Sword Sect Outer Sect

Chapter 193 Reborn (Combined)

Xiao He emerged from the water, her snake-like eyes fixed on Song Yan's expression.

"What's wrong? Is the alchemy not going well?"

"...That's not the case."

Song Yan ruffled Xiao He's hair: "Xiao He, our family is starving right now, you know?"

Xiao He tilted her head: "What do you mean by 'not having enough to eat'?"

After thinking for a moment, Song Yan said, "It's just... we don't have money for food."

"What's the big deal?"

“You don’t eat much anyway, as for me… I’ll go find the little field mice to eat myself.”

Xiao He flicked out the snake's tongue.

She thought it was a big deal.

"Grandpa once said that there are ways to live even when you're poor."

"..."

Song Yan nodded in agreement: "You remember what Grandpa said quite well."

"No."

Xiao He's words make sense; she used to make a living by scavenging garbage in Huogongzhai.

He began to think.

"All the Qi-Nourishing Pills that have been refined in the past three months can be sold."

"Keep a few bottles of Huangya Dan, and keep all of the Ningqi Dan."

"I can use the spirit stones from selling pills to buy a few small spirit-gathering arrays... I'm quite confident I can break through to the eighth level of Qi Refining."

Once we break through the bottleneck, we'll go to Beiya Mountain to find Liang Feng.

If what he said is true, and there are multiple lotus seeds of the Moon-Holding Ancient Lotus, then one or two can be sold on the black market under an assumed name, and that will earn spirit stones.

When traveling, how can you manage without some spirit stones as travel expenses?

As Song Yan was pondering, a thought suddenly struck him.

"……Um?"

Outside the courtyard of the cave dwelling, someone came to visit.

Song Yan stepped out of the hot spring, dispelled the steam, casually put on a Taoist robe, and went out to greet the guests.

Since the sword-wielding incident ended, many unfamiliar fellow disciples have frequently come to visit.

Some sought guidance and exchanged ideas on Taoist principles. Others came to offer gifts and cultivate relationships.

There were even subtle hints and ambiguous expressions of affection, seeking to engage in dual cultivation.

However, so much time has passed, especially since he has been in seclusion refining elixirs for a long time, that he no longer has any visitors.

"It just so happens that I am coming out of the pass today, so I am paying you a visit. It's quite a coincidence."

Song Yan stepped out of the cave and saw a familiar face outside the courtyard.

"Senior Brother Lin Qing..."

He rarely interacted with Senior Brother Lin. When they faced each other during a duel, Senior Brother Lin would simply give up and they never fought.

"Senior Brother Lin, please come in."

Song Yan waved his hand to release the restriction and welcomed Lin Qing in.

Lin Qing remained as calm and collected as ever: "Junior Brother Song, how have you been? It's been since we parted on the day of the decisive battle, but your charm remains unchanged."

"Senior Brother Lin, please don't flatter me."

Song Yan waved his hand: "Let's go into the cave and have a chat."

Lin Qing stepped into the cave, his gaze subtly sweeping towards the alchemy room, a gentle smile playing on his lips: "I apologize for disturbing Junior Brother's cultivation."

"Senior brother, you flatter me." Song Yan led him to a seat and brewed a pot of spiritual tea.

This was a gift from a junior sister who visited him a few days ago. That junior sister is from Panning, a place famous for its spiritual tea.

"When we were still in the outer sect, Senior Brother Lin took good care of me. There's no need for formalities between us."

Lin Qing was taken aback upon hearing this, and felt somewhat guilty.

I only intended to test this junior brother before, but I never expected that he would take me for Fu Zhao.

"I wonder what brings you here today, Senior Brother?"

Amidst the fragrant tea aroma, Lin Qing picked up her teacup, took a sip, and casually remarked, "Haha, it's really nothing."

“Junior brother’s performance in the sword-wielding competition was amazing. I haven’t come to congratulate you yet, so I’ve come to sit down for a while.”

"Thank you for your concern, senior brother. I am of mediocre talent, and it is already a stroke of luck that I was able to enter the inner sect. I will definitely work hard and cultivate diligently in the future to live up to the sect's expectations."

"Junior Brother, you're being too modest," Lin chuckled. "Now, everyone in the sect knows your name."

"By the way, junior brother, have you decided whether to join the Demon Peak?"

Upon hearing this, Song Yan nodded: "Yes, it's decided."

"I've just been busy with a lot of trivial matters lately and haven't had time to change my disciple badge yet."

"I see."

Lin Qing seemed to have something to say, but didn't know how to start, and tapped her fingertips lightly on the edge of the teacup.

"Diligent practice...Junior brother, the path of cultivation requires more than just hard work."

"Resources and powerful backers are both indispensable."

A hint of doubt flashed in Song Yan's eyes, but he didn't show it on his face, nor did he respond; he simply listened quietly.

Lin Qing suddenly lowered her voice and asked.

