“ zhù jī qī cái huì yòng dào de zhōng jiē gōng fǎ ？”
“筑基期才会用到的中阶功法？”
"An intermediate cultivation technique for the Foundation Establishment stage?"
tīng dào zhè jǐ gè zì ， lín xuān dùn shí liú shàng le shén ， tā kàn le yī yǎn shuō huà de liǎng rén ， dōu hěn mò shēng ， suī rán zài xiū zhēn jiè ， piāo yún gǔ zhǐ shì sān liú de xiǎo mén pài ， dàn yě yōng yǒu dì zǐ shàng qiān ， lín xuān chú le tóng qī rù gǔ de shī xiōng shī dì liǎn shú yì diǎn ， qí tā de ， dà dū bù rèn shí ， bù guò cóng fú shì ， yě néng kàn chū liǎng rén shì líng dòng qī de dī jiē dì zǐ 。
听到这几个字，林轩顿时留上了神，他看了一眼说话的两人，都很陌生，虽然在修真界，飘云谷只是三流的小门派，但也拥有弟子上千，林轩除了同期入谷的师兄师弟脸熟一点，其他的，大都不认识，不过从服饰，也能看出两人是灵动期的低阶弟子。
Hearing those words, Lin Xuan immediately focused his attention. He glanced at the two speakers and found them unfamiliar. Although Penglai Valley was only a third-rate minor sect in the cultivation world, it still had over a thousand disciples. Besides his fellow students from the same batch who he knew slightly better due to their frequent interactions, Lin Xuan didn't recognize most of the others. However, by observing their attire, he could tell that these two were low-ranking Flexible Spirit Period cultivators.
gāng cái tā men tí dào shén me líng yún mén jiě sàn ， yǐ jí zhōng jiē gōng fǎ ， lín xuān zǒu shàng qián ， chū shēng zhāo hū ：“ liǎng wèi shī xiōng 。”
刚才他们提到什么凌云门解散，以及中阶功法，林轩走上前，出声招呼：“两位师兄。”
The two stopped and hesitated as they eyed the young man blocking their path.
“ nǐ shì ……” liǎng rén tíng xià jiǎo bù ， chí yí de kàn le dǎng lù de shào nián yī yǎn 。
“你是……”两人停下脚步，迟疑的看了挡路的少年一眼。
"Brother Zhao, may I ask your name?" Lin Xuan greeted them with a friendly smile, trying to gather some information from them. He deliberately released his qi outward so that the two could see his Fourth Stage Flexible Spirit Period cultivation.
“ xiǎo dì míng jiào zhào gāng ， zhè xiāng yǒu lǐ le 。” lín xuān de tài dù shí fēn yǒu hǎo ， zhuāng chū yī fù rén chù wú hài de biǎo qíng ， yīn wèi xiǎng yào cóng liǎng rén de zuǐ lǐ dǎ tīng yī xiē qíng bào 。
“小弟名叫赵刚，这厢有礼了。”林轩的态度十分友好，装出一副人畜无害的表情，因为想要从两人的嘴里打听一些情报。
He was bold in doing this because he had no prior acquaintance with these two and didn't fear revealing the truth about his lack of spirit root. After all, in the cutthroat world of cultivation, one's strength mattered greatly. Without showing sufficient power, he wouldn't be taken seriously or even allowed to ask questions.
tóng shí gù yì jiāng líng qì wài fàng ， ràng liǎng rén kàn qīng chǔ zì jǐ líng dòng qī dì sì céng gōng fǎ de xiū wèi ， zhī suǒ yǐ zhè yàng dà dǎn ， shì yīn wèi zì jǐ yǔ tā men sù bù xiāng shí ， bù yòng hài pà tā men zhī dào zì jǐ méi yǒu líng gēn de dǐ xì ， yào zhī dào xiū zhēn jiè ruò ròu qiáng shí ， fēi cháng shì lì ， rú guǒ bù biǎo xiàn chū zú gòu de shí lì ， gēn běn jiù bú huì bèi zhòng shì ， gèng bié tí dǎ tīng qíng kuàng le 。
同时故意将灵气外放，让两人看清楚自己灵动期第四层功法的修为，之所以这样大胆，是因为自己与他们素不相识，不用害怕他们知道自己没有灵根的底细，要知道修真界弱肉强食，非常势力，如果不表现出足够的实力，根本就不会被重视，更别提打听情况了。
However, Lin Xuan still held back and made up a name on the spot instead of using his real one.
