yǐ tā rú jīn de shí lì ， miè shā dòng xuán ， shèn zhì zhǐ shì qū qū lí hé jí bié de xiū xiān zhě ， zì rán méi yǒu fēn háo nán dù 。
以他如今的实力，灭杀洞玄，甚至只是区区离合级别的修仙者，自然没有分毫难度。
With his current strength, exterminating the Profound Concealment Sect was no challenge, let alone a mere Separation Stage cultivator. There was no difficulty in doing so.
dāng rán ， lín xuān zài qiáng ， zhè yě jǐn jǐn shì suí shǒu yī jī ， huò duō huò shǎo dū huì yǒu yī xiē lòu wǎng zhī yú ， dàn méi yǒu guān xì ， yún yǐn zōng qí tā de xiū shì yǐ jīng pū le shàng qù 。
当然，林轩再强，这也仅仅是随手一击，或多或少都会有一些漏网之鱼，但没有关系，云隐宗其他的修士已经扑了上去。
Of course, even though Lin Xuan was powerful, this was merely a casual strike. Some of the targets would inevitably escape, but that didn't matter; the other cultivators from the Cloud Concealment Sect had already rushed forward.
liè rén biàn chéng le liè wù ， yīn wèi lín xuān de jiā rù ， zhěng gè jú miàn yǐ chè dǐ niǔ zhuǎn le 。
猎人变成了猎物，因为林轩的加入，整个局面已彻底扭转了。
The hunters became prey as soon as Lin Xuan joined in, and the entire situation had been completely reversed.
yún yǐn zōng shì qì dà zuò ， fǎn guān nà xiē wài lái de xiū xiān zhě ， xìn xīn zé diē luò dào gǔ dǐ ， lín xuān gāng cái nà yī jī ， bù jǐn jiāng wú lǎo guài miè chú ， hái jiāng tā men de xìn xīn ， yě chè dǐ cuī huǐ le 。
云隐宗士气大做，反观那些外来的修仙者，信心则跌落到谷底，林轩刚才那一击，不仅将吴老怪灭除，还将他们的信心，也彻底摧毁了。
Morale soared within the Cloud Concealment Sect, while the confidence of the outsiders plummeted. Not only did Lin Xuan eliminate the Old Monster Wu, but he also shattered their confidence with that single strike.
shuō sàng jiā zhī quǎn yě bù wèi guò ， miàn duì yún yǐn zōng xiū shì de wéi zhuī dǔ jié ， hěn shǎo yǒu rén gǎn tíng xià lái yī zhàn ， jī hū dōu shì diào tóu jiù pǎo ， rú cǐ yī lái ， yún yǐn zōng de wēi jī zì rán jiě chú ， ér qiě lòu wǎng zhī yú liáo liáo kě shǔ 。
说丧家之犬也不为过，面对云隐宗修士的围追堵截，很少有人敢停下来一战，几乎都是掉头就跑，如此一来，云隐宗的危机自然解除，而且漏网之鱼寥寥可数。
They were like stricken dogs; few dared to stop and fight against the pursuers from the Cloud Concealment Sect. Almost everyone turned tail and ran. As a result, the crisis for the Cloud Concealment Sect was naturally resolved, and the number of escapees was minimal.
lín xuān yǐ yī rén zhī lì ， zài cì lì wǎn kuáng lán ， jiù yún yǐn zōng yú shuǐ huǒ 。
林轩以一人之力，再次力挽狂澜，救云隐宗于水火。
Lin Xuan once again turned the tide with his single effort, rescuing the Cloud Concealment Sect from peril.
qí zài běn zōng dì zǐ xīn mù zhōng de shēng wàng ， gèng shì dào le rú rì zhōng tiān de dì bù 。
其在本宗弟子心目中的声望，更是到了如日中天的地步。
His reputation within the sect’s disciples reached its zenith.
bàn gè shí chén hòu ， lín xuān bèi yī dà qún xiū shì yíng wǎng le dà diàn ， zhì yú shèng xià de cán jú ， zì rán yǒu xià miàn de xiū shì shōu shí chǔ lǐ de 。
半个时辰后，林轩被一大群修士迎往了大殿，至于剩下的残局，自然有下面的修士收拾处理的。
Half an hour later, a large group of cultivators welcomed Lin Xuan to the main hall. The remaining mess would naturally be handled by the lower-ranking cultivators below him.
