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Because they were mindful of Yang Lingrui's fragile physical state, the two did not travel quickly. By the time they arrived at Wangyue City, only a single day remained before the commencement of the Golden Scale Dharma Assembly.

In Wangyue City, the entrances for mortals and cultivators were entirely separate. Mortals entered through the northern and southern gates, while cultivators ascended via the eastern and western elevated platforms.

Upon reaching the eastern platform, they found a Daoist clad in white robes already waiting for them.

"Town Chief Gao, it has been a long time. I trust you have been well?" the white-robed Daoist called out.

"Cheng Yi! It is you!"

The moment Gao Hui recognized the man, he stepped forward enthusiastically to exchange greetings.

"Since our parting at Qiulu City, it has been quite a few years since we last met."

"Indeed. Even now, I often look back fondly on those days."

The two were Wangchao Cultivators of the same generation and had once served together in the Immortal Patrol Office under Qiulu City.

Later, following internal transfers within the dynasty, Cheng Yi was dispatched to the western borders. A year after that, Gao Hui was reassigned to Wangyue City.

Then the Beast Tide descended, Baishi Town fell, and Gao Hui was sent there to oversee the aftermath.

To his surprise, after all these years, Cheng Yi had also been transferred to Wangyue City and was currently holding office in the local Immortal Patrol Office.

"You certainly have excellent luck, arriving just in time for such a grand assembly!"

"Of course. As you know, my fortune has always been decent."

As they conversed, Cheng Yi's gaze drifted past Gao Hui and settled upon Yang Lingrui, who stood quietly behind him.

"And this is..."

At first glance, he was struck by Yang Lingrui's exceptionally refined appearance. Upon closer inspection, however, he noticed the youth's vital qi was weak, his breathing shallow, and his countenance so pale he looked like someone barely recovering from a devastating illness.

"Ah, I forgot to introduce you. This is Fellow Daoist Yang Lingrui of the Songshan Yang Family, who is also here to participate in the assembly," Gao Hui said, stepping aside.

Yang Lingrui took a step forward in turn. "Yang Lingrui greets Fellow Daoist Cheng Yi."

"The Songshan Yang Family? Oh, I remember now! The one recommended by the Second Young Master of the Li Family!"

Because the Yang Family had secured the very last available slot, Cheng Yi maintained a distinct impression of them.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Lingrui. Please, both of you, follow me into the city."

He refrained from asking about Yang Lingrui's health out of courtesy, as it was their first meeting.

As an invited cultivator, Yang Lingrui did not lodge alongside the dynasty officials. Instead, he was assigned a separate, private courtyard residence.

Servants and maids stood ready within. Cultivators who preferred attendance could keep them, while those who favored solitude could dismiss them.

Yang Lingrui disliked having strangers around, so he promptly sent them away.

Once Yang Lingrui was settled, Cheng Yi finally voiced the question he had suppressed throughout the journey as they walked back to the Immortal Patrol Office.

"What is the matter with that Yang Family youth? From his appearance, it seems something went grievously wrong with his cultivation."

Gao Hui let out a soft sigh. "That child possesses extraordinary natural talent. In a mere three years of walking the path, he achieved the third layer of cultivation."

A flicker of astonishment crossed Cheng Yi's eyes. "So remarkable? Then it makes even less sense. With such aptitude, how could he have suffered a backlash? Could he have been ambushed by someone?"

"No, nothing of the sort."

Gao Hui then recounted the events surrounding Yang Lingrui over the past year. Hearing the tale, Cheng Yi could only sigh with regret. It was a pity for such a promising seedling to be brought to this state by reckless impatience.

"Perhaps the Second Young Master of the Li Family thought highly of this youth before, but looking at it now, a temperament so lacking in composure is ultimately inferior."

Cheng Yi kept these thoughts to himself, merely reflecting silently.

Not long after Yang Lingrui established himself in Wangyue City, word reached the Li Family.

Yu Fenghuo and Liu Cheshui were immediately dispatched by Li Cheng to pay a visit.

These two were trusted confidants who had accompanied Li Cheng during the previous ancient tomb expedition.

"Please, enter."

Yang Lingrui's voice carried a distinct weakness as he called out from within. Initially, the two did not think much of it.

Yet, when they stepped into the room and beheld Yang Lingrui leaning heavily against the bed, both men were struck with utter astonishment.

"This... Fellow Daoist Lingrui, how did you come to be in such a state?"

"Could you have been targeted by some vile rogue?"

Caught completely off guard, they failed to notice the shift in his cultivation realm at first. Only after the words had left their mouths did they belatedly realize that he had already reached the fourth layer of Qi Gathering!

"Cough, cough... There were no external foes. Falling into this state... was entirely due to the demons of my own heart."

