dǎ yòu dǎ bù guò ， fàng qí lí qù yòu miàn lín zhe zhū duō hòu guǒ 。
打又打不过，放其离去又面临着诸多后果。
Fighting him wasn't an option, and letting him go would bring about numerous consequences.
bù zhī dào gāi zěn me xuǎn zé ， zuǒ yòu wéi nán shì zuì què qiè de miáo shù 。
不知道该怎么选择，左右为难是最确切的描述。
Stuck in this predicament, he was at a loss as to what to do. The situation was indeed described perfectly by the phrase "at a crossroads."
yī shí jiān ， jǐ rén jiāng zhù ， xīn zhōng dōu yǒu diǎn hòu huǐ lái zhè lǐ le 。
一时间，几人僵住，心中都有点后悔来这里了。
For a moment, everyone froze, regretting their decision to come here.
bì jìng shì qíng fā zhǎn dào zhè yī bù ， xiǎng yào dāng tuó niǎo dōu biàn chéng shē wàng le 。
毕竟事情发展到这一步，想要当鸵鸟都变成奢望了。
After all, things had progressed to such an extent that pretending they didn't see anything was no longer an option.
rán ér jiù zài zhè shí ， lín xuān cóng róng de biǎo qíng què zhòu rán xiāo shī ， tā xiàng shì fā xiàn le shén me shì de tū rán tái qǐ tóu lú ， liǎn shàng de shén sè níng zhòng dào jí chù ， yī zì yī dùn de kāi kǒu le ：“ qián bèi jì rán yǐ lái dào cǐ chù ， hé bù xiàn shēn yī jiàn ne ， yǐ qián bèi de shí lì ， gāi bú huì xiǎng yào tōu xí lín mǒu ？”
然而就在这时，林轩从容的表情却骤然消失，他像是发现了什么似的突然抬起头颅，脸上的神色凝重到极处，一字一顿的开口了：“前辈既然已来到此处，何不现身一见呢，以前辈的实力，该不会想要偷袭林某？”
However, just then, Lin Xuan's composed expression suddenly vanished. He looked up as if he'd discovered something important, his face becoming extremely serious. He spoke slowly and clearly: "Senior, since you've arrived here, why not show yourself? With your strength, wouldn't you be trying to ambush me?"
huà yīn wèi luò ， hā hā hā de kuáng xiào shēng jiē lián chuán rù ěr duǒ 。
话音未落，哈哈哈的狂笑声接连传入耳朵。
Before the words were fully out of his mouth, a series of raucous laughter echoed in their ears.
“ bù cuò ， bù cuò ， duō shǎo nián le ， lián wǒ dōu jì bù dé yǒu duō jiǔ de suì yuè ， méi yǒu rén gǎn zhè me duì wǒ shuō huà le 。”
“不错，不错，多少年了，连我都记不得有多久的岁月，没有人敢这么对我说话了。”
"Indeed, indeed. How long has it been since anyone dared speak to me like this? I can hardly remember."
zhòng rén yī dāi ， yún yǐn zōng de xiū xiān zhě bù yóu de yòu jīng yòu xǐ qǐ lái 。
众人一呆，云隐宗的修仙者不由得又惊又喜起来。
The others were stunned, and the cultivators of Cloud Concealment Sect couldn't help feeling both surprised and delighted.
“ lóng shī shū ！”
“龙师叔！”
"Senior Master Dragon!"
méi xiǎng dào zuò wèi tài shàng zhǎng lǎo zhī yī de shī shū ， jū rán lái dào le cǐ chù ， yún yǐn zōng de xiū shì jīng xǐ zhī yú ， yě dōu dà sōng le kǒu qì ， suī rán tā men yī jiù méi yǒu shì chū lín xuān shēn qiǎn rú hé ， dàn fàng qí lí kāi ， huò zhě xiǎng yào jiāng tā qiǎng liú cǐ chù ， dōu shì lìng rén tóu téng de xuǎn zé 。
没想到做为太上长老之一的师叔，居然来到了此处，云隐宗的修士惊喜之余，也都大松了口气，虽然他们依旧没有试出林轩深浅如何，但放其离开，或者想要将他强留此处，都是令人头疼的选择。
They hadn't expected one of the senior elders, who was also a top elder, to be here. The cultivators of Cloud Concealment Sect felt relieved as well, although they still couldn't determine Lin Xuan's true strength. Letting him go or trying to keep him here were both headache-inducing choices.