“ shī shū ， qǐng zuò 。”
“师叔，请坐。”
"Uncle Senior Disciple, please take a seat."
yī zào páo lǎo zhě bì gōng bì jìng de shuō ， lín xuān zì rán bú huì tuī cí ， zhí jiē zài zhǔ wèi shàng zuò xià lái le 。
一皂袍老者毕恭毕敬的说，林轩自然不会推辞，直接在主位上坐下来了。
A balding elder in black robes spoke with utmost respect. Lin Xuan naturally did not decline and sat down on the main seat.
chú tā yǐ wài ， dà diàn zhōng de xiū shì yuē yǒu èr shí yú rén zhī duō ， shě shì dòng xuán qī yǐ shàng de ， chú le wǔ mài fēng zhǔ ， shèng xià de ， yě dōu shì gè mài nián gāo dé xūn de zhǎng lǎo le 。
除他以外，大殿中的修士约有二十余人之多，舍是洞玄期以上的，除了五脉峰主，剩下的，也都是各脉年高德勋的长老了。
Apart from him, there were about twenty other cultivators in the hall, mostly at or above the Profound Concealment Stage, except for the Five Pinnacle Peak Heads. The rest were high-ranking elders of various pinnacles.
“ jiū jìng zěn me huí shì ， nà xiē dí rén shì cóng nǎ lǐ lái de ， lìng wài liǎng wèi tài shàng zhǎng lǎo zěn me bù zài zǒng duò ？”
“究竟怎么回事，那些敌人是从哪里来的，另外两位太上长老怎么不在总舵？”
"What happened? Where did those enemies come from? Why aren't the two Senior Elders present at the main stronghold?"
běn mén fā shēng zhè yàng de dà shì ， jū rán bèi qiáng dí jiāng zǒng duò gōng pò ， gè zhǒng sǔn shī shǔ bù shèng shǔ ， lín xuān xīn zhōng shì jì jīng yà yòu fèn nù ， méi yǒu xìng qù zài yǔ yī zhòng xiǎo bèi duō fèi chún shé ， zhí jiē kāi mén jiàn shān de kāi kǒu le 。
本门发生这样的大事，居然被强敌将总舵攻破，各种损失数不胜数，林轩心中是既惊讶又愤怒，没有兴趣再与一众小辈多费唇舌，直接开门见山的开口了。
Lin Xuan was both surprised and angry that such a significant matter had occurred within their sect and that it had been breached by powerful enemies, resulting in countless losses. He had no interest in wasting time with the younger disciples and directly got to the point.
“ shī shū xī nù ， zhè jiàn shì qíng chún zhǔ yì wài ér yǐ ， zhè cì běn zōng rě shàng de qiáng dí fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， nǎi shì tài xuán mén ， líng guǐ zōng yǔ tiān jīng gǔ ， sān jiā jié chéng de lián méng 。” nà zào páo xiū shì bì gōng bì jìng de shuō ， zhè jiā huo suī bú shì wǔ mài fēng zhǔ zhī yī ， dàn xiū wèi què shì pǒ wèi chū zhòng ， nǎi shì dòng xuán hòu qī de zhǎng lǎo ， shuō huà zì rán yě jiù bù xiǎo de fèn liàng 。
“师叔息怒，这件事情纯属意外而已，这次本宗惹上的强敌非同小可，乃是太玄门，灵鬼宗与天晶谷，三家结成的联盟。”那皂袍修士毕恭毕敬的说，这家伙虽不是五脉峰主之一，但修为却是颇为出众，乃是洞玄后期的长老，说话自然也就不小的份量。
"Uncle Senior Disciple, please calm down. This incident is purely accidental. The formidable enemy we've encountered this time is none other than the Profound Dao Gate, Spirit Demon Sect, and Crystal Heaven Valley, who have formed an alliance," the balding elder said respectfully. Although he was not one of the Five Pinnacle Peak Heads, his cultivation level was quite outstanding—late-stage Profound Concealment—and thus his words carried significant weight.
