59. Setting Out to Rescue Senior Brother

After Lin Jiuci became an apprentice, the two sisters returned to their secluded lives. However, one day, the sect’s urgent bell rang—three long and one short strikes, repeated three times.

“Master, what does this bell mean?” Lin Jiuci asked curiously.

“The sect is issuing an emergency summons. All cultivators below the Yellow Realm, regardless of rank, must assemble at the training grounds. Jiugo, you take Jiuci to see what’s going on,” Li Yun replied.

“Yes, Master,” Lin Jiugo acknowledged and led Lin Jiuci to the training grounds.

At the training grounds, a vacuum zone surrounded Lin Jiugo and Lin Jiuci, and all eyes carefully watched the two sisters.

“Are all disciples present?” the sect leader asked sternly.

“Reporting to the sect leader, everyone is here.”

“The emergency summons concerns our disciple Zhou Yan, who accidentally entered a secret realm. Only cultivators below the Yellow Realm can enter,” the sect leader explained, pausing briefly.

The training grounds erupted in excitement. A secret realm meant opportunity; if you don’t enter the tiger’s den, how can you catch the tiger cub?

“But it’s also fraught with danger. Elder Zhao Yuchuan will lead the team. Anyone interested in exploring the secret realm may register with Elder Zhao and decide for themselves,” the sect leader said before departing.

“Jiugo, Jiuci, come to the main hall,” the sect leader transmitted to them.

Ignoring the commotion at the training grounds, Lin Jiugo and Lin Jiuci left. Those who had been watching Lin Jiugo closely naturally noticed where she was going, their expressions inscrutable. What would the sect leader say? Would he reveal the details?

Lin Jiugo was unaware of this and led her sister to the main hall.

“Jiugo, Jiuci, greetings to the sect leader and respected elder,” the sisters bowed obediently. Zhou Tao, called a senior, looked at the two with suspicion, wondering if their third junior brother was treating this too lightly.

“Jiugo, this time I entrust you with a mission. I do not ask you to seek anything in the secret realm, but you must protect your senior brother. Remember, do not let him get hurt,” the sect leader spoke seriously.

“Master is asking Jiugo to enter the secret realm, find senior brother, and bring him back unharmed?” Lin Jiugo roughly understood the request. But why was she the chosen one?

“Jiugo, I don’t trust others, only you. When you exit the secret realm, you may choose three items from our Zhou family’s treasury and my private store,” the sect leader said.

“Yes, Jiugo will not fail this trust,” Lin Jiugo answered with determination.

“Sis, Jiuci wants to go too,” Lin Jiuci said, clearly understanding. Her sister was leaving the sect, and she wasn’t invited!

“Jiuci, focus on your cultivation with your master. When you’re stronger, I’ll let you go too,” the sect leader coaxed skillfully, drawing a side glance from his elder brother.

“Master, elder, Jiugo and Jiuci take their leave,” Lin Jiugo gently squeezed Lin Jiuci’s hand, and they left.

Inside the sect’s courtyard, Li Yun and the Enlightened Dao Master already understood the situation, waiting for the two sisters’ return.

“Third brother, why not send more Zhou family disciples? Can you really trust this junior nephew? If I’m not mistaken, he’s only about fifteen or sixteen,” Zhou Tao said after the sisters left, his tone full of concern and doubt about Lin Jiugo.

“Big brother, no need. More people may not be better. If anyone can find A Yan in the secret realm, it will be Jiugo. Only Lin Jiugo can protect A Yan there. Rather than gamble on unreliable people, I’d bet on Jiugo,” the sect leader said firmly.

“Alright, third brother, you must understand my feelings. We can’t afford to lose A Yan,” Zhou Tao’s voice was heavy.

“There are things I can’t discuss with you, but trust my judgment and trust Jiugo.”

“Very well.” The sect leader’s sincerity was unmistakable. Zhou Tao knew his third brother cared for A Yan as much as he did, so he wouldn’t harm A Yan. Thus, he trusted Lin Jiugo.

Back in the courtyard, the sisters saw their two masters waiting.

“You’re back,” Li Yun said.

“Master, elder uncle, Jiugo is going out,” Lin Jiugo briefly explained.

“I know. Take these with you,” Li Yun offered a storage pouch.

“Master, Jiugo will prepare her own things,” Lin Jiugo declined politely. It wasn’t good habit to take master’s possessions when going out.

“Just use these as reference. These are from me and your elder uncle’s goodwill. Jiugo, your swordsmanship is excellent, but sometimes you don’t have to rely on it. Take these items; if you don’t use them, return them to me,” Li Yun explained earnestly.

“Thank you, Master, Elder Uncle,” Lin Jiugo accepted.

“Jiuci, why the pout?” the Enlightened Dao Master looked at his disciple.

“Master, little elder uncle won’t let Jiuci go. Jiuci wants to go with sister,” Lin Jiuci complained like a child telling on a parent.

“Jiuci, train hard with me. When you’re strong, I’ll teach you everything your sister takes when she goes out,” the Enlightened Dao Master promised.

“All right.” The promise was clearly well received.

After a while, Lin Jiuci went to train with the Enlightened Dao Master. She was determined to craft essential items for her sister’s travels and would work hard!

Lin Jiugo said farewell to Li Yun and returned to pack. On a whim, she took two blood-bonded storage pouches and placed them apart, filled with some items. Most striking were ten jars of wine and some seasonings—mundane items. She didn’t understand why she prepared these, but since she did, she brought them along.

At the sect training grounds, only those preparing to explore the secret realm remained. Lin Jiugo’s arrival abruptly changed the atmosphere.

No one liked being in the same rank yet having a clear exception as their role model. The disciples felt conflicted.

“Everyone’s here. I hope you watch over each other in the secret realm. I do not want to see any of you fall,” Elder Guardian Zhao Yuchuan said.

He then tossed an object from his sleeve. As Zhao Yuchuan infused it with energy, it gradually expanded until it became a ship!

“Everyone, board.”

The disciples boarded one after another, and Lin Jiugo joined the flow. Without attempting to communicate, she found a quiet spot and sat down, starting simulated sparring in her spiritual sea.

“Lin Jiugo is surprisingly aloof,” a small group inside the ship whispered among themselves. Their clothes were similar to hers but lacked certain details; among those below the Yellow Realm, only Lin Jiugo wore the elite disciple’s attire, making her stand out.

“She’s only a cultivator who just left the Mortal Realm, yet she dares to venture into an unknown secret realm. Truly reckless.”

“Don’t say that. She’s the ruthless one who can snatch a famous sword bare-handed. Low cultivation doesn’t mean weak strength.”

“Exactly. Maybe we’ll need to rely on her inside.”

A conversation about Lin Jiugo echoed throughout the ship. Zhao Yuchuan recalled the sect leader’s words but did not intervene.

He, too, looked at the seemingly cultivating Lin Jiugo.

“Jiugo, are you afraid?”