qū zhǐ wēi dàn ， yī dào guāng xiá jī shè chū zhǐ jiān ． shān gǔ rù kǒu de mí wù yī zhèn fān yǒng suí hòu xiǎn chū kě róng yī rén tōng guò de dào lù lái 。[]
屈指微弹，一道光霞激射出指间．山谷入口的迷雾一阵翻涌随后显出可容一人通过的道路来。[]
Flicking his fingers, a streak of light shot out. The mist at the entrance of the valley swirled and revealed a path wide enough for one person to pass through.
hěn kuài ． xì suì de jiǎo bù shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ ． shào nǚ yǐ lái dào liàn gōng fáng wài ． qīng qīng kòu le kòu mén ：“ shào yé ． yíng ér yǒu shì qiú jiàn 。．
很快．细碎的脚步声传入耳朵．少女已来到练功房外．轻轻扣了扣门：“少爷．盈儿有事求见。．
Soon after, faint footsteps could be heard. The young lady had arrived outside the practice room and gently knocked on the door. "Young Master, Ying'er has something to seek your counsel about."
“ jìn lái 。、
“进来。、
"Come in."
dé dào shí lín xuān de yǔn xǔ ． shào nǚ cái jiàng mén dǎ kāi ， lián bù qīng yí ， lái dào dòng fǔ lǐ ． chōng lín xuān yíng yíng yī lǐ 。
得到时林轩的允许．少女才将门打开，莲步轻移，来到洞府里．冲林轩盈盈一礼。
With Lin Xuan's permission, she opened the door and stepped inside, bowing gracefully before him.
lín xuān tái qǐ tóu mù guāng zài tā miàn róng shàng sǎo guò ， zhǐ jiàn shào nǚ zuǐ jiǎo biān suī rán hán zhe xiào róng ． dàn shuāng yǎn zhī zhōng ， què míng xiǎn dài zhe yōu sè 。
林轩抬起头目光在她面容上扫过，只见少女嘴角边虽然含着笑容．但双眼之中，却明显带着忧色。
Lin Xuan raised his head and scanned her face. Despite the smile at the corners of her lips, there was a clear worry in her eyes.
“ yíng ér 、 nǐ lái zhǎo wǒ 、 chū shén me shì qíng le ？，“ què shí yǒu xiē xǔ wèn tí ， bì xiǎng yào xiàng shào yé qǐng shì 。、
“盈儿、你来找我、出什么事情了？，“确实有些许问题，婢想要像少爷请示。、
"Young Lady Ying'er, why have you come to seek me? What has happened?"
“ ó ． mò fēi bài xuān gé yòu yù jiàn shén me má fán le ？．
“哦．莫非拜轩阁又遇见什么麻烦了？．
"Indeed, something is amiss. I wish to consult with Young Master."
lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū pǒ wèi chà yì de shén sè ， tiān yá hǎi gé yǐ jīng zhuàn xí yún zhōu ． shuō yǔ bài qiān gé jié wèi le gōng shǒu tóng méng 。
林轩脸上露出颇为诧异的神色，天涯海阁已经传檄云州．说与拜仟阁结为了攻守同盟。
"Oh, could it be that Mai Xuan Pavilion encountered some trouble again?"
huàn jù huà shuō ． dǎ bài xuān gé de zhǔ yì 、 jiù děng yú tóng tiān yá hǎi gé wèi dí ， shuí chī le xióng xīn bào zi dǎn ， gǎn zhè ge shí hòu luō hǔ xū 。
换句话说．打拜轩阁的主意、就等于同天涯海阁为敌，谁吃了熊心豹子胆，敢这个时候捋虎须。
Lin Xuan's expression showed surprise. The Sky Edge Sea Pavilion had already sent out a notice to Yunzhou, announcing their alliance with Mai Xuan Pavilion.
lù yíng ér xiū wèi suī rán jǐn jǐn shì níng dān qī ， dàn rén què bīng xuě cōng míng yǐ jí ． kàn le lín xuān de liǎn sè ． yǐn yǐn yǐ cāi dào tā zài xiǎng shén me 。
陆盈儿修为虽然仅仅是凝丹期，但人却冰雪聪明以极．看了林轩的脸色．隐隐已猜到他在想什么。
In other words, targeting Mai Xuan Pavilion was tantamount to declaring war on the Sky Edge Sea Pavilion. Who would dare to provoke such a powerful entity at this time?
