### Chapter 2597 — One Year
One year quietly passed.
Inside the Heaven Cutter Sect—
Yang Lin remained inside his cultivation chamber.
He sat cross-legged.
His posture had not changed.
His expression remained calm.
Transcendence Qi continuously flowed around him before slowly entering his body.
The entire cultivation chamber was peaceful.
There was no disturbance.
No battle.
No conversation.
Only the quiet passage of time.
For an ordinary cultivator, one year could be an extremely long period.
For Yang Lin—
it was simply one year.
During that year, he occasionally thought about Chaoran Zhi Quan.
Sometimes—
while cultivating.
Sometimes—
while looking at the empty space before him.
Sometimes—
when a certain memory quietly surfaced in his mind.
He remembered the meals they had shared.
The quiet courtyard.
The sound of waterfalls.
The blue sky above Chen Ti Village.
The peaceful nights.
Yet Yang Lin never deliberately chased those memories.
He simply allowed them to appear.
Then—
he allowed them to disappear.
His Dao heart remained completely still.
Yang Lin slowly opened his eyes.
"Chaoran Zhi Quan."
He quietly said her name.
There was no longing in his voice.
No sadness.
No expectation.
Only calmness.
He slowly closed his eyes again.
"If you love me, then love me."
"If you don't, then don't."
"It is your choice."
Yang Lin calmly continued cultivating.
"If one day you choose someone else over me, then that is also your choice."
"I won't care."
"There is no reason to worry about something that has not happened."
"If I lose love, then I lose it."
"If I gain love, then I gain it."
"What is there to fuss about?"
His breathing remained steady.
"Why cry?"
"Why become jealous?"
"Why hate another person?"
"Why bother with all of that?"
Yang Lin's expression remained peaceful.
"As a cultivator, the longer one cultivates, the more perfect one's heart should become."
"Pain exists."
"Love exists."
"Loss exists."
"Joy exists."
"But why allow any of them to shake the Dao heart?"
He paused.
Then quietly smiled.
"Love is important."
"Power is important."
"But aren't they all just words?"
"Words are used to describe everything."
"Yet behind every word is a meaning."
"So why become trapped by the word itself?"
"Stillness."
"That is enough."
Yang Lin closed his eyes.
"If Chaoran Zhi Quan loves someone else, then let her."
"It is her happiness."
"I will not force her simply because I possess enough strength to crush Immortal Emperor Supremes, Transcendence Realm cultivators, or anyone else."
"Her happiness is hers."
"Her choice is hers."
"I am Yang Lin."
"I will simply remain myself."
The chamber became silent once again.
Yang Lin calmly continued cultivating.
For him—
there was nothing more to say.
---
### Chapter 2598 — The Other Side of the Sky
Far away—
inside the Sword Dao Sect—
Chaoran Zhi Quan stood inside her private courtyard.
The courtyard was quiet.
A few flowers gently swayed beneath the breeze.
Chaoran Zhi Quan stood beneath a tree.
Her beautiful eyes quietly looked toward the sky.
For the past year—
Yang Lin had remained in her thoughts.
But she rarely allowed herself to think about him for too long.
Because whenever she did—
an indescribable sadness would quietly appear within her heart.
She did not understand why.
She simply knew that remembering him hurt.
So she chose another path.
She immersed herself in sect matters.
She accepted missions.
She cultivated.
She handled various affairs of the Sword Dao Sect.
She traveled with Yu Luhan.
They visited ancient regions.
They entered dangerous ruins.
They fought powerful ancient creatures.
They searched for resources.
They encountered other cultivators.
The two gradually became closer.
But they never became truly close.
There was always a certain distance between them.
Yu Luhan understood it.
He never forced anything.
He respected Chaoran Zhi Quan deeply.
He was never arrogant toward her.
He never demanded anything.
He simply wanted her to be happy.
Chaoran Zhi Quan knew this.
That was precisely why she respected him.
Yet—
somewhere deep within her heart—
Yang Lin remained.
A place she did not dare touch.
A place she kept at the very bottom of her heart.
