zhè hēi fēng dǎo jiù miàn jī lái shuō ， bǐ qǐ dà huāng hǎi yù de yuán guī dǎo ， suī rán yào shāo xiǎo yī xiē ， dàn hái shì guǎng kuò yǐ jí ， zhěng zuò dǎo yǔ zuì zhǎng de dì fāng jiē jìn bǎi lǐ ， bié shuō bǎi cǎo mén rén dīng xī bó ， jiù suàn ān zhì yī míng mén dà pài yě méi yǒu fēn háo wèn tí de 。
这黑风岛就面积来说，比起大荒海域的元龟岛，虽然要稍小一些，但还是广阔以极，整座岛屿最长的地方接近百里，别说百草门人丁稀薄，就算安置一名门大派也没有分毫问题的。
This Black Wind Island, although smaller than the Yuan Turtle Island in the Great Vast Sea, was still vast. The island's longest stretch approached a hundred li, and even if the Hundred Grass Sect had few members, there would be no problem accommodating one of the major sects.
gèng bú yào shuō ” hēi fēng dào zài cǐ chù ” zú zú jīng yíng le shù qiān nián zhī jiǔ ， tā men suī shì qiáng dào ， dàn zài dǎo shàng de shēng huó ， yě yǔ yī pǔ tōng de xiū xiān mén pài chà bu duō ， dòng fǔ ， yào yuán ” hái yǒu cāng kù ” jī hū dōu shì xiàn chéng de 。
更不要说”黑风盗在此处”足足经营了数千年之久，他们虽是强盗，但在岛上的生活，也与一普通的修仙门派差不多，洞府，药园”还有仓库”几乎都是现成的。
Moreover, considering that "Black Wind Bandits" had operated here for thousands of years, they lived much like ordinary cultivation sects, with cave dwellings, medicinal gardens, and warehouses already in place.
bǎi cǎo mén wéi yī yào zuò de ” jiù shì jiē shōu ， jiāng zhè me yī dà fēn jiā yè ， quán bù huà wèi jǐ yǒu 。
百草门唯一要做的”就是接收，将这么一大分家业，全部化为己有。
The only thing the Hundred Grass Sect needed to do was take over this vast inheritance. Although there weren't many Black Wind Bandits, their numbers were still more than three times that of the thinly populated Hundred Grass Sect.
hēi fēng dào suī rán shù liàng bù duō ， dàn yǔ rén dīng dān bó de bǎi cǎo mén xiāng bǐ ， rén shù zhì shǎo hái shì tā men de sān bèi yǒu yú 。
黑风盗虽然数量不多，但与人丁单薄的百草门相比，人数至少还是他们的三倍有余。
Thus, the cave dwellings, medicinal gardens, and alchemy rooms had plenty of empty space. Even the lowest-ranking cultivators could occupy a cave dwelling.
gù ér dòng fǔ ” yào yuán ， liàn qì shì ， jī hū dōu yǒu dà liàng de kòng yú 。
故而洞府”药园，炼器室，几乎都有大量的空余。
Such treatment was unheard of in any major sect.
jí biàn shì zuì dī jiē de xiū shì ， nǎ pà líng dòng qī dì zǐ ” yě néng zhàn jù yī zuò dòng fǔ 。
即便是最低阶的修士，哪怕灵动期弟子”也能占据一座洞府。
In this wasteful scenario, there were still many empty cave dwellings, which meant that the Hundred Grass Sect's cultivators, from top to bottom, felt an immense gratitude towards Lin Xuan.
zhè zhǒng dài yù ， rèn hé míng mén dà pài dōu bú huì yǒu dì 。
这种待遇，任何名门大派都不会有地。
After all, they were currently using cave dwellings originally owned by cultivators at least at the Condensation Core stage.
méi zhí shē chǐ ！
眉直奢侈！
There was no way anyone would consider a low-ranking member of the Black Wind Bandits. But since entering the Condensation Core stage meant their cave dwellings wouldn't be much different from those used by the bandits.
