lǎo zhě huǎn huǎn zhēng kāi le shuāng móu ， yǎn zhōng shén guāng zhàn rán ， lín xuān xīn zhōng yī lǐn ， tóng yàng shì dù jié chū qī lǎo guài wù de huà shēn ， yǎn qián zhè jiā huo ， què míng xiǎn bǐ tiān yún shèng zǔ de nà jù huà shēn qiáng dé duō 。～ suí mèng xiǎo shuō ，.com
老者缓缓睁开了双眸，眼中神光湛然，林轩心中一凛，同样是渡劫初期老怪物的化身，眼前这家伙，却明显比天云圣祖的那具化身强得多。～随夢小說，.com
The elderly man slowly opened his eyes, and a divine light shone in them. Lin Xuan's heart tightened; this was clearly more powerful than the avatar of the Celestial Cloud Saint Ancestor he had faced before.
lín xuān zì xìn bú huì kàn cuò ， zhè shì zěn me huí shì ne ？
林轩自信不会看错，这是怎么回事呢？
Lin Xuan confidently believed he hadn't misjudged it. But what could be going on?
xīn zhōng jīng yí ， bù guò biǎo miàn shàng ， lín xuān què fēn háo yì sè bù lù ， bì jìng bú shì dì yī cì miàn duì zhè zhǒng děng jí de cún zài le ， lín xuān de biǎo xiàn ， zì rán yào bǐ yì bān xiū shì cóng róng dé duō 。
心中惊疑，不过表面上，林轩却分毫异色不露，毕竟不是第一次面对这种等级的存在了，林轩的表现，自然要比一般修士从容得多。
His mind was filled with doubts, but his expression remained unchanged. After all, he wasn't facing such a being for the first time; Lin Xuan's demeanor was naturally more composed than that of an ordinary cultivator.
qīng líng zūn zhě de liǎn shàng yě lù chū yī sī yì sè ， dù jié qī lǎo guài wù de yǎn guāng bù yòng huái yí ， jǐn jǐn shì yī yǎn sǎo guò ， tā jiù kàn chū lín xuān de bù fán le 。
青灵尊者的脸上也露出一丝异色，渡劫期老怪物的眼光不用怀疑，仅仅是一眼扫过，他就看出林轩的不凡了。
The Venerable Qing Ling also showed a hint of surprise on his face. The eyes of a late-stage Tribulation Transcender couldn't be doubted; just by glancing at Lin Xuan, he could tell the young man was extraordinary.
yú shì tài dù yě jiù pǒ wèi píng hé ， bìng méi yǒu yīn wèi duì fāng xiū wèi jiào dī ， jiù lù chū xiǎo kàn zhī yì 。
于是态度也就颇为平和，并没有因为对方修为较低，就露出小看之意。
Thus, his attitude was quite calm and did not show any contempt for the lower cultivation stage of the other party.
“ dào yǒu bù yòng duō lǐ ， qǐng zuò 。”
“道友不用多礼，请坐。”
"Friend, no need to be so polite. Please take a seat."
“ xiè qián bèi ！”
“谢前辈！”
"Thank you, Senior!"
lín xuān bào quán xíng le yī lǐ ， suí hòu yě bù jū shù ， jiù zài nà zhāng yǐ zi shàng zuò xià lái le 。
林轩抱拳行了一礼，随后也不拘束，就在那张椅子上坐下来了。
Lin Xuan bowed respectfully and then sat down on the chair without further ado. He had interacted with the Venerable Nai Long before; this was just an avatar of a late-stage Tribulation Transcender, after all—what could he be nervous about?
nài lóng zhēn rén tā yě bǎ jiǔ yán huān guò ， qū qū yī dù jié chū qī lǎo guài wù de huà shēn ér yǐ ， lín xuān yòu zěn me huì zuò lì bù ān ne ？
鼐龙真人他也把酒言欢过，区区一渡劫初期老怪物的化身而已，林轩又怎么会坐立不安呢？
This demeanor made the Venerable Qing Ling admire Lin Xuan even more.
rú cǐ qì dù ， què shì ràng qīng líng zūn zhě xīn zhé ， yuè fā duì cǐ zi gāo kàn le 。
如此气度，却是让青灵尊者心折，越发对此子高看了。
"Is it true that you've posted your name on the notice board in the Spirit Tree City?"
