lín xuān xīn zhōng mào huǒ ， dùn guāng zì rán biàn dé gèng jiā xùn sù ， jǐ gè shǎn shuò ， jiù yǐ lái dào lù yíng ér de qī shēn zhī suǒ 。
林轩心中冒火，遁光自然变得更加迅速，几个闪烁，就已来到陆盈儿的栖身之所。
Lin Xuan's anger flared, and his遁光 naturally became even more swift. In a few flashes, he arrived at Lu Ying'er's abode.
suí hòu hún shēn guāng máng yī liǎn ， xiǎn chū le zhēn yán 。
随后浑身光芒一敛，显出了真颜。
Then, the light around him dimmed, revealing his true form.
“ shī fù ！”
“师傅！”
"Master!"
jiāo hū shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， suí hòu biàn jiàn nà dòng fǔ qián miàn de bái wù ， kāi shǐ xú xú de fān yǒng qǐ lái le ， cháo zhe liǎng páng sàn kāi ， yī róng mào xiù lì de shào nǚ cóng lǐ miàn kuǎn kuǎn zǒu le guò lái 。
娇呼声传入耳朵，随后便见那洞府前面的白雾，开始徐徐的翻涌起来了，朝着两旁散开，一容貌秀丽的少女从里面款款走了过来。
A delicate voice entered his ears as white mist before the cave府 began to slowly swirl, spreading out to both sides. A graceful young woman emerged from within.
lín xuān sōng le kǒu qì ， xìng hǎo zì jǐ lái de jí shí ， kàn lù yíng ér de yàng zi ， zuì duō shì shòu le xiē xǔ jīng xià ér yǐ 。
林轩松了口气，幸好自己来得及时，看陆盈儿的样子，最多是受了些许惊吓而已。
Lin Xuan let out a sigh of relief; fortunately, he had arrived in time. From Lu Ying'er's appearance, she seemed only slightly frightened.
píng ān wú shì ！
平安无事！
All was well!
suí hòu lín xuān zhuǎn guò tóu lú ， kāi shǐ dǎ liàng qǐ páng biān de jǐ míng xiū xiān zhě ， tā yě méi yǒu duō yǔ ， jǐn jǐn shì jiāng dù jié qī de xiū wèi xiǎn lù wú yí 。
随后林轩转过头颅，开始打量起旁边的几名修仙者，他也没有多语，仅仅是将渡劫期的修为显露无疑。
Next, Lin Xuan turned his head and began to observe the surrounding cultivators. He said nothing, merely revealing his cultivation level—Transcendence Stage.
méi cuò ， dù jié qī ！
没错，渡劫期！
Correctly, Transcendence Stage!
yuán běn yǐ shuāng fāng jìng jiè de chā jù ， duì fāng shì bù kě néng kàn chuān lín xuān de shí lì ， jiū jìng yǒu duō me qiáng hèng dì 。
原本以双方境界的差距，对方是不可能看穿林轩的实力，究竟有多么强横地。
Given the difference in their cultivation levels, it was impossible for them to discern his true strength under normal circumstances.
rán ér zhè jǐn jǐn shì zhǐ de yì bān qíng kuàng ér yǐ ， jiǎ rú lín xuān yuàn yì ， zì rán yě néng gòu ràng tā men gǎn yìng dào zì jǐ zhēn zhèng de shí lì 。
然而这仅仅是指的一般情况而已，假如林轩愿意，自然也能够让他们感应到自己真正的实力。
However, if Lin Xuan had chosen to reveal his true power, they would have felt it.
cǐ kè ， nà jǐ míng dǎo méi de xiū xiān zhě jiù xià dé chēng mù jié shé ， jī hū yǐ wéi zì jǐ nòng cuò 。
此刻，那几名倒霉的修仙者就吓得瞠目结舌，几乎以为自己弄错。
The unfortunate cultivators were now gaping in shock, almost thinking they had misunderstood something.
dù jié qī ， jū rán yǒu dù jié jí bié de dà néng zài zhè lǐ 。
渡劫期，居然有渡劫级别的大能在这里。
Transcendence Stage? There was a powerful being of that stage here!
