jiù zài qián fāng bù yuǎn zhī chù ， yǒu jǐ zuò dī ǎi de shān fēng chù lì zhe 。
就在前方不远之处，有几座低矮的山峰矗立着。
Not far ahead, several low mountains stood.
tán bù shàng xiǎn jùn tǐng bá ， dàn shān fēng zhī shàng ， yě zhǎng le yī xiē guàn mù lèi zhí wù 。
谈不上险峻挺拔，但山峰之上，也长了一些灌木类植物。
They weren't particularly imposing, but some shrubs grew on their peaks. A gentle breeze blew, sending a chill with it.
wēi fēng chuī fú ， yī zhèn zhèn liáng yì suí fēng sòng chū 。
微风吹拂，一阵阵凉意随风送出。
Lin Xuan's gaze swept over the area, confirming that this was indeed where Fairy妙音仙子 had mentioned they would meet up.
lín xuān mù guāng sǎo guò ， què dìng zhè lǐ jiù shì miào yīn xiān zi yǔ zì jǐ tí guò de huì hé dì diǎn le 。
林轩目光扫过，确定这里就是妙音仙子与自己提过的汇合地点了。
However, within a ten-thousand-li radius, there were no signs of any cultivators. Clearly, he had arrived too early.
rán ér fāng yuán wàn lǐ ， nǎ ér yǒu xiū shì de zōng jì ， míng xiǎn zì jǐ lái zǎo le yī xiē 。
然而方圆万里，哪儿有修士的踪迹，明显自己来早了一些。
A smile played on Lin Xuan's lips as he wasn't in a hurry. He emitted a layer of green light and flew towards the valley between the mountains like a swift stream.
lín xuān zuǐ jiǎo biān liú lù chū yī sī xiào yì ， dào yě bù jí ， hún shēn qīng máng yì qǐ ， jiù xiàng nà shān jiān de xiá gǔ fēi qù 。
林轩嘴角边流露出一丝笑意，倒也不急，浑身青芒一起，就像那山间的峡谷飞去。
The valley wasn't particularly spacious, covering only a few acres. Yet it was quite picturesque.
zhè xiá gǔ bìng bù guǎng kuò ， fāng yuán bù guò shù mǔ 。
这峡谷并不广阔，方圆不过数亩。
Lin Xuan even found several century-old spirit herbs within. To ordinary cultivators, this would be cause for great joy. But to Lin Xuan, they were merely decent.
dàn fēng jǐng què pǒ wèi bù cuò 。
但风景却颇为不错。
Nonetheless, the signs were good. This search for True Immortal ruins might indeed bring some unexpected surprises.
lín xuān shèn zhì zài lǐ miàn fā xiàn le jǐ zhū wàn nián líng cǎo 。
林轩甚至在里面发现了几株万年灵草。
With nothing else to do, Lin Xuan settled down in a clean spot to meditate. He wasn't really practicing cultivation; he was simply adjusting his body and mind to their best state.
ruò shì bèi pǔ tōng xiū shì suǒ de ， fēi huān xīn gǔ wǔ ， rán ér luò zài lín xuān de yǎn lǐ ， què yě bù suàn duō me liǎo de 。
若是被普通修士所得，非欢欣鼓舞，然而落在林轩的眼里，却也不算多么了得。
...
dàn bù guǎn rú hé ， zhè zhào tou yě suàn bù cuò ， zhè yī cì xún zhǎo zhēn xiān yí jì ， huò xǔ hái zhēn huì yǒu yì wài jīng xǐ de 。
但不管如何，这兆头也算不错，这一次寻找真仙遗迹，或许还真会有意外惊喜的。
Time passed like water in the mountains. A thousand years had gone by.