bù guò lín xuān hái shì liú le yī shǒu ， méi yǒu shuō chū zì jǐ de zhēn shí míng zì ， ér shì hú luàn biān le yí gè 。
不过林轩还是留了一手，没有说出自己的真实名字，而是胡乱编了一个。
The two were also at the Fifth Stage Flexible Spirit Period, slightly weaker than Lin Xuan. Seeing this powerful peer greet them kindly, they didn't dare to be careless and quickly responded with smiles: "It's an honor! It’s really Brother Zhao. What can I do for you?"
liǎng rén yě shì líng dòng zhōng qī ， xiū wèi bǐ lín xuān hái shāo wēi xùn sè yì diǎn ， jiàn zhè wèi shí lì gāo qiáng de tóng mén yǒu hǎo zhāo hū ， bù gǎn dài màn ， lián máng yě duī xiào dào ：“ bù gǎn ， bù gǎn ， yuán lái shì zhào shī xiōng ， bù zhī shī xiōng jiào zhù wǒ liǎ yǒu hé shì ？”
两人也是灵动中期，修为比林轩还稍微逊色一点，见这位实力高强的同门友好招呼，不敢怠慢，连忙也堆笑道：“不敢，不敢，原来是赵师兄，不知师兄叫住我俩有何事？”
"Brother?" Hearing their words, Lin Xuan secretly chuckled. These two were clearly past the age of thirty and had entered the sect earlier than him yet insisted on calling themselves junior brothers. This was unimaginable before. Lin Xuan once again felt the superiority of having high cultivation, which brought respect from others. It really wasn't bad.
“ shī xiōng ？” tīng le liǎng rén de chēng hū ， lín xuān àn àn hǎo xiào ， zhè liǎng wèi míng xiǎn yǐ guò ér lì zhī nián ， rù mén kěn dìng bǐ zì jǐ zǎo ， què yìng yào yǐ shī dì zì jū ， zhè zài yǐ qián shì bù kě xiǎng xiàng de ， lín xuān zài yí cì tǐ huì dào fǎ lì gāo ， shòu rén zūn jìng de yōu yuè gǎn ， bié shuō ， hái zhēn bù cuò 。
“师兄？”听了两人的称呼，林轩暗暗好笑，这两位明显已过而立之年，入门肯定比自己早，却硬要以师弟自居，这在以前是不可想象的，林轩再一次体会到法力高，受人尊敬的优越感，别说，还真不错。
He smiled without showing any emotion: "Brothers are too kind. How should I address you?"
biǎo miàn shàng bù dòng shēng sè ， lín xuān wēi xiào dào ：“ liǎng wèi shī dì kè qì le ， bù zhī dào gāi zěn yàng chēng hū ？”
表面上不动声色，林轩微笑道：“两位师弟客气了，不知道该怎样称呼？”
"My name is Li Hai, and this is Chen Feng, my junior brother."
“ zài xià lì hǎi ， zhè wèi shì chén fēng chén shī dì 。”
“在下厉海，这位是陈丰陈师弟。”
"Ah, let's sit down for a chat," Lin Xuan suggested.
“ ń ， wǒ men guò qù zuò zuò ba ！”
“嗯，我们过去坐坐吧！”
"Sure." The two nodded in agreement. This wasn't because they were easy-going or warm-hearted; rather, it was due to the fact that Lin Xuan had just intentionally released his qi outward, revealing his Fourth Stage Flexible Spirit Period cultivation, which made them wary.
