Ming Dynasty.
Martial World.
Mount Heng Sect.
"Junior Sister, what should we of the Mount Heng Sect do next?"
"Zuo Lengchan, the Sect Master of Mount Song Sect, really won't give up. He still dares to target our Mount Heng Sect!"
"He's just a Great Grandmaster, far inferior compared to Junior Sister."
"What qualifications does he have to become the Master of the Five Mountain Sword Sects?"
Yi Qing looked indignant as she spoke to Yi Lin in front of her.
"Senior Sister Yi Qing, I heard that Zuo Lengchan of the Mount Song Sect has submitted to Cao Zhengchun of the Eastern Factory!"
"If that's true, then that's where his confidence comes from."
"Compared to the Eastern Factory, we of the Mount Heng Sect are indeed outmatched."
"Though the Eastern Factory won't attack us openly, working behind the scenes is well within their means."
Since taking over as the Sect Master of the Mount Heng Sect, Yi Lin, despite her distaste for worldly matters, had learned quite a bit from what she saw and heard.
At the very least, she understood that the Ming Dynasty Imperial Court was not something martial sects could compare to.
Even she, at the Heavenly Human Realm, was no exception.
Although the Imperial Court wouldn't intervene in martial affairs lightly, its authority was not to be challenged.
If the consequences became severe, the Azure Dragon Association might act in secret, making things even more troublesome.
Yi Lin even suspected that the Mount Song Sect might be one of the subordinate sects of the Azure Dragon Association.
If that was true, then the Mount Heng Sect was in real danger.
Could they allow the Mount Heng Sect to become part of the Azure Dragon Association?
Absolutely not.
The foundation of the Mount Heng Sect must not fall in her hands.
"The Mount Hua Sect, the Mount Heng Sect, and the Mount Tai Sect are equally despicable, pushing all the burdens onto us!"
"Senior Sister Yi Qing, pay them no mind!"
"We only need to hold firm and defend the legacy of the Mount Heng Sect."
"If Zuo Lengchan really goes too far, I will not stand by and do nothing!"
"Hmm? Senior Sister Yi Qing, the ranking is updating!"
"I wonder which Buddhist figures will make it onto the Buddhist Immortal Ranking this time!"
The Mount Heng Sect, after all, counted as a Buddhist sect.
Naturally, their interest in the Buddhist Immortal Ranking was higher than ever before.
"Junior Sister, with your strength, could you make it onto the Buddhist Immortal Ranking?"
"Unlikely. Compared to those true Heavenly Human Realm cultivators, my foundation is still too weak."
"Quick, look at the ranking!"
==========
[Buddhist Immortal Ranking – Rank 10]
[Yi Lin]
[Force: Mount Heng Sect of Ming Dynasty]
[Cultivation: Intermediate Heavenly Human Realm Land Immortal]
[Technique: Brahma Lotus Heart Art (Self-created, fused from various Buddhist Dao cultivation techniques!)]
[Reward: 1x Low-Tier Bodhi Seed (Enhances Buddhist cultivation techniques and comprehension), 1x Low-Tier Buddhist Skill, 1x Low-Tier Buddhist Divine Weapon]
==========
"Oh my god, it's our Sect Master!"
"Wonderful, Sect Master has made it onto the Buddhist Immortal Ranking!"
"Fantastic! From now on, our Mount Heng Sect will become renowned throughout the Nine Provinces!"
"With such prestige, even the Ming Dynasty Imperial Court will take notice."
"Hmph, let's see if that ambitious wolf Zuo Lengchan dares to bully us again!"
Seeing Yi Lin's name appear on the Buddhist Immortal Ranking, even though it was only Rank 10, it was enough to excite everyone.
Excitement showed clearly on every face.
"Junior Sister, I didn't know you had become so powerful."
Yi Qing stared at Yi Lin in a daze.
She remembered Yi Lin had only recently reached the Heavenly Human Realm.
And now, in such a short time, she had already advanced another minor realm.