zhè zhǒng shí kè ， lóng shī shū lái dào cǐ chù ， xiāng dāng yú wèi tā men jiě wéi le 。
这种时刻，龙师叔来到此处，相当于为他们解围了。
At this moment, Senior Master Dragon coming here was like a lifeline for them.
duì fāng zài nán chán ， nà yòu rú hé ？
对方再难缠，那又如何？
How difficult could the opponent be?
nán dào hái néng yǔ fēn shén qī xiū shì fàng duì me ？
难道还能与分神期修士放对么？
Could he possibly face off against a Spirit Formation cultivator?
“ gōng yíng shī shū ！”
“恭迎师叔！”
"Greetings, Senior!"
péi bàn zhe zhè jù huà yǔ ， yī páng bó de líng yā cóng tiān ér luò 。
陪伴着这句话语，一磅礴的灵压从天而落。
Accompanied by these words, an overwhelming spiritual pressure descended from the sky.
fēng yún wèi zhī biàn sè ， zhěng gè shān fēng ， dōu zài bù tíng de chàn dǒu 。
风云为之变色，整个山峰，都在不停的颤抖。
The clouds and winds changed color as the entire mountain trembled continuously. Pebbles fell one after another, making it seem like the Golden Core Peak was about to collapse.
suì shí fēn fēn xià luò ， gěi rén de gǎn jué ， jiù fǎng fú zhěng gè jīn dān fēng yào tā xiàn le 。
碎石纷纷下落，给人的感觉，就仿佛整个金丹峰要塌陷了。
Pfft... pfft...
pū pū pū ……
噗噗噗……
Several cultivators of this lineage were among the weakest in the group, unable to withstand it, and they all knelt down with a thud.
gāi mài de jǐ míng xiū xiān zhě ， shì zài chǎng shí lì zuì ruò de ， chéng shòu bú zhù ， jìng rán fēn fēn pū tōng shēng xiǎng de guì xià lái le 。
该脉的几名修仙者，是在场实力最弱的，承受不住，竟然纷纷噗通声响的跪下来了。
To be honest, even if they hadn't been there, the other Core Formation cultivators would have had expressions that could only be described as grim. They were just holding on by sheer willpower.
qí shí bié shuō tā men jǐ gè ， jiù suàn shì qí yú de dòng xuán jí bié de cún zài ， yí gè gè de liǎn sè ， yě nán kàn dào wú yǐ fù jiā de dì bù ， bù guò shì zài kǔ kǔ zhī chēng bà le 。
其实别说他们几个，就算是其余的洞玄级别的存在，一个个的脸色，也难看到无以复加的地步，不过是在苦苦支撑罢了。
The gap between Core Formation and Spirit Formation was so great—just this spiritual pressure alone made it impossible for them to move.
dòng xuán yǔ fēn shén ， chā jù jìng rán rú cǐ dà me ， jǐn jǐn shì líng yā ， jiù néng ràng duì fāng dòng tán bù dé 。
洞玄与分神，差距竟然如此大么，仅仅是灵压，就能让对方动弹不得。
Only then did Lin Xuan truly realize the difference in strength compared to his peers.
zhè shí hòu ， cái zhēn zhèng kě yǐ kàn chū lín xuān yǔ tóng jiē xiū shì de chā jù le 。
这时候，才真正可以看出林轩与同阶修士的差距了。
Among the cultivators present, he was the only one who could remain calm under such a spiritual pressure, showing no signs of disturbance.
zài chǎng de xiū xiān zhě ， yě wéi yǒu tā ， néng zài zhè gǔ líng yā xià bǎo chí zhe zhèn dìng zhī sè ， háo bù dòng róng 。
在场的修仙者，也唯有他，能在这股灵压下保持着镇定之色，毫不动容。
Lin Xuan turned his head to look at the left side. The spiritual pressure and voice were both coming from that direction.
lín xuān zhuǎn tóu kàn xiàng zuǒ cè ， líng yā yǔ shēng yīn ， dōu shì cóng nà ge dì fāng fā chū lái de 。
林轩转头看向左侧，灵压与声音，都是从那个地方发出来的。
Boom!
