Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

That evening, Laurel Manor returned to tranquility. Lin Yan gently carried Xiao Qi, who had fallen asleep curled up on the sofa after playing, back to its soft cushion, and then his mind sank into the space.

Within the space, the spiritual energy remained abundant, but compared to the surging energy during his previous enlightenment, it had returned to its former tranquility. The Golden Core cultivators, including Elder Dan, Elder Fu, Elder Zhen, and Huang Qingtian (Charles), had already sensed his arrival and gathered around. Their gazes towards Lin Yan held not only the usual respect, but also an indescribable sense of awe and curiosity.

Lin Yan knew they hoped he could offer them some enlightenment. He casually sat down on a smooth, warm bluestone, gesturing for them not to stand on ceremony. His gaze swept over these weathered, once powerful elders, and he slowly began to recount his experiences in the outside world. From the discrimination and provocation he encountered while skiing at Lake Tahoe, to Thomas kidnapping Yang Xi'en, to his swift counterattack and the destruction of the Brown family, and finally, the epiphany he experienced triggered by a question posed by Li Wenbin, he recounted everything in detail.

He did not conceal his killings, nor did he exaggerate his enlightenment; he simply narrated calmly, as if reviewing a piece of history closely related to himself.

When he recounted how he fell into deep thought after Li Wenbin's question, "Wouldn't you feel uncomfortable killing someone?", and how he ultimately attained enlightenment of the "Way of Freedom" within the spatial realm, condensing his Dao image and experiencing a surge in cultivation, the Golden Core cultivators present exchanged glances once more, their faces filled with complex emotions. There was shock, relief, envy, and even a hint of realization.

Old Master Fu stroked his long beard, his eyes gleaming with wisdom, and exclaimed, "Young Master, you, with your Foundation Establishment stage cultivation, were able to question your true nature and directly point to the source of the Dao from a mere mortal's words. Such enlightenment is truly something I have never seen before in my life. What is even more remarkable is that what you have comprehended is neither the Dao of killing nor the Dao of benevolence and righteousness, but rather this seemingly ethereal yet truly fundamental 'Dao of Freedom.' This Dao... is the most difficult, and also the most suitable for you, Young Master."

Lin Yan nodded. He had come in today precisely to have an in-depth discussion with these knowledgeable "old fogies." Following Elder Fu's words, he began to thoroughly analyze the advantages that enabled him to comprehend the Dao so "smoothly."

"Elder Fu, you flatter me." Lin Yan's tone was calm, with a analytical calmness. "Today, I have been reflecting on myself and realized that the reason I have the opportunity and energy to ponder these fundamental questions about the 'Dao' is not entirely due to my comprehension. Rather, it is because I have you, this space, and an absolutely safe environment for growth that most cultivators would never even dare to dream of."

His gaze deepened, and he began to make comparisons:

"What are the rogue cultivators, or rather, the lower-level cultivators in the cultivation world, like?" Lin Yan recalled some scenes from his previous life, his tone tinged with emotion. "They are like a 'three-no' product—no stable lineage, no sufficient resources, and no security."

"The first problem they face every day when they open their eyes is not how to comprehend the Dao, but how to survive, how to earn the next spirit stone, and how to get the next bottle of pills. Sometimes, for a cultivation technique that might suit them, they can risk everything, even their lives, and 'sell' themselves to a certain power. Their lives are filled with the pressure of survival, and their minds are always on edge, just like those 'oxen and horses' in my previous life who were struggling to make a living and were overwhelmed by the burdens of life."

"In this state," Lin Yan pointed out incisively, "they lack even the time to calm down and feel their own emotions or observe the changes in the world. How can they possibly have any profound insights into life? What they have is probably more numbness, an instinctive pursuit of power, and a ruthless grabbing of resources. Survival is their only 'way'."

"Look at me now." Lin Yan spread his hands, his tone calm yet carrying a clear understanding. "From the Qi Refining stage onwards, I used top-grade spirit stones to lay the most solid foundation. For essence, qi, and spirit, I cultivated top-tier techniques provided by the ancestor, far surpassing ordinary ones. As for the four arts of alchemy, talisman, array, and weapon crafting, I have the time difference in my spatial dimension to freely utilize them, unafraid of failure or wasting time. Most importantly—"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd: "I have you all. I have this world that belongs only to me. I am not coveted or hunted by cultivators of the same level, nor can I be easily crushed by high-level experts. I can grow in an absolutely safe environment, without any distractions, and without constantly worrying about my future."

"It is precisely because of this 'safety barrier' constructed by space," Lin Yan concluded, "that I have a large amount of time and energy to observe my inner changes, to savor the joys and sorrows of life, and to contemplate the root and meaning of my actions. Only then can I delve into why I can kill without feeling any emotion because of a friend's concern, and ultimately touch upon the essence of 'freedom'."

