zhè tiān shàng wǔ ， lín xuān zhèng zài dòng fǔ zhōng dǎ zuò ， tū rán méi tóu yī tiāo ， shì yǒu suǒ gǎn de zhēng kāi le shuāng mù 。 yòu shī shū méng .。
这天上午，林轩正在洞府中打坐，突然眉头一挑，似有所感的睁开了双目。幼狮书盟.。
On that morning, Lin Xuan was meditating in his cave dwelling when suddenly he raised an eyebrow, as if sensing something.
dàn jiàn guāng huá yī shǎn ， tā de miàn qián ， yǐ duō chū le yī dào chuán yīn fú 。
但见光华一闪，他的面前，已多出了一道传音符。
A flash of light appeared before him, and a talisman for voice transmission had materialized.
lín xuān shén sè yí zhèng ， lüè gǎn chà yì ， yòu shǒu tái qǐ ， nà fú lù biàn huà wèi yī tuán huǒ guāng ， luò zài le tā de zhǎng xīn lǐ 。
林轩神色一怔，略感诧异，右手抬起，那符箓便化为一团火光，落在了他的掌心里。
Lin Xuan's expression changed slightly, showing some surprise. He lifted his right hand, and the talisman transformed into a ball of fire that landed in his palm.
lín xuān jiāng shén shí chán rào shàng qù 。
林轩将神识缠绕上去。
He wrapped his spirit sense around it.
suí hòu què huò rán zhàn qǐ 。
随后却豁然站起。
Then he stood up abruptly with a look of excitement on his face. A green glow enveloped him as if he were a gust of wind, flying past.
liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī jīng xǐ ， hún shēn qīng máng dà zuò ， rú yī zhèn fēng bān de fēi guò qù le 。
脸上露出一丝惊喜，浑身青芒大做，如一阵风般的飞过去了。
...
……
……
A few moments later, in the welcoming hall.
piàn kè hòu ， yíng bīn diàn 。
片刻后，迎宾殿。
"Salutations to the Grand Elder!"
“ cān jiā dà zhǎng lǎo ！”
“参加大长老！”
Several maids bowed respectfully, their expressions extremely deferential.
jǐ míng shì nǚ gōng shēn xíng lǐ ， biǎo qíng gōng jìng yǐ jí 。
几名侍女躬身行礼，表情恭敬以极。
"But step down."
“ nǐ men dōu xià qù 。”
“你们都下去。”
Lin Xuan had no interest in idle chatter and immediately got straight to the point.
lín xuān què méi yǒu xīn qíng yǔ tā men duō zuò yán yǔ 。
林轩却没有心情与她们多做言语。
"Yes, sir."
“ shì ！”
“是！”
The maids curtsied gracefully, their footsteps fading away.
shì nǚ yíng yíng yī fú ， xì suì de jiǎo bù shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， yǐ jǐn jiē yuǎn lí le cǐ chù 。
侍女盈盈一福，细碎的脚步声传入耳朵，已尽皆远离了此处。
Only two people remained in the vast hall: Lin Xuan and a bearded Taoist.
ruò dà de diàn táng lǐ ， biàn zhǐ shèng xià le liǎng rén ér yǐ 。
偌大的殿堂里，便只剩下了两人而已。
The Taoist held a fly whisk, exuding an elegant and refined air. His face was adorned with the look of a celestial sage.
lín xuān 。
林轩。
Seeing Lin Xuan approach quickly, he also stood up and made a bow. "Boundless Heavenly Venerable. I believe this must be Lin Xuan, the Master of the Alliance. Truly a dragon among men. My name is Ling Ji."
hái yǒu yī wèi xū méi jiē bái de dào shì 。
还有一位须眉皆白的道士。
"Master Ling Ji, it's an honor to meet you," replied Lin Xuan, making a hurried bow that seemed somewhat perfunctory.
duì fāng shǒu zhōng ná zhe yī bǐng fú chén ， qì zhì gāo yǎ tuō sú ， yī liǎn de xiān fēng dào gǔ 。
对方手中拿着一柄拂尘，气质高雅脱俗，一脸的仙风道骨。
He was too anxious about Moon's safety to engage in pleasantries. The voice transmission talisman had clearly stated that he brought news of her. As the saying goes, concern can cloud one’s judgment.