hōng ！
轰！
A loud noise filled their ears as lightning streaked down from mid-air. Following this, brilliant light shone, and celestial music rose into the sky. A handsome young man with white hair appeared in the air.
jù xiǎng shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， yǔ zhī bàn suí de shì yī dào shǎn diàn cóng bàn kōng zhōng kè luò ， suí hòu líng guāng yào yǎn ， xiān lè chōng tiān ， bàn kōng zhōng chū xiàn le yī róng mào yīng jùn de bái fà shào nián 。
巨响声传入耳朵，与之伴随的是一道闪电从半空中刻落，随后灵光耀眼，仙乐冲天，半空中出现了一容貌英俊的白发少年。
Yes, it was a young man with white hair.
méi cuò ， shì bái fà shào nián 。
没错，是白发少年。
His face was so handsome it almost seemed otherworldly, but his eyes were filled with an air of沧桑 (suffering). His ears were also different from normal people—pointed—and his eyes, full of suffering, were silver.
miàn mù yīng jùn dé jìn hū yāo yì ， rán ér piān piān liǎng zhǐ yǎn jīng què chōng mǎn le cāng sāng zhī gǎn 。
面目英俊得近乎妖异，然而偏偏两只眼睛却充满了沧桑之感。
Lin Xuan's pupils constricted. Could this guy be a Spirit Formation cultivator with the bloodline of a妖族 (younger race)?
tā de ěr duǒ ， yě yǔ yì bān rén dà bù xiāng tóng ， jū rán shì jiān jiān de ， nà chōng mǎn le cāng sāng zhī gǎn de yǎn jīng gèng shì yín sè 。
他的耳朵，也与一般人大不相同，居然是尖尖的，那充满了沧桑之感的眼睛更是银色。
Thoughts raced through his mind as the figure moved swiftly, shoulder slightly moving to cross several hundred feet and arrive beside him.
lín xuān tóng kǒng wēi suō ， nán dào zhè jiā huo ， kě pà de fēn shén qī xiū xiān zhě ， jìng rán jù yǒu yāo zú de xuè tǒng me ？
林轩瞳孔微缩，难道这家伙，可怕的分神期修仙者，竟然具有妖族的血统么？
"This..." Lin Xuan's eyes involuntarily twitched. An expert's move could reveal much.
nǎo hǎi zhōng niàn tou zhuǎn guò ， duì fāng shēn xíng piāo hū ， jiān tóu wēi wēi yī dòng ， jū rán yǐ héng kuà shù bǎi zhàng de jù lí ， lái dào le zì jǐ de shēn cè 。
脑海中念头转过，对方身形飘忽，肩头微微一动，居然已横跨数百丈的距离，来到了自己的身侧。
The guy's teleportation was so subtle that it surpassed Nine Heavens Microstep.
“ zhè ……”……””
“这……”……””
Indeed, he was no ordinary old monster; he had mastered some spatial secrets.
lín xuān de yǎn jiǎo ， rěn bú zhù hěn hěn yī tiāo ， háng jia yī chū shǒu ， jiù zhī yǒu méi yǒu 。
林轩的眼角，忍不住狠狠一挑，行家一出手，就知有没有。
"You can all leave now. I will handle this matter," the white-haired youth said coldly.
duì fāng guāng shì shùn yí ， qí xuán miào jiù chāo guò le jiǔ tiān wēi bù 。
对方光是瞬移，其玄妙就超过了九天微步。
"Of course!"
guǒ rán bù kuì shì fēn shén qī lǎo guài wù ， yǐ jīng zhǎng wò le yí dìng de kōng jiān mì shù 。
果然不愧是分神期老怪物，已经掌握了一定的空间秘术。
The Cloud Concealment cultivators naturally had no objections and respectfully bowed before retreating one by one.
“ nǐ men kě yǐ tuì xià le ， zhè jiàn shì qíng ， wǒ huì quán quán fù zé 。” nà bái fà shào nián lěng lěng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ 。
“你们可以退下了，这件事情，我会全权负责。”那白发少年冷冷的声音传入耳朵。
Soon, only Lin Xuan and the Dragon-named cultivator remained on Golden Core Peak outside the spiritual clear mist.
