wǒ bú shì zhè ge yì si 。” lín xuān zuǐ chún biān ， liú lù chū yī sī xiào yì T huì le ， zì zhī zhī míng wǒ hái shì yǒu de ， suī rán zài mò yuè zú ， wǒ chéng gōng huò dé le yuán jīn guǒ liàn zhì de shàng gǔ líng dān ， tí liàn chū le zhōng děng piān shàng de líng gēn lái ， ér qiě zài wū shī de fāng shì lǐ miàn ， shōu gòu le bù shǎo qí zhēn yì cǎo ， kě yǐ liàn zhì xǔ duō zēng jìn xiū wèi de dān yào ， dàn xiǎng yào dá dào hòu qī de jìng jiè ， méi yǒu shù nián shèn zhì shù shí zài de gōng fu shì bù kě néng de ， wǒ dāng rán méi xiǎng guò yào zài lún xiàn qū dài shàng zhè me jiǔ 。”
我不是这个意思。”林轩嘴唇边，流露出一丝笑意T会了，自知之明我还是有的，虽然在墨月族，我成功获得了元金果炼制的上古灵丹，提炼出了中等偏上的灵根来，而且在巫师的坊市里面，收购了不少奇珍异草，可以炼制许多增进修为的丹药，但想要达到后期的境界，没有数年甚至数十载的功夫是不可能的，我当然没想过要在沦陷区待上这么久。”
I didn't mean it that way." Lin Xuan's lips curled into a smile. "Got it, I still have some self-awareness. Although in the Moon Ink Clan, I successfully obtained an ancient spirit pill made from Essence Gold Fruit and refined a mid-grade spirit root. Moreover, in the mage market, I acquired many rare herbs, which can be used to make various pills that enhance cultivation. But reaching later stages would take years, even decades of effort. Of course, I didn't expect to stay in the occupied zone for so long."
yuè ér diǎn le diǎn tóu ， liǎn shàng què lù chū le yī sī yóu yù zhī sè ， yù yán yòu zhǐ 。
月儿点了点头，脸上却露出了一丝犹豫之色，欲言又止。
Moon'er nodded, but a hint of hesitation appeared on her face as she hesitated to speak.
“ shǎ yā tou ， zěn me le ， yǒu huà jiù míng shuō ， wǒ men zhǔ pú zhī jiān ， nán dào hái yǒu shén me xū yào yǐn mán 。？
“傻丫头，怎么了，有话就明说，我们主仆之间，难道还有什么需要隐瞒。？
"Stupid girl, what's wrong? Just say it if you have something to say. As master and servant, do we need to hide anything from each other?"
“ bú shì ， shào yé 。” yuè ér liǎn yī hóng ， zhōng yú nà nà de kāi kǒu ：“ wǒ zhǐ shì yǒu xiē bù jiě ， nǐ wèi hé yí dìng yào huí líng yào shān ， yǔ qí bèi juǎn rù xiū shì yǔ yīn hún men zhēng dòu de lǐ miàn ， bù rú zhǎo yí gè ān jìng wú rén de dì diǎn xiū liàn ， zhuī qiú tiān dào ， bù cái shì shào yé zuì dà de xīn yuàn ？”
“不是，少爷。”月儿脸一红，终于呐呐的开口：“我只是有些不解，你为何一定要回灵药山，与其被卷入修士与阴魂们争斗的里面，不如找一个安静无人的地点修炼，追求天道，不才是少爷最大的心愿？”
"Not, Young Master," Moon'er blushed, finally speaking softly: "I just don't understand why you insist on returning to Spirit Medicine Mountain. It would be better to find a quiet place for cultivation instead of getting involved in the conflict between cultivators and yin souls."
“ huà suī rú cǐ ， kě shī zūn dài wǒ bù báo ， jiù zhè yàng bù shēng bù xiǎng de zǒu le ， hái shì yǒu xiē nèi jiù de ， hé kuàng tiān chén zǔ shī yí dài rén jié ， běn mén yǒu xiē dōng xī ， wǒ yí dìng yào de dào 。”
“话虽如此，可师尊待我不薄，就这样不声不响的走了，还是有些内疚的，何况天尘祖师一代人杰，本门有些东西，我一定要得到。”
"Though that's true, my master still treated me well. To leave without saying goodbye feels somewhat guilty. Besides, Master Tianzhu was a genius from an earlier era; there are some things about our sect that I must obtain."