“ shào yé ， nǐ wù huì le ， bìng bú shì wǒ men yù jiàn le má fán ， ér shì xīn ér nà biān ”…，“ xīn ér ？”
“少爷，你误会了，并不是我们遇见了麻烦，而是芯儿那边”…，“芯儿？”
Lü Ying'er's cultivation level was only at the Core Condensation Stage, but she was incredibly intelligent. From Lin Xuan’s expression, she could guess what he was thinking.
lín xuān bù yóu de yī è ， zhè hái zhēn yǒu xiē chū hū yù liào le 。
林轩不由得一愕，这还真有些出乎预料了。
"Young Master, you misunderstand. We did not encounter any trouble; it is about Xin'er." "Xin'er?"
zì cóng tiān dì yì biàn yǐ hòu ， yǔ qí tā zhōu fǔ xiāng bǐ ． yōu zhōu bù lùn líng mài ， hái shì xiū liàn zī yuán ． dōu xiǎn de pín fá yǐ jí ， jiù fǎng fú shì mán huāng zhī dì 。
自从天地异变以后，与其他州府相比．幽州不论灵脉，还是修炼资源．都显得贫乏以极，就仿佛是蛮荒之地。
Lin Xuan was taken aback. This was indeed unexpected.
suǒ yǐ dà de zōng mén jiā zú ． cái fēn fēn qiān zǒu chè chū ． nà lǐ shèn zhì shuāi ruò dào yí gè yuán yīng qī xiū xiān zhě yě yuán 。
所以大的宗门家族．才纷纷迁走撤出．那里甚至衰弱到一个元婴期修仙者也元。
Since the cosmic anomaly, compared to other prefectures and states, Youzhou appeared barren in terms of spiritual veins and cultivation resources, almost like a wilderness.
bài xuān gé yī liú yōu zhōu ， chéng wéi le dú yī wú èr de bà zhǔ ． yōu zhōu de xiū xiān jiè jī hū yǐ quán bù nà rù tā men de zhǎng kòng 。
拜轩阁一琉幽州，成为了独一无二的霸主．幽州的修仙界几乎已全部纳入他们的掌控。
Thus, major sects and families had all moved out, leaving Youzhou so weak that it could barely support an婴期 cultivator.
hòu lái liǎng nǚ yī fān hé jì ， bù yuàn yī bèi zi kùn shǒu zài yōu zhōu zhè mán huāng zhī dì ． suǒ yǐ lù yíng ér cái lái dào yún zhōu zhǎn ， jiāng yōu zhōu de shì wù jiāo dào liú xīn de shǒu lǐ 。
后来两女一番合计，不愿一辈子困守在幽州这蛮荒之地．所以陆盈儿才来到云州展，将幽州的事物交到刘芯的手里。
Mai Xuan Pavilion's dominance over Youzhou made them the sole ruler. The entire cultivation world of Youzhou was under their control.
suī rán yǔ yíng ér xiāng bǐ ． liú xīn xìng gé yào róu ruò yī xiē 、 dàn dāng le zhè me duō nián de èr gé zhǔ ． duō shǎo hái shì lì liàn chū lái le 。
虽然与盈儿相比．刘芯性格要柔弱一些、但当了这么多年的二阁主．多少还是历练出来了。
Later, after some discussion, they decided not to remain confined in this wilderness and Lü Ying'er came to Yunzhou. She left matters concerning Youzhou to Liu Xin.
xiǎng ràng tā xiàng yíng ér yì bān de lìng lì mén hù ． zài qiáng dí huán shì zhōng kāi jiāng kuò tǔ huò xǔ lüè yǒu bù zú ， dàn shǒu hù jiā yè zé shì wán quán méi yǒu wèn tí de 。
想让她像盈儿一般的另立门户．在强敌环视中开疆扩土或许略有不足，但守护家业则是完全没有问题的。
Although Liu Xin was more gentle than Ying'er, she had been a vice-pavilion leader for many years and had gained some experience.
bì jìng bài xuān gé yī tǒng yōu zhōu ． nà lǐ gēn běn jiù yí gè qiáng dí yě wú ． zěn me kě néng huì yù jiàn yì wài biàn gù 。
毕竟拜轩阁一统幽州．那里根本就一个强敌也无．怎么可能会遇见意外变故。
She could not establish her own base like Ying'er in the midst of powerful enemies but guarding their family business was no problem at all.
nán dào shì bié de zhōu fǔ de shì lì rù qīn me ？
难道是别的州府的势力入侵么？
After all, Mai Xuan Pavilion's control over Youzhou meant there were no real threats. How could there be any unexpected incidents?
lín xuān xiàng lù yíng ér shuō chū zì jǐ de yí huò ． shào nǚ liǎn shàng tóng yàng mǎn shì yī piàn máng rán zhī sè 。
林轩像陆盈儿说出自己的疑惑．少女脸上同样满是一片茫然之色。
Could it be that forces from another prefecture had invaded?
