suí jí tā zuǐ chún wēi dòng ， chuán yīn huǎn huǎn shù shuō zhe shén me ， yuē yī zhǎn chá yǐ hòu ， lín xuān méi tóu yī tiāo ：“ zhēn de ？”
随即他嘴唇微动，传音缓缓述说着什么，约一盏茶以后，林轩眉头一挑：“真的？”
随即, his lips moved slightly as he whispered something. After about a cup of tea, Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow: "Really?"
“ dāng rán ， xiǎo dì zěn huì ná cǐ shì kāi wán xiào ， zì rán shì liú yǒu hòu shǒu 。”
“当然，小弟怎会拿此事开玩笑，自然是留有后手。”
"Of course," replied Tian Xiaojian with a smile. "Brother, how could I joke about such matters? I have my own tricks up my sleeve."
lín xuān mò rán ， lüè lüè chén yín le yī xià ， piàn kè hòu tái qǐ tóu lái ：“ jì rú cǐ ， zài xià yǔ nǐ hé zuò jiù shì 。”
林轩默然，略略沉吟了一下，片刻后抬起头来：“既如此，在下与你合作就是。”
Lin Xuan remained silent for a moment before saying, "In that case, let's cooperate."
“ hē hē ， wǒ jiù zhī dào dà gē huì zuò chū zhèng què xuǎn zé ， fàng xīn ， cǐ xíng wǒ men yí dìng huì dé cháng suǒ yuàn ， bǎo zhèng dà gē zhuāng líng cǎo zhuāng dào shǒu ruǎn 。” tián xiǎo jiàn dà xǐ guò wàng de shuō 。
“呵呵，我就知道大哥会做出正确选择，放心，此行我们一定会得偿所愿，保证大哥装灵草装到手软。”田小剑大喜过望的说。
"Haha, I knew you would make the right choice, Brother," said Tian Xiaojian happily. "Rest assured, this trip will definitely meet our expectations. You'll be so full of spirit herbs and medicinal materials it’ll be hard to carry them all."
“ dàn yuàn rú cǐ 。” lín xuān cóng chuáng shàng zhàn le qǐ lái ：“ shì bù yí chí ， tiān sè yě bù zǎo le ， wǒ men yào zhuā jǐn shí jiān 。”
“但愿如此。”林轩从床上站了起来：“事不宜迟，天色也不早了，我们要抓紧时间。”
"I hope so," Lin Xuan stood up from his bed. "We shouldn't waste any time. It's getting late. We need to act quickly."
suí jí liǎng rén qiāo qiāo cóng guì bīn lóu liū le chū lái ， suī rán zhè lǐ zhù yǒu shù liàng zhòng duō de níng dān qī xiū shì ， kě liǎng rén yǐn nì shēn xíng de gōng fǎ gāo míng yǐ jí ， zì rán bú huì yǐn qǐ rèn hé rén de zhù yì 。
随即两人悄悄从贵宾楼溜了出来，虽然这里住有数量众多的凝丹期修士，可两人隐匿身形的功法高明以极，自然不会引起任何人的注意。
The two then quietly slipped out of the guest pavilion, despite the presence of numerous Core Formation Stage cultivators in the area. Their ability to conceal their forms was too advanced for anyone to notice.
tián xiǎo jiàn méi yǒu sā huǎng ， wèi le tú móu tiān mù pài ， tā hěn xià le yī fān gōng fu ， yóu rú lǎo mǎ shí bān de dài zhe lín xuān lái dào le qí yào gǔ 。
田小剑没有撒谎，为了图谋天目派，他很下了一番功夫，犹如老马识般的带着林轩来到了奇药谷。
Tian Xiaojian had not lied; he had done a lot of work to lure Lin Xuan here. With the skill of an old horse recognizing its path, he led Lin Xuan to the Mystic Medicine Valley.