“ shì ！”
“是！”
Facing each other from afar, this was the first time Lin Xuan faced a Spirit Formation cultivator.
nà xiē yún yǐn zōng xiū shì zì rán sī háo yì yì yě wú ， gōng jìng de xíng le yī lǐ ， rán hòu jiù fēn fēn tuì le xià qù 。
那些云隐宗修士自然丝毫异议也无，恭敬的行了一礼，然后就纷纷退了下去。
"You have courage."
hěn kuài ， jīn dān fēng jué dǐng ， líng qīng wù hǎi zhī wài ， jiù zhǐ shèng xià lín xuān yǔ nà lóng xìng xiū shì liǎng gè 。
很快，金丹峰绝顶，灵清雾海之外，就只剩下林轩与那龙姓修士两个。
The voice entered his ears with no emotion, devoid of any hint of joy or anger.
yáo yáo duì zhì ， lín xuān dì yī cì miàn duì fēn shén jí bié de xiū shì 。
遥遥对峙，林轩第一次面对分神级别的修士。
"Senior flatters me," Lin Xuan still maintained an unassuming demeanor.
“ nǐ hěn yǒu dǎn sè 。”
“你很有胆色。”
"If you really want to do that, I would've acted long ago," he said with a smile.
duì fāng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， lǐ miàn sī háo gǎn qíng yě wú ， tīng bù chū xǐ nù 。
对方的声音传入耳朵，里面丝毫感情也无，听不出喜怒。
"You are very clever and your judgment is good. Do you have any interest in joining my Cloud Concealment Sect?" The white-haired youth's face showed a trace of appreciation as he spoke unexpectedly.
“ qián bèi guò yù le 。” lín xuān yī jiù biǎo xiàn dé bù kàng bù bēi de 。
“前辈过誉了。”林轩依旧表现得不亢不卑的。
"Joining your sect?" Lin Xuan seemed taken aback: "Senior, are you offering me goodwill? Could it be that you're not afraid I'm an agent from a rival sect who infiltrated here?"
“ nǐ jiù bù pà wǒ jiāng nǐ shā le ， suī rán nǐ hěn qiáng ， dàn nǐ yīng gāi xīn zhōng yǒu shù ， qū qū yī míng dòng xuán zhōng qī de xiū shì ， shì wú duì kàng wǒ 。”
“你就不怕我将你杀了，虽然你很强，但你应该心中有数，区区一名洞玄中期的修士，是无对抗我。”
"Haha, an agent from a rival sect? If any sect had such a talented cultivator, they would treasure him and hide him away to prevent any disturbances. They wouldn't send him on a mission like this.
“ qián bèi rú guǒ zhēn yào nà me zuò ， zhōu cái jiù dòng shǒu le 。” lín xuān wēi xiào zhe shuō 。
“前辈如果真要那么做，州才就动手了。”林轩微笑着说。
Lin Xuan fell silent. No wonder he was a Spirit Formation cultivator—his intellect far surpassed that of ordinary cultivators in both strength and flexibility.
“ nǐ hěn cōng míng ， suǒ liào yě shì bù cuò ， zěn me yàng ， yǒu méi yǒu xìng qù jiā rù wǒ yún yǐn zōng ？“ bái fà shào nián de liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī xīn shǎng zhī sè ， chū rén yì liào de kāi kǒu le 。
“你很聪明，所料也是不错，怎么样，有没有兴趣加入我云隐宗？“白发少年的脸上露出一丝欣赏之色，出人意料的开口了。
His analysis was correct; no sect would let such a genius go on a covert operation.
“ jiā rù guì pài ？” lín xuān biǎo qíng fǎng fú yī dāi ：“ qián bèi jū rán shì yào biǎo dá shàn yì ， nán dào nǐ yě bù pà ， wǒ shì dí duì mén pài de jiān xì ， qián rù zhè lǐ ？”
“加入贵派？”林轩表情仿佛一呆：“前辈居然是要表达善意，难道你也不怕，我是敌对门派的奸细，潜入这里？”
"How about it, your potential is impressive. If you can advance to Spirit Formation, even the head elder wouldn't be able to match you. Would you like to join my Cloud Concealment Sect? The terms are very favorable, and I could make you the leader of one of the peaks. If you want to focus on cultivation, our sect would provide plenty of crystal stones for your support," the white-haired youth's voice filled with temptation.
