lín xuān lěng yǎn kàn zhe zhè yí mù ， sī háo biǎo qíng yě méi yǒu ， shǒu yī fú ， yī dào bái guāng juǎn huí le duì fāng de chǔ wù dài ， rán hòu yòu jiāng xuán huǒ shén zhū yǔ líng qì yě shōu le qǐ lái 。
林轩冷眼看着这一幕，丝毫表情也没有，手一拂，一道白光卷回了对方的储物袋，然后又将玄火神珠与灵器也收了起来。
Lin Xuan watched the scene with a cold expression, showing no emotion. He waved his hand and a beam of white light rolled back into the other person's storage bracelet, then he also stored away the Xuanhuo Divine Pearl and the spiritual artifact.
suí hòu huà wèi yī dào jīng hóng ， xiāo shī zài yè kōng zhī zhōng 。
随后化为一道惊虹，消失在夜空之中。
Then, he transformed into a streak of startling light that vanished into the night sky.
piàn kè hòu ， lín xuān huí dào le gāng cái chū yù gù fēng de dì diǎn ， kàn zhuó yǎn qián de nóng wù ， lüè yī chóu chú ， suí hòu hái shì shēn xíng yī huǎng ， mò rù qí zhōng 。
片刻后，林轩回到了刚才初遇顾风的地点，看着眼前的浓雾，略一踌躇，随后还是身形一晃，没入其中。
A moment later, Lin Xuan returned to the place where he first met Gu Feng. He looked at the dense fog before him, hesitated for a moment, then his figure flickered and disappeared into it.
jiāng shén shí quán lì fàng chū ， bù gǎn yǒu sī háo de bǎo liú ， yún hǎi liè guāng zhèn wēi míng hè hè ， suī rán rú jīn de wēi néng yǐ jīng suǒ shèng wú jǐ ， dàn lín xuān yī rán bù gǎn yǒu sī háo de dà yì 。
将神识全力放出，不敢有丝毫的保留，云海裂光阵威名赫赫，虽然如今的威能已经所剩无几，但林轩依然不敢有丝毫的大意。
He released his divine sense with all his might, not daring to be overly cautious. The裂光阵 of Mount Tianzhu was notorious, although its current power had diminished significantly, Lin Xuan still did not take any chances.
hǎo zài yǒu jīng wú xiǎn ， tā suǒ tiāo de zhè yī duàn ， běn jiù shì zhèn fǎ zuì wèi bó ruò de dì diǎn ， hé kuàng rú jīn tiān mù shān luàn chéng yì tuán ， zhèn fǎ suī yǐ kāi qǐ ， què méi yǒu rén zhǔ chí ……
好在有惊无险，他所挑的这一段，本就是阵法最为薄弱的地点，何况如今天目山乱成一团，阵法虽已开启，却没有人主持……
Fortunately, there were no major incidents. He had chosen a section where the array's weakness was most pronounced. Moreover, with the chaos at Mount Tianzhu today, even though the array had been activated, no one was in charge...
zǒng zhī zhè cán cún xià lái de yì diǎn jìn zhì suī rán néng gěi lín xuān zào chéng xiē wēi má fán ， dàn què nán yǐ duì tā zào chéng shāng hài ， jǐn jǐn huā le yī zhù xiāng de shí jiān ， lín xuān jiù cóng zhèn fǎ zhōng zǒu le chū lái 。
总之这残存下来的一点禁制虽然能给林轩造成些微麻烦，但却难以对他造成伤害，仅仅花了一炷香的时间，林轩就从阵法中走了出来。
In short, although this residual restriction could cause some trouble for Lin Xuan, it posed little threat to him. It took only about an hour of incense time before he emerged from the array.
cǐ chù yǐ dào le tiān mù shān de shān jiǎo ， lín xuān kàn le yī yǎn bù yuǎn chù de nà fán rén xiǎo zhèn ， jìng yǒu yī zhǒng huǎng rú gé shì zhī gǎn 。
此处已到了天目山的山脚，林轩看了一眼不远处的那凡人小镇，竟有一种恍如隔世之感。
He was now at the foot of Mount Tianzhu. Looking at the nearby human town, Lin Xuan felt as if he had stepped into another world.
