“ ń ， shì xiǎo dì pǎo tí le 。” tián xiǎo jiàn náo le náo tóu ， chóng xīn kāi shǐ jiǎng shù ：“ shì zhè yàng de ， xiǎo dì xiǎng yǔ dà gē lián shǒu ， chuǎng yī chuǎng tiān mù pài de qí yào
“嗯，是小弟跑题了。”田小剑挠了挠头，重新开始讲述：“是这样的，小弟想与大哥联手，闯一闯天目派的奇药
"Ah, I've wandered off the topic," said Tian Xiaojian, scratching his head. He then continued: "Brother Senior, my younger brother wishes to team up with you to venture into the Mystical Medicine Valley of the Heavenly Eye Sect."
“ qí yào gǔ ？” lín xuān tīng le zhè huà ， bìng méi yǒu lì kè huí dá ， ér shì zhòu méi sī suǒ le yī xià ：“ xián dì zuò wèi mó zūn wéi yī de chuán rén ， nán dào hái quē fá líng cǎo ， xiǎng yào qù tiān mù pài tōu dào ？”
“奇药谷？”林轩听了这话，并没有立刻回答，而是皱眉思索了一下：“贤弟做为魔尊唯一的传人，难道还缺乏灵草，想要去天目派偷盗？”
"Mystical Medicine Valley?" Lin Xuan didn't immediately respond but frowned as he pondered. "My younger brother, being the only successor of Sovereign Demon, do you still lack spirit herbs and wish to steal from the Heavenly Eye Sect?"
“ dāng rán bú shì ， xiǎo dì zhì bù zài líng cǎo ， ér shì xiǎng yào jiāng gāi pài líng mài de quán yǎn pò huài diào 。”
“当然不是，小弟志不在灵草，而是想要将该派灵脉的泉眼破坏掉。”
"Of course not," replied Tian Xiaojian. "My goal isn't spirit herbs; I want to destroy the source of their spiritual energy."
“ shén me ， pò huài líng mài ？”
“什么，破坏灵脉？”
"What? Destroying a spiritual energy vein?" Lin Xuan's face showed a strange expression as he listened.
lín xuān tīng le duì fāng de huà ， liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī gǔ guài de biǎo qíng ：“ xián dì gāi bú huì shì shuō xiào ba ！”
林轩听了对方的话，脸上露出一丝古怪的表情：“贤弟该不会是说笑吧！”
Indeed, it was no wonder Lin Xuan was surprised. After all, in this world, each spiritual energy vein had a source known as a spring, which was the most abundant in spirit energy and also the critical point of the vein. If destroyed, the spirit energy would dissipate into the surroundings for a short while.
yě nán guài lín xuān jīng yà ， yào zhī dào tiān dì jiān de líng mài ， dōu yǒu yī chù quán yǎn ， suǒ wèi quán yǎn ， shì líng qì zuì chōng zú de suǒ zài ， tóng shí yě shì líng mài de yào hài ， rú guǒ jiāng quán yǎn pò huài ， gāi chù de líng qì jiù huì xiàng sì zhōu liú sàn 。
也难怪林轩惊讶，要知道天地间的灵脉，都有一处泉眼，所谓泉眼，是灵气最充足的所在，同时也是灵脉的要害，如果将泉眼破坏，该处的灵气就会像四周流散。
However, such a situation wouldn't last long. The wonders of nature meant that even if it took three or five years, the destroyed spiritual energy vein could regenerate a new spring.
bù guò zhè zhǒng zhuàng kuàng yě jǐn jǐn chí xù yī xiǎo duàn shí jiān ， dà zì rán de shén qí ， bié shuō fán rén ， jiù shì xiū xiān zhě yě wú fǎ xiǎng xiàng ， bèi huǐ huài de líng mài ， guò gè sān nián wǔ zǎi ， yòu huì chóng xīn xíng chéng xīn de quán yǎn 。
不过这种状况也仅仅持续一小段时间，大自然的神奇，别说凡人，就是修仙者也无法想象，被毁坏的灵脉，过个三年五载，又会重新形成新的泉眼。
Thus, such an act had no real meaning.