fǎn zhèng xián zhe yě shì xián zhe ， lín xuān wú shì kě zuò ， gān cuì jiāng qiáng dà yǐ jí de shén shí wán quán fàng chū ， zài fù jìn xì xì sōu suǒ ， rán ér chú le nà jǐ zhū wàn nián líng cǎo yǐ wài ， què zài yě méi yǒu le qí tā shōu huò 。
反正闲着也是闲着，林轩无事可做，干脆将强大以极的神识完全放出，在附近细细搜索，然而除了那几株万年灵草以外，却再也没有了其他收获。
To cultivators, time could pass quickly. Of course, it couldn't be that exaggerated.
dāng rán ， zhè bìng bú shì shuō ， xiá gǔ zhōng jiù méi yǒu bié de nián fèn de líng wù 。
当然，这并不是说，峡谷中就没有别的年份的灵物。
But for Lin Xuan, who had been meditating for just a few days, those moments were over in an instant.
rán ér lín xuān zuò wèi dù jié jí bié de lǎo zǔ ， yǎn guāng kě shì gāo dé lí pǔ ， suī shuō wén zi tuǐ zài xiǎo yě shì ròu ， kě jiù tā de qíng kuàng lái shuō ， pǔ tōng líng cǎo ， dàng zhēn shì nán yǐ rù yǎn le 。
然而林轩做为渡劫级别的老祖，眼光可是高得离谱，虽说蚊子腿再小也是肉，可就他的情况来说，普通灵草，当真是难以入眼了。
Suddenly, a golden-eyed phoenix-like bird appeared on the back of what seemed to be burning flames. On its back stood a woman dressed in palace attire, standing proudly.
wú shì kě zuò ， lín xuān jiù zhǎo le yī kuài gān jìng de dì fāng dǎ zuò 。
无事可做，林轩就找了一块干净的地方打坐。
Her expression was one of shock and fear as she looked at Lin Xuan.
tán bù shàng xiū xíng ， jǐn jǐn shì jiāng zì jǐ de jīng qì shén ， quán bù tiáo zhěng dào zuì jiā zhuàng tài bà le 。
谈不上修行，仅仅是将自己的精气神，全部调整到最佳状态罢了。
"Is it you?"
……
……
Lin Xuan's eyes widened with surprise upon seeing her. He never imagined that he would meet someone familiar here in the Sound Realm.
shān zhōng wú suì yuè ， yī huǎng yǐ qiān nián 。
山中无岁月，一晃已千年。
Strictly speaking, they weren't very acquainted, but there had been a brief encounter before. And considering how long ago that was, not too far from now.
duì xiū xíng zhī rén ér yán ， shí jiān yì guò 。
对修行之人而言，时间易过。
With the submission of Sword Lake Palace and Cloud Concealment Sect rising to become one of the most powerful clans in Dragon Ridge, this was indeed beneficial for Lin Xuan. However, it also earned him many enemies.
dāng rán ， yě bù kě néng zhēn yǒu zhè yàng kuā zhāng de 。
当然，也不可能真有这样夸张的。
The Cloud Concealment Sect's foundation was shallow, but because of Lin Xuan, its rise had been too swift, attracting the envy and opposition from other major forces.
dàn qū qū shù rì de gōng fu ， lín xuān dǎ zuò 。 zì rán shì shùn xī jí guò 。
但区区数日的功夫，林轩打坐。自然是瞬息即过。
Although Sword Lake Palace had submitted, Black Phoenix Mountain, Ten Thousand Demons Valley, and Ten Thousand Xia Immortal Palace still didn't recognize their authority. Three old monsters at the Transcendation Realm level were dispatched to Cloud Concealment Sect's main hall under the guise of congratulations but with ulterior motives.
