jiǔ líng shān ， bài xuān gé 。[]
玖凌山，拜轩阁。[]
Jiuling Mountain, Baixuan Pavilion. []
“ zhè bǎi nián lái ， xīn kǔ nǐ liǎ le 。”
“这百年来，辛苦你俩了。”
"Over these hundred years, you've both worked hard."
tīng wán lù yíng ér wěi wěi de jiǎng shù ， lín xuān tàn le kǒu qì ， zì jǐ bù zài de zhè duàn rì zi ， qià féng yún zhōu fēng qǐ yún yǒng ， xiǎo xiǎo de jǐng xuān gé ， shēng cún zài gè dà shì lì de jiā fèng zhōng ， rì zi què shí bù hǎo guò 。
听完陆盈儿娓娓的讲述，林轩叹了口气，自己不在的这段日子，恰逢云州风起云涌，小小的井轩阁，生存在各大势力的夹缝中，日子确实不好过。
After listening to Lu Ying'er's detailed account, Lin Xuan sighed. During his absence, the风云 in Yunzhou had made life difficult for the small Well轩Pavilion, which was caught between various powerful factions.
hǎo zài lù yíng ér xiū wèi suī rán bù gāo ， shǒu wàn què pǒ wèi gāo miào ， cǎi yòng hé zòng lián héng zhī cè ， bài xuān gé bù jǐn zài yún zhōu chéng gōng lì zú ， ér qiě hái yǒu le cháng zú de jìn bù 。
好在陆盈儿修为虽然不高，手腕却颇为高妙，采用合纵连横之策，拜轩阁不仅在云州成功立足，而且还有了长足的进步。
Fortunately, although Lu Ying'er's cultivation wasn't high, she handled things with great skill. By using strategies of纵横, Baixuan Pavilion not only successfully established itself in Yunzhou but also saw significant progress.
jiǎn dān de shuō ， jiù shì yuǎn jiāo jìn gōng ， duì yú dà de zōng mén jiā zú ， jǐn liàng shì hǎo ， yī xiē xiǎo de shí lì ， zé chǒu zhǔn jī huì tūn bìng cán shí ， bìng bù duàn kuò zhǎn shāng lù 。
简单的说，就是远交近攻，对于大的宗门家族，尽量示好，一些小的实力，则瞅准机会吞并蚕食，并不断扩展商路。
In simple terms, this involved maintaining good relations with larger sects and families while opportunistically吞并 smaller ones to expand their business networks.
bǎi nián lái ， bài xuān gé de guī mó kuò dà le shù bèi ， hái xīn kāi le jǐ jiā fāng shì ， suī bù néng shuō zuàn de pén mǎn tǐ mǎn ， dàn měi yī nián ， dōu yōng yǒu fēng hòu de shōu rù 。
百年来，拜轩阁的规模扩大了数倍，还新开了几家坊市，虽不能说赚得盆满体满，但每一年，都拥有丰厚的收入。
Over the past hundred years, the scale of Baixuan Pavilion had expanded several times. They even opened new markets, though they couldn't be said to have made a fortune. Each year brought in substantial income.
rán ér sú huà shuō ， fán shì yǒu lì jiù yǒu bì ， suí zhe bài xuān gé de fā zhǎn ， yě yǐn qǐ le zhōu wéi mǒu xiē shì lì de tān yù 。
然而俗话说，凡事有利就有弊，随着拜轩阁的发展，也引起了周围某些势力的贪欲。
However, as the saying goes, every coin has two sides. As Baixuan Pavilion grew, so did the greed of certain factions around it.
léi shā mén jiù shì zuì hǎo de lì zi 。
雷煞门就是最好的例子。
The Thunder and Slay Sect was the perfect example. While this sect might not compare to the vastness of the天涯海阁in Yunzhou, it still couldn't be underestimated. The sect's head was a late-stage元婴 cultivator, with nearly twenty other元婴 elders, making them one of the top-tier sects.