"Junior brother, you are a disciple of Elder Qin Xijun. Do you have any views on the Qin Immortal Clan?"

Song Yan was slightly startled.

Why did this Senior Brother Lin Qing suddenly mention the Qin family to me?
"The Qin Clan is powerful and has a profound foundation, which we naturally admire."

Lin Qing sensed a subtle tone in Song Yan's words.

He didn't say "admire," but rather "respect."

There's a sense of keeping a respectful distance.

However, he did not point it out, but said to himself, "To be honest, I have accepted the Qin family's invitation and will be visiting the Qin family's territory soon."

"Um……"

Song Yan's heart sank.

It seems that his senior brother Lin has already sided with the Qin family.

Now, perhaps at Qin's behest, they're making one last emotional appeal to win him over.

However, he already disliked the Qin family because of Qin Xijun, and the inexplicable "surveillance" by Yang Wenxuan made him extremely dislike the Qin family's behavior.

"I see. Alas, it's a pity. I've always been too carefree, and I was just planning to travel around in a few days..."

Song Yan politely declined Lin Qing's advances.

The implication is that there's no need to waste any more words.

Lin Qing nodded.

It seems that this junior brother is indeed not on good terms with the Qin family, just as I secretly investigated.

This put his mind at ease a little.

Lin Qing picked up the teacup and took a sip.

Song Yan always felt that Senior Brother Lin had something important to discuss this time, but so far, he had only been probing and probing indirectly.

Finally, unable to hold back any longer, he asked, "Senior Brother Lin, is there something important you wish to discuss with us...?"

"Junior Brother Song."

Lin Qing nodded, put down her teacup, and her gaze became distant.

"Do you believe in this world..."

Is there such a thing as rebirth?

what? !

Song Yan froze, nearly dropping the teacup from his hand.

Lin Qing looked at the other person, but her thoughts had already flown back to before the Flower Festival in Beiya Mountain.

……

Behind Dragon Head Peak lies the forbidden valley.

"interesting……"

Li Jun Dao Ren examined the small jade carving in his hand with great interest.

"A second chance at life? Or just a pipe dream..."

"This disciple...this disciple's cultivation level and vision are too low to know."

Chen Linyuan's eyes flashed: "I was killed by the demonic path, and the Dongyuan Sect was destroyed."

"...It sounds incredible."

Lin Qing didn't dare to say much, but just listened quietly.

"Considering that everything you did was for the sake of the sect, I will spare your life."

Chen Linyuan casually tossed the jade carving back to Lin Qing.

At the same time, a sword aura burst forth from Chen Linyuan's fingertips, transforming into a golden light that pierced into Lin Qing's brow.

Everything happened so fast that he didn't have time to react.

"In that case, from now on, the task of investigating spies within the sect will be entrusted to you."

Seeing that the sect leader still maintained that nonchalant, carefree attitude, Lin Qing felt a bitter taste in her mouth.

Originally, I just wanted to do my best, but now that the sect leader is in charge, things are completely different.

"Sect Master, this disciple...this disciple's cultivation is too weak..."

"Your cultivation is so low, can't you improve it?" Chen Linyuan's expression was calm, but his words left Lin Qingsheng with no thought of resistance.

"Yes Yes."

"This disciple will certainly keep a low profile and find the demonic spies for the sect."

"No, no, how can we remain unknown?"

However, Chen Linyuan seemed to have his own ideas.

“If you think there’s something wrong with the Qin family, then you should make a name for yourself in the Sword Wiping Competition and let them try to win you over so you can infiltrate the Qin family.”

"..."

"You said that Song Yan and Shao Sichao did not exist in the sect in the previous life."

"Yes."

"Hehe." Chen Linyuan chuckled lightly, "I understand that you are too busy to deal with this alone, and your cultivation level is not yet sufficient."

"How about I arrange a helper for you?"

"..."

Lin Qing was somewhat puzzled. He raised his head and looked at Chen Linyuan.

Daoist Li Jun calmly said, "Song Yan is a good person and is not a member of the demonic path."

“You can tell him everything you know, including your ‘previous life’.”

"This will gain his trust and make him cooperate with you."

"Sect Master?! This is probably..."

Lin Qing was shocked. Being reborn was her biggest secret, and she could not possibly tell others about it casually.

Chen Linyuan chuckled: "What? You're not afraid of using it to scheme against me, a Golden Core cultivator, but now that I'm letting you communicate with a mere Qi Refining junior, you're scared?"

Lin Qing felt a deep sadness and bitterness in her heart.

I felt that everything was slipping out of my control.

Master Chen was decisive and radical, acting in a manner completely contrary to his own ideas.

It's like putting yourself on a hot plate...

That's it.

Now that things have come to this, the situation is beyond the control of a Qi Refining stage cultivator like him.

"……Yes."

……

Thoughts withdrawn.

Lin Qing had been hesitant, completely unaware of why the sect leader would send such an insignificant nobody into this mess.