ér jīng guò zhè xiē xǔ shí jiān de tiáo zhěng ， tā de zhuàng tài ， yì huī fù dào zuì jiā le 。
而经过这些许时间的调整，他的状态，亦恢复到最佳了。
Their goal was to probe the sect's strength, and this Fairy筱仙子 was one of them.
tū rán ， yī dòng bù dòng de lín xuān tái qǐ tóu lú ， yǎn jīng wēi mī de wàng xiàng zuǒ cè kōng wú yì rén zhī chù ， suí hòu sǎ rán yī xiào de kāi kǒu le ：“ yuǎn lái shì kè ， xiān zi jì rán lái le ， yòu hé bì lìn sè yī jiàn ne ？”
突然，一动不动的林轩抬起头颅，眼睛微眯的望向左侧空无一人之处，随后洒然一笑的开口了：“远来是客，仙子既然来了，又何必吝啬一见呢？”
However, she had a reserved personality, being someone of deep insight. After arriving at Cloud Concealment Sect, she didn't immediately seek trouble with Lin Xuan. Instead, it was Old Monster Xue from Ten Thousand Xia Immortal Palace who couldn't hold back and ended up becoming a test subject for Lin Xuan's strength.
“ lín dào yǒu de shén shí guǒ rán fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， běn xiān zi kě méi yǒu yǐn cáng xíng jì de yì tú 。 zhǐ bù guò zhè huǒ yáng niǎo jì chéng le liǎng zhǒng zhēn líng de xuè mài ， tiān shēng yǒu jǐ fēn yǐn nì de shén tōng bà le 。”
“林道友的神识果然非同小可，本仙子可没有隐藏行迹的意图。只不过这火阳鸟继承了两种真灵的血脉，天生有几分隐匿的神通罢了。”
After Xue was subjected to soul extraction by Lin Xuan, both this Fairy and the old monster from Ten Thousand Xia Immortal Palace were left in awe. They quickly retreated after realizing they shouldn't have provoked him.
yī bīng lěng de nǚ shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， dài zhe jǐ fēn jīng jì zhī sè ， lín xuān què jué de yǒu xiē ěr shú ， shàng lái bù jí sī suǒ 。 shēn cè bǎi yú zhàng yuǎn chù ， yuán běn píng jìng de kōng jiān tū rán bèi róng jiě kāi le 。
一冰冷的女声传入耳朵，带着几分惊悸之色，林轩却觉得有些耳熟，尚来不及思索。身侧百余丈远处，原本平静的空间突然被溶解开了。
The matter had been settled, but since then, Lin Xuan hadn't seen her again until today's unexpected encounter.
yí gè zhàng xǔ de dà dòng yìng rù yǎn lián ， zhí jìng hái zài bù tíng kuò zhǎn 。
一个丈许的大洞映入眼帘，直径还在不停扩展。
If it wasn't unusual for Dragon Ridge, why would she be here?
hěn kuài ， jiù biàn dà le shí bèi yǒu yú 。
很快，就变大了十倍有余。
Lin Xuan was curious. But as a thousand-year-old cultivator, he didn't lack in cunning.
suí hòu ， qīng míng shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， gāo kàng zhī jí ， yī shēn cháng qī bā zhàng de huǒ niǎo cóng lǐ miàn fēi le chū qù 。
随后，清鸣声传入耳朵，高亢之极，一身长七八丈的火鸟从里面飞了出去。
Directly asking might not yield the desired results; his counterpart would likely feign interest. Besides, this situation had nothing to do with him, so Lin Xuan's curiosity waned.
cǐ xiān qín jīn mù zhǎng líng 。 wěi ba huǒ yǔ piāo piāo ， yī yǎn wàng qù ， jìng yǒu jǐ fēn xiàng tiān fèng de yàng zi 。
此仙禽金目长翎。尾巴火羽飘飘，一眼望去，竟有几分像天凤的样子。
Instead, he focused on more practical matters: "It's truly a coincidence that we meet here. Did Fairy妙音 come for the same reason?"
dāng rán ， bù kě néng shì tiān fèng zhēn líng 。 dàn hún shēn suǒ sàn fà chū lái de qì xī ， yě hěn shì bù ruò ， jī hū xiāng dāng yú fēn shén chū qī de xiū xiān zhě ， bù …… hái yào qiáng shàng nà me jǐ fēn de 。
当然，不可能是天凤真灵。但浑身所散发出来的气息，也很是不弱，几乎相当于分神初期的修仙者，不……还要强上那么几分的。
"Indeed, I came here at the invitation of Fairy妙音," she replied with a charming smile. "And it's indeed a stroke of luck to meet you."
