“ shén me ， shī xiōng nǐ yǐ jīng zài liàn qǔ bǎo dān le ， nán dào shuō ……”
“什么，师兄你已经在炼取宝丹了，难道说……”
"What, Senior Brother, you've already begun refining the treasure pill? Could it be..."
nà rú yǎ nán zi de liǎn shàng lù chū chī jīng zhī sè ， yī páng de qīng xiù shào nǚ yě zhāng dà le xiǎo kǒu ， zhì shū nǚ de fēng fàn yú bù gù 。
那儒雅男子的脸上露出吃惊之色，一旁的清秀少女也张大了小口，置淑女的风范于不顾。
The refined man's face showed signs of surprise. The delicate girl beside him opened her mouth wide in astonishment, ignoring all pretenses of decorum.
méi bàn fǎ 。
没办法。
There was no help for it; they were too shocked!
tài guò jīng yà ！
太过惊讶！
Such a result was something they never dreamed would happen.
rú cǐ jié guǒ ， shì tā men zuò mèng yě bù céng xiǎng de 。
如此结果，是他们做梦也不曾想的。
No wonder Senior Brother He had been like an ant on a hot pan, frantically busy these past few decades. If he were in their position, they might not have done as well.
nán guài zhè shù shí nián ， hè shī xiōng huì rú rè guō shàng de mǎ yǐ ， tuán tuán zhuàn gè bù tíng 。
难怪这数十年，贺师兄会如热锅上的蚂蚁，团团转个不停。
This was simply too trivial.
huàn zuò zì jǐ yǔ tā yì dì ér chǔ ， kǒng pà hái yào yǒu suǒ bù rú 。
换做自己与他易地而处，恐怕还要有所不如。
"Senior Brother, you already refined the Nine Curves Spirit参 last year; why didn't you explain your difficulties to our ancestor and still take on this task?" The delicate girl's voice filled with disbelief.
zhè shí zài tài ér xì le 。
这实在太儿戏了。
"Yes, if you had been clear about it back then, our ancestors wouldn't be unreasonable people. They would have understood your situation."
“ shī xiōng ， nǐ dāng nián jì rán yǐ jīng jiāng jiǔ qū líng cān xià lú ， wèi hé bù xiàng shī zǔ shuō míng zì jǐ de nán chǔ ， hái yìng yào jiē xià zhè ge rèn wù ？” qīng xiù shào nǚ de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， liǎn shàng mǎn shì bù kě sī yì zhī sè 。
“师兄，你当年既然已经将九曲灵参下炉，为何不像师祖说明自己的难处，还硬要接下这个任务？”清秀少女的声音传入耳朵，脸上满是不可思议之色。
The refined man was equally astonished as he spoke.
“ shì a ， nǐ dāng chū ruò shì míng shuō ， liǎng wèi shī zǔ yòu bú shì bù jiǎng dào lǐ de rén wù ， yí dìng huì tǐ liàng nǐ de nán chǔ 。”
“是啊，你当初若是明说，两位师祖又不是不讲道理的人物，一定会体谅你的难处。”
Both were puzzled, looking at each other like they were seeing a monster. No matter the angle from which one viewed their companion's handling of matters, it seemed too absurd.
nà rú yǎ nán zi yě jīng è de shuō 。
那儒雅男子也惊愕的说。
"Hmph, easy to say now. Back then, I never knew that although this Nine Curves Spirit丹 is extremely precious due to its rare materials, refining it itself was actually very simple. I thought, sending a treasure to Senior Uncle Lin wouldn't take much time, and the pill could be refined on its own without any issues. Plus, Senior Uncle Lin is known for his generous nature in our sect. This mission, I don’t seek anything from him but just some advice on cultivation; it would benefit us immensely. How could I miss such a good opportunity? I had no idea that he was about to enter seclusion and leave instructions, even if there were major matters."
liǎng rén dōu hěn mí huò ， kàn xiàng tóng bàn de biǎo qíng jiù fǎng fú zài kàn guài wù ， duì fāng chǔ lǐ shì qíng de fāng fǎ ， bù lùn cóng nǎ ge jiǎo dù ， wèi miǎn dōu yǒu xiē tài lí pǔ 。
两人都很迷惑，看向同伴的表情就仿佛在看怪物，对方处理事情的方法，不论从哪个角度，未免都有些太离谱。
The old man sighed deeply.