“ qián bèi ráo mìng ， yī qiè dōu shì wù huì ， wǎn bèi jué méi yǒu mào fàn zhī yì 。”
“前辈饶命，一切都是误会，晚辈绝没有冒犯之意。”
"Senior, please spare me! Everything is just a misunderstanding. I never intended any offense."
nà yīng gōu bí de xiū shì dà jīng shī sè， pū tōng yī shēng jiù guì xià lái le 。
那鹰钩鼻的修士大惊失sè，噗通一声就跪下来了。
The cultivator with the hooked nose panicked and fell to his knees with a thud.
qí tā huī páo xiū shì yí gè gè yě liǎn rú tǔ sè， kē tóu bù zhǐ 。
其他灰袍修士一个个也脸如土sè，磕头不止。
The other gray-robed cultivators knelt incessantly, their faces ashen.
“ wù huì ？”
“误会？”
"A misunderstanding?"
lín xuān miàn wú biǎo qíng ， suí hòu zhuǎn guò tóu lú ：“ yíng ér ， jiū jìng zěn me huí shì ？”
林轩面无表情，随后转过头颅：“盈儿，究竟怎么回事？”
Lin Xuan's expression remained unchanged as he turned to Lu Ying'er: "Ying'er, what happened?"
yě nán guài lín xuān xīn zhōng jīng qí ， dāng shí zǒu dé cāng cù ， zì jǐ bù xià de zhèn fǎ què shí tán bù shàng duō me liǎo bù qǐ ， dàn yě jué bú shì qū qū jǐ míng lí hé yuán yīng jí bié de xiū shì kě yǐ hàn dòng dì 。
也难怪林轩心中惊奇，当时走得仓促，自己布下的阵法确实谈不上多么了不起，但也绝不是区区几名离合元婴级别的修士可以撼动地。
Indeed, Lin Xuan was surprised. He had set up the array hastily and it wasn't particularly impressive, but it certainly wouldn't have been shaken by mere Transcendence Stage cultivators.
zhè zhōng jiān kěn dìng lìng yǒu yuán gù ， nán dào páng biān cáng yǒu qí tā gāo rén bù chéng me ？
这中间肯定另有缘故，难道旁边藏有其他高人不成么？
There must be another reason. Could there be other powerful figures nearby?
lín xuān biǎo miàn bù dòng shēng sè， àn zhōng què jiāng shén shí fàng chū ， rán ér sōu xún piàn kè ， què yě méi yǒu fā xiàn rèn hé bù tuǒ 。
林轩表面不动声sè，暗中却将神识放出，然而搜寻片刻，却也没有发现任何不妥。
Lin Xuan remained calm on the surface but secretly released his divine sense. After a moment's search, he found nothing amiss.
lín xuān bù jǐn méi tóu dà zhòu ， yǐ tā rú jīn de shí lì ， nǎ pà shì dù jié hòu qī de lǎo guài wù ， zhǐ yào bú shì cáng dé tài yuǎn ， duō shǎo dōu yīng gāi fā xiàn yì diǎn duān ní 。
林轩不仅眉头大皱，以他如今的实力，哪怕是渡劫后期的老怪物，只要不是藏得太远，多少都应该发现一点端倪。
With his current strength, even a late-stage Transcendence being wouldn't have gone unnoticed if it weren’t far away.
kě rú guǒ méi yǒu gāo rén huán shì zài cè ， zì jǐ suǒ bù xià de zhèn fǎ ， zěn me huì bèi dǎ dé yáo yáo yù zhuì ne ？
可如果没有高人环视在侧，自己所布下的阵法，怎么会被打得摇摇yù坠呢？
But without any high-ranking figures around, how could his array be so easily shattered?
yǎn qián zhè jǐ gè dǎn zhàn xīn jīng de xiǎo jiā huo ， wú lùn rú hé ， yě bù kě néng yǒu zhè zhǒng běn shì de 。
眼前这几个胆战心惊的小家伙，无论如何，也不可能有这种本事的。
These trembling little fellows couldn't possibly possess such abilities.
yǐ lín xuān jiàn shí guǎng bó ， yě shí zài cān bù tòu zhè zhōng jiān yǒu shén me yuán gù ， zhǐ hǎo xún wèn tú ér le 。
以林轩见识广博，也实在参不透这中间有什么缘故，只好询问徒儿了。
Given Lin Xuan's extensive experience, he couldn't fathom the reason behind this and had to ask his disciple.