kàn jiàn lín xuān kuài bù zǒu rù ， dāng jí yě cóng zuò wèi shàng zhàn qǐ ， chōng lín xuān zuò le yí gè yī ：“ wú liàng tiān zūn ， zhè wèi xiǎng bì jiù shì lín xuān lín méng zhǔ ， guǒ rán shì rén zhōng lóng fèng yì bān de rén wù ， pín dào líng jī ， zhè xiāng yǒu lǐ 。”
看见林轩快步走入，当即也从座位上站起，冲林轩作了一个揖：“无量天尊，这位想必就是林轩林盟主，果然是人中龙凤一般的人物，贫道灵玑，这厢有理。”
They quickly took their seats after exchanging a few words.
“ yuán lái shì líng jī dào zhǎng ， dé yù gé xià ， lín mǒu yě shì sān shēng yǒu xìng 。”
“原来是灵玑道长，得遇阁下，林某也是三生有幸。”
"May I ask, Master Ling Ji, when did you encounter my wife? Where is she now?"
lín xuān tóng yàng shì cōng cōng zuò le yí gè yī ， kàn shàng qù pǒ yǒu diǎn xiàng yìng fù ， bìng fēi tā bù zhī lǐ shù ， ér shì cǐ shí cǐ kè ， xīn qíng tài guò jí qiè le 。
林轩同样是匆匆作了一个揖，看上去颇有点像应付，并非他不知礼数，而是此时此刻，心情太过急切了。
With his composure, Lin Xuan remained calm even in the face of great upheaval, but he had no time for idle chatter and cut straight to the point.
nà chuán yīn fú shuō dé qīng chǔ ， zhè wèi dào zhǎng dài lái le yuè ér de xiāo xī ， sú huà shuō ， guān xīn zé luàn ， lín xuān xīn zhōng tǎn tè ， dāng rán méi yǒu xīn qíng yǔ tā jiàn shén me lǐ 。
那传音符说得清楚，这位道长带来了月儿的消息，俗话说，关心则乱，林轩心中忐忑，当然没有心情与他见什么礼。
"I need not worry you, Master. My coming here was precisely to inform you about your wife," said Ling Ji, stroking his beard. "To be honest, if it weren't for a fortunate coincidence, I would have perished in that mysterious space. That's why I've come all this way to deliver the news."
cōng cōng yìng fù le jǐ jù ， èr rén biàn fēn bīn zhǔ luò zuò xià qù 。
匆匆应付了几句，二人便分宾主落座下去。
"Master Ling Ji, your generosity is deeply appreciated," replied Lin Xuan.
“ gǎn wèn dào zhǎng ， shì shén me shí hòu qiǎo yù zhuō jīng dì 。 tā rú jīn yòu shēn zài nǎ lǐ ？”
“敢问道长，是什么时候巧遇拙荆地。她如今又身在哪里？”
"You are too kind. This is my duty. As for where your wife currently is, there is a letter here. You can read it and know everything yourself; no need for me to elaborate further."
yǐ lín xuān de chéng fǔ ， tài shān bēng yú qián ér bù biàn sè ， rán ér cǐ shí cǐ kè ， què méi yǒu xīn qíng yǔ duì fāng xián liáo yī xiē bié de ， zhí jiē kāi mén jiàn shān de kāi kǒu le 。
以林轩的城府，泰山崩于前而不变色，然而此时此刻，却没有心情与对方闲聊一些别的，直接开门见山的开口了。
Ling Ji then waved his sleeves, and a green jade cylinder flew out.
“ méng zhǔ bù yòng zháo jí ， pín dào lái cǐ zhèng shì wèi le gào sù nǐ zūn fū rén de xiāo xī 。” nà líng jī dào zhǎng mō le mō hú xū ：“ shuō qǐ lái ruò fēi jī yuán qiǎo hé ， pín dào yǔ zūn fū rén xiāng yù ， dé tā chū shǒu xiàng zhù ， pín dào duō bàn yǐ hún guī dì fǔ ， suǒ yǐ zhè cái bù cí qiān lǐ 。 lái gěi méng zhǔ sòng shàng xiāo xī 。”
“盟主不用着急，贫道来此正是为了告诉你尊夫人的消息。”那灵玑道长摸了摸胡须：“说起来若非机缘巧合，贫道与尊夫人相遇，得她出手相助，贫道多半已魂归地府，所以这才不辞千里。来给盟主送上消息。”
Lin Xuan took the cylinder with a nod of thanks, sinking his spirit sense into it.