gāi pài zài yún zhōu lái shuō ， dāng rán yuǎn yuǎn bǐ bù shàng tiān yá hǎi gé ， dàn yě bù kě qīng rǔ ， mén zhǔ shì yuán yīng hòu qī de dà xiū xiān zhě ， qí yú de yuán yīng qī zhǎng lǎo hái yǒu jìn èr shí zhī duō ， yǐ jīng suàn shì yì liú de dà pài le 。
该派在云州来说，当然远远比不上天涯海阁，但也不可轻辱，门主是元婴后期的大修仙者，其余的元婴期长老还有近二十之多，已经算是一流的大派了。
Seeing Baixuan Pavilion prosper, the Thunder and Slay Sect wanted to seize their wealth openly or secretly. Lu Ying'er naturally refused this, so the sect gathered its forces and attacked the main pavilion several months ago.
jiàn bài xuān gé shēng yì hóng huǒ ， léi shā mén jiù xiǎng míng qiǎng àn duó ， lù yíng ér dāng rán bù yuàn yì jiù fàn le ， yú shì gāi pài jí jié rén shǒu ， yú shù yuè qián wéi gōng bài xuān gé zǒng duò 。
见拜轩阁生意红火，雷煞门就想明抢暗夺，陆盈儿当然不愿意就范了，于是该派集结人手，于数月前围攻拜轩阁总舵。
They thought a small commercial alliance, despite its wealth, would be easy prey without any元婴 cultivators present. However, they miscalculated badly.
zài tā men xiǎng lái ， yī xiǎo xiǎo de shāng méng ， suī rán fù yǒu ， dàn méi yǒu yuán yīng qī xiū shì zuò zhèn ， bù guò shì zhēn bǎn shàng de yú ， zěn me zǎi gē rèn yóu zì jǐ 。
在他们想来，一小小的商盟，虽然富有，但没有元婴期修士坐镇，不过是砧板上的鱼，怎么宰割任由自己。
Although Lin Xuan wasn't there, he had left behind a solid foundation for Baixuan Pavilion. The protective sect array alone was worth nearly one million crystal stones and could withstand even late-stage cultivators' attacks.
kě xī dǎ cuò le zhǔ yì 。
可惜打错了主意。
In addition to this, the treasures Lin Xuan obtained from the Skillful Heaven Sect, such as the Wooden Falcon and Crystal Power Cannon, were well-known and had proven their effectiveness in defending the main pavilion.
lín xuān suī rán bù zài ， dàn tā lí kāi yǐ qián ” què wèi bài xuān gé dǎ hǎo jiān shí de jī chǔ 。
林轩虽然不在，但他离开以前”却为拜轩阁打好坚实的基础。
Moreover, the presence of late-stage puppet masters left opponents speechless.
hù pài dà zhèn bú yòng shuō ， nà kě shì huā fèi le jìn bǎi wàn jīng shí ， jiù suàn shì hòu qī xiū shì qīn zhì ” yě néng dǐ dǎng yī zhèn zi 。
护派大阵不用说，那可是花费了近百万晶石，就算是后期修士亲至”也能抵挡一阵子。
The battle was fierce, but the Thunder and Slay Sect failed to achieve its goals. The sect's leader was both shocked and angry. Initially, they wanted to restart negotiations, but the unpredictable nature of the world meant that a small Baixuan Pavilion had allied with the天涯海阁. They dared not provoke the five major forces in Yunzhou, so they stopped hostilities and instead came to apologize.
chú cǐ yǐ wài ， hái yǒu lín xuān cóng tiān qiǎo mén huàn lái de bǎo wù ， mù sǔn yǔ jīng wēi pào shēng míng yuǎn bō ， zì rán bú shì chuī xū chū lái de 。
除此以外，还有林轩从天巧门换来的宝物，木隼与晶威炮声名远播，自然不是吹嘘出来的。
Although this showed weakness, in the cutthroat world of cultivation, it was better to be flexible than to lose face.
zài zǒng duò bǎo wèi zhàn zhōng dū fā huī chū jù dà de xiào guǒ 。
在总舵保卫战中都发挥出巨大的效果。
"Master, you're being too hard on yourself. If it weren't for your great kindness, I might not have even reached Foundation Establishment. Now, I'm just a withered corpse. Everything you've done for me has been my duty," Lu Ying'er smiled, speaking humbly.