“ duì bù qǐ shào yé ． xīn ér mèi mèi wàn lǐ tiáo tiáo ， ràng rén dài huí xiāo xī ． kě yù tǒng jiǎn zhōng ， què bìng méi yǒu jiǎng qīng chǔ ， zhǐ shuō duì fāng yōng yǒu shù míng yuán yīng qī xiū xiān zhě ， kàn qíng xíng ． sì hū shì lái zì yī dà de xiū xiān jiā zú ， kě jù tǐ cóng nǎ lǐ lái de ． què měng měng dǒng dǒng ． sī háo xiàn suǒ yě wú 。” lù yíng ér yīng chún wēi qǐ de shuō 。
“对不起少爷．芯儿妹妹万里迢迢，让人带回消息．可玉筒简中，却并没有讲清楚，只说对方拥有数名元婴期修仙者，看情形．似乎是来自一大的修仙家族，可具体从哪里来的．却懵懵懂懂．丝毫线索也无。”陆盈儿樱唇微启的说。
Lin Xuan asked Lü Ying'er about his doubts. The young lady’s face showed a look of confusion as well.
“ huāng miù ． shòu dào jìn gōng ． dí rén shì shéi dōu bù qīng chǔ ， xīn ér shì zěn me zuò de gé zhǔ ， nán dào tā jiù méi yǒu pài rén qù zhā zhā duì fāng de dǐ xì me ？” lín xuān méi tóu yī tiāo ， yǔ qì yán lì de dào 。
“荒谬．受到进攻．敌人是谁都不清楚，芯儿是怎么做的阁主，难道她就没有派人去查查对方的底细么？”林轩眉头一挑，语气严厉的道。
"Forgive me, Young Master. Xin'er sent the message over great distances, but in the jade cylinder, there was no clear explanation. It only mentioned that the enemy had several婴期 cultivators and seemed to be from a major cultivation family. However, we could not determine their origin." Lü Ying'er said with a slight smile.
duì zì jǐ rén ． tā suī rán qīn hòu ， dàn yě bú shì yī wèi piān tǎn chǒng zhe ， shēn wèi shàng wèi zhě ， shǎng fá fēn míng shì hěn zhòng yào de 。
对自己人．他虽然亲厚，但也不是一味偏袒宠着，身为上位者，赏罚分明是很重要的。
"Absurd! How can you not know who attacked us? What did Xin'er do as Pavilion Leader if she didn’t send people to investigate the enemy’s background?" Lin Xuan raised his eyebrows and spoke sternly.
xīn ér de biǎo xiàn ． què shí ràng tā yǒu xiē shī wàng 。
芯儿的表现．确实让他有些失望。
While he was close to his subordinates, he wasn't indulgent. As a superior, clear rewards and punishments were essential.
“ shào yé ， qǐng xī nù ． xīn ér mèi mèi dāng rán pài rén chá le ， kě qí guài jiù qí guài zài duì fāng fēi cháng shén mì ， jū rán chá bù chū fēn háo dǐ xì 。
“少爷，请息怒．芯儿妹妹当然派人查了，可奇怪就奇怪在对方非常神秘，居然查不出分毫底细。
Xin'er's actions disappointed him.
“ nán dào jiù méi yǒu zhuō zhù fú lǔ ， yī sōu hún bù jiù quán dōu qīng chǔ ？、
“难道就没有捉住俘虏，一搜魂不就全都清楚？、
"Please calm down, Young Master. Xin'er did send people to investigate, but the mystery is that they couldn’t find any clues. Even if we captured someone and used soul probing, it wouldn’t have revealed anything." "Really? Xin'er tried this too, but it was ineffective. The enemy seemed to have used some secret technique on everyone from the lower-stage disciples to high-stage Core Condensation cultivators, making soul probing ineffective," Lin Xuan said, his face darkening as he rubbed his forehead.