“ dào yǒu gāo yì ， lín mǒu gǎn pèi yú xīn 。”
“道友高义，林某感佩于心。”
After about a cup of tea's time, Lin Xuan looked up.
“ méng zhǔ yán zhòng le ， zhè dōu shì fèn shǔ yīng dāng dì ， zhì yú zūn fū rén shēn zài hé dì ， zhè ér yǒu shū xìn yī fēng ， nǐ kàn guò zì rán qīng chǔ ， bù yòng pín dào lái duō fèi chún shé 。”
“盟主言重了，这都是份属应当地，至于尊夫人身在何地，这儿有书信一封，你看过自然清楚，不用贫道来多费唇舌。”
His face did not show joy but rather an expression that fluctuated between worry and relief.
nà wèi líng jī dào zhǎng shuō dào cǐ chù ， xiù páo yī fú ， dàn jiàn líng guāng shǎn shuò 。 yī qīng cuì bì lǜ de yù tóng jiǎn fēi lüè ér chū 。
那位灵玑道长说到此处，袖袍一拂，但见灵光闪烁。一青翠碧绿的玉瞳简飞掠而出。
Sure enough, as he had suspected, Moon was in danger, trapped in a mysterious small space like himself years ago.
lín xuān shēn shǒu jiē guò ， dào le yī shēng xiè ， biàn jiāng shén shí chén jìn qù le 。
林轩伸手接过，道了一声谢，便将神识沉进去了。
It was indeed a fortunate coincidence. After parting ways with Moon, she and Little Butterfly had searched for him everywhere, eventually deciding to come to the Dragon Realm.
dà yuē yī zhǎn chá de gōng fu yǐ hòu ， lín xuān tái qǐ tóu lú 。
大约一盏茶的功夫以后，林轩抬起头颅。
After all, Lin Xuan had told them about the Cloud Concealment Sect. It made sense that they would wait for his news here.
liǎn shàng què bìng méi yǒu xǐ sè 。 fǎn ér yīn qíng bù dìng de biàn huà qǐ lái le 。
脸上却并没有喜色。反而阴晴不定的变化起来了。
But during their attempt to break through the void, something went wrong, encountering a space anomaly.
guǒ rán bù chū zì jǐ suǒ liào ， yuè ér yù jiàn le wēi xiǎn ， rú zì jǐ dāng nián ， bèi kùn zài le yí gè shén mì de xiǎo kōng jiān 。
果然不出自己所料，月儿遇见了危险，如自己当年，被困在了一个神秘的小空间。
Logically, with their abilities, crossing between planes should not have been an issue. But luck played a part, and this time, it was clearly bad luck for them both.
shuō qǐ lái yě shì jī yuán qiǎo hé 。 dāng chū zì jǐ yǔ yuè ér shī sàn yǐ hòu ， tā yǔ xiǎo dié kǔ xún zì jǐ bù zhe ， biàn dǎ suàn lái nài lóng jiè de 。
说起来也是机缘巧合。当初自己与月儿失散以后，她与小蝶苦寻自己不着，便打算来鼐龙界的。
If two ordinary cultivators had been involved, they would likely be dead. However, Little Butterfly was a late-stage Illusory Moon Moth, far more powerful than her peers as an insect-type monster. Moon's abilities were even stronger.
bì jìng yún yǐn zōng de shì qíng zì jǐ xiàng tā men jiǎng guò 。 lái zhè ér děng zì jǐ de xiāo xī ， yuán běn jiù shì shùn lǐ chéng zhāng de xuǎn zé 。
毕竟云隐宗的事情自己像她们讲过。来这儿等自己的消息，原本就是顺理成章的选择。
The space anomaly disrupted their plans but did not result in their demise. Eventually, the two of them found themselves trapped in a strange small space: a celestial tomb!
kě pò suì xū kōng de shí hòu jū rán chū le chā cuò 。
可破碎虚空的时候居然出了差错。
More accurately, it was the former dwelling of some true sage.
yù jiàn kōng jiān luàn liú le 。
遇见空间乱流了。
Though called a cave dwelling, its area was vast, filled with countless treasures and dangers.
