's mouth, a mere three-day meditation was framed as monumental dedication. Reyn shook his head in silence.

He had long since grasped this entity's true nature—a shameless opportunist who bowed to whoever fed it. Ever since three days ago, when he yielded to its relentless pestering and gave it a single grain of White Jade Dragon-Whiskers Rice, its shameless fawning had only grown worse.

"Master, don't you want to relax and thoroughly enjoy yourself?" While Reyn was wiping his face, the Little Divine Hall darted onto his shoulder, asking in a thoroughly vulgar and sly tone.

"Heheh, whenever my previous master finished a session of cultivation, he loved summoning a dozen beauties to his palace. Then they'd strip completely naked and 'wrestle.' Every single time, he looked like he was ascending to heaven and dying of ecstasy, telling me that was true enjoyment. Tsk tsk, I was so envious back then! But what could I do? My grade wasn't high enough to manifest a human form, so my wish to 'wrestle naked with beautiful women' kept getting delayed. Then that old deadbeat master of mine...

oh, my beloved Master, I don't mean you! I mean my former master! He was killed by his enemies, and I was ripped from my main body and sealed away, putting that dream on hold indefinitely!" As the Little Divine Hall reached this point, it put on a look of profound heartbreak and regret.

"But you can do it, Master! Tsk tsk, with such great conditions, don't you want to give it a try? Should I cast a few bewitching illusions for you? I guarantee I can bring dozens of beauties right to your door, making sure you enjoy yourself to the absolute maximum!" Its previously dispirited mood evaporated as it grew increasingly animated, acting for all the world like a pimp in a mortal brothel—insufferably sleazy. Reyn turned his head and shot the item a flat look.

"One more word of nonsense, and you won't get a single grain of White Jade Dragon-Whiskers Rice ever again."

"..."

"Heheh, whatever you say, Master! I'll go through fire and water for you! That whole thing about wrestling naked with beauties is far too vulgar and lowbrow! Your humble servant will strictly keep your teachings in mind and never talk nonsense again!" The Little Divine Hall's heart pounded wildly in panic. The White Jade Dragon-Whiskers Rice was not only immense for human cultivators, but also a supreme treasure for artifact spirits of Dao Artifacts like itself. Refining it greatly enhanced its inherent power.

One could tell just by looking at its body, which had noticeably expanded by a whole circle over the last three days. If it could see the rice but not taste it, it would die of agony. Reyn understood this creature's low character all too well. Ignoring its pathetic act, he furrowed his brows slightly, a reflective look flashing across his eyes. A moment later, he stood up in one swift motion and spoke without looking back.

"Let us go. Today, I shall help you merge into your primary vessel."

"My most beloved Master, I love you to death! From now on, I am your shield and your lightning rod! Let all harm come straight at me!" The Little Divine Hall rambled out its gratitude in a frenzy, swooping behind Reyn to assume the stance of a loyal bodyguard, acting as if no one could ever harm its glorious master while it was around.

Indifferent to its dramatic theatrics, Reyn opened his storage bag with a blank expression and said calmly, "If you don't want to be detected by the Manifest Saint and refined alive, get inside right now." Swoosh! Without a second thought, the Little Divine Hall shot straight into the bag. Reyn shook his head with a helpless laugh. The artifact spirit was a complete clown, and he wondered what kind of trouble it might cause him in the future.

Shaking off the thought, he dispelled the protective restrictions around his room and stepped outside. As a direct disciple of the Nascent Soul ancestor holding the status of a core disciple within the Mu Family, Reyn's standing was no lower than that of an ordinary elder. As he walked along the path, every Mu Family cultivator he encountered bowed respectfully to greet him. Reyn nodded in response to each of them, though a faint sense of impatience grew within him, prompting him to quicken his pace.

"Brother Reyn!" Just as Reyn was about to cross a small plaza, a familiar voice called out. Without breaking his stride, he lifted his gaze and saw Ling You'er running toward him with an excited look on her face, followed closely by Xing Tianxie, who wore a warm smile. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Across the small plaza nearby, several cultivators from various sects turned their gazes toward them, their eyes tinged with awe and flattery.

Reyn offered a mild smile and nodded to greet the arriving pair.

"Brother Reyn, I heard you went into secluded meditation to heal your injuries! How are you feeling now? Are you completely healed?" Concern flickered in Ling You'er's autumn-water eyes as she grabbed Reyn's arm, scanning him up and down. Knowing the young woman's concern was genuine, Reyn felt a warm sensation in his heart. He chuckled and replied, "It was merely a minor injury. After a few days of rest, I have completely recovered. Fellow Daoist does not need to worry."

"You're still calling me 'Fellow Daoist'? If Brother Reyn hadn't come to my rescue inside the Trial Realm, I would have..." At this point, a rosy blush spread across the girl's cheeks, giving her a bashful expression that made her appear breathtakingly beautiful. Stamping her foot in annoyance, she said, "Anyway, you're not allowed to be so distant with me anymore! Call me You'er from now on!" Reyn rubbed his nose with a wry smile.

Looking down at his arm, which she was clutching tightly against herself, he had no choice but to give in with a nod.

"Alright, You'er. But shouldn't you let go of my arm first? Fellow Daoist Xing Tianxie is watching right behind us."

"Ah!" Ling You'er gasped in surprise. Turning around, she caught the playful smirk on Xing Tianxie's face. Her fair cheeks flushed bright red as she quickly released Reyn's arm and took two steps back, muttering under her breath about how her senior brother was the absolute worst. Xing Tianxie let out a dry, self-deprecating chuckle. However, upon observing the subtle shift in the atmosphere between the two, his gaze flickered with a calculated light.