ér zài zhè zhǒng làng fèi de qíng xíng xià ， dòng fǔ dōu hái yǒu dà liàng kòng yú ， kě xiǎng ér zhī ， bǎi cǎo mén xiū shì ” cóng shàng zhì xià ， duì lín xuān ， nà shì rú hé de gǎn jī 。
而在这种浪费的情形下，洞府都还有大量空余，可想而知，百草门修士”从上至下，对林轩，那是如何的感激。
When the Hundred Grass Sect's new recruits moved in, they were overjoyed, something that could never have happened before even in dreams.
yào zhī dào tā men cǐ kè shǐ yòng de dòng fǔ ， yuán zhǔ rén zuì chà yě shì níng dān qī xiū shì 。
要知道他们此刻使用的洞府，原主人最差也是凝丹期修士。
They felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Lin Xuan.
méi bàn fǎ ， shuí ràng hēi fēng dào rù huǒ de yāo qiú yán gé ， méi tà rù níng dān qī ， xiǎng hùn jìn lái dāng xiǎo lóu luó dōu bú huì yǒu rén kǎo lǜ 。
没办法，谁让黑风盗入伙的要求严格，没踏入凝丹期，想混进来当小喽罗都不会有人考虑。
As the head of the sect, Shangguan Muduyu had to handle all the miscellaneous tasks. By the time she arrived at Lin Xuan's cave dwelling, it was already dark.
zhè zhǒng jué sè ， zài hēi fēng dào zhōng huò xǔ shì bù zhí yī tí de ， dàn níng dān qī xiū shì bì jìng shì níng dān qī ” tā men suǒ shǐ yòng de dòng fǔ néng chà dào nǎ lǐ ？
这种角色，在黑风盗中或许是不值一提的，但凝丹期修士毕竟是凝丹期”他们所使用的洞府能差到哪里？
Lin Xuan chose a cave dwelling with an excellent spirit vein and in a very secluded location deep within a valley. After entering, a hundred flowers bloomed, emitting fragrances.
bǎi cǎo mén yī gān cài niǎo rù zhù ， xīn zhōng de jī dòng kě xiǎng ér zhī ， yǐ qián ， biàn shì zuò mèng ” yě jué bù kě néng yǒu zhè yàng de hǎo shì 。
百草门一干菜鸟入驻，心中的激动可想而知，以前，便是做梦”也绝不可能有这样的好事。
"Flower Valley," this name was indeed fitting. Shangguan Muduyu thought to herself as she sent out a sound transmission talisman.
yǐn shuǐ sī yuán ， duì lín xuān yuè fā de gǎn jī tì líng 。
饮水思源，对林轩越发的感激涕零。
Soon, the milky white fog before her stirred, and a path appeared in view.
ér shàng guān mù yǔ zuò wéi yī mén zhī zhǔ ” fán hū yào chǔ lǐ suǒ yǒu de zá wù děng tā dào dá lín xuān de dòng fǔ ” tiān dōu yǐ jīng hēi le 。
而上官暮雨作为一门之主”凡乎要处理所有的杂务等她到达林轩的洞府”天都已经黑了。
She stepped gracefully into it.
lín xuān tiāo xuǎn de dòng fǔ líng mài zì rán yōu yì ， ér qiě pì jìng yǐ jí ， wèi yú yī shān gǔ shēn chù ， zǒu jìn yǐ hòu ， bǎi huā zhàn fàng sàn fā zhe zhèn zhèn yōu xiāng 。
林轩挑选的洞府灵脉自然优异，而且僻静以极，位于一山谷深处，走进以后，百huā绽放散发着阵阵幽香。
Rumble!
bǎi huā gǔ ， zhè míng zì què rán bù cuò ， shàng guān mù yǔ yī biān xiǎng zhe ， yī biān yáng shǒu fā chū le yī dào chuán yīn fú 。
百huā谷，这名字确然不错，上官暮雨一边想着，一边扬手发出了一道传音符。
A heavy voice reached Lin Xuan's ears as the stone door automatically opened, revealing his figure.
hěn kuài ， qián miàn rǔ bái sè de wù qì yī zhèn fān yǒng ， yī tiáo xiǎo jìng chū xiàn zài shì xiàn zhōng 。
很快，前面乳白色的雾气一阵翻涌，一条小径出现在视线中。
"Senior," Shangguan Muduyu said with a gentle bow.