“ zhè ”… xīn ér dāng rán yě dōu shì guò ， kě méi yǒu xiào guǒ ． duì fāng cóng líng dòng qī de dī jiē dì zǐ dào níng dān qī de gāo jiē xiū shì ， sì hū dōu bèi shī zhǎn le shén me mì shù ． sōu hún shén tōng duì tā men méi yǒu fēn háo xiào guǒ 。”
“这”…芯儿当然也都试过，可没有效果．对方从灵动期的低阶弟子到凝丹期的高阶修士，似乎都被施展了什么秘术．搜魂神通对他们没有分毫效果。”
"Indeed, I am not sure either. That is why I came to seek your advice." Lü Ying'er lowered her head and spoke respectfully.
“ ó lín xuān yī dāi ． liǎn sè dùn shí yīn chén xià lái ， yǐ shǒu fǔ é ：“ sōu hún shù duì dī jiē xiū shì dōu méi yǒu xiào guǒ ， duì fāng fèi jìn xīn jī ， yǐn cáng xiū wèi lái lì ． zhè zhōng jiān ， jiū jìng yǒu shén me māo nì ？”
“哦林轩一呆．脸色顿时阴沉下来，以手抚额：“搜魂术对低阶修士都没有效果，对方费尽心机，隐藏修为来历．这中间，究竟有什么猫腻？”
"How is the situation in Youzhou now?" Lin Xuan’s soft voice echoed.
“ bì yě bù qīng chǔ ． suǒ yǐ cái lái xiàng shào yé qǐng jiào de 。” lù yíng ér dī chuí zhēn ．
“婢也不清楚．所以才来像少爷请教的。”陆盈儿低垂臻．
"It's still manageable. Although there are several婴期 cultivators, our Mai Xuan Pavilion has dominated Youzhou for a century with solid foundations. Even if their numbers are insufficient, we can compensate with more people and array support. For now, it is evenly matched." "Of course, in the early stages, due to the lack of hunters, we suffered some setbacks. But now, we are at an impasse."
mǎn liǎn gōng jìng de kāi kǒu 。
满脸恭敬的开口。
Hearing Ying'er’s words, Lin Xuan sighed in relief. Xin'er hadn’t disappointed him; she was more focused on maintaining than advancing.
“ nà yōu zhōu xiàn zài xíng shì rú hé ？” lín xuān dī lǜ de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ 。
“那幽州现在形势如何？”林轩低滤的声音传入耳朵。
"Should we do anything now? Please instruct us." Lü Ying'er smoothed her hair and spoke softly.
“ hái hǎo ． suī rán duì fāng yǒu shù míng yuán yīng qī xiū xiān zhě ， dàn wǒ bài xuān gé xióng bà yōu zhōu ． yǐ yǒu bǎi nián zhī jiǔ ， dǐ yùn hán hòu ． kě yòng gēn shēn dì gù lái xíng róng ． xiū wèi bù zú ， jiù yòng rén shù mí bǔ ． zài jiè zhù zhèn fǎ fǔ zhù ． yī shí zhī jiān 、 dào yě bù là xià fēng 。““ dāng rán ， qián qī yīn wèi liè shǒu bù jí de yuán gù ． shì chī le yī xiē kǔ tóu ． dàn xiàn zài què hù yǒu shèng fù jī běn shàng chéng xiàn chū xiāng chí zhuàng tài lái le 。
“还好．虽然对方有数名元婴期修仙者，但我拜轩阁雄霸幽州．已有百年之久，底蕴含厚．可用根深蒂固来形容．修为不足，就用人数弥补．再借助阵法辅助．一时之间、倒也不落下风。““当然，前期因为猎手不及的缘故．是吃了一些苦头．但现在却互有胜负基本上呈现出相持状态来了。
"What is your plan?"
tīng yíng ér zhè yàng shuō ， lín xuān sōng le kǒu qì ． xīn ér nà yā tou zǒng suàn méi yǒu ràng zì jǐ shī wàng jìn qǔ gù rán bù zú ， dàn shǒu chéng què shì yǒu yú 。
听盈儿这样说，林轩松了口气．芯儿那丫头总算没有让自己失望进取固然不足，但守成却是有余。
"Our alliance with the Sky Edge Sea Pavilion has allowed us to establish ourselves here, but our roots are shallow. According to my suggestion, Youzhou cannot afford any loss. We must always have a fallback position; we can’t abandon our main base so easily," she said.