zhè cì tiān mù shān zhī xíng ， qū zhé jīng xiǎn yuǎn yuǎn chāo chū le zì jǐ de yù liào ， yuán běn jǐn jǐn shì xiǎng yào jiāo huàn jǐ zhū wàn xiàng cǎo ， nǎ zhī dào zuì hòu què juǎn rù zhè yàng de fēng bào 。
这次天目山之行，曲折惊险远远超出了自己的预料，原本仅仅是想要交换几株万象草，哪知道最后却卷入这样的风暴。
This trip to Mount Tianzhu was far more convoluted and perilous than he had anticipated. Initially, his goal was merely to exchange some Wonders of All Things herbs, but fate had thrown him into a storm.
hǎo zài zuì hòu jié jú bù cuò ， zì jǐ de shōu huò fēng fù yǐ jí ， lín xuān zì rán bú huì zài zhè lǐ dān gē xià qù ， huà wèi yī dào jīng hóng ， xùn sù xiāo shī zài tiān biān le 。
好在最后结局不错，自己的收获丰富以极，林轩自然不会在这里耽搁下去，化为一道惊虹，迅速消失在天边了。
Fortunately, the outcome was satisfactory. His收获 was immense, so Lin Xuan did not linger here any longer. He transformed into a streak of startling light that quickly disappeared into the horizon.
yī lù shàng ， lín xuān méi yǒu sī háo dān gē ， suī rán bù néng shì shuō zhòu yè gǎn lù ， dàn chú le gǎn jué fǎ lì xiāo hào tài dà ， xū yào tíng xià lái shāo shì xiū xī zhī wài ， jī hū yì zhí shì zài xiàng qián fēi 。
一路上，林轩没有丝毫耽搁，虽然不能是说昼夜赶路，但除了感觉法力消耗太大，需要停下来稍事休息之外，几乎一直是在向前飞。
Throughout the journey, Lin Xuan made no detours despite not traveling day and night. Apart from feeling his mana consumption was too great and needing to rest occasionally, he continued flying forward almost non-stop.
zhí dào sān tiān hòu ， tā chū le yōu zhōu běi jiāng de fàn wéi ， zhè cái sù dù jiǎn huǎn ， xú xú de xiàng qián fēi 。
直到三天后，他出了幽州北疆的范围，这才速度减缓，徐徐的向前飞。
Three days later, as he left the northern border of Youzhou, he slowed down and flew steadily ahead.
rú jīn níng shén dān suǒ xū dì yuán liào yǐ jīng còu qí 。 lín xuān zì rán shì yào gǎn huí líng yào shān qù 。 liàn chū líng yào hòu xiān jiāng xiū wèi tí shēng dào zhù jī qī dà yuán mǎn 。 suí hòu zài wèi níng jié jīn dān zuò zhǔn bèi 。
如今凝神丹所需地原料已经凑齐。林轩自然是要赶回灵药山去。炼出灵药后先将修为提升到筑基期大圆满。随后再为凝结金丹做准备。
With the necessary ingredients for the凝聚丹 now gathered, Lin Xuan naturally wanted to return to Spirit Medicine Mountain. He would first raise his cultivation to the peak of Foundation Establishment stage, then prepare for condensing a golden core.
zhǐ yào chéng gōng 。 bù jǐn zì jǐ dì shòu yuán huì kuáng zhǎng yí bèi 。 ér qiě yě jiù bù rù le gāo jiē xiū shì dì háng liè 。
只要成功。不仅自己地寿元会狂涨一倍。而且也就步入了高阶修士地行列。
If successful, not only would his lifespan increase dramatically, but he would also enter the ranks of high-ranking cultivators. At that point, he wouldn't have to be so cautious anymore; with the Condensation Core stage, though he couldn't say he could go anywhere in the world, at least he had some self-defense capabilities.
nà shí hòu 。 jiù yòng bù zhe zài xiàng xiàn zài yī yàng zhàn zhàn jīng jīng 。 yǒu le níng dān qī dì xiū wèi 。 suī bù néng shuō tiān xià jǐn kě yǐ qù 。 dàn zhì shǎo 。 yě yǒu le yí dìng dì zì bǎo zhī lì 。
那时候。就用不着再像现在一样战战兢兢。有了凝丹期地修为。虽不能说天下尽可以去。但至少。也有了一定地自保之力。
After all, in this realm, an Incarnation Stage was a top-tier existence. Such old monsters were few and far between in Youzhou, let alone elsewhere.