cǐ niǎo hún shēn yǔ máo yàn lì rú huǒ 。 bù ， shì zhēn yǒu huǒ miáo zài tā de yǔ máo shàng piāo dòng 。
此鸟浑身羽毛艳丽如火。不，是真有火苗在它的羽毛上飘动。
"Oh, this is quite a coincidence." Lin Xuan's expression remained calm: "I happened upon the search for True Immortal ruins by chance. It seems that Fairy妙音 has many close friends."
rán ér gèng bù kě sī yì de shì 。 zài zhè fǎng fú rán shāo zhe de xiān qín bèi shàng ， jū rán yǒu yī gōng zhuāng nǚ zǐ ， ào rán ér lì 。
然而更不可思议的是。在这仿佛燃烧着的仙禽背上，居然有一宫装女子，傲然而立。
Although his tone was light, he was actually very concerned about this.
kě zǐ xì kàn ， tā de biǎo qíng ， yòu yǒu jǐ fēn chī jīng yǔ huáng kǒng de yàng zi 。
可仔细看，她的表情，又有几分吃惊与惶恐的样子。
Due to the conflict with Heart String琴心, Lin Xuan had planned to confront Fairy妙音 if she revealed any clues. However, there were other old monsters at the Transcendation Realm level involved.
“ shì nǐ ？”
“是你？”
Lin Xuan didn't know how well they got along with Fairy妙音. If it was just her and him, he might have a chance. But if the other two old monsters joined forces, things would be complicated.
lín xuān jiāng cǐ nǚ de biǎo qíng kàn qīng chǔ ， tóng yàng shì dà gǎn jīng è 。
林轩将此女的表情看清楚，同样是大感惊愕。
He estimated that facing three Transcendation Realm cultivators, Lin Xuan could barely defend himself. Winning was out of the question. The result would likely be a humiliating retreat.
tā zuò mèng yě bù céng xiǎng ， lái dào tiān yīn jiè ， jū rán hái néng yǔ shú rén xiāng féng 。
他做梦也不曾想，来到天音界，居然还能与熟人相逢。
This situation was not what Lin Xuan wanted to see. He had no chance against three opponents.
ń ， yán gé lái shuō ， yǔ cǐ nǚ yě bù suàn hěn shú xī 。
嗯，严格来说，与此女也不算很熟悉。
The attitude of the other two old monsters mattered greatly. Unfortunately, he didn't know who they were, leaving him with only one option: wait and see.
dàn yí miàn zhī yuán kěn dìng shì yǒu de 。
但一面之缘肯定是有的。
In short, he would take each step as it came.
ér qiě suàn suàn shí jiān ， jù lí liǎng rén shàng cì jiàn miàn ， qí shí bù yuǎn 。
而且算算时间，距离两人上次见面，其实不远。
However, this approach was too passive. Without a better plan, Lin Xuan had no choice but to proceed this way. After all, in the cultivation world, strength reigned supreme.
jiàn hú gōng chén fú ， yún yǐn zōng yī yuè chéng wéi le nài lóng jiè zuì wèi qiáng dà de zōng mén jiā zú ， zhè duì lín xuān lái shuō ， gù rán yǒu mò dà de hǎo chù ， rán ér què yě yīn cǐ shù dí wú shù 。
剑湖宫臣服，云隐宗一跃成为了鼐龙界最为强大的宗门家族，这对林轩来说，固然有莫大的好处，然而却也因此树敌无数。
If he were at the Transcendation late stage, his current dilemma wouldn't even be worth mentioning. He could openly find the main hall of Sound Palace and demand that Fairy妙音 release Heart String琴心 without fear.
yún yǐn zōng de dǐ yùn bì jìng qiǎn bó ， yīn wèi lín xuān de yuán gù ， jué qǐ de sù dù què tài guò xùn sù ， shù dà zhāo fēng ， zì rán yǐn qǐ le qí tā dà shì lì de bù fú 。
云隐宗的底蕴毕竟浅薄，因为林轩的缘故，崛起的速度却太过迅速，树大招风，自然引起了其他大势力的不服。
Although Sound Palace was a formidable force, it would not risk enmity with another Transcendation late-stage cultivator over such an issue.