“ hǎo 。” liǎng rén diǎn diǎn tóu tóng yì le ， zhè dào bú shì tā men xìng gé suí hé ， yǔ dài rén rè qíng gèng bù zhān biān ， ér shì lín xuān gāng cái gù yì wài fàng líng qì ， xiǎn lù chū le dì sì céng gōng fǎ de shí lì ， ràng liǎng rén xīn shēng gù jì 。
“好。”两人点点头同意了，这倒不是他们性格随和，与待人热情更不沾边，而是林轩刚才故意外放灵气，显露出了第四层功法的实力，让两人心生顾忌。
This junior brother Zhao Gang, who claimed to be only a young man under twenty and already at the peak of the Fourth Stage, was undoubtedly a talented disciple with an excellent spirit root. The two assumed this based on their own thoughts.
zhè wèi zì chēng zhào gāng de tóng mén nián jì qīng qīng ， hái bú dào èr shí de yàng zi ， jiù yǐ jīng jiāng dì sì céng gōng fǎ liàn dào le dǐng diǎn ， jù lí líng dòng hòu qī yě jǐn yǒu yī bù zhī yáo ， kěn dìng shì líng gēn yōu yì de tiān cái dì zǐ ， liǎng rén zì yǐ wéi shì de xiǎng zhe 。
这位自称赵刚的同门年纪轻轻，还不到二十的样子，就已经将第四层功法练到了顶点，距离灵动后期也仅有一步之遥，肯定是灵根优异的天才弟子，两人自以为是的想着。
Such talents were not only highly valued by senior elders within the sect but also had great potential for Foundation Establishment success, becoming higher-level cultivators.
xiàng zhè yàng de tiān cái ， bù jǐn shēn shòu mén zhōng cháng bèi de zhòng shì ， ér qiě yě yǒu jí dà de xī wàng zhù jī chéng gōng ， chéng wéi gèng gāo yī jí de xiū zhēn zhě 。
像这样的天才，不仅深受门中长辈的重视，而且也有极大的希望筑基成功，成为更高一级的修真者。
In other words, in their eyes, Lin Xuan's future prospects were limitless. Such people could not be treated lightly.
yě jiù shì shuō ， zài liǎng rén de yǎn lǐ ， lín xuān qián tú wú liàng ， zhè yàng de rén ， dāng rán bù kě yǐ dài màn le 。
也就是说，在两人的眼里，林轩前途无量，这样的人，当然不可以怠慢了。
Mind games aside, Lin Xuan chuckled: "I appreciate your courtesy, Brother. How should I address you?"
rén xīn gé dù pí ， bù guò yǐ lín xuān de cōng míng ， yě jiāng liǎng rén de xiǎng fǎ cāi le gè ** bù lí shí ， xīn zhōng àn àn hǎo xiào ， yě shēn qiè gǎn shòu dào lán sè xīng hǎi dài lái de biàn huà ， rú guǒ bú shì kě yǐ jiāng fèi dān tí chún ， yǒu le dà liàng líng yào zuò wèi zhī chēng ， zì jǐ zěn me kě néng bèi wù rèn wèi shì tiān cái 。
人心隔肚皮，不过以林轩的聪明，也将两人的想法猜了个**不离十，心中暗暗好笑，也深切感受到蓝色星海带来的变化，如果不是可以将废丹提纯，有了大量灵药做为支撑，自己怎么可能被误认为是天才。
"Call me Li Hai, and this is Chen Feng," the first one introduced himself.
zài yí gè pì jìng de jiǎo luò ， sān rén zuò le xià lái ， xiān suí biàn hán xuān le jǐ jù ， jié guǒ hái shì nà wèi jiào lì hǎi de xiān chén bú zhù qì ：“ zhào shī xiōng ， nǐ jiào zhù wǒ liǎ ， bù zhī jiū jìng yǒu hé shì zhǐ jiào ？”
在一个僻静的角落，三人坐了下来，先随便寒暄了几句，结果还是那位叫厉海的先沉不住气：“赵师兄，你叫住我俩，不知究竟有何事指教？”
"Yes, let's sit down for a chat."
“ hē hē ， méi shén me ， zhǐ shì gāng cái tīng liǎng wèi shī dì tán qǐ ， shén me líng yún mén jiě sàn ， gǎn jué dào yǒu xiē hào qí 。”
“呵呵，没什么，只是刚才听两位师弟谈起，什么凌云门解散，感觉到有些好奇。”
The three found a quiet corner to settle in. They chatted casually at first before Li Hai couldn't hold back: "Brother Zhao, why did you call us over? What can I do for you?"