He stepped forward, cupping his hands in a formal salute, and spoke, "It was only after returning from the Trial Realm that I learned the full extent of the events from my Junior Sister. I owe you a debt of gratitude, Fellow Daoist Reyn, for your timely intervention." Reyn, who had been momentarily lost in the lingering, soft sensation of his arm brushing against the firm, supple curves of Ling You'er's chest, felt the phantom touch vanish.

At the sound of Xing Tianxie's voice, he gave a light cough, his mental state instantly settling back into a state of icy composure. He smiled faintly, his tone indifferent, "Fellow Daoist Xing, you are being far too courteous. You'er and I are old acquaintances; lending a hand was merely a matter of duty. There is no need for such formal thanks." Though Reyn's tone remained impeccably polite, Xing Tianxie caught the faint, chilling edge of alienation beneath the surface.

He sighed inwardly, realizing that Reyn was still harboring resentment over the events at the exit of the Trial Realm. After all, by choosing to stand by and watch from the sidelines that day, they had, in a sense, already placed themselves in opposition to Reyn.

"Regarding the events of that day, I was truly caught in a bind. I am not a lone wolf; every decision I make must be weighed against the interests of my Sect. I hope Fellow Daoist Reyn can understand my position," Xing Tianxie lowered his voice, his eyes filled with a veneer of sincerity.

"I genuinely wish to befriend you, Fellow Daoist. I implore you not to keep me at such a distance." Reyn fell into a brief, contemplative silence. A moment later, he broke into a genuine smile, "Very well. Since you put it that way, I shall accept you as a friend." In the world of cultivation, while personal strength reigned supreme, having allies with formidable backgrounds and power acted as an invisible deterrent. It forced others to hesitate and weigh the consequences of retaliation before daring to strike.

This Xing Tianxie was undoubtedly a candidate worth such an investment. Furthermore, his words carried a ring of truth; they had been mere acquaintances at the time. The fact that he hadn't kicked Reyn while he was down was already a testament to his character. To expect him to disregard his Sect's interests and stand by Reyn's side would have been an unreasonable demand. Xing Tianxie's face lit up with relief. The two exchanged a look, and the subtle, lingering barrier between them was effectively dissolved.

Ling You'er's eyes sparkled with delight. She chirped happily, "See? It's all settled now! I told you, Senior Brother, that Brother Reyn is a man of great magnanimity; he wouldn't hold a petty grudge against you. It's laughable how you've been fretting and muttering to yourself for the past two days, terrified that Brother Reyn wouldn't even acknowledge you."

"You little brat! Now that you have your 'Brother Reyn,' you don't even care about your own Senior Brother anymore? Just wait until we get back, I'll show you what's what!" Xing Tianxie's face flushed with embarrassment. He feigned a fit of rage, letting out a cold, sharp huff. Ling You'er hid behind Reyn's back, sticking her tongue out and making a playful face, completely unbothered. She looked every bit the carefree girl next door, a sight that forced even the stoic Reyn to let out a hearty, genuine laugh.

"Brother Reyn, let us find another opportunity to drink until we are drunk in the future. Today, we must head to the Scripture Hall for our cultivation practice, so we shall take our leave first," Xing Tianxie said, ignoring Ling You'er's pout of dissatisfaction as he reached out to pull her back to his side.

"Very well, you two go ahead. I have some matters of my own to attend to," Reyn nodded with a smile. He watched as Ling You'er, dragged away by Xing Tianxie, kept turning her head back to wave goodbye. A faint, lingering warmth stirred in his heart. Only after the figures of Xing Tianxie and his group had faded into the distance did he draw a deep, steadying breath, calm his surging thoughts, and stride forward with purpose....

"Halt! This is a restricted area of the Clan. No unauthorized personnel are permitted to approach! Retreat at once!" As a figure in azure robes stepped onto the plaza before the palace, a sharp, cold reprimand echoed in his ears before he could even take another step. Several Mu Family cultivators, clad in wood-green garments, appeared before him in a flash of escape light, their expressions grim and hostile. The figure in azure robes slowly raised his head.

He spoke in a flat, detached tone, "Do I, too, lack the qualifications to enter?" Upon clearly seeing the face of the man before them, the expressions of the Mu Family guards protecting the Azure Jade Palace shifted instantly. Their arrogance vanished, replaced by profound reverence as they bowed low, "Greetings, Senior Brother Reyn!" The leader among them wore a look of intense difficulty, hesitating, "May I ask, Senior Brother, what business brings you to the Azure Jade Palace today?"

Reyn's expression darkened instantly. He let out a cold, mocking laugh, "Does my business require a report to the likes of you?"

"According to the Mu Family rules, Core Disciples and those with the status of Elder or above may enter restricted areas without prior reporting. Tell me, is the status granted to me by the Ancestor insufficient to grant me entry? Or are you lot defying the Ancestor's decree, deliberately making things difficult for me?" By the end of his sentence, his tone was as frigid as glacial ice, laced with a palpable, simmering fury.

"This... this... we would never dare! Please, Senior Brother Reyn, do not misunderstand!" Beads of cold sweat broke out across the leader's forehead instantly. If this matter escalated and they were branded with the crime of defying the Ancestor's command, every one of them would face brutal punishment.

"With your status, Senior Brother, there is naturally no issue with you entering. We have been blind and offensive; we beg for your magnanimity." Having said this, the man waved his hand, and the guards scrambled to retreat to the sides. Reyn let out a cold snort. Without another word, his face a mask of gloom, he strode directly into the Azure Jade Palace. Behind him, the leader's face flickered with uncertainty.

He whispered a few hurried words to his subordinates, then, with a flash of escape light, he took to the sky and vanished into the distance.