àn lǐ ， yǐ liǎng nǚ de shí lì ， zài jiè miàn jiān chuān suō méi yǒu wèn tí ， dàn fán shì dōu yǒu yùn qì ， zhè yī huí ， xiǎn rán shì tā liǎ zǒu méi yùn le 。
按理，以两女的实力，在界面间穿梭没有问题，但凡事都有运气，这一回，显然是她俩走霉运了。
Thus, the two girls were stuck, unable to escape.
ruò huàn liǎng míng pǔ tōng de xiū xiān zhě ， nà kěn dìng shì jiǔ sǐ yì shēng méi yǒu cuò ， dàn xiǎo dié kě shì dù jié hòu qī de huàn yuè é ， zuò wèi kūn chóng lèi yāo zú ， shí lì běn jiù shèng guò tóng jiē cún zài xǔ duō ， yuè ér de qíng kuàng gèng bù bì shuō 。
若换两名普通的修仙者，那肯定是九死一生没有错，但小蝶可是渡劫后期的幻月蛾，做为昆虫类妖族，实力本就胜过同阶存在许多，月儿的情况更不必说。
The elderly man before him, as described by Moon's letter, had been the one they encountered in that true sage’s dwelling.
kōng jiān luàn liú suī rán jiāng liǎng rén de jì huà dǎ pò ， dàn yǔn luò yě shì bù kě néng de 。
空间乱流虽然将两人的计划打破，但陨落也是不可能的。
He had been in danger when Moon and Little Butterfly saw eye-to-eye and offered assistance, thus saving his life. They owed him a debt of gratitude.
zuì zhōng liǎng rén bèi dài dào le yī gǔ guài de xiǎo kōng jiān zhōng 。
最终两人被带到了一古怪的小空间中。
Later, Moon and Little Butterfly agreed to seek help for each other if either could escape the mysterious space. It was this mid-stage Ling Ji who arrived first.
xiān rén líng mù ！
仙人陵墓！
"So, Moon and Little Butterfly are still trapped there. How did you manage to escape?"
bù ， zhèng què de shuō ， yīng gāi shì mǒu wèi zhēn xiān shēng qián de dòng fǔ 。
不，正确的说，应该是某位真仙生前的洞府。
Lin Xuan's face showed deep thought as he frowned.
shuō shì dòng fǔ ， rán ér miàn jī què hěn guǎng kuò ， lǐ miàn de qí zhēn yì bǎo shǔ bù shèng shǔ ， wēi xiǎn yě shì wú shù 。
说是洞府，然而面积却很广阔，里面的奇珍异宝数不胜数，危险也是无数。
"I... I don't know."
yú shì liǎng gè yā tou jiù kùn zhù ， chū bù lái le 。
于是两个丫头就困住，出不来了。
"Neither do you?" Lin Xuan looked slightly annoyed and confused.
ér yǎn qián zhè wèi zhǎng zhě ， jù yuè ér shū xìn zhōng shuō ， jiù shì tā men zài nà zhēn xiān dòng fǔ zhōng yù jiàn de 。
而眼前这位长者，据月儿书信中说，就是他们在那真仙洞府中遇见的。
"Do not be angry, Master. As a messenger of news, I would never hide anything. But the reason for my survival was truly a matter of chance; I have no idea why," explained the elderly Taoist.
dāng shí tā zhèng zāo yù wēi xiǎn ， yuè ér yǔ xiǎo dié jiàn tóng bìng xiāng lián ， jiù chū shǒu xiàng zhù ， gù ér duì tā yě suàn shì yǒu jiù mìng zhī ēn le 。
当时他正遭遇危险，月儿与小蝶见同病相怜，就出手相助，故而对他也算是有救命之恩了。
"I understand, Master Ling Ji. When do you plan to leave with me?"
hòu lái yuè ér xiǎo dié jiù yǔ tā yuē dìng ， shuí néng gòu cóng shén mì kōng jiān chū lái ， jiù qù tì lìng yī fāng qiú zhù ， méi xiǎng dào què shì zhè dù jié zhōng qī de líng jī dào zhǎng jié zú xiān dēng le 。
后来月儿小蝶就与他约定，谁能够从神秘空间出来，就去替另一方求助，没想到却是这渡劫中期的灵玑道长捷足先登了。
"Actually, we've already wasted too much time. There's no need to rush. If you're willing, please wait one day for me to settle some affairs at my sect."
