Chapter 493: 493: Purple Mist Sky Sutra
Fang Lin was already preparing to head to Xuan Country. Indeed, after his great performance at the Pill Refiners’ Conference where he outshone the rest and won the first prize, he became eligible to spend a year advancing his skills in the Pill Alliance of Xuan Country.
Despite Fang Lin feeling no necessity to refine his skills further, he believed going to Xuan Country would present an opportunity to experience a much broader world, interact with more people and events, which could be beneficial to him.
Zhuge Cang of the Black Cauldron City had sent a few urgent messages, prompting Fang Lin to make preparations. He would be arriving at the Purple Mist Sect half a month later to escort Fang Lin to Xuan Country.
Before that, Fang Lin spent quality time with his parents for several days and also squeezed in some time to refine a few batches of pills.
Time flew by swiftly, and there were only three days left until the day Zhuge Cang was slated to arrive.
One day, Fang Lin was summoned privately by Han Luoyun.
“Master,” Fang Lin stood in the middle of the grand hall, saluting Han Luoyun with a fist-and-palm bow.
Han Luoyun smiled and said, “You will be leaving for Xuan Country in three days. I have something for you.”
With a wave of his hand, a jade slip flew toward Fang Lin who reached out and safely caught it.
“Master, what is this?” Fang Lin asked, rather than checking the jade slip immediately.
Han Luoyun replied, “This is the Purple Mist Sky Sutra; it is the most precious secret scripture of our Purple Mist Sect.”
Upon hearing this, Fang Lin was startled; the jade slip actually contained the Purple Mist Sky Sutra.
Fang Lin had definitely heard of the Purple Mist Sky Sutra. As a True Disciple of the Purple Mist Sect, he had heard the famous name of this scripture more than once.
Within the entire Purple Mist Sect, Han Luoyun was the only person qualified to practice the Purple Mist Sky Sutra. However, if others wanted to learn, they would need Han Luoyun’s permission.
To Fang Lin’s knowledge, besides Han Luoyun, the second person in the Purple Mist Sect who was practicing the Purple Mist Sky Sutra was Han Xiaoxing.
It was precisely because Han Xiaoxing practiced the Purple Mist Sky Sutra that she was able to reach the half-step Heavenly Origin realm during the Tri-Nation Championship and activated her Pupil Skill, outshining Zhao Shenji.
Now, Han Luoyun intended to pass on the Purple Mist Sky Sutra to Fang Lin. Clearly, he sincerely considered Fang Lin as his disciple and held nothing back.
This genuinely moved Fang Lin. While he would not really fret about practicing the Purple Mist Sky Sutra, Han Luoyun’s attitude did warm his heart.
“Thank you, Master.” Fang Lin respectfully saluted and securely stored the Purple Mist Sky Sutra.
Han Luoyun nodded, “Be careful in Xuan Country. It’s different from Qian Country. You have the backing of the Purple Mist Sect in Qian Country, but in Xuan Country, everything will rely on your own abilities.”
Fang Lin hummed in agreement, understanding these principles very well. Xuan Country, being one of the Middle Three Kingdoms, was not in the same league as Qian Country. Simply put, ten Qian Countries could not compare to a single Xuan Country.
This was reflected not only in the geographical size but also in terms of national power and the number of strong individuals.
To put it simply, Han Luoyun, Yang Jianye, and others were considered top-tier powerhouses in Qian Country, but in Xuan Country, they were merely average, far from being first-class.
The powers in Xuan Country were also extremely terrifying. The only one Fang Lin knew was the Dugu Family.
Fang Lin was not clear about the exact strength of the Dugu Family, but it was obvious that their power far exceeded that of the Purple Mist Sect many times over.
In Qian Country, Fang Lin had the backing of the Purple Mist Sect, and his own strength was not weak either, so he wouldn’t face any issues unless he squared off against a Heavenly Origin powerhouse.
But in Xuan Country, without any backing strength, Fang Lin would need to walk on eggshells.
Though it was unpleasant, such was the reality. Fang Lin had already planned to keep a low profile while in Xuan Country.
“Furthermore, pay attention to certain matters when you are in Xuan Country. The Dugu Family is currently going through continuous turmoil, and it’s advisable for you not to have too much contact with them. I heard you’ve had a conflict with a Pill Master from the Pill Alliance with the surname Qi in Xuan Country, right?” Han Luoyun said.
Hearing this, Fang Lin was immediately reminded of Master Qi, who had acted arrogantly and despotically at the Pill Alliance in Qian Country. He nodded and said, “Indeed, that’s true.”
Back then, Master Qi behaved quite arrogantly and domineeringly at the Pill Alliance in Qian Country. His two disciples were being just as deplorable, which had irked Fang Lin and led him to severely undermine Master Qi and his disciples once.
However, that also resulted in a grudge between Fang Lin and Master Qi, with the latter vowing to deal with Fang Lin.
Even though Fang Lin didn’t take Master Qi seriously, given that he was now going to Xuan Country, which was Master Qi’s home base, he suspected he would be targeted.
“I also have an old acquaintance in the Pill Alliance of Xuan Country. When you get there, find this person, he should be able to offer some protection for you, making it not so easy for Master Qi to target you,” Han Luoyun advised.
During the conversation, Han Luoyun also told Fang Lin the name of the old acquaintance. Fang Lin made a note of the name, intending to meet him once he arrived at the Pill Alliance in Xuan Country, since it was always better to have an insider connection when entering new territory.
“Alright, start preparing now. If something happens, contact me immediately, and I’ll find some way to help,” Han Luoyun said, waving his hand.
Fang Lin gave a fist-and-palm salute and withdrew.
Only Han Luoyun remained inside the grand halls. Han Yinyue entered the grand hall soon after.
“Fang Lin is setting off for Xuan Country; should we assign secret guards to protect him?” Han Yinyue asked.
After some thought, Han Luoyun responded, “There’s no need to guard him secretly. Send a few people to Xuan Country. If any accidents happen to Fang Lin, they can rescue him promptly.”
“Right,” Han Yinyue agreed and promptly set off to make arrangements.
Upon returning to his residence, Fang Lin immediately brought out the jade slip and began to study the Purple Mist Sky Sutra.
After reading it, Fang Lin couldn’t help but exclaim that the Purple Mist Sky Sutra indeed could be described as a secret scripture. Practicing it would greatly enhance a martial artist’s strength.
For the last three days, Fang Lin didn’t do anything else, but fully committed to practicing the Purple Mist Sky Sutra. However, due to insufficient time, he didn’t achieve much progress.
Three days later, an ancient flying boat slowly arrived outside the Purple Mist Sect but did not fly above it.
This was a basic courtesy. If the flying boat had directly flown above the Purple Mist Sect, it would be considered a provocation against the sect.
The flying boat was clearly from Black Cauldron City. Zhuge Cang was standing at the head of the boat, with Han Luoyun and Fang Lin personally greeting him from below.
“Thank you, Master Zhuge, for making all the way here,” Han Luoyun saluted Zhuge Cang with a fist-and-palm bow.
Zhuge Cang waved his hand, “It was just part of my duties, no need for thanks from Sect Master Han.”
As he spoke, Zhuge Cang glanced at Fang Lin, and his eyes were filled with admiration.
Zhuge Cang, who lived in Black Cauldron City, was naturally aware of the Tri-Nation Championship. He was greatly stunned by Fang Lin’s performance at the contest, and he’d never expected Fang Lin to be a genius gifted in both alchemy and martial arts.