“ xiào huà ， dí duì mén pài de jiān xì ？ ruò shì nǎ ge mén pài yǒu zhè yàng de tiān cái xiū shì ， bù bǎo bèi bān de cáng zài zǒng duò ， ràng tā bù shòu dǎ rǎo de xiū xíng ， fǎn ér pài dào dí duì zōng mén wò dǐ ， chú fēi gāi mén pài de zhǎng kòng zhě tóu nǎo yǒu wèn tí 。
“笑话，敌对门派的奸细？若是哪个门派有这样的天才修士，不宝贝般的藏在总舵，让他不受打扰的修行，反而派到敌对宗门卧底，除非该门派的掌控者头脑有问题。
Lin Xuan didn't immediately respond but fell silent instead.
lín xuān xiàn rù le chén mò ， bù kuì shì fēn shén qī xiū xiān zhě ， bù jǐn shí lì lìng rén chēng mù jié shé ， tóu nǎo de líng huó ， yě yuǎn yuǎn shèng guò pǔ tōng xiū xiān zhě 。
林轩陷入了沉默，不愧是分神期修仙者，不仅实力令人瞠目结舌，头脑的灵活，也远远胜过普通修仙者。
The other party didn't urge him either; they just floated facing each other.
tā de fēn xī méi cuò ， méi yǒu nǎ ge mén pài huì shě de ràng zhè yàng de tiān cái chū qù zuò wò dǐ de 。
他的分析没错，没有哪个门派会舍得让这样的天才出去做卧底的。
"Alright, how do you feel about it?"
“ zěn me yàng ， nǐ de qián lì ， wǒ hěn xīn shǎng ， rú guǒ nǐ néng gòu jìn jiē fēn shén qī ， biàn shì lǎo dà ， yě fēi nǐ zhī dí ， nǐ kě yuàn yì jiā rù wǒ yún yǐn zōng ， tiáo jiàn fēi cháng yōu hòu ， wǒ shèn zhì kě yǐ ràng nǐ zuò yī fēng zhī zhǔ ， nǐ ruò shì xiǎng yào kǔ xiū ， běn pài yě huì tí gōng fēi cháng duō de jīng shí gòng fèng 。“ bái fà shào nián de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， lǐ miàn chōng mǎn le yòu huò 。
“怎么样，你的潜力，我很欣赏，如果你能够进阶分神期，便是老大，也非你之敌，你可愿意加入我云隐宗，条件非常优厚，我甚至可以让你做一峰之主，你若是想要苦修，本派也会提供非常多的晶石供奉。“白发少年的声音传入耳朵，里面充满了诱惑。
"Senior, I am grateful for your kindness. However, I'm more curious as to why you want to recruit me."
lín xuān què méi yǒu lì kè huí dá shén me ， ér shì xiàn rù le chén mò 。
林轩却没有立刻回答什么，而是陷入了沉默。
"You're asking a question you already know the answer to, friend. Talented cultivators like you who are independent are of interest to any sect or family. Joining our sect would be beneficial to you and us. It's a win-win situation. How about it? I've been straightforward; do you still think my sincerity is insufficient?"
duì fāng yě bù cuī cù ， liǎng rén jiù miàn duì miàn de xuán fú 。
对方也不催促，两人就面对面的悬浮。
"Senior, if I don't show some indication now, it would seem disrespectful. I'm not someone who turns down good offers. When I infiltrated your sect, it was just to find a good spiritual land for cultivation. With such generous intentions from Senior, how could I refuse?" Lin Xuan spoke with propriety.
xǐ jiǔ ！
喜久！
"Very well, joining our sect will definitely be worth it. I will honor my promise and make you the leader of one of the peaks," the white-haired youth said joyfully.
“ rú hé ， nǐ kǎo lǜ dé zěn me yàng ne ？”
“如何，你考虑得怎么样呢？”
"Thank you, Senior."