“ dào yǒu kě shì zài shù xiān chéng jiē le bǎng wén ？” duì fāng bìng méi yǒu gù zuǒ yòu ér yán tā ， zhí jiē qiē rù zhèng tí ， xiǎn de gān cuì wú bǐ 。
“道友可是在树仙城揭了榜文？”对方并没有顾左右而言他，直接切入正题，显得干脆无比。
Without beating around the bush, the other party directly got to the point, showing a straightforward nature.
“ bù cuò 。” lín xuān tǎn dàng yì cháng de kāi kǒu le 。
“不错。”林轩坦荡异常的开口了。
"Yes."
jiàn duì fāng huí dá dé nà me cóng róng ， qīng líng zūn zhě liǎn shàng bù yóu de lù chū dà xǐ zhī sè ：“ zhè me shuō ， dào yǒu shǒu lǐ shì yǒu yōu mó luó huā me ？”
见对方回答得那么从容，青灵尊者脸上不由得露出大喜之色：“这么说，道友手里是有幽魔萝huā么？”
Lin Xuan spoke frankly.
“ ń 。” lín xuān diǎn le diǎn tóu ， liǎn shàng lù chū píng hé de xiào róng ：“ ruò méi yǒu cǐ wù ， wǎn bèi yòu zěn me gǎn mào mèi de qù jiē nà bǎng wén ne ？”
“嗯。”林轩点了点头，脸上露出平和的笑容：“若没有此物，晚辈又怎么敢冒昧的去揭那榜文呢？”
Seeing his calm response, the Venerable Qing Ling couldn't help but show joy. "So, you have the Dark Demon Lily Flower, right?"
“ hǎo 。”
“好。”
"Indeed," Lin Xuan nodded with a peaceful smile on his face: "If I didn't have this item, how could I have the audacity to post my name on that notice board?"
qīng líng zūn zhě xǐ dòng yú sè ， tà pò tiě xié wú mì chù ， dé lái quán bù fèi gōng fu ， ài zi yǒu jiù ， tā xīn zhōng zì rán shì huān xǐ yì cháng de ：“ jì yǒu bǎo wù ， kě fǒu ná chū lái ràng lǎo fū yī guān ne ？”
青灵尊者喜动于色，踏破铁鞋无觅处，得来全不费工夫，爱子有救，他心中自然是欢喜异常的：“既有宝物，可否拿出来让老夫一观呢？”
"Very well."
“ zhè shì yīng gāi de 。”
“这是应该的。”
The Venerable Qing Ling's expression was filled with joy. He had searched far and wide for it, but now he had found it effortlessly. His son might be saved; his heart was naturally overjoyed.
lín xuān huà yīn wèi luò ， shēn chū shǒu lái ， zài yāo jiān yī pāi ， líng guāng yào yǎn ， yí gè yù hé fēi lüè chū lái 。
林轩话音未落，伸出手来，在腰间一拍，灵光耀眼，一个玉盒飞掠出来。
"If you have such a treasure, could I take a look at it?"
zhǎng chǐ xǔ ， biǎo miàn líng guāng liú lí ， biàn shì cǐ wù ， yě pǒ yǒu bù fán zhī chù ， gèng bú yào shuō lǐ miàn suǒ zhuāng zài de bǎo bèi le 。
长尺许，表面灵光琉璃，便是此物，也颇有不凡之处，更不要说里面所装载的宝贝了。
"It is only right."
lín xuān shǒu yī dǒu ， gāi yù hé jiù bèi yī céng líng guāng bāo guǒ ， huǎn huǎn de xiàng qián miàn fēi qù le 。
林轩手一抖，该玉盒就被一层灵光包裹，缓缓的像前面飞去了。
Before Lin Xuan finished speaking, he extended his hand and patted his waist. A dazzling light enveloped the area as an jade box flew out.
