Chapter Twenty-Seven: Three Kowtows Before the Hall, Enlightened and Entering the Foundation Establishment Stage

Humans are contradictory creatures. Or rather, the collective known as the "audience" is contradictory.

Given the depth of the production team’s characterization of Tang Qianxue, she was bound to amass a following. In such a scenario, what would happen if she fell into darkness and slaughtered the innocent? If she didn't kill, the character design would naturally collapse. If she did kill, she would appear far too cold and ruthless in the eyes of many viewers. This was undoubtedly a trolley problem, and he could not satisfy both sides.

Admittedly, he could choose to ignore this small subset of the audience. As long as his actions were decisive and his persona of upholding justice remained intact, his core support would remain unshaken. But for Xiao Lin, if he knew the plot in advance and still couldn't influence the future, he would be a failure indeed.

He conceived a solution: to erase the conditions and possibilities for such a situation from the very beginning. As long as Tang Qianxue did not strike with her own hands, her sins could be forgiven. As long as she lived, he could satisfy both sides.

"What kind of condition is that?" Tang Qianxue said, half-laughing and half-crying after hearing Xiao Lin's words. To her, this was clearly an excuse Xiao Lin had conjured up just to make her accept the Foundation Establishment Pill. However, gazing into his earnest eyes, the refusal she intended to speak never left her lips. Little Qilin had gone to such lengths to provide a flimsy excuse; if she refused again, it would only hurt him. He had already suffered enough from having to send his master on his final journey, so...

"All right." Tang Qianxue reached out and took the jade box.

Xiao Lin’s eyes flickered. Although he had already infused a trace of righteous energy into Tang Qianxue’s body, it was like a rootless duckweed, destined to dissipate before long. He had also infused a trace of that righteous energy into this Foundation Establishment Pill. To ensure the medicinal properties remained intact, the jade box was no ordinary item, and the righteous energy could persist within it for a long time. As long as Tang Qianxue kept it on her person, it would serve to ward off evil. With these two measures, he could ensure nothing went wrong.

"But Senior Sister cannot take your things for nothing." As she spoke, Tang Qianxue removed the bracelet from her wrist and handed it to Xiao Lin. "Here, take it."

Xiao Lin was slightly startled. "This is..."

"This is a Universe Bracelet. Its effect is identical to a Universe Ring, only the internal space is larger, and it can contain living things." Since it was of the universe, it formed its own space. In truth, a Universe Ring could also hold living things, but the space was simply too small to contain them.

"Senior Sister, this is truly a precious item, isn't it? Its value is nearly equal to two Foundation Establishment Pills..." Before Xiao Lin could finish, Tang Qianxue glared at him. "If I tell you to take it, then take it. Why so much talk? Are you not listening to your Senior Sister now?"

"This item is truly useless to me; I only use it to store snacks. Besides, Master Wang has gifted me countless treasures; one bracelet more or less makes no difference. Unlike you, Little Qilin... you are as poor as a church mouse, not even possessing a spare set of clothes." Tang Qianxue glanced at Xiao Lin’s tattered sword robe, not forgetting to add, "You're still young, but your physique is quite good."

Xiao Lin: "..." How is it always something gifted by the Five Luminaries Palace Master? Are you sure you aren't the biological daughter of the Palace Master?

Xiao Lin sighed helplessly. "Senior Sister, if you give me something, just give it. Why must you point out my shortcomings?" Even so, he accepted the Universe Bracelet.

Some viewers disliked seeing their favorite characters give away precious items to others, even if the item was truly useless to the recipient. They would still feel that their favorite character had suffered a loss. If the items were even more valuable, or if it happened too often, it could easily breed resentment. People have always hated loss. But if the other party returned a gift, it was a different matter entirely—not only had nothing been lost, but they had gained something of even higher value. It became a fair trade.

Xiao Lin’s wrist was larger than Tang Qianxue’s, but as he moved to slip the bracelet on, it naturally expanded, fitting his wrist perfectly.

"Thank you, Senior Sister."

"That’s more like it." Tang Qianxue nodded in satisfaction.

At this moment, Jiang Taiyi finished his examination of Li Changhe. "He is fine," Jiang Taiyi stroked his beard and said. "His Dao heart is merely slightly damaged, and his body is silently repairing itself. What is two nights and a day of sleep? Have you forgotten that when you yourselves seek enlightenment, closing your eyes can mean months?"

Hearing this, Xiao Lin and Tang Qianxue let out a long sigh of relief.

"However, just in case, let Changhe stay with me for the time being. I will observe him for a few more days."

"That would be perfect. Thank you, Elder Jiang." Xiao Lin bowed.

With that, he turned to Yue Rongshan. "Sorry to trouble you, Elder Yue. Please take me and my Senior Sister to the ancestral hall once more." It was time for him to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Naturally." Yue Rongshan waved his sleeve, and with a sweep of power, he brought them back to the place where Xiao Lin had initially been seized by Yue Suxian.

The three walked inside, where the spirit tablet inscribed with the three characters "Shen Wuxia" sat properly in the center. Though it was a side hall, the interior was arranged with great care, not inferior to the Founder’s Hall. But since the Sect Master had passed, it was clearly impossible to make a grand display.

Xiao Lin and Tang Qianxue offered incense, bowed, and stood in silence for a long while. Only the flame of the eternal lamp flickered, casting a sense of solemnity and desolation in the silence. By the end, Tang Qianxue’s eyes had reddened.

"Sigh, let us go." Yue Rongshan sighed. The atmosphere here was too sorrowful; even he could barely endure it. If Xiao Lin and the others stayed too long, it might harm their spirits.

"Yes." Xiao Lin nodded slightly, then pulled the opened Sword-Suppressing Box from his Universe Ring. He placed it before the spirit tablet, his face calm, his voice soft: "Master, the disciple has eliminated the Fallen Sword Immortal. If your spirit is in heaven, you may rest in peace."

"If there is a next life..." Xiao Lin suddenly smiled. "Since you have already witnessed the pinnacle of the sword path, do not be so eager for quick success in your next life. Cultivating slowly is fine too."

"At worst, you can take me as your disciple. We can take turns being master and apprentice."

Hearing this, Yue Rongshan’s eyes widened. This... was this not a bit too presumptuous? He instinctively glanced at Tang Qianxue, but saw she had no reaction. "I suppose Xiao Lin and the Sect Master were like this in their daily life..."

As Xiao Lin turned to leave, he stumbled unexpectedly, falling forward. How could a cultivator be unsteady on his feet? It must be that the Sect Master was offended and was punishing him! Yue Rongshan’s expression changed. He hesitated, wondering whether to intervene.

A gentle breeze suddenly arose, steadily lifting Xiao Lin until he landed firmly. He seemed dazed, sitting cross-legged on the floor and closing his eyes. Yue Rongshan froze, looking at Xiao Lin’s furrowed brow—it turned out that his stumble had been due to his own restless heart. But now, his brows slowly smoothed out.

It was as if... an ancestor was gently stroking the brow of the living, brushing away half a lifetime of calamity.

Before Yue Rongshan’s shock could fade, a massive surge of spiritual energy erupted from Xiao Lin’s body. A dark aura surged forth, yet within it contained such vast, righteous energy that even Yue Rongshan was forced to take a step back.

He stared at the scene in a daze, murmuring to himself: "Three bows before the hall, attaining the Dao to enter Foundation Establishment..."