# **Chapter 651 — The Girl from the East**
Several days passed at the **Heaven Cutter Sect**.
The northern mountains remained peaceful.
Yet Yang Lin knew something was approaching.
He stood quietly on the summit platform one evening when Su Qinglan walked beside him.
"You've been waiting," she said calmly.
Yang Lin did not deny it.
"A guest from the east."
The wind moved across the mountain peaks.
Far below the sect gates—
A young woman finally appeared.
Her robes were pale blue.
Her expression calm but determined.
**Ning Mei** had arrived.
---
# **Chapter 652 — Arrival at the Northern Meridians**
The disciples guarding the gate immediately noticed her.
Even without releasing her aura—
Her presence was unusual.
"State your name," one disciple said respectfully.
The young woman folded her hands.
"Ning Mei."
"I came to congratulate the Heaven Cutter Sect."
The disciples exchanged surprised glances.
The sect had already begun attracting powerful visitors.
They quickly allowed her to enter.
As Ning Mei stepped through the gates—
Her eyes quietly scanned the mountain peaks.
She had finally reached the place spoken about in countless rumors.
The place ruled by **Yang Lin**.
---
# **Chapter 653 — Rumors of the Northern King**
While walking toward the inner peaks, Ning Mei remembered the stories she had heard.
Years ago—
When Yang Lin had still been only an **Ascendent cultivator**—
Entire sects had been destroyed.
Several arrogant sect leaders had fallen.
Even cultivators of the **Void King Realm** had perished.
Many forces had trembled at the name **Yang Lin**.
Now—
He himself had stepped into the **Void King Realm**.
His strength was something few dared to measure.
Ning Mei's eyes remained calm.
But inwardly she knew something clearly.
If anyone could help uncover the secrets of the **Nine Cold Pavilion**—
It might be him.
---
# **Chapter 654 — A Silent Memory**
As she climbed the mountain path, Ning Mei suddenly remembered something.
Years ago—
Near the **Eastern Meridian Border**—
She had once seen a lone cultivator standing on a cliff.
The man had been calm.
His aura terrifying.
Even from a distance she had felt it.
She had not dared approach.
And the man had already left soon after.
Later she realized who that man had been.
**Yang Lin.**
Neither of them had spoken that day.
Yet the memory had remained.
---
# **Chapter 655 — The Summit Meeting**
When Ning Mei reached the summit platform—
Yang Lin was already waiting.
Su Qinglan and FeiFei stood nearby.
Han Chen also remained present.
For a brief moment the mountain wind passed quietly between them.
Ning Mei folded her hands politely.
"I came to congratulate the Heaven Cutter Sect."
Yang Lin looked at her calmly.
"I expected you."
Ning Mei blinked slightly.
"You did?"
Yang Lin nodded faintly.
"Someone mentioned your name a few days ago."
Han Chen smiled quietly at the side.
---
# **Chapter 656 — Four at the Summit**
Tea was prepared again on the stone table.
The four women and Yang Lin sat beneath the open sky.
Su Qinglan studied Ning Mei carefully.
FeiFei tilted her head with curiosity.
Han Chen observed the situation with a gentle smile.
Ning Mei remained composed.
But inwardly she felt something unusual.
Yang Lin's presence was even deeper than the rumors described.
His aura was calm—
Yet it felt like an endless ocean.
Even powerful cultivators could easily drown in it.
---
# **Chapter 657 — Han Chen's Departure**
After several days at the Heaven Cutter Sect—
Han Chen finally prepared to leave.
The southern meridian called her back.
The **Red Dust Pavilion** required her presence.
That morning she stood near the sect gates.
Su Qinglan and FeiFei came to see her off.
Ning Mei also appeared.
Yang Lin arrived last.
The mountain wind moved gently through the valley.
Han Chen looked at him and smiled.
"I stayed longer than I planned."
Yang Lin nodded slightly.
"You are always welcome here."
She bowed lightly.
Then turned to leave.
---
# **Chapter 658 — Quiet Restraint**
As Han Chen walked down the mountain path—
Yang Lin remained standing at the gate.
He did not move.
Su Qinglan quietly noticed something.
"You don't want her to leave."
Yang Lin remained silent.
His feelings were faint—
But real.
Yet he did not say anything.
The path of cultivation often required restraint.
Sometimes silence carried more weight than words.
Far down the path—
Han Chen disappeared into the clouds.
---
# **Chapter 659 — Ning Mei's True Purpose**
That evening Ning Mei stood beside Yang Lin on a cliff overlooking the northern mountains.
The sky was filled with stars.
For a long moment she hesitated.
Then finally she spoke.
"There is another reason I came."
Yang Lin looked at her calmly.
"I know."
Ning Mei blinked slightly.
"You know?"
Yang Lin nodded.
"Something about the **Nine Cold Pavilion**."
Ning Mei's eyes widened slightly.
For the first time since arriving—
Her calm expression broke.
---
# **Chapter 660 — The Upper Inner World**
Ning Mei slowly explained everything.
The mysterious **Nine Cold Pavilion** existed somewhere within the **upper inner world**.
Ancient records mentioned it only briefly.
But her sister had once searched for it.
Then disappeared.
Ning Mei had spent years searching for clues.
But the inner world had little information.
She finally raised her eyes toward Yang Lin.
"I heard many rumors about you."
"You destroyed sects when you were only an Ascendent cultivator."
"You defeated Void King Realm experts."
"If anyone could reach the upper inner world…"
Her voice grew quieter.
"It would be you."
---
# **Chapter 661 — The Northern Decision**
Yang Lin remained silent for a long time.
The wind moved across the mountain peaks.
Far below—
The Heaven Cutter Sect glowed with lantern light.
Finally he spoke calmly.
"The upper inner world…"
His gaze turned toward the distant sky.
"That place is not simple."
Ning Mei nodded.
"I know."
"But I still must find the truth."
Yang Lin looked at her quietly.
Her determination was genuine.
After a moment he gave a faint nod.
"When the time comes…"
"We will go there."
High above the northern mountains—
The stars shone quietly.
And somewhere far beyond the inner world—
The secrets of the **Nine Cold Pavilion** waited in silence.