“ tài xuán mén ， líng guǐ zōng yǔ tiān jīng gǔ 。”
“太玄门，灵鬼宗与天晶谷。”
"Profound Dao Gate, Spirit Demon Sect, and Crystal Heaven Valley."
lín xuān zhà tīng zhī xià ， yě bù yóu de bó rán biàn sè 。
林轩乍听之下，也不由得勃然变色。
Lin Xuan's expression turned pale at these names.
zhè sān jiā suī rán yě shuō bù shàng nài lóng jiè zuì dǐng jí de mén pài ， dàn suí biàn ná chū yí gè ， shí lì yě yuǎn yuǎn shèng guò yún yǐn zōng xǔ duō ， sān jiā lián shǒu ……，
这三家虽然也说不上鼐龙界最顶级的门派，但随便拿出一个，实力也远远胜过云隐宗许多，三家联手……，
While these three sects might not be considered the top-tier in Navel Dragon World, each of them had far greater strength than the Cloud Concealment Sect. An alliance…
yǒu méi yǒu gǎo cuò ， zhè zhǒng shì qíng yě néng yòng yì wài jiě shì me ， yún yǐn zōng zěn me huì rě shàng rú cǐ qiáng dí de ？
有没有搞错，这种事情也能用意外解释么，云隐宗怎么会惹上如此强敌的？
Was it a joke to explain this situation as an accident? How could the Cloud Concealment Sect have attracted such formidable enemies?
lín xuān xīn zhōng dà wèi wú yǔ ， xīn zhōng gèng shì yì wài yǐ jí 。
林轩心中大为无语，心中更是意外以极。
Lin Xuan was speechless and extremely surprised. He knew that this matter was significant and not easily explained in just a few words.
tóng shí tā yě xiǎo de ， zhè jiàn shì qíng fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， kǒng pà bú shì sān yán liǎng yǔ shuō dé qīng de 。
同时他也晓得，这件事情非同小可，恐怕不是三言两语说得清的。
Lin Xuan wasn't a novice cultivator; rather, he had experienced far more storms than most cultivators. Hence, despite his shock, Lin Xuan did not lose his composure. Calmness would be more beneficial for resolving the issue.
lín xuān kě bú shì chū rù xiān dào de xiū xiān zhě ， qià qià xiāng fǎn ， tā suǒ jīng lì de fēng yǔ ， yuǎn yuǎn shèng guò yì bān de xiū shì xǔ duō ， suǒ yǐ jīng è guī jīng è ， lín xuān què bìng méi yǒu zì luàn zhèn jiǎo ， nà yàng yú shì wú bǔ ， píng xīn jìng qì cái gèng yǒu lì yú jiě jué wèn tí 。
林轩可不是初入仙道的修仙者，恰恰相反，他所经历的风雨，远远胜过一般的修士许多，所以惊愕归惊愕，林轩却并没有自乱阵脚，那样于事无补，平心静气才更有利于解决问题。
"Speak up. What exactly happened?"
“ shuō ba ， jiū jìng shì zěn me huí shì ？”
“说吧，究竟是怎么回事？”
"Uncle Senior Disciple, it was like this…"
“ shī shū ， shì qíng shì zhè yàng dì ……”
“师叔，事情是这样地……”
A woman's voice entered his ears, and he recognized her as familiar. Turning around, he saw a young female cultivator in her late twenties or early thirties with an attractive appearance but emitting a cold aura.
yī nǚ zǐ de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， lín xuān tīng zhe yǒu diǎn ěr shú ， huí guò tóu lú ， jiàn shí yī èr shí qī bā de nǚ xiū xiān zhě ， róng mào shàng kě ， rán ér hún shēn shàng xià què yǐn yǒu bīng lěng de qì xī tòu chū 。
一女子的声音传入耳朵，林轩听着有点耳熟，回过头颅，见识一二十七八的女修仙者，容貌尚可，然而浑身上下却隐有冰冷的气息透出。
After a moment’s thought, Lin Xuan recalled who she was.
lín xuān lüè yī sī suǒ ， jiù xiǎng qǐ cǐ nǚ de shēn fèn lái le 。
林轩略一思索，就想起此女的身份来了。
Lihongxu, the Peak Head of the Array Formation Pinnacle.
lí hóng xiù ， fǎ zhèn fēng fēng zhǔ 。
黎红袖，法阵峰峰主。
Among the Five Pinnacles, only this peak had a female head. Although her name wasn't remarkable, becoming the head of a peak indicated profound cultivation.