hái yǒu yuán yīng qī kuǐ lěi gèng ràng duì shǒu dèng mù jié shé 。
还有元婴期傀儡更让对手瞪目结舌。
"Yes, Master Uncle, this is what we should do."
dà zhàn cǎn liè yǐ jí ， zuì zhōng léi shā mén què bìng méi yǒu dá chéng mù dì 。
大战惨烈以极，最终雷煞门却并没有达成目的。
Wu Yun'er nodded in agreement. She wasn't doing this to please Lin Xuan; she genuinely cared about him as her master.
gāi pài zōng zhǔ yòu jīng yòu nù ， yuán běn shì xiǎng yào juǎn rù zhòng lái de ” méi xiǎng dào shì shì biàn huàn mò cè ， xiǎo xiǎo de bài xuān gé ” què yǔ tiān yá hǎi gé lián méng le 。
该派宗主又惊又怒，原本是想要卷入重来的”没想到世事变幻莫测，小小的拜轩阁”却与天涯海阁联盟了。
Her family had already been destroyed by the Jade Cloud Mountain and the Thousand Buddha Sect, and her master had ascended unexpectedly to the Spirit Realm. Therefore, Lin Xuan was now the closest thing to a family for her in this world.
yún zhōu wǔ dà shì lì tā men rú hé gǎn rě ， yú shì zhǐ xī gān gē ， fǎn ér dēng mén péi zuì lái le 。
云州五大势力他们如何敢惹，于是止息干戈，反而登门赔罪来了。
Lin Xuan nodded. He might be ruthless towards his enemies but was always kind to those who trusted him. Who said cultivators lacked human emotions?
suī rán zhè yàng zuò ， wèi miǎn yǒu xiē shì ruò ， bù guò xiū xiān jiè xiǎn è chù chù ， jiàn fēng shǐ duò gēn běn jiù méi yǒu shén me hǎo diū liǎn de 。
虽然这样做，未免有些示弱，不过修仙界险恶处处，见风使舵根本就没有什么好丢脸的。
Looking at the young woman before him, he saw she seemed hesitant to speak.
“ shào yé ， nín yán zhòng le ， ruò bú shì nín de dà ēn dà dé ， xiǎo bì néng fǒu zhù jī dōu shì liǎng shuō ， xiàn zài duō bàn yǐ huà wèi mù zhōng kū gǔ ” yíng ér de yī qiè ， dōu shì nín suǒ cì ， wèi nín zhào gù hǎo bài xuān gé ， gēn běn jiù shì fèn nèi zhī shì lái zhe 。” lù yíng ér wēi wēi yī xiào de kāi kǒu ， yán yǔ zhōng háo bù jū gōng 。
“少爷，您言重了，若不是您的大恩大德，小婢能否筑基都是两说，现在多半已化为墓中枯骨”盈儿的一切，都是您所赐，为您照顾好拜轩阁，根本就是分内之事来着。”陆盈儿微微一笑的开口，言语中毫不居功。
"Ying'er, what is it? Speak your mind; I'm not a cruel person. What could you possibly say that would upset me?" Lin Xuan joked.
“ shì a ， shī bó ， zhè yī qiè dōu shì wǒ men gāi zuò 。”
“是啊，师伯，这一切都是我们该做。”
"Master Uncle, Ying'er wants to ask if the rumors about you and Miss Yue advancing to the Separation Realm and joining the天涯海阁as its Supreme Elder are true?"
wǔ yún ér yě diǎn le diǎn tóu ， zhè fān huà kě bú shì wèi le tǎo lín xuān huān xīn lái zhe 。
武云儿也点了点头，这番话可不是为了讨林轩欢心来着。
Lu Ying'er's lips moved, but before she could speak, Wu Yun'er interjected eagerly.
cǐ nǚ suī rán xǐ huān pāi mǎ pì ， bù guò duì qīn rén què zhì chéng yǐ jí 。
此女虽然喜欢拍马屁，不过对亲人却至诚以极。
"Yes..."