qīng líng zūn zhě bìng wú chí yí ， shēn shǒu jiē zhù ， suí hòu qū zhǐ yī dàn ,“ pā ” de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr biān ， nà hé gài yǐ fēi le qǐ lái 。
青灵尊者并无迟疑，伸手接住，随后屈指一弹,“啪”的声音传入耳边，那盒盖已飞了起来。
It was about a foot long, with a surface of luminous glass. This item itself had some extraordinary qualities, let alone what treasures were inside it.
yī zhū líng yào yìng rù yǎn lián 。
一株灵药映入眼帘。
Lin Xuan shook his hand, and the jade box was wrapped in a layer of light, slowly flying towards him.
zuò chún hēi sè ， tā de yè zi xíng zhuàng pǒ wèi qí tè ， shù liàng yě shì jí duō ， wò zài shǒu lǐ ， yào xiāng pū bí 。
做纯黑色，它的叶子形状颇为奇特，数量也是极多，握在手里，药香扑鼻。
The Venerable Qing Ling did not hesitate; he reached out to catch it. Then, with a flick of his fingers, "Pap" went the sound into his ears, and the lid flew up.
qīng líng zūn zhě hé děng liǎo de ， rán ér cǐ shí cǐ kè ， yě rěn bú zhù yǒu xiē hún shēn fā dǒu ， bì jìng cǐ wù guān xì zhe ài zi de mìng yùn rú hé ， tā zěn me kě néng bù shàng xīn ne ？
青灵尊者何等了得，然而此时此刻，也忍不住有些浑身发抖，毕竟此物关系着爱子的命运如何，他怎么可能不上心呢？
A spirit herb came into view.
yòu shǒu ná qǐ ， xì xì guān mó ， guò le zú yǒu yī zhǎn chá de gōng fu ， cái shēn shēn hū xī ， tǔ chū yī kǒu xiōng zhōng de zhuó qì ：“ bù cuò ， guǒ rán shì yōu mó luó huā， ér qiě shì wàn nián yǐ shàng de bǎo wù ， zhè dōng xī duì lǎo fū zhèng hǎo shì hé ， bù zhī dào yǒu dǎ suàn yòng shén me fāng guān jiāo huàn ne ？”
右手拿起，细细观摩，过了足有一盏茶的功夫，才深深呼吸，吐出一口胸中的浊气：“不错，果然是幽魔萝huā，而且是万年以上的宝物，这东西对老夫正好适合，不知道友打算用什么方关交换呢？”
It was pure black, its leaves were oddly shaped, and there were many of them. The medicinal aroma was overwhelming when held in one's hand.
“ duō xiè qián bèi ， jīng shí fǎ bǎo ， lín mǒu bìng bù huò quē shén me ， zhǐ xū yào qián bèi de yí gè chéng nuò 。”
“多谢前辈，晶石法宝，林某并不或缺什么，只需要前辈的一个承诺。”
The Venerable Qing Ling was no ordinary cultivator; yet at this moment, he couldn't help trembling slightly. After all, the fate of his beloved son hung on this item—how could he not care?
“ chéng nuò ？”
“承诺？”
He picked it up with his right hand and examined it carefully. After a full cup of tea's worth of time, he took a deep breath and expelled some stale air: "Indeed, it is the Dark Demon Lily Flower. And it’s an ancient treasure over ten thousand years old. This item suits me well; what do you plan to exchange for it?"
“ bù cuò 。”
“不错。”
"Thank you, Senior. I don't lack anything in terms of crystal treasures or magical artifacts. All I need from you is a promise."