“ shén me ？” yuè ér yī lèng ， liǎn shàng lù chū jǐ fēn hào qí de shén sè 。
“什么？”月儿一愣，脸上露出几分好奇的神色。
"What?" Moon'er was taken aback, her face showing curiosity.
“ zì rán shì tiān chén dān le ， dāng chū wǒ néng gòu níng dān chéng gōng ， quán kào le zhè shàng gǔ líng yào ， ér cǐ wù jù shuō ， duì níng yīng yě yǒu bù cuò de xiào guǒ ， tā de pèi fāng wǒ shì yí dìng yào dào shǒu de 。” lín xuān yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī lǚ jīng máng ， wò jǐn le quán tou shuō dào 。
“自然是天尘丹了，当初我能够凝丹成功，全靠了这上古灵药，而此物据说，对凝婴也有不错的效果，牠的配方我是一定要到手的。”林轩眼中闪过一缕精芒，握紧了拳头说到。
"Naturally, it's the Heavenly Dust Pill. Back then, my condensation success relied on this ancient spirit herb. It is said to have good effects on infant formation as well. The formula for it is something I must acquire," Lin Xuan's eyes flashed with determination as he clenched his fist and spoke.
“ kě shì shào yé ， tiān chén dān de pèi fāng suī shì běn mén zuì gāo jī mì ， dàn lì dài zhǎng mén ， dōu yǒu quán lì fān yuè ， yuán yīng qī de tài shàng zhǎng lǎo ， kǒng pà yě cháng zuò yán jiū ， kě shì guò qù le sān qiān nián zhè me jiǔ ， chú le tiān chén zǔ shī ， zài yě méi yǒu rén jiāng tā liàn zhì chéng gōng ， nǐ bù jué dé xī wàng tài miǎo máng ？”
“可是少爷，天尘丹的配方虽是本门最高机密，但历代掌门，都有权力翻阅，元婴期的太上长老，恐怕也常做研究，可是过去了三千年这么久，除了天尘祖师，再也没有人将牠炼制成功，你不觉得希望太渺茫？”
"But Young Master, even though the Heavenly Dust Pill formula is our sect’s highest secret, each patriarch has the right to review it. Senior Elders at the元婴 stage probably often study it. But after three thousand years, no one else managed to refine it except for Master Tianzhu. Don't you think the chances are too slim?"
“ wǒ zì rán qīng chǔ 。” lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī chén yín zhī sè ：“ cǐ dān zhī suǒ yǐ nán liàn ， yī lái tā de cái liào zhēn xī yǐ jí ， suī rán bù néng shuō bīn lín jué jì ， dàn yě hǎo bù liǎo duō shǎo ， dàn zhè yě méi shén me ， yǐ líng yào shān zhī lì ， zì rán hái shì kě yǐ shōu jí qí ， guān jiàn zài yú ， liàn zhì tā de huǒ yàn ， lián yuán yīng qī xiū shì de běn mìng yīng huǒ dōu yào shāo chà yì diǎn ， jù shuō zhǐ yǒu jiāng shān zhōng zhī shān zuò wèi dǐng lú ， yǐn fā yōu zhōu zuì wèi chún zhèng de dì mài zhī huǒ ， rán ér chú le tiān chén zǔ shī ， běn mén zài yě méi yǒu rén néng zuò dào zhè yī bù 。”
“我自然清楚。”林轩脸上露出一丝沉吟之色：“此丹之所以难炼，一来牠的材料珍稀以极，虽然不能说濒临绝迹，但也好不了多少，但这也没什么，以灵药山之力，自然还是可以收集齐，关键在于，炼制牠的火焰，连元婴期修士的本命婴火都要稍差一点，据说只有将山中之山做为鼎炉，引发幽州最为纯正的地脉之火，然而除了天尘祖师，本门再也没有人能做到这一步。”
"I know very well," Lin Xuan's face showed a hint of contemplation. "This pill is hard to refine because its materials are extremely rare. Although they’re not on the brink of extinction, it’s close enough. But that doesn’t matter; with Spirit Medicine Mountain’s resources, we can still gather them. The key lies in the refining flames, which even fall short of an元婴 cultivator's primordial infant fire. It is said that only by using a mountain within a mountain as the cauldron and igniting the most pure geothermal fire from Youzhou can this be achieved. No one else has managed to do this except for Master Tianzhu."