wǔ jiā yǐ hé bì yún shān yì qǐ ， bèi wàn fú zōng miè chú ， shī fù yòu yì wài fēi shēng qù líng jiè le ， nà me lín xuān ， jiù shì zì jǐ zài zhè yī jiè bí qīn jìn de rén le 。
武家已和碧云山一起，被万佛宗灭除，师傅又意外飞升去灵界了，那么林轩，就是自己在这一界鼻亲近的人了。
There was no need to hide this. Lin Xuan nodded, noticing both women's slightly furrowed brows.
lín xuān diǎn le diǎn tóu ， tā duì dí rén là shǒu ， dàn dài zì jǐ rén què xiàng lái qīn hòu ， shuí shuō xiū xiān zhě jiù méi yǒu rén qíng wèi ér le 。
林轩点了点头，他对敌人辣手，但待自己人却向来亲厚，谁说修仙者就没有人情味儿了。
Lin Xuan was taken aback but quickly understood their concerns.
tái qǐ tóu ， què kàn jiàn shēn qián de shào nǚ yī fù yù yán yòu zhǐ de shén sè 。
抬起头，却看见身前的少女一副欲言又止的神色。
"Don't worry; even though I joined the天涯海阁, my position as Supreme Elder is merely a deterrent and won't affect our relationship. In fact, with the support of the天涯海阁, Baixuan Pavilion's future development will be smooth sailing..."
“ yíng ér ， yǒu shén me huà jiù míng shuō ， shào yé wǒ yòu bú shì shén me xiōng cán de rén wù ， pà shén me ， nán dào shuō cuò le ， wǒ hái huì guì fá nǐ me ？” lín xuān bàn kāi wán xiào de kāi kǒu le 。
“盈儿，有什么话就明说，少爷我又不是什么凶残的人物，怕什么，难道说错了，我还会贵罚你么？”林轩半开玩笑的开口了。
Lin Xuan smiled as he explained his agreement with Meng Ruyan. The two women's worries turned to joy. Although they felt Lin Xuan wouldn't abandon Baixuan Pavilion, hearing his promise made them feel more secure.
“ shī bó ， yíng ér jiě jiě shì xiǎng wèn wài miàn de chuán yán kě shì zhēn de ， nǐ yǔ yuè ér xiǎo jiě dōu jìn jiē dào le lí hé ， ér qiě hái yì qǐ jiā rù tiān yá hǎi gé ， chéng wéi gāi pài de tài shàng zhǎng lǎo le ？” lù yíng ér yīng chún wēi qǐ ， dàn shēng yīn shàng wèi fā chū ， yī páng de wǔ yún ér jiù qiǎng zhe kāi kǒu le 。
“师伯，盈儿姐姐是想问外面的传言可是真的，你与月儿小姐都进阶到了离合，而且还一起加入天涯海阁，成为该派的太上长老了？”陆盈儿樱唇微启，但声音尚未发出，一旁的武云儿就抢着开口了。
Master Uncle has thought so carefully for the pavilion; I am truly grateful. If it were another cultivator, they would have happily taken up a comfortable position as Supreme Elder in the天涯海阁and left our small pavilion to wither away.
“ bù cuò …”
“不错…”
A man of honor and loyalty—both women were now devoted to Lin Xuan.
zhè méi shén me hǎo yǐn mán de ， lín jǐng diǎn le diǎn tóu ， què fā xiàn liǎng nǚ dōu xiù méi wēi zhòu 。
这没什么好隐瞒的，林井点了点头，却发现两女都秀眉微皱。
"In fact, I've already made plans for Baixuan Pavilion's development," Lin Xuan continued calmly.
lín xuān yī è ， bù guò shāo yī sī lǐ jiù míng bái tā men zài dān xīn shén me 。
林轩一愕，不过稍一思李就明白她们在担心什么。
"Oh, Master, please tell us."