“ zhè me shuō ， yuè ér xiǎo dié yī jiù bèi kùn zhe ， nà dào zhǎng nǐ ， yòu shì zěn me tuō xiǎn de ？”
“这么说，月儿小蝶依旧被困着，那道长你，又是怎么脱险的？”
"Very well!"
lín xuān liǎn shàng mǎn shì chén sī zhī sè ， zhòu zhe méi tóu kāi kǒu le 。
林轩脸上满是沉思之色，皱着眉头开口了。
Lin Xuan waved his sleeves, and a ball of light shot out.
“ zhè …… pín dào yě bù xiǎo de 。”
“这……贫道也不晓得。”
Soon, two servants entered quickly: "Disciple reporting to the Grand Elder."
“ nǐ yě bù xiǎo xiǎo de ？” lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī bù mǎn yǔ yí huò 。
“你也不小晓得？”林轩脸上露出一丝不满与疑惑。
"This Master Ling Ji is a guest of honor. You should take good care of him," Lin Xuan said coldly.
“ méng zhǔ xī nù ， pín dào jì rán shì zhuān chéng lái bào xìn de ， qǐ huì yǒu yǐn mán yī shuō ， zhǐ shì wǒ zhī suǒ yǐ néng liǎ kāi nà shén mì zhī dì ， zhe shí shì jī yuán qiǎo hé ， zì jǐ yě bù zhī dào wèi shén me 。” nà dào zhuāng lǎo zhě lián máng jiě shì qǐ lái le 。
“盟主息怒，贫道既然是专程来报信的，岂会有隐瞒一说，只是我之所以能俩开那神秘之地，着实是机缘巧合，自己也不知道为什么。”那道装老者连忙解释起来了。
"Understood."
“ dào yǒu bù yòng zháo jí ， lín mǒu bìng fēi bù jiǎng dào lǐ ， yě méi yǒu jiàn zuì zhī yì ， zhǐ shì xiǎng yào pò qiè de jiù zhuō jīng lí kāi nà lǐ 。” lín xuān tàn le kǒu qì 。
“道友不用着急，林某并非不讲道理，也没有见罪之意，只是想要迫切的救拙荆离开那里。”林轩叹了口气。
The servants bowed respectfully.
“ zhè pín dào dāng rán qīng chǔ ， bù zhī dào méng zhǔ dǎ suàn shén me shí hòu yǔ wǒ yì qǐ dòng shēn ne ？”
“这贫道当然清楚，不知道盟主打算什么时候与我一起动身呢？”
"Master Ling Ji, please be at ease."
“ zhè …… fǎn zhèng yǐ dān gē le zhè me jiǔ ， yě bù yòng jí yú yī shí ， dào yǒu ruò shì yuàn yì ， qǐng děng wǒ yī tiān ， lín mǒu zōng mén nèi hái yǒu yī xiē shì wù xū yào ān pái 。”
“这……反正已耽搁了这么久，也不用急于一时，道友若是愿意，请等我一天，林某宗门内还有一些事务需要安排。”
Lin Xuan gave a slight bow and then took off, surrounded by a green glow.
“ zōng zhǔ qǐng biàn 。”
“宗主请便。”
...
“ hǎo ！”
“好！”
After about a cup of tea's time,
lín xuān xiù páo yī fú ， yī dào líng guāng fēi lüè ér chū 。
林轩袖袍一拂，一道灵光飞掠而出。
In his cave dwelling, besides Lin Xuan and Qinxin, the silver-eyed girl and his few disciples gathered together.
hěn kuài ， liǎng míng shì zhě jiù kuài bù zǒu jìn lái le ：“ dì zǐ cān jiàn dà zhǎng lǎo 。”
很快，两名侍者就快步走进来了：“弟子参见大长老。”
"It's true? We already have news of Sister Moon?" said the silver-eyed girl.
“ zhè wèi líng jī dào zhǎng ， nǎi shì lín mǒu guì kè ， nǐ men dài tā xià qù hǎo hǎo ān dùn ， ruò yǒu dài màn zhī chù ， lín mǒu bì yǐ mén guī zhòng chù 。” lín xuān lěng shēng fēn fù 。
“这位灵玑道长，乃是林某贵客，你们带他下去好好安顿，若有怠慢之处，林某必以门规重处。”林轩冷声吩咐。
"Yes."
