Lin Changsheng really didn't want to deal with the troubles caused by Tianyu Sect, but since the matter was serious, if he didn't show up, it might lead to undesirable consequences.
"Let Pingyan accompany you on this trip."
After some careful consideration, Lin Changsheng made a decision.
"Alright." Chen Qingyuan nodded lightly, his heart easing slightly. Without Lin Changsheng's presence, Chen Qingyuan could look for an opportunity to act on his own, without worrying about exposing his physical condition.
Not long after, a young man in white appeared. His name was Lin Pingyan, Lin Changsheng's only son.
Lin Pingyan was an inner sect elder of the Xuanqing Sect, his cultivation having reached the peak of the Nascent Soul stage. Although he was several hundred years older than Chen Qingyuan, according to seniority, he had to address Chen Qingyuan as "Junior Uncle."
"Father, Junior Uncle."
After receiving a message through transmission, Lin Pingyan immediately set aside everything and rushed over, bowing deeply to both of them.
At first, Lin Pingyan found it very difficult to call him "Junior Uncle." However, after Chen Qingyuan displayed his extraordinary talent, crushing the other young elites of the Fuliu Star Domain, and even making his name known across many star regions in the Northern Wasteland, Lin Pingyan became convinced, no longer holding any grudges in his heart.
"You'll accompany Junior Uncle on this trip. No matter what happens, you must protect Junior Uncle's safety. Do you understand?"
Lin Changsheng gently tapped Lin Pingyan's forehead, transmitting the whereabouts of the Ghost Doctor, and said seriously.
"I understand, Father." Lin Pingyan nodded solemnly, silently vowing that as long as he didn't die, he would ensure that Junior Uncle would not come to harm.
"Go." Lin Changsheng didn't arrange for too many people to accompany them, in order to avoid attracting attention. He believed that as long as they didn't encounter a formidable expert who had been cultivating for thousands of years, the usual problems could be easily resolved by Lin Pingyan.
With that, Chen Qingyuan and Lin Pingyan set off.
Lin Changsheng consulted with some elders and then prepared to discuss matters related to the Demon Abyss.
A stone carriage, about one hundred meters long, could be activated by placing spirit stones in a specific location. It traveled at an incredible speed, covering 100,000 miles per day.
Chen Qingyuan sat inside the stone carriage, feeling no discomfort, relaxed and at ease.
"Junior Uncle, it will take about a month to reach the Yunhai Star Domain."
Although Lin Pingyan's talent couldn't compare to Chen Qingyuan's past achievements, it was still quite high, and the elders of Xuanqing Sect held great expectations for him. If Chen Qingyuan hadn't shown up, Lin Pingyan would have certainly become the Young Sect Master.
A hundred years ago, Xuanqing Sect had originally decided to appoint Chen Qingyuan as the Young Sect Master, believing that he would later lead the sect to greater heights.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned.
After a hundred years, the sect's high-ranking officials, after much deliberation and selection, were planning to pick a good day for Lin Pingyan to formally become the Young Sect Master.
But unexpectedly, Chen Qingyuan emerged at this time, disrupting Xuanqing Sect's original plans.
From the elders' behavior, it seemed they still hoped to cure Chen Qingyuan and have him take over as the sect leader.
"It's fine, there's no rush."
Chen Qingyuan and Lin Pingyan sat inside the stone carriage, with spiritual fruits and fragrant tea on the table.
Lin Changsheng had carefully considered the matter before sending Lin Pingyan to protect Chen Qingyuan. It wasn't a spontaneous decision, but rather one made after much thought. Only by having them both together could unnecessary troubles be avoided, and it might even strengthen their bond as fellow disciples.
Lin Pingyan had been raised by Lin Changsheng, and Chen Qingyuan trusted his character. He knew Lin Pingyan wouldn't do anything out of line, though he might feel a bit displeased internally.
"Pingyan, I've heard that the sect's high-ranking officials intend to make you the Young Sect Master, but my appearance has affected this matter."
Chen Qingyuan, having heard about this, brought it up directly, not wanting to keep it to himself.
"The seniority is clear, so even though Chen Qingyuan is much younger than Lin Pingyan, he can still speak in the tone of an elder."
"It's fine." Lin Pingyan smiled faintly, showing no change in his expression.
"If it were me, I definitely wouldn't swallow this anger. I'd either beat up the person who blocked my way or draw a circle and curse them," Chen Qingyuan said fiercely, as if he were the one who had been wronged.
Seeing Chen Qingyuan like this, the sadness and worries in Lin Pingyan's heart inexplicably faded a little, and he couldn't help but laugh: "Junior Uncle, it can't be that serious, right?"