suǒ yǐ zuò zhè yàng de shì ， gēn běn jiù méi yǒu yì yì 。
所以做这样的事，根本就没有意义。
After Lin Xuan's doubts, Tian Xiaojian stroked his chin and gave a peculiar smile: "Brother Senior, how could I deceive you? Do you remember when we first entered the mountain, I introduced you to the Cloud Sea Splitting Light Array?"
tīng le lín xuān de zhì yí ， tián xiǎo jiàn mō le mō xià bā ， guǐ yì de xiào le qǐ lái ：“ xiǎo dì zěn huì qī mán dà gē ， nǐ kě jì de ， dāng chū jìn shān zhī shí ， wǒ céng xiàng nǐ jiè shào de yún hǎi liè guāng zhèn zhī shì 。”
听了林轩的质疑，田小剑摸了摸下巴，诡异的笑了起来：“小弟怎会欺瞒大哥，你可记得，当初进山之时，我曾像你介绍的云海裂光阵之事。”
"Of course," replied Lin Xuan, his eyes flashing. Such an array was powerful enough to trap even a veteran of the婴期 (immortal embryo stage). How could he not be impressed?
“ dāng rán jì de 。” lín xuān mù guāng shǎn dòng ， rú cǐ wēi lì wú bǐ de zhèn fǎ ， shèn zhì lián yuán yīng qī de lǎo guài dōu néng kùn zhù ， zhè yàng de shì qíng ， tā zěn néng bù yìn xiàng shēn kè 。
“当然记得。”林轩目光闪动，如此威力无比的阵法，甚至连元婴期的老怪都能困住，这样的事情，他怎能不印象深刻。
"That's right. My master repeatedly invited the Heavenly Eye Sect to join our sect, but they kept dodging and refusing. They dared to do so because of the Cloud Sea Splitting Light Array passed down by their ancestors, thinking we would hesitate. But if I can make this array ineffective, do you think they still have any bargaining power?"
“ zhè jiù duì le ， jiā shī céng yī zài yāo qǐng tiān mù pài jiā rù wǒ mó dào de zhèn yíng ， kě duì fāng què mó léng liǎng kě ， bù shí shí wù ， tā men gǎn xū yǔ wēi yí ， bù wài hū yǒu zǔ shī chuán xià lái de yún hǎi liè guāng zhèn ， yǐ wéi wǒ men huì jì dàn sān fēn ， kě rú guǒ wǒ néng lìng cǐ zhèn shī xiào de huà ， nǐ yǐ wéi tā men hái yǒu tǎo jià huán jià ài de zī běn ma ？”
“这就对了，家师曾一再邀请天目派加入我魔道的阵营，可对方却模棱两可，不识时务，他们敢虚与委蛇，不外乎有祖师传下来的云海裂光阵，以为我们会忌惮三分，可如果我能令此阵失效的话，你以为他们还有讨价还价爱的资本吗？”
"Making that array ineffective has nothing to do with destroying a spiritual energy vein," Lin Xuan asked, somewhat confused.
“ ràng cǐ zhèn shī xiào 。 nà yǔ pò huài líng mài yòu yǒu hé guān lián ？” lín xuān yǒu xiē bù jiě dì dào 。
“让此阵失效。那与破坏灵脉又有何关联？”林轩有些不解地道。
Tian Xiaojian's face showed a moment of hesitation but then he patiently explained: "Brother Senior, you see, the Cloud Sea Splitting Light Array is so powerful because it can mobilize the surrounding spirit energy to attack. To break this array, there are two methods. One is to find five or six veteran immortals and work together to use a divine technique that would naturally destroy the array. The second method is to destroy the spiritual vein on which it relies. Although the spring will regenerate in a few years, during that time, the Heavenly Eye Sect can only submit to our sect..."