It wasn't until Song Yan shone brightly at the Sword-Touching Gathering that he realized that perhaps the sect leader had already noticed his extraordinary nature.

However, he didn't quite understand why it wasn't Li Yi but Song Yan.

In conclusion, after much deliberation, Lin Qing decided to join forces with the sect leader as instructed.

However, Song Yan was completely stunned by this sentence.

Reborn?

Did he discover his origins...?

What kind of secret technique is this?
He was horrified, but forced himself to remain calm: "What do you mean by that, Senior Brother?"

Lin Qing did not answer immediately, but instead took out a jade slip from his bosom and set up a soundproof barrier.

After doing all this, he slowly spoke.

"What I'm about to say may be hard to believe, but please listen to me, junior brother."

Lin Qing finally began to explain.

As he described it, Song Yan's emotions went from shock to confusion, and then to doubt.

He eventually fell into deep thought.

"Demonic invasion, sect annihilation..."

At this moment, Song Yan's mind was buzzing.

There was just too much information to handle, so much so that he felt he had too many questions to ask.

However, this was completely different from Lin Qing's concerns.

What he cared about wasn't the authenticity of the "rebirth," but rather, why he had to be told this.

Lin Qing's reason was that the "Sect Leader" believed that he was loyal, righteous, and pure-hearted.

However, in Song Yan's view, this reason was too simplistic.

Moreover, if this were true, how could such a big matter be handled by two Qi Refining stage cultivators?

I have a feeling that this sect leader doesn't take this matter to heart at all.

Or……

It was like a trivial "test".

"call--"

Song Yan breathed a long sigh of relief.

After a moment of silence, he finally asked the first question.

"Senior Brother Lin, if you tell me these things, aren't you afraid that everything will be different in the future?"

Lin Qing was somewhat surprised; was this junior brother accepting the matter of "rebirth" a little too quickly?

He shrugged, looking rather helpless.

“When I discovered that you and Shao Sichao had appeared in the sect, many minor details were already different from before.”

"But don't worry, junior brother, so far, there has been no change in the many major events that have occurred in the cultivation world."

"I suppose the invasion of the demonic path will be no different."

After saying this, Lin Qing sighed inwardly.

So-called rebirth...

Is it really that useful?
He once thought that he possessed the ability of foresight and would surely be able to ascend to the path of immortality with extraordinary treasures by his side.

But in reality, what you are not capable of is never truly yours.

If it's not meant to be, don't force it...

“I know it’s hard to believe,” Lin Qing said with a wry smile. “If I hadn’t experienced it myself, I wouldn’t have believed in something like rebirth.”

It's not unbelievable.

There are so many mysterious and profound things in the world of cultivation that it's not surprising to be reborn in a strange new life.

Furthermore, Lin Qing also said that the "Sect Master" believed that this might be a method of "deduction" by some kind of spiritual object, and not a true "rebirth".

Song Yan took a deep breath and tried to process this information.

If Lin Qing's words were true, then his previous probing about the "Qin family" had given Song Yan a glimmer of understanding.

"Senior Brother Lin suspects the Qin family?"

Lin Qing nodded first, then shook her head: "Not sure."

"But the Qin family's rapid rise after the destruction of the sect is too suspicious."

It seems that Lin Qing wants to join the Qin family's camp for the purpose of investigation.

Song Yan remained silent for a long time.

All of this was too bizarre, but every detail about Lin Qing was perfectly consistent, and it didn't seem fake.

Moreover, Yang Wenxuan's previous visit had already made him sense the undercurrents within the sect.

Song Yan looked at the golden mark between Lin Qing's brows, and now he could see the faint sword energy surging on it through his Void Observation Sword Eyes.

Indeed, it is similar to the spiritual sentiment conveyed in the handwritten letter I gave myself on New Year's Eve that year.

It was undoubtedly written by the sect leader.

"Ok."

Song Yan finally spoke: "But how should we begin?"

Having said that, Lin Qing finally breathed a sigh of relief.

……

The two talked in secret in the cave for a long time.

When Lin Qing took her leave, it was already late at night.

Song Yan watched Lin Qing's figure disappear into the night, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Rebirth, traitor, sect crisis...

All of this is too heavy.

In particular, regarding the invasion of the demonic path, although all indications have been that the demonic sect is poised to make a comeback.

Only after confirming this with Lin Qing's words could one truly feel an unprecedented sense of oppression.

Strength, strength.

Without sufficient strength, everything is empty talk.

According to Lin Qing's prediction, in three years, demonic cultivators will launch a full-scale invasion of the Chu Kingdom.

Logically speaking, if the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up; it's not his place to worry about anything.

But what if everything Lin Qing predicted is true...?

In such a war that swept through the cultivation world, it was impossible for him to extricate himself from the vortex.

Their Qi Refining stage strength is really not enough.

Song Yan calmed himself down, a resolute glint in his eyes.

He turned around and walked into the cave.

(End of this chapter)