jiàn hú gōng suī yǐ chén fú ， rán ér hēi fèng shān ， wàn yāo gǔ ， wàn xiǎo xiān gōng děng qiáng dà shì lì què bìng bù rèn kě ， sān dà mén pài jiē chū dòng le yī míng dù jié jí bié de lǎo guài wù ， qián wǎng yún yǐn zōng zǒng duò ， míng wèi zhù hè ， qí shí què bāo cáng huò xīn lái zhe 。
剑湖宫虽已臣服，然而黑凤山，万妖谷，万晓仙宫等强大势力却并不认可，三大门派皆出动了一名渡劫级别的老怪物，前往云隐宗总舵，名为祝贺，其实却包藏祸心来着。
Unfortunately, he wasn't at that stage, so this solution remained just a thought.
mù dì jiù shì dǎ tàn yún yǐn zōng de xū shí ， ér yǎn qián de xiǎo xiān zi zhèng shì dāng nián de sān míng lǎo guài wù zhī yī 。
目的就是打探云隐宗的虚实，而眼前的筱仙子正是当年的三名老怪物之一。
But Lin Xuan didn't lose heart. Opportunities needed to be seized.
zhǐ bù guò cǐ nǚ xìng gé nèi liǎn ， nǎi shì yī chéng fǔ jí shēn de rén wù ， dào le yún yǐn zōng yǐ hòu ， bìng méi yǒu jí zhe zhǎo lín xuān de má fán ， fǎn ér shì wàn yāo gǔ de xuē lǎo yāo chén bú zhù qì ， jié guǒ méi néng là le hǎo guǒ zi ， zuò le lín xuān shí lì qiáng ruò de shì jīn shí 。
只不过此女性格内敛，乃是一城府极深的人物，到了云隐宗以后，并没有急着找林轩的麻烦，反而是万妖谷的薛老妖沉不住气，结果没能落了好果子，做了林轩实力强弱的试金石。
So, he arrived earlier than the agreed time to meet up with the other two old monsters. The coincidence was even better; one of them turned out to be someone he had met before.
xuē lǎo yāo bèi lín xuān chōu hún liàn pò ， zhè wèi xiǎo xiān zi yǔ lái zì wàn xiǎo xiān gōng de lǎo guài wù zì rán shì chēng mù jié shé ， qìng xìng méi yǒu yǔ lín xuān sī pò liǎn pí ， xū yǐ wéi shé yī fān zhī hòu gào cí lí qù 。
薛老妖被林轩抽魂炼魄，这位筱仙子与来自万晓仙宫的老怪物自然是瞠目结舌，庆幸没有与林轩撕破脸皮，虚以为蛇一番之后告辞离去。
Although this Black Phoenix Valley's demoness only knew him from a brief encounter, she left a deep impression on Lin Xuan. She was cunning and adaptable.
cǐ shì zhì cǐ ， yě jiù suàn gào yí duàn luò ， suí hòu lín xuān zhū shì fán duō ， zài yě méi yǒu jiàn guò zhè wèi lái zì hēi fèng gǔ de yāo nǚ 。
此事至此，也就算告一段落，随后林轩诸事繁多，再也没有见过这位来自黑凤谷的妖女。
Most importantly, as a cultivator in Dragon Ridge, her presence here was purely coincidental. Lin Xuan didn't believe that she had a close relationship with Fairy妙音.
méi xiǎng dào jīn tiān què huì yì wài xiàng yù 。
没想到今天却会意外相遇。
She likely just happened to be there at the right time, like him.
ruò shì zài nài lóng jiè bù xī qí ， kě duì fāng zěn me yě huì lái dào zhè lǐ ？
若是在鼐龙界不稀奇，可对方怎么也会来到这里？
If his suspicions were correct, this demoness could be an ally or someone he needed to work with.