tián xiǎo jiàn tīng le zhè ge wèn tí 。 liǎn shàng shǎn guò yī sī yóu yù 。 dàn zuì zhōng hái shì nài xīn dì xiàng lín xuān jiě shì qǐ lái ：“ dà gē yǒu suǒ bù zhī 。 zhè yún hǎi liè guāng zhèn zhī suǒ yǐ wēi lì wú bǐ 。 jiù zài yú kě yǐ diào dòng tiān mù shān fù jìn dì líng qì gōng dí 。 xiǎng yào pò chú cǐ zhèn 。 yǒu liǎng gè fāng fǎ 。 yī shì zhǎo shàng wǔ liù gè yuán yīng qī dì qián bèi 。 lián shǒu zhī xià 。 shī zhǎn jīng tiān dòng dì dì shén tōng 。 zì rán yě néng cǐ zhèn pò chú 。 dì èr gè jiù shì jiāng suǒ yī tuō dì líng mài huǐ diào le 。 suī rán quán yǎn jǐ nián hòu hái kě yǐ chóng shēng 。 dàn zài zhè qī jiān tiān mù pài zhǐ néng duì wǒ mó dào fǔ shǒu chēng chén ……”
田小剑听了这个问题。脸上闪过一丝犹豫。但最终还是耐心地像林轩解释起来：“大哥有所不知。这云海裂光阵之所以威力无比。就在于可以调动天目山附近地灵气攻敌。想要破除此阵。有两个方法。一是找上五六个元婴期地前辈。联手之下。施展惊天动地地神通。自然也能此阵破除。第二个就是将所依托地灵脉毁掉了。虽然泉眼几年后还可以重生。但在这期间天目派只能对我魔道俯首称臣……”
Listening to Tian Xiaojian's explanation, one might think he had already revealed his intentions without malice. He even disclosed such an important secret with no hesitation. However, for some reason, Lin Xuan felt something was off but couldn't pinpoint it. Of course, on the surface, he showed no signs of this.
tīng zhe tián xiǎo jiàn dì xù shù 。 àn lǐ shuō 。 duì fāng wèi le biǎo shì méi yǒu è yì 。 yǐ jīng xiàng zì jǐ kāi chéng bù gōng 。 lián zhè yàng zhòng yào dì mì mì 。 dōu háo bù yóu yù dì xiè lòu le chū lái 。 kě bù zhī dào wèi shén me 。 lín xuān zǒng jué de yǒu xiē dì fāng sì hū bú duì 。 dàn yī shí zhī jiān 。 què yòu zhuā bú zhù yào diǎn 。 dāng rán 。 biǎo miàn shàng 。 tā bú huì yǒu sī háo dì biǎo xiàn chū lái 。
听着田小剑地叙述。按理说。对方为了表示没有恶意。已经像自己开诚布公。连这样重要地秘密。都毫不犹豫地泄露了出来。可不知道为什么。林轩总觉得有些地方似乎不对。但一时之间。却又抓不住要点。当然。表面上。他不会有丝毫地表现出来。
Regardless of how天花乱坠 (flowery and exaggerated) Tian Xiaojian's words were, Lin Xuan remained expressionless, listening quietly. "Brother Senior, I have nothing to hide from you now. Are you going to report me to the Heavenly Eye Sect?"
wú lùn duì fāng shuō dé duō me dì tiān huā luàn zhuì 。 tā yě shì biǎo qíng dàn rán 。 jìng jìng dì tīng bà le 。“ dà gē 。 rú jīn xiǎo dì duì nǐ kě shì méi yǒu sī háo dì yǐn mán 。 nǐ gāi bú huì qù tiān mù pài gào mì ？” jiǎng dào hòu miàn 。 tián xiǎo jiàn tū rán dān xīn dì kàn le tā yī yǎn 。
无论对方说得多么地天花乱坠。他也是表情淡然。静静地听罢了。“大哥。如今小弟对你可是没有丝毫地隐瞒。你该不会去天目派告密？”讲到后面。田小剑突然担心地看了他一眼。
Tian Xiaojian suddenly looked worried as he asked: "My younger brother, don't worry about it. Although I have no grudge with the Heavenly Eye Mountain and no relation at all, do I look like someone who likes to meddle in others' affairs? The prosperity or decline of the Heavenly Eye Sect has nothing to do with me."