“ nǐ xiǎng hǎo le ， ruò shì xuǎn zé bǎo wù de huà ， lǎo fū suǒ gěi de bào chóu ， jué duì huì ràng nǐ chēng mù ， yǐ hòu shù wàn nián de xiū xíng dōu bú huì yǒu yōu chóu 。” qīng líng zūn zhě méi tou yí zhòu ， rú cǐ zhè bān de kāi kǒu 。“ zhè wǎn bèi zì rán shì xìn de ， bù guò wǒ jué de yǔ dù jié qī qián bèi de chéng nuò xiāng bǐ ， shén me bǎo wù dōu bù zhí yī tí 。” lín xuān de zuǐ jiǎo biān liú lù chū yī sī xiào yì ， tā zì rán shì yǒu zì jǐ de jiān chí 。
“你想好了，若是选择宝物的话，老夫所给的报酬，绝对会让你瞠目，以后数万年的修行都不会有忧愁。”青灵尊者眉头一皱，如此这般的开口。“这晚辈自然是信的，不过我觉得与渡劫期前辈的承诺相比，什么宝物都不值一提。”林轩的嘴角边流露出一丝笑意，他自然是有自己的坚持。
"A promise?"
qīng líng zūn zhě tàn le kǒu qì ， duì fāng jì rán zuò cǐ jué zé ， yǐ tā de shēn fèn ， zì rán bù hǎo shí yán shén me ， yú shì yě jiù bù zài quàn shuō ， shēn chū shǒu lái ， zhǐ jiàn shǒu wàn fān zhuǎn ， zhǎng xīn zhōng yǐ chū xiàn le yī méi lìng pái 。
青灵尊者叹了口气，对方既然做此抉择，以他的身份，自然不好食言什么，于是也就不再劝说，伸出手来，只见手腕翻转，掌心中已出现了一枚令牌。
"You've thought this through. If you choose the treasure as your reward, my offer will be so generous that you won’t believe it. Your future cultivation for tens of thousands of years will have no worries," the Venerable Qing Ling frowned and spoke in such a manner.
zuò dàn qīng sè ， bìng bù shèn qǐ yǎn ， rán ér cǐ lìng pái shì shén me cái zhì ， yǐ lín xuān jiàn shí zhī guǎng bó ， què yě biàn rèn bù chū 。
做淡青色，并不甚起眼，然而此令牌是什么材质，以林轩见识之广博，却也辨认不出。
Of course, Lin Xuan knew he could trust him. However, he felt that compared to the promise from a late-stage Tribulation Transcender, any treasure was insignificant.
“ yǐ hòu nǐ chí cǐ lìng fú ， kě yǐ lái wàng kōng shān zhǎo wǒ ， bù lùn shén me yāo qiú ， lǎo fū lì suǒ néng jí ， jué bú huì tuī jù 。”
“以后你持此令符，可以来望空山找我，不论什么要求，老夫力所能及，绝不会推拒。”
A smile played on the corner of Lin Xuan's mouth; he had his own principles.
“ wàng kōng shān ？”
“望空山？”
"Alright!"
“ bù cuò ， nà lǐ shì lǎo fū běn tǐ de jū suǒ ， jù tǐ gāi zěn me zǒu ， lìng fú shàng yǒu miáo shù ， wǒ yě jiù bù zài duō shuō 。” qīng líng zūn zhě rú cǐ zhè bān de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ 。
“不错，那里是老夫本体的居所，具体该怎么走，令符上有描述，我也就不再多说。”青灵尊者如此这般的声音传入耳朵。
The Venerable Qing Ling sighed. Since the other party had made this choice, as someone of his status, it wouldn’t be proper to go back on his word. He didn't persuade further and extended his hand. His wrist flipped, and a token appeared in his palm.
“ duō xiè qián bèi 。”
“多谢前辈。”
It was light blue and unremarkable. However, Lin Xuan, with his vast experience, couldn’t identify the material from which it was made.
lín xuān jiāng fǎ lì zhù rù ， nà lìng fú shàng líng guāng yī xiàn ， guǒ rán fú xiàn chū yī fú dì tú ， lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū mǎn yì zhī sè ， shǒu yī dǒu ， nà lìng fú yǐ huá rù qí yī xiù zhī zhōng 。
林轩将法力注入，那令符上灵光一现，果然浮现出一幅地图，林轩脸上露出满意之色，手一抖，那令符已滑入其衣袖之中。
"From now on, you can use this command token to visit me at Mount Wàngkōng. No matter what your request is, as long as I can fulfill it, I will not refuse."