“ hēng ， shuō dé qīng sōng ， lǎo fū dāng chū ， yòu nǎ lǐ xiǎo de ， zhè jiǔ qū líng dān suī rán bǎo guì yǐ jí ， dàn nà shì yīn wèi cái liào nán dé ， cǐ dān yào běn shēn de liàn zhì ， qí shí shì fēi cháng róng yì ， lǎo fū jiù xiǎng a ， gěi lín shī shū sòng sòng bǎo wù ， yě huā bù liǎo jǐ gè shí chén de gōng fu ， dān yào fàng zài nà lǐ zì jǐ liàn zhe ， yě bú huì chū shén me chā cuò ， ér lín shī shū chū shǒu kuò chuò ， zài běn pài shì dà dà yǒu míng de ， cǐ xíng ， wǒ yě bù qiú shī shū tā lǎo rén jiā néng shǎng cì shén me bǎo wù ， zhǐ yào néng yú xiū xíng yī dào shàng ， suí biàn tí diǎn jǐ jù ， jiù zú gòu wǒ děng shòu yì wú qióng ， zhè yàng de hǎo shì ， lǎo fū nǎ néng cuò guò ， shì xiān wǒ nǎ xiǎo de ， shī shū tā lǎo rén jiā ， huì bì guān bù chū ， bìng qiě liú yán ， jiù suàn yǒu tiān dà de shì qíng 。 yě bù néng dǎ rǎo de 。”
“哼，说得轻松，老夫当初，又哪里晓得，这九曲灵丹虽然宝贵以极，但那是因为材料难得，此丹药本身的炼制，其实是非常容易，老夫就想啊，给林师叔送送宝物，也花不了几个时辰的功夫，丹药放在那里自己炼着，也不会出什么差错，而林师叔出手阔绰，在本派是大大有名的，此行，我也不求师叔他老人家能赏赐什么宝物，只要能于修行一道上，随便提点几句，就足够我等受益无穷，这样的好事，老夫哪能错过，事先我哪晓得，师叔他老人家，会闭关不出，并且留言，就算有天大的事情。也不能打扰的。”
A moment of carelessness led to a grave mistake.
lǎo zhě shuō dào zhè lǐ ， yī zhèn de āi shēng tàn qì 。
老者说到这里，一阵的唉声叹气。
Moreover, Senior Uncle Lin's status in the sect was too exalted; his words could be more powerful than those of the other two Supreme Elders combined.
yī niàn zhī chā ， zhù chéng dà cuò 。
一念之差，铸成大错。
No matter how trivial or significant an issue involved him, it couldn't be taken lightly. Otherwise, if he had left the treasure here and they stayed to wait for him, they would have been scolded by the Supreme Elders.
piān piān lín shī shū zài běn pài de dì wèi ， yòu tài chāo rán le ， shuō jù bú kè qì de yán yǔ ， hái yào shèng guò lìng wài liǎng wèi tài shàng zhǎng lǎo xǔ duō 。
偏偏林师叔在本派的地位，又太超然了，说句不客气的言语，还要胜过另外两位太上长老许多。
...
fán shì shè jí lín shī shū de shì ， wú lùn dà xiǎo ， jiù méi yǒu yī jiàn 。 kě yǐ mǎ hǔ 。
凡是涉及林师叔的事，无论大小，就没有一件。可以马虎。
The old man's despair was palpable as he spoke. The refined man and delicate girl sighed, unsure how to comfort them.