cóng biǎo miàn shàng kàn ， zhè ér háo bù qǐ yǎn ， zhàn zài gǔ kǒu ， lín xuān de liǎn shàng lù chū le yī sī yà rán ， yǎn qián shì yī duī dī ǎi de shù cóng yǐ jí kū huáng de zá cǎo ， xiǎn de xiāo tiáo ér pò bài 。
从表面上看，这儿毫不起眼，站在谷口，林轩的脸上露出了一丝讶然，眼前是一堆低矮的树丛以及枯黄的杂草，显得萧条而破败。
From the outside, it looked unremarkable. Standing at the entrance, Lin Xuan's face showed surprise as he saw a cluster of low shrubs and withered grass, giving off a desolate and dilapidated appearance.
bù guò lín xuān què bìng méi yǒu shuō shén me ， fǎn ér lù chū le ruò yǒu suǒ sī zhī sè 。
不过林轩却并没有说什么，反而露出了若有所思之色。
However, Lin Xuan did not say anything; instead, his expression seemed contemplative.
“ kàn lái dà gē yǐ jīng fā xiàn le 。” tián xiǎo jiàn miàn dài jī cháo de lěng xiào ：“ tiān mù pài zài shān gǔ zhōu wéi bù xià le yī céng huàn shù ， zhè yàng jí shǐ yǒu rén jiǎo xìng lái dào zhè lǐ ， yě fā xiàn bù liǎo yǐn mì ， gèng xiǎng bú dào cǐ chù jiù shì líng mài yǔ yào yuán de suǒ zài dì 。”
“看来大哥已经发现了。”田小剑面带讥嘲的冷笑：“天目派在山谷周围布下了一层幻术，这样即使有人侥幸来到这里，也发现不了隐秘，更想不到此处就是灵脉与药园的所在地。”
"Looks like Brother has already figured it out," Tian Xiaojian sneered. "The Immortal Eye Sect has set up an illusion around the valley. Even if someone manages to find their way here by chance, they won't be able to discover the hidden truth, much less realize that this is where the Spirit Vein and medicinal garden are located."
tā yī biān shuō ， yī biān tā cóng huái lǐ qǔ chū yī zhāng chuán yīn fú ， fàng chū shén shí ， kè shàng zì jǐ xiǎng yào shù shuō de yán yǔ ， rán hòu yī pāo ， nà chuán yīn fú shǎn le jǐ shǎn 。 jiù xiāo shī zài máng máng de yè sè lǐ miàn 。
他一边说，一边他从怀里取出一张传音符，放出神识，刻上自己想要述说的言语，然后一抛，那传音符闪了几闪。就消失在茫茫的夜色里面。
As he spoke, he took out a sound transmission talisman from his pocket, released his divine sense, inscribed what he wanted to say, and then threw it. The talisman flashed a few times before disappearing into the dark night.
dà yuē guò le duǎn duǎn bàn zhù xiāng de shí jiān ， yī dào guāng huá cóng shān gǔ nèi fēi shè chū lái ， shì yí gè róng mào pǔ tōng de zhōng nián rén ， dà yuē sì shí suì zuǒ yòu ， xiū wèi shuō bù shàng gāo ， gāng gāng zhù jī chū qī ér yǐ 。
大约过了短短半柱香的时间，一道光华从山谷内飞射出来，是一个容貌普通的中年人，大约四十岁左右，修为说不上高，刚刚筑基初期而已。
About half a stick of incense later, a beam of light shot out of the valley. It was an ordinary-looking middle-aged man in his forties with mediocre cultivation, just at the early Foundation Establishment stage.
nà rén là xià dùn guāng yǐ hòu ， lì kè shén sè jǐng tì dì dǎ liàng le yī xià sì zhōu ， jì xiàng hài pà bèi rén chá jué 。 yòu fǎng fú shì zài xún zhǎo zháo shén me 。
那人落下遁光以后，立刻神色警惕地打量了一下四周，既像害怕被人察觉。又仿佛是在寻找着什么。
After the light dissipated, he immediately looked around cautiously, as if afraid of being discovered but also searching for something.