wǔ mài zhī zhōng ， wéi yǒu cǐ mài de fēng zhǔ shì nǚ liú ， qí míng zì suī bù chū qí ， dàn néng gòu chéng wéi yī fēng zhī zhǔ nà xiū wèi zì rán shì yǒu hěn shēn de zào yì 。
五脉之中，唯有此脉的峰主是女流，其名字虽不出奇，但能够成为一峰之主那修为自然是有很深的造诣。
Late-stage Profound Concealment!
dòng xuán qī hòu qī ！
洞玄期后期！
He heard that this woman was proud and rarely spoke, so why did she speak now?
zhǐ shì tīng shuō cǐ nǚ xìng gé gū ào ， píng cháng yán cí hěn shǎo ， jīn tiān zěn me zhǔ dòng kāi kǒu le ？
只是听说此女性格孤傲，平常言辞很少，今天怎么主动开口了？
Lin Xuan felt somewhat surprised but maintained an extremely calm expression: "Continue."
lín xuān xīn zhōng lüè gǎn yà yì ， liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng què shì píng jìng yǐ jí ：“ shuō xià qù 。”
林轩心中略感讶异，脸上的表情却是平静以极：“说下去。”
"Yes, Uncle Senior Disciple."
“ shì ， shī shū 。”
“是，师叔。”
Regardless of Lihongxu's usual personality, in front of Lin Xuan, she was exceptionally respectful. Such a presence could kill peers with a single move; how could the disciples not revere her?
bù guǎn lí hóng xiù píng shí xìng gé rú hé ， cǐ kè zài lín xuān miàn qián ， nà jiào yí gè lǎo shí gōng jìng dào jí chù ， jǔ shǒu tóu zú jiù néng miǎo shā tóng jiē xiū xiān zhě méi zhè yàng de cún zài ， zěn me kě néng bù bèi mén xià dì zǐ suǒ jìng wèi ne ？
不管黎红袖平时性格如何，此刻在林轩面前，那叫一个老实恭敬到极处，举手投足就能秒杀同阶修仙者没这样的存在，怎么可能不被门下弟子所敬畏呢？
Lihongxu swallowed and spoke in a cold voice: "Uncle Senior Disciple, this matter is due to wealth causing trouble. The three major sects noticed our possession of an excellent crystal mine, so…"
lí hóng xiù tūn le yī kǒu tuò mò ， lüè dài bīng hán zhī yì de shēng yīn huǎn huǎn chuán rù ěr duǒ ：“ shī shū ， zhè cì shuō qǐ lái yě shì qián cái rě huò ， nà sān dà zōng mén kàn zhòng běn mén de yī chù chǎn yè ， suǒ yǐ ……。”
黎红袖吞了一口唾沫，略带冰寒之意的声音缓缓传入耳朵：“师叔，这次说起来也是钱财惹祸，那三大宗门看中本门的一处产业，所以……。”
"Oh?"
“ ó ？”
“哦？”
Such a result surprised Lin Xuan greatly. While it was true that all under heaven sought profit, the competition for resources was fierce in the cultivation world.
zhè yàng de jié guǒ ， què ràng lín xuān dà gǎn jīng è ， suī shuō tiān xià xī xī ， jiē wèi lì wǎng ， xiū xiān xiū xiān ， zhēng duó de biàn shì zī yuán 。
这样的结果，却让林轩大感惊愕，虽说天下熙熙，皆为利往，修仙修仙，争夺的便是资源。
Two major sects might fight over a single spirit stone mine or another crystal vein, but the Profound Dao Gate and Spirit Demon Sect were not ordinary forces. They weren't at the top tier of this world, but they ranked among the best.
zài xiū xiān jiè ， liǎng dà zōng mén wèi yī líng dì ， huò zhě bié de jīng shí kuàng mài ， dà dǎ chū shǒu ， yě háo bù xī qí ， rán ér tài xuán xiǎo líng guǐ zōng ， tiān jīng gǔ kě bú shì pǔ tōng de mén pài 。
在修仙界，两大宗门为一灵地，或者别的晶石矿脉，大打出手，也毫不稀奇，然而太玄小灵鬼宗，天晶谷可不是普通的门派。
The joint effort to seize a resource from the Cloud Concealment Sect truly surprised Lin Xuan.
suī fēi cǐ jiè dǐng jí ， dàn nà yě shì pái dé shàng hào dì 。
虽非此界顶级，但那也是排得上号地。
What did the sect possess that made other powers covet it so much? After all, three major sects were involved; wouldn't they fight again if they shared the spoils equally? How much profit could they realistically gain?