Yang Lingrui coughed twice, slowly lowering himself from the bed to sit upon a meditation cushion.

"Please, be seated. Has Young Master Li made some arrangement?"

Yu Fenghuo and Liu Cheshui exchanged glances, their expressions fraught with hesitation. They had never anticipated such an abrupt development when they were sent here.

After taking their seats, a brief silence hung in the air before Yu Fenghuo finally spoke.

"Fellow Daoist Lingrui... Senior! The Second Young Master instructed us to invite you to our Spring-Welcoming Villa to meet..."

Yu Fenghuo trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

Originally, Li Cheng intended for Yang Lingrui to meet his younger sister before the Dharma Assembly commenced. But given Yang Lingrui's current condition...

"To meet Miss Li, is it not?"

Observing their profound awkwardness, Yang Lingrui easily deduced their intent.

"Indeed. The Second Young Master and the young lady are currently waiting for Senior at the villa," Yu Fenghuo admitted.

Liu Cheshui quickly added, "If Senior finds it inconvenient in any way, you may tell us plainly. We shall return and inform the Second Young Master."

"There is no need. It is not inconvenient at all. Lead the way."

Yang Lingrui's elaborate performance was orchestrated precisely to evade the marriage alliance between the two clans. This timing was flawless; settling the matter early would allow him to focus entirely on the upcoming Dharma Assembly.

Seeing him so resolute, the two retainers could no longer press the matter and politely escorted him toward the villa.

This particular district of the city was reserved exclusively for hosting esteemed guests. As a family of significant renown under Wangyue City's jurisdiction, the Li Family maintained their own property here, known as the Spring-Welcoming Villa.

Li Cheng had been waiting for several days without any sign of Yang Lingrui's arrival, to the point of worrying whether some mishap had befallen him on the road.

Upon receiving word from the Immortal Patrol Office today, he had immediately dispatched his men, while also fetching his younger sister from the City Lord's Manor to the villa.

By his calculations, Yang Lingrui should be arriving shortly.

"Second Young Master!"

While Yu Fenghuo took Yang Lingrui along a more circuitous route, Liu Cheshui had raced ahead under the pretext of delivering a report, bursting into the inner courtyard of the Spring-Welcoming Villa.

"Why such haste?"

"Second Young Master..."

Liu Cheshui cast a glance toward the young lady sitting near the pond admiring the blossoms, then leaned close to Li Cheng's ear to report Yang Lingrui's current state.

Li Cheng's expression shifted from surprise to a deep frown.

"Have you verified this?" Li Cheng asked in a low voice.

"We checked the market records. An Elder of the Yang Family came to the market two months ago to sell a large quantity of talismans and purchased a batch of pills meant for the early stages of Qi Gathering. It appears they were used as resources to force Yang Lingrui's breakthrough," Liu Cheshui replied.

Li Cheng fell into solemn contemplation.

He pridefully considered himself an excellent judge of character. Though his interactions with Yang Lingrui had been brief, he believed he understood the youth's disposition. Could the composure displayed during the Fengling expedition truly have been a mere facade? Had his judgment been flawed?

He was instinctively skeptical, yet confronted with these stark facts, his conviction began to waver.

Glancing back at his sister, he lowered his voice. "Follow me."

The two moved to the outer courtyard, intending to intercept Yang Lingrui there. In Li Cheng's view, regardless of whether Yang Lingrui's condition was an unfortunate accident or otherwise, it was entirely inappropriate for him to meet his sister in this state. Any meeting would have to wait until the youth recovered.

Moments later, Yu Fenghuo escorted Yang Lingrui into the courtyard.

Had Yang Lingrui not deliberately seen through the ruse earlier, Yu Fenghuo might still have been leading him in circles outside.

"Greetings, Young Master Li. Forgive Lingrui for appearing before you in such a wretched state," Yang Lingrui said, offering a formal bow.

Li Cheng remained silent. He stepped forward instantly and pressed his fingertips against Yang Lingrui's wrist.

Yang Lingrui did not flinch. His current state of chaotic qi channels and disrupted spiritual power had been meticulously crafted by the Spirit Stone Immortal Venerable himself; there was no way Li Cheng could discern any deception.

"It truly is so."

Li Cheng looked at Lingrui, a touch of self-reproach softening his gaze. He sighed, "It seems I was too presumptuous in my arrangements. If you had simply cultivated at a steady pace, with the Returning Yang Fruit ensuring your path, you would never have suffered such a setback. Alas... go back and focus on your recovery. We shall speak of other matters later."

Before setting out, Yang Lingqing had anticipated this exact turn of events and had carefully instructed Yang Lingrui on how to respond.

Yet, before Yang Lingrui could utter a single word, a clear, melodious voice drifted out from the inner courtyard, interrupting them.

"Brother, let me see him."

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