“ yuán lái shì zhè shì a ！” lì hǎi sōng le kǒu qì ， liǎn shàng huàn le yī fù qīng sōng ér qiě yǒu xiē dé yì de biǎo qíng dào ：“ bié de bù gǎn shuō ， lùn xiāo xī de líng tōng chéng dù ， shī dì zài běn mén lǐ yě suàn shù yī shù èr ， zhè jiàn shì qíng hái méi yǒu chuán kāi ， nán guài shī xiōng nǐ bù zhī dào 。”
“原来是这事啊！”厉海松了口气，脸上换了一副轻松而且有些得意的表情道：“别的不敢说，论消息的灵通程度，师弟在本门里也算数一数二，这件事情还没有传开，难怪师兄你不知道。”
"Haha, nothing much. I was just curious about what you two mentioned regarding the dissolution of Lingyun Sect."
“ hē hē ， zhèng yào xiàng shī dì qǐng jiào 。”
“呵呵，正要像师弟请教。”
"Oh, that's it!" Li Hai let out a sigh of relief and adopted an easy and somewhat smug expression: "I can't claim to know everything, but in terms of information, Brother Feng is one of the top few in our sect. This matter hasn’t spread yet, which is why I didn't know about it."
yì bān shuō lái ， shí lì qiáng dà de xiū zhēn zhě miàn duì xiū wèi bǐ zì jǐ dī de xiū shì shí dōu shì yī fù chě gāo qì áng de mú yàng ， lín xuān píng yì jìn rén de tài dù ràng lì hǎi hěn shòu yòng ， dāng xià ， zhī wú bù yán yán wú bù jìn ， jiāng zhěng jiàn shì qíng de jīng guò ， xiáng xì de jiǎng le chū lái 。
一般说来，实力强大的修真者面对修为比自己低的修士时都是一副扯高气昂的模样，林轩平易近人的态度让厉海很受用，当下，知无不言言无不尽，将整件事情的经过，详细的讲了出来。
"Haha, just asking for your advice," Lin Xuan replied.
xiū zhēn jiè zōng mén wàn qiān ， yǐ piāo yún gǔ lái shuō ， shí lì suàn shì zhōng děng piān xià ， shàng qiān xiū shì zhī zhōng ， bǎi fēn zhī jiǔ shí dōu shì líng dòng qī de dī jiē dì zǐ ， dàn yě yǒu jìn bǎi rén de zhù jī qī xiū shì ， zuò wèi hù fǎ zhǎng lǎo ， tóng shí zhǎng mén yún hè zhēn rén ， hái shì yī wèi jìn rù le níng dān chū qī de dà gāo shǒu 。
修真界宗门万千，以飘云谷来说，实力算是中等偏下，上千修士之中，百分之九十都是灵动期的低阶弟子，但也有近百人的筑基期修士，做为护法长老，同时掌门云鹤真人，还是一位进入了凝丹初期的大高手。
Generally speaking, powerful cultivators often acted condescendingly towards those with lower cultivation levels. Lin Xuan's approachable demeanor made Li Hai feel comfortable. He then spoke freely: "Lingyun Sect has been dissolved due to a conflict with a high-ranking cultivator from another sect."
zhè yàng de shí lì ， dāng rán shuō bù shàng qiáng ， dàn yě bù róng qīng rǔ ， bì jìng zhǎng mén níng dān qī de xiū wèi yǐ jīng fēi cháng lì hài ， jìn bǎi zhù jī qī xiū shì yě ràng rén dǎn hán ， zài zhè yī piàn dì yù ， chēng bà kuò zhāng shuō bù shàng ， dàn zì bǎo bù shòu pái jǐ qī fù hái shì méi yǒu wèn tí 。
这样的实力，当然说不上强，但也不容轻辱，毕竟掌门凝丹期的修为已经非常厉害，近百筑基期修士也让人胆寒，在这一片地域，称霸扩张说不上，但自保不受排挤欺负还是没有问题。
Lin Xuan listened attentively as Li Hai detailed the events.