“ shào yé 、 wǒ men xiàn zài yīng gāi rú hé 、 hái qǐng nǐ shì xià yī èr de 。” lù yíng ér lǐ le lǐ sī ． shēng yīn róu shùn wú bǐ 。
“少爷、我们现在应该如何、还请你示下一二的。”陆盈儿理了理丝．声音柔顺无比。
"You’re right." Lin Xuan nodded and smiled approvingly. "Although we are allied with the Sky Edge Sea Pavilion, our own strength is fundamental. It’s better to rely on ourselves than others. Youzhou may seem like a wilderness, but it is the foundation of our sect; how can we afford to lose it?"
“ xiān nǐ shì zěn me dǎ suàn de ？、
“先你是怎么打算的？、
"So I plan to select elite disciples and return to Youzhou personally," Lü Ying'er said with a smile, outlining her strategy.
“ wǒ bài xuān gé suī yǒu tiān yá hǎi gé fǔ zhù ． zài yún zhōu yǐ suàn lì zú ． dàn bì jìng gēn jī qiǎn bó ， zhào bì de yì si ． yōu zhōu jué bù róng yǒu shī ， bì jìng fán shì zǒng yào liú tuì lù ． zǒng duò zěn me néng qīng yì shě qù ne ？”
“我拜轩阁虽有天涯海阁辅助．在云州已算立足．但毕竟根基浅薄，照婢的意思．幽州绝不容有失，毕竟凡事总要留退路．总舵怎么能轻易舍去呢？”
Of course, this was only a suggestion. As Young Master in charge at the main base, he would decide on their actions.
“ nǐ shuō dé bù cuò 。” lín xuān diǎn le diǎn tóu ， liǎn shàng lù chū zàn xǔ zhī sè ：“ suī yǔ tiān yá huì gé jié méng ． dàn běn shēn de shí lì ， cái shì jī chǔ ， qiú rén bù rú qiú jǐ ． yōu zhōu bié rén yǐ wéi shì mán huāng zhī dì ， dàn què shì běn mén de gēn jī 、 qǐ róng shī qù 。”
“你说得不错。”林轩点了点头，脸上露出赞许之色：“虽与天涯诲阁结盟．但本身的实力，才是基础，求人不如求己．幽州别人以为是蛮荒之地，但却是本门的根基、岂容失去。”
"You returning to Youzhou is not advisable." Lin Xuan thought for a moment but shook his head.
“ suǒ yǐ bì zhǔn bèi tiāo xuǎn jīng yīng dì zǐ ． qīn zì huí yī cì yōu zhōu ． wǒ suī rán xiū wèi bù gāo ． dàn yǒu shào yé nín zèng yǔ de yuán yīng kuǐ lěi fǔ zhù ， yīng gāi kě yǐ jiāng dí rén miè chú 。” lù yíng ér yīng chún wēi qǐ ， jiāng zì jǐ de dǎ suàn shuō chū 。
“所以婢准备挑选精英弟子．亲自回一次幽州．我虽然修为不高．但有少爷您赠与的元婴傀儡辅助，应该可以将敌人灭除。”陆盈儿樱唇微启，将自己的打算说出。
"Why?" Lü Ying'er raised her head in surprise, but her voice remained respectful and gentle.
dāng rán ． zhè zhǐ shì jiàn yì ér yǐ ． shào yé jì rán zài zǒng duò ， gāi zěn me zuò ， zuì zhōng dāng rán shì yī xié tīng tā de fēn fù “ nǐ dǎ suàn huí yōu zhōu ． zhè yàng bù tuǒ 。” lín xuān lüè yī sī suǒ ， què yáo yáo tóu fǒu dìng le 。
当然．这只是建议而已．少爷既然在总舵，该怎么做，最终当然是一协听他的吩咐“你打算回幽州．这样不妥。”林轩略一思索，却摇摇头否定了。
"I said I plan to have the Sky Edge Sea Pavilion take over transactions with the Kuijin Island market. With so many matters, you can’t be away," he continued. "Although Yun'er is here, she alone cannot handle everything. Besides, while Yun'er has a higher cultivation potential, her handling of sect affairs falls short compared to yours."
“ wèi shén me ？” lù yíng ér chà yì de tái qǐ tóu ． bù guò shēng yīn yī jiù gōng jìng wēn róu 。
“为什么？”陆盈儿诧异的抬起头．不过声音依旧恭敬温柔。
"But if I don't go… What about Youzhou?"