cǐ nǚ qīng yí lián bù ， kuǎn kuǎn zǒu jìn qù le 。
此女轻移莲步，款款走进去了。
"Why so formal? We've known each other for some time. There's no need to be so polite every time we meet," Lin Xuan sighed lightly.
hōng lōng lóng ！
轰隆隆！
"As a senior of the Separation and Union stage, the rules of the cultivation world cannot be ignored. Besides, you have done us such great favors; how could I dare be disrespectful?"
hòu zhòng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， nà shí mén zì dòng dǎ kāi lín xuān de shēn yǐng xiǎn lù chū lái 。
厚重的声音传入耳朵，那石门自动打开林轩的身影显露出来。
Shangguan Muduyu smiled, her words sincere. Without him, their sect would likely have vanished long ago.
“ qián bèi 。” cǐ nǚ yíng yíng yī fú 。
“前辈。”此女盈盈一拂。
Lin Xuan shook his head. He had no intention of arguing with her and let her continue being formal if she wished.
“ dào yǒu hé bì rú cǐ duō lǐ ， wǒ men yòu bú shì chū cì xiāng shí ， hé bì měi cì xiāng jiàn ， zǒng nà me duō de lǐ shù 。” lín xuān qīng tàn le yì kǒu qì de shuō 。
“道友何必如此多礼，我们又不是初次相识，何必每次相见，总那么多的礼数。”林轩轻叹了一口气的说。
"Please take a seat."
“ qián bèi nǎi shì lí hé ， xiū xiān jiè de guī jǔ bù néng bù yào de ， hé kuàng nín duì běn mén dà ēn dà dé ， wǎn bèi yòu zěn me gǎn fàng sì wú lǐ ne ？”
“前辈乃是离合，修仙界的规矩不能不要的，何况您对本门大恩大德，晚辈又怎么敢放肆无礼呢？”
"Thank you, senior."
shàng guān mù yǔ wēi xiào zhe shuō ” zhè fān huà dào méi yǒu fēn háo xū jiǎ zhī chù tā duì lín xuān ， shì gǎn jī dé yī tā hú tú ， méi yǒu tā ， běn mén kǒng pà yǐ jīng huī fēi yān miè diào le 。
上官幕雨微笑着说”这番话倒没有分毫虚假之处她对林轩，是感激得一塌糊涂，没有他，本门恐怕已经灰飞烟灭掉了。
After sitting down, Lin Xuan did not waste any time. With a wave of his sleeve, colorful spiritual light flashed, revealing numerous talismans and circular objects.
lín xuān yáo le yáo tóu ， tā yě jiù yī shuō ， bìng méi yǒu hé cǐ nǚ zhēng zhí de yì tú ， tā yuàn yì duō lǐ nà jiù màn màn duō lǐ hǎo le 。
林轩摇了摇头，他也就一说，并没有和此女争执的意图，她愿意多礼那就慢慢多礼好了。
"These are..." Shangguan Muduyu was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered: "Array disks and command talismans. Do you mean..."
“ chēng xiān qǐng zuò 。”
“称先请坐。”
"Not exactly. The Black Wind Bandits have operated here for thousands of years, setting up countless restrictions and array formations that almost make the island impenetrable. These items are the control center. Take them and study them at your leisure. If you need any clarification, feel free to ask me."
“ xiè qián bèi 。”
“谢前辈。”
"Thank you, senior," Shangguan Muduyu's face lit up with joy. She hadn't expected Lin Xuan to be so thorough. This place was already remote, and with these items, the sect should be safe unless they were cursed with bad luck.
luò zuò yǐ hòu ， lín xuān yě méi yǒu dān gē ， zhí jiē xiù páo yī fú ， wǔ yán liù sè de líng guāng shǎn guò ， yī dà duī lìng fú hái yǒu yuán pán zhuàng de dōng xī yìng rù shì xiàn lǐ le 。
落座以后，林轩也没有耽搁，直接袖袍一拂，五颜六色的灵光闪过，一大堆令符还有圆盘状的东西映入视线里了。
"Thank you for your great kindness. Rest assured, though my cultivation is low, I have some understanding of array formations. While I may not fully grasp their complexity, having these array disks and command talismans, we should be able to understand how the island's restrictions operate," she said confidently.