bì jìng zài zhè yī jiè 。 yuán yīng qī jiù shì dǐng jiān dì cún zài 。 zhè yàng dì lǎo guài wù 。 fàng yǎn yōu zhōu 。 yě qū zhǐ kě shǔ 。 gū jì qí tā dì fāng 。 shù liàng tóng yàng bù duō 。
毕竟在这一界。元婴期就是顶尖地存在。这样地老怪物。放眼幽州。也屈指可数。估计其他地方。数量同样不多。
For over half a month, Lin Xuan continued his journey until he was only about two thousand li away from Spirit Medicine Mountain.
jiù zhè yàng 。 yòu guò le bàn yuè zhī jiǔ 。 jù lí líng yào shān 。 yǐ jǐn yǒu liǎng qiān lǐ zuǒ yòu 。
就这样。又过了半月之久。距离灵药山。已仅有两千里左右。
Originally, Lin Xuan had no intention of delaying on the road. However, when passing through a marketplace, after some hesitation, he stopped.
yuán běn lín xuān bìng bù dǎ suàn zài lù shàng dān gē 。 rán ér zài tú jīng yī fāng shì dì shí hòu 。 lüè yī chóu chú 。 hái shì tíng xià lái le 。
原本林轩并不打算在路上耽搁。然而在途经一坊市地时候。略一踌躇。还是停下来了。
Transforming into an ordinary middle-aged man, Lin Xuan stepped into the marketplace.
huà shēn wèi yī pǔ tōng de zhōng nián rén hòu ， lín xuān mài bù jìn rù le qí zhōng 。
化身为一普通的中年人后，林轩迈步进入了其中。
The marketplace wasn't large; it was merely opened by several smaller sects in the vicinity. Nevertheless, as the saying goes, small as a sparrow, all organs are present. Since Lin Xuan came here not to buy anything but to sell items he no longer needed, he easily exchanged them for over ten thousand crystal stones.
fāng shì bù dà ， jǐn jǐn shì fù jìn jǐ gè zhōng xiǎo guī mó de mén pài lián hé suǒ kāi ， bù guò sú huà shuō dé hǎo ， má què suī xiǎo ， wǔ zàng jù quán ， hé kuàng lín xuān lái cǐ ， yě bú shì wèi le mǎi shén me dōng xī ， fǎn ér shì jiāng shǒu lǐ yī xiē yòng bù shàng de wù pǐn 。 tuō shǒu mài chū qù ， huàn chéng jīng shí hěn shùn lì ， cóng nà xiē yǔn luò xiū shì de chǔ wù dài lǐ ， lín xuān tiāo chū le shù jiàn líng qì ， yǐ jí zì jǐ bù xū yào de cái liào ， jié guǒ qīng ér yì jǔ dì huàn qǔ le jìn wàn jīng shí 。
坊市不大，仅仅是附近几个中小规模的门派联合所开，不过俗话说得好，麻雀虽小，五脏俱全，何况林轩来此，也不是为了买什么东西，反而是将手里一些用不上的物品。脱手卖出去，换成晶石很顺利，从那些陨落修士的储物袋里，林轩挑出了数件灵器，以及自己不需要的材料，结果轻而易举地换取了近万晶石。
A day and a half later, Lin Xuan left the marketplace. He had lingered there so long because he accidentally heard some news of interest while selling his items.
bàn rì hòu ， lín xuān chū le fāng shì ， zhī suǒ yǐ zài zhè lǐ dān gē le rú cǐ zhī jiǔ ， shì yīn wèi tā zài shòu mài wù pǐn de shí hòu ǒu rán tīng dào le zì jǐ guān xīn de xiāo xī 。
半日后，林轩出了坊市，之所以在这里耽搁了如此之久，是因为他在售卖物品的时候偶然听到了自己关心的消息。
Indeed, Daoist methods were miraculous; in the cultivation world, information spread much faster than in the mortal realm.
bù dé bù shuō 。 dào fǎ shén qí ， zài xiū zhēn jiè xiāo xī chuán dì de sù dù ， yuǎn fēi shì sú jiè kě bǐ 。
不得不说。道法神奇，在修真界消息传递的速度，远非世俗界可比。
These pieces of news were related to Mount Tianzhu.