“ qián bèi bù zuì zhī ēn ， lín mǒu hěn gǎn jī ， zhǐ shì wǒ gèng hào qí ， nǐ wèi hé yào zhāo lǎn wǒ ？“
“前辈不罪之恩，林某很感激，只是我更好奇，你为何要招揽我？“
Lin Xuan bowed respectfully, saying he would not regret his decision. For him, such a superficial exchange was nothing.
“ dào yǒu shì míng zhī gù wèn me ， xiàng nǐ zhè yàng yǒu qián zhì dì xiū xiān zhě ， yòu shì sàn xiū ， wǒ xiǎng rèn hé yí gè zōng mén jiā zú ， dū huì yǒu xìng qù ， jiā rù běn mén ， duì nǐ yǒu hǎo chù ， duì běn mén yòu hé cháng bú shì ne ， zhè shì hé zé liǎng lì de shì qíng ， zěn me yàng ， lǎo fū yǐ kāi mén jiàn shān de shuō dé nà me qīng chǔ ， mò fēi nǐ hái xián wǒ de chéng yì bù gòu me ？”
“道友是明知故问么，像你这样有潜质的修仙者，又是散修，我想任何一个宗门家族，都会有兴趣，加入本门，对你有好处，对本门又何尝不是呢，这是合则两利的事情，怎么样，老夫已开门见山的说得那么清楚，莫非你还嫌我的诚意不够么？”
It was mutual exploitation for both sides—though he couldn't fully trust what the other party said, there was still some sincerity. Besides, Lin Xuan didn't want to fight a Spirit Formation old monster and indeed needed a place to cultivate.
“ qián bèi huà shuō dào zhè yī bù ， lín mǒu ruò zài bù yǒu suǒ biǎo shì jiù xiǎn de bù shí xiàng ， zài xià bìng fēi bù shí hǎo dǎi de rén wù ， dāng chū wǒ qián fú yú guì zōng ， yě bù guò shì xiǎng jiè yī hǎo de líng dì xiū liàn bà le ， qián bèi jì yǒu rú cǐ měi yì ， wǎn bèi gǎn bù cóng mìng me ？” lín xuān shí fēn shàng dào de shuō 。
“前辈话说到这一步，林某若再不有所表示就显得不识相，在下并非不识好歹的人物，当初我潜伏于贵宗，也不过是想借一好的灵地修炼罢了，前辈既有如此美意，晚辈敢不从命么？”林轩十分上道的说。
Today's writing is done. Sorry for the low efficiency due to illness; please forgive me.
Fighting him wasn't an option, and letting him go would bring about numerous consequences.
Stuck in this predicament, he was at a loss as to what to do. The situation was indeed described perfectly by the phrase "at a crossroads."
For a moment, everyone froze, regretting their decision to come here.
After all, things had progressed to such an extent that pretending they didn't see anything was no longer an option.
However, just then, Lin Xuan's composed expression suddenly vanished. He looked up as if he'd discovered something important, his face becoming extremely serious. He spoke slowly and clearly: "Senior, since you've arrived here, why not show yourself? With your strength, wouldn't you be trying to ambush me?"
Before the words were fully out of his mouth, a series of raucous laughter echoed in their ears.
"Indeed, indeed. How long has it been since anyone dared speak to me like this? I can hardly remember."
The others were stunned, and the cultivators of Cloud Concealment Sect couldn't help feeling both surprised and delighted.
"Senior Master Dragon!"
They hadn't expected one of the senior elders, who was also a top elder, to be here. The cultivators of Cloud Concealment Sect felt relieved as well, although they still couldn't determine Lin Xuan's true strength. Letting him go or trying to keep him here were both headache-inducing choices.
At this moment, Senior Master Dragon coming here was like a lifeline for them.
How difficult could the opponent be?
Could he possibly face off against a Spirit Formation cultivator?
"Greetings, Senior!"
Accompanied by these words, an overwhelming spiritual pressure descended from the sky.
The clouds and winds changed color as the entire mountain trembled continuously. Pebbles fell one after another, making it seem like the Golden Core Peak was about to collapse.
Pfft... pfft...
Several cultivators of this lineage were among the weakest in the group, unable to withstand it, and they all knelt down with a thud.
To be honest, even if they hadn't been there, the other Core Formation cultivators would have had expressions that could only be described as grim. They were just holding on by sheer willpower.
The gap between Core Formation and Spirit Formation was so great—just this spiritual pressure alone made it impossible for them to move.
