Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 175 Choosing a Path and the Troubles of "Immaturity"

Chapter 178: Choosing a Path and the Troubles of "Immaturity"

As night deepened, the Lin family mansion finally returned to tranquility. All the guests had gained a great deal tonight. Gu Weijun and his wife, Yan Youyun, being elderly and frail, were the first to rise and take their leave. The Tang, Li, and Zheng families, seeing that it was late, also followed suit. Just as Lin Yi and Charles were preparing to respectfully see them off, Lin Yan called out to Tang Liuqian, "Brother Liuqian, if you and Uncle Tang are free tomorrow morning, please come over again. I have some other materials here that I'd like Uncle Tang to take a look at."

Although Tang Bingyuan and his son had some doubts and wondered what other "surprise" Lin Yan had in store, they readily agreed.

After seeing off all the guests, the noise subsided. Lin Yan carried Xiao Qi, who was already fast asleep and snoring softly in his arms, back to the master bedroom on the second floor. He gently placed the little guy in the center of the soft bed and covered him with a small blanket.

After Xiao Qi fell asleep, Lin Yan had a thought, and his figure disappeared from the bedroom and entered the space.

The space is now much emptier because a large number of Golden Core cultivators have been transferred to various parts of the world. Only about a hundred Golden Core cultivators remain permanently, responsible for daily maintenance and shifts. However, elders like Elder Dan, Elder Fu, and Elder Zhen, who have their own specialized hobbies and are not very enthusiastic about external affairs, still remain in the space, immersed in their research.

Lin Yan went straight to the herb garden where Elder Dan often stayed. Sure enough, Elder Dan was carefully sorting some spiritual herbs by the soft light in the space.

"Elder Dan," Lin Yan called out.

Old Master Dan looked up, saw it was Lin Yan, and put down his work: "Young Master, what are your orders?"

Lin Yan smiled and said, "I'd like to ask you for a favor tomorrow. Could you play the role of a doctor and examine an elder for me?"

Old Master Dan raised his white eyebrows slightly, somewhat puzzled: "Young Master, with your current cultivation and knowledge, surely the ailments of mortals shouldn't be a problem for you? Why would I need to intervene?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yan gave a helpless, wry smile and spread his hands, saying, "Elder Dan, you see, I'm only sixteen years old and good at business. If I were to also display my extraordinary medical skills, it would be too conspicuous. The taller the tree, the more the wind will blow against it. I'd rather keep a low profile." His tone carried a hint of joking, "Just help me out and act as a front."

Seeing that his young master wasn't incapable, but rather unwilling to be too sensational, Old Master Dan understood and stroked his beard, laughing, "So, young master dislikes the limelight. Very well, in my appearance, I look more like an old doctor with many years of experience. I'll help you with this favor."

"Thank you so much, Elder Dan! I'll call you Grandpa Dan tomorrow!" Lin Yan said with a smile, then rolled up his sleeves and took the initiative to help Elder Dan process the medicinal herbs at hand, chatting as they worked.

After processing the medicinal herbs, Lin Yan turned his attention back to his own cultivation. He went to a secluded spot within the space that had been created by Golden Core cultivators for quiet meditation and discussions. Several key elders were there, including Elder Dan, who had just finished his work, as well as Elder Fu, Elder Zhen, and others.

Lin Yan shared his recent confusion: "Everyone, Qingtian told me before that I had touched the threshold of 'humanity' and may even have touched the edge of 'heaven's way'." He described his feelings about experiencing nature in Yellowstone National Park and observing the world in various places, "But I don't know why, I always feel that something is missing, as if there is a very thin window paper between us that I just can't break through."

He frowned slightly and continued, "Actually, with the resources accumulated in my space and my own personal development, my cultivation level could have already attempted to break through to the Golden Core stage given enough time. But I always have a strong feeling, a kind of unseen guidance, that I shouldn't rush to break through, as if there are still things I haven't finished in the Foundation Establishment stage. Do you know what's going on?"

