Chapter Seventy-Six: A Wall-Like Face

Day Six

As time passed, it seemed that the nature of the black light pillar on the mountainside had become well understood. Fewer and fewer people dared to step into its shadow, yet whether inside or outside the pillar, no one could devise a method to break through it. Unless something unexpected occurred, tomorrow would mark the official opening of the secret realm. The sky grew ever gloomier, the space ever more confined, and even the faint tang of blood hung stubbornly in the air. At this moment, Yu Daoyi and his companions were no more than a hundred miles from the place where Bai Li Mo’s legacy awaited.

In the afternoon, Yu Daoyi encountered someone. A lone figure in an ink-black robe, a touch of wickedness lingering on his pale face—Lin He, white folding fan in hand, approached at a leisurely pace.

“Well? Haven’t seen your uncle around, have you?” Yu Daoyi teased.

“Just a useless man. There’s no need for you to pay him any mind, Brother Daoyi.” Lin He replied with a smile.

Song Tianhan, watching Lin He stroll over, immediately grew wary. He had heard much of Lin He these past few days, and what he’d learned had thoroughly surprised him. Though Lin He was of the younger generation, there was something uncanny about him—he could not be taken lightly.

“What’s your business here?” Song Tianhan asked, narrowing his eyes.

“Patriarch Song, please believe I come with no ill intent.” Lin He bowed slightly, his demeanor perfectly courteous.

“Lin He, the secret realm opens tomorrow. Shouldn’t you be preparing? Surely you’re not here because you missed me?” Yu Daoyi said with a grin.

“To be honest, since the day you left, Brother Daoyi, I’ve been hoping, day and night, that you’d change your mind.” Lin He’s smile did not fade.

“Qiuling.” Yu Daoyi’s expression suddenly grew serious.

“What is it?” Song Qiuling asked, puzzled by his abrupt composure.

“You have one more rival now! But don’t worry! I will always belong to you!” Yu Daoyi declared with heartfelt sincerity, taking a deep breath.

“With outsiders present, you can handle this yourself.” Song Qiuling cast a glance at Lin He, her tone cool.

“What?” Turning his head, Yu Daoyi saw Song Qiuling’s lovely face, faintly smiling.

Crack. Song Qiuling clenched her fist, the sound sharp in the air.

If he dared disobey, no doubt that would be his fate...

“Let’s hear it, Lin He. Why are you here?” Yu Daoyi brushed his sleeve, and, ignoring the scornful stares of the others, lay down on the ground with not a hint of shame—as if he were long used to such things—then addressed Lin He.

All he needed now was a blanket and he could sleep right there.

The barrier of this pillar was as thick as his own skin.

“The situation has changed. I’m here to ask if you’ve reconsidered.” Lin He, unbothered by Yu Daoyi’s antics, simply swirled his black robe and, with a flick, sat down on the ground, meeting Yu Daoyi’s gaze as an equal.

Seeing this, Yu Daoyi observed Lin He closely. That calm, unflappable demeanor—unmoved by fortune or catastrophe—made Yu Daoyi think that, among all the young men he’d met in his two lives, Lin He could easily rank among the top three.

“No matter how things change, I won’t meddle with that secret realm. No immortal technique is worth more than my life.” Yu Daoyi said calmly, gazing up at the sky from his place on the ground.

“But do you still have a choice?” Lin He looked around meaningfully.

“What do you mean?” Yu Daoyi had the feeling that since meeting Lin He, he’d been led by the nose at every turn.

It was as if he were being tugged along against his will.

“The secret realm will open, but this pillar of light will not disappear.” Lin He gestured at the pillar.

“You certainly know more than you let on.” Yu Daoyi narrowed his eyes.

“As far as I know, Bai Li Mo was not only a master cultivator, but also a grandmaster of formations—at least a fourth-rank, top-tier array master.”

In this world, fourth rank corresponded to the Nascent Soul stage. The professions of formations, alchemy, even artifact refinement, were all divided into nine grades, each with four levels.

“So this black pillar of light is his handiwork as well?” Yu Daoyi propped his chin up, still reclining.

“I don’t know. I’m not omniscient. But according to recent intelligence—which is certain on this point—until the legacy is claimed, the pillar will not fade.”

“And what does this have to do with me?” Yu Daoyi mused silently, suspecting the information came from the Moonlit Pavilion, then spoke.