A slight smile appeared on his face: "Speaking of which, I wouldn't call myself a particularly diligent 'scroll king' when it comes to cultivation. My greatest advantage might not be this space itself, but rather the extreme luck brought by this space and you all. Luck that has given me the right to calmly choose my 'path'."

These words left the Golden Core cultivators present speechless, their hearts churning with complex emotions. Hadn't they themselves once struggled to survive in that cruel world of cultivation? For resources, for opportunities, they had engaged in deceit and life-or-death battles. Had they ever had the luxury of being able to calmly contemplate "Why do I cultivate?" and "What do I want to achieve?" at the Foundation Establishment stage, like Lin Yan?

Huang Qingtian took a deep breath and sincerely praised, "Young Master, you are able to so clearly perceive your own situation and understand your own advantages, without being arrogant or impatient. This state of mind has already surpassed countless so-called geniuses who only have cultivation. The way of freedom is to follow your heart and understand your true nature. Young Master, you have already embarked on the most correct path."

Lin Yan smiled and stood up. This reflection had given him a clearer understanding of his path and made him more at peace.

"The road ahead is long, and this is just the beginning. But at least we're heading in the right direction." He looked at everyone. "Back in New York, we might encounter some interesting things. There's no rush to cultivate; let's enjoy this rare period of 'luck' and the resulting leisure."

Just as he was about to leave, Elder Fu, who had been stroking his beard in deep thought, spoke again, his tone carrying a hint of caution and concern: "Young Master, please forgive this old man for saying a few more words."

Lin Yan stopped and said respectfully, "Please speak, Elder Fu."

With a profound gaze, Elder Fu slowly said, "Young Master, your physical body is only seventeen years old. From Lin Gang's understanding of the mortal world, I know that young men your age are at the age of seeking knowledge... oh, I mean, the age of striving for academic advancement. They are either studying diligently in high school or exploring new knowledge in the halls of university. This is the normal course of human growth and the trajectory of society."

He paused, observing Lin Yan's expression, and continued, "Young Master, you have comprehended the Way of Freedom, which emphasizes following your heart and not going against your true nature. However, I dare to speculate that if you wish to take a further step in your cultivation of humanity and gain a deeper understanding of 'following your heart' and 'nature,' perhaps... the key lies in the four words 'going with the flow.'"

"Let nature take its course?" Lin Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, carefully considering the word.

"Exactly." Elder Fu nodded. "This 'nature' does not only refer to the laws governing the operation of heaven and earth and all things, but also includes the natural order of human relationships and the stages of growth. Young Master, you are mature and knowledgeable, far surpassing ordinary people of your age. This is an advantage, but it may also become an invisible barrier, causing you to unconsciously always look down on the world with a detached attitude, lacking some... genuine experience of being immersed in it."

He earnestly suggested, "I think you might try experiencing what you're supposed to experience at your age. For example, like any other seventeen-year-old, go to school. The purpose isn't for the diploma, nor is it to learn knowledge you may already know or look down on, but to experience the process itself—to feel the energy and anxieties of your peers, to experience the constraints and freedom within order, to savor the atmosphere of pure learning, even if it's simple knowledge for you. This process itself might be a way of getting closer to 'nature,' which would greatly benefit your understanding of humanity. The result isn't important; what matters is the experience and the feelings."

Fu Lao's words resonated in Lin Yan's heart like a morning bell and evening drum.

Going to school? Letting things take their course? At what age should one do what is appropriate for their age?

These words lingered in his mind. Yes, though he wore the face of a seventeen-year-old, his soul remained that of a forty-five-year-old who had weathered the storms of life and fought on Wall Street. He always viewed the world with an analytical and exploitative eye, even when interacting with Li Wenbin and his ilk, he always harbored a degree of guiding and protective intent. Had he truly been fully "immersed" in this period of his youth? Had he truly experienced the "natural" life of this age with an equal and participatory mindset?

It seems not.

The way of carefree living is to do as one pleases, but should this "doing as one pleases" also include conforming to the natural rhythms of different stages of life? Is forcing oneself to remain in a detached "God's-eye view" also a kind of "unnaturalness"?

He recalled the moment of his epiphany, that yearning to be free and experience everything. Going to school, experiencing campus life—it seemed… to be a previously unexplored and worthwhile endeavor?

Thinking this, a flash of understanding and interest appeared in Lin Yan's eyes. He turned to Elder Fu and bowed solemnly: "Thank you for your guidance, Elder Fu! Your words have enlightened me. Simply remaining detached might be a mistake. Following the natural order and experiencing the process is itself the way. I understand now. I will try it when I return to New York."

Seeing this, Old Fu stroked his beard and smiled with satisfaction.

Lin Yan didn't linger; his figure slowly dissipated, and he left the space. He already had new plans in mind. Back in New York, besides enjoying a leisurely life, perhaps he could also change his identity and experience a completely different life.