“ xián dì duō lǜ le 。 zài xià suī rán yǔ tiān mù shān wú yuān wú chóu 。 dàn yě bù cún zài rèn hé dì guān xì 。 nǐ kàn wǒ xiàng nà zhǒng chī bǎo le méi shì gàn 。 xǐ huān duō guǎn xián shì zhī rén me ？ tiān mù pài xīng wàng fā dá yě hǎo 。 yǔn luò xiāo shī yě bà 。 yǔ wǒ yǒu shén me guān xì 。” lín xuān yī liǎn lěng mò dì kāi kǒu dào 。
“贤弟多虑了。在下虽然与天目山无冤无仇。但也不存在任何地关系。你看我像那种吃饱了没事干。喜欢多管闲事之人么？天目派兴旺发达也好。陨落消失也罢。与我有什么关系。”林轩一脸冷漠地开口道。
"Good," said Tian Xiaojian, patting his chest with a delighted expression. "How about it, Brother Senior, are you willing to cooperate?"
“ zhè jiù hǎo 。” tián xiǎo jiàn pāi le pāi xiōng pú 。 mǎn liǎn huān xǐ dì shén sè ：“ zěn me yàng 。 dà gē 。 yuàn bù yuàn yì yǔ wǒ hé zuò ？”
“这就好。”田小剑拍了拍胸脯。满脸欢喜地神色：“怎么样。大哥。愿不愿意与我合作？”
"What benefits can I get?" Lin Xuan didn't waste any time and directly got to the point.
“ wǒ néng dé dào shén me hǎo chù ？” lín xuān yě bù duō yán ， zhí jiē bù rù zhòng diǎn 。
“我能得到什么好处？”林轩也不多言，直接步入重点。
"Of course, the All-Embracing Grass! The spring is where the spirit energy is most abundant, making it the Heavenly Eye Mountain's medicinal garden. That’s why they call it the Mystical Medicine Valley," said Tian Xiaojian with a surprised expression. "Do you not know this?"
“ dāng rán shì wàn xiàng cǎo le ， quán yǎn yě shì líng qì zuì chōng zú de dì diǎn ， gù ér nà lǐ shì tiān mù shān de yào yuán ， suǒ yǐ cái jiào qí yào gǔ ， dà gē bú huì lián zhè yě bù zhī dào ba ！” tián xiǎo jiàn mǎn liǎn chà yì zhī sè 。
“当然是万象草了，泉眼也是灵气最充足的地点，故而那里是天目山的药园，所以才叫奇药谷，大哥不会连这也不知道吧！”田小剑满脸诧异之色。
"It's obvious to me," replied Lin Xuan, unable to suppress his laughter. "I mean, how can you be sure there is All-Embracing Grass there? I don't want to put in all the effort and end up for nothing."
“ fèi huà 。 zhè wǒ dāng rán qīng chǔ 。” lín xuān rěn bú zhù xiào mà ：“ wǒ shì shuō 。 nǐ zěn me néng kěn dìng nà ér yǒu wàn xiàng cǎo ， wǒ kě bù xī wàng chū le bàn tiān de lì 。 zuì hòu què shì bái máng huó yī cháng 。
“废话。这我当然清楚。”林轩忍不住笑骂：“我是说。你怎么能肯定那儿有万象草，我可不希望出了半天的力。最后却是白忙活一场。
"Don't worry about it," said Tian Xiaojian confidently. "Since my younger brother wants to plot against the Heavenly Eye Sect, he has done his homework. There are definitely several types of spirit herbs, including All-Embracing Grass, which was not rare in ancient times. The Mystical Medicine Valley does have this variety, though in small quantities—about seven or eight should still be available."