dāng rán ， zài zhè fāng yuán shù qiān lǐ zhī nèi ， bù kě néng zhǐ yǒu piāo yún gǔ yí gè xiū zhēn mén pài ， sàn xiū zàn qiě bù tán ， xiǎo mén pài lín lín zhǒng zhǒng de hái yǒu qī bā gè ， qí zhōng líng yún mén jiù shì qí zhōng zhī yī liǎo 。
当然，在这方圆数千里之内，不可能只有飘云谷一个修真门派，散修暂且不谈，小门派林林种种的还有七八个，其中凌云门就是其中之一了。
Penglai Valley, while considered mid-level in terms of strength, had over a thousand cultivators, ninety percent of whom were at the lower Flexible Spirit Period. However, there were nearly a hundred Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, and their leader, Cloud Crane Immortal, was an advanced Condensation Core Stage expert.
rú guǒ shuō piāo yún gǔ de shí lì zài zhěng gè xiū zhēn jiè lái shuō suàn sān liú ， nà me líng yún mén jiù shì sì liú huò zhě wǔ liú le ， tā de mén rén dào yě bù shǎo ， hé piāo yún gǔ yī yàng yě yǒu shàng qiān ， rán ér zhù jī qī de xiū shì cái shí jǐ gè ， níng dān qī de gāo shǒu gèng shì xiǎng yě bié xiǎng ， biàn shì zhǎng mén ， yě cái zhù jī zhōng qī de xiū wèi ér yǐ 。
如果说飘云谷的实力在整个修真界来说算三流，那么凌云门就是四流或者五流了，他的门人倒也不少，和飘云谷一样也有上千，然而筑基期的修士才十几个，凝丹期的高手更是想也别想，便是掌门，也才筑基中期的修为而已。
While this wasn't a strong sect, it couldn’t be easily slighted either. The Condensation Core Stage cultivation of the sect leader was already formidable, and the dozens of Foundation Establishment cultivators were enough to instill fear in others. While they might not dominate the region, self-preservation from harassment was still possible.
yí gè mén pài ， gāo jí xiū shì cái shì lì liàng de zhōng jiān ， líng dòng qī de dī jiē dì zǐ zài duō ， zài zhēng dòu zhōng yě méi yǒu shén me zuò yòng ， suǒ yǐ jǐn guǎn líng yún mén xiū zhēn zhě de rén shù yě bù shǎo ， shí lì què yuǎn yuǎn wú fǎ yǔ piāo yún gǔ xiāng bǐ 。
一个门派，高级修士才是力量的中间，灵动期的低阶弟子再多，在争斗中也没有什么作用，所以尽管凌云门修真者的人数也不少，实力却远远无法与飘云谷相比。
Of course, within a few thousand miles, there weren’t just Penglai Valley; several minor sects existed as well, including Lingyun Sect. If Penglai Valley was considered third-rate in the cultivation world, Lingyun Sect would be fourth or fifth rate.
kě jiù shì zhè me yí gè xiǎo mén pài ， zài qián bù jiǔ ， què dé zuì le yī wèi níng dān qī de dà gāo shǒu ， shì qíng jù tǐ de jīng guò ， chú le dāng shì zhě ， qí tā rén yě bìng bù qīng chǔ ， dàn yǒu yì diǎn shì kěn dìng de ， nà wèi níng dān qī de gāo shǒu fēi cháng nǎo nù ， fàng huà shuō yí gè yuè zhī nèi ， yào jiāng líng yún mén shā dé jī quǎn bù liú 。
可就是这么一个小门派，在前不久，却得罪了一位凝丹期的大高手，事情具体的经过，除了当事者，其他人也并不清楚，但有一点是肯定的，那位凝丹期的高手非常恼怒，放话说一个月之内，要将凌云门杀得鸡犬不留。
Lingyun Sect had many disciples too, with over a thousand members like Penglai Valley, but only a dozen Foundation Establishment stage cultivators and no high-ranking Condensation Core experts at all. Even their sect leader was only at the Fifth Stage Foundation Establishment.
