At the same time, Lu Yu felt as if he were groping in the darkness continuously but could never find a way out. Just as he was feeling frustrated and clueless about how to escape this darkness, a voice came from outside.
"This person has been lying here for so many days, why hasn't he woken up yet?" The voice belonged to a young girl who did not sound very old.
"Brother Wang said that he forcibly used the dark arts and thus injured his origin, even if he wakes up, he can't enjoy a normal lifespan."
"Ah! That severe? I heard that our junior uncle really cares about him, he has visited him several times these past few days."
"What do you think? If it weren't for our junior uncle pleading with the Sect for the Life-Creating Pill, this person would have been long gone. I heard that this junior uncle is the one the founder of our Sect spoke of: 'capable of prospering our Sect, one lotus, two clouds,' and he referred to 'one lotus'."
The two young girls chattered about some interesting events within the Sect, which inadvertently allowed Lu Yu, who was lying on the bed, to gradually understand the environment he was in.
That day in Wan City, the fairy incarnated into a sword and drove back Xue Wuyi. Not long after, people from the Green Lotus Sect arrived at the scene.
Originally, the founder of the Green Lotus Sect was extremely adept at divining Heaven's Secret. On the day of his ascension, he left the words: 'capable of prospering our Sect, one lotus, two clouds'.
The 'two clouds' had been long recruited into the Sect, but sadly they had never been able to find this 'one lotus', until He Yinglian acquired the Qomgupi Sword and summoned Fairy Biyou's incarnation which then revealed Heaven's Secret. They did not dare delay and were the first to arrive at the scene.
It was only afterward that people from the Zhengyi Sect arrived, but by then everything had already calmed down.
He Yinglian, being the ordained individual of the Green Lotus Sect and furthermore acknowledged by Fairy Biyou, was naturally taken into the Green Lotus Sect, and both Lu Yu and He Yingchao benefitted from this association and were taken in as well.
Unfortunately, Lu Yu had risked his life in that great battle, using the Flying Sword repeatedly without counting, which had damaged his foundation. If it were not for He Yinglian's distinguished position, pleading for the help of the Sect's seniors, he would probably be dead by now.
Lu Yu's consciousness gradually returned to his body, and he slowly opened his eyes to find himself lying on an ancient wooden bed surrounded by silk and satin that, while simple, exuded an undeniably immortal aura.
"Ah! You're awake!" The young girl was extremely surprised to see Lu Yu awake, and hurried out to spread the news,
Soon, a crowd of people came in. He Yinglian rushed in, thrilled, and seeing Lu Yu's still pale face, she couldn't help but throw herself on him, crying, "Big Brother Lu, you've finally woken up!"
Lu Yu felt a warm surge in his heart as he looked at the girl crying tears like rain in front of him, and comforted her by patting her head, "Stop crying, see, I'm fine!"
But He Yinglian had already taken Lu Yu's hand and started chattering nonstop about what had happened during this period, including how she entered the Sect and how the leader of Misty Peak took her as a disciple in place of his teacher, instantly elevating her to a position of notable seniority within the Green Lotus Sect.
While they were conversing, they didn't notice a handsome young man among the crowd looking at Lu Yu with a jealous expression.
Over the following days, Lu Yu stayed in the Green Lotus Sect to recover. He had thought about joining the Green Lotus Sect, but when he proposed this to He Yinglian and didn't receive a reply for several days, he knew in his heart that it probably wasn't going to be possible.
As expected, that day Lu Yu was meditating and visualizing in his own residence when a middle-aged Taoist gently pushed the door open. Lu Yu had also gotten familiar with many people from the Sect in the past few days and recognized him as Brother Wang, who managed the external affairs of the Sect.
"Excuse the disturbance, Layman Lu." Brother Wang was a kind man, deeply respected by the Sect's disciples, and since he was adept at social interactions, he managed many of the Sect's external affairs.
"May I know what brings Brother Wang to me today?"
Brother Wang seemed somewhat embarrassed as he spoke, "Not to hide from Layman Lu, the Sect Leader is already aware of your desire to join our Sect. Unfortunately, being a person of wealth and status, you may not be suitable for our Sect."
Lu Yu was curious, having already guessed that he might not be able to enter the Green Lotus Sect, but he was unclear about this term 'person of wealth and status' and so he asked, "May I inquire what this 'person of wealth and status' means and if there is any criterion for it?"
"What is referred to as 'wealth and status' actually signifies being estranged from the Immortal Dao. To be frank, the transmission of the Immortal Dao places great importance on Fortune and Destiny. Generally, those with shallow Fortune and Destiny are not admitted into the Sect, as the Sect's Fortune and Destiny is intricately linked to each disciple and cannot be taken lightly."
"Are you saying my Fortune and Destiny are shallow?"
"Layman Lu's Fortune and Destiny are quite unique. While ordinary people have varying degrees of Fortune and Destiny, yours is almost zero, resembling that of a dead person, yet it changes constantly. Under normal circumstances, the elders of the Sect would be willing to make an exception to admit you into the Sect, but at this moment, there are some complications."
Although Brother Wang's words were somewhat cryptic, Lu Yu had already understood most of it. If he was not mistaken, these complications likely had something to do with He Yinglian.
Being a reborn individual, he was not rigid in his thinking and knew that since he had been informed, it must be the result of an internal assessment of pros and cons by the Sect. Even if he persisted doggedly, it probably would not change anything.
Moreover, having spent some time healing in this place, he had witnessed many instances of backstabbing within the Sect, which was far from his ideals of what cultivation should be. Thus, he did not cling too deeply to the idea, let alone harbor any resentment.
"Brother Wang, in a situation like mine, how should one pursue the path of cultivation if they wish to?" Naturally, Lu Yu had not given up hope. Having been reborn into a world with Immortals, he was eager to see what the heavens had to offer.
"As far as I know, people like Layman Lu are best off encountering a great power who preaches the Dao. These powerful beings, with their profound mana and deep Fortune and Destiny, preach without concern for Fortune or Destiny. Unfortunately, such opportunities are now extremely rare in this world."
Lu Yu silently nodded his head; having a direction was enough.
"Even so, I will be leaving tomorrow. I have caused much disturbance during my stay, and I hope your Sect can excuse this."
Brother Wang was a bit surprised by this response; he had thought Lu Yu would persist a bit longer, yet the man was decisively moving on.
When he returned to report to the Sect Leader, after listening carefully, the Sect Leader said, "Such a temperament is truly rare. If not for the Xu Family's obstruction, I would have really liked to make an exception and admit him into the Sect. Well, for the harmony of the Sect, we must let him go. I have a copy of the 'Yellow Court Classic' handwritten by our Founder; give it to him, hoping he can fulfill his wishes one day."
Having made up his mind, Lu Yu was not the type to linger. The next day, he bid farewell to the heartbroken He Yinglian and, guided by Brother Wang, slowly walked out of the Immortals' Cave Mansion.