fǒu zé 。 nà bǎo bèi jì yǐ sòng dào cǐ chù ， shī xiōng shī mèi liú xià lái děng yě jiù kě yǐ le 。
否则。那宝贝既已送到此处，师兄师妹留下来等也就可以了。
For a moment, the three were speechless. But then, a loud rumbling sound filled their ears. The valley's depths glowed with spiritual light, an unprecedented occurrence in these decades. Could it be...
rán ér xiàn zài què bìng bù néng zhè me zuò 。
然而现在却并不能这么做。
The three froze, but soon their faces lit up with extraordinary joy.
dāng chū jì shì sān rén yī tóng jiē xià de rèn wù ， nà jiù bì xū sān gè rén yì qǐ jiāng bǎo bèi jiāo dào lín shī shū de shǒu zhōng 。 fǒu zé huí dào mén pài bì bèi jiàn zé ， liǎng wèi tài shàng zhǎng lǎo de nù huǒ ， kě shì zì jǐ chéng shòu bù qǐ de 。
当初既是三人一同接下的任务，那就必须三个人一起将宝贝交到林师叔的手中。否则回到门派必被见责，两位太上长老的怒火，可是自己承受不起的。
Could there be such a coincidence? As they spoke, Senior Uncle Lin emerged from seclusion.
lǎo zhě shuō dào zhè lǐ 。 dàng zhēn shì jǔ sàng yǐ jí 。
老者说到这里。当真是沮丧以极。
Their astonishment was overwhelming, but the joy far outweighed it. The long-robed old man aside, even the refined man and delicate girl looked elated.
nà rú yǎ nán zi yǔ qīng xiù shào nǚ tàn le kǒu qì ， yě bù zhī dào gāi cóng hé ān wèi qǐ 。
那儒雅男子与清秀少女叹了口气，也不知道该从何安慰起。
How could they not be happy?
yī shí jiān ， sān rén xiāng duì wú yǔ ， rán ér jiù zài zhè shí ， hōng lōng lóng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， shān gǔ shēn chù líng guāng dà zuò ， rú cǐ biàn gù ， què shì zhè shù shí nián lái yě wú ， nán dào shuō ……
一时间，三人相对无语，然而就在这时，轰隆隆的声音传入耳朵，山谷深处灵光大做，如此变故，却是这数十年来也无，难道说……
Although they had no urgent matters to attend to, their inability to leave for a day without Senior Uncle Lin's appearance made them feel trapped here. There was an underlying sense of unease.
sān rén yī dāi 。 suí hòu dōu liú lù chū jīng xǐ yì cháng de biǎo qíng lái 。
三人一呆。随后都流露出惊喜异常的表情来。
Now that they were finally free, it filled them with joy beyond measure.
shì shàng jìng yǒu rú cǐ qiǎo hé ， tā men zhèng shuō zhe ， lín shī shū jiù chū guān le 。
世上竟有如此巧合，他们正说着，林师叔就出关了。
...
chú le jīng è hái shì jīng è ， bù guò huān xǐ de chéng fèn gèng duō ， nà cháng páo lǎo zhě zàn qiě bù shuō ， biàn shì rú yǎ nán zi yǔ qīng xiù shào nǚ ， yě yī fù xǐ yuè bù jīn zhī sè 。
除了惊愕还是惊愕，不过欢喜的成分更多，那长袍老者暂且不说，便是儒雅男子与清秀少女，也一副喜悦不禁之色。
In the depths of the valley, Lin Xuan stepped out from his secret chamber, looking relieved.
zěn me néng bù gāo xìng ne ？
怎么能不高兴呢？
Thirty years of hard work had him stationary in the practice room without a moment's rest, maintaining intense concentration. Day and night, summer and winter, even for a spirit refinement expert like Lin Xuan, it was no easy task; it was exceptionally arduous.
suī rán tā men méi yǒu shén me jí shì qù zuò 。 dàn lín shī shū yī rì bù chū ， tā men jiù yī rì bù dé fēn shēn lí kāi cǐ chù ， xiāng dāng yú shì bèi kùn zài zhè lǐ le 。
虽然他们没有什么急事去做。但林师叔一日不出，他们就一日不得分身离开此处，相当于是被困在这里了。
A brief nap could undo all his efforts.