“ wǒ bú shì shuō le ． zhǔn bèi ràng tiān yá hǎi gé jiē shǒu yǔ kuí jīn dǎo fāng shì de jiāo yì ． zhè me duō shì ． nǎ lí dé kāi nǐ ． suī rán yǒu yún ér zài ． dàn tā yí gè rén gēn běn máng dé guò lái ． hé kuàng yún ér xiū liàn tiān fù suī rán gāo yī xiē 、 dàn chǔ lǐ mén pài shì wù shàng ， què bù jí nǐ 。”
“我不是说了．准备让天涯海阁接手与魁金岛坊市的交易．这么多事．哪离得开你．虽然有云儿在．但她一个人根本忙得过来．何况云儿修炼天赋虽然高一些、但处理门派事务上，却不及你。”
"Youzhou is not your concern. I will personally take care of it," Lin Xuan said.
“ kě rú guǒ wǒ bù qù ． yōu zhōu nà biān ……．
“可如果我不去．幽州那边……．
"What? Young Master, you want to go yourself?" Lü Ying'er was shocked. "This... This is too much trouble for you."
“ yōu zhōu nǐ bù yòng dān ，． nà lǐ de shì ． wǒ huì qīn zì qù chù lǐ 。，“ shén me ． shào yé ． nín yào qīn zì qù ？、
“幽州你不用担，．那里的事．我会亲自去处理。，“什么．少爷．您要亲自去？、
"There’s nothing troublesome about it. It's better to handle things ourselves. Besides, I haven’t been back to Youzhou in a hundred years. Now that I think of it, there might be some secrets there. This time, let me deal with them all," Lin Xuan said.
lù yíng ér dà jīng shī sè ． bù guò qū shǒu dǎ qū jǐ gè yuán yīng qī xiū xiān zhě ． shào yé jū rán yào qīn zì dòng shǒu me ：“ zhè …… zhè tài láo fán nín le 。，“ zhè yǒu shén me láo bù láo fán de ， zì jǐ rén hé bì kè qì ． hé kuàng yōu zhōu wǒ yě yǒu yì bǎi nián duō nián méi yǒu huí qù le ． xiàn zài xiǎng xiǎng ， nà lǐ sì hū hái yǒu yī xiē mì mì ． zhè cì zhèng hǎo yī bìng chǔ lǐ ”
陆盈儿大惊失色．不过区手打区几个元婴期修仙者．少爷居然要亲自动手么：“这……这太劳烦您了。，“这有什么劳不劳烦的，自己人何必客气．何况幽州我也有一百年多年没有回去了．现在想想，那里似乎还有一些秘密．这次正好一并处理”
"Secrets?" Lü Ying'er was puzzled but didn't ask further.
Flicking his fingers, a streak of light shot out. The mist at the entrance of the valley swirled and revealed a path wide enough for one person to pass through.
Soon after, faint footsteps could be heard. The young lady had arrived outside the practice room and gently knocked on the door. "Young Master, Ying'er has something to seek your counsel about."
"Come in."
With Lin Xuan's permission, she opened the door and stepped inside, bowing gracefully before him.
Lin Xuan raised his head and scanned her face. Despite the smile at the corners of her lips, there was a clear worry in her eyes.
"Young Lady Ying'er, why have you come to seek me? What has happened?"
"Indeed, something is amiss. I wish to consult with Young Master."
"Oh, could it be that Mai Xuan Pavilion encountered some trouble again?"
Lin Xuan's expression showed surprise. The Sky Edge Sea Pavilion had already sent out a notice to Yunzhou, announcing their alliance with Mai Xuan Pavilion.
In other words, targeting Mai Xuan Pavilion was tantamount to declaring war on the Sky Edge Sea Pavilion. Who would dare to provoke such a powerful entity at this time?
Lü Ying'er's cultivation level was only at the Core Condensation Stage, but she was incredibly intelligent. From Lin Xuan’s expression, she could guess what he was thinking.
"Young Master, you misunderstand. We did not encounter any trouble; it is about Xin'er." "Xin'er?"
Lin Xuan was taken aback. This was indeed unexpected.
Since the cosmic anomaly, compared to other prefectures and states, Youzhou appeared barren in terms of spiritual veins and cultivation resources, almost like a wilderness.
Thus, major sects and families had all moved out, leaving Youzhou so weak that it could barely support an婴期 cultivator.