“ nǐ liǎ bù yòng fā chóu ， wǒ suī rán jiā rù tiān yá hǎi gé ， dàn zhè tài shàng zhǎng lǎo zhī zhí ， bù guò shì yí gè wēi shè xìng de cún zài ér yǐ ， bìng bú huì yǐng xiǎng wǒ yǔ bài xuān gé de guān xì ， xiāng fǎn ， yǒu le tiān yá hǎi gé fú chí ， bài xuān gé wèi lái de fā zhǎn jiāng chàng xíng wú zǔ ……”
“你俩不用发愁，我虽然加入天涯海阁，但这太上长老之职，不过是一个威慑性的存在而已，并不会影响我与拜轩阁的关系，相反，有了天涯海阁扶持，拜轩阁未来的发展将畅行无阻……”
Lin Xuan's cultivation was beyond doubt, but his talent in managing a sect wasn't outstanding. He usually delegated authority to several girls. Hearing him speak now, Lu Ying'er's face showed curiosity as she respectfully asked.
lín xuān wēi xiào zhe jiāng zì jǐ yǔ mèng rú yān de yuē dìng shuō chū ， liǎng nǚ zhè cái zhuǎn yōu wéi xǐ le ， suī rán tā men yě jué de lín xuān bú huì pāo qì bài xuān gé ， dàn qīn kǒu tīng le tā de chéng nuò ， cái zǒng suàn shì ān xīn le 。
林轩微笑着将自己与梦如嫣的约定说出，两女这才转忧为喜了，虽然她们也觉得林轩不会抛弃拜轩阁，但亲口听了他的承诺，才总算是安心了。
"As you know, the天涯海阁is different from other major forces; although it has deep roots, its main pavilion is on Yizhou Island. The ocean is vast and vastly different from inland areas. There are no rich crystal mines or abundant herbs, but there are countless sea monsters in the depths, providing endless resources for cultivators."
shào yé wèi běn mén kǎo lǜ dé zhè me zhōu mì ， liǎng nǚ zhēn de shì gǎn jī bù yǐ ， bì jìng ， ruò shì huàn yī míng xiū xiān zhě ， yǒu le tiān yá hǎi gé de tài shàng zhǎng lǎo shū shū fú fú de zuò zhe ， xiǎo xiǎo de bài xuān gé ， kěn dìng shì qì zhī rú cǎo jiè le 。
少爷为本门考虑得这么周密，两女真的是感激不已，毕竟，若是换一名修仙者，有了天涯海阁的太上长老舒舒服服的做着，小小的拜轩阁，肯定是弃之如草芥了。
"Their internal organs, fur, bones—these are all valuable. These resources are scarce on land, so it's a matter of trading between inland and coastal regions."
yǒu qíng yǒu yì cái shì dà zhàng fū ， liǎng nǚ duì lín xuān kě yǐ shuō shì sǐ xīn tā dì le 。
有情有义才是大丈夫，两女对林轩可以说是死心塌地了。
"This trade is enormous; it isn't something individual cultivators can handle. Previously, it was handled by the markets on Quanjin Island. Coastal cultivators would sell their hunted monsters to these markets for herbs and crystal stones, which were then traded with inland commercial alliances.
“ qí shí wǒ zhè cì huí lái ， duì yú bài xuān gé de fā zhǎn ， yǐ jīng yǒu le yí gè dà tǐ de guī huà le 。” lín xuān bìng wèi zhù yì liǎng nǚ de shén sè ， biǎo qíng píng jìng de kāi kǒu le 。
“其实我这次回来，对于拜轩阁的发展，已经有了一个大体的规划了。”林轩并未注意两女的神色，表情平静的开口了。
"Both parties could make a fortune from this exchange..."
“ ó ， shào yé ， nǐ qǐng shuō 。”
“哦，少爷，你请说。”
Lin Xuan's words sparked excitement in both women.
lín xuān de xiū wèi bù yòng zhì yí ， dàn mén pài guǎn lǐ de cái néng ， què bìng bù chū zhòng ， yí xiàng shì jiāng dà quán xià fàng gěi jǐ gè yā tou ， rú jīn tīng tā zhè yàng jiǎng ， lù yíng ér de liǎn shàng ， bù yóu de lù chū jǐ fēn hào qí zhī sè ， fēi cháng gōng jìng de kāi kǒu le 。
林轩的修为不用质疑，但门派管理的才能，却并不出众，一向是将大权下放给几个丫头，如今听他这样讲，陆盈儿的脸上，不由得露出几分好奇之色，非常恭敬的开口了。
"So you mean..."