Because touching that place—
made her feel absolute sadness.
Chaoran Zhi Quan quietly closed her eyes.
"Yang Lin..."
She whispered.
Then she opened her eyes.
Her expression became calm again.
"I shouldn't think about him."
She turned around.
There were still many matters waiting for her.
She would continue walking forward.
Not because she had forgotten Yang Lin.
But because she did not know what else to do.
---
### Chapter 2599 — Ancient Transcendence Ruins
Several days later—
Chaoran Zhi Quan and Yu Luhan flew through an ancient region of the Lower Realm.
Ahead of them—
an enormous ruin floated within the void.
It was the remains of an Ancient Immortal force that had existed millions of years ago.
Broken mountains floated around the ruins.
Ancient palaces had collapsed.
Countless cracks covered the enormous stone structures.
Even after millions of years—
the ruins still contained traces of Transcendence Qi.
Chaoran Zhi Quan calmly looked ahead.
Yu Luhan flew beside her.
He was not close to her.
He deliberately maintained a respectful distance.
After flying for a while—
Yu Luhan suddenly spoke.
"Your Dao heart is not firm."
Chaoran Zhi Quan's expression remained calm.
She did not look toward him.
Yu Luhan continued.
"But forget it."
"Everyone has something they cannot shake of."
"Just be careful."
Chaoran Zhi Quan remained silent.
She continued flying.
Her white clothes gently moved in the wind.
Her beautiful eyes remained fixed on the ancient ruins ahead.
Yu Luhan did not say anything else.
He understood.
Some things were not meant to be questioned.
Some questions were not meant to be asked.
The two continued forward.
Their relationship had become closer during this year.
Yet even now—
they were still not as close as the person Chaoran Zhi Quan had once met.
Yu Luhan knew that.
He never tried to replace anyone.
He simply wished for her happiness.
If she eventually chose someone else—
he would accept it.
If she never chose him—
he would also accept it.
Because caring for someone did not mean possessing them.
The ancient ruins slowly became larger.
Chaoran Zhi Quan's gaze became slightly sharper.
"Let's go."
Yu Luhan nodded.
"Alright."
The two entered the ruins.
---
### Chapter 2600 — Cultivation Is Fun
Inside the Heaven Cutter Sect's main hall—
Mo Yulu suddenly looked toward Lu Sunyu.
"Wait."
Her expression became slightly confused.
"It's already been a year."
"Why hasn't Yang Lin broken through to the Immortal Sovereign Realm Early Stage?"
Everyone became quiet.
Zi Xian Lu also looked toward the direction of Yang Lin's cultivation chamber.
Cu Yuner remained thoughtful.
Cu Long scratched his head.
He was confused as well.
Lu Sunyu calmly sat in her seat.
Mo Xian remained equally calm.
From Yang Lin's cultivation chamber—
nothing could be sensed.
No breakthrough aura.
No violent fluctuation.
Nothing.
Mo Yulu frowned slightly.
"Could he be deliberately suppressing his cultivation?"
Cu Yuner quietly shook her head.
"No."
"Yang Lin isn't cultivating for just fun."
Everyone looked at her.
Cu Yuner continued.
"He is taking cultivation as cultivation."
"He treats it as something real."
Cu Long became even more confused.
"But Yang Lin always says that cultivation is fun."
"Then what exactly does 'fun' mean to him?"
Zi Xian Lu also remained thoughtful.
"Indeed."
"What does he actually mean?"
Cu Yuner remained silent for a moment.
She did not know.
At that moment—
Qiuyue Lu stood up.
"I'm going back to my cultivation chamber."
"I'll continue cultivating."
Yao Qiufei also stood.
"Me too."
She glanced toward Yang Lin's cultivation chamber.
"Perhaps I should focus on my own cultivation instead."
Neither of them had yet broken through to the Immortal Venerable Realm.
Lu Sunyu calmly nodded.
"Go."
Qiuyue Lu and Yao Qiufei left the main hall.
They returned to their respective private cultivation chambers.
