At Long Chen’s words, the Abbot nodded. "Forgive my display, Donor Long."
"It’s only human nature," Long Chen said nonchalantly. "After all, this is Qingyin Temple’s supreme inheritance. You’ve been searching for it for many years, so now that the seal is broken, it’s perfectly normal to be curious. If anything, I should be the one who is embarrassed for unintentionally receiving your temple’s inheritance."
"Donor Long, that’s where you’re wrong." The Abbot waved his hand. "If you hadn’t broken the seal in time and obtained the inheritance, we likely wouldn’t even be standing here talking right now. You are the benefactor of Qingyin Temple. Ingratitude is not the way of our disciples."
"Today, we only hope that you will write down the inheritance so that we may study and cultivate it."
"Of course." Long Chen returned to the room, took up a brush and paper, and wrote down all the secrets of the Chan Meditation Spirit Map before handing it to the Abbot.
The Abbot glanced at the contents, a wide, excited smile spreading across his face. "I never expected to see the supreme inheritance of Qingyin Temple in my lifetime."
The other elders of Qingyin Temple were equally thrilled.
"Donor Long, you are truly a great benefactor to Qingyin Temple!"
"We can never repay you for the contribution you’ve made!"
"If you ever need help in the future, please do not hesitate to ask us at Qingyin Temple. As long as it does not violate our principles, we will certainly lend you our aid," the Abbot told Long Chen excitedly.
"Abbot, please, there’s no need for such formalities." Long Chen smiled. "If I hadn’t come to Qingyin Temple, I never would have had the chance to learn such a profound Cultivation Technique and increase my cultivation so greatly. Between us, no one owes the other anything."
The Abbot laughed heartily and continued, "We have one more, rather brazen request, and we hope you can grant it, Donor Long."
"What might that be?" Long Chen asked. "Please, Abbot, just say it."
"It’s nothing major. We simply hope that you will not pass this Cultivation Technique on to others in the future."
"Ah, so it’s about that." Long Chen nodded with a smile. "Abbot, rest assured. I understand this is Qingyin Temple’s supreme inheritance. Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would never have shared it with anyone."
"Then we are deeply grateful, Donor Long." The Abbot and the other elders looked at Long Chen with appreciation. In their eyes, although Long Chen was young, he was exceptionally sensible—a rare talent who was destined for greatness.
Just then, Chu Lingjun and Tang Le emerged from their separate, adjacent rooms.
Seeing them, Long Chen asked, "Sister Chu, Senior Brother Tang, how are you two feeling?"
"We’ve recovered so quickly thanks to the Elixir Pills the Abbot provided," Chu Lingjun said, clasping her hands in thanks toward him. Then, she turned to Long Chen and Tang Le. "We’ve been away for some time. We should be heading back."
"Alright." Long Chen and Tang Le both nodded.
The trio then bade farewell to the Abbot of Qingyin Temple and headed back toward the Martial Ancestor.
Watching their departing figures, the Abbot murmured to himself, "This generation of the Martial Ancestor is truly brimming with talent."
「Five days later」
Chu Lingjun, Long Chen, and Tang Le returned to the Martial Ancestor.
"Now that you have completed the assessment, you are eligible for promotion to Second-class Disciple," Chu Lingjun told Long Chen and Tang Le. "Go find your steward to handle the promotion. I’m going to report the details of our mission to the elders. It’s time we made the Sword Ancestor pay for attempting to assassinate us!" With that, Chu Lingjun turned and left.
"It looks like a war between the two sects is imminent," Tang Le murmured.
"The Sword Ancestor started this," Long Chen said, his brow furrowing as he recalled the assassination attempt. "They killed so many of our Martial Ancestor’s disciples. How could we possibly let it go?"
"Let’s not dwell on it. We should wait for orders from above," Tang Le said. "For now, let’s go find Steward Chen and get our promotion to Second-class Disciple."
"Right." Long Chen nodded and started toward the Human Institute.
He hadn’t gone far when he saw Su Miaoyu walking toward him, flanked by her usual group of sycophants.
Long Chen couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle. Enemies truly walk a narrow path.