“This black pillar of light is not a trapping formation,” Lin He said to them all.

“Not a trapping formation?” Song Tianhan interjected, puzzled.

“It is a killing array!” Lin He’s tone turned grave.

“Once someone inherits Bai Li Mo’s legacy, I am ninety percent sure that person will also gain control of the formation.”

“Do you think they would let everyone else live? No matter who inherits the legacy, they will become a target for all. The others will stop at nothing to seize it for themselves.”

“In such a situation, what choice do you think they’ll make? Yu Daoyi, are you willing to entrust your fate to a stranger?”

His words immediately cast a pall over everyone present—this went far beyond what anyone had expected.

“Hmph, you really are... why didn’t you say so earlier?” Yu Daoyi grew irritated.

“First, I truly did not know this before. As I said, the situation has changed—this alone exceeded my expectations.”

“Second, there are far more people here than I anticipated, and among them are some I greatly fear. So, I need someone to assist me.”

Lin He always appeared utterly unruffled before others. Even in the face of death, he would likely never betray the slightest hint of fear.

“And now, under these circumstances, I’ve come to you. This is the decision I must make. After what I’ve just told you, I believe you are far more likely to accept my offer of alliance.” Lin He fixed his sly, narrow eyes on Yu Daoyi, his features striking.

“Lin He, it’s a shame you don’t make a living as a persuader.” Yu Daoyi sighed deeply.

If what Lin He said was true, unless his unreliable parents intervened, his only options were to help one of his companions win the legacy—or seize it himself. Otherwise, their lives would be at the mercy of a stranger.

“The process never matters to me. Only the result.” Lin He replied coolly.

“How can I trust you?” Yu Daoyi lay on his side, scrutinizing Lin He. Clearly, Lin He’s words had moved him.

“I swear on my mother’s name: if we form an alliance, I will do all in my power to protect you in the secret realm. If I gain the legacy, I will ensure all of you leave safely. If I fail to obtain it, I will do everything to help you claim it.” Lin He stood and swore the oath.

Cultivators did not swear lightly. Upon setting foot on the path of cultivation, every action was watched by the heavens, every deed bound to fate. A solemn oath was recognized by the world itself; to break it was to invite the backlash of the oath’s power, the punishment of the heavenly way.

“Why me?” Yu Daoyi was surprised by Lin He’s gesture—and had the uneasy feeling he’d stepped into another trap.

“I told you: you and I are the same kind of person.” Lin He gazed at him intently.

A long silence.

“Very well, I agree. You’ve shown your sincerity—this is mine in return.” Yu Daoyi said quietly. It was like bargaining with a tiger, but he had no choice.

“A Crimson Blood Fruit? You’re willing to part with that?” Lin He’s tone was indifferent, as if even such a rare fruit meant little to him.

“If a single fruit can buy half your trust, can earn half a debt of gratitude from you, then it’s a bargain.” Yu Daoyi smiled.

“Then, to a fruitful partnership.”

Lin He seemed quite satisfied with the outcome. A pool of black mire appeared in his palm, instantly engulfing the crimson fruit and vanishing without a trace.

“I’ve eaten it. That is my sincerity.” Lin He smiled at Yu Daoyi.

“You eat things in a truly peculiar way. Aren’t you afraid I might have poisoned it?”

He said this lightly, but inside, his heart bled. The loss of a Crimson Blood Fruit was a heavy blow for someone already so poor. Shouldn’t this be the moment for polite refusals, for pushing it back and forth, for elaborate courtesy—until at last, he would sheepishly reclaim the fruit?

Wouldn’t that be the way things ought to go?

“Well, since we’re partners, I’ll trust you completely.”

These days, aside from that crafty old man, even this pervert was truly wicked. Men’s words—deceptive tricks!

Ah, except for me. I’m sincere! I don’t need anyone’s approval to prove I’m a good man! Yu Daoyi thought to himself.

“Oh, one friendly warning: beware of Lin Yang from the Lin clan. He’s strong.” Lin He said this to the group as he turned to leave, especially directing it at Yu Daoyi.

“That Lin Yang?” Yu Daoyi’s expression turned serious.

“Yes, that Lin Yang.” Lin He nodded.

“Ah.” Yu Daoyi nodded solemnly, as if he understood—then immediately asked, “Who is he? Do I know him?”

Yu Daoyi looked completely befuddled.

Everyone: “.....”