“ zhè ge dà gē fàng xīn 。” tián xiǎo jiàn pāi le pāi xiōng pú ：“ xiǎo dì jì rán xiǎng yào tú móu tiān mù pài ， duì tā men zì rán shì xià le yī fān kǔ gōng liǎo jiě ， gāi pài bié dì bù shuō ， wài jiè yǐ jīng miè jué de jǐ zhǒng líng cǎo kěn dìng shì yǒu ， zài shàng gǔ ， wàn xiàng cǎo bìng bù rú hé zhēn guì ， gāi pài de qí yào gǔ zhōng yě yǒu cǐ pǐn zhǒng ， shù liàng suī rán bù duō ， dàn qī bā zhū yīng gāi hái shì yǒu cún huò 。”
“这个大哥放心。”田小剑拍了拍胸脯：“小弟既然想要图谋天目派，对他们自然是下了一番苦功了解，该派别地不说，外界已经灭绝的几种灵草肯定是有，在上古，万象草并不如何珍贵，该派的奇药谷中也有此品种，数量虽然不多，但七八株应该还是有存货。”
Seven or eight?
qī bā zhū ？
七八株？
After hearing this, Lin Xuan fell silent. In the ingredients needed for Condensation Core pills, All-Embracing Grass only served as a supplementary herb, adding just a little bit per batch. Having so many was far beyond his needs.
tīng le cǐ yǔ ， lín xuān mò rán le xià lái ， zài níng shén dān suǒ xū dì yào cái zhī zhōng ， wàn xiàng cǎo jǐn jǐn shì qǐ fǔ zhù zuò yòng ， měi yī lú jiā shàng yì diǎn diǎn jiù kě yǐ le ， zhè me duō ， yǐ jīng yuǎn yuǎn chāo chū le zì jǐ de xū qiú 。
听了此语，林轩默然了下来，在凝神丹所需地药材之中，万象草仅仅是起辅助作用，每一炉加上一点点就可以了，这么多，已经远远超出了自己的需求。
"My younger brother, don't hesitate any longer. Just like you said earlier, although my younger brother is not talented, he is the young master of the Dark Magic Cave and still has plenty of medicinal treasures. Once we arrive at the Mystical Medicine Valley, I will only destroy the spiritual energy vein. All other rare herbs inside, except for the All-Embracing Grass, are all yours," said Tian Xiaojian.
“ dà gē ， nǐ bié yóu yù le ， jiù xiàng nǐ gāng cái suǒ shuō ， xiǎo dì suī rán bù cái ， hǎo dǎi yě shì jí mó dòng de shǎo zhǔ ， gè zhǒng dān yào bǎo bèi hái shì bù quē shǎo de ， dào le qí yào gǔ yǐ hòu ， wǒ zhǐ pò huài líng mài ， lǐ miàn de gè zhǒng zhēn xī yào cái ， chú le wàn xiàng cǎo ， qí tā de yě quán guī nǐ zěn me yàng ？”
“大哥，你别犹豫了，就像你刚才所说，小弟虽然不才，好歹也是极魔洞的少主，各种丹药宝贝还是不缺少的，到了奇药谷以后，我只破坏灵脉，里面的各种珍稀药材，除了万象草，其他的也全归你怎么样？”
"Haha, how can that be acceptable?" Lin Xuan couldn't help but laugh awkwardly.
“ hē hē ， zhè zěn me hǎo yì si ？” lín xuān zì jǐ dōu jué de xiào dé hěn jiǎ
“呵呵，这怎么好意思？”林轩自己都觉得笑得很假
"Come on, we're brothers!" said Tian Xiaojian with a close friendship expression.
