Chapter 580

Chapter 580: Each Has Their Own Ambition

"This aura… is it a Heavenly Lord?"

Following their departure from the Reincarnation Hall, the trio sensed a vast aura surpassing their own powers. Lu Mian’s expression tightened slightly as he asked, "May I inquire who this lofty Daoist friend is? What purpose brings you to the Reincarnation Hall?"

"I am Wu Tianyue."

Whoosh!

A beam of immortal light descended from the heavens. Wu Tianyue gazed upon the three, her eyes eventually settling on Luo Qianchen. "So it’s the Young Master of the Dao Clan."

Her attention remained fixed solely on Luo Qianchen.

Neither Lu Mian nor the First Young Master held any significance in her eyes.

After all, the might of the Three Ancient Clans remained utterly beyond reach for most powers in the yang realm.

"Esteemed Senior!"

Recognition flickered in Luo Qianchen’s eyes. During the opening of the Dao Clan’s ancestral land, Wu Tianyue had visited as an envoy of the Witch Clan. Luo Qianchen remembered her and her status well.

"Why have you come to the Reincarnation Hall?" she inquired, puzzled.

"I am here to meet someone," Wu Tianyue stated simply.

"Boldly I ask, Esteemed Senior, whom do you seek? Could it be our Reincarnation Hall disciple?" Lu Mian solemnly pressed.

"Lin Qianmo!" Wu Tianyue answered without concealment. "If the master of Heaven’s Secret Pavilion is correct, she resides within the Palace of Eternal Life."

Thoughts diverged among the three.

Heaven’s Secret Pavilion yet again.

Luo Qianchen’s gaze sharpened with gravity. If Heaven’s Secret Pavilion had compelled Wu Tianyue to seek information about Lin Qianmo, hidden motives surely lay beneath.

"Esteemed Senior," Luo Qianchen began plainly, "truthfully, Lin Qianmo was brought by me from the lower worlds to the Hongmeng Dao Realm. Has she offended you?"

"Since she is under your protection, I shall speak plainly."

Wu Tianyue’s eyes gleamed with intent. "I intend to take her as my disciple!"

As a disciple?

Astonishment washed over Luo Qianchen’s face. A Heavenly Lord of the august Witch Clan wished to accept a mere early-stage World Master as her disciple?

"Young Master Luo, grant me this request." Wu Tianyue implored further.

At these words, Luo Qianchen’s expression grew solemn.

Wu Tianyue had openly asked; refusing outright would breach etiquette.

Yet yielding entirely was unacceptable—where would that leave her own dignity?

"Esteemed Senior, I offer no objection to your wish to take her as disciple," declared Luo Qianchen firmly. "However, Lin Qianmo herself must consent before any apprenticeship may commence."

"Agreed!" Wu Tianyue accepted immediately.

She weighed the pros and cons—revealing her identity upfront was the worst possible move.

If she could take Lin Qianmo as her disciple, even without disclosing the truth, she could still keep Lin Qianmo by her side to ease her loneliness.

"Then let us proceed to the Palace of Eternal Life."

The group traveled together to the Palace of Eternal Life.

Within moments, four Heavenly Reverends descended.

Inside the Palace of Eternal Life, Yi Daoist, Yan Immortal Emperor, and others were cultivating. Yet among them, the fastest cultivator had only reached mid-level Sovereign of the World.

Lin Qianmo was the sole World Master present.

"Greetings, Heavenly Reverends."

"Salutations, Your Grace."

Seeing Luo Qianchen, Lu Mian, and the others return, Lin Qianmo led everyone forward to receive them. The group felt uneasy—news of Feng Suiyuan’s death had spread through the Reincarnation Hall, with Luo Qianchen directly involved.

They had spent days in dread.

Now, seeing Luo Qianchen, each experienced a reassuring moment.

"Rise," Luo Qianchen said lightly. "Lin Qianmo."

"Your servant is here."

Lin Qianmo stepped forward.

"This is Lady Wu Tianyue of the Witch Clan, an esteemed Heavenly Realm expert," Luo Qianchen announced. "She wishes to take you as her disciple. Are you willing?"

Wu Tianyue stared intently at Lin Qianmo.

Her heart churned with a mixture of feelings, yet she concealed it so well.

Not even the three Heavenly Reverends detected the slightest strange light in her expression.

"This seat is a Heavenly Reverend from the Witch Clan, one of the Three Ancient Clans," Wu Tianyue stated softly, her gaze gentle as water. "Hearing of your self-created Red Dust Tribulation Sutra and extraordinary talent stirred my desire to train an heir."

"I have never accepted a disciple in my life. Would you enter my tutelage as my final disciple?"

Lu Mian wore a look of astonishment. A Heavenly Reverend’s only disciple—and her final one? This hinted at passing her legacy entirely to Lin Qianmo.

"Esteemed senior, I have never met you," Lin Qianmo replied cautiously, not agreeing immediately. "Why seek me as your disciple so suddenly? Strangeness must hide dark intentions."

Buzz!

Wu Tianyue opened her palm, revealing the manifestation of the Mother Tree.

"The Ancient Tree?" Lin Qianmo gasped in shock.

"No. This is the Mother Tree," Wu Tianyue corrected with a smile. "Long ago, a seedling was lost to the world. My inquiries confirmed you possess it."