duō duō shǎo shǎo hái shì yǒu yì diǎn huáng kǒng bù ān de 。
多多少少还是有一点惶恐不安的。
Lin Xuan endured this for thirty years of cold and heat.
rú jīn zhōng yú dé dào jiě tuō ， zì rán shì xīn xǐ yì cháng dào jí chù 。
如今终于得到解脱，自然是欣喜异常到极处。
Even with his resilient mind far surpassing that of ordinary people, he had thought about giving up more than once. The process must have been excruciatingly difficult.
……
……
Fortunately, it was all in the past now.
qiě shuō nà shān gǔ shēn chù ， lín xuān zhèng cóng mì shì nèi zǒu chū 。
且说那山谷深处，林轩正从密室内走出。
Heaven rewards diligence; or as the saying goes, a day's labor deserves a day's rest. This principle held true here too.
yī liǎn de rú shì zhòng fù 。
一脸的如释重负。
Over these years, Lin Xuan had given so much, and now Heaven rewarded him with equal returns.
sān shí nián xīn kǔ 。 dài zài liàn gōng fáng zhōng bù céng nuó dòng yī bù ， jīng shén gāo dù jí zhōng 。 bù gǎn xiè dài xū yú de gōng fu ， bù fēn zhòu yè ， bù biàn hán shǔ ， jí biàn shì duì lín xuān zhè yàng de fēn shén qī dà néng lái shuō ， yě jué bù qīng sōng ， shèn zhì kě yǐ shuō ， yì cháng xīn kǔ 。
三十年辛苦。待在练功房中不曾挪动一步，精神高度集中。不敢懈怠须臾的功夫，不分昼夜，不辨寒暑，即便是对林轩这样的分神期大能来说，也绝不轻松，甚至可以说，异常辛苦。
...
dǎ gè dǔn er ， jiù yǒu kě néng qián gōng jìn qì 。
打个盹儿，就有可能前功尽弃。
The essence of域外天金and the illusory Yin魔花had separated successfully without any minor errors. Lin Xuan's composure was momentarily overwhelmed by excitement; joy filled his heart.
zhěng zhěng sān shí zài hán shǔ ， lín xuān jiù shì zhè me áo guò lái de 。
整整三十载寒暑，林轩就是这么熬过来的。
However, he didn't dwell on it too long. After thirty years of hard work, he was exhausted. Such intense concentration was taxing on one’s spirit, far more so than even a life-and-death seal.
jí biàn tā xīn zhì jiān rèn yuǎn shèng cháng rén xǔ duō ， dōu céng jīng bù zhǐ yī cì de qǐ guò fàng qì de niàn tou ， kě xiǎng ér zhī ， zhè guò chéng shì rú hé de xīn kǔ 。
即便他心智坚韧远胜常人许多，都曾经不止一次的起过放弃的念头，可想而知，这过程是如何的辛苦。
He needed rest. Carefully storing the two treasures, Lin Xuan stepped out to take some fresh air before deciding his next move.
hǎo zài zhè dōu shì guò qù le 。
好在这都是过去了。
Everything went smoothly. With his spiritual sense, he heard every word of their conversation clearly. He chuckled and was touched by their dedication; it wasn't for nothing that he had worked so hard for Cloud Concealment Sect. His instructions were taken very seriously—such a trivial matter as transporting a treasure was treated with such grandeur.
tiān dào chóu qín ， huò zhě shuō ， yī fēn shōu huò ， yī fēn fù chū ， zhè fǎn guò lái ， dào lǐ yě xiāng chà fǎng fú 。
天道酬勤，或者说，一分收获，一分付出，这反过来，道理也相差仿佛。
What exactly did they transport? Lin Xuan had his guesses, but he kept them to himself as he walked out of the valley.