“ jì rú cǐ ， wǎn bèi gào cí 。”
“既如此，晚辈告辞。”
"Wángkōng Mountain?"
lín xuān wān yāo xíng le yī lǐ ， bù kàng bù bēi ， qì dù cóng róng ， yǐn yǐn yǔ duì fāng píng qí ， jǐn jǐn shì kǒu tóu shàng yǐ wǎn bèi zì jū 。
林轩弯腰行了一礼，不亢不卑，气度从容，隐隐与对方平齐，仅仅是口头上以晚辈自居。
"Yes, that's where my true form resides. The route is described on the token; I won't say more," the Venerable Qing Ling said.
zhè dāng rán bú shì yóu yú lín xuān mù zhōng wú rén de yuán gù ， yǐ tā de xìng gé ， yòu zěn me kě néng wàng zì zūn dà ne ？
这当然不是由于林轩目中无人的缘故，以他的性格，又怎么可能妄自尊大呢？
"Thank you, Senior."
lín xuān zhī suǒ yǐ rú cǐ ， shì yīn wèi yǎn qián bìng fēi qīng líng zūn zhě de běn tǐ ， shuō lái shuō qù ， yě jǐn jǐn shì yī jù huà shēn ér yǐ 。
林轩之所以如此，是因为眼前并非青灵尊者的本体，说来说去，也仅仅是一具化身而已。
Lin Xuan injected his spiritual energy into the command token, and a map appeared before him. He was satisfied with this and tossed it into his sleeve.
jì rán rú cǐ ， zì jǐ yòu hé bì nà me bēi gōng qū xī 。
既然如此，自己又何必那么卑躬屈膝。
"Since that's settled, I bid you farewell."
bù guǎn rú hé ， zhè yóu shù xiān chéng yán shēn chū lái de xiǎo chā qǔ ， zǒng suàn shì jiē dà huān xǐ ， lín xuān dé dào le duì fāng de chéng nuò ， suī rán xiàn zài duì zì jǐ lái shuō ， bù yí dìng yǒu shén me yòng tú ， dàn zài guān jiàn shí kè ， què néng fā huī chū nán yǐ xiǎng xiàng de xiào guǒ 。
不管如何，这由树仙城延伸出来的小插曲，总算是皆大欢喜，林轩得到了对方的承诺，虽然现在对自己来说，不一定有什么用途，但在关键时刻，却能发挥出难以想象的效果。
Lin Xuan bowed respectfully; neither arrogant nor humble, he maintained a calm demeanor, almost on par with the other party in terms of status.
yǐ yī zhū zì jǐ bù yòng de líng huā huàn qǔ dù jié qī lǎo guài wù de chéng nuò ， suī shuō shì gè qǔ suǒ xū ， dàn zài zì jǐ ， bù guǎn zěn me ， dōu shì wěn zhuàn bù péi de 。
以一株自己不用的灵huā换取渡劫期老怪物的承诺，虽说是各取所需，但在自己，不管怎么，都是稳赚不赔的。
This wasn't due to Lin Xuan’s arrogance; his personality wouldn’t allow such an attitude.
lín xuān xīn qíng bù cuò ， xiàn zài yě méi yǒu bì yào jì xù zài wài miàn yóu dàng dān gē ， gāi huí yún yǐn zōng yī tàng le 。
林轩心情不错，现在也没有必要继续在外面游荡耽搁，该回云隐宗一趟了。
Lin Xuan acted this way because the Venerable Qing Ling was not his true form but merely an avatar. There was no need for him to be overly submissive.
chū le tiān xiáng shān mài ， lín xuān qǔ dào xiàng dōng ， fēi le dà yuē liǎng gè shí chén zhī jiǔ ， qián fāng de dì píng xiàn shàng ， yòu chū xiàn le yī zuò xióng chéng de lún kuò 。
出了天翔山脉，林轩取道向东，飞了大约两个时辰之久，前方的地平线上，又出现了一座雄城的轮廓。
Regardless, this small detour from Spirit Tree City had a happy ending. Lin Xuan received the other party's promise, which might not have immediate use for him now but could prove invaluable in critical moments.