"It is, of course it is." Chen Qingyuan said with righteous indignation, "You've worked so hard for many years to cultivate for the position of Young Sect Master. You lost the opportunity a hundred years ago. Now, after finally getting another chance, I've ruined it for you. Honestly, I feel bad and angry for you. Why don't you hit me and get it out of your system?"
"..."
Junior Uncle, you're too much of a drama queen!
Lin Pingyan, dressed in white, was the picture of a refined gentleman, gentle and elegant. He was very disciplined and usually quiet.
"Junior Uncle, I've indeed been angry in secret, but that's just a normal human reaction. Once I've let it go, it's fine. Also, if we can cure your body, your achievements will undoubtedly surpass what they were before. I'm more than willing to assist Junior Uncle in becoming the leader of the sect."
No matter whether it was a hundred years ago or now, whenever Lin Pingyan was with Chen Qingyuan, his usually noble and dignified temperament couldn't hold up. He was quickly charmed and let his guard down.
"What I can't stand the most is this—how can cultivators be so reasonable?" Chen Qingyuan sighed, "You don't understand me, and you don't understand Big Brother either."
"Junior Uncle, what do you mean by that?"
Lin Pingyan raised an eyebrow in confusion, his expression puzzled.
"I've never wanted to be the Young Sect Master, nor do I have the ability to bear the responsibility of leading the sect. I can only do my best to protect it. I've said this before—the sect is large, but it's not my true home. What I long for is a carefree, easy life."
There was still a long way to go, so Chen Qingyuan decided to have a proper conversation with Lin Pingyan.
"Pingyan, do you know why your father and the elders want to force me into the leadership position?"
Chen Qingyuan asked.
"Junior Uncle is extraordinarily talented, suppressing all your peers. You are naturally worthy of taking over as the sect leader."
Lin Pingyan deeply respected the strong, which is why he was willing to address Chen Qingyuan as Junior Uncle.
"That's one reason, but it's not the main one." Chen Qingyuan shook his head lightly.
"Is there another reason?" Lin Pingyan asked with a hint of curiosity, "Is it because of the Patriarch?"
"No." Chen Qingyuan shook his head again.
"Then what is it?"
Lin Pingyan's curiosity was piqued.
"Since I was young, whether outside or within the sect, I've never suffered any injustice." Chen Qingyuan slowly explained. "You, on the other hand, are different. Your nature is too soft, not ruthless enough. If you led the sect, it would inevitably become restricted everywhere, and the disciples would gradually lose their fighting spirit. For a sect, that's a fatal blow."
"Life is precious, and I don't want to become a butcher."
Lin Pingyan had lived for over five hundred years, and had killed fewer than ten people, all of whom were notorious villains. He was too merciful and was not suited to be a ruler.
"This time, Big Brother asked you to protect me on the journey. One, he trusts you; two, he wants to temper your character. If you travel with me, perhaps you can be influenced by me and change these bad habits."
In the cultivation world, mercy was the greatest taboo, yet Lin Pingyan was a scholar with a gentle temperament. If he had been born in any other sect, where internal conflict was common, things would certainly not be so peaceful.
Good people are often taken advantage of—this holds true for both mortals and cultivators.
"Forget it!" Lin Pingyan wasn't that he didn't want to be ruthless, but he simply couldn't do it. In his eyes, life was priceless. Unless someone had to die, he couldn't bring himself to kill.
It was precisely because of Lin Pingyan's indecisive and overly merciful nature that the sect's high-ranking officials dared not make him the Young Sect Master.
As the leader of a sect, whose hands wouldn't be stained with blood?
For the sake of the sect's interests, sometimes one must do things they know are wrong. Only in this way can the sect remain prosperous and unshakable, commanding respect and protecting its disciples.
"Take your time to change!" Chen Qingyuan lay back on the rocking chair, gently closing his eyes. "If you can change, the position of sect leader will undoubtedly be yours in the future. As your Junior Uncle, I will definitely help you."
It might be difficult for Chen Qingyuan to teach someone to become better, but making them worse would be much less of a challenge.
"I'm not greedy for power, I just don't want to disappoint Father."
Lin Pingyan had worked so hard to cultivate in order to become the Young Sect Master, and this was the only reason—he wanted to earn Lin Changsheng's approval.
"Based on our current direction and speed, we should pass by the Baiye Sect tomorrow. Be sure to stop for a while then."
Chen Qingyuan lay in bed and spoke softly.
"Why stop?" Lin Pingyan asked.
"To collect debts."
A wicked smile appeared at the corner of Chen Qingyuan's mouth, exuding a dangerous charm.