zài guò qù de suì yuè zhōng ， lín xuān yǐ jīng fù chū le tài duō tài duō ， suǒ yǐ rú jīn shàng tiān huí bào gěi tā tóng yàng de shōu huò 。
在过去的岁月中，林轩已经付出了太多太多，所以如今上天回报给他同样的收获。
"Salutations, Senior Uncle!"
yù wài tiān jīn yǔ huàn yīn mó huā de jīng huá ， yǐ fēn lí ér chū ， zhè zhōng jiān méi yǒu chū nǎ pà yì diǎn wēi xiǎo de chā cuò ， wàng zhe jìn zài zhǐ chǐ de liǎng jiàn bǎo wù ， yǐ lín xuān de chéng fǔ ， yī shí jiān ， yě jī dòng bù néng zì jǐ ， xǐ yuè chōng mǎn le xiōng yì 。
域外天金与幻阴魔花的精华，已分离而出，这中间没有出哪怕一点微小的差错，望着近在咫尺的两件宝物，以林轩的城府，一时间，也激动不能自己，喜悦充满了胸臆。
Outside the valley, three disciples prostrated themselves in reverence.
bù guò lín xuān yě méi yǒu xiǎng tài duō ， sān shí nián de xīn kǔ ， tā shí zài shì tài lèi le ， zhè zhǒng jīng shén gāo dù jí zhōng de gōng zuò ， duì yú yǔ jīng shén de cuì liàn kě shì fēi cháng lí pǔ ， jiù suàn shì ná bì shēng sǐ guān yǔ tā xiāng bǐ ， nà yě shì yuǎn yuǎn bù jí 。
不过林轩也没有想太多，三十年的辛苦，他实在是太累了，这种精神高度集中的工作，对于与精神的淬炼可是非常离谱，就算是拿闭生死关与它相比，那也是远远不及。
Their expressions were all too respectful.
zì jǐ pò qiè xū yào xiū xī ， yú shì lín xuān xiǎo xīn de shōu hǎo le liǎng jiàn bǎo wù ， suí hòu biàn kāi guān ér chū ， zhǔn bèi xiān tòu tòu qì ， zài jué dìng suí hòu de xíng zhǐ zhī chù 。
自己迫切需要休息，于是林轩小心的收好了两件宝物，随后便开关而出，准备先透透气，再决定随后的行止之处。
The other two didn't need to say; even the old man who had been like an ant on a hot pan with worry didn't show any resentment. They had waited for thirty years, and their precious spirit pills were ruined, but they dared not blame Senior Uncle Lin. It was their own oversight.
yī qiè dōu mán shùn lì de ， ér yǐ lín xuān de shén shí qiáng dù ， zì shì jiāng wài miàn sān rén de duì huà tīng dé qīng qīng chǔ chǔ ， xīn zhōng hǎo xiào zhī yú ， yě lüè yǒu xiē gǎn dòng zhī yì ， bù wǎng zì jǐ wèi yún yǐn zōng yī fān xīn kǔ ， zì jǐ de fēn fù ， shī xiōng shī jiě guǒ rán zhòng shì dào jí chù ， jǐn jǐn yùn sòng gè bǎo wù ， jū rán yě nòng dé rú cǐ lóng zhòng de 。
一切都蛮顺利的，而以林轩的神识强度，自是将外面三人的对话听得清清楚楚，心中好笑之余，也略有些感动之意，不枉自己为云隐宗一番辛苦，自己的吩咐，师兄师姐果然重视到极处，仅仅运送个宝物，居然也弄得如此隆重的。
After all, although Lin Xuan only joined the sect later, his reputation within the sect was unparalleled. Even if the founding ancestor of Cloud Concealment Sect were to rise again, he would pale in comparison.
bù guò tā men yùn sòng de shì shén me ， lín xuān xīn zhōng yě yǒu le chuǎi cè ， biǎo miàn shàng què bù dòng shēng sè ， huǎn bù zǒu chū le shān gǔ 。
不过他们运送的是什么，林轩心中也有了揣测，表面上却不动声色，缓步走出了山谷。
In the eyes of ordinary disciples, Lin Xuan was like a true immortal deity. Even these three, though high-ranking cultivators at the Profound Dao stage, rarely had the chance to see him.