hàn hǎi chéng ！
瀚海城！
Exchanging a useless spirit flower for a late-stage Tribulation Transcender’s promise was mutually beneficial; it was definitely advantageous to Lin Xuan.
lín xuān liǎn shàng bìng méi yǒu lù chū yì sè ， tā zǎo jiù zhī dào zhè lǐ yǒu yī zuò xiū xiān zhě de dà chéng le 。
林轩脸上并没有露出异色，他早就知道这里有一座修仙者的大城了。
Feeling content, Lin Xuan didn't need to linger outside any longer. He should return to the Cloud Concealment Sect.
lín xuān fēi le guò qù ， jìn chéng de guò chéng lüè guò bù tí ， yǔ yǐ qián de jīng lì ， yě bù guò shì dà tóng xiǎo yì 。
林轩飞了过去，进城的过程略过不提，与以前的经历，也不过是大同小异。
Exiting the Tianxiang Range, Lin Xuan took a route east and flew for about two hours until he saw the outline of a grand city on the horizon.
zhè yī cì ， lín xuān zài méi yǒu xián qíng yì zhì qù guàng shén me fāng shì ， suī tán bù shàng guī xīn sì jiàn ， dàn yě méi yǒu bì yào ， yì zhí zhè me zài wài miàn tuō yán 。
这一次，林轩再没有闲情逸致去逛什么坊市，虽谈不上归心似箭，但也没有必要，一直这么在外面拖延。
Hansei City!
zhè hàn hǎi chéng yě shì yǒu chuán sòng zhèn dì ， ér qiě hěn róng yì dǎ tīng ， jiù zài chéng xī shí fēn xiǎn yǎn de wèi zhì ， lín xuān jiào guò yī liàng shòu chē ， jiāng zì jǐ zài le guò qù 。
这瀚海城也是有传送阵地，而且很容易打听，就在城西十分显眼的位置，林轩叫过一辆兽车，将自己载了过去。
Lin Xuan's expression remained unchanged; he knew there was such a large city for cultivators here.
hěn kuài ， yī zuò qì shì bù fán de jiàn zhù chū xiàn zài le yǎn lián lǐ ， lín xuān diū gěi gǎn chē de xiū shì yī kuài gāo jiē jīng shí ， jiù mài bù zǒu le jìn qù 。
很快，一座气势不凡的建筑出现在了眼帘里，林轩丢给赶车的修士一块高阶晶石，就迈步走了进去。
Lin Xuan flew over and entered the city without much ado. The process of entering wasn't mentioned, as it was similar to his previous experiences.
“ qián bèi ， qǐng wèn yǒu shén me kě yǐ bāng dào nǐ de 。” lín xuān gāng jìn qù ， jiù yǒu yī míng dào zhuāng dǎ bàn de xiū shì zǒu le guò lái ， jìng jiè què bù zhí yī tí ， níng dān qī 。
“前辈，请问有什么可以帮到你的。”林轩刚进去，就有一名道装打扮的修士走了过来，境界却不值一提，凝丹期。
This time, Lin Xuan had no leisurely interest in visiting markets or bazaars. Although he wasn’t eager to return home, there was no need; he could continue this journey indefinitely.
“ lín mǒu xiǎng yào qù tiān shuāng jùn chǔ guó 。”
“林某想要去天霜郡楚国。”
Hansei City also had a teleportation array, and it was easy to find. It was prominently located on the western side of the city. Lin Xuan called for a carriage and got in.
lín xuān mù guāng zài xiǎo dào shì de shēn shàng sǎo guò ， dàn rán de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ 。
林轩目光在小道士的身上扫过，淡然的声音传入耳朵。
Soon, an impressive building came into view. Lin Xuan handed a high-grade crystal stone to the driver and walked inside.