Two cultivation pavilions stood quietly within the Heaven Cutter Sect.
The two women sat down.
Their Dao hearts became completely calm.
Then—
an enormous aura suddenly erupted.
Immortal Qi surged.
Transcendence Qi trembled.
The surrounding space shook.
Qiuyue Lu's cultivation broke through.
Immortal Venerable Realm—
Early Stage.
Then—
Mid Stage.
The breakthrough happened almost instantly.
At the same time—
inside the other cultivation pavilion—
Yao Qiufei's aura also rose.
Immortal Venerable Realm Early Stage.
Then—
Mid Stage.
Both women opened their eyes.
Their expressions were filled with surprise.
Inside his cultivation chamber—
Yang Lin calmly sensed the fluctuations.
"Not bad."
Then—
he continued cultivating.
---
### Chapter 2601 — What Yang Lin Takes Seriously
Inside the main hall—
Lu Sunyu remained calm.
Mo Yulu was still looking toward Yang Lin's cultivation chamber.
Cu Long and Zi Xian Lu remained thoughtful.
Lu Sunyu finally spoke.
"Yang Lin is someone who takes something he likes seriously."
Everyone looked toward her.
"Whether something is weak or powerful."
"Whether it is difficult or easy."
"Whether it is considered important or insignificant."
"As long as he likes it—"
"He will become the best at it."
"Even without using his Natural Techniques or Natural Abilities."
The hall became quiet.
Mo Yulu's eyes narrowed slightly.
Cu Yuner remained thoughtful.
Cu Long finally understood something.
Zi Xian Lu was also quietly surprised.
Lu Sunyu continued.
"That is why his cultivation is different."
"To Yang Lin, cultivation is not merely a path to peak."
"He genuinely enjoys cultivating."
"And because he enjoys it—"
"he treats it seriously."
No one spoke.
Everyone understood.
For most cultivators—
cultivation was a means.
A way to gain strength.
A way to gain status.
A way to obtain longevity.
A way to protect themselves.
But Yang Lin—
simply cultivated.
He did not rush.
He did not become anxious.
He did not care how quickly others advanced.
He simply enjoyed the process.
Lu Sunyu calmly closed her eyes.
"That is Yang Lin."
---
### Chapter 2602 — The Lower Realm
Outside the Heaven Cutter Sect—
the Lower Realm continued changing.
Ancient Immortal factions traveled through countless regions.
Some fought over treasures.
Some entered Secret Realms.
Some competed against one another.
Some remained peaceful.
Some former enemies even became friends.
There were friendly competitions between ancient forces.
There were auctions.
There were weddings.
There were celebrations.
There were betrayals.
There were destructions.
There were battles.
There were sects rising.
There were forces disappearing.
The Lower Realm continued moving forward.
Millions of years of ancient history had left countless ruins throughout the world.
Every ruin carried opportunities.
Every opportunity attracted cultivators.
Every treasure could create another conflict.
Yet—
the Heaven Cutter Sect remained untouched.
Nobody dared disturb it.
Inside the sect—
disciples continued cultivating.
Elders continued managing affairs.
Peak masters continued teaching.
The various pavilions remained peaceful.
Yang Lin remained inside his cultivation chamber.
One year had passed.
Then—
several more days quietly passed.
Yang Lin continued cultivating.
His expression remained calm.
His breathing remained steady.
Nothing seemed different.
But deep within his body—
something was changing.
---
### Chapter 2603 — The Bottle Lid
Yang Lin sat quietly.
Transcendence Qi flowed through his body.
Yet Yang Lin did not truly require meridians.
He had never needed them.
His cultivation did not depend upon ordinary cultivation structures.
Still—
he had created meridians.
Why?
Because he wanted to cultivate like a cultivator.
He wanted to experience the process.
He wanted to understand cultivation from within.
Therefore—
he created meridians from Nothingness.
Then—
he created the cultivation foundation connected to them.
Even the so-called bottleneck—
the invisible bottle lid that prevented countless cultivators from breaking through—
was something Yang Lin had never truly possessed.
He did not need one.