xiū zhēn jìng jiè měi tí shēng yí gè céng cì ， shí lì shì wán quán bù yí yàng de ， kě yǐ shuō zhì dì fēi yuè ， miàn duì níng dān qī de dí rén ， líng dòng qī dī jiē dì zǐ zài duō yě méi yòng ， zuò pào huī dōu méi yǒu zī gé ， ér jǐn jǐn * shí jǐ gè zhù jī qī xiū shì ， wú yì yú táng bì dāng chē 。
修真境界每提升一个层次，实力是完全不一样的，可以说质的飞跃，面对凝丹期的敌人，灵动期低阶弟子再多也没用，做炮灰都没有资格，而仅仅*十几个筑基期修士，无异于螳臂当车。
In any sect, senior cultivators were the true strength. Low-rank Flexible Spirit Period disciples had little use in battles; therefore, despite Lingyun Sect's large number of members, its strength couldn’t compare to Penglai Valley’s.
suǒ yǐ duì líng yún mén lái shuō ， zhè cì jiǎn zhí shì dà huò lín tóu 。
所以对凌云门来说，这次简直是大祸临头。
Yet, this small sect recently offended a high-ranking Condensation Core expert and faced dire consequences. The exact details were unclear to most, but it was certain that the high-ranking cultivator was extremely angry and vowed to destroy Lingyun Sect within a month.
xiàng tā men zhè yàng de xiǎo mén pài ， kěn dìng yě wú fǎ zhǎo dào qiáng yǒu lì de yuán shǒu ， zài jīng guò yī xì liè nǔ lì ， bìng qiān bān zhēn zhuó hòu ， líng yún mén zhōng yú zuò chū le yí gè tòng kǔ ér wú nài de xuǎn zé ， jiě sàn ， zhè yě shì tā men wéi yī yī tiáo kě yǐ duǒ guò xuè guāng zhī zāi de huó lù 。
像他们这样的小门派，肯定也无法找到强有力的援手，在经过一系列努力，并千般斟酌后，凌云门终于做出了一个痛苦而无奈的选择，解散，这也是他们唯一一条可以躲过血光之灾的活路。
Each cultivation stage brought about significant changes in strength, almost a qualitative leap. Against such an enemy, even numerous low-rank Flexible Spirit Period disciples couldn’t help; they would only be cannon fodder. And with just a dozen Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, it was like trying to stop a fly with an arm.
Thus, for Lingyun Sect, this was a major disaster.
Such small sects couldn't find strong allies and after much deliberation, Lingyun Sect had no choice but to make the painful yet inevitable decision: dissolve. This was their only chance to avoid bloodshed.
"An intermediate cultivation technique for the Foundation Establishment stage?"
Hearing those words, Lin Xuan immediately focused his attention. He glanced at the two speakers and found them unfamiliar. Although Penglai Valley was only a third-rate minor sect in the cultivation world, it still had over a thousand disciples. Besides his fellow students from the same batch who he knew slightly better due to their frequent interactions, Lin Xuan didn't recognize most of the others. However, by observing their attire, he could tell that these two were low-ranking Flexible Spirit Period cultivators.
The two stopped and hesitated as they eyed the young man blocking their path.
"Brother Zhao, may I ask your name?" Lin Xuan greeted them with a friendly smile, trying to gather some information from them. He deliberately released his qi outward so that the two could see his Fourth Stage Flexible Spirit Period cultivation.
He was bold in doing this because he had no prior acquaintance with these two and didn't fear revealing the truth about his lack of spirit root. After all, in the cutthroat world of cultivation, one's strength mattered greatly. Without showing sufficient power, he wouldn't be taken seriously or even allowed to ask questions.
However, Lin Xuan still held back and made up a name on the spot instead of using his real one.
The two were also at the Fifth Stage Flexible Spirit Period, slightly weaker than Lin Xuan. Seeing this powerful peer greet them kindly, they didn't dare to be careless and quickly responded with smiles: "It's an honor! It’s really Brother Zhao. What can I do for you?"
