Chapter 44: The Guardian of the Eight-Year Agreement

“True intent?”

Lin Yuhe frowned. “Isn’t that something only those in the Spirit Transformation Realm can comprehend?”

Only by condensing a primordial spirit and roaming freely between heaven and earth could one grasp the true intent of the world.

With her current cultivation, let alone comprehending it, she couldn’t even touch the threshold of true intent. How could she wield such mysterious power?

“Have you forgotten what kind of physique you have?”

“But my cultivation level…”

As Lin Yuhe struggled to understand, Shen Mu interjected, “The key lies in the ‘shared origin,’ right?”

“Mm.”

The girl’s gaze toward Shen Mu carried a bit more admiration as she explained, “Your physique possesses the True Phoenix origin, inherently imbued with True Phoenix intent.”

“But your realm is insufficient, and your physique hasn’t been fully awakened, so you can’t wield it yet.”

“And I… know a method to temporarily activate it, allowing you to briefly harness that intent.”

“…”

Lin Yuhe fell into thought, then asked, “Can you explain in detail why it has to be true intent to heal your wounds?”

“The true intent forces injected into my body by those cultivators are varied and complex. Only true intent from the same origin can effectively dispel them.”

“Is there a cost to this method?”

“At most, it’ll leave you weak for a day or two—not something that endangers your life.”

Lin Yuhe’s eyes darted as she considered briefly.

He’s obtained the Nether Phoenix Sword and the secret method to control myriad weapons. I need to gain something too.

Otherwise, the gap between us will only widen.

“I can agree to your request, but you have to agree to one condition of mine,” Lin Yuhe said, her expression turning serious.

“Go ahead. As long as it doesn’t cross my bottom line, I’ll agree.”

Since she was the one asking for help, it wasn’t surprising for the other party to make a special request.

“After your wounds heal, be my personal guardian for eight years,” Lin Yuhe stated calmly.

“That’s it?” The girl asked, slightly surprised.

“That’s it.”

Eight years would be enough for her to see the trajectory of her and his destined paths.

“Alright, I agree.”

“If you’re worried I’ll go back on my word after healing, we can draft a one-way contract.”

The girl agreed readily, without much hesitation.

For a being like her, eight years was but a fleeting moment—nothing significant.

“What’s your name?”

Asked for her name, the girl pondered briefly before answering, “Ye Ling.”

Ye Ling…

Lin Yuhe noted the name, smiling slightly. “Well then, Ye Ling, I look forward to working with you.”

“My name is Lin Yuhe. You can call me Yuhe.”

“Mm, Yuhe.” Ye Ling returned a small smile.

“Now teach me the method.”

Lin Yuhe was curious about the mysterious power only Spirit Transformation cultivators could access and eager to try it.

But Shen Mu interrupted, “Wait. If it involves awakening your physique, it’ll likely cause some eye-catching phenomena, right?”

“After all, the True Phoenix Inextinguishable Body isn’t a low-grade physique.”

Both girls nodded silently, acknowledging Shen Mu’s concern.

“In my opinion, we should return to the sect first.”

Shen Mu turned to Ye Ling. “Ye Ling, how much longer can you hold out?”

“About three days…”

With her remaining strength, suppressing the chaotic true intent forces for three days was already her limit.

“Three days…”

Shen Mu rubbed his chin, thinking for a moment before suggesting, “Let’s leave first thing tomorrow morning. How’s that?”

The longer they delayed, the more risks arose. Some things were safer handled back at the sect.

“Alright, let’s leave tomorrow morning,” Lin Yuhe agreed, finding Shen Mu’s reasoning sound. It was better to be cautious outside.

“Ye Ling, you’ll probably need to disguise yourself again tomorrow.”

“No problem, as long as I can escape their pursuit in the end.”

The three discussed contingency plans for unexpected situations in the room.

Afterward, Shen Mu returned to his room, diligently cultivating the Heavy Heaven Technique through the night.

The next morning.

Lin Yuhe, leading the beggar-like Ye Ling, joined Shen Mu to head to Divine Flame City’s teleportation hub.

But just as they were about to arrive, three Spirit Transformation Realm cultivators descended from the sky, blocking their path.

“You two, could you do us a favor and let us see that little one?” The lead man in green robes asked politely, though his aura subtly released threads of pressure toward them.

“…”

Feeling the immense pressure, Lin Yuhe’s expression darkened, and she immediately called for help. “Uncle Lin, help me.”

Buzz!

Ripples spread through the void, and a middle-aged man with a black beard in a purple-gold patterned robe stepped out from Divine Flame City’s sky, instantly appearing before Lin Yuhe, dispelling all the pressure.

With a single glance at the three cultivators, they spat blood, their faces turning pale.

“You three, I hope you won’t bully others with your strength again,” the middle-aged man warned calmly.

“…”

The three Spirit Transformation cultivators looked ashen, as if they’d swallowed bitter medicine.

But they bowed respectfully. “Thank you, Senior, for sparing us… We’ll leave.”

They fled into the sky, and Lin Yuhe let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank you, Uncle Lin.”

“It’s my duty.”

The middle-aged man’s expression and tone remained calm, but as he glanced at Shen Mu, he couldn’t help but add, “Miss, while the patriarch hasn’t restricted your social connections, I hope you’ll broaden your perspective when choosing companions.”

“Hmph, I don’t need him meddling in who I befriend.”

Seeing the young miss’s usual stubbornness, the man said no more.

“That’s all I’ll say. Please consider it carefully, Miss.”

With that, his figure silently vanished into the void.

Lin Yuhe, acting as if nothing happened, smiled at Shen Mu. “Let’s keep going. Ignore what he said.”

Shen Mu just nodded, saying nothing.

On a high building in Divine Flame City.

The purple-robed man watched the three figures step into the teleportation array, his eyes narrowing slightly with thought.

The Lin family…

No wonder they’re a cultivator clan the Emperor prioritizes relations with. Their strength and foundation are truly formidable.

It’s no surprise they can rival Big Brother in court for so long.

“What a pity. My time guarding the border for Father hasn’t ended, so I can’t return to the capital yet.”

“Otherwise, I’d love to see how their struggle plays out.”

The man’s lips curved slightly, followed by a helpless sigh.

“Sigh~”

I still don’t understand why Father did that back then. Ninth Brother may have the innate Yin-Yang Body, but he was so young…

To force someone so young to endure the royal family’s political struggles…

It’s far too cruel for him.