“ shī zūn ， shì qíng shì zhè yàng de ……”
“师尊，事情是这样的……”
"Master, the situation is as follows..."
lín xuān xiāng xún ， lù yíng ér zì rán bù kě néng yǐn mán shén me ， zuǐ chún wēi qǐ ， kāi shǐ wěi wěi jiǎng shù 。
林轩相询，陆盈儿自然不可能隐瞒什么，嘴唇微启，开始娓娓讲述。
Lin Xuan asked, and Lu Ying'er naturally wouldn’t hide anything. She began to narrate.
ér tīng wán yǐ hòu ， lín xuān zé chè dǐ wú yǔ le 。
而听完以后，林轩则彻底无语了。
After hearing her story, Lin Xuan was speechless.
cǐ shì chún shǔ qiǎo hé 。
此事纯属巧合。
It was all a coincidence.
méi cuò ， qiǎo hé ！
没错，巧合！
Indeed, a coincidence!
shì qíng yào cóng dà yuē bàn gè shí chén qián shuō qǐ 。
事情要从大约半个时辰前说起。
The incident started about half an hour ago. After Lin Xuan left, Lu Ying'er waited obediently in the cave府. Then, a bolt of lightning descended and just happened to strike near the entrance.
lín xuān zǒu hòu ， lù yíng ér yì zhí guāi guāi de zài dòng fǔ zhōng děng zhe ， suí hòu yī dào tiān léi jiàng luò ， wú qiǎo bù qiǎo ， zhèng hǎo pī zài dòng fǔ fù jìn 。
林轩走后，陆盈儿一直乖乖的在洞府中等着，随后一道天雷降落，无巧不巧，正好劈在洞府附近。
Fortunately, his禁制 was strong enough to deflect it, but the禁制 itself was also damaged.
hái hǎo lín xuān bù xià de jìn zhì fáng yù lì bù ruò ， cái jiāng tiān léi gěi dǎng xià lái le ， ér jìn zhì běn shēn yě bèi pī dé yáo yáo yù zhuì 。
还好林轩布下的禁制防御力不弱，才将天雷给挡下来了，而禁制本身也被劈得摇摇yù坠。
"Yes, senior, we were passing by when we saw the lightning strike and get deflected. We thought it might be a precious treasure appearing, so..."
“ shì a ， qián bèi ， wǒ děng cóng yuǎn chù lù guò ， kàn jiàn tiān léi là xià què yòu bèi dǎng zhù ， yǐ wéi shì shén me bǎo wù chū shì ， suǒ yǐ ……”
“是啊，前辈，我等从远处路过，看见天雷落下却又被挡住，以为是什么宝物出世，所以……”
The cultivator with the hooked nose hurriedly explained. If he had known that the reclusive cultivator here had connections to Transcendence beings, he would never have dared to come.
nà yīng gōu bí de xiū shì lián máng jiě shì ， zǎo zhī yǐn jū zài cǐ dì de xiū shì jìng yǔ dù jié qī dà néng yǒu yuān yuán ， dǎ sǐ tā ， yě bù gǎn lái tàng zhè hún shuǐ de 。
那鹰钩鼻的修士连忙解释，早知隐居在此地的修士竟与渡劫期大能有渊源，打死他，也不敢来趟这浑水的。
"Ah, I see."
“ yuán lái rú cǐ 。”
“原来如此。”
Lin Xuan finally understood the entire story but felt rather amused by it.
lín xuān zhōng yú míng bái liǎo shì qíng de shǐ mò ， què yǒu tí xiào jiē fēi de gǎn jué 。
林轩终于明白了事情的始末，却有啼笑皆非的感觉。
Lightning was different from ordinary thunder; generally, it only appeared when a cultivator advanced or underwent a tribulation. The heavens followed their own laws.
tiān léi ， yǔ xià yǔ shí de léi diàn bù tóng ， yì bān lái shuō ， zhǐ yǒu xiū shì jìn jiē huò zhě dù jié de shí hòu cái huì jiàng luò ， tiān dào zì yǒu qí yùn xíng de fǎ zé 。
天雷，与下雨时的雷电不同，一般来说，只有修士进阶或者渡劫的时候才会降落，天道自有其运行的法则。
However, exceptions existed. Sometimes, even without a cultivator's advancement or tribulation, coincidences or anomalies in the primordial qi could lead to lightning appearing.