“ zūn fǎ yù 。”
“尊法谕。”
Lin Xuan took out the jade cylinder. Qinxin reached for it, lowering her head slightly as she released her spirit sense.
liǎng míng shì zhě de biǎo qíng gōng jìng yǐ jí 。
两名侍者的表情恭敬以极。
The other girls did the same when Lin Xuan allowed them to.
“ dào zhǎng qǐng biàn 。”
“道长请便。”
Soon, they understood everything written in the jade cylinder.
lín xuān gǒng le gǒng shǒu ， suí hòu hún shēn qīng máng dà zuò ， hěn kuài biàn fēi dé yuǎn le 。
林轩拱了拱手，随后浑身青芒大做，很快便飞得远了。
"Junior Brother Lin, this is indeed Sister Moon's message. Could someone have forged it with malicious intent?" asked the silver-eyed girl thoughtfully.
……
……
"I assure you, when the jade cylinder was handed over to me, there were special restrictions that only her cultivation method could replicate. No one else could imitate it, so we can be certain of its authenticity," Lin Xuan said firmly.
yī zhǎn chá de gōng fu yǐ hòu 。
一盏茶的功夫以后。
"Oh!"
lín xuān de dòng fǔ 。
林轩的洞府。
The silver-eyed girl nodded, a thoughtful expression on her face.
“ shén me ， yǐ jīng yǒu yuè ér mèi mèi de xiāo xī le ？”
“什么，已经有月儿妹妹的消息了？”
"Now that we know about Sister Moon's whereabouts, from both reason and emotion, there is no need to delay further. When do you plan to set out?"
dòng fǔ zhōng ， chú le lín xuān yǔ qín xīn ， yín tóng shào nǚ yǐ jí tā suǒ shōu de jǐ gè tú dì ， yě dōu qí jù dào le zhè lǐ 。
洞府中，除了林轩与琴心，银瞳少女以及他所收的几个徒弟，也都齐聚到了这里。
Ou Yang Qinxin's voice echoed in his ears.
“ bù cuò 。”
“不错。”
PS: I also posted one chapter today, not because of laziness but due to writer's block. It has been quite challenging lately, sighing at the lack of inspiration.
On that morning, Lin Xuan was meditating in his cave dwelling when suddenly he raised an eyebrow, as if sensing something.
A flash of light appeared before him, and a talisman for voice transmission had materialized.
Lin Xuan's expression changed slightly, showing some surprise. He lifted his right hand, and the talisman transformed into a ball of fire that landed in his palm.
He wrapped his spirit sense around it.
Then he stood up abruptly with a look of excitement on his face. A green glow enveloped him as if he were a gust of wind, flying past.
...
A few moments later, in the welcoming hall.
"Salutations to the Grand Elder!"
Several maids bowed respectfully, their expressions extremely deferential.
"But step down."
Lin Xuan had no interest in idle chatter and immediately got straight to the point.
"Yes, sir."
The maids curtsied gracefully, their footsteps fading away.
Only two people remained in the vast hall: Lin Xuan and a bearded Taoist.
The Taoist held a fly whisk, exuding an elegant and refined air. His face was adorned with the look of a celestial sage.
Seeing Lin Xuan approach quickly, he also stood up and made a bow. "Boundless Heavenly Venerable. I believe this must be Lin Xuan, the Master of the Alliance. Truly a dragon among men. My name is Ling Ji."
"Master Ling Ji, it's an honor to meet you," replied Lin Xuan, making a hurried bow that seemed somewhat perfunctory.
He was too anxious about Moon's safety to engage in pleasantries. The voice transmission talisman had clearly stated that he brought news of her. As the saying goes, concern can cloud one’s judgment.
They quickly took their seats after exchanging a few words.
"May I ask, Master Ling Ji, when did you encounter my wife? Where is she now?"
With his composure, Lin Xuan remained calm even in the face of great upheaval, but he had no time for idle chatter and cut straight to the point.
"I need not worry you, Master. My coming here was precisely to inform you about your wife," said Ling Ji, stroking his beard. "To be honest, if it weren't for a fortunate coincidence, I would have perished in that mysterious space. That's why I've come all this way to deliver the news."