“ nǐ men yě zhī dào ， tiān yá hǎi gé yǔ bié de jǐ dà shì lì bù tóng ， suī rán dǐ yùn shēn hòu ， dàn zǒng duò què shì wèi yú yíng zhōu dǎo shàng de ， ér hǎi yáng miàn jī liáo kuò ， qíng kuàng yǔ nèi lù yě shì dà bù xiāng tóng de ， nà lǐ méi yǒu fēng fù de jīng shí kuàng ， líng huā líng cǎo yě tóng yàng shù mù xī shǎo ， bù guò zài hǎi yáng shēn chù ， yǒu shù zhī bù jìn de hǎi shòu yāo zú ， duì yú xiū shì lái shuō ， gù rán wēi xiǎn biàn bù ， dàn tóng yàng de ， yě duì tā men xiū liàn ， tí gōng le yuán yuán bù duàn de zī yuán 。”
“你们也知道，天涯海阁与别的几大势力不同，虽然底蕴深厚，但总舵却是位于瀛洲岛上的，而海洋面积辽阔，情况与内陆也是大不相同的，那里没有丰富的晶石矿，灵花灵草也同样数目稀少，不过在海洋深处，有数之不尽的海兽妖族，对于修士来说，固然危险遍布，但同样的，也对他们修炼，提供了源源不断的资源。”
"We Baixuan Pavilion is also a commercial alliance. Master Uncle means that the business of trading with coastal cultivators will be handled by us. It’s like keeping the fat for ourselves, right?" Wu Yun'er blushed with excitement, nearly jumping up and down if not for her dignity.
“ yāo shòu de nèi dān ， pí máo ， gǔ lóu ” wú bù shì qiǎng shǒu huò ， ér zhè xiē zī yuán ， qià qià yòu shì nèi lù suǒ xī quē de ， jiǎn dān de shuō ， jiù shì yún zhōu nèi lù yǔ wài hǎi xū yào hù tōng yǒu wú 。”
“妖兽的内丹，皮毛，骨髅”无不是抢手货，而这些资源，恰恰又是内陆所稀缺的，简单的说，就是云州内陆与外海需要互通有无。”
Today was indeed a gloomy day, but I won't let it affect my updates. There's still one more chapter tonight; please support me with your recommendations! (To be continued, supporting the author and legitimate reading!)
Jiuling Mountain, Baixuan Pavilion. []
"Over these hundred years, you've both worked hard."
After listening to Lu Ying'er's detailed account, Lin Xuan sighed. During his absence, the风云 in Yunzhou had made life difficult for the small Well轩Pavilion, which was caught between various powerful factions.
Fortunately, although Lu Ying'er's cultivation wasn't high, she handled things with great skill. By using strategies of纵横, Baixuan Pavilion not only successfully established itself in Yunzhou but also saw significant progress.
In simple terms, this involved maintaining good relations with larger sects and families while opportunistically吞并 smaller ones to expand their business networks.
Over the past hundred years, the scale of Baixuan Pavilion had expanded several times. They even opened new markets, though they couldn't be said to have made a fortune. Each year brought in substantial income.
However, as the saying goes, every coin has two sides. As Baixuan Pavilion grew, so did the greed of certain factions around it.
The Thunder and Slay Sect was the perfect example. While this sect might not compare to the vastness of the天涯海阁in Yunzhou, it still couldn't be underestimated. The sect's head was a late-stage元婴 cultivator, with nearly twenty other元婴 elders, making them one of the top-tier sects.
Seeing Baixuan Pavilion prosper, the Thunder and Slay Sect wanted to seize their wealth openly or secretly. Lu Ying'er naturally refused this, so the sect gathered its forces and attacked the main pavilion several months ago.
They thought a small commercial alliance, despite its wealth, would be easy prey without any元婴 cultivators present. However, they miscalculated badly.
Although Lin Xuan wasn't there, he had left behind a solid foundation for Baixuan Pavilion. The protective sect array alone was worth nearly one million crystal stones and could withstand even late-stage cultivators' attacks.
In addition to this, the treasures Lin Xuan obtained from the Skillful Heaven Sect, such as the Wooden Falcon and Crystal Power Cannon, were well-known and had proven their effectiveness in defending the main pavilion.