“ duàn sān ， běn gōng zi zài zhè lǐ ！” tián xiǎo jiàn liǎn dài cóng róng de zǒu chū le yǐn nì zhī chù 。
“段三，本公子在这里！”田小剑脸带从容的走出了隐匿之处。
"Third Segment, this way!" Tian Xiaojian stepped out from his hiding place with a composed expression on his face.
“ shǎo zhǔ ！” duàn sān dà xǐ 。 lián máng gōng jìng de xíng lǐ ， suí jí kàn jiàn zhàn zài yī páng de lín xuān 。 liǎn sè dà biàn 。
“少主！”段三大喜。连忙恭敬的行礼，随即看见站在一旁的林轩。脸色大变。
"Young Master!" Third Segment was overjoyed and quickly bowed respectfully. Upon seeing Lin Xuan standing beside him, he changed his expression to one of great respect.
“ bù yòng jīng yí ， zhè wèi lín dà gē nǎi shì wǒ de shēng sǐ zhī jiāo 。” tián xiǎo jiàn wēi xiào zhe jiè shào 。
“不用惊疑，这位林大哥乃是我的生死之交。”田小剑微笑着介绍。
"Do not be alarmed," said Tian Xiaojian with a smile. "This Brother Lin is my close friend."
“ dà gē ？” duàn sān kàn le yī yǎn lín xuān ， xīn zhōng chōng mǎn le zhèn hàn ， tián xiǎo jiàn shì shén me rén ， jí mó dòng shǎo zhǔ 。 mó zūn de ài tú ， néng bèi tā gōng jìng de chēng zhī wèi dà gē 。 zhè ge mào bù jīng rén de shào nián ， jiū jìng shì hé fāng shén shèng ？
“大哥？”段三看了一眼林轩，心中充满了震撼，田小剑是什么人，极魔洞少主。魔尊的爱徒，能被他恭敬的称之为大哥。这个貌不惊人的少年，究竟是何方神圣？
"Brother?" Third Segment looked at Lin Xuan and felt a shock. Who was this Tian Xiaojian? The Young Master of the Demon Cave, an apprentice of the Sovereign Demon. To be called his brother by such a seemingly unremarkable youth... what kind of person could he be?
dàn bù gāi wèn dì jiù bié wèn ， zhè duàn sān yě shì cōng míng rén ， lì kè jiù xiàng lín xuān wān xià yāo qù ：“ cān jiàn qián bèi ！”
但不该问地就别问，这段三也是聪明人，立刻就像林轩弯下腰去：“参见前辈！”
But better not to ask unnecessary questions. Third Segment was smart enough to bend down and say: "Salutations, Senior!"
“ bà le ！” lín xuān bǎi le bǎi shǒu ， shuāng mù shì bì fēi bì ， luò zài duì fāng de yǎn lǐ ， gèng duō le yī céng gāo shēn mò cè dì qì xī 。
“罢了！”林轩摆了摆手，双目似闭非闭，落在对方的眼里，更多了一层高深莫测地气息。
"Enough," Lin Xuan waved his hand. His eyes were half-closed but exuded an air of profound mystery.
“ shì qíng yǐ jīng zhǔn bèi hǎo le 。”
“事情已经准备好了。”
"The preparations are complete."