lín xuān xīn zhōng hào qí 。
林轩心中好奇。
With her help, even if one of the other old monsters sided with Fairy妙音, Lin Xuan wouldn't fear them.
bù guò tā yě shì huó le shàng qiān nián de rén wù ， bù zhì yú méi yǒu yì diǎn chéng fǔ 。
不过他也是活了上千年的人物，不至于没有一点城府。
Of course, such a statement couldn't be made directly. Otherwise, she would demand too much in return.
mào rán wèn bù yí dìng néng dé dào xiǎng yào de jié guǒ ， duì fāng kěn dìng huì xū yǔ wēi yí ， hé kuàng duì fāng huì lái zhè lǐ de yuán yīn qí shí yǔ zì jǐ fēn háo guān xì yě wú ， zhè yàng yī xiǎng ， lín xuān de hào qí xīn yě jiù qù le xǔ duō 。
冒然问不一定能得到想要的结果，对方肯定会虚与委蛇，何况对方会来这里的原因其实与自己分毫关系也无，这样一想，林轩的好奇心也就去了许多。
Lin Xuan had to test her intentions instead: "Fairy妙音 is the Supreme Elder of Sound Palace. With their strength, they didn't need our help to find True Immortal ruins. Why did Fairy妙音 share this information with us? What are your thoughts?"
zhuǎn ér guān xīn qǐ yī xiē shí jì de dōng xī lái le ：“ zhēn shì rén shēng hé chù bù xiāng féng ， xiān zi lái cǐ ， kě yě shì yīn wèi miào yīn de yuán gù ？”
转而关心起一些实际的东西来了：“真是人生何处不相逢，仙子来此，可也是因为妙音的缘故？”
"..."
“ bù cuò ， qiè shēn lái zhè lǐ ， què shí shì lái fù miào yīn xiān zi zhī yuē de ， méi xiǎng dào néng yǔ lín dào yǒu xiāng féng ， zhēn shì tài qiǎo le 。” cǐ nǚ yì shì lǎo jiān jù huá de rén wù ， zhèn jīng guò hòu ， hěn kuài huī fù le cóng róng ， xiào yè rú huā de kāi kǒu le 。
“不错，妾身来这里，确实是来赴妙音仙子之约的，没想到能与林道友相逢，真是太巧了。”此女亦是老奸巨猾的人物，震惊过后，很快恢复了从容，笑靥如花的开口了。
A hint of hesitation appeared on her face as she exchanged glances. Then, she spoke slowly: "What does Lin Daojun think, might be worth saying."
“ ó ， zhè hái zhēn shì qiǎo le 。” lín xuān de biǎo qíng bù dòng shēng sè ：“ xún zhǎo zhēn xiān yí jì ， lín mǒu bù guò shì féng qí huì ér yǐ ， xiān zi néng dé dào miào yīn de yāo qǐng ， xiǎng bì yǔ tā shì zhì jiāo hǎo yǒu le 。”
“哦，这还真是巧了。”林轩的表情不动声色：“寻找真仙遗迹，林某不过适逢其会而已，仙子能得到妙音的邀请，想必与她是至交好友了。”
"Very well," the woman replied with a smile. "Fairy indeed speaks plainly. I won't be pretentious either."
lín xuān de yǔ qì ， suī rán yún dàn fēng qīng yǐ jí ， dàn zhè qí shí ， shì tā shí fēn guān xīn de yí gè wèn tí 。
林轩的语气，虽然云淡风轻以极，但这其实，是他十分关心的一个问题。
Lin Xuan's expression turned sly: "In broad daylight, there's no need for secrecy. Fairy妙音's actions are merely to gain more treasures left by True Immortals. She provided this information and has her reasons. However, the cultivation world is full of dangers. What kind of person is Fairy妙音? I don't know. If she wants to play a game like 'when the rabbit dies, the hounds are cooked,' we should be cautious."