Only then did Lin Xuan truly realize the difference in strength compared to his peers.
Among the cultivators present, he was the only one who could remain calm under such a spiritual pressure, showing no signs of disturbance.
Lin Xuan turned his head to look at the left side. The spiritual pressure and voice were both coming from that direction.
Boom!
A loud noise filled their ears as lightning streaked down from mid-air. Following this, brilliant light shone, and celestial music rose into the sky. A handsome young man with white hair appeared in the air.
Yes, it was a young man with white hair.
His face was so handsome it almost seemed otherworldly, but his eyes were filled with an air of沧桑 (suffering). His ears were also different from normal people—pointed—and his eyes, full of suffering, were silver.
Lin Xuan's pupils constricted. Could this guy be a Spirit Formation cultivator with the bloodline of a妖族 (younger race)?
Thoughts raced through his mind as the figure moved swiftly, shoulder slightly moving to cross several hundred feet and arrive beside him.
"This..." Lin Xuan's eyes involuntarily twitched. An expert's move could reveal much.
The guy's teleportation was so subtle that it surpassed Nine Heavens Microstep.
Indeed, he was no ordinary old monster; he had mastered some spatial secrets.
"You can all leave now. I will handle this matter," the white-haired youth said coldly.
"Of course!"
The Cloud Concealment cultivators naturally had no objections and respectfully bowed before retreating one by one.
Soon, only Lin Xuan and the Dragon-named cultivator remained on Golden Core Peak outside the spiritual clear mist.
Facing each other from afar, this was the first time Lin Xuan faced a Spirit Formation cultivator.
"You have courage."
The voice entered his ears with no emotion, devoid of any hint of joy or anger.
"Senior flatters me," Lin Xuan still maintained an unassuming demeanor.
"If you really want to do that, I would've acted long ago," he said with a smile.
"You are very clever and your judgment is good. Do you have any interest in joining my Cloud Concealment Sect?" The white-haired youth's face showed a trace of appreciation as he spoke unexpectedly.
"Joining your sect?" Lin Xuan seemed taken aback: "Senior, are you offering me goodwill? Could it be that you're not afraid I'm an agent from a rival sect who infiltrated here?"
"Haha, an agent from a rival sect? If any sect had such a talented cultivator, they would treasure him and hide him away to prevent any disturbances. They wouldn't send him on a mission like this.
Lin Xuan fell silent. No wonder he was a Spirit Formation cultivator—his intellect far surpassed that of ordinary cultivators in both strength and flexibility.
His analysis was correct; no sect would let such a genius go on a covert operation.
"How about it, your potential is impressive. If you can advance to Spirit Formation, even the head elder wouldn't be able to match you. Would you like to join my Cloud Concealment Sect? The terms are very favorable, and I could make you the leader of one of the peaks. If you want to focus on cultivation, our sect would provide plenty of crystal stones for your support," the white-haired youth's voice filled with temptation.
Lin Xuan didn't immediately respond but fell silent instead.
The other party didn't urge him either; they just floated facing each other.
"Alright, how do you feel about it?"
"Senior, I am grateful for your kindness. However, I'm more curious as to why you want to recruit me."
"You're asking a question you already know the answer to, friend. Talented cultivators like you who are independent are of interest to any sect or family. Joining our sect would be beneficial to you and us. It's a win-win situation. How about it? I've been straightforward; do you still think my sincerity is insufficient?"
"Senior, if I don't show some indication now, it would seem disrespectful. I'm not someone who turns down good offers. When I infiltrated your sect, it was just to find a good spiritual land for cultivation. With such generous intentions from Senior, how could I refuse?" Lin Xuan spoke with propriety.
"Very well, joining our sect will definitely be worth it. I will honor my promise and make you the leader of one of the peaks," the white-haired youth said joyfully.
"Thank you, Senior."
Lin Xuan bowed respectfully, saying he would not regret his decision. For him, such a superficial exchange was nothing.
It was mutual exploitation for both sides—though he couldn't fully trust what the other party said, there was still some sincerity. Besides, Lin Xuan didn't want to fight a Spirit Formation old monster and indeed needed a place to cultivate.
Today's writing is done. Sorry for the low efficiency due to illness; please forgive me.