zhè xiē xiāo xī yǔ tiān mù pài yǒu xiē guān xì 。
这些消息与天目派有些关系。
On that day, a shocking incident occurred at the Wondrous Medicine Valley. Not only was the spring destroyed, but various spirit medicines were also plundered. The True Man Kūmù was furious and mobilized all thousands of his sect's cultivators.
dāng rì ， qí yào gǔ jīng biàn ， bù jǐn quán yǎn bèi huǐ ， gè lèi líng yào yě bèi shōu guā yī kōng ， kū mù zhēn rén dà nù ， quán pài shù qiān xiū shì dōu bèi dòng yuán le qǐ lái 。
当日，奇药谷惊变，不仅泉眼被毁，各类灵药也被收刮一空，枯木真人大怒，全派数千修士都被动员了起来。
After a thorough search, no results were found, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts with some visiting cultivators from other sects.
yī fān sōu suǒ zhī hòu ， què méi yǒu rèn hé jié guǒ 。 fǎn ér yǔ yī xiē wài lái cān jiā jiāo yì huì de xiū shì qǐ le wù huì yǔ chōng tū 。
一番搜索之后，却没有任何结果。反而与一些外来参加交易会的修士起了误会与冲突。
What enraged Kūmù even more was that his favored disciple, the top Foundation Establishment stage cultivator Gu Feng, inexplicably perished. Even the identity of the murderer remained unclear.
gèng lìng kū mù zhēn rén jīng nù jiāo jí de shì 。 tā de dé yì dì zǐ ， běn mén zhù jī qī xiū shì pái míng dì yī de gù fēng 。 jū rán mò míng qí miào de yǔn luò ， shèn zhì lián xiōng shǒu shì shéi dōu bù qīng chǔ 。
更令枯木真人惊怒交急的是。他的得意弟子，本门筑基期修士排名第一的顾风。居然莫名其妙的陨落，甚至连凶手是谁都不清楚。
However, there was no time for grief. After the spring's destruction, Mount Tianzhu faced its greatest crisis.
rán ér què méi yǒu shí jiān xīn tòng ， quán yǎn bèi huǐ yǐ hòu ， tiān mù pài zuì dà dì wēi jī lái lín liǎo 。
然而却没有时间心痛，泉眼被毁以后，天目派最大地危机来临了。
In a way, it was amusing; compared to the millennium-old lean times, Mount Tianzhu now boasted a formidable strength. There were over seven Condensation Core stage elders and hundreds of Foundation Establishment stage disciples. Such power, if not counting Incarnation Stage experts, almost matched any one of the three major sects.
shuō qǐ lái yǒu xiē hǎo xiào ， bǐ qǐ qiān nián qián qīng huáng bù jiē de nà duàn shí guāng ， rú jīn de tiān mù pài kě wèi rén qiáng mǎ zhuàng 。
说起来有些好笑，比起千年前青黄不接的那段时光，如今的天目派可谓人强马壮。
However, they had lost their greatest protector. With the spring destroyed, the power of the裂光阵 was reduced to a tenth or so. Although Kūmù True Man had prepared for this, the crisis came too quickly!
níng dān qī zhǎng lǎo yǒu qī bā rén zhī duō ， zhù jī qī dì dì zǐ gèng shì shù yǐ bǎi jì ， rú cǐ shí lì ， rú guǒ bù jì suàn yuán yīng qī lǎo guài de huà ， jī hū gǎn de shàng sān jù tóu rèn hé yī pài de qī bā chéng le 。
凝丹期长老有七八人之多，筑基期地弟子更是数以百计，如此实力，如果不计算元婴期老怪的话，几乎赶得上三巨头任何一派的七八成了。
Snow Shadow Sect, the second largest sect in northern Youzhou after Mount Tianzhu, boasted three Condensation Core stage experts and had maintained good relations with Mount Tianzhu for centuries, supporting each other through thick and thin.
rán ér tā men què shī qù le běn mén zuì dà de bì hù ， quán yǎn jì huǐ ， yún hǎi liè guāng zhèn de shén tōng zhǐ shèng xià shí zhī yī èr ， suī rán lǎo móu shēn suàn de kū mù zhēn rén yǐ jīng yǒu le dī fáng de xīn lǐ ， kě wēi jī lái de zhī kuài hái shì tài chū rén yì liào le xiē ！
然而他们却失去了本门最大的庇护，泉眼既毁，云海裂光阵的神通只剩下十之一二，虽然老谋深算的枯木真人已经有了提防的心理，可危机来得之快还是太出人意料了些！
Even their previous generations of patriarchs had formed a brotherhood. However, when Mount Tianzhu faced its crisis, it was Snow Shadow Sect that struck first.