yīn wèi qín xīn de yuán gù ， zì jǐ yǔ miào yīn shì chéng shuǐ huǒ ， dàng zhēn xiān yí jì yǒu le xià luò ， lín xuān jiù zhǔn bèi yǔ qí fān liǎn de 。
因为琴心的缘故，自己与妙音势成水火，当真仙遗迹有了下落，林轩就准备与其翻脸的。
Lin Xuan's words weren't baseless; given Fairy妙音's personality, such actions were indeed possible.
rán ér zhè qí zhōng wèi bì méi yǒu gù jì ， yīn wèi qù xún bǎo de bìng bú shì zì jǐ yǔ miào yīn liǎng rén ér yǐ 。
然而这其中未必没有顾忌，因为去寻宝的并不是自己与妙音两人而已。
Indeed, upon hearing this, the Black Phoenix demoness showed signs of deep thought. She had considered this possibility: "According to Lin Daojun, how should we proceed?" (To be continued)
Not far ahead, several low mountains stood.
They weren't particularly imposing, but some shrubs grew on their peaks. A gentle breeze blew, sending a chill with it.
Lin Xuan's gaze swept over the area, confirming that this was indeed where Fairy妙音仙子 had mentioned they would meet up.
However, within a ten-thousand-li radius, there were no signs of any cultivators. Clearly, he had arrived too early.
A smile played on Lin Xuan's lips as he wasn't in a hurry. He emitted a layer of green light and flew towards the valley between the mountains like a swift stream.
The valley wasn't particularly spacious, covering only a few acres. Yet it was quite picturesque.
Lin Xuan even found several century-old spirit herbs within. To ordinary cultivators, this would be cause for great joy. But to Lin Xuan, they were merely decent.
Nonetheless, the signs were good. This search for True Immortal ruins might indeed bring some unexpected surprises.
With nothing else to do, Lin Xuan settled down in a clean spot to meditate. He wasn't really practicing cultivation; he was simply adjusting his body and mind to their best state.
...
Time passed like water in the mountains. A thousand years had gone by.
To cultivators, time could pass quickly. Of course, it couldn't be that exaggerated.
But for Lin Xuan, who had been meditating for just a few days, those moments were over in an instant.
Suddenly, a golden-eyed phoenix-like bird appeared on the back of what seemed to be burning flames. On its back stood a woman dressed in palace attire, standing proudly.
Her expression was one of shock and fear as she looked at Lin Xuan.
"Is it you?"
Lin Xuan's eyes widened with surprise upon seeing her. He never imagined that he would meet someone familiar here in the Sound Realm.
Strictly speaking, they weren't very acquainted, but there had been a brief encounter before. And considering how long ago that was, not too far from now.
With the submission of Sword Lake Palace and Cloud Concealment Sect rising to become one of the most powerful clans in Dragon Ridge, this was indeed beneficial for Lin Xuan. However, it also earned him many enemies.
The Cloud Concealment Sect's foundation was shallow, but because of Lin Xuan, its rise had been too swift, attracting the envy and opposition from other major forces.
Although Sword Lake Palace had submitted, Black Phoenix Mountain, Ten Thousand Demons Valley, and Ten Thousand Xia Immortal Palace still didn't recognize their authority. Three old monsters at the Transcendation Realm level were dispatched to Cloud Concealment Sect's main hall under the guise of congratulations but with ulterior motives.
Their goal was to probe the sect's strength, and this Fairy筱仙子 was one of them.
However, she had a reserved personality, being someone of deep insight. After arriving at Cloud Concealment Sect, she didn't immediately seek trouble with Lin Xuan. Instead, it was Old Monster Xue from Ten Thousand Xia Immortal Palace who couldn't hold back and ended up becoming a test subject for Lin Xuan's strength.
After Xue was subjected to soul extraction by Lin Xuan, both this Fairy and the old monster from Ten Thousand Xia Immortal Palace were left in awe. They quickly retreated after realizing they shouldn't have provoked him.
The matter had been settled, but since then, Lin Xuan hadn't seen her again until today's unexpected encounter.