“ zhè shì ……”，”， cǐ nǚ xiān shì yī dāi bù guò hěn kuài jiù fǎn yìng guò lái ：“ zhèn pán ， hái yǒu lìng fú ， nán dào shuō “…… zhǐ “ bù cuò hēi fēng dào zài cǐ dǎo jīng yíng shù qiān nián ， gè zhǒng jìn zhì zhèn fǎ bù jì qí shù jī hū jiāng cǐ dǎo bù zhì dé gēn tiě tǒng chà bu duō ， ér zhè xiē dōng xī ， jiù shì kòng zhì de zhōng shū ， nǐ xiān ná qù ， màn màn yán jiū ， rú guǒ yǒu bù dǒng de dì fāng ， kě yǐ wèn wǒ 。”
“这是……”，”，此女先是一呆不过很快就反应过来：“阵盘，还有令符，难道说“……只“不错黑风盗在此岛经营数千年，各种禁制阵法不计其数几乎将此岛布置得跟铁桶差不多，而这些东西，就是控制的中枢，你先拿去，慢慢研究，如果有不懂的地方，可以问我。”
"That would indeed be ideal."
“ xiè qián bèi 。” cǐ nǚ liǎn shàng lù chū dà xǐ guò wàng zhī sè ， méi xiǎng dào lín xuān kǎo lǜ dé rú cǐ zhōu xiáng ， zhè dì fāng ， běn jiù piān pì ， zài jiā shàng yǎn qián de dōng xī ， běn mén zhǐ yào bú shì méi yùn dāng tóu ， ān quán yīng gāi shì méi yǒu wèn tí le 。
“谢前辈。”此女脸上露出大喜过望之色，没想到林轩考虑得如此周详，这地方，本就偏僻，再加上眼前的东西，本门只要不是霉运当头，安全应该是没有问题了。
Lin Xuan did not doubt Shangguan Muduyu's exaggeration. The Hundred Grass Fairy was a talented woman from an illustrious family. Even though her sect had declined, they still knew some array formation techniques that were not particularly rare.
“ xiè qián bèi dà dé ， nín fàng xīn ， qiè shēn xiū wèi suī dī ” dàn duì zhèn fǎ ， hái shì yǒu yí dìng liǎo jiě dì ， fù zá le bù gǎn shuō ， bù guò yǒu zhè xiē zhèn pán yǔ lìng fú ， nòng qīng chǔ dǎo shàng jìn zhì de yùn zuò ， yīng gāi shì méi yǒu shén me wèn tí de 。” cǐ nǚ zì xìn yì cháng de shuō 。
“谢前辈大德，您放心，妾身修为虽低”但对阵法，还是有一定了解地，复杂了不敢说，不过有这些阵盘与令符，弄清楚岛上禁制的运作，应该是没有什么问题的。”此女自信异常的说。
"Indeed, you may keep these for now," Lin Xuan said as he reached into his pocket and revealed a jade cylinder with greenish light.
“ nà yàng zì rán shì zuì hǎo bù guò 。”
“那样自然是最好不过。”
Though holding it, Lin Xuan appeared contemplative.
lín xuān méi yǒu huái yí shàng guān mù yǔ kuā dà qí cí ， bǎi cǎo xiān zi yě shì yí dài cái nǚ ， suǒ chuán xià de mén pài suī yǐ mò luò ， dàn dào dǐ jiā xué yuān bó ， dǒng de yī xiē zhèn fǎ zhī shù ， zhe shí méi yǒu shén me xī qí zhī chù 。
林轩没有怀疑上官暮雨夸大其词，百草仙子也是一代才女，所传下的门派虽已没落，但到底家学渊博，懂得一些阵法之术，着实没有什么稀奇之处。
After a short while, he spoke: "Shangguan Daoist friend, what do you think of your sect's disciples' talents?"