But because he wanted to experience cultivation properly—
he created one as well.
From Nothingness and that gave Yang Lin experience
And experience became something Yang Lin enjoyed.
He calmly circulated his cultivation.
Then—
his eyes opened.
A faint smile appeared.
"Interesting."
He could feel that his foundation had finally reached the point he wanted.
Yang Lin slowly stood.
His aura remained completely calm.
No terrifying pressure erupted.
No enormous phenomenon appeared.
He simply stood there.
Then—
his cultivation began rising.
Immortal Sovereign Realm Early Stage.
Instantly—
Mid Stage.
Then—
Late Stage.
All in one continuous step.
Yang Lin calmly looked at his hands.
"So that's it."
He smiled faintly.
Then he sat down again.
---
### Chapter 2604 — Three Stages
Inside the Heaven Cutter Sect's main hall—
a faint fluctuation suddenly appeared.
Lu Sunyu opened her eyes.
Mo Yulu immediately looked toward Yang Lin's cultivation chamber.
Cu Yuner's expression changed.
Cu Long stood up.
Zi Xian Lu also looked over.
Then—
an aura quietly spread through the Heaven Cutter Sect.
Immortal Sovereign Realm.
Early Stage.
Mid Stage.
Late Stage.
Three stages.
One after another.
The aura was peaceful.
There was no violent explosion.
No destructive pressure.
No heavenly phenomenon.
It was as though Yang Lin had simply taken three steps.
The entire main hall became silent.
Mo Yulu stared.
Cu Yuner's eyes widened slightly.
Cu Long was completely stunned.
Zi Xian Lu remained speechless.
Even though they knew Yang Lin was extraordinary—
seeing such a breakthrough with their own senses was still shocking.
Lu Sunyu remained calm.
Her eyes quietly looked toward Yang Lin's cultivation chamber.
The others slowly turned toward her.
Yet Lu Sunyu's expression did not change.
Inside the chamber—
Yang Lin calmly looked forward.
His expression remained peaceful.
He did not feel excited.
He did not feel proud.
He simply continued observing his cultivation.
After a moment—
he quietly said,
"Not bad."
Then he sat down.
His cultivation stabilized naturally.
---
### Chapter 2605 — Nothingness
Inside Yang Lin's body—
his newly created meridians quietly circulated energy.
They had not existed before.
He had created them from Nothingness.
The same was true of the cultivation structures within him.
Yang Lin had no need for them.
But he wanted them.
Because he wanted to cultivate.
Because he found cultivation interesting.
Because he considered the process itself meaningful.
The bottle lid that countless cultivators feared—
the barrier between realms—
was also something Yang Lin could create.
He had no natural need for such a thing.
Yet he created it.
Then he broke through it.
Again.
And again.
And again.
There was no struggle.
There was no desperation.
There was simply cultivation.
Yang Lin calmly circulated his energy.
His Immortal Sovereign Realm Late Stage cultivation became completely stable.
Then—
he thought about Chaoran Zhi Quan again.
Only for a moment.
His expression remained calm.
"If she is happy, that's enough."
He closed his eyes.
"Everything else is unnecessary."
Yang Lin returned to cultivation.
Stillness remained his Dao.
---
### Chapter 2606 — Yang Lin
Inside the main hall—
everyone remained silent.
Mo Yulu looked toward Yang Lin's cultivation chamber.
"He broke through three stages at once..."
Cu Long's mouth remained slightly open.
"I..."
He could not finish his sentence.
Cu Yuner quietly stared ahead.
Her expression was filled with surprise.
Zi Xian Lu was equally stunned.
Even Qiuyue Lu and Yao Qiufei, who had just returned after breaking through to Immortal Venerable Realm Mid Stage, looked toward the cultivation chamber in silence.
They had just broken through.
Yet Yang Lin—
had calmly stepped into the Immortal Sovereign Realm Late Stage.
The difference was enormous.
Lu Sunyu remained calm.
She simply looked toward Yang Lin's cultivation chamber.
Inside—
Yang Lin kept cultivating.