“ shào yé míng zhī hái ……” yuè ér liǎn shàng lù chū le yī sī chī jīng yǔ pèi fú xiāng jiāo zhī de shén sè 。
“少爷明知还……”月儿脸上露出了一丝吃惊与佩服相交织的神色。
"Even though Young Master knows, why…" Moon'er's face showed a mix of surprise and admiration.
“ zhè bù suàn shén me 。” lín xuān zé bào yǐ sǎ tuō de xiào róng ：“ shào yé wǒ ， běn lái jiù shì yí gè yì shù ， cóng hóng huāng shí qī suàn qǐ ， hé zēng yǒu pǔ tōng rén xiū dào le níng dān qī de jìng dì ， jì rán yǐ qián néng gòu chuàng zào qí jì ， nà me xiàn zài wèi hé jiù bù kě yǐ ， yào zhī dào jié yīng de nán dù yǔ níng dān xiāng bǐ kě shì bù néng tóng rì ér yǔ ， wǒ xiàn zài jí shǐ yǒu le líng gēn ， jī lǜ yě xiǎo dào le jí chù ， suǒ yǐ zhè tiān chén dān de pèi fāng ， wú lùn rú hé wǒ shì yào dào shǒu de ， jiù suàn zhǐ yǒu qiān fēn zhī yī de xī wàng ， yě jué bù kě yǐ cuò guò 。”
“这不算什么。”林轩则报以洒脱的笑容：“少爷我，本来就是一个异数，从洪荒时期算起，何曾有普通人修到了凝丹期的境地，既然以前能够创造奇迹，那么现在为何就不可以，要知道结婴的难度与凝丹相比可是不能同日而语，我现在即使有了灵根，几率也小到了极处，所以这天尘丹的配方，无论如何我是要到手的，就算只有千分之一的希望，也绝不可以错过。”
"It’s nothing," Lin Xuan replied with a carefree smile: "I am an anomaly; since the Primordial Era, how many ordinary people have reached the condensation stage? Since I could create miracles before, why not now? The difficulty of forming an infant is far greater than that of condensing essence. With my spirit root, the odds are already minuscule. Therefore, no matter what, I must obtain the Heavenly Dust Pill formula; even if it’s only a one in a thousand chance, I cannot miss it."
“ wǒ míng bái le 。 nà shào yé nǐ xiàn zài dǎ suàn rú hé ？” yuè ér wēi xiào zhe shuō 。
“我明白了。那少爷你现在打算如何？”月儿微笑着说。
"I understand now. So, Young Master, how do you plan to proceed?" Moon'er asked with a smile.
“ xiàn zài me ……” lín xuān chén yín le yī xià ：“ xiān zhǎo yī chù mì mì fāng shì 。 huò zhě gāo jiē xiū shì suǒ jǔ xíng dì lín shí jiāo yì huì 。 kàn néng bù néng jiāng liàn zhì jiǔ tiān míng yuè huán dì jǐ zhǒng fǔ zhù cái liào shōu qí 。”
“现在么……”林轩沉吟了一下：“先找一处秘密坊市。或者高阶修士所举行地临时交易会。看能不能将炼制九天明月环地几种辅助材料收齐。”
"Now…" Lin Xuan pondered for a moment: "First, find a secret market or a temporary trading fair held by high-ranking cultivators. See if we can gather the auxiliary materials needed to refine the Nine Heavens Bright Moon Ring."
“ kě zhè lǐ bú shì lún xiàn qū 。 zěn me hái yǒu zhè zhǒng dōng xī ？” yuè ér biǎo qíng yī zhì 。 mǎn liǎn bù jiě 。
“可这里不是沦陷区。怎么还有这种东西？”月儿表情一滞。满脸不解。
"But this isn't in the occupied zone; how could there be such things?" Moon'er's expression froze as she looked puzzled.