sān pài lián shǒu ， qiǎng duó yún yǐn zōng yī zī yuán ， zhe shí ràng lín xuān yì wài 。
三派联手，抢夺云隐宗一资源，着实让林轩意外。
These thoughts intrigued him. Meanwhile, Lihongxu continued speaking.
běn mén jiū jìng dé dào le shén me dōng xī ， ràng bié de shì lì rú cǐ kǎi yú ， yào xiǎo de ， tā men kě shì sān pài lián shǒu ， zǒng bù chéng qiǎng duó chéng gōng hòu ， bǐ cǐ zài dǎ yī cì ， rú guǒ shì jūn fēn de huà ， yòu néng dé dào duō shǎo shōu yì ？
本门究竟得到了什么东西，让别的势力如此凯觎，要晓得，他们可是三派联手，总不成抢夺成功后，彼此再打一次，如果是均分的话，又能得到多少收益？
"Uncle Senior Disciple, it's an excellent crystal mine."
xiǎng dào zhè lǐ ， lín xuān shí zài shì dà wèi hào qí 。
想到这里，林轩实在是大为好奇。
"Excellent crystal mine?"
ér lí hóng xiù de shēng yīn zé jì xù chuán rù ěr duǒ lǐ 。
而黎红袖的声音则继续传入耳朵里。
Lin Xuan was stunned. Was this a coincidence? Could it be…?
“ shī shū ， shì jí pǐn jīng shí de kuàng mài 。”
“师叔，是极品晶石的矿脉。”
Before he could finish his thought, Lin Yu weakly spoke up: "Uncle Senior Disciple, yes, the one you won from Young Master Bird."
“ jí pǐn jīng shí kuàng mài ？”
“极品晶石矿脉？”
Hearing this, Lin Xuan was speechless; in essence, he had been the instigator.
lín xuān yī dāi ， bú huì zhè me qiǎo ba ， nán dào shi …，
林轩一呆，不会这么巧吧，难道匙…，
"Why is this so? Although an excellent crystal mine is significant, the Profound Dao Gate and Spirit Demon Sect are not ordinary forces. They shouldn't stoop to such levels. According to reason, a mere excellent crystal mine wouldn't be enough to make them form an alliance against us. Was there something else at play here?" Lin Xuan's cold voice echoed in his ears. Although he was unsure, he could be certain that this matter had its own hidden reasons.
zhè ge niàn tou shàng wèi zhuǎn guò ， páng biān de lín yù jiāo ruò ruò de kāi kǒu le ：“ shī shū ， méi cuò ， jiù shì nín cóng niǎo dà shào yé shǒu zhōng yíng huí lái de nà yī tiáo 。”
这个念头尚未转过，旁边的林玉娇弱弱的开口了：“师叔，没错，就是您从鸟大少爷手中赢回来的那一条。”
"Uncle Senior Disciple is wise. If it were just the excellent crystal mine, their wealth would likely not have been enough to sway them. However, by chance, another treasure was discovered from that mine," Lin Yu said softly.
tīng dào zhè lǐ ， lín xuān yī zhèn wú yǔ ， guī gēn jié dǐ ， shǐ zuò yǒng zhě jū rán shì zì jǐ 。
听到这里，林轩一阵无语，归根结底，始作俑者居然是自己。
"What other treasure?"
“ zěn me huì rú cǐ ， jí pǐn kuàng mài suī rán fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， dàn tài xuán mén sān pài yě bú shì pǔ tōng shì lì ， zěn me huì méi pǐn dào zhè zhòng dì bù ， àn lǐ ， qū qū yī tiáo jí pǐn jīng shí de kuàng mài shì bù zú yǐ ràng tā men dòng xīn de ， zhì shǎo bù zhì yú ràng tā men jié méng yǔ běn mén wèi dí ， nán dào zhè zhōng jiān hái bié yǒu yuán gù ？” lín xuān lěng lěng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， suī rán bù qīng chǔ ， dàn tā kě yǐ kěn dìng ， zhè jiàn shì qíng ， kěn dìng bié yǒu nèi qíng 。
“怎么会如此，极品矿脉虽然非同小可，但太玄门三派也不是普通势力，怎么会没品到这种地步，按理，区区一条极品晶石的矿脉是不足以让他们动心的，至少不至于让他们结盟与本门为敌，难道这中间还别有缘故？”林轩冷冷的声音传入耳朵，虽然不清楚，但他可以肯定，这件事情，肯定别有内情。
Lin Xuan rubbed his forehead and became even more interested.
