First Floor, Private Room.
Ding Lingyu was sitting by the table waiting, and as soon as he saw Su Yu push the door open, he immediately got up and called out:
"Mr. Su!"
Su Yu carefully observed Ding Lingyu, after being apart for so long, Su Yu keenly noticed a deep-seated concern between his brows, as if he was full of worries, no longer carrying the high-spirited air of the past.
He didn’t say anything, just smiled and took his seat, and Ding Lingyu immediately signaled the shopkeeper to serve the dishes.
Soon the food was brought to the table, and Ding Lingyu took the initiative to raise his wine glass and said:
"It’s been a long time, best wishes for Mr. Su’s advancement in cultivation and may your path be evergreen."
Su Yu glanced at him and smiled:
"Let’s all progress together!"
After saying this, he drank it in one go.
What followed was large bites of food and gulps of wine, with Ding Lingyu mostly accompanying and urging him to drink, appearing cautious, his youthful sharpness all but gone.
"This is growth!"
As time progresses, the youthful and high-spirited youth faces various changes in life, naturally undergoing transformation.
Some become more confident, like Su Yu himself.
Some, after enduring numerous failures, setbacks, and blows, lose their confidence and high spirits, becoming cautious and careful, like a completely different person.
After another sip of wine, Su Yu suddenly asked:
"How have you been these past few years? I see your Qi Refining Heart Skill has reached level 98, when do you plan to transcend?"
Ding Lingyu took a large gulp of wine, paused for a moment, then said:
"I’m preparing to compete for our lineage’s heritage!"
Su Yu paused, somewhat enlightened, and said:
"I almost forgot about that, it’s been some years since the last competition, is this your second time vying for it?"
Ding Lingyu immediately refilled his wine and shook his head:
"It’s the third time."
"Hmm... time flies, doesn’t it?"
Su Yu spoke with some sentiment, took another sip of wine, and casually asked:
"I remember the competition methods for the lineage’s heritage are quite similar, how do you feel, do you have confidence?"
Ding Lingyu’s hand paused while pouring wine, he stayed silent for a moment before saying:
"The competition isn’t over yet, but it seems I have no chance."
Seeing him like this, Su Yu knew there was more to the story, so he put down his wine glass and asked:
"Can you tell me about it? Maybe I can lend you a hand."
Since Ding Lingyu specifically sought him out and treated him, seeing his current state, Su Yu already had an idea that he might be asking for his help.
He wasn’t bothered by this, after all, they were old acquaintances; if he could help, he would.
Ding Lingyu also put down his wine glass and began to explain his situation:
"Just like the previous two times, the heritage is contested by the disciples of our lineage, but due to either bad luck or some other reason, I’ve encountered members of the same guild twice, and they’ve used their guild’s influence to suppress me."
"The first time they destroyed the Thousand Feather Association, the second time they sabotaged my mission..."
When he got to this point, Su Yu slightly opened his eyes, showing interest, and patiently listened to Ding Lingyu finish.
"This time it’s even worse, I traveled thousands of miles from Blue Mountain Island to Feixing Islands, and they’re still targeting me, preparing to destroy the newly established guild of my family here, just like the first time."
"Are you talking about the Celestial God Association?"
"Yes, the Overlord Guild of the Endless Green Forest, the Celestial God Association. I’ve had bad luck; their guild accepts disciples into the Tongming Lineage every year, now there are already fifty to sixty Inner Sect Disciples, and over thirty Core Disciples, the most core of whom is the previous generation’s true disciple, powerful within the Tongming Lineage, making it hard for outsiders to compete against them."
"Bang!"
Su Yu slapped the table and said sternly:
"Does the Celestial God Association think the Tongming Lineage is their private domain? Not allowing other disciples to stand out? How can this be allowed? The sect doesn’t belong to the Celestial God Association!"
"Tell me everything about the Celestial God Association’s current situation, including the names of all their disciples in the Tongming Lineage."
Ding Lingyu was taken aback for a moment, then quickly waved his hand:
"Mr. Su, there’s no need to confront all the Celestial God Association disciples in the Tongming Lineage; their influence is strong, and you belong to a different lineage. Even though you hold an esteemed position in Xuankong Mountain, you can’t interfere with the Tongming Lineage. I just hope you can help me complete the task and obtain the Tongming Lineage’s heritage."
Su Yu waved his hand with a serious face and said:
"The Celestial God Association is treating the Tongming Lineage as their own domain, oppressing and not allowing other disciples to stand out, this is utterly lawless. As the contemporary Dao Son of Xuanzhen Immortal Sect, I cannot sit idly by. Rest assured, I will handle this matter, and the Celestial God Association will be uprooted."
"Mr. Su, they..."
Ding Lingyu was about to continue persuading when he suddenly felt something was off. Recalling what Su Yu said earlier, his eyes suddenly widened, his mouth hung open with a look of disbelief as he asked:
"Mr. Su, did you just say... say you’re the Dao Son of this sect?"