“ ń ， nà xiē dōng xī ， nǐ xiān shōu hǎo le 。” lín xuān yī biān shuō yī biān yòu zài huái zhōng yī mō ， líng guāng shǎn guò ， yī cuì lǜ yù dī de yù tóng jiǎn ， chū xiàn zài le shì xiàn zhōng 。
“嗯，那些东西，你先收好了。”林轩一边说一边又在怀中一摸，灵光闪过，一翠绿欲滴的玉瞳简，出现在了视线中。
"Ah..."
ná zhe cǐ wù ， lín xuān yǎn zhōng què lù chū jǐ fēn chén yín zhī sè 。
拿着此物，林轩眼中却露出几分沉吟之色。
Shangguan Muduyu was taken aback. She hadn't expected such a question from Lin Xuan. Her gaze fell on the jade cylinder in his hand as she seemed to guess something: "Senior must be laughing at me. Our ancestor was a genius, but our descendants are unworthy. By my generation, the sect has declined greatly. The disciples' talents vary widely; only a few have excellent spirit roots..."
guò le yī xiǎo huì er de gōng fu ， cái huǎn huǎn kāi kǒu ：“ shàng guān dào yǒu ， zài nǐ yǎn zhōng ” guì pài dì zǐ de zī zhì rú hé ？”
过了一小会儿的功夫，才缓缓开口：“上官道友，在你眼中”贵派弟子的资质如何？”
In front of Lin Xuan, Shangguan Muduyu did not need to hide anything. The decline of the Hundred Grass Sect was evident to all. While the quality and character of their disciples were generally good, compared to major sects, they still had no match.
“ zhè ……”
“这……”
While cultivators were often cold-hearted, the disciples of the Hundred Grass Sect were deeply loyal to each other.
shàng guān mù yǔ yī è ， xiǎn rán xiǎng bú dào ， lín xuān huì wèn zhè yàng de wèn tí ， mù guāng zài lín xuān shǒu shàng de yù tóng shàng sǎo guò ， sì hū yǐn yǐn cāi xiǎng dào yì diǎn shén me ：“ ràng qián bèi xiào huà le ， zǔ shī yí dài rén jié ” kě xī hòu dài dì zǐ bù xiè ， chuán dào qiè shēn zhè yī bèi ， běn mén yǐ mò luò dé yī tā hú tú ， mén zhōng dì zǐ zī zhì ， shí zài liáng yǒu bù qí ， líng gēn hái suàn yōu yì de ， yě jiù nà me liáo liáo jǐ rén ér yǐ ……”
上官暮雨一愕，显然想不到，林轩会问这样的问题，目光在林轩手上的玉瞳上扫过，似乎隐隐猜想到一点什么：“让前辈笑话了，祖师一代人杰”可惜后代弟子不屑，传到妾身这一辈，本门已没落得一塌糊涂，门中弟子资质，实在良莠不齐，灵根还算优异的，也就那么寥寥几人而已……”
"Indeed."
zài lín xuān miàn qián ， shàng guān mù yǔ zì rán bù yòng tì běn mén zuò shén me yǎn shì ， bǎi cǎo mén shì wēi ， zhè shì míng yǎn rén dōu néng kàn dào de shì shí ， rú guǒ yí dìng yào shuō ， jiù shì běn mén dì zǐ bù guǎn líng gēn rú hé ” zhì shǎo pǐn zhì xīn xìng dōu bù cuò ” zhè yì diǎn ， biàn shì nà xiē míng mén dà pài ， yě méi yǒu bàn fǎ bǐ nǐ 。
在林轩面前，上官暮雨自然不用替本门做什么掩饰，百草门式微，这是明眼人都能看到的事实，如果一定要说，就是本门弟子不管灵根如何”至少品质心性都不错”这一点，便是那些名门大派，也没有办法比拟。
Lin Xuan nodded with approval. "This evaluation is fair; it aligns closely with what I've seen. Apart from Ling'er and Yan'er, few excellent disciples remain in the sect. Most people's resources are adequate, but by 'adequate,' I mean they can only match the treatment ordinary members of other major sects receive."
xiū xiān zhě jiē guǎ qíng báo yì ， dàn bǎi cǎo mén dì zǐ ， tóng mén zhī jiān ， què shì yì qì shēn zhòng dì 。
修仙者皆寡情薄意，但百草门弟子，同门之间，却是义气深重地。
Given this situation, only a couple could condense their essence cores. The majority remained at the Foundation Establishment stage for life.