xuě yǐng mén ， yōu zhōu běi jiāng jǐn cì yú tiān mù pài de dì èr dà zōng mén ， yōng yǒu níng dān qī gāo shǒu sān rén ， shù bǎi nián lái ， liǎng pài yì zhí jiāo hǎo ， shǒu wàng xiāng zhù ， jí biàn xià miàn de dì zǐ ǒu yǒu mó cā ， gāo céng yě cóng méi yǒu hóng liǎn dòng wǔ ， zǒng shì hù xiāng kè zhì ， shāng liáng zhe jiě jué fēn qí 。
雪影门，幽州北疆仅次于天目派的第二大宗门，拥有凝丹期高手三人，数百年来，两派一直交好，守望相助，即便下面的弟子偶有摩擦，高层也从没有红脸动武，总是互相克制，商量着解决分歧。
With the sect's号召, they rallied over ten nearby clans and sects to form an alliance targeting Mount Tianzhu.
shèn zhì liǎng pài dì shàng yí dài zhǎng mén hái jié chéng guò yì xìng xiōng dì 。
甚至两派地上一代掌门还结成过异姓兄弟。
Kūmù True Man was naturally furious but, as a sect leader with the demeanor of a cunning strategist, he quickly identified the crux of the issue. Snow Shadow Sect or any other clan that had joined their ranks were all after Mount Tianzhu's spirit veins.
rán ér jiù shì zhè me hǎo de guān xì ， zài tiān mù pài chū xiàn wēi jī de shí hòu ， zhèng shì xuě yǐng mén zuì xiān luò jǐng xià shí 。
然而就是这么好的关系，在天目派出现危机的时候，正是雪影门最先落井下石。
In one's own bed, others should not sleep; it made no sense to let others take advantage of his ancestors' legacy. Kūmù True Man, however, weighed the situation and proposed an invitation for these sects to relocate their main headquarters near Mount Tianzhu.
yóu gāi pài hào zhào ， lā lǒng fù jìn de shí jǐ gè zōng mén jiā zú ， zǔ chéng le yí gè lián méng ， jiàn zhǐ tiān mù fēng 。
由该派号召，拉拢附近的十几个宗门家族，组成了一个联盟，剑指天目锋。
A true man could bend or stretch. With the sect facing its greatest crisis since its founding, Kūmù's proposal was undoubtedly wise.
kū mù zhēn rén zì rán shì nǎo nù yǐ jí ， rán ér cǐ rén bù kuì shì yī pài zhǎng mén ， yōng yǒu xiāo xióng de qì dù ， hěn kuài ， jiù jiāng wèn tí de guān jiàn nòng qīng chǔ 。
枯木真人自然是恼怒以极，然而此人不愧是一派掌门，拥有枭雄的气度，很快，就将问题的关键弄清楚。
Even Snow Shadow Sect's patriarch had prepared to accept this suggestion. However, another elder of that sect strongly opposed it. The arrow was already on the string; even if no fighting broke out now, Mount Tianzhu and their sect were already at loggerheads. Although they appeared submissive now, their hearts were filled with extreme hatred. If they did not seize this opportunity to completely eliminate Mount Tianzhu, once that sect recovered its strength, it would be Snow Shadow Sect's end.
xuě yǐng mén yě hǎo ， hái shì bèi tā men lā lǒng de zōng mén jiā zú yě bà ， dōu shì chōng zhe tiān mù shān de líng mài lái de 。
雪影门也好，还是被他们拉拢的宗门家族也罢，都是冲着天目山的灵脉来的。
Fùbiu's words indeed had foresight. With his eloquence, he not only convinced the patriarch of his own sect but also reeled in other clans and sects that wanted to withdraw from the alliance.