bù guò fán shì jiē yǒu lì wài ， yǒu shí hòu ， jí biàn méi yǒu xiū shì jìn jiē huò zhě dù jié ， jī yuán qiǎo hé ， huò zhě shuō tiān dì yuán qì chū xiàn yì cháng de shí hòu ， yě yǒu kě néng xíng chéng tiān léi jiàng luò 。
不过凡事皆有例外，有时候，即便没有修士进阶或者渡劫，机缘巧合，或者说天地元气出现异常的时候，也有可能形成天雷降落。
Of course, such occurrences were rare.
dāng rán ， zhè yàng de qíng kuàng hěn shǎo 。
当然，这样的情况很少。
But recalling the scene just now, Lin Xuan was almost certain that his and Bingpo's efforts had stirred the primordial qi, causing this bolt of lightning to strike here.
dàn yī huí xiǎng gāng gāng de qíng jǐng ， lín xuān jī hū kě yǐ kěn dìng shì zì jǐ yǔ bīng pò gè zhǎn shén tōng ， yǐn qǐ le tiān dì yuán qì de yì dòng ， yú shì yǒu zhè me yī dào tiān léi ， qià hǎo pī dào le cǐ chù 。
但一回想刚刚的情景，林轩几乎可以肯定是自己与冰魄各展神通，引起了天地元气的异动，于是有这么一道天雷，恰好劈到了此处。
Fortunately, it was deflected by the禁制.
hái hǎo bèi jìn zhì dǎng zhù 。
还好被禁制挡住。
The other cultivators passed by later, mistaking the event for a sign of a treasure appearing.
suí hòu zhè jǐ míng xiū shì lù guò ， yòu yǐ wéi shì bǎo wù chū shì de zhēng zhào le 。
随后这几名修士路过，又以为是宝物出世的征兆了。
After all, he had been the instigator. Lin Xuan found himself both amused and somewhat embarrassed.
nòng le bàn tiān ， zì jǐ jū rán shì shǐ zuò yǒng zhě ， lín xuān yǒu xiē kū xiào bù dé 。
弄了半天，自己居然是始作俑者，林轩有些哭笑不得。
Understanding the full story, Lin Xuan's awkwardness flashed across his face briefly. Given his nature, he would never bully the weak, but he was also quick to seek revenge. Anyone who dared to provoke him would regret it for life.
xiǎng míng bái liǎo shì qíng de shǐ mò ， lín xuān liǎn shàng de gān gà yī shǎn ér guò ， yuán běn yǐ tā de xìng gé ， jué bù shì qiáng líng ruò ， dàn yě jué duì shì yá zì bì bào de ， shuí ruò gǎn dào tài suì tóu shàng dòng tǔ ， fēi ràng tā hòu huǐ zhōng shēng bù kě 。
想明白了事情的始末，林轩脸上的尴尬一闪而过，原本以他的xìng格，绝不恃强凌弱，但也绝对是睚眦必报的，谁若敢到太岁头上动土，非让他后悔终生不可。
But as the instigator, Lin Xuan couldn't be too harsh on these small cultivators.
dàn yǎn qián ， zì jǐ shì shǐ zuò yǒng zhě ， lín xuān dào bù hǎo yǔ yǎn qián de jǐ gè xiǎo xiū shì jì jiào le 。
但眼前，自己是始作俑者，林轩倒不好与眼前的几个小修士计较了。
After all, he was a man of principle and this incident stemmed from his actions. Although they had offended him, their intentions were understandable.
bì jìng lín xuān shì ēn yuàn fēn míng de ， yǎn qián zhī shì yīn zì jǐ ér qǐ ， tā men suī yǒu mào fàn ， dàn yě qíng yǒu kě yuán 。
毕竟林轩是恩怨分明的，眼前之事因自己而起，他们虽有冒犯，但也情有可原。
"Go!"