“ shǎo zhǔ fàng xīn ， bái tiān shōu dào nǐ de chuán xìn ， xiǎo rén yǐ jīng jiāng ruǎn gǔ sàn xià dào le duì fāng dì yǐn shí lǐ miàn ， shuō qǐ lái cǐ shì yě shì jiǎo xìng zhī jí 。 bié shuō níng dān qī de gāo jiē xiū shì 。 jiù suàn yǐ xiǎo rén de xiū wèi ， yě néng gòu bì gǔ 。 kě zhù shǒu zhè lǐ de liú yǔ zhōu liú zhǎng lǎo ， què shí fēn tān tú kǒu fù zhī yù ， fǒu zé xiǎo rén yě zhǎo bú dào kòng xì 。”
“少主放心，白天收到你的传信，小人已经将软骨散下到了对方地饮食里面，说起来此事也是侥幸之极。别说凝丹期的高阶修士。就算以小人的修为，也能够辟谷。可驻守这里的刘禹舟刘长老，却十分贪图口腹之欲，否则小人也找不到空隙。”
"Do not worry, Young Master. I received your message during the day and added Soft Bone Powder to their food. It was a stroke of luck. Even Core Formation Stage cultivators would be able to survive without eating, let alone someone like me. But Elder Liu Yubo here is very fond of good food, so it gave me an opening," said Third Segment with relief.
“ ń ， cǐ shì nǐ zuò de bù cuò ， dà gōng gào chéng yǐ hòu ， běn shǎo zhǔ zì rán huì chóng chóng chóu xiè yú nǐ 。”
“嗯，此事你做的不错，大功告成以后，本少主自然会重重酬谢于你。”
"Good work. Once the task is done, I will reward you handsomely."
“ shǎo zhǔ yán zhòng le ， liáng qín zé mù ér xī ， liáng chén zé zhǔ ér shì ， néng gòu wèi shǎo zhǔ chū lì ， nǎi shì xiǎo rén jǐ shì xiū lái dì xiān fú ， nǎ lǐ hái gǎn tān gōng 。” nà duàn sān de liǎn shàng shǎn guò kuáng xǐ zhī sè ， dàn suí jí jiù mǎn liǎn gōng jìng dì dī xià tou 。
“少主言重了，良禽择木而息，良臣择主而侍，能够为少主出力，乃是小人几世修来地仙福，哪里还敢贪功。”那段三的脸上闪过狂喜之色，但随即就满脸恭敬地低下头。
"You flatter me too much, Young Master. Talents choose their masters and loyal servants choose their lords. Being able to serve you is my karmic fortune; how could I dare claim credit?" Third Segment's face showed intense joy before he lowered his head in respect.
lín xuān xīn zhōng lěng xiào ， cǐ rén de mǎ pì gōng fu dào hái zhēn shì yì liú ， bù guò tā yě méi yǒu lù chū shén me jīng yà zhī sè ， cǐ shì tián xiǎo jiàn yǐ jīng xiàng tā yán míng liǎo 。
林轩心中冷笑，此人的马屁功夫倒还真是一流，不过他也没有露出什么惊讶之色，此事田小剑已经向他言明了。
Lin Xuan inwardly smirked. Third Segment’s flattery was indeed first-rate, but he did not show any surprise as Tian Xiaojian had already informed him of this.
sú huà shuō ， jiā zéi nán fáng ， tiān mù shān de xiū shì yě yǒu shù qiān zhī duō ， zhè xiē rén suī rán dà duō duì mén pài zhōng xīn gěng gěng ， dàn yě bù fá tān shēng pà sǐ zhī tú ， rú jīn yōu zhōu zhèng mó shì dà ， zhǎng mén zhēn rén suī rán méi yǒu ná dìng zhǔ yì ， dàn yǐ jīng yǒu rén zài àn zhōng wèi zì jǐ zuò zhe dǎ suàn le ， zhè duàn sān jiù shì qí zhōng yí gè ……
俗话说，家贼难防，天目山的修士也有数千之多，这些人虽然大多对门派忠心耿耿，但也不乏贪生怕死之徒，如今幽州正魔势大，掌门真人虽然没有拿定主意，但已经有人在暗中为自己做着打算了，这段三就是其中一个……
As the saying goes, homegrown traitors are hard to guard against. There were thousands of cultivators on Mount Immortal Eye, and though most were loyal to their sect, there were also those who feared death. With the power of the Yin-Yang Sect growing in Youzhou, even if the sect leader had not made a decision yet, someone was secretly making plans for him. Third Segment was one such person...