“ ń 。”
“嗯。”
Those even worse off might get stuck in the Spirit Cultivation stage and find it difficult to advance further.
lín xuān diǎn le diǎn tóu ， liǎn shàng lù chū jǐ fēn zàn xǔ zhī sè ” zhè ge píng jià hái suàn zhōng kěn ， yǔ zì jǐ suǒ jiàn ” méi yǒu duō dà chū rù ， líng ér yàn ér bù shuō ， chú le tā men jiě mèi liǎng gè ， bǎi cǎo mén yōu xiù de dì zǐ liáo liáo kě shǔ ， dà bù fèn rén zī yuán jiù suàn chōng zú ， dāng rán ， zhè lǐ suǒ shuō de chōng zú ， zì shì bù néng yǔ zì jǐ xiāng bǐ le ， jǐn jǐn zhǐ tóng míng mén dà pài pǔ tōng dì zǐ néng gòu xiǎng shòu dào de dài yù xiāng ruò 。
林轩点了点头，脸上露出几分赞许之色”这个评价还算中肯，与自己所见”没有多大出入，翎儿雁儿不说，除了她们姐妹两个，百草门优秀的弟子寥寥可数，大部分人资源就算充足，当然，这里所说的充足，自是不能与自己相比了，仅仅指同名门大派普通弟子能够享受到的待遇相若。
The cultivation world was harsh; while high-ranking cultivators were numerous, low-rank ones still made up the majority.
zài zhè zhǒng qíng kuàng xià ， néng gòu níng dān de yě bù guò yí gè liǎng gè ， dà bù fèn rén ， zhōng shēn yě jiù pái huái zài zhù jī qī zuǒ yòu 。
在这种情况下，能够凝丹的也不过一个两个，大部分人，终身也就徘徊在筑基期左右。
However, Lin Xuan's level was different. The few he interacted with all seemed to have formidable cultivation.
gèng chà yì diǎn de ， shèn zhì kǎ zài líng dòng qī ， hěn nán zài jìn yí bù 。
更差一点的，甚至卡在灵动期，很难再进一步。
"Head of the sect sees clearly. I will be frank," said Lin Xuan.
xiū xiān jiè jiù shì zhè me cán kù ， bié kàn líng jiè gāo jiē xiū shì hěn duō ， dàn jiù bǐ lì lái shuō ” dī jiē de yī jiù zhàn dà duō shù 。
修仙界就是这么残酷，别看灵界高阶修士很多，但就比例来说”低阶的依旧占大多数。
"Senior, please speak your mind; even if it is a harsh truth, I will not resent you in any way." Shangguan Muduyu's voice was soft and her expression extremely sincere!~!
This Black Wind Island, although smaller than the Yuan Turtle Island in the Great Vast Sea, was still vast. The island's longest stretch approached a hundred li, and even if the Hundred Grass Sect had few members, there would be no problem accommodating one of the major sects.
Moreover, considering that "Black Wind Bandits" had operated here for thousands of years, they lived much like ordinary cultivation sects, with cave dwellings, medicinal gardens, and warehouses already in place.
The only thing the Hundred Grass Sect needed to do was take over this vast inheritance. Although there weren't many Black Wind Bandits, their numbers were still more than three times that of the thinly populated Hundred Grass Sect.
Thus, the cave dwellings, medicinal gardens, and alchemy rooms had plenty of empty space. Even the lowest-ranking cultivators could occupy a cave dwelling.
Such treatment was unheard of in any major sect.
In this wasteful scenario, there were still many empty cave dwellings, which meant that the Hundred Grass Sect's cultivators, from top to bottom, felt an immense gratitude towards Lin Xuan.
After all, they were currently using cave dwellings originally owned by cultivators at least at the Condensation Core stage.
There was no way anyone would consider a low-ranking member of the Black Wind Bandits. But since entering the Condensation Core stage meant their cave dwellings wouldn't be much different from those used by the bandits.
When the Hundred Grass Sect's new recruits moved in, they were overjoyed, something that could never have happened before even in dreams.
They felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Lin Xuan.
