Legacy of the Spirit Stone

Chapter 60 – Let me see him

Because they were taking care of Yang Lingrui's health, the two of them didn't travel quickly, and by the time they reached Moonwatch City, there was only one day left before the start of the Golden Scale Conference.

The entrances for mortals and cultivators in Moonwatch City were separate; mortals used the north and south gates, while cultivators used the elevated platforms to the east and west.

As they arrived at the eastern platform, a man in a white robe was already waiting.

"Mayor Gao, it's been a while. How have you been?" the man in the white robe said.

"Cheng Yi! It's you!"

Upon seeing him, Gao Hui warmly stepped forward to greet him.

"Since we parted at Qiulu, it's been years since we last met."

"Indeed, I still fondly remember those days."

Both were cultivators from the same dynasty and had once worked together in the Immortal Patrol under Qiulu City.

Later, due to internal transfers within the dynasty, Cheng Yi was sent to the west, and a year later, Gao Hui was transferred to Moonwatch City.

Then came the Beast Tide, which destroyed White Stone Town, and Gao Hui was sent there to take charge.

Unexpectedly, after all these years, Cheng Yi was also transferred to Moonwatch City and was now serving in the city's Immortal Patrol.

"You have quite the luck, arriving just in time for such a grand event!"

"Of course, you know I've always had good fortune."

As they spoke, Cheng Yi's gaze moved past Gao Hui to Yang Lingrui, who stood behind him.

"And this is..."

At first glance, he was captivated by Yang Lingrui's striking appearance, but upon closer inspection, he noticed that Yang Lingrui seemed weak and pale, as if he had just recovered from a severe illness.

"Oh, I forgot to introduce you. This is Yang Lingrui from the Pine Mountain Yang Clan, also here to attend the conference," Gao Hui said, stepping aside to make room.

Yang Lingrui stepped forward, "Yang Lingrui, greetings to Daoist Cheng Yi."

"Pine Mountain Yang Clan? Oh! I remember now, recommended by the second young master of the Li Clan!"

Since the Yang Clan was the last to secure a spot, Cheng Yi remembered it well.

"Greetings, Daoist Lingrui. Please, both of you, follow me into the city."

He didn't inquire about Yang Lingrui's health directly, as it was their first meeting.

As an invited cultivator, Yang Lingrui didn't stay with the dynasty's cultivators but had a separate courtyard.

Servants and maids were available, and if the cultivator needed them, they stayed; otherwise, they left.

Yang Lingrui preferred not to have anyone else living with him, so he dismissed them.

After settling Yang Lingrui in, Cheng Yi finally asked the question he'd been holding back on their way back to the Immortal Patrol.

"What's with this child from the Yang Clan? It looks like something went terribly wrong with his cultivation."

Gao Hui sighed, "This child has exceptional talent. In just over three years of cultivation, he reached the Third Layer."

Cheng Yi's eyes widened in surprise, "That's incredible! With such talent, how could his cultivation go wrong? Was he ambushed?"

"No, that wasn't the case."

Gao Hui then recounted Yang Lingrui's situation over the past year, leaving Cheng Yi feeling regretful. Such a promising talent, ruined by impatience, was truly a pity.

"Perhaps the second young master of the Li Clan initially thought highly of him, but now, seeing such impatience, it seems he's fallen short."

Cheng Yi didn't voice this thought, keeping it to himself.

Shortly after Yang Lingrui settled in Moonwatch City, the Li Clan received the news.

Yu Fenghuo and Liu Cheshu were sent by Li Cheng to visit.

These two were Li Cheng's trusted aides during the Ancient Tomb expedition.

"Please come in."

Yang Lingrui called out weakly, which the two didn't initially notice.

But when they entered the room and saw Yang Lingrui leaning against the bed, they were both taken aback.

"This... Daoist Lingrui, what happened to you?"

"Were you attacked by some villain?"

Caught off guard, they hadn't noticed the change in Yang Lingrui's cultivation level.

It wasn't until they spoke that they realized he had reached the Qi Condensation Fourth Layer!

"Cough, cough... No external villains, just the villain within my heart."