“ nǐ men zǒu ba ！”
“你们走吧！”
Lin Xuan waved dismissively. He did so because Lu Ying'er hadn’t made any mistakes; otherwise, no matter the circumstances, he wouldn't have spared them.
lín xuān yì xìng lán shān de bǎi le bǎi shǒu ， dāng rán ， tā zhī suǒ yǐ zhè me zuò ， yě shì yīn wèi lù yíng ér méi yǒu chū bàn diǎn chā cuò ， fǒu zé ， guǎn zhè jiàn shì qǐ yīn rú hé ， lín xuān dōu jué bú huì yǒu bàn diǎn shǒu xià liú qíng le 。
林轩意兴阑珊的摆了摆手，当然，他之所以这么做，也是因为陆盈儿没有出半点差错，否则，管这件事起因如何，林轩都绝不会有半点手下留情了。
"Thank you, senior!"
“ duō xiè qián bèi ！”
“多谢前辈！”
The cultivator with the hooked nose was stunned, and the other gray-robed cultivators exchanged glances.
nà yīng gōu bí xiū shì yī dāi ， qí tā huī páo xiū shì yě miàn miàn xiāng qù qǐ lái 。
那鹰钩鼻修士一呆，其他灰袍修士也面面相觑起来。
They knew that higher-stage cultivators were often unpredictable. They had prepared for their deaths but felt satisfied just to escape. They couldn’t believe the senior showed no intention of punishing them and let them go.
yào zhī dào ， yuè shì gāo jiē de xiū xiān zhě ， pí qì gǔ guài de yuè duō ， tā men xīn zhōng yì zhí zài dǎ gǔ ， shuō shí huà ， dōu zuò hǎo le yǔn luò de jué wù ， yǎn qián de lǎo guài wù kěn fàng tā men hún pò zhòng rù lún huí zhī dào jiù xīn zhōng mǎn zú ， méi xiǎng dào duì fāng jū rán sī háo méi yǒu chéng jiè de yì tú ， jiù zhè me fàng tā men zǒu le ？
要知道，越是高阶的修仙者，脾气古怪的越多，他们心中一直在打鼓，说实话，都做好了陨落的觉悟，眼前的老怪物肯放他们魂魄重入轮回之道就心中满足，没想到对方居然丝毫没有惩戒的意图，就这么放他们走了？
Was this a mistake?
yǒu méi yǒu gǎo cuò ？
有没有搞错？
Could there be some hidden plot behind his apparent leniency?
tiān xià jū rán yǒu zhè yàng de hǎo shì me ？
天下居然有这样的好事么？
Before he could entertain such thoughts, the cultivator with the hooked nose burst into laughter.
yī shí jiān ， jǐ rén jū rán yǒu xiē nán yǐ zhì xìn qǐ lái 。
一时间，几人居然有些难以置信起来。
He had overthought it. The identity of the old monster was unknown, but its Transcendence Stage status couldn’t be doubted. Such powerful beings could easily manipulate them at will.
hái shì shuō ， yǎn qián de lǎo guài wù ， jiǎ yì jiāng tā men fàng guò ， suí hòu yòu yǒu shén me yīn móu ？
还是说，眼前的老怪物，假意将他们放过，随后又有什么yīn谋？
Plot?
zhè ge niàn tou gāng gāng zhuǎn guò ， nà yīng gōu bí de xiū shì jiù yǎ rán shī xiào de fǒu dìng le 。
这个念头刚刚转过，那鹰钩鼻的修士就哑然失笑的否定了。
He underestimated himself too much.
zì jǐ xiǎng tài duō ， yǎn qián de lǎo guài wù xìng shèn míng shuí suī rán bù qīng chǔ ， dàn shì dù jié jí bié de cún zài ， zhè yì diǎn jué bú huì yǒu cuò 。
自己想太多，眼前的老怪物姓甚名谁虽然不清楚，但是渡劫级别的存在，这一点绝不会有错。
In the eyes of such a powerful being, he was just an ant; he didn't deserve any plots or schemes.
zhè zhǒng dà néng xiū shì ， dòng dòng shǒu zhǐ jiù néng jiāng zì jǐ zhè xiē rén wán nòng yú gǔ zhǎng zhī zhōng 。
这种大能修士，动动手指就能将自己这些人玩弄于鼓掌之中。
Realizing this, he felt relieved to have escaped.
yīn móu ？
yīn谋？
"Why are you still here? Do you expect Lin某 to see you off?"