“ xíng le ， wǒ men liǎng xiōng dì ， shuí gēn shuí a ！” tián xiǎo jiàn gèng shì yī fù shēng sǐ zhī jiāo de mú yàng 。
“行了，我们两兄弟，谁跟谁啊！”田小剑更是一副生死之交的模样。
This temptation was indeed great, but Lin Xuan still hesitated. "My younger brother, I must say frankly. As the direct disciple of Sovereign Demon, you have an exalted status. Plotting against the Heavenly Eye Sect doesn't require your hands. Even if my younger brother wants to take on this task, wouldn't he need help? Why seek cooperation from me?"
zhè ge yǐn yòu bù kě wèi bù dà ， dàn lín xuān hái shì chén yín le yī xià ：“ xián dì ， shù wǒ zhí yán ， nǐ shēn wèi mó zūn de qīn chuán dì zǐ ， shēn fèn zūn chóng ， tú móu tiān mù shān ， běn yòng bù zhe nǐ dòng shǒu ， jiù suàn xián dì xiǎng yào qǐng yīng ， yòu zěn me huì huò quē bāng shǒu ， zhǎo wǒ hé zuò ？”
这个引诱不可谓不大，但林轩还是沉吟了一下：“贤弟，恕我直言，你身为魔尊的亲传弟子，身份尊崇，图谋天目山，本用不着你动手，就算贤弟想要请缨，又怎么会或缺帮手，找我合作？”
Tian Xiaojian's face darkened with a heavy aura of malevolence as he exuded it.
tīng le lín xuān de huà ， tián xiǎo jiàn dì liǎn shàng shǎn guò yī sī nóng zhòng de yīn mái ， kě pà de lì qì ， cóng tā shēn shàng sàn fà chū lái 。
听了林轩的话，田小剑地脸上闪过一丝浓重的阴霾，可怕的戾气，从他身上散发出来。
Lin Xuan was taken aback and quickly waved his hand, casting out a white light that set up numerous small barriers around them. Otherwise, the many experts present in the welcome hall would have been discovered long ago.
lín xuān yí zhèng ， lián máng yī huī shǒu ， yī dào bái guāng fēi shè ér chū ， zài zhōu wéi bù xià le yí gè gè xiǎo xiǎo de jìn zhì ， fǒu zé ， zhè yíng bīn lóu hái zhù yǒu nà me duō cān jiā jiāo yì huì de gāo shǒu ， bù bèi fā xiàn cái shì guài shì 。
林轩一怔，连忙一挥手，一道白光飞射而出，在周围布下了一个个小小的禁制，否则，这迎宾楼还注有那么多参加交易会的高手，不被发现才是怪事。
"My younger brother, what's wrong?"
“ xián dì ， zěn me le ？”
“贤弟，怎么了？”
"Sorry, Brother Senior, this is my Dark Magic Cave's private matter," said Tian Xiaojian, snapping back to his senses. Lin Xuan nodded without saying more. Since there was an unspoken issue, he let it go. Although the other party had shown sincerity earlier, it was still uncertain how much genuine cooperation they could expect now.
tián xiǎo jiàn sà rán jīng xǐng ：“ bù hǎo yì sī ， dà gē ， zhè shì wǒ jí mó dòng de sī shì ， shù nán yǐ yán míng 。 lín xuān diǎn diǎn tóu ， méi yǒu duō shuō ， duì fāng jì rán yǒu nán yán zhī yǐn ， dāng rán yě jiù suàn le ， gāng cái ， duì fāng dào yě suàn zhēn qíng liú lù ， bù guò zhè cì yǔ zì jǐ hé zuò ， jiū jìng yǒu jǐ fēn chéng yì ， xiàn zài jiù xià jué duàn ， hái nán shuō dé jǐn a ！
田小剑飒然惊醒：“不好意思，大哥，这是我极魔洞的私事，恕难以言明。林轩点点头，没有多说，对方既然有难言之隐，当然也就算了，刚才，对方倒也算真情流露，不过这次与自己合作，究竟有几分诚意，现在就下决断，还难说得紧啊！
Lin Xuan looked at Tian Xiaojian seriously and said slowly: "Since the Mystical Medicine Valley is the source of the Heavenly Eye Sect's spiritual energy vein and has so many precious herbs, its defenses must be extremely tight. Our two of us are only at the Foundation Establishment stage; entering without caution, how much do you think your younger brother can rely on? I don't want to die in a trap."