“ tiān shuāng jùn ？”
“天霜郡？”
"Senior, is there anything I can assist you with?"
nà xiǎo dào shì yī dāi ， ná guò zhèn tú chá yuè piàn kè ， kǔ zhe liǎn kāi kǒu le ：“ jù lí zhè ér tài yuǎn ， běn chéng de chuán sòng zhèn ， chuán bú dào nà ér qù de 。”
那小道士一呆，拿过阵图查阅片刻，苦着脸开口了：“距离这儿太远，本城的传送阵，传不到那儿去的。”
A young Daoist dressed in robes approached as soon as Lin Xuan entered; his cultivation stage was only at the Condensation Core stage.
“ nà zhǎo yí gè zuì kào jìn tiān shuāng jùn de dì fāng chuán sòng jiù kě yǐ le 。” lín xuān liǎn shàng bìng wú yì sè ， yī biān shuō ， yī biān xiàng qián miàn de chuán sòng zhèn zǒu qù le 。
“那找一个最靠近天霜郡的地方传送就可以了。”林轩脸上并无异色，一边说，一边像前面的传送阵走去了。
"I wish to travel to Chu State in the Tianshuang Prefecture."
Lin Xuan's gaze swept over the young Daoist, and a calm voice echoed.
The young Daoist froze, took out the array map, and checked it for a moment before speaking with a frown: "It’s too far from here. The teleportation array in this city can’t reach there."
"Then find the nearest place to Tianshuang Prefecture," Lin Xuan's expression remained unchanged as he walked towards the teleportation array.
The elderly man slowly opened his eyes, and a divine light shone in them. Lin Xuan's heart tightened; this was clearly more powerful than the avatar of the Celestial Cloud Saint Ancestor he had faced before.
Lin Xuan confidently believed he hadn't misjudged it. But what could be going on?
His mind was filled with doubts, but his expression remained unchanged. After all, he wasn't facing such a being for the first time; Lin Xuan's demeanor was naturally more composed than that of an ordinary cultivator.
The Venerable Qing Ling also showed a hint of surprise on his face. The eyes of a late-stage Tribulation Transcender couldn't be doubted; just by glancing at Lin Xuan, he could tell the young man was extraordinary.
Thus, his attitude was quite calm and did not show any contempt for the lower cultivation stage of the other party.
"Friend, no need to be so polite. Please take a seat."
"Thank you, Senior!"
Lin Xuan bowed respectfully and then sat down on the chair without further ado. He had interacted with the Venerable Nai Long before; this was just an avatar of a late-stage Tribulation Transcender, after all—what could he be nervous about?
This demeanor made the Venerable Qing Ling admire Lin Xuan even more.
"Is it true that you've posted your name on the notice board in the Spirit Tree City?"
Without beating around the bush, the other party directly got to the point, showing a straightforward nature.
"Yes."
Lin Xuan spoke frankly.
Seeing his calm response, the Venerable Qing Ling couldn't help but show joy. "So, you have the Dark Demon Lily Flower, right?"
"Indeed," Lin Xuan nodded with a peaceful smile on his face: "If I didn't have this item, how could I have the audacity to post my name on that notice board?"
"Very well."
The Venerable Qing Ling's expression was filled with joy. He had searched far and wide for it, but now he had found it effortlessly. His son might be saved; his heart was naturally overjoyed.
"If you have such a treasure, could I take a look at it?"
"It is only right."
Before Lin Xuan finished speaking, he extended his hand and patted his waist. A dazzling light enveloped the area as an jade box flew out.
It was about a foot long, with a surface of luminous glass. This item itself had some extraordinary qualities, let alone what treasures were inside it.
Lin Xuan shook his hand, and the jade box was wrapped in a layer of light, slowly flying towards him.
The Venerable Qing Ling did not hesitate; he reached out to catch it. Then, with a flick of his fingers, "Pap" went the sound into his ears, and the lid flew up.
A spirit herb came into view.
It was pure black, its leaves were oddly shaped, and there were many of them. The medicinal aroma was overwhelming when held in one's hand.