zì jǐ yě tài gāo kàn zì jǐ le 。
自己也太高看自己了。
Lin Xuan's voice echoed, but it held no malice. He knew the small cultivators were likely stunned.
zài zhè zhǒng dà néng cún zài de yǎn lǐ ， zì jǐ jiù shì lóu yǐ ， nǎ lǐ pèi tā wán shén me yīn móu guǐ jì 。
在这种大能存在的眼里，自己就是蝼蚁，哪里配他玩什么yīn谋诡计。
"Thank you for your leniency!"
niàn jí zhì cǐ ， tā bù yóu de tǎn rán le qǐ lái ， méi xiǎng dào zhēn yǒu jī huì táo chū shēng tiān 。
念及至此，他不由得坦然了起来，没想到真有机会逃出生天。
The cultivators regained their senses and rushed to bow repeatedly before vanishing in streaks of light.
“ zěn me ， nǐ men hái bù zǒu ， mò fēi děng zhe lín mǒu sòng kè ？”
“怎么，你们还不走，莫非等着林某送客？”
"Ying'er, let’s go too!"
lín xuān yōu rán de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， lǐ miàn què méi yǒu tài duō de bù shàn zhī sè， tā yě zhī dào zhè jǐ gè xiǎo jiā huo ， duō bàn shì bèi xià dāi le 。
林轩悠然的声音传入耳朵，里面却没有太多的不善之sè，他也知道这几个小家伙，多半是被吓呆了。
Such a minor incident didn’t bother Lin Xuan as he waved his sleeves. A flash of green light appeared, and the painted boat was summoned again.
“ duō xiè qián bèi shǒu xià liú qíng ！”
“多谢前辈手下留情！”
"Yes, Master."
nà jǐ míng xiū shì rú mèng chū xǐng ， yí gè gè huān xǐ bù yǐ ， chōng zhe lín xuān lián lián xíng lǐ ， cái huà wèi yī dào dào jīng hóng lí qù 。
那几名修士如梦初醒，一个个欢喜不已，冲着林轩连连行礼，才化为一道道惊虹离去。
Lu Ying'er had no objections; she floated over gracefully. Lin Xuan arrived at the bow without any movement.
“ yíng ér ， wǒ men yě zǒu ba ！”
“盈儿，我们也走吧！”
Then, Lin Xuan raised his right hand to cast a spell, ready to activate the boat. But suddenly, he frowned as if discovering something, turning his head.
zhè yàng de xiǎo chā qǔ ， lín xuān zì rán bú huì fàng zài xīn shàng ， xiù páo yī fú ， yī dào qīng guāng shǎn guò ， chóng xīn jiāng nà huà fǎng jì chū 。
这样的小插曲，林轩自然不会放在心上，袖袍一拂，一道青光闪过，重新将那画舫祭出。
With his deep-seated composure, Lin Xuan showed a hint of surprise on his face.
Lin Xuan's anger flared, and his遁光 naturally became even more swift. In a few flashes, he arrived at Lu Ying'er's abode.
Then, the light around him dimmed, revealing his true form.
"Master!"
A delicate voice entered his ears as white mist before the cave府 began to slowly swirl, spreading out to both sides. A graceful young woman emerged from within.
Lin Xuan let out a sigh of relief; fortunately, he had arrived in time. From Lu Ying'er's appearance, she seemed only slightly frightened.
All was well!
Next, Lin Xuan turned his head and began to observe the surrounding cultivators. He said nothing, merely revealing his cultivation level—Transcendence Stage.
Correctly, Transcendence Stage!
Given the difference in their cultivation levels, it was impossible for them to discern his true strength under normal circumstances.
However, if Lin Xuan had chosen to reveal his true power, they would have felt it.
The unfortunate cultivators were now gaping in shock, almost thinking they had misunderstood something.
Transcendence Stage? There was a powerful being of that stage here!
"Senior, please spare me! Everything is just a misunderstanding. I never intended any offense."
The cultivator with the hooked nose panicked and fell to his knees with a thud.
The other gray-robed cultivators knelt incessantly, their faces ashen.
"A misunderstanding?"
Lin Xuan's expression remained unchanged as he turned to Lu Ying'er: "Ying'er, what happened?"
Indeed, Lin Xuan was surprised. He had set up the array hastily and it wasn't particularly impressive, but it certainly wouldn't have been shaken by mere Transcendence Stage cultivators.
