Years ago, He Song had already sent word to Luo Jingzhen, informing her that he would visit ten years later.
But when He Song truly stood before her now, Luo Jingzhen couldn't help but feel a deep sense of emotion as she looked at him.
She had never expected that back then, when her cultivation was merely at the Foundation Establishment stage, she would accidentally make friends with someone who had since become an Early-stage Core Formation cultivator.
This was no ordinary Core Formation cultivator; someone who could establish their own sect outside and become the leader of a sect.
It seemed that her decision to befriend He Song back then was indeed the right move.
Moreover, it was an exceptionally correct path.
Despite her inner emotions, Luo Jingzhen swiftly shook off her reverie as such thoughts crossed her mind.
Her gaze shifted to He Song, who was smiling and bowing his hands toward her.
Luo Jingzhen promptly returned the gesture.
"Long time no see."
"How have you been over these years?"
Seeing that Luo Jingzhen had calmed down, He Song didn't hold back. He soon sat beside her and casually asked a question.
Even though He Song had now become a Core Formation cultivator, their many years of companionship were not fabricated.
In fact, Luo Jingzhen owed him quite a bit.
Under these circumstances, He Song naturally wouldn't put on airs as a Core Formation cultivator in front of his benefactor.
Thus, prior to coming here, He Song had already decided to continue conversing with Luo Jingzhen just as he always had.
That was why He Song spoke in this manner.
The term "Dao Friend" was used among peers.
When an Early-stage Core Formation cultivator called a Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator "Dao Friend," it already indicated his attitude.
As He Song spoke, Luo Jingzhen instantly understood what he meant upon hearing his words.
Seeing this, Luo Jingzhen replied in turn.
"Thank you for your concern, Dao Friend."
"I owe it all to your blessings."
"I've been doing well here."
"In fact, even Qingxin Lingdan was mentioned by my ancestor, Elder Yue Lingzi, who said he would find me one."
"Such things would have been unimaginable if not for your success in breaking through to Core Formation."
"This is truly thanks to your blessings."
"With Elder Yue Lingzi's words, perhaps next time we meet, both of us will be Core Formation cultivators."
Looking at He Song, Luo Jingzhen's eyes flickered with joy for a moment.
After leaving this place, Elder Yue Lingzi had indeed spoken to her about such matters.
She also knew that Elder Yue Lingzi would only say such things because of He Song.
If not for He Song's successful breakthrough to Core Formation due to her invitation to join the Gathering Treasure Pavilion, she wouldn't even have dreamed of such treatment.
After all, Elder Yue Lingzi had countless disciples.
Even her own master, Purple Robe True Lord, hadn't received a single Qingxin Lingdan from Elder Yue Lingzi in the past.
And she, Luo Jing, had barely met Elder Yue Lingzi a few times.
How could she possibly deserve such an honor to have Elder Yue Lingzi mention such a thing?
Moreover, Qingxin Lingdan was extremely valuable.
To any Late-stage Foundation Establishment True Lord, it was a rare treasure.
Such a precious item, even in the presence of Core Formation cultivators, remained highly sought after.
Yet its value was undoubtedly astonishing.
Without He Song, how could she have possibly obtained such a treasure?
Because of this, Luo Jingzhen held immense gratitude toward He Song.
This entire matter was due to He Song's breakthrough to Core Formation.
Otherwise, given her status, obtaining even a single Qingxin Lingdan would require significant effort and time.
At this moment, Luo Jingzhen naturally added this debt of gratitude to He Song.
However, He Song had been unaware of this until now.
Even so, after learning these details from Luo Jingzhen, He Song did not take credit for them. Instead, he valued Elder Yue Lingzi even more.
Such matters were not something He Song had contributed to in any way, so how could he claim credit?
Luo Jingzhen would surely think highly of Elder Yue Lingzi.
Meanwhile, Elder Yue Lingzi's willingness to say such things indicated her great importance placed on He Song.
Otherwise, why would she go to such lengths to obtain a Qingxin Lingdan for Luo Jingzhen?
Ultimately, wasn't it because He Song's breakthrough enhanced his strength and status significantly?
If she wanted to further strengthen her relationship with He Song, all she needed to do was help Luo Jingzhen, a friend of He Song, also break through to Core Formation.
Then Luo Jingzhen would inevitably become the link between her and He Song.
In this scenario, although the three might not form an unbreakable bond, Luo Jingzhen's role as a mediator would ensure they became familiar and gradually trusted each other over time.
Under such circumstances, Elder Yue Lingzi might only need to spend one Qingxin Lingdan to gain an Early-stage Core Formation disciple and a Core Formation cultivator friendly with her disciple.
This was truly a great deal.
If she could cultivate the relationships among the three well, they might support each other within the Gathering Treasure Pavilion and advance together in the Core Formation realm.
He Song naturally took notice of Elder Yue Lingzi's intentions and placed even greater importance on her.
This Elder Yue Lingzi was no simple person.
But why was she going to such lengths to bring two more Core Formation cultivators close to her? Was there factionalism within the Gathering Treasure Pavilion?
Or was she simply thinking that strength in numbers was better?
Carrying these doubts, He Song admired Elder Yue Lingzi even more while simultaneously feeling even more curious about the internal workings of the Gathering Treasure Pavilion.
What exactly was happening within the Gathering Treasure Pavilion?
However, now was not the time for curiosity.
As He Song thought this, he quickly focused his attention back on his conversation with Luo Jingzhen.
Although He Song had come here merely passing through, he still intended to stay for a few more days.
It had been years since they last saw each other, and meeting again brought up much to discuss.