The Venerable Qing Ling was no ordinary cultivator; yet at this moment, he couldn't help trembling slightly. After all, the fate of his beloved son hung on this item—how could he not care?
He picked it up with his right hand and examined it carefully. After a full cup of tea's worth of time, he took a deep breath and expelled some stale air: "Indeed, it is the Dark Demon Lily Flower. And it’s an ancient treasure over ten thousand years old. This item suits me well; what do you plan to exchange for it?"
"Thank you, Senior. I don't lack anything in terms of crystal treasures or magical artifacts. All I need from you is a promise."
"A promise?"
"Yes."
"You've thought this through. If you choose the treasure as your reward, my offer will be so generous that you won’t believe it. Your future cultivation for tens of thousands of years will have no worries," the Venerable Qing Ling frowned and spoke in such a manner.
Of course, Lin Xuan knew he could trust him. However, he felt that compared to the promise from a late-stage Tribulation Transcender, any treasure was insignificant.
A smile played on the corner of Lin Xuan's mouth; he had his own principles.
"Alright!"
The Venerable Qing Ling sighed. Since the other party had made this choice, as someone of his status, it wouldn’t be proper to go back on his word. He didn't persuade further and extended his hand. His wrist flipped, and a token appeared in his palm.
It was light blue and unremarkable. However, Lin Xuan, with his vast experience, couldn’t identify the material from which it was made.
"From now on, you can use this command token to visit me at Mount Wàngkōng. No matter what your request is, as long as I can fulfill it, I will not refuse."
"Wángkōng Mountain?"
"Yes, that's where my true form resides. The route is described on the token; I won't say more," the Venerable Qing Ling said.
"Thank you, Senior."
Lin Xuan injected his spiritual energy into the command token, and a map appeared before him. He was satisfied with this and tossed it into his sleeve.
"Since that's settled, I bid you farewell."
Lin Xuan bowed respectfully; neither arrogant nor humble, he maintained a calm demeanor, almost on par with the other party in terms of status.
This wasn't due to Lin Xuan’s arrogance; his personality wouldn’t allow such an attitude.
Lin Xuan acted this way because the Venerable Qing Ling was not his true form but merely an avatar. There was no need for him to be overly submissive.
Regardless, this small detour from Spirit Tree City had a happy ending. Lin Xuan received the other party's promise, which might not have immediate use for him now but could prove invaluable in critical moments.
Exchanging a useless spirit flower for a late-stage Tribulation Transcender’s promise was mutually beneficial; it was definitely advantageous to Lin Xuan.
Feeling content, Lin Xuan didn't need to linger outside any longer. He should return to the Cloud Concealment Sect.
Exiting the Tianxiang Range, Lin Xuan took a route east and flew for about two hours until he saw the outline of a grand city on the horizon.
Hansei City!
Lin Xuan's expression remained unchanged; he knew there was such a large city for cultivators here.
Lin Xuan flew over and entered the city without much ado. The process of entering wasn't mentioned, as it was similar to his previous experiences.
This time, Lin Xuan had no leisurely interest in visiting markets or bazaars. Although he wasn’t eager to return home, there was no need; he could continue this journey indefinitely.
Hansei City also had a teleportation array, and it was easy to find. It was prominently located on the western side of the city. Lin Xuan called for a carriage and got in.
Soon, an impressive building came into view. Lin Xuan handed a high-grade crystal stone to the driver and walked inside.
"Senior, is there anything I can assist you with?"
A young Daoist dressed in robes approached as soon as Lin Xuan entered; his cultivation stage was only at the Condensation Core stage.
"I wish to travel to Chu State in the Tianshuang Prefecture."
Lin Xuan's gaze swept over the young Daoist, and a calm voice echoed.
"Tianshuang Prefecture?"
The young Daoist froze, took out the array map, and checked it for a moment before speaking with a frown: "It’s too far from here. The teleportation array in this city can’t reach there."
"Then find the nearest place to Tianshuang Prefecture," Lin Xuan's expression remained unchanged as he walked towards the teleportation array.