There must be another reason. Could there be other powerful figures nearby?
Lin Xuan remained calm on the surface but secretly released his divine sense. After a moment's search, he found nothing amiss.
With his current strength, even a late-stage Transcendence being wouldn't have gone unnoticed if it weren’t far away.
But without any high-ranking figures around, how could his array be so easily shattered?
These trembling little fellows couldn't possibly possess such abilities.
Given Lin Xuan's extensive experience, he couldn't fathom the reason behind this and had to ask his disciple.
"Master, the situation is as follows..."
Lin Xuan asked, and Lu Ying'er naturally wouldn’t hide anything. She began to narrate.
After hearing her story, Lin Xuan was speechless.
It was all a coincidence.
Indeed, a coincidence!
The incident started about half an hour ago. After Lin Xuan left, Lu Ying'er waited obediently in the cave府. Then, a bolt of lightning descended and just happened to strike near the entrance.
Fortunately, his禁制 was strong enough to deflect it, but the禁制 itself was also damaged.
"Yes, senior, we were passing by when we saw the lightning strike and get deflected. We thought it might be a precious treasure appearing, so..."
The cultivator with the hooked nose hurriedly explained. If he had known that the reclusive cultivator here had connections to Transcendence beings, he would never have dared to come.
"Ah, I see."
Lin Xuan finally understood the entire story but felt rather amused by it.
Lightning was different from ordinary thunder; generally, it only appeared when a cultivator advanced or underwent a tribulation. The heavens followed their own laws.
However, exceptions existed. Sometimes, even without a cultivator's advancement or tribulation, coincidences or anomalies in the primordial qi could lead to lightning appearing.
Of course, such occurrences were rare.
But recalling the scene just now, Lin Xuan was almost certain that his and Bingpo's efforts had stirred the primordial qi, causing this bolt of lightning to strike here.
Fortunately, it was deflected by the禁制.
The other cultivators passed by later, mistaking the event for a sign of a treasure appearing.
After all, he had been the instigator. Lin Xuan found himself both amused and somewhat embarrassed.
Understanding the full story, Lin Xuan's awkwardness flashed across his face briefly. Given his nature, he would never bully the weak, but he was also quick to seek revenge. Anyone who dared to provoke him would regret it for life.
But as the instigator, Lin Xuan couldn't be too harsh on these small cultivators.
After all, he was a man of principle and this incident stemmed from his actions. Although they had offended him, their intentions were understandable.
"Go!"
Lin Xuan waved dismissively. He did so because Lu Ying'er hadn’t made any mistakes; otherwise, no matter the circumstances, he wouldn't have spared them.
"Thank you, senior!"
The cultivator with the hooked nose was stunned, and the other gray-robed cultivators exchanged glances.
They knew that higher-stage cultivators were often unpredictable. They had prepared for their deaths but felt satisfied just to escape. They couldn’t believe the senior showed no intention of punishing them and let them go.
Was this a mistake?
Could there be some hidden plot behind his apparent leniency?
Before he could entertain such thoughts, the cultivator with the hooked nose burst into laughter.
He had overthought it. The identity of the old monster was unknown, but its Transcendence Stage status couldn’t be doubted. Such powerful beings could easily manipulate them at will.
Plot?
He underestimated himself too much.
In the eyes of such a powerful being, he was just an ant; he didn't deserve any plots or schemes.
Realizing this, he felt relieved to have escaped.
"Why are you still here? Do you expect Lin某 to see you off?"
Lin Xuan's voice echoed, but it held no malice. He knew the small cultivators were likely stunned.
"Thank you for your leniency!"
The cultivators regained their senses and rushed to bow repeatedly before vanishing in streaks of light.
"Ying'er, let’s go too!"
Such a minor incident didn’t bother Lin Xuan as he waved his sleeves. A flash of green light appeared, and the painted boat was summoned again.
"Yes, Master."
Lu Ying'er had no objections; she floated over gracefully. Lin Xuan arrived at the bow without any movement.
Then, Lin Xuan raised his right hand to cast a spell, ready to activate the boat. But suddenly, he frowned as if discovering something, turning his head.
With his deep-seated composure, Lin Xuan showed a hint of surprise on his face.