Additionally, being able to leisurely explore Yunzhou under Luo Jingzhen's company without worrying about safety truly relaxed He Song's mood.
He had been in seclusion in his residence for over a hundred years since attempting to break through to Core Formation.
During those hundred years, He Song had not once stepped out of his residence during his cultivation breakthrough.
Even during subsequent studies of various secret techniques, he had not left his residence every few days as he used to.
Therefore, it could be said that aside from occasional outings, He Song had been almost entirely immersed in seclusion during those hundred years.
Under such conditions, He Song naturally felt increasingly indifferent toward certain external matters and had grown accustomed to ignoring others.
Ironically, this change was precisely what He Song had previously believed he must avoid.
He didn't want to become a cold, emotionless cultivation machine indifferent to everything around him.
Because unlike other cultivators, his lifespan was finite.
Once his lifespan ran out, even a Transcendent cultivator would return to dust.
Even if he had been indifferent during his lifetime, there would be no such awareness after death.
But He Song was different.
His lifespan was endless, so he would never face the end of his life.
Under such circumstances, if He Song developed an indifferent personality, what would he do for the countless years ahead?
Would he develop suicidal tendencies due to his indifference toward everything around him?
After all, when everything external could be discarded and the world was reduced to himself alone, it might just be the beginning of madness.
At that time, destruction of the world might even become a viable option.
He Song certainly didn't want to spend the rest of his life in madness.
Nor did he want to destroy the world himself and leave it truly empty.
Therefore, long before reaching the Foundation Establishment stage and realizing this, He Song had instinctively wanted to avoid such a situation.
According to He Song's thoughts at that time, as long as he maintained contact with the outside world, he would never fall into a state of complete indifference toward everything external.
This method had actually worked well until now.
Until this recent breakthrough to Core Formation, He Song had spent too long in seclusion and then wasted even more time consolidating his cultivation and practicing secret techniques afterward.
During these periods, He Song spent most of his time alone.
Naturally, this made him even more detached.
Now, realizing this and deciding to change, traveling with Luo Jingzhen in Yunzhou became his first step out of detachment.
Thus, several days passed.
A delighted Luo Jingzhen waved goodbye to He Song.
He Song, with a broad smile, waved back.
In the next moment, He Song's figure quietly disappeared from Yunzhou's city.
These past few days, He Song and Luo Jingzhen had enjoyed their travels through Yunzhou and had a wonderful time.
He Song felt that his previous detachment had lessened somewhat, making him more engaged with external matters.
In this way, he considered it a worthwhile experience.
He Song was quite satisfied with this.
Conversing or playing with familiar friends like Luo Jingzhen was indeed very effective in alleviating feelings of detachment.
Perhaps in the future, he should seek out more of these friends.
Of course, making new acquaintances was also a good idea.
With these thoughts in mind, He Song continued forward and soon arrived at Yiyang Sect's mountain gate.
At this moment, within Yiyang Sect's mountain gate.
Many cultivators had gathered here.
Inside Yiyang Sect's mountain gate, a large number of cultivators had gathered.
Most of these cultivators represented a Gold Core-level force, coming here to congratulate the newly crowned Yiyang Zi.
However, there were also some independent cultivators who had arrived here with invitations.
Additionally, some represented distant Yuan Baby-level upper sects, coming here to get acquainted with the new Yiyang Zi.
As for the nearby Yuan Baby-level upper sects surrounding Yiyang Sect, they appeared to have yet to send anyone.
He Song paid little attention to this.
These Yuan Baby-level upper sects were indeed quite close to Yiyang Sect.
Even arriving the day before the coronation ceremony would pose no problem.
Scanning the bustling Yiyang Sect's mountain gate, He Song prepared to step forward and enter.
Unexpectedly, a spatial fluctuation suddenly appeared before him.
Following this, Meng Guan's figure emerged silently from the spatial ripple and stood opposite He Song.
In the next moment, a wide grin appeared on both He Song and Meng Guan's faces.
"Long time no see, Dao Friend. Your breakthrough to Core Formation has made you one of the top-tier cultivators in this region of Yiyang Sect."
"Even outside, you're a notable figure."
"Your arrival today fills me with immense gratitude."
High above, after Meng Guan laughed, he quickly bowed slightly toward He Song, his eyes gleaming with joy.
He Song's early arrival here was a great honor for Meng Guan.
After all, even for a Core Formation cultivator like He Song, attending such a coronation ceremony usually meant showing up late.
Important people arrive last.
This rule had always held true.
He Song's early arrival naturally had a clear purpose—he had come to bolster Meng Guan's standing.
When other Core Formation cultivators from outside arrived, seeing that Yiyang Sect had two Core Formation cultivators present would naturally instill fear.
Once news spread that He Song and Meng Guan were friends, it would increase their wariness even more.
They might not fear a single Early-stage Core Formation cultivator.
But two Early-stage Core Formation cultivators, even if they reached Mid-stage Core Formation, would likely give them pause.
In the future, anyone considering harming Yiyang Sect would need to carefully weigh their options.
After all, although He Song wouldn't reveal his identity, his Core Formation cultivation level was undeniable.
Anyone wanting to make trouble for Yiyang Sect would need to consider whether involving He Song would complicate matters.
These people were unaware of He Song's status as a Gathering Treasure Pavilion cultivator.
Meng Guan naturally understood the reason behind He Song's early arrival and thus expressed heartfelt gratitude and excitement.
With He Song's support, even if Meng Guan didn't do anything else, Yiyang Sect would surely remain stable in the future.
(End of Chapter)