If she had more time, advancing to the Mythical Realm might not be impossible.
If Yi Lin reached the Mythical Realm, they wouldn't need to fear Zuo Lengchan at all.
Even Cao Zhengchun behind him would treat her with courtesy.
"Senior Sister, it was merely luck on my part."
Yi Lin looked at the ranking, unable to suppress the joy in her heart.
It seemed that her efforts over this period had not been in vain.
She still needed to continue working hard. Only then could she get closer to her goal.
And at the same time, protect the Mount Heng Sect from harm.
As she looked at the Bodhi Seed that had suddenly appeared in her hand, a gentle power began to emanate from it.
Yi Lin instantly felt completely refreshed.
Her mind also became incredibly active.
Some unclear points in her cultivation.
Some difficult-to-understand aspects in Buddhist teachings.
All of a sudden it became clear.
Even her own "Brahma Lotus Heart Art" had multiple parts that now appeared flawed and in need of improvement.
The true energy in her body circulated rapidly, bringing her closer to the Late Heavenly Human Realm.
Impressive!
Indeed, the Heaven Dao Reward was always generous.
With these, she might be able to advance to the Late Heavenly Human Realm even faster.
==========
Meanwhile.
Also in the Ming Dynasty.
Mount Song Sect, Main Hall.
Zuo Lengchan, who was usually overbearing and arrogant, was now standing respectfully before a red-robed eunuch.
"Lord Cao, please rest assured. This time I will handle everything properly and will not let you down."
"Once I unify the Five Mountain Sword Sects, I will follow your lead completely!"
"I will handle many matters the Eastern Factory cannot openly deal with!"
"Hahaha, good. Alliance Master Zuo, I hope you remember what you just said!"
Just as Cao Zhengchun and Zuo Lengchan exchanged sinister smiles.
Suddenly, the ranking refreshed.
When they saw the name on the ranking.
Not only did Zuo Lengchan's face darken, even Cao Zhengchun's expression changed drastically.
"Alliance Master Zuo, this operation is cancelled. The Eastern Factory cannot get involved in this mess!"
Especially after learning that Yi Lin of the Mount Heng Sect had entered the Buddhist Immortal Ranking, he immediately vetoed it.
"Why? Lord Cao, didn't we already come to an agreement?"
"You help me unify the Five Mountain Sword Sects, and I help you eliminate enemies in the Martial World!"
"Hmph, that was before. If Yi Lin of the Mount Heng Sect were merely a Heavenly Human, it would be nothing!"
"After all, there were many Heavenly Human Realm cultivators in the Ming Dynasty. Taking one down would be easy with my status."
"But now, Yi Lin has entered the Buddhist Immortal Ranking."
"This completely changes the nature of the situation."
"Once the Eastern Factory makes a move, news will quickly reach His Majesty and even spread throughout the Nine Provinces."
"Do you think, at that point, the Eastern Factory will come out unscathed?"
"Even if His Majesty doesn't mind, do you think my political enemies would let such a rare opportunity pass?"
"The Western Factory, the Embroidered Cloth Guard, and Dragon Guarding Manor are constantly waiting for me to slip up!"
"I absolutely won't let them succeed!"
"You'll have to handle this matter yourself, Alliance Master Zuo!"
"However, while it's unwise to touch the Mount Heng Sect now, aren't Mount Hua Sect, Mount Heng Sect, and Mount Tai Sect easier for you to deal with?"
"When you someday reach the Heavenly Human Realm, then you can deal with the Mount Heng Sect."
Cao Zhengchun waved his hand forcefully.
He immediately went back on his word.
Though Zuo Lengchan was unwilling and angry, he dared not turn hostile.
The Eastern Factory might not dominate the Imperial Court like in the past, but its strength remained formidable.
No ordinary martial sect could afford to provoke it.
Moreover, since the Mount Song Sect had already joined the Eastern Factory, there could be no betrayal.
Otherwise, the consequences would be even more disastrous.
