Chapter 5, Mental Maturity

From the demeanor and dialogue of Tianlin before us, there is a clear contradiction between them. What exactly is he trying to express?

Upon arriving at the Western Sky Pillar Peak, Ding Yunyan halted his steps. After surveying the surrounding situation, he said to Tian Lin: "You have been here a few times and are aware of the regulations inside. This time, my promise to take you to the Ningxue Cave is entirely a personal decision, so you must not make it public; otherwise, you will be intercepted by others"

This is the best description of the Tenglong Valley Halfway Cave

Perhaps, this is human nature

In contemplation, Ding Yunyang stepped into the cave entrance, his gaze sweeping around briefly before settling on Tian Lin, his eyes reflecting a complex expression.

The butterfly dream arrives silently, quietly observing from the side, with a face that reflects both contentment and bitterness, occasionally gazing into the distance, revealing a trace of longing in the eyes

Ding Yunyan smiled and said, "Don't worry, just follow me." After saying this, he took him by the hand and walked to the right, soon disappearing into the tunnel

Tian Lin smiled and playfully said, "Is that so? Then I must learn from the chubby kid, to ask questions until the very end, that would be more like a child."

Tian Lin secretly observed Ding Yunyan's expression, noticing his slightly furrowed brows, and couldn't help but chuckle to himself, thinking: "Contradictory matters are often just verbal slips, yet they frequently perplex many intelligent individuals."

Tian Lin smiled and said: "Diligence can make up for lack of talent; those who cultivate the Way need a steadfast mind. As long as they put in the effort, they will be a hundred times stronger than my half-hearted practice."

Tian Lin, with a confident expression, smiled and said, "Mother, rest assured, after the experience in the Snow Shadow Cave last time, there will be no problems this time." After saying this, he leaped into the air, his body spinning like a rolling snowball, soaring forward.

Tian Lin, neither approaching nor distancing himself, calmly said: "Did you not see it all yesterday? You should be clearer about what realm it is than I am."

Ding Yunyan was taken aback upon hearing this, looking at Tianlin with confusion, unable to decipher the meaning behind his words

Ding Yunyan pondered for a moment, unable to find a reasonable explanation, and could only set it aside. He responded, "There is no need to flaunt your talent; those who have seen it can recognize it at a glance. Now, we are nearing Tenglong Valley, so remember to heed my instructions later to avoid any unforeseen complications"

At this moment, Ding Yunyan was greatly shocked; while he admired talent, he also felt a tinge of jealousy.

Standing at the entrance of the cave, Tian Lin did not enter immediately; instead, he stood still for a while before slowly stepping into the cave.

Upon arriving at the place where he had played with Linghua, Linfan, Fatty, and the annoying little monkey yesterday, Tianlin spotted Ding Yunyan, who had been waiting for a long time, from a distance, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his face

Is he too clever, or am I lacking in self-cultivation

Tian Lin's expression changed in shock as he exclaimed, "How impressive, several hundred clones."

Ding Yunyan said: "They reside in the area to the south, while the other three directions belong to Tenglong Valley." As they spoke, the two arrived at a fork in the road

Such actions are shocking; however, since Tianlin has visited several times before, there is surprise but no concern

Winding and spiraling, meandering and wandering

Ding Yunyan said: "There is no need to be afraid. With your status and talent, it is difficult for your peers in Tenglong Valley to surpass you."

Suppressing his thoughts, Ding Yunyan calmly said: "This is nothing; in Tenglong Valley, there are some outstanding experts who can instantly create thousands of clones."

As Tianlin moved forward through the tunnel, he curiously looked around and asked, "Uncle Ding, how many caves are there in total here"

Tian Lin feigned surprise upon hearing this and asked, "Really? They are much more diligent than I am."

Only on the stone wall directly facing the cave entrance is there a thick layer of cold ice, several feet deep, which from a distance resembles a mirror, reflecting a bright light within the cave

Tian Lin let out a sound and continued to ask: "Yesterday, you mentioned the eighty-one caves in Tenglong Valley. How do they differ from these caves?"

The middle-aged man Ding Yunyan smiled faintly and replied, "It's not early; Lin Fan and the others have already been cultivating for a while."

Ding Yunyan's expression changed in surprise, and he quickly said: "Forget it, it is better for you to remain this way."

Ding Yunyan smiled and said: "There is no ultimate realm in the laws of the world, only higher realms. If you have perseverance, not to mention eighty-one clones, even one thousand eight hundred clones are not impossible."

At the beginning of the Chen hour, Tian Lin completed the mandatory techniques prescribed by Die Meng. He rose from the ground and said with a smile, "Mother, today's task is complete. I will now go find Lin Fan's master to explore the mysteries of the Ningxue cave."

Tian Lin smiled, a hint of pride on his face, yet he humbly said, "Uncle Ding, you flatter me. In fact, many disciples in Tenglong Valley possess extraordinary talents; they simply do not flaunt themselves as I do."

Gazing at the cave before him, Tian Lin wore a solemn expression. After roughly assessing the situation of the凝雪洞府, he discovered that this cave was only a few zhang in size, with the stone walls on both sides appearing a dark, ink-like black, indistinguishable from other caves.