Yang Lingrui coughed twice and slowly moved to sit on the meditation mat.

"Please, sit. Did Young Master Li have any instructions?"

Yu Fenghuo and Liu Cheshu exchanged glances, both looking a bit troubled.

They hadn't expected such a sudden turn of events.

After a moment of silence, Yu Fenghuo finally spoke.

"Daoist Lingrui... Senior! The young master sent us to invite you to our family's Yingchun Courtyard to meet..."

At this point, Yu Fenghuo stopped speaking.

Originally, Li Cheng wanted Yang Lingrui to meet his sister before the conference began.

But given Yang Lingrui's current state...

"To meet Miss Li, right?"

Seeing their troubled expressions, Yang Lingrui could guess the reason.

"Yes, the young master and the young lady are waiting for you at the courtyard."

After Yu Fenghuo spoke, Liu Cheshu added, "If it's inconvenient for you, senior, you can tell us, and we'll inform the young master."

"No need, it's no inconvenience. Lead the way."

Yang Lingrui's actions were all part of a plan to avoid the marriage alliance between the two families.

Now it was perfect; the sooner they met, the sooner it would be over, allowing him to focus on the conference.

Seeing Yang Lingrui's determination, the two couldn't refuse and led him to the courtyard.

This area of the city was designated for hosting guests, and as a prestigious family under Moonwatch's jurisdiction, the Li Clan had their own courtyard here, named Yingchun.

Li Cheng had been waiting there for days, but Yang Lingrui hadn't shown up.

He was worried that something might have happened to Yang Lingrui on the way.

When he received news from the Immortal Patrol today, he immediately sent someone to fetch him and brought his sister from the City Lord's Mansion to the courtyard.

Calculating the time, Yang Lingrui should be arriving soon.

"Young Master!"

Yu Fenghuo had taken a detour with Yang Lingrui, while Liu Cheshu, under the pretense of announcing their arrival, quickly ran back to the inner courtyard of Yingchun Courtyard.

"What's got you in such a hurry?"

"Young Master..."

Liu Cheshu glanced at the young woman sitting by the pond admiring the flowers, then leaned in to whisper Yang Lingrui's situation to Li Cheng.

Li Cheng was initially surprised, then frowned.

"Did you investigate?"

"I checked the records. Two months ago, an elder from the Yang Clan came to the marketplace to sell talismans and bought a batch of Qi Condensation early-stage cultivation pills, likely to support Yang Lingrui's breakthrough," Liu Cheshu replied.

Li Cheng fell into deep thought.

He had always been a good judge of character. Although he hadn't spent much time with Yang Lingrui, he had a good grasp of his personality.

Could it be that the Fengling incident was just a facade and he had misjudged?

He didn't want to believe it, but the facts were undeniable, causing him to waver.

Glancing back at his sister, he lowered his voice, "Come with me."

The two of them moved to the outer courtyard, intending to meet Yang Lingrui there first.

In Li Cheng's view, whether intentional or not, Yang Lingrui's health issues made it unsuitable for him to meet his sister.

It would be better to wait until he recovered.

Before long, Yang Lingrui was brought in by Yu Fenghuo.

Had Yang Lingrui not pointed it out earlier, Yu Fenghuo might have continued leading him in circles.

"Greetings, Young Master Li. I apologize for my disheveled state," Yang Lingrui said with a bow.

Li Cheng didn't speak, instead placing his fingertips on Yang Lingrui's wrist.

Yang Lingrui remained calm, knowing that his condition of chaotic energy flow and damaged meridians was meticulously arranged by the Spirit Stone Immortal, leaving no clues for Li Cheng to discern.

"It truly is as it seems."

Li Cheng looked at Lingrui with a hint of guilt, saying, "I must apologize for acting on my own. If Lingrui had continued cultivating peacefully, with the Resurrection Fruit as a safeguard, this wouldn't have happened. Sigh... You should return and rest well. We can discuss the meeting later."

Before leaving, Yang Lingqing had anticipated this situation and taught Yang Lingrui how to respond.

But unexpectedly, before Yang Lingrui could speak, a clear and melodious voice came from the inner courtyard.

"Brother, let me meet him."