“ dāng rán yǒu 。 nǐ kě jì de gāng dào zhè lǐ 。 wǒ men céng yù jiàn le zhāo yáng mén zhōng rén 。 jù tā men dì zhǎng mén suǒ shuō 。 bù zhǐ yǒu dà liàng dì mén pài yǔ sàn xiū liú zài le zhè lǐ 。 ér qiě hái yǒu bù shǎo qí tā dì fāng dì xiū shì yǒng rù zhè lǐ táo bǎo 。”
“当然有。妳可记得刚到这里。我们曾遇见了朝阳门中人。据他们地掌门所说。不止有大量地门派与散修留在了这里。而且还有不少其他地方地修士涌入这里淘宝。”
"Of course, you remember when we first arrived and encountered people from the Dawn Gate? According to their master, not only are many sects and free cultivators staying here, but also a lot of other cultivators have come for treasure hunting."
“ zhè yòu rú hé ？” yuè ér yī jiù méi yǒu nòng dǒng shào yé xiǎng yào biǎo dá shén me 。
“这又如何？”月儿依旧没有弄懂少爷想要表达什么。
"So what?" Moon'er still didn't understand Young Master's intentions.
“ hěn jiǎn dān 。 nà xiē rén yǒu le shōu huò 。 xǔ duō bǎo bèi bù yí dìng shì zì jǐ yòng dé shàng dì 。 kěn dìng yào yǔ bié rén jiāo huàn le 。 zhè yàng yī lái 。 cǐ dì suī rán yǐ bèi yīn hún zhàn lǐng 。 dàn kěn dìng yě yǒu bù shǎo mì mì fāng shì yǒng xiàn 。”
“很简单。那些人有了收获。许多宝贝不一定是自己用得上地。肯定要与别人交换了。这样一来。此地虽然已被阴魂占领。但肯定也有不少秘密坊市涌现。”
"It’s simple. Those who have收获 will exchange items they don’t need with others. Thus, even though the yin souls control this place, secret markets are likely to appear here," Moon'er nodded in admiration of Young Master's insight: "But how do we find them? There are traitors from the Seven Extremes Realm among the yin souls; without a guide, they won’t let us in."
“ yǒu dào lǐ 。” yuè ér diǎn le diǎn tóu ， duì shào yé de jiàn shí pèi fú wú bǐ ：“ kě wǒ men yòu zěn me zhǎo dào nà xiē ， yào zhī dào yīn hún zhī zhōng ， yě yǒu qī jué tiān de pàn tú ， ruò méi yǒu shú rén yǐn lù ， duì fāng kěn dìng shì bú huì fàng wǒ men jìn qù de 。”
“有道理。”月儿点了点头，对少爷的见识佩服无比：“可我们又怎么找到那些，要知道阴魂之中，也有七绝天的叛徒，若没有熟人引路，对方肯定是不会放我们进去的。”
"Hmm, that’s a problem. It seems we really need to consult with people from the Dawn Gate. Their cultivation is insignificant, but as local experts here, they should have some connections," Lin Xuan said confidently, showing he had already thought through these issues.
“ ń ， zhè dǎo shì yí gè wèn tí ， kàn lái hái zhēn zhǐ yǒu zhǎo zhāo yáng mén de rén shāng yì ， tā men de xiū wèi suī rán bù zhí yī tí ， dàn bì jìng shì zhè lǐ de dì tóu shé ， yīng gāi yǒu xiē guān xì de 。” lín xuān xiōng yǒu chéng zhú de kāi kǒu ， xiǎn rán zhè xiē wèn tí tā yǐ jīng sī lǜ guò 。
“嗯，这倒是一个问题，看来还真只有找朝阳门的人商议，他们的修为虽然不值一提，但毕竟是这里的地头蛇，应该有些关系的。”林轩胸有成竹的开口，显然这些问题他已经思虑过。
Then, he turned and surveyed his surroundings. Coincidentally, after escaping the Ghost Emperor’s pursuit for several miles, it seemed that the location of the Dawn Gate's secret base wasn’t far away.
suí hòu zhuǎn tóu dǎ liàng le yī xià sì zhōu ， shuō lái yě qiǎo ， zì jǐ wèi le táo bì guǐ dì de zhuī shā ， dùn chū le shù wàn lǐ zhī yáo ， kě jù lí zhāo yáng mén de mì mì jù diǎn ， què sì hū bìng bù yuǎn le 。
随后转头打量了一下四周，说来也巧，自己为了逃避鬼帝的追杀，遁出了数万里之遥，可距离朝阳门的秘密据点，却似乎并不远了。
Moon'er noticed this too; the master and servant exchanged a smile before Lin Xuan took out an jade cylinder from his pocket, identified the direction, and transformed into a faintly visible streak of light, flying towards the distant horizon.