At the same time.
Zuo Lengchan made a silent vow.
He must reach the Heavenly Human Realm as soon as possible.
Only then could he escape his fate as a pawn.
At that point, even Cao Zhengchun wouldn't dare push him too far.
And would treat him with respect!
==========
Mount Hua Sect.
Righteousness Hall.
Yue Buqun looked at the high-altitude ranking, his expression extremely grim.
Yi Lin.
Mount Heng Sect.
Someone he had never taken seriously, a sect he thought beneath his notice, had now become a figure he could not hope to match.
It left a bitter taste in his heart.
All these years, he had always guarded against Zuo Lengchan of the Mount Song Sect.
At the same time, deep in his heart, he too dreamed of unifying the Five Mountain Sword Sects and becoming their leader.
"Senior Brother, given our current situation, instead of facing Zuo Lengchan's threat alone, why not form an alliance with the Mount Heng Sect?"
"That way, it will also serve as protection for our Mount Hua Sect."
"Zuo Lengchan wouldn't dare be so presumptuous."
"Not appropriate. If we do that, won't people in the Martial World mock us?"
"They would surely think the Mount Hua Sect has secretly submitted to the Mount Heng Sect. That would damage our reputation!"
"Not appropriate, absolutely not!"
"Sigh, if only Uncle Feng would come out of seclusion and help us, that would be ideal!"
==========
Ming Dynasty, Shaolin Temple.
Abbot Fang Zheng looked at the ranking and let out a deep sigh.
Though he felt no jealousy, his heart was indeed complicated.
He never imagined the Mount Heng Sect would produce such a genius.
Someone who had directly surpassed the older generation and reached the Heavenly Human Realm.
And even made it onto the Buddhist Immortal Ranking.
From this moment on, Sect Master Yi Lin would be renowned across the Nine Provinces.
She had transformed from a hidden dragon into a true martial dragon.
No one would dare underestimate her anymore.
Having such a monstrous genius appear was a good thing for the Buddhist School.
But for a senior like him, the pressure was immense.
He had to work harder.
If this continued, the Shaolin of the Ming Dynasty would completely fade into obscurity.
That was not what he wanted.
He still hoped to revitalize the Shaolin Temple of the Ming Dynasty.
To surpass the Shaolin Temples of other dynasties and become the strongest of them all.
Across the Nine Provinces, nearly every dynasty had its own Shaolin Temple.
But the relationships between them were not as harmonious as one might think.
In fact, they were in intense competition.
Currently, the most renowned among them were the Northern Song Shaolin Temple and the Han Shaolin Temple.
Likewise, the Tang Shaolin Temple was extremely mysterious and extraordinary.
It once protected Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty, and was now under his special care.
Its development was flourishing.
Fang Zheng dared not grow complacent.
"It seems I must find time to visit this Sect Master Yi Lin."
"Perhaps I can gain some insight from her on how to reach the Heavenly Human Realm."
==========
Ming Imperial Palace.
Zhu Houzhao also saw the familiar name on the ranking.
"Yi Lin, huh!"
"Interesting. That little girl from back then has truly grown!"
"And she even made it onto the Buddhist Immortal Ranking!"
"I really underestimated her potential!"
"I'll have to keep a close eye on her going forward."
"With this Heaven Dao Reward strengthening her foundation, Yi Lin should have no problem advancing to the Mythical Realm."
"As for the God Demon Realm, hmm, let's wait and see."
"If her performance is impressive enough, I don't mind giving her another opportunity!"
"A chance to keep up with me!"
Back when Yi Lin reached Rank 11 on the Hidden Dragon Ranking, he hadn't paid much attention.
But in such a short time, she had gone from a Grandmaster to an Intermediate Heavenly Human Realm.
Even compared to the women around him, she was not the slightest bit inferior.
She had advanced this far without any external resources.
That made Zhu Houzhao take a new and serious view of her.
A fine talent indeed!
One to watch closely!
If given the chance, bring her under my command!