gù ér tián xiǎo jiàn shāo jiā lā lǒng ， cǐ rén lì kè jiāng shī mén de ēn qíng pāo dào le nǎo hòu ， zì yǐ wéi bào shàng le yī kē dà shù ， shén qíng jī áng de biǎo shì yuàn wèi shǎo zhǔ jìn zhōng 。
故而田小剑稍加拉拢，此人立刻将师门的恩情抛到了脑后，自以为抱上了一棵大树，神情激昂的表示愿为少主尽忠。
So Tian Xiaojian slightly coaxed him, and immediately he put his master's kindness above his own sect’s gratitude, expressing his willingness to serve faithfully.
gēn zhe duàn sān ， liǎng rén ān rán rù gǔ 。
跟着段三，两人安然入谷。
Following Third Segment, they entered the valley in peace. The scenery inside was vastly different; it seemed like two worlds, filled with strange flowers and exotic plants, and the concentration of essence energy was astonishing.
lǐ miàn de jǐng wù guǒ rán dà bù xiāng tóng ， yóu rú liǎng gè shì jiè ， dào chù dōu shì qí huā yì cǎo ， sì zhōu líng qì de nóng dù gèng shì dào le jīng rén de dì bù 。
里面的景物果然大不相同，犹如两个世界，到处都是奇花异草，四周灵气的浓度更是到了惊人的地步。
No wonder this place was a spring source. Cultivating here must be twice as effective!
bù kuì shì quán yǎn suǒ zài ， zài zhè lǐ xiū liàn ， xiǎng bì shì bàn gōng bèi ！
不愧是泉眼所在，在这里修炼，想必事半功倍！
"Young Master, Senior Lin, please be careful. Follow my lead closely. Although I have deactivated most of the restrictions, there are a few that I cannot touch. Please do not tamper with them," Third Segment led the way while respectfully reminding them.
“ shǎo zhǔ ， lín qián bèi ， liǎng wèi qǐng xiǎo xīn yì diǎn ， yí dìng yào gēn jǐn xiǎo rén de jiǎo bù ， zhè ér de jìn zhì ， suī rán dà bàn dōu bèi wǒ zàn shí guān bì le ， dàn qí zhōng yǒu shù zhǒng ， què shì xiǎo rén suǒ bù néng jiē chù dì ， liǎng wèi qiān wàn bù néng chù dòng 。” duàn sān yī biān zài qián miàn yǐn lù ， yī biān gōng jìng tǎo hǎo dì tí xǐng zhe 。
“少主，林前辈，两位请小心一点，一定要跟紧小人的脚步，这儿的禁制，虽然大半都被我暂时关闭了，但其中有数种，却是小人所不能接触地，两位千万不能触动。”段三一边在前面引路，一边恭敬讨好地提醒着。
"Oh, you've deactivated most of them. So, Friend, your position in the Mystic Medicine Valley is quite high?" Lin Xuan asked calmly.
“ ó ， dà bàn dōu bèi nǐ guān bì le ， zhè me shuō ， dào yǒu zài qí yào gǔ de dì wèi hěn gāo ？” lín xuān biǎo qíng dàn rán dì dào 。
“哦，大半都被你关闭了，这么说，道友在奇药谷的地位很高？”林轩表情淡然地道。
"I beg your pardon for the joke, Young Master. The residence here belongs to Elder Liu Yubo, and there are several Foundation Establishment Stage disciples with cultivation not inferior to mine. But I am indeed the second-in-command," Third Segment said proudly.
“ ràng qián bèi jiàn xiào le ， zài zhè ér zuò zhèn de shì liú yǔ zhōu liú zhǎng lǎo ， chú le tā ， hái yǒu shù wèi zhù jī qī de dì zǐ xiū wèi dōu bù zài xiǎo rén zhī xià ， bù guò wǒ què shí shì zhè lǐ de èr hào rén wù 。” duàn sān yǒu diǎn dé yì de kāi kǒu 。
“让前辈见笑了，在这儿坐镇的是刘禹舟刘长老，除了他，还有数位筑基期的弟子修为都不在小人之下，不过我确实是这里的二号人物。”段三有点得意的开口。
"Is that so? You must have some special abilities!"