yuè ér yě fā xiàn le zhè yì diǎn ， zhǔ pú èr rén xiāng shì yī xiào ， rán hòu lín xuān cóng huái zhōng qǔ chū yù tǒng ， lüè yī biàn shí fāng xiàng ， jiù huà wèi yī dào dùn guāng ， fēi xiàng le yuǎn chù tiān biān de fāng xiàng 。
月儿也发现了这一点，主仆二人相视一笑，然后林轩从怀中取出玉筒，略一辨识方向，就化为一道遁光，飞向了远处天边的方向。
Half an hour later, Lin Xuan suddenly stopped mid-flight.
bàn gè shí chén yǐ hòu ， lín xuān tū rán méi tóu yī tiāo ， tíng xià le dùn guāng 。
半个时辰以后，林轩突然眉头一挑，停下了遁光。
"Moon'er, do you feel it?"
“ yuè ér ， nǐ gǎn jué dào le ma ？”
“月儿，妳感觉到了吗？”
"Hmm," the girl nodded, her voice tinged with gravity: "A strong aura of yin energy. There’s also a tremor in the spirit force; there seems to be a large-scale conflict between cultivators and yin souls."
“ ń 。” shào nǚ diǎn le diǎn tóu ， shēng yīn tòu chū jǐ fēn níng zhòng ：“ hǎo qiáng liè de yīn qì bō dòng ， hái yǒu líng lì zhèn dàng ， sì hū yǒu dà duì de xiū shì yǔ yīn hún zhèng zài dòu fǎ 。”
“嗯。”少女点了点头，声音透出几分凝重：“好强烈的阴气波动，还有灵力震荡，似乎有大队的修士与阴魂正在斗法。”
"Yes, and it's in the direction of the Dawn Gate base. Could their hiding place have been exposed?"
“ shì a ， ér qiě jiù zài cháo yáng mén jù diǎn de fāng xiàng ， nán dào tā men de cáng shēn zhī chù bào lù le ？”
“是啊，而且就在朝阳门据点的方向，难道他们的藏身之处暴露了？”
Lin Xuan stroked his chin, showing some hesitation on his face. This was different from what he had anticipated. If the Dawn Gate really faced an attack by powerful yin ghosts, Lin Xuan didn’t want to get involved.
lín xuān mō le mō xià bā ， liǎn shàng xiàn chū jǐ fēn chóu chú ， zhè yǔ zì jǐ suǒ shè xiǎng de qíng jǐng kě yǒu xiē bù tóng ， rú guǒ zhāo yáng mén zhēn bèi yī qún lì hài de yīn guǐ wéi gōng ， lín xuān kě bù xiǎng zì tóu luó wǎng 。
林轩摸了摸下巴，脸上现出几分踌躇，这与自己所设想的情景可有些不同，如果朝阳门真被一群厉害的阴鬼围攻，林轩可不想自投罗网。
However, apart from the Dawn Gate, there were no other cultivators in the occupied zone that Lin Xuan knew of. Without a guide, how could they find this secret market? He found himself caught between two options.
rán ér chú le zhāo yáng mén yǐ wài ， lín xuān zài lún xiàn qū ， yòu bìng bù rèn shí qí tā de xiū shì ， méi yǒu rén yǐn lù ， zhè mì mì fāng shì gāi rú hé zǒu ， kě shì bàn diǎn tóu xù yě méi yǒu ， yī shí zhī jiān ， lín xuān xiàn rù le liǎng nán 。
然而除了朝阳门以外，林轩在沦陷区，又并不认识其他的修士，没有人引路，这秘密坊市该如何走，可是半点头绪也没有，一时之间，林轩陷入了两难。
But after some hesitation, Lin Xuan decided not to hesitate long. He sheathed his Cloudfall Snow Sword and condensed his spirit energy, transforming into an inconspicuous streak of gray light as he flew forward.