wò tà zhī cè ， qǐ róng tā rén hān shuì ， zǔ shī jī yè ， gèng méi yǒu diū diào dì dào lǐ ， rán ér kū mù zhēn rén què shěn shí duó shì ， lì pái zhòng yì ， xiàng xuě yǐng mén yǐ jí nà xiē zōng pài tí chū le yāo qǐng tā men jiāng zǒng duò bān qiān dào tiān mù shān fù jìn de jiàn yì 。
卧榻之侧，岂容他人鼾睡，祖师基业，更没有丢掉地道理，然而枯木真人却审时度势，力排众议，像雪影门以及那些宗派提出了邀请他们将总舵搬迁到天目山附近的建议。
Ignoring Kūmù's proposal, over ten clans and sects each brought their best forces, combining their efforts to attack Mount Tianzhu.
dà zhàng fū néng qū néng shēn ， rú jīn běn mén miàn lín chuàng pài yǐ lái zuì dà de wēi jī ， kū mù zhēn rén cǐ jǔ ， wú yí míng zhì yǐ jí 。
大丈夫能屈能伸，如今本门面临创派以来最大的危机，枯木真人此举，无疑明智以极。
Mount Tianzhu naturally did not back down. Although the裂光阵 was destroyed, the sect was in its most prosperous period with a cloud of powerful cultivators. How could they sit idly by or abandon this place rich in mana?
shèn zhì lián xuě yǐng mén de zhǎng mén dōu yǐ jīng zhǔn bèi jiē shòu zhè ge jiàn yì ， rán ér gāi pài de lìng yī wèi zhǎng lǎo ， què quán lì fǎn duì ， suǒ wèi jiàn zài xián shàng bù dé bù fā ， rú jīn jiù suàn méi yǒu kāi dǎ ， kě běn mén yǔ tiān mù pài yě suàn sī pò liǎn pí le a ， bié kàn tā men rú jīn fú ruǎn ， kě xīn zhōng kěn dìng shì hèn dào le jí diǎn ， rú guǒ bù chèn cǐ jī huì ， jiāng tiān mù pài chè dǐ chǎn chú ， yí dàn děng gāi pài huī fù yuán qì ， děng dài xuě yǐng mén de jiù shì miè dǐng zhī zāi 。
甚至连雪影门的掌门都已经准备接受这个建议，然而该派的另一位长老，却全力反对，所谓箭在弦上不得不发，如今就算没有开打，可本门与天目派也算撕破脸皮了啊，别看他们如今服软，可心中肯定是恨到了极点，如果不趁此机会，将天目派彻底铲除，一旦等该派恢复元气，等待雪影门的就是灭顶之灾。
The end.
Lin Xuan watched the scene with a cold expression, showing no emotion. He waved his hand and a beam of white light rolled back into the other person's storage bracelet, then he also stored away the Xuanhuo Divine Pearl and the spiritual artifact.
Then, he transformed into a streak of startling light that vanished into the night sky.
A moment later, Lin Xuan returned to the place where he first met Gu Feng. He looked at the dense fog before him, hesitated for a moment, then his figure flickered and disappeared into it.
He released his divine sense with all his might, not daring to be overly cautious. The裂光阵 of Mount Tianzhu was notorious, although its current power had diminished significantly, Lin Xuan still did not take any chances.
Fortunately, there were no major incidents. He had chosen a section where the array's weakness was most pronounced. Moreover, with the chaos at Mount Tianzhu today, even though the array had been activated, no one was in charge...
In short, although this residual restriction could cause some trouble for Lin Xuan, it posed little threat to him. It took only about an hour of incense time before he emerged from the array.
He was now at the foot of Mount Tianzhu. Looking at the nearby human town, Lin Xuan felt as if he had stepped into another world.
This trip to Mount Tianzhu was far more convoluted and perilous than he had anticipated. Initially, his goal was merely to exchange some Wonders of All Things herbs, but fate had thrown him into a storm.
Fortunately, the outcome was satisfactory. His收获 was immense, so Lin Xuan did not linger here any longer. He transformed into a streak of startling light that quickly disappeared into the horizon.
Throughout the journey, Lin Xuan made no detours despite not traveling day and night. Apart from feeling his mana consumption was too great and needing to rest occasionally, he continued flying forward almost non-stop.
Three days later, as he left the northern border of Youzhou, he slowed down and flew steadily ahead.
With the necessary ingredients for the凝聚丹 now gathered, Lin Xuan naturally wanted to return to Spirit Medicine Mountain. He would first raise his cultivation to the peak of Foundation Establishment stage, then prepare for condensing a golden core.