Mai Xuan Pavilion's dominance over Youzhou made them the sole ruler. The entire cultivation world of Youzhou was under their control.
Later, after some discussion, they decided not to remain confined in this wilderness and Lü Ying'er came to Yunzhou. She left matters concerning Youzhou to Liu Xin.
Although Liu Xin was more gentle than Ying'er, she had been a vice-pavilion leader for many years and had gained some experience.
She could not establish her own base like Ying'er in the midst of powerful enemies but guarding their family business was no problem at all.
After all, Mai Xuan Pavilion's control over Youzhou meant there were no real threats. How could there be any unexpected incidents?
Could it be that forces from another prefecture had invaded?
Lin Xuan asked Lü Ying'er about his doubts. The young lady’s face showed a look of confusion as well.
"Forgive me, Young Master. Xin'er sent the message over great distances, but in the jade cylinder, there was no clear explanation. It only mentioned that the enemy had several婴期 cultivators and seemed to be from a major cultivation family. However, we could not determine their origin." Lü Ying'er said with a slight smile.
"Absurd! How can you not know who attacked us? What did Xin'er do as Pavilion Leader if she didn’t send people to investigate the enemy’s background?" Lin Xuan raised his eyebrows and spoke sternly.
While he was close to his subordinates, he wasn't indulgent. As a superior, clear rewards and punishments were essential.
Xin'er's actions disappointed him.
"Please calm down, Young Master. Xin'er did send people to investigate, but the mystery is that they couldn’t find any clues. Even if we captured someone and used soul probing, it wouldn’t have revealed anything." "Really? Xin'er tried this too, but it was ineffective. The enemy seemed to have used some secret technique on everyone from the lower-stage disciples to high-stage Core Condensation cultivators, making soul probing ineffective," Lin Xuan said, his face darkening as he rubbed his forehead.
"Indeed, I am not sure either. That is why I came to seek your advice." Lü Ying'er lowered her head and spoke respectfully.
"How is the situation in Youzhou now?" Lin Xuan’s soft voice echoed.
"It's still manageable. Although there are several婴期 cultivators, our Mai Xuan Pavilion has dominated Youzhou for a century with solid foundations. Even if their numbers are insufficient, we can compensate with more people and array support. For now, it is evenly matched." "Of course, in the early stages, due to the lack of hunters, we suffered some setbacks. But now, we are at an impasse."
Hearing Ying'er’s words, Lin Xuan sighed in relief. Xin'er hadn’t disappointed him; she was more focused on maintaining than advancing.
"Should we do anything now? Please instruct us." Lü Ying'er smoothed her hair and spoke softly.
"What is your plan?"
"Our alliance with the Sky Edge Sea Pavilion has allowed us to establish ourselves here, but our roots are shallow. According to my suggestion, Youzhou cannot afford any loss. We must always have a fallback position; we can’t abandon our main base so easily," she said.
"You’re right." Lin Xuan nodded and smiled approvingly. "Although we are allied with the Sky Edge Sea Pavilion, our own strength is fundamental. It’s better to rely on ourselves than others. Youzhou may seem like a wilderness, but it is the foundation of our sect; how can we afford to lose it?"
"So I plan to select elite disciples and return to Youzhou personally," Lü Ying'er said with a smile, outlining her strategy.
Of course, this was only a suggestion. As Young Master in charge at the main base, he would decide on their actions.
"You returning to Youzhou is not advisable." Lin Xuan thought for a moment but shook his head.
"Why?" Lü Ying'er raised her head in surprise, but her voice remained respectful and gentle.
"I said I plan to have the Sky Edge Sea Pavilion take over transactions with the Kuijin Island market. With so many matters, you can’t be away," he continued. "Although Yun'er is here, she alone cannot handle everything. Besides, while Yun'er has a higher cultivation potential, her handling of sect affairs falls short compared to yours."
"But if I don't go… What about Youzhou?"
"Youzhou is not your concern. I will personally take care of it," Lin Xuan said.
"What? Young Master, you want to go yourself?" Lü Ying'er was shocked. "This... This is too much trouble for you."
"There’s nothing troublesome about it. It's better to handle things ourselves. Besides, I haven’t been back to Youzhou in a hundred years. Now that I think of it, there might be some secrets there. This time, let me deal with them all," Lin Xuan said.
"Secrets?" Lü Ying'er was puzzled but didn't ask further.