“ shī shū yīng míng ， ruò guāng shì jí pǐn kuàng mài ， yǐ tā men zhī fù zú ， què shí wèi bì huì dòng xīn de ， rán ér jī yuán qiǎo hé ， cóng nà kuàng mài zhōng yòu wā chū le yī jiàn bǎo wù 。” lín yù jiāo yōu yōu de shuō 。
“师叔英明，若光是极品矿脉，以他们之富足，确实未必会动心的，然而机缘巧合，从那矿脉中又挖出了一件宝物。”林玉娇幽幽的说。
"Divine Stones."
“ lìng yī jiàn bǎo wù ， shì shén me ？”
“另一件宝物，是什么？”
Before Lin Yu could speak, Lihongxu unexpectedly interjected: "What did you say?"
lín xuān yǐ shǒu fǔ é ， yuè fā de gǎn xìng qù le 。
林轩以手抚额，越发的感兴趣了。
Lin Xuan stood up abruptly. This unexpected result made him lose composure as well.
“ xiān shí 。”
“仙石。”
Divine Stones?
lín yù jiāo shàng wèi kāi kǒu ， lí hóng xiù què chū rén yì liào de cóng páng chā zuǐ le 。
林玉娇尚未开口，黎红袖却出人意料的从旁插嘴了。
As the name suggests, they were superior to crystal stones and served a similar purpose—used by true immortals. With Lin Xuan's vast wealth, few treasures could entice him, but divine stones were definitely one of them.
“ nǐ shuō shén me ？”
“你说什么？”
Not only that, but they were something he urgently needed.
lín xuān jìn rán zhàn qǐ ， zhè chū rén yì liào de jié guǒ ， ràng tā yě yǒu xiē shī tài le 。
林轩晋然站起，这出人意料的结果，让他也有些失态了。
During his journey through the Ice Sea World, Lin Xuan had obtained numerous rare and precious items, including the Profound Dao Nine Immortals Pill from the Ethereal Immortal Palace. Among these, apart from the pill, the three treasures in the vault were undoubtedly the most valuable.
With his current strength, exterminating the Profound Concealment Sect was no challenge, let alone a mere Separation Stage cultivator. There was no difficulty in doing so.
Of course, even though Lin Xuan was powerful, this was merely a casual strike. Some of the targets would inevitably escape, but that didn't matter; the other cultivators from the Cloud Concealment Sect had already rushed forward.
The hunters became prey as soon as Lin Xuan joined in, and the entire situation had been completely reversed.
Morale soared within the Cloud Concealment Sect, while the confidence of the outsiders plummeted. Not only did Lin Xuan eliminate the Old Monster Wu, but he also shattered their confidence with that single strike.
They were like stricken dogs; few dared to stop and fight against the pursuers from the Cloud Concealment Sect. Almost everyone turned tail and ran. As a result, the crisis for the Cloud Concealment Sect was naturally resolved, and the number of escapees was minimal.
Lin Xuan once again turned the tide with his single effort, rescuing the Cloud Concealment Sect from peril.
His reputation within the sect’s disciples reached its zenith.
Half an hour later, a large group of cultivators welcomed Lin Xuan to the main hall. The remaining mess would naturally be handled by the lower-ranking cultivators below him.
"Uncle Senior Disciple, please take a seat."
A balding elder in black robes spoke with utmost respect. Lin Xuan naturally did not decline and sat down on the main seat.
Apart from him, there were about twenty other cultivators in the hall, mostly at or above the Profound Concealment Stage, except for the Five Pinnacle Peak Heads. The rest were high-ranking elders of various pinnacles.
"What happened? Where did those enemies come from? Why aren't the two Senior Elders present at the main stronghold?"
Lin Xuan was both surprised and angry that such a significant matter had occurred within their sect and that it had been breached by powerful enemies, resulting in countless losses. He had no interest in wasting time with the younger disciples and directly got to the point.
"Uncle Senior Disciple, please calm down. This incident is purely accidental. The formidable enemy we've encountered this time is none other than the Profound Dao Gate, Spirit Demon Sect, and Crystal Heaven Valley, who have formed an alliance," the balding elder said respectfully. Although he was not one of the Five Pinnacle Peak Heads, his cultivation level was quite outstanding—late-stage Profound Concealment—and thus his words carried significant weight.