"Master Ling Ji, your generosity is deeply appreciated," replied Lin Xuan.
"You are too kind. This is my duty. As for where your wife currently is, there is a letter here. You can read it and know everything yourself; no need for me to elaborate further."
Ling Ji then waved his sleeves, and a green jade cylinder flew out.
Lin Xuan took the cylinder with a nod of thanks, sinking his spirit sense into it.
After about a cup of tea's time, Lin Xuan looked up.
His face did not show joy but rather an expression that fluctuated between worry and relief.
Sure enough, as he had suspected, Moon was in danger, trapped in a mysterious small space like himself years ago.
It was indeed a fortunate coincidence. After parting ways with Moon, she and Little Butterfly had searched for him everywhere, eventually deciding to come to the Dragon Realm.
After all, Lin Xuan had told them about the Cloud Concealment Sect. It made sense that they would wait for his news here.
But during their attempt to break through the void, something went wrong, encountering a space anomaly.
Logically, with their abilities, crossing between planes should not have been an issue. But luck played a part, and this time, it was clearly bad luck for them both.
If two ordinary cultivators had been involved, they would likely be dead. However, Little Butterfly was a late-stage Illusory Moon Moth, far more powerful than her peers as an insect-type monster. Moon's abilities were even stronger.
The space anomaly disrupted their plans but did not result in their demise. Eventually, the two of them found themselves trapped in a strange small space: a celestial tomb!
More accurately, it was the former dwelling of some true sage.
Though called a cave dwelling, its area was vast, filled with countless treasures and dangers.
Thus, the two girls were stuck, unable to escape.
The elderly man before him, as described by Moon's letter, had been the one they encountered in that true sage’s dwelling.
He had been in danger when Moon and Little Butterfly saw eye-to-eye and offered assistance, thus saving his life. They owed him a debt of gratitude.
Later, Moon and Little Butterfly agreed to seek help for each other if either could escape the mysterious space. It was this mid-stage Ling Ji who arrived first.
"So, Moon and Little Butterfly are still trapped there. How did you manage to escape?"
Lin Xuan's face showed deep thought as he frowned.
"I... I don't know."
"Neither do you?" Lin Xuan looked slightly annoyed and confused.
"Do not be angry, Master. As a messenger of news, I would never hide anything. But the reason for my survival was truly a matter of chance; I have no idea why," explained the elderly Taoist.
"I understand, Master Ling Ji. When do you plan to leave with me?"
"Actually, we've already wasted too much time. There's no need to rush. If you're willing, please wait one day for me to settle some affairs at my sect."
"Very well!"
Lin Xuan waved his sleeves, and a ball of light shot out.
Soon, two servants entered quickly: "Disciple reporting to the Grand Elder."
"This Master Ling Ji is a guest of honor. You should take good care of him," Lin Xuan said coldly.
"Understood."
The servants bowed respectfully.
"Master Ling Ji, please be at ease."
Lin Xuan gave a slight bow and then took off, surrounded by a green glow.
...
After about a cup of tea's time,
In his cave dwelling, besides Lin Xuan and Qinxin, the silver-eyed girl and his few disciples gathered together.
"It's true? We already have news of Sister Moon?" said the silver-eyed girl.
"Yes."
Lin Xuan took out the jade cylinder. Qinxin reached for it, lowering her head slightly as she released her spirit sense.
The other girls did the same when Lin Xuan allowed them to.
Soon, they understood everything written in the jade cylinder.
"Junior Brother Lin, this is indeed Sister Moon's message. Could someone have forged it with malicious intent?" asked the silver-eyed girl thoughtfully.
"I assure you, when the jade cylinder was handed over to me, there were special restrictions that only her cultivation method could replicate. No one else could imitate it, so we can be certain of its authenticity," Lin Xuan said firmly.
"Oh!"
The silver-eyed girl nodded, a thoughtful expression on her face.
"Now that we know about Sister Moon's whereabouts, from both reason and emotion, there is no need to delay further. When do you plan to set out?"
Ou Yang Qinxin's voice echoed in his ears.
PS: I also posted one chapter today, not because of laziness but due to writer's block. It has been quite challenging lately, sighing at the lack of inspiration.