Moreover, the presence of late-stage puppet masters left opponents speechless.
The battle was fierce, but the Thunder and Slay Sect failed to achieve its goals. The sect's leader was both shocked and angry. Initially, they wanted to restart negotiations, but the unpredictable nature of the world meant that a small Baixuan Pavilion had allied with the天涯海阁. They dared not provoke the five major forces in Yunzhou, so they stopped hostilities and instead came to apologize.
Although this showed weakness, in the cutthroat world of cultivation, it was better to be flexible than to lose face.
"Master, you're being too hard on yourself. If it weren't for your great kindness, I might not have even reached Foundation Establishment. Now, I'm just a withered corpse. Everything you've done for me has been my duty," Lu Ying'er smiled, speaking humbly.
"Yes, Master Uncle, this is what we should do."
Wu Yun'er nodded in agreement. She wasn't doing this to please Lin Xuan; she genuinely cared about him as her master.
Her family had already been destroyed by the Jade Cloud Mountain and the Thousand Buddha Sect, and her master had ascended unexpectedly to the Spirit Realm. Therefore, Lin Xuan was now the closest thing to a family for her in this world.
Lin Xuan nodded. He might be ruthless towards his enemies but was always kind to those who trusted him. Who said cultivators lacked human emotions?
Looking at the young woman before him, he saw she seemed hesitant to speak.
"Ying'er, what is it? Speak your mind; I'm not a cruel person. What could you possibly say that would upset me?" Lin Xuan joked.
"Master Uncle, Ying'er wants to ask if the rumors about you and Miss Yue advancing to the Separation Realm and joining the天涯海阁as its Supreme Elder are true?"
Lu Ying'er's lips moved, but before she could speak, Wu Yun'er interjected eagerly.
"Yes..."
There was no need to hide this. Lin Xuan nodded, noticing both women's slightly furrowed brows.
Lin Xuan was taken aback but quickly understood their concerns.
"Don't worry; even though I joined the天涯海阁, my position as Supreme Elder is merely a deterrent and won't affect our relationship. In fact, with the support of the天涯海阁, Baixuan Pavilion's future development will be smooth sailing..."
Lin Xuan smiled as he explained his agreement with Meng Ruyan. The two women's worries turned to joy. Although they felt Lin Xuan wouldn't abandon Baixuan Pavilion, hearing his promise made them feel more secure.
Master Uncle has thought so carefully for the pavilion; I am truly grateful. If it were another cultivator, they would have happily taken up a comfortable position as Supreme Elder in the天涯海阁and left our small pavilion to wither away.
A man of honor and loyalty—both women were now devoted to Lin Xuan.
"In fact, I've already made plans for Baixuan Pavilion's development," Lin Xuan continued calmly.
"Oh, Master, please tell us."
Lin Xuan's cultivation was beyond doubt, but his talent in managing a sect wasn't outstanding. He usually delegated authority to several girls. Hearing him speak now, Lu Ying'er's face showed curiosity as she respectfully asked.
"As you know, the天涯海阁is different from other major forces; although it has deep roots, its main pavilion is on Yizhou Island. The ocean is vast and vastly different from inland areas. There are no rich crystal mines or abundant herbs, but there are countless sea monsters in the depths, providing endless resources for cultivators."
"Their internal organs, fur, bones—these are all valuable. These resources are scarce on land, so it's a matter of trading between inland and coastal regions."
"This trade is enormous; it isn't something individual cultivators can handle. Previously, it was handled by the markets on Quanjin Island. Coastal cultivators would sell their hunted monsters to these markets for herbs and crystal stones, which were then traded with inland commercial alliances.
"Both parties could make a fortune from this exchange..."
Lin Xuan's words sparked excitement in both women.
"So you mean..."
"We Baixuan Pavilion is also a commercial alliance. Master Uncle means that the business of trading with coastal cultivators will be handled by us. It’s like keeping the fat for ourselves, right?" Wu Yun'er blushed with excitement, nearly jumping up and down if not for her dignity.
Today was indeed a gloomy day, but I won't let it affect my updates. There's still one more chapter tonight; please support me with your recommendations! (To be continued, supporting the author and legitimate reading!)