If it wasn't unusual for Dragon Ridge, why would she be here?
Lin Xuan was curious. But as a thousand-year-old cultivator, he didn't lack in cunning.
Directly asking might not yield the desired results; his counterpart would likely feign interest. Besides, this situation had nothing to do with him, so Lin Xuan's curiosity waned.
Instead, he focused on more practical matters: "It's truly a coincidence that we meet here. Did Fairy妙音 come for the same reason?"
"Indeed, I came here at the invitation of Fairy妙音," she replied with a charming smile. "And it's indeed a stroke of luck to meet you."
"Oh, this is quite a coincidence." Lin Xuan's expression remained calm: "I happened upon the search for True Immortal ruins by chance. It seems that Fairy妙音 has many close friends."
Although his tone was light, he was actually very concerned about this.
Due to the conflict with Heart String琴心, Lin Xuan had planned to confront Fairy妙音 if she revealed any clues. However, there were other old monsters at the Transcendation Realm level involved.
Lin Xuan didn't know how well they got along with Fairy妙音. If it was just her and him, he might have a chance. But if the other two old monsters joined forces, things would be complicated.
He estimated that facing three Transcendation Realm cultivators, Lin Xuan could barely defend himself. Winning was out of the question. The result would likely be a humiliating retreat.
This situation was not what Lin Xuan wanted to see. He had no chance against three opponents.
The attitude of the other two old monsters mattered greatly. Unfortunately, he didn't know who they were, leaving him with only one option: wait and see.
In short, he would take each step as it came.
However, this approach was too passive. Without a better plan, Lin Xuan had no choice but to proceed this way. After all, in the cultivation world, strength reigned supreme.
If he were at the Transcendation late stage, his current dilemma wouldn't even be worth mentioning. He could openly find the main hall of Sound Palace and demand that Fairy妙音 release Heart String琴心 without fear.
Although Sound Palace was a formidable force, it would not risk enmity with another Transcendation late-stage cultivator over such an issue.
Unfortunately, he wasn't at that stage, so this solution remained just a thought.
But Lin Xuan didn't lose heart. Opportunities needed to be seized.
So, he arrived earlier than the agreed time to meet up with the other two old monsters. The coincidence was even better; one of them turned out to be someone he had met before.
Although this Black Phoenix Valley's demoness only knew him from a brief encounter, she left a deep impression on Lin Xuan. She was cunning and adaptable.
Most importantly, as a cultivator in Dragon Ridge, her presence here was purely coincidental. Lin Xuan didn't believe that she had a close relationship with Fairy妙音.
She likely just happened to be there at the right time, like him.
If his suspicions were correct, this demoness could be an ally or someone he needed to work with.
With her help, even if one of the other old monsters sided with Fairy妙音, Lin Xuan wouldn't fear them.
Of course, such a statement couldn't be made directly. Otherwise, she would demand too much in return.
Lin Xuan had to test her intentions instead: "Fairy妙音 is the Supreme Elder of Sound Palace. With their strength, they didn't need our help to find True Immortal ruins. Why did Fairy妙音 share this information with us? What are your thoughts?"
"..."
A hint of hesitation appeared on her face as she exchanged glances. Then, she spoke slowly: "What does Lin Daojun think, might be worth saying."
"Very well," the woman replied with a smile. "Fairy indeed speaks plainly. I won't be pretentious either."
Lin Xuan's expression turned sly: "In broad daylight, there's no need for secrecy. Fairy妙音's actions are merely to gain more treasures left by True Immortals. She provided this information and has her reasons. However, the cultivation world is full of dangers. What kind of person is Fairy妙音? I don't know. If she wants to play a game like 'when the rabbit dies, the hounds are cooked,' we should be cautious."
Lin Xuan's words weren't baseless; given Fairy妙音's personality, such actions were indeed possible.
Indeed, upon hearing this, the Black Phoenix demoness showed signs of deep thought. She had considered this possibility: "According to Lin Daojun, how should we proceed?" (To be continued)