After he finished speaking, the assembled former Golden Core cultivators suffered another heavy blow to their Dao hearts. They exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes filled with complex emotions. What kind of unparalleled genius was their young master?! "Enlightenment" was something many Nascent Soul stage cultivators spent their entire lives trying to grasp, yet their young master was almost at the Foundation Establishment stage, and now he still complained about being "almost there"? Moreover, he could clearly sense the opportunity for a breakthrough and actively suppress it? How could those of them, who had fought tooth and nail and endured countless trials and tribulations to achieve Core Formation, possibly accept this? Had their daily arduous cultivation been a mistake?

The crowd felt a mix of emotions, but more than anything, they felt a sense of excitement and awe at witnessing the birth of a legend.

After a moment of silence, Elder Fu stroked a warm jade talisman in his hand and cautiously spoke: "Young Master, your situation... is indeed extremely special, rarely recorded even in ancient books. I dare to speculate that this may be your supreme opportunity."

He organized his thoughts and slowly said, "Ordinary cultivators who can focus on one path after reaching the Golden Core stage, whether it be the Heavenly Dao or the Human Dao, and gain some understanding of it, are already geniuses among ten thousand. But you, at the Foundation Establishment stage, actually touched the threshold of both the Heavenly Dao and the Human Dao at the same time, and even sensed the opportunity for a breakthrough but instinctively suppressed it... This is by no means a coincidence."

Elder Fu's gaze turned extremely solemn: "This old man suggests that you, young master, should not rush to improve your cultivation. With such heaven-defying comprehension and foundation, why not try... to simultaneously enter the Heavenly and Human Paths before reaching the Golden Core stage!"

"To enter two paths simultaneously before reaching the Golden Core stage?" This was the first time Lin Yan had heard of such a thing.

"Exactly!" Elder Fu's tone was tinged with excitement. "In the ancient cultivation world, this was merely a theoretical 'perfect Dao foundation,' a heaven-defying feat unprecedented and likely to be repeated! Once successful, the quality of your Golden Core and your future potential will be immeasurable! Although it is extremely difficult, young master, you already possess this foundation and perception, which is the greatest possibility!"

He paused, then added a crucial piece of information: "Furthermore, young master, don't forget, we are now in the Era of Absolute Spirits. This means the Heavenly Dao is hidden, and Heavenly Tribulations are concealed." He looked at Lin Yan, his eyes gleaming with wisdom. "This is a constraint for ordinary cultivators, but for you, who aspire to defy the heavens, it is the greatest protection! Even if your foundation is extraordinary, you will only suffer ordinary Heavenly Tribulations. With your mastery of formations, you will certainly not die under the Golden Core Tribulation. This is the great opportunity for you to take a gamble!"

Elder Fu finally advised, "Young Master, you can take this gamble! Besides, you're only sixteen years old now, still very young. You have plenty of time to break through when you're around eighteen. On the path of cultivation, the more solid your foundation, the further you can go in the future."

At this moment, Elder Dan chimed in, "Old Fu is right. And young master, have you considered that once you break through to the Golden Core stage, your appearance will be basically fixed? Your current face..." Elder Dan examined Lin Yan's handsome face, which still retained some youthful immaturity, and smiled, "It's still a bit too immature. It would be a pity if it were to stay that way."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yan subconsciously touched his face. A scene flashed through his mind: himself with the eternally youthful face of a sixteen or seventeen-year-old, negotiating multi-million dollar deals with cunning old foxes like Tang Bingyuan and Li Yaozu, or perhaps leading a vast business empire with this appearance in the future…

That's so disgraceful!

He shuddered instantly, a cold sweat breaking out on his back. Thank goodness! Thank goodness he hadn't rashly gone into seclusion to improve his cultivation! Otherwise, wouldn't he have to live with that "childish" face for the rest of his life? Absolutely not!

"Thank you for the reminder, Elder Fu and Elder Dan!" Lin Yan, still shaken, immediately agreed. "I understand. Before I turn eighteen, I won't actively try to break through to the Golden Core stage. I will continue to travel and gain insights, striving to truly cross the threshold between the Heavenly and Human paths by the Foundation Establishment stage!"

Having determined his next path in cultivation, Lin Yan's inexplicable anxiety and confusion dissipated considerably. He bid farewell to the elders and left the space with a refreshed mind.