"Profound Dao Gate, Spirit Demon Sect, and Crystal Heaven Valley."
Lin Xuan's expression turned pale at these names.
While these three sects might not be considered the top-tier in Navel Dragon World, each of them had far greater strength than the Cloud Concealment Sect. An alliance…
Was it a joke to explain this situation as an accident? How could the Cloud Concealment Sect have attracted such formidable enemies?
Lin Xuan was speechless and extremely surprised. He knew that this matter was significant and not easily explained in just a few words.
Lin Xuan wasn't a novice cultivator; rather, he had experienced far more storms than most cultivators. Hence, despite his shock, Lin Xuan did not lose his composure. Calmness would be more beneficial for resolving the issue.
"Speak up. What exactly happened?"
"Uncle Senior Disciple, it was like this…"
A woman's voice entered his ears, and he recognized her as familiar. Turning around, he saw a young female cultivator in her late twenties or early thirties with an attractive appearance but emitting a cold aura.
After a moment’s thought, Lin Xuan recalled who she was.
Lihongxu, the Peak Head of the Array Formation Pinnacle.
Among the Five Pinnacles, only this peak had a female head. Although her name wasn't remarkable, becoming the head of a peak indicated profound cultivation.
Late-stage Profound Concealment!
He heard that this woman was proud and rarely spoke, so why did she speak now?
Lin Xuan felt somewhat surprised but maintained an extremely calm expression: "Continue."
"Yes, Uncle Senior Disciple."
Regardless of Lihongxu's usual personality, in front of Lin Xuan, she was exceptionally respectful. Such a presence could kill peers with a single move; how could the disciples not revere her?
Lihongxu swallowed and spoke in a cold voice: "Uncle Senior Disciple, this matter is due to wealth causing trouble. The three major sects noticed our possession of an excellent crystal mine, so…"
"Oh?"
Such a result surprised Lin Xuan greatly. While it was true that all under heaven sought profit, the competition for resources was fierce in the cultivation world.
Two major sects might fight over a single spirit stone mine or another crystal vein, but the Profound Dao Gate and Spirit Demon Sect were not ordinary forces. They weren't at the top tier of this world, but they ranked among the best.
The joint effort to seize a resource from the Cloud Concealment Sect truly surprised Lin Xuan.
What did the sect possess that made other powers covet it so much? After all, three major sects were involved; wouldn't they fight again if they shared the spoils equally? How much profit could they realistically gain?
These thoughts intrigued him. Meanwhile, Lihongxu continued speaking.
"Uncle Senior Disciple, it's an excellent crystal mine."
"Excellent crystal mine?"
Lin Xuan was stunned. Was this a coincidence? Could it be…?
Before he could finish his thought, Lin Yu weakly spoke up: "Uncle Senior Disciple, yes, the one you won from Young Master Bird."
Hearing this, Lin Xuan was speechless; in essence, he had been the instigator.
"Why is this so? Although an excellent crystal mine is significant, the Profound Dao Gate and Spirit Demon Sect are not ordinary forces. They shouldn't stoop to such levels. According to reason, a mere excellent crystal mine wouldn't be enough to make them form an alliance against us. Was there something else at play here?" Lin Xuan's cold voice echoed in his ears. Although he was unsure, he could be certain that this matter had its own hidden reasons.
"Uncle Senior Disciple is wise. If it were just the excellent crystal mine, their wealth would likely not have been enough to sway them. However, by chance, another treasure was discovered from that mine," Lin Yu said softly.
"What other treasure?"
Lin Xuan rubbed his forehead and became even more interested.
"Divine Stones."
Before Lin Yu could speak, Lihongxu unexpectedly interjected: "What did you say?"
Lin Xuan stood up abruptly. This unexpected result made him lose composure as well.
Divine Stones?
As the name suggests, they were superior to crystal stones and served a similar purpose—used by true immortals. With Lin Xuan's vast wealth, few treasures could entice him, but divine stones were definitely one of them.
Not only that, but they were something he urgently needed.
During his journey through the Ice Sea World, Lin Xuan had obtained numerous rare and precious items, including the Profound Dao Nine Immortals Pill from the Ethereal Immortal Palace. Among these, apart from the pill, the three treasures in the vault were undoubtedly the most valuable.