bù guò lín xuān bìng méi yǒu yóu yù tài jiǔ ， tā jiāng piāo yún luò xuě jiàn yī shōu ， hún shēn de líng qì yě nèi liǎn qǐ lái ， huà wèi yī dào huī méng méng de ， bìng bù rě rén zhù yì de dùn guāng ， xiàng qián fēi qù le 。
不过林轩并没有犹豫太久，他将飘云落雪剑一收，浑身的灵气也内敛起来，化为一道灰蒙蒙的，并不惹人注意的遁光，向前飞去了。
Since we’re in their territory now, I can’t just leave without checking things out first. Let’s quietly sneak over and see the situation before making a decision. The Dawn Gate is insignificant; they only count as minor sects in Youzhou. If it's within my capabilities, helping them might earn their gratitude for future assistance.
jì rán yǐ jīng dào le dì tóu ， dāng rán bù gān xīn zhè yàng jiù zǒu ， xiān qiǎo rán qián guò qù ， kàn kàn qíng kuàng zài shuō ， zhāo yáng mén de shí lì bù zhí yī tí ， zài yōu zhōu zhǐ néng suàn sì wǔ liú de xiǎo mén xiǎo pài ， xiāng xìn duì fù tā men de ， yě bú huì shì shén me lì hài de yīn guǐ ， ruò shì néng lì suǒ jí ， zì jǐ shùn shǒu bāng tā men chú qù ， zhè xiē rén xīn cún gǎn jī ， xià miàn bāng máng de shí hòu yě yí dìng huì gèng jìn lì 。
既然已经到了地头，当然不甘心这样就走，先悄然潜过去，看看情况再说，朝阳门的实力不值一提，在幽州只能算四五流的小门小派，相信对付他们的，也不会是什么厉害的阴鬼，若是能力所及，自己顺手帮他们除去，这些人心存感激，下面帮忙的时候也一定会更尽力。
Of course, this was just Lin Xuan’s speculation. If the sect were unlucky enough to attract something powerful, he would simply leave without getting involved.
dāng rán ， zhè zhǐ shì lín xuān de tuī cè ， ruò shì cǐ mén pài dǎo méi ， rě shàng le shén me lì hài de guài wù ， lín xuān zì rán shì pāi pāi pì gǔ jiù zǒu ， jué bù suí yì tāng hún shuǐ de 。
当然，这只是林轩的推测，若是此门派倒霉，惹上了什么厉害的怪物，林轩自然是拍拍屁股就走，绝不随意蹚浑水的。
Although his speed had decreased significantly due to hiding his form, covering a distance of twenty or so miles wouldn’t take long. Lin Xuan concentrated his spiritual energy in his eyes and saw the scene ahead clearly.
I didn't mean it that way." Lin Xuan's lips curled into a smile. "Got it, I still have some self-awareness. Although in the Moon Ink Clan, I successfully obtained an ancient spirit pill made from Essence Gold Fruit and refined a mid-grade spirit root. Moreover, in the mage market, I acquired many rare herbs, which can be used to make various pills that enhance cultivation. But reaching later stages would take years, even decades of effort. Of course, I didn't expect to stay in the occupied zone for so long."
Moon'er nodded, but a hint of hesitation appeared on her face as she hesitated to speak.
"Stupid girl, what's wrong? Just say it if you have something to say. As master and servant, do we need to hide anything from each other?"
"Not, Young Master," Moon'er blushed, finally speaking softly: "I just don't understand why you insist on returning to Spirit Medicine Mountain. It would be better to find a quiet place for cultivation instead of getting involved in the conflict between cultivators and yin souls."
"Though that's true, my master still treated me well. To leave without saying goodbye feels somewhat guilty. Besides, Master Tianzhu was a genius from an earlier era; there are some things about our sect that I must obtain."
"What?" Moon'er was taken aback, her face showing curiosity.
"Naturally, it's the Heavenly Dust Pill. Back then, my condensation success relied on this ancient spirit herb. It is said to have good effects on infant formation as well. The formula for it is something I must acquire," Lin Xuan's eyes flashed with determination as he clenched his fist and spoke.
"But Young Master, even though the Heavenly Dust Pill formula is our sect’s highest secret, each patriarch has the right to review it. Senior Elders at the元婴 stage probably often study it. But after three thousand years, no one else managed to refine it except for Master Tianzhu. Don't you think the chances are too slim?"