"You and I share a bond."

"Will you join my lineage?"

Wu Tianyue continued to inquire.

Yan Immortal Emperor became extremely jealous upon seeing this.

Previously on the beauty list, Lin Qianmo had overshadowed her. After entering the Hongmeng Dao Realm, Lin Qianmo’s cultivation speed became unparalleled. Now, even an Heavenly Venerate had come personally to accept her as a disciple.

Why was the disparity in their destinies so vast?

"I am willing!"

Lin Qianmo knelt on the ground. Emotionally, she trusted her intuition. Logically, she could advance further by becoming an Heavenly Venerate’s disciple.

"Lin Qianmo pays respects to Master."

She kowtowed three times with nine prostrations, performing the grand ceremony of apprenticeship.

"Congratulations, Senior, on acquiring a cherished disciple," Lu Mian offered felicitations.

"Congratulations, Senior."

Luo Qianchen smiled. "Qianmo, from now on I must address you as fellow Daoist."

"How could that be appropriate?" Lin Qianmo shook her head.

"Since you’ve accepted me as your master, this Mother Tree shall be my gift to you upon our meeting." Wu Tianyue’s thought stirred, severing her connection to the Mother Tree.

The Mother Tree flew toward Lin Qianmo. Under Wu Tianyue’s guidance, it bonded with her spirit.

Boom!

The Mother Tree took root within Lin Qianmo’s Purple Palace. Vast, majestic essence of life surged into her limbs and bones, causing her cultivation to soar madly.

Within half an hour, she had reached mid-World Master.

Its branches swayed; the distant sound of the Dao expounded the wonders of Life Dao, amplifying Lin Qianmo’s cultivation ceaselessly.

Everyone present displayed astonishment.

The Mother Tree was an innate gods artifact embodying Life Dao, a Heavenly Venerate-level treasure—yet Wu Tianyue gifted it freely, leaving Yi Daoist and others utterly envious.

"Young Master Luo," Wu Tianyue said with a smile. "I owe you a favor for this."

"A minor matter, hardly worth mentioning," Luo Qianchen replied cheerfully.

"Qianmo, come with me."

"Yes."

Lin Qianmo turned to Luo Qianchen and bowed. "Thank you, you lord, for your hospitality these past days. I shall remember your kindness for life."

"Farewell."

"Until we meet again."

Luo Qianchen bid her farewell.

"Dear friends, we shall meet again someday."

Lin Qianmo said her goodbyes one by one to Yi Daoist and the others.

"Take care, Daoist Friend Lin."

Yi Daoist cupped his fist solemnly.

Everyone watched as the two figures faded into the distance.

"I have returned this time," Luo Qianchen stated gravely, "to lead you all away from the Palace of Eternal Life. Should anyone be unwilling to follow me, leave the palace now and cultivate alone."

"We are willing."

Immortal Emperor Yan, Immortal Emperor Luo, and the others wouldn’t dare harbor different intentions.

"Ninth Young Master, may this old man take his leave?"

Yi Daolord asked gravely.

Luo Qianchen glanced at him. "My word is as unbreakable as the Nine Cauldrons."

Qin Emperor also knelt down on one knee. "I thank the Ninth Young Master for her past kindness and support. Yet, I am accustomed to a life as free as drifting clouds and wild cranes. I wish only to roam freely amidst mountains and waters. I beg your forgiveness and permission to leave."

"Each has their own aspirations. I will not force you."

Luo Qianchen’s expression remained impassive.

The situation shifted with dizzying speed. Keeping them offered her little benefit. Granting them this choice stemmed from a promise she had made in the lower realm.

A lord’s word is unbreakable. Luo Qianchen kept her promises.

"First accompany me to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion," she commanded, "then we return to the Dao Clan."

Luo Qianchen summoned her divine ship. Everyone leapt aboard its prow, and it surged forward, streaking towards the direction of the Canglan Immortal Domain.

Yi Daoist and Qin Emperor flew out from the Reincarnation Hall.

"Daoist brother, why choose to leave?" Qin Emperor inquired with a smile. "Now that the Ninth Young Master has ascended as a Heavenly Worthy, she will inevitably become a supreme ruler. Following her would be a path ripe with promise and opportunity."

"And why do you choose to leave?"

Yi Daoist countered the question.

"The wise lord doesn’t stand beneath a dangerous wall."

Qin Emperor explained: "No matter how formidable the Ninth Young Master becomes, it is her power alone. She cannot shield us in every situation. The brighter she shines, the greater the peril she attracts."

"The tallest tree catches the fiercest wind."

"Ha ha ha…"

Yi Daoist clapped his hands lightly.

His view aligned perfectly with Qin Emperor’s.

"In my estimation," Yi Daoist mused, "the safest place in this world may well be Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. Sadly, we old relics are weak and dim-witted; the Pavilion Master wouldn’t give us a second glance."

He sighed softly.

"Then let us be as drifting clouds and wild cranes," Qin Emperor declared, a broad laugh echoing in his voice as he vanished into the horizon. "Reckonlessly free throughout this life!"

"Bamboo staff and straw sandals, lighter than a horse. Carefree amidst wind and rain, this life’s all I own… Ha ha ha…"

"Daoist brother Yi, fare you well!"