“ shì ma ， xiǎng bì dào yǒu shì yǒu shén me guò rén zhī chù ba ！”
“是吗，想必道友是有什么过人之处吧！”
"Yes, my cultivation is ordinary, but I excel at flattering people, which pleases Elder Liu very much," replied Third Segment honestly.
“ ń ， zài xià de xiū wèi pǔ tōng zhī jí ， bù guò què shí fēn de shàn cháng pāi mǎ pì ， gù ér hěn dé liú zhǎng lǎo de huān xīn 。” duàn sān lǎo lǎo shí shí de huí dá 。
“嗯，在下的修为普通之极，不过却十分的擅长拍马屁，故而很得刘长老的欢心。”段三老老实实的回答。
His straightforwardness surprised Lin Xuan, and Tian Xiaojian's expression froze as well, showing a strange look on his face.
tā rú cǐ tǎn chéng ， fǎn ér jiāng lín xuān xià le yī tiào ， biàn shì tián xiǎo jiàn yě biǎo qíng yī jiāng ， liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī gǔ guài de shén sè 。
他如此坦诚，反而将林轩吓了一跳，便是田小剑也表情一僵，脸上露出一丝古怪的神色。
"Friend, saying this so openly, are you afraid that Young Master might belittle you in the future?" Lin Xuan smiled slightly, looking somewhat surprised.
“ dào yǒu shuō dé zhè me zhí bái ， bù pà nǐ zhè wèi shǎo zhǔ tīng le ， yǐ hòu qīng jiàn yǔ nǐ ma ？” lín xuān liě le liě zuǐ jiǎo ， yǒu diǎn chà yì de dào 。
“道友说得这么直白，不怕你这位少主听了，以后轻贱与你吗？”林轩咧了咧嘴角，有点诧异的道。
"Haha, I know my own weight. Besides, while I am good at flattering people, I also have loyalty to serve Young Master," said Third Segment with a bitter smile. "Besides, Young Master has keen eyesight; even if I don’t say anything, how could you lack the ability to recognize talent?"
“ hē hē ， wǎn bèi yǒu jǐ jīn jǐ liǎng zhòng ， zì jǐ xīn zhōng qīng chǔ ， hé kuàng wǒ suī rán xǐ huān pāi mǎ pì ， dàn yě bù jǐn jǐn shì ē yú fèng chéng zhī tú ， tóng yàng huì wèi shǎo zhǔ zhōng xīn bàn shì de 。” duàn sān kǔ xiào yī shēng ：“ zài shuō shǎo zhǔ mù guāng rú jù ， wǒ jiù suàn bù shuō ， shǎo zhǔ yòu qǐ huì lián shí rén zhī míng dōu méi yǒu 。”
“呵呵，晚辈有几斤几两重，自己心中清楚，何况我虽然喜欢拍马屁，但也不仅仅是阿谀奉承之徒，同样会为少主忠心办事的。”段三苦笑一声：“再说少主目光如炬，我就算不说，少主又岂会连识人之明都没有。”
"Good, Third Segment. I like true flatterers and dislike fake ones. As long as you are loyal, I won't let you down," said Tian Xiaojian with a relieved expression.
“ hǎo ， duàn sān ， běn shǎo zhǔ xǐ huān zhēn xiǎo rén ， tǎo yàn wěi jūn zǐ ， zhǐ yào nǐ zhōng xīn bàn shì ， bú huì kuī dài nǐ de 。” tián xiǎo jiàn de liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī xīn wèi zhī sè 。
“好，段三，本少主喜欢真小人，讨厌伪君子，只要你忠心办事，不会亏待你的。”田小剑的脸上露出一丝欣慰之色。
As they spoke, the three of them arrived at the deeper part of the valley, where several pavilions and terraces were visible. The central one was particularly magnificent, like a legendary琼楼玉宇 (jade palace).