"I know very well," Lin Xuan's face showed a hint of contemplation. "This pill is hard to refine because its materials are extremely rare. Although they’re not on the brink of extinction, it’s close enough. But that doesn’t matter; with Spirit Medicine Mountain’s resources, we can still gather them. The key lies in the refining flames, which even fall short of an元婴 cultivator's primordial infant fire. It is said that only by using a mountain within a mountain as the cauldron and igniting the most pure geothermal fire from Youzhou can this be achieved. No one else has managed to do this except for Master Tianzhu."
"Even though Young Master knows, why…" Moon'er's face showed a mix of surprise and admiration.
"It’s nothing," Lin Xuan replied with a carefree smile: "I am an anomaly; since the Primordial Era, how many ordinary people have reached the condensation stage? Since I could create miracles before, why not now? The difficulty of forming an infant is far greater than that of condensing essence. With my spirit root, the odds are already minuscule. Therefore, no matter what, I must obtain the Heavenly Dust Pill formula; even if it’s only a one in a thousand chance, I cannot miss it."
"I understand now. So, Young Master, how do you plan to proceed?" Moon'er asked with a smile.
"Now…" Lin Xuan pondered for a moment: "First, find a secret market or a temporary trading fair held by high-ranking cultivators. See if we can gather the auxiliary materials needed to refine the Nine Heavens Bright Moon Ring."
"But this isn't in the occupied zone; how could there be such things?" Moon'er's expression froze as she looked puzzled.
"Of course, you remember when we first arrived and encountered people from the Dawn Gate? According to their master, not only are many sects and free cultivators staying here, but also a lot of other cultivators have come for treasure hunting."
"So what?" Moon'er still didn't understand Young Master's intentions.
"It’s simple. Those who have收获 will exchange items they don’t need with others. Thus, even though the yin souls control this place, secret markets are likely to appear here," Moon'er nodded in admiration of Young Master's insight: "But how do we find them? There are traitors from the Seven Extremes Realm among the yin souls; without a guide, they won’t let us in."
"Hmm, that’s a problem. It seems we really need to consult with people from the Dawn Gate. Their cultivation is insignificant, but as local experts here, they should have some connections," Lin Xuan said confidently, showing he had already thought through these issues.
Then, he turned and surveyed his surroundings. Coincidentally, after escaping the Ghost Emperor’s pursuit for several miles, it seemed that the location of the Dawn Gate's secret base wasn’t far away.
Moon'er noticed this too; the master and servant exchanged a smile before Lin Xuan took out an jade cylinder from his pocket, identified the direction, and transformed into a faintly visible streak of light, flying towards the distant horizon.
Half an hour later, Lin Xuan suddenly stopped mid-flight.
"Moon'er, do you feel it?"
"Hmm," the girl nodded, her voice tinged with gravity: "A strong aura of yin energy. There’s also a tremor in the spirit force; there seems to be a large-scale conflict between cultivators and yin souls."
"Yes, and it's in the direction of the Dawn Gate base. Could their hiding place have been exposed?"
Lin Xuan stroked his chin, showing some hesitation on his face. This was different from what he had anticipated. If the Dawn Gate really faced an attack by powerful yin ghosts, Lin Xuan didn’t want to get involved.
However, apart from the Dawn Gate, there were no other cultivators in the occupied zone that Lin Xuan knew of. Without a guide, how could they find this secret market? He found himself caught between two options.
But after some hesitation, Lin Xuan decided not to hesitate long. He sheathed his Cloudfall Snow Sword and condensed his spirit energy, transforming into an inconspicuous streak of gray light as he flew forward.
Since we’re in their territory now, I can’t just leave without checking things out first. Let’s quietly sneak over and see the situation before making a decision. The Dawn Gate is insignificant; they only count as minor sects in Youzhou. If it's within my capabilities, helping them might earn their gratitude for future assistance.
Of course, this was just Lin Xuan’s speculation. If the sect were unlucky enough to attract something powerful, he would simply leave without getting involved.
Although his speed had decreased significantly due to hiding his form, covering a distance of twenty or so miles wouldn’t take long. Lin Xuan concentrated his spiritual energy in his eyes and saw the scene ahead clearly.