After the Wushuang Sect's rank was confirmed, the matter came to a close.
Several of Yun Jin's masters each met with her privately.
Ji Wusi's expression was calm as he spoke. "Yun Jin, Qingxiao Pavilion most likely harbors deeper problems. This entire region may already be riddled with their influence. When I return, I will send people to Mingxin Hall. These will be loyal men you can treat as your direct subordinates."
Yun Jin nodded. "This disciple understands."
A faint smile curved Ji Wusi's lips. "With your current strength, there are few who could truly threaten you. Even if Lin Xiao wanted to act against you, you could use your flame incarnation to stall. That much would give you time to spread word, which is why he does not dare make a move lightly."
Yun Jin understood this as well. It was precisely why she had been so brazen in her defiance of Lin Xiao.
After all, in this world, those who openly commanded a Law could be counted on fewer than ten fingers. Anyone who had mastered a Law was exceedingly difficult to kill. Each possessed some means of merging into the Law, a final technique that could always buy time.
"For safety's sake, keep this talisman close." Ji Wusi handed her a slip of golden paper. "It contains the force of my full strike. It will protect you through one peril."
Yun Jin accepted it with delight, tucking it away before asking half-playfully, "Master, do you have more?"
Ji Wusi's face darkened. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to find material that can withstand my full strike? And you want more?"
"Alright, alright." Yun Jin looked a little wronged. "One will do. But this region is crawling with danger. Who knows how many traps Qingxiao Pavilion has been laying over the years. Your disciple is only being cautious…"
Ji Wusi gave her a helpless look, then pressed another protective artifact into her hands. It was a small golden bell, brimming with powerful spiritual force. Yun Jin weighed it in her palm, satisfied beyond measure.
Ji Wusi exhaled. "Xiao Jin, with your current situation, the safest choice would be to move the Wushuang Sect into the territory governed by Kunlun Sword Sect. But I know your temperament. You want to stay here and fight Qingxiao Pavilion head-on.
While they may be constrained by many concerns, and I can pressure them together with the other Holy Lands, once we leave it will be beyond our reach. If you remain, you must take utmost care." His voice was heavy with worry.
At first, Ji Wusi had only accepted Yun Jin as a disciple because of her talent. She likely carried the innate Sword Body, a gift that, if nurtured, would allow him to retire.
But after years together, he found her temperament resonated with his own.
From inheriting the Wushuang Sect, to cutting down disciples of Qingxiao Pavilion, to marching into the capital to chase Xue Daoren across three thousand miles—Yun Jin had carved her image deep into his heart.
Now, Ji Wusi saw not just her talent, but her character.
And he liked what he saw.
"Master, I understand." Yun Jin paused, then added, "There is another reason I want to remain in Qingxiao Pavilion's territory. I intend to compete for Luck. I suspect the demons' ability to conceal their aura originates from Qingxiao Pavilion itself. Why can they do this? I can think of only one reason: their immortal artifact."
Ji Wusi's brow twitched. "We examined that immortal artifact carefully. There was nothing unusual."
Yun Jin nodded. "No unusual traces, which is why no one dares act against them directly. But that cannot continue. We must uncover what's wrong with Qingxiao Pavilion. That immortal artifact may not be as flawless as it seems."
She narrowed her eyes. "According to the records, once a sect becomes a Super Sect, they gain the right to challenge a Holy Land, do they not?"
Ji Wusi looked momentarily dazed. "That's… just words. In truth, no Super Sect has ever launched such a challenge."
The Holy Lands held the immortal artifacts. Most of the world's Luck was concentrated in their hands. The brightest talents all belonged to them.
Even the strongest Super Sect could not compare.
Besides, the Holy Lands controlled the rise and fall of every sect. They would never allow one to grow strong enough to threaten their position. The so-called "challenge" was only written as a formality.
Yun Jin smiled. "It says no one has ever challenged, not that no one can. Once Wushuang Sect ascends to a Holy Land, the immortal artifact will be in our care. And once I control it, the truth behind Qingxiao Pavilion will reveal itself."
Ji Wusi was stunned.
Yun Jin… she intended to lead Wushuang Sect in replacing Qingxiao Pavilion as a new Holy Land?
They were barely an Upper Sect now.
Yet her sights were already fixed on the Holy Lands.
After a long silence, Ji Wusi finally said, "Lin Xiao will use every means to strike you down."
Yun Jin sneered. "And I will use every means to cut him down first."
For a moment, Ji Wusi simply looked at her, then chuckled. Such confidence—it reminded him of his own youth.
"Good," he said softly. "I look forward to the day you sit beside me as an equal."
On that day, Wushuang Sect would be a Holy Land. And master and disciple would meet atop the peak. A pity, though… from the look of things, Yun Jin would not follow him to inherit Kunlun Sword Sect. This old body of his might not retire for some time yet.
"Disciple has something to give Master." Yun Jin pulled out a jade slip.
Ji Wusi blinked. "What is it?"
Yun Jin grinned. "This contains insights into the sword left by Wandao Saint. When his avatar entered this realm, he had no chance to see you, so he placed this in our library. He said if anyone encountered Ji Wusi of Kunlun Sword Sect, they were to deliver it to you."
"Left by… Wandao Saint?"
Ji Wusi's hand trembled.
A thousand years ago, before he was Sect Master of Kunlun, he had been trapped at a bottleneck in the sword. Wandao Saint, even while in such dire straits, still remembered to leave behind his insights so Ji Wusi might find a chance to break through.
Now, a thousand years later, Ji Wusi was no longer the same man. The jade slip might no longer aid him, but its value lay far beyond mere technique.
He accepted it carefully. "Good. I will keep it."
Afterward, Qing Yun also met Yun Jin in private.
He gave her a ninth-rank pill, speaking solemnly. "As long as life has not been completely severed, this pill will restore you to peak strength instantly. It is truly a life-saving treasure. Keep it well."
Yun Jin accepted with obedience, though her heart swelled with emotion.
Her masters truly treated her with deep care.
She also offered him several books. "Master, these are some of Wushuang Sect's alchemy methods. They differ from common practice. Perhaps you can use them as reference."
Qing Yun was startled. "These… sect secrets are not meant to be shared so freely."
Yun Jin smiled. "The true core of Wushuang Sect lies in enlightenment, not in these records. Wandao Saint himself said I may dispose of them as I wish. I cannot aid you much in other ways, so let me at least give you this small offering. Please do not refuse."
Qing Yun's heart grew heavy. He did not argue further, simply putting the books away with care. Whether useful or not, it was his disciple's sincerity.
Liu Li was the last to meet Yun Jin.
She smiled faintly and gave her a piece of advice.
===
I'm not sure if I've mentioned this back in earlier chapters, but just to clarify: in this translation I also render 道 (Dao/Tao) as both Path and Law, depending on the context.
Here's my reasoning:
Path: I use this when 道 refers to an individual's personal Tao, their unique journey or direction in life. It isn't just a road to walk, but a deeply personal path shaped by the cultivator's beliefs, values, and purpose. In cultivation, finding one's Tao means understanding their own strengths, desires, and the essence of their existence. That's why I translate it as Path in this sense.
Law: I use this when 道 refers to the universal principles that govern reality—the laws of nature, physics, and metaphysics. These are manifestations of the Tao itself. Cultivators study and align with these Laws to advance, allowing them to wield techniques, spells, and mystical arts that reflect their comprehension of the universe.
Since in this novel 道 often appears in the sense of controlling and manifesting aspects of the Tao through a structured "system," I've chosen to translate it as Law in those cases.