shuō huà jiān ， sān rén yǐ jīng lái dào le shān gǔ shēn chù ， shù zuò tíng tái lóu gé yìng rù le yǎn lián ， yóu qí shì zhōng jiān yí gè ， huá lì fēi cháng ， jiù fǎng fú chuán shuō zhōng de qióng lóu yù yǔ yī yàng 。
说话间，三人已经来到了山谷深处，数座亭台楼阁映入了眼帘，尤其是中间一个，华丽非常，就仿佛传说中的琼楼玉宇一样。
"That Moon Viewing Pavilion is Elder Liu's residence."
“ nà guān yuè lóu jiù shì liú zhǎng lǎo de jū suǒ 。”
“那观月楼就是刘长老的居所。”
Lin Xuan looked around; the buildings were far apart, so even if they broke any sound restrictions, any fighting would not likely disturb others as long as it wasn't too loud.
lín xuān kàn le yī xià ， nà xiē lóu gé xiāng jù pǒ yuǎn ， zhǐ yào bù xià gé yīn jìn zhì de huà ， jí shǐ shì dòu fǎ ， zhǐ yào dòng zuò bú shì tài dà ， yīng gāi yě bú huì jīng dòng qí tā rén 。
林轩看了一下，那些楼阁相距颇远，只要不下隔音禁制的话，即使是斗法，只要动作不是太大，应该也不会惊动其他人。
"Should we go this way?"
“ wǒ men jiù zhè yàng qù ma ？”
“我们就这样去吗？”
"Of course not," said Tian Xiaojian. He took out several items from his storage bag after a tap.
随即, his lips moved slightly as he whispered something. After about a cup of tea, Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow: "Really?"
"Of course," replied Tian Xiaojian with a smile. "Brother, how could I joke about such matters? I have my own tricks up my sleeve."
Lin Xuan remained silent for a moment before saying, "In that case, let's cooperate."
"Haha, I knew you would make the right choice, Brother," said Tian Xiaojian happily. "Rest assured, this trip will definitely meet our expectations. You'll be so full of spirit herbs and medicinal materials it’ll be hard to carry them all."
"I hope so," Lin Xuan stood up from his bed. "We shouldn't waste any time. It's getting late. We need to act quickly."
The two then quietly slipped out of the guest pavilion, despite the presence of numerous Core Formation Stage cultivators in the area. Their ability to conceal their forms was too advanced for anyone to notice.
Tian Xiaojian had not lied; he had done a lot of work to lure Lin Xuan here. With the skill of an old horse recognizing its path, he led Lin Xuan to the Mystic Medicine Valley.
From the outside, it looked unremarkable. Standing at the entrance, Lin Xuan's face showed surprise as he saw a cluster of low shrubs and withered grass, giving off a desolate and dilapidated appearance.
However, Lin Xuan did not say anything; instead, his expression seemed contemplative.
"Looks like Brother has already figured it out," Tian Xiaojian sneered. "The Immortal Eye Sect has set up an illusion around the valley. Even if someone manages to find their way here by chance, they won't be able to discover the hidden truth, much less realize that this is where the Spirit Vein and medicinal garden are located."
As he spoke, he took out a sound transmission talisman from his pocket, released his divine sense, inscribed what he wanted to say, and then threw it. The talisman flashed a few times before disappearing into the dark night.
About half a stick of incense later, a beam of light shot out of the valley. It was an ordinary-looking middle-aged man in his forties with mediocre cultivation, just at the early Foundation Establishment stage.
After the light dissipated, he immediately looked around cautiously, as if afraid of being discovered but also searching for something.
"Third Segment, this way!" Tian Xiaojian stepped out from his hiding place with a composed expression on his face.
"Young Master!" Third Segment was overjoyed and quickly bowed respectfully. Upon seeing Lin Xuan standing beside him, he changed his expression to one of great respect.
