The myth begins with the Lotus Lantern

Chapter 368 Vassal
The land granted by the Heavenly King is considered private property.

The old tortoise knew that this 30% was no longer the tacitly agreed-upon percentage of the past, but a gift from those in power. Nothing had changed, but he needed to be grateful. At the same time, this potential dragon queen was also using this method to warn him that she knew everything that had happened in the past.

“Then you may leave,” said the woman in green. She withdrew her gaze and focused her attention back on the martial arts manual before her, her expression remaining unchanged. She was now adept at managing subordinates, employing both kindness and severity.

You may take it, but you must have my permission.

"Yes."

The old tortoise agreed, then seemed to hesitate for a moment, pausing as he bowed before lowering his head even further, to a height not far from the etiquette a retainer would show to his lord, before finally leaving.

……

"You all should go out too."

With a wave of her hand, the woman in green dismissed the fish-spirit and clam maidens who were serving her, leaving her alone in the hall.

The last woman leaving gently lowered the beaded curtain, and a few pearls trembled slightly.

The woman in green raised her head, seemingly lost in thought, her gaze unconsciously following the bead until it finally settled.

He's gotten stronger, and I...

Within the inner grotto-heaven, the laws were obedient and there was no unusual movement.

But Qingyi already knew the cause and effect, so she naturally wouldn't be fooled by appearances.

"Wow!"

Suddenly, the beaded curtain was moved again.

"I'm not telling you not to..."

Qingyi snapped out of her daze, her face displeased. She was about to speak but then stopped, staring blankly at the figure that had walked in.

“It’s me,” Ding Lin said, a smile on his face. “That old turtle is very cunning, but you’ve taught him a lesson he’s learned.”

“He is truly intelligent. He’s not afraid of being reprimanded by me; he has simply recognized the reality of the situation,” Qingyi said. The excitement in her eyes lasted only a moment before quickly fading away, and she returned to her original cool and aloof demeanor.

In fact, you might not even notice it if you don't look closely.

But Ding Lin clearly sensed a divine thought sweeping over him. After confirming that he was unharmed, it quickly withdrew as if to conceal itself. With his current cultivation level, such concealment was impossible for him to hide from. He felt a warmth in his heart. Nowadays, others are only awe of his current power and envy his rights. In the Three Realms, how many people are like Qingyi who only care about his safety?
Ding Lin suddenly thought of that bluefish from back then. She was always so straightforward back then. Since when did even their concern for each other have to be so veiled?

"Thank you for managing this water palace for me all these years."

Ding Lin walked behind Qingyi, gently bent down, and softly embraced her. She stiffened for a moment, but ultimately didn't push him away. "Your influence is growing ever stronger. Thanks to you, everyone in this Water Palace submits to me. I hold great power, ruling over the entire Yellow River region. So many people crave this, what hardship is there?" Qingyi said.

Ding Lin's gaze fell on the jade slips about cultivation on the table in front of Qingyi. Stacks upon stacks of cultivation essentials. His eyes flickered. How could he not know the bitterness in Qingyi's heart? She had been lonely since childhood. After finally getting through the hardships, she had a master and cultivated a great deal of skill. But one day, she was told that all her skills were for someone else's benefit, and that the master who saved her from the brink of death had ulterior motives. Perhaps she would rather have never heard these things and lived a blissful, confused life than suffer the cruelty of the truth being revealed.

But even if Ding Lin knew all this, there was nothing he could do.

“Qingyi,” Ding Lin called out, “I brought you a gift.”

Ding Lin flipped his hand, and spiritual light flashed in his palm. He held the Nine-Bend Pearl bestowed by the Ziwei Emperor in his hand. After losing one of the laws, the Nine-Bend Pearl fell in rank, but the divine object originally concealed itself, but now, in its imperfection, it shone with divine light.

"This is……"

The man in green glanced at her but did not take it. Even though he hadn’t actually handled it, just looking at it made the bead appear extraordinary.

"I fought against the Southern Dipper and the Northern Dipper, the Queen Mother of the West mediated, and the Great Emperor Ziwei used this pearl to exchange for the lives of the Southern Dipper and the Northern Dipper." Ding Lin explained the matter clearly in a few words. He was never the type to make sacrifices in silence. Although he had already decided to give the pearl to Qingyi on the way back, he still had to say what needed to be said.

“This bead should be of great use to you now,” Qingyi looked at Ding Lin deeply. “I shouldn’t have taken it, but since you’ve returned to the Yellow River, I plan to go out for a while, so I’ll borrow this bead for now.”

"Go out?" Ding Lin asked.

“Recently, I have been reading through ancient books and read in an unnamed book that there may be a secret method in the Samsara Palace that can wash away everything and make people feel reborn,” said the woman in green.

“What is said in ancient books is not necessarily credible, let alone an anonymous book.” Ding Lin’s eyes flashed as he spoke. He subconsciously refuted this. In his opinion, the Golden Immortal realm was already capable of existing forever. In addition, with his protection, he would not allow Qingyi to be wronged. Such a risk was really unnecessary. As for his own plan to go to the Underworld, that was another matter.

"You're worried about me." Qingyi looked directly into Ding Lin's eyes, speaking frankly without beating around the bush, directly revealing Ding Lin's thoughts. "The Golden Immortal realm is already something many people yearn for, and with your protection, as long as I stop seeking further cultivation and don't want to advance any further, with your protection, my current cultivation level is already secure enough. But... I like you, but that doesn't mean I've become your appendage. I have my own thoughts, I have my own pursuits, and for that, I'd rather die on the road. Besides," Qingyi's expression suddenly became somewhat strange, "those few words in that nameless ancient book have stirred my interest. I have a vague feeling that there is a great opportunity in the underworld, and also a great fear. Originally, I was still hesitant, but having received the pearl you gave me, I think it's enough to deal with that risk. I want to give it a try."

Ding Lin was speechless. He suddenly realized that he had been judging everything around him by his own mindset since some time ago. He thought he was doing what was best for Qingyi, but he naturally ignored Qingyi's thoughts.

When did this situation begin?

His cultivation progressed more and more rapidly; it turns out that power really can make people lose their way.

Cultivating oneself is about cultivating one's mind.

Without a corresponding level of mental cultivation, one can unknowingly fall into a vicious cycle.

“What’s wrong? I don’t mean to blame you. I know you care about me, but cultivation has a special meaning for me. If my cultivation is cut off from now on…” Qingyi thought that her bluntness had hurt Ding Lin.

“Qingyi,” Ding Lin’s expression changed, and he suddenly spoke, “I’m sorry.” After saying that, he felt relieved. “Please wait a few days. I’ve been having some confusion in my cultivation lately and I also need to go to the Underworld. In a few days, we will go together.”

"Okay." Qingyi nodded.

(End of this chapter)