"Brother?" Hearing their words, Lin Xuan secretly chuckled. These two were clearly past the age of thirty and had entered the sect earlier than him yet insisted on calling themselves junior brothers. This was unimaginable before. Lin Xuan once again felt the superiority of having high cultivation, which brought respect from others. It really wasn't bad.
He smiled without showing any emotion: "Brothers are too kind. How should I address you?"
"My name is Li Hai, and this is Chen Feng, my junior brother."
"Ah, let's sit down for a chat," Lin Xuan suggested.
"Sure." The two nodded in agreement. This wasn't because they were easy-going or warm-hearted; rather, it was due to the fact that Lin Xuan had just intentionally released his qi outward, revealing his Fourth Stage Flexible Spirit Period cultivation, which made them wary.
This junior brother Zhao Gang, who claimed to be only a young man under twenty and already at the peak of the Fourth Stage, was undoubtedly a talented disciple with an excellent spirit root. The two assumed this based on their own thoughts.
Such talents were not only highly valued by senior elders within the sect but also had great potential for Foundation Establishment success, becoming higher-level cultivators.
In other words, in their eyes, Lin Xuan's future prospects were limitless. Such people could not be treated lightly.
Mind games aside, Lin Xuan chuckled: "I appreciate your courtesy, Brother. How should I address you?"
"Call me Li Hai, and this is Chen Feng," the first one introduced himself.
"Yes, let's sit down for a chat."
The three found a quiet corner to settle in. They chatted casually at first before Li Hai couldn't hold back: "Brother Zhao, why did you call us over? What can I do for you?"
"Haha, nothing much. I was just curious about what you two mentioned regarding the dissolution of Lingyun Sect."
"Oh, that's it!" Li Hai let out a sigh of relief and adopted an easy and somewhat smug expression: "I can't claim to know everything, but in terms of information, Brother Feng is one of the top few in our sect. This matter hasn’t spread yet, which is why I didn't know about it."
"Haha, just asking for your advice," Lin Xuan replied.
Generally speaking, powerful cultivators often acted condescendingly towards those with lower cultivation levels. Lin Xuan's approachable demeanor made Li Hai feel comfortable. He then spoke freely: "Lingyun Sect has been dissolved due to a conflict with a high-ranking cultivator from another sect."
Lin Xuan listened attentively as Li Hai detailed the events.
Penglai Valley, while considered mid-level in terms of strength, had over a thousand cultivators, ninety percent of whom were at the lower Flexible Spirit Period. However, there were nearly a hundred Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, and their leader, Cloud Crane Immortal, was an advanced Condensation Core Stage expert.
While this wasn't a strong sect, it couldn’t be easily slighted either. The Condensation Core Stage cultivation of the sect leader was already formidable, and the dozens of Foundation Establishment cultivators were enough to instill fear in others. While they might not dominate the region, self-preservation from harassment was still possible.
Of course, within a few thousand miles, there weren’t just Penglai Valley; several minor sects existed as well, including Lingyun Sect. If Penglai Valley was considered third-rate in the cultivation world, Lingyun Sect would be fourth or fifth rate.
Lingyun Sect had many disciples too, with over a thousand members like Penglai Valley, but only a dozen Foundation Establishment stage cultivators and no high-ranking Condensation Core experts at all. Even their sect leader was only at the Fifth Stage Foundation Establishment.
In any sect, senior cultivators were the true strength. Low-rank Flexible Spirit Period disciples had little use in battles; therefore, despite Lingyun Sect's large number of members, its strength couldn’t compare to Penglai Valley’s.
Yet, this small sect recently offended a high-ranking Condensation Core expert and faced dire consequences. The exact details were unclear to most, but it was certain that the high-ranking cultivator was extremely angry and vowed to destroy Lingyun Sect within a month.
Each cultivation stage brought about significant changes in strength, almost a qualitative leap. Against such an enemy, even numerous low-rank Flexible Spirit Period disciples couldn’t help; they would only be cannon fodder. And with just a dozen Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, it was like trying to stop a fly with an arm.
Thus, for Lingyun Sect, this was a major disaster.
Such small sects couldn't find strong allies and after much deliberation, Lingyun Sect had no choice but to make the painful yet inevitable decision: dissolve. This was their only chance to avoid bloodshed.