“ cān jiàn shī shū ！”
“参见师叔！”
How could they not be excited?
gǔ wài ， sān míng dì zǐ zǎo yǐ dà lǐ guì bài le xià qù 。
谷外，三名弟子早已大礼跪拜了下去。
Moreover, it was rumored that Senior Uncle Lin was generous; coming from afar for this mission, he would surely reward them in some way. What would he give them?
liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng jiē gōng jìng dào wú yǐ fù jiā de chéng dù 。
脸上的表情皆恭敬到无以复加的程度。
Unknown!
lìng wài liǎng rén bú yòng shuō ， biàn shì gāng gāng nà jí dé rú rè guō shàng mǎ yǐ de lǎo zhě ， liǎn shàng yě méi yǒu fēn háo de yuàn yóu ， zài zhè lǐ děng le sān shí nián méi cuò ， dào shǒu de líng dān yě pào tāng le ， dàn tā nǎ gǎn jiāng cǐ shì guī zuì yú lín shī shū ， dōu shì zì jǐ kǎo lǜ bù zú 。
另外两人不用说，便是刚刚那急得如热锅上蚂蚁的老者，脸上也没有分毫的怨尤，在这里等了三十年没错，到手的灵丹也泡汤了，但他哪敢将此事归罪于林师叔，都是自己考虑不足。
But precisely because of the unknown, there was more to look forward to.
yào xiǎo de ， lín xuān suī rán zhǐ shì bàn lù rù zōng de xiū xiān zhě ， dàn zài běn mén shēng wàng zhī gāo ， què shì wú rén néng jí de 。
要晓得，林轩虽然只是半路入宗的修仙者，但在本门声望之高，却是无人能及的。
Of course, on the surface, their expressions remained unchanged. Even with hope, they wouldn't show any resentment if Lin Xuan gave nothing.
bié shuō lìng wài liǎng wèi tài shàng zhǎng lǎo le ， jiù suàn yún yǐn zōng de chuàng pài zǔ shī fù huó ， yǔ lín xuān xiāng bǐ kǒng pà yě huì àn rán shī sè 。
别说另外两位太上长老了，就算云隐宗的创派祖师复活，与林轩相比恐怕也会黯然失色。
As high-ranking Profound Dao cultivators, they were well aware of propriety and knew when to keep their expectations in check.
"What, Senior Brother, you've already begun refining the treasure pill? Could it be..."
The refined man's face showed signs of surprise. The delicate girl beside him opened her mouth wide in astonishment, ignoring all pretenses of decorum.
There was no help for it; they were too shocked!
Such a result was something they never dreamed would happen.
No wonder Senior Brother He had been like an ant on a hot pan, frantically busy these past few decades. If he were in their position, they might not have done as well.
This was simply too trivial.
"Senior Brother, you already refined the Nine Curves Spirit参 last year; why didn't you explain your difficulties to our ancestor and still take on this task?" The delicate girl's voice filled with disbelief.
"Yes, if you had been clear about it back then, our ancestors wouldn't be unreasonable people. They would have understood your situation."
The refined man was equally astonished as he spoke.
Both were puzzled, looking at each other like they were seeing a monster. No matter the angle from which one viewed their companion's handling of matters, it seemed too absurd.
"Hmph, easy to say now. Back then, I never knew that although this Nine Curves Spirit丹 is extremely precious due to its rare materials, refining it itself was actually very simple. I thought, sending a treasure to Senior Uncle Lin wouldn't take much time, and the pill could be refined on its own without any issues. Plus, Senior Uncle Lin is known for his generous nature in our sect. This mission, I don’t seek anything from him but just some advice on cultivation; it would benefit us immensely. How could I miss such a good opportunity? I had no idea that he was about to enter seclusion and leave instructions, even if there were major matters."