As the head of the sect, Shangguan Muduyu had to handle all the miscellaneous tasks. By the time she arrived at Lin Xuan's cave dwelling, it was already dark.
Lin Xuan chose a cave dwelling with an excellent spirit vein and in a very secluded location deep within a valley. After entering, a hundred flowers bloomed, emitting fragrances.
"Flower Valley," this name was indeed fitting. Shangguan Muduyu thought to herself as she sent out a sound transmission talisman.
Soon, the milky white fog before her stirred, and a path appeared in view.
She stepped gracefully into it.
Rumble!
A heavy voice reached Lin Xuan's ears as the stone door automatically opened, revealing his figure.
"Senior," Shangguan Muduyu said with a gentle bow.
"Why so formal? We've known each other for some time. There's no need to be so polite every time we meet," Lin Xuan sighed lightly.
"As a senior of the Separation and Union stage, the rules of the cultivation world cannot be ignored. Besides, you have done us such great favors; how could I dare be disrespectful?"
Shangguan Muduyu smiled, her words sincere. Without him, their sect would likely have vanished long ago.
Lin Xuan shook his head. He had no intention of arguing with her and let her continue being formal if she wished.
"Please take a seat."
"Thank you, senior."
After sitting down, Lin Xuan did not waste any time. With a wave of his sleeve, colorful spiritual light flashed, revealing numerous talismans and circular objects.
"These are..." Shangguan Muduyu was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered: "Array disks and command talismans. Do you mean..."
"Not exactly. The Black Wind Bandits have operated here for thousands of years, setting up countless restrictions and array formations that almost make the island impenetrable. These items are the control center. Take them and study them at your leisure. If you need any clarification, feel free to ask me."
"Thank you, senior," Shangguan Muduyu's face lit up with joy. She hadn't expected Lin Xuan to be so thorough. This place was already remote, and with these items, the sect should be safe unless they were cursed with bad luck.
"Thank you for your great kindness. Rest assured, though my cultivation is low, I have some understanding of array formations. While I may not fully grasp their complexity, having these array disks and command talismans, we should be able to understand how the island's restrictions operate," she said confidently.
"That would indeed be ideal."
Lin Xuan did not doubt Shangguan Muduyu's exaggeration. The Hundred Grass Fairy was a talented woman from an illustrious family. Even though her sect had declined, they still knew some array formation techniques that were not particularly rare.
"Indeed, you may keep these for now," Lin Xuan said as he reached into his pocket and revealed a jade cylinder with greenish light.
Though holding it, Lin Xuan appeared contemplative.
After a short while, he spoke: "Shangguan Daoist friend, what do you think of your sect's disciples' talents?"
"Ah..."
Shangguan Muduyu was taken aback. She hadn't expected such a question from Lin Xuan. Her gaze fell on the jade cylinder in his hand as she seemed to guess something: "Senior must be laughing at me. Our ancestor was a genius, but our descendants are unworthy. By my generation, the sect has declined greatly. The disciples' talents vary widely; only a few have excellent spirit roots..."
In front of Lin Xuan, Shangguan Muduyu did not need to hide anything. The decline of the Hundred Grass Sect was evident to all. While the quality and character of their disciples were generally good, compared to major sects, they still had no match.
While cultivators were often cold-hearted, the disciples of the Hundred Grass Sect were deeply loyal to each other.
"Indeed."
Lin Xuan nodded with approval. "This evaluation is fair; it aligns closely with what I've seen. Apart from Ling'er and Yan'er, few excellent disciples remain in the sect. Most people's resources are adequate, but by 'adequate,' I mean they can only match the treatment ordinary members of other major sects receive."
Given this situation, only a couple could condense their essence cores. The majority remained at the Foundation Establishment stage for life.
Those even worse off might get stuck in the Spirit Cultivation stage and find it difficult to advance further.
The cultivation world was harsh; while high-ranking cultivators were numerous, low-rank ones still made up the majority.
However, Lin Xuan's level was different. The few he interacted with all seemed to have formidable cultivation.
"Head of the sect sees clearly. I will be frank," said Lin Xuan.
"Senior, please speak your mind; even if it is a harsh truth, I will not resent you in any way." Shangguan Muduyu's voice was soft and her expression extremely sincere!~!