"Do not be alarmed," said Tian Xiaojian with a smile. "This Brother Lin is my close friend."
"Brother?" Third Segment looked at Lin Xuan and felt a shock. Who was this Tian Xiaojian? The Young Master of the Demon Cave, an apprentice of the Sovereign Demon. To be called his brother by such a seemingly unremarkable youth... what kind of person could he be?
But better not to ask unnecessary questions. Third Segment was smart enough to bend down and say: "Salutations, Senior!"
"Enough," Lin Xuan waved his hand. His eyes were half-closed but exuded an air of profound mystery.
"The preparations are complete."
"Do not worry, Young Master. I received your message during the day and added Soft Bone Powder to their food. It was a stroke of luck. Even Core Formation Stage cultivators would be able to survive without eating, let alone someone like me. But Elder Liu Yubo here is very fond of good food, so it gave me an opening," said Third Segment with relief.
"Good work. Once the task is done, I will reward you handsomely."
"You flatter me too much, Young Master. Talents choose their masters and loyal servants choose their lords. Being able to serve you is my karmic fortune; how could I dare claim credit?" Third Segment's face showed intense joy before he lowered his head in respect.
Lin Xuan inwardly smirked. Third Segment’s flattery was indeed first-rate, but he did not show any surprise as Tian Xiaojian had already informed him of this.
As the saying goes, homegrown traitors are hard to guard against. There were thousands of cultivators on Mount Immortal Eye, and though most were loyal to their sect, there were also those who feared death. With the power of the Yin-Yang Sect growing in Youzhou, even if the sect leader had not made a decision yet, someone was secretly making plans for him. Third Segment was one such person...
So Tian Xiaojian slightly coaxed him, and immediately he put his master's kindness above his own sect’s gratitude, expressing his willingness to serve faithfully.
Following Third Segment, they entered the valley in peace. The scenery inside was vastly different; it seemed like two worlds, filled with strange flowers and exotic plants, and the concentration of essence energy was astonishing.
No wonder this place was a spring source. Cultivating here must be twice as effective!
"Young Master, Senior Lin, please be careful. Follow my lead closely. Although I have deactivated most of the restrictions, there are a few that I cannot touch. Please do not tamper with them," Third Segment led the way while respectfully reminding them.
"Oh, you've deactivated most of them. So, Friend, your position in the Mystic Medicine Valley is quite high?" Lin Xuan asked calmly.
"I beg your pardon for the joke, Young Master. The residence here belongs to Elder Liu Yubo, and there are several Foundation Establishment Stage disciples with cultivation not inferior to mine. But I am indeed the second-in-command," Third Segment said proudly.
"Is that so? You must have some special abilities!"
"Yes, my cultivation is ordinary, but I excel at flattering people, which pleases Elder Liu very much," replied Third Segment honestly.
His straightforwardness surprised Lin Xuan, and Tian Xiaojian's expression froze as well, showing a strange look on his face.
"Friend, saying this so openly, are you afraid that Young Master might belittle you in the future?" Lin Xuan smiled slightly, looking somewhat surprised.
"Haha, I know my own weight. Besides, while I am good at flattering people, I also have loyalty to serve Young Master," said Third Segment with a bitter smile. "Besides, Young Master has keen eyesight; even if I don’t say anything, how could you lack the ability to recognize talent?"
"Good, Third Segment. I like true flatterers and dislike fake ones. As long as you are loyal, I won't let you down," said Tian Xiaojian with a relieved expression.
As they spoke, the three of them arrived at the deeper part of the valley, where several pavilions and terraces were visible. The central one was particularly magnificent, like a legendary琼楼玉宇 (jade palace).
"That Moon Viewing Pavilion is Elder Liu's residence."
Lin Xuan looked around; the buildings were far apart, so even if they broke any sound restrictions, any fighting would not likely disturb others as long as it wasn't too loud.
"Should we go this way?"
"Of course not," said Tian Xiaojian. He took out several items from his storage bag after a tap.