The old man sighed deeply.
A moment of carelessness led to a grave mistake.
Moreover, Senior Uncle Lin's status in the sect was too exalted; his words could be more powerful than those of the other two Supreme Elders combined.
No matter how trivial or significant an issue involved him, it couldn't be taken lightly. Otherwise, if he had left the treasure here and they stayed to wait for him, they would have been scolded by the Supreme Elders.
...
The old man's despair was palpable as he spoke. The refined man and delicate girl sighed, unsure how to comfort them.
For a moment, the three were speechless. But then, a loud rumbling sound filled their ears. The valley's depths glowed with spiritual light, an unprecedented occurrence in these decades. Could it be...
The three froze, but soon their faces lit up with extraordinary joy.
Could there be such a coincidence? As they spoke, Senior Uncle Lin emerged from seclusion.
Their astonishment was overwhelming, but the joy far outweighed it. The long-robed old man aside, even the refined man and delicate girl looked elated.
How could they not be happy?
Although they had no urgent matters to attend to, their inability to leave for a day without Senior Uncle Lin's appearance made them feel trapped here. There was an underlying sense of unease.
Now that they were finally free, it filled them with joy beyond measure.
...
In the depths of the valley, Lin Xuan stepped out from his secret chamber, looking relieved.
Thirty years of hard work had him stationary in the practice room without a moment's rest, maintaining intense concentration. Day and night, summer and winter, even for a spirit refinement expert like Lin Xuan, it was no easy task; it was exceptionally arduous.
A brief nap could undo all his efforts.
Lin Xuan endured this for thirty years of cold and heat.
Even with his resilient mind far surpassing that of ordinary people, he had thought about giving up more than once. The process must have been excruciatingly difficult.
Fortunately, it was all in the past now.
Heaven rewards diligence; or as the saying goes, a day's labor deserves a day's rest. This principle held true here too.
Over these years, Lin Xuan had given so much, and now Heaven rewarded him with equal returns.
...
The essence of域外天金and the illusory Yin魔花had separated successfully without any minor errors. Lin Xuan's composure was momentarily overwhelmed by excitement; joy filled his heart.
However, he didn't dwell on it too long. After thirty years of hard work, he was exhausted. Such intense concentration was taxing on one’s spirit, far more so than even a life-and-death seal.
He needed rest. Carefully storing the two treasures, Lin Xuan stepped out to take some fresh air before deciding his next move.
Everything went smoothly. With his spiritual sense, he heard every word of their conversation clearly. He chuckled and was touched by their dedication; it wasn't for nothing that he had worked so hard for Cloud Concealment Sect. His instructions were taken very seriously—such a trivial matter as transporting a treasure was treated with such grandeur.
What exactly did they transport? Lin Xuan had his guesses, but he kept them to himself as he walked out of the valley.
"Salutations, Senior Uncle!"
Outside the valley, three disciples prostrated themselves in reverence.
Their expressions were all too respectful.
The other two didn't need to say; even the old man who had been like an ant on a hot pan with worry didn't show any resentment. They had waited for thirty years, and their precious spirit pills were ruined, but they dared not blame Senior Uncle Lin. It was their own oversight.
After all, although Lin Xuan only joined the sect later, his reputation within the sect was unparalleled. Even if the founding ancestor of Cloud Concealment Sect were to rise again, he would pale in comparison.
In the eyes of ordinary disciples, Lin Xuan was like a true immortal deity. Even these three, though high-ranking cultivators at the Profound Dao stage, rarely had the chance to see him.
How could they not be excited?
Moreover, it was rumored that Senior Uncle Lin was generous; coming from afar for this mission, he would surely reward them in some way. What would he give them?
Unknown!
But precisely because of the unknown, there was more to look forward to.
Of course, on the surface, their expressions remained unchanged. Even with hope, they wouldn't show any resentment if Lin Xuan gave nothing.
As high-ranking Profound Dao cultivators, they were well aware of propriety and knew when to keep their expectations in check.