lín xuān tái tóu kàn le yī yǎn tián xiǎo jiàn ， shén sè zhèng zhòng yǐ jí ， huǎn huǎn de kāi kǒu dào ：“ zhè qí yào gǔ jì rán shì tiān mù shān líng mài de quán yǎn suǒ zài ， yòu yǒu nà me duō zhēn guì de yào cái ， fáng hù xiǎng bì yán mì dào le jí diǎn ， wǒ men liǎng rén kě dōu zhǐ yǒu zhù jī qī dì xiū wèi ， mào rán chuǎng rù ， bù zhī dào xián dì yǒu jǐ fēn de bǎ wò ， zài xià kě bù xiǎng sǐ zài jìn zhì zhī zhōng 。”
林轩抬头看了一眼田小剑，神色郑重以极，缓缓的开口道：“这奇药谷既然是天目山灵脉的泉眼所在，又有那么多珍贵的药材，防护想必严密到了极点，我们两人可都只有筑基期地修为，冒然闯入，不知道贤弟有几分的把握，在下可不想死在禁制之中。”
"Don't worry about it," replied Tian Xiaojian confidently. "Brother Senior, if you don't want to perish, neither does my younger brother have enough life left. Naturally, we have a foolproof plan."
"Ah, I've wandered off the topic," said Tian Xiaojian, scratching his head. He then continued: "Brother Senior, my younger brother wishes to team up with you to venture into the Mystical Medicine Valley of the Heavenly Eye Sect."
"Mystical Medicine Valley?" Lin Xuan didn't immediately respond but frowned as he pondered. "My younger brother, being the only successor of Sovereign Demon, do you still lack spirit herbs and wish to steal from the Heavenly Eye Sect?"
"Of course not," replied Tian Xiaojian. "My goal isn't spirit herbs; I want to destroy the source of their spiritual energy."
"What? Destroying a spiritual energy vein?" Lin Xuan's face showed a strange expression as he listened.
Indeed, it was no wonder Lin Xuan was surprised. After all, in this world, each spiritual energy vein had a source known as a spring, which was the most abundant in spirit energy and also the critical point of the vein. If destroyed, the spirit energy would dissipate into the surroundings for a short while.
However, such a situation wouldn't last long. The wonders of nature meant that even if it took three or five years, the destroyed spiritual energy vein could regenerate a new spring.
Thus, such an act had no real meaning.
After Lin Xuan's doubts, Tian Xiaojian stroked his chin and gave a peculiar smile: "Brother Senior, how could I deceive you? Do you remember when we first entered the mountain, I introduced you to the Cloud Sea Splitting Light Array?"
"Of course," replied Lin Xuan, his eyes flashing. Such an array was powerful enough to trap even a veteran of the婴期 (immortal embryo stage). How could he not be impressed?
"That's right. My master repeatedly invited the Heavenly Eye Sect to join our sect, but they kept dodging and refusing. They dared to do so because of the Cloud Sea Splitting Light Array passed down by their ancestors, thinking we would hesitate. But if I can make this array ineffective, do you think they still have any bargaining power?"
"Making that array ineffective has nothing to do with destroying a spiritual energy vein," Lin Xuan asked, somewhat confused.
Tian Xiaojian's face showed a moment of hesitation but then he patiently explained: "Brother Senior, you see, the Cloud Sea Splitting Light Array is so powerful because it can mobilize the surrounding spirit energy to attack. To break this array, there are two methods. One is to find five or six veteran immortals and work together to use a divine technique that would naturally destroy the array. The second method is to destroy the spiritual vein on which it relies. Although the spring will regenerate in a few years, during that time, the Heavenly Eye Sect can only submit to our sect..."