Ding Yunyan did not fall to the bottom, but paused briefly in front of a cave, and then swiftly disappeared, taking Tianlin with him into the cave

Tian Lin smiled and said, "Children ask about everything they see, without any reason."

Under the leadership of Ding Yunyan, Tian Lin traversed seven forks, passed through dozens of caves, and after the duration of an incense stick, finally arrived at the Ningxue Cave.

Ding Yunyan, who lagged a step behind, trembled slightly, looking in astonishment at Tian Lin's petite figure, and said in a deep voice: "Can you see through what I am thinking?"

Ding Yunyan's smile froze on his face as he looked at Tianlin's expression and demeanor, secretly pondering: "Is he truly surprised, or is he being sarcastic? Why is it that I cannot see through the thoughts of a six-year-old child?"

Ding Yunyan was taken aback, secretly thinking that the little ghost was impressive, but said, "As far as I know, the Snowfall Technique is divided into nine levels. When practiced to the highest realm, one can achieve the state of 'Ninety-Nine Returning to the Origin,' creating eighty-one clones in an instant. Yesterday, you split into five, which means you have already reached the fifth level of mastery. This is an unprecedented achievement at your age."

Tian Lin responded with a sound, his eyes fixed ahead. The first thing that came into view was a towering iceberg, which exerted an immense pressure on the observer

Ding Yunyan smiled silently and later said, "Alright, let's not talk about these things. Let's go."

Stepping forward, Tian Lin warmly called out: "Uncle Ding, good morning"

Ding Yunyan stood behind him and gently said: "Yes, this is the Ningxue Cave, one of the nine great caves of the Tenglong Valley"

Regarding this mountain, Tianlin has some understanding, knowing that it is one of the four major ice mountains that make up Tenglong Valley, named Xitian Pillar and Tushufeng, collectively referred to as the Four Pillars of Southeast, Southwest, Northeast, and Northwest.

According to past statistics, there are a total of more than 8,600 caves, of which three layers are suitable for habitation

Raising his head, Tian Lin glanced at the cave ceiling, finding nothing unusual. He then withdrew his gaze and softly asked, "Is this the Ningxue Cave Manor?"

Tian Lin inquired lightly, "Is that so? Then how many clones can you conjure up now?"

Ding Yunyan looked at him and asked, "What made you think to ask this?"

A six-year-old child can easily guess their own thoughts

Regarding these four icebergs, there are many ancient legends, but Tian Lin has never taken them seriously, after all, he is only six years old

The process of falling is, in fact, not very swift.

Tian Lin gazed at the stone wall, observing that a thick layer of ice extended from top to bottom, continuing for nearly 300 zhang.

Tian Lin said with a smile, "Then answer the question I just asked."

Tian Lin, upon hearing this, looked wistful and murmured to himself, "Then I must work harder in the future, otherwise I will be left behind by others"

Ding Yunyan smiled wryly and shook his head, replying: "The eighty-one caves I mentioned yesterday refer to the specific locations selected by the Tenglong lineage, which are distributed among these thousands of caves"

Butterfly Dream nodded with a smile and advised, "Tenglong Valley is a magical place, where many areas hold mysteries. You must exercise great caution."

Later, as the two continued to descend, the ice layer on the stone wall gradually disappeared, revealing dark rocks and variously sized caves, from which a cool breeze occasionally wafted.

Ding Yunyan said somewhat dejectedly: "Unfortunately, they do not possess your talent"

On the road, Ding accelerated his pace, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and asked, "Tianlin, the last time you went to the Snow Shadow Cave, you mastered the Snowfall Technique. To what level have you refined it now?"

At that moment, Tianlin's voice echoed at the cave entrance. "Why don't you ask me what I was doing standing outside the cave for half a day?"

Die dreamt and shook her head with a smile, murmuring to herself: "It is truly the nature of children, repeatedly taught yet not listening."

The vertical height is approximately one hundred zhang, and below lies the valley floor, where there is a beautiful lake, with sparse aquatic plants and a few wildflowers faintly visible growing nearby

Tian Lin did not turn back, calmly stating: "I cannot see through it, but I can guess it."

At this moment, he did not speak; he wanted to observe what this exceptionally intelligent six-year-old, Tianlin, would discover within.

Stopping, Tianlin asked: "How far is it to go, and how much further?"

Ding Yunyan listened, his face showing bitterness, a sense of indescribable loss surged into his heart in an instant

Nodding slightly, Tianlin asked while walking, "I heard from Xiaopang that many uncles and older men live here. Do they live scattered, or do they reside together?"

Ding Yunyan sighed upon hearing this, saying: "You, no matter how I look at it, do not seem like a six-year-old child; your maturity is hard to accept."

Ding Yunyan smiled faintly and softly said, "A few hundred figures are still not a problem."

Tian Lin expressed slight surprise and softly said: "Eighty-one clones, is this the highest realm?"

Tian Lin nodded and said, "Rest assured, I understand and will not let you suffer."

Seeing his promise, Ding Yunyan no longer hesitated, took his hand, and leaped down, directly jumping off the ice mountain.

Tian Lin greeted with a "good day" and leaped to walk alongside Ding Yunyan