If successful, not only would his lifespan increase dramatically, but he would also enter the ranks of high-ranking cultivators. At that point, he wouldn't have to be so cautious anymore; with the Condensation Core stage, though he couldn't say he could go anywhere in the world, at least he had some self-defense capabilities.
After all, in this realm, an Incarnation Stage was a top-tier existence. Such old monsters were few and far between in Youzhou, let alone elsewhere.
For over half a month, Lin Xuan continued his journey until he was only about two thousand li away from Spirit Medicine Mountain.
Originally, Lin Xuan had no intention of delaying on the road. However, when passing through a marketplace, after some hesitation, he stopped.
Transforming into an ordinary middle-aged man, Lin Xuan stepped into the marketplace.
The marketplace wasn't large; it was merely opened by several smaller sects in the vicinity. Nevertheless, as the saying goes, small as a sparrow, all organs are present. Since Lin Xuan came here not to buy anything but to sell items he no longer needed, he easily exchanged them for over ten thousand crystal stones.
A day and a half later, Lin Xuan left the marketplace. He had lingered there so long because he accidentally heard some news of interest while selling his items.
Indeed, Daoist methods were miraculous; in the cultivation world, information spread much faster than in the mortal realm.
These pieces of news were related to Mount Tianzhu.
On that day, a shocking incident occurred at the Wondrous Medicine Valley. Not only was the spring destroyed, but various spirit medicines were also plundered. The True Man Kūmù was furious and mobilized all thousands of his sect's cultivators.
After a thorough search, no results were found, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts with some visiting cultivators from other sects.
What enraged Kūmù even more was that his favored disciple, the top Foundation Establishment stage cultivator Gu Feng, inexplicably perished. Even the identity of the murderer remained unclear.
However, there was no time for grief. After the spring's destruction, Mount Tianzhu faced its greatest crisis.
In a way, it was amusing; compared to the millennium-old lean times, Mount Tianzhu now boasted a formidable strength. There were over seven Condensation Core stage elders and hundreds of Foundation Establishment stage disciples. Such power, if not counting Incarnation Stage experts, almost matched any one of the three major sects.
However, they had lost their greatest protector. With the spring destroyed, the power of the裂光阵 was reduced to a tenth or so. Although Kūmù True Man had prepared for this, the crisis came too quickly!
Snow Shadow Sect, the second largest sect in northern Youzhou after Mount Tianzhu, boasted three Condensation Core stage experts and had maintained good relations with Mount Tianzhu for centuries, supporting each other through thick and thin.
Even their previous generations of patriarchs had formed a brotherhood. However, when Mount Tianzhu faced its crisis, it was Snow Shadow Sect that struck first.
With the sect's号召, they rallied over ten nearby clans and sects to form an alliance targeting Mount Tianzhu.
Kūmù True Man was naturally furious but, as a sect leader with the demeanor of a cunning strategist, he quickly identified the crux of the issue. Snow Shadow Sect or any other clan that had joined their ranks were all after Mount Tianzhu's spirit veins.
In one's own bed, others should not sleep; it made no sense to let others take advantage of his ancestors' legacy. Kūmù True Man, however, weighed the situation and proposed an invitation for these sects to relocate their main headquarters near Mount Tianzhu.
A true man could bend or stretch. With the sect facing its greatest crisis since its founding, Kūmù's proposal was undoubtedly wise.
Even Snow Shadow Sect's patriarch had prepared to accept this suggestion. However, another elder of that sect strongly opposed it. The arrow was already on the string; even if no fighting broke out now, Mount Tianzhu and their sect were already at loggerheads. Although they appeared submissive now, their hearts were filled with extreme hatred. If they did not seize this opportunity to completely eliminate Mount Tianzhu, once that sect recovered its strength, it would be Snow Shadow Sect's end.
Fùbiu's words indeed had foresight. With his eloquence, he not only convinced the patriarch of his own sect but also reeled in other clans and sects that wanted to withdraw from the alliance.
Ignoring Kūmù's proposal, over ten clans and sects each brought their best forces, combining their efforts to attack Mount Tianzhu.
Mount Tianzhu naturally did not back down. Although the裂光阵 was destroyed, the sect was in its most prosperous period with a cloud of powerful cultivators. How could they sit idly by or abandon this place rich in mana?
The end.