Listening to Tian Xiaojian's explanation, one might think he had already revealed his intentions without malice. He even disclosed such an important secret with no hesitation. However, for some reason, Lin Xuan felt something was off but couldn't pinpoint it. Of course, on the surface, he showed no signs of this.
Regardless of how天花乱坠 (flowery and exaggerated) Tian Xiaojian's words were, Lin Xuan remained expressionless, listening quietly. "Brother Senior, I have nothing to hide from you now. Are you going to report me to the Heavenly Eye Sect?"
Tian Xiaojian suddenly looked worried as he asked: "My younger brother, don't worry about it. Although I have no grudge with the Heavenly Eye Mountain and no relation at all, do I look like someone who likes to meddle in others' affairs? The prosperity or decline of the Heavenly Eye Sect has nothing to do with me."
"Good," said Tian Xiaojian, patting his chest with a delighted expression. "How about it, Brother Senior, are you willing to cooperate?"
"What benefits can I get?" Lin Xuan didn't waste any time and directly got to the point.
"Of course, the All-Embracing Grass! The spring is where the spirit energy is most abundant, making it the Heavenly Eye Mountain's medicinal garden. That’s why they call it the Mystical Medicine Valley," said Tian Xiaojian with a surprised expression. "Do you not know this?"
"It's obvious to me," replied Lin Xuan, unable to suppress his laughter. "I mean, how can you be sure there is All-Embracing Grass there? I don't want to put in all the effort and end up for nothing."
"Don't worry about it," said Tian Xiaojian confidently. "Since my younger brother wants to plot against the Heavenly Eye Sect, he has done his homework. There are definitely several types of spirit herbs, including All-Embracing Grass, which was not rare in ancient times. The Mystical Medicine Valley does have this variety, though in small quantities—about seven or eight should still be available."
Seven or eight?
After hearing this, Lin Xuan fell silent. In the ingredients needed for Condensation Core pills, All-Embracing Grass only served as a supplementary herb, adding just a little bit per batch. Having so many was far beyond his needs.
"My younger brother, don't hesitate any longer. Just like you said earlier, although my younger brother is not talented, he is the young master of the Dark Magic Cave and still has plenty of medicinal treasures. Once we arrive at the Mystical Medicine Valley, I will only destroy the spiritual energy vein. All other rare herbs inside, except for the All-Embracing Grass, are all yours," said Tian Xiaojian.
"Haha, how can that be acceptable?" Lin Xuan couldn't help but laugh awkwardly.
"Come on, we're brothers!" said Tian Xiaojian with a close friendship expression.
This temptation was indeed great, but Lin Xuan still hesitated. "My younger brother, I must say frankly. As the direct disciple of Sovereign Demon, you have an exalted status. Plotting against the Heavenly Eye Sect doesn't require your hands. Even if my younger brother wants to take on this task, wouldn't he need help? Why seek cooperation from me?"
Tian Xiaojian's face darkened with a heavy aura of malevolence as he exuded it.
Lin Xuan was taken aback and quickly waved his hand, casting out a white light that set up numerous small barriers around them. Otherwise, the many experts present in the welcome hall would have been discovered long ago.
"My younger brother, what's wrong?"
"Sorry, Brother Senior, this is my Dark Magic Cave's private matter," said Tian Xiaojian, snapping back to his senses. Lin Xuan nodded without saying more. Since there was an unspoken issue, he let it go. Although the other party had shown sincerity earlier, it was still uncertain how much genuine cooperation they could expect now.
Lin Xuan looked at Tian Xiaojian seriously and said slowly: "Since the Mystical Medicine Valley is the source of the Heavenly Eye Sect's spiritual energy vein and has so many precious herbs, its defenses must be extremely tight. Our two of us are only at the Foundation Establishment stage; entering without caution, how much do you think your younger brother can rely on? I don't want to die in a trap."
"Don't worry about it," replied Tian Xiaojian confidently. "Brother Senior, if you don't want to perish, neither does my younger brother have enough life left. Naturally, we have a foolproof plan."