yǒu liǎng nǚ zhǐ lù 。 lín xuān zì rán shì shí fēn shùn | de zhǎo dào le líng yào shān de fēn qiě wú qiǎo bù qiǎo 。 pèng jiàn le yī duì zhǔn bèi wài chū shòu liè de dī jiē xiū shì 。
有两女指路。林轩自然是十分顺|的找到了灵药山的分且无巧不巧。碰见了一队准备外出狩猎的低阶修士。
Two women led the way. Lin Xuan naturally found his way to the branch of Spirit Medicine Mountain with ease, and it was no surprise that he encountered a team of low-grade cultivators preparing for an expedition.
kàn jiàn bèi tōng jī de liǎng wèi shī jiě yǔ zhè mò shēng de shào nián zài yì qǐ 。 nà xiē dì zǐ xīn zhōng jīng yí 。 hū lā yī shēng wéi le shàng qù 。 bèi pán wèn yī èr 。 lín xuān kě méi yǒu xīn qíng yǔ tā men suo 。 zhí jiē liàng chū lìng fú 。
看见被通缉的两位师姐与这陌生的少年在一起。那些弟子心中惊疑。呼啦一声围了上去。备盘问一二。林轩可没有心情与他们嗦。直接亮出令符。
Seeing his two sought-after senior sisters alongside this unfamiliar young man, the disciples were both surprised and puzzled. They gathered around him in a flash, ready to interrogate him. However, Lin Xuan had no time for such trivialities and immediately revealed his token.
zhè xiē dì zǐ yī jiàn zhī xià 。 wú bù jīng xǐ jiāo jiā 。 lián máng yī biān fàng chū chuán yīn fú 。 yī biān cù yōng zhe lín xuān ** fēn tán 。
这些弟子一见之下。无不惊喜交加。连忙一边放出传音符。一边簇拥着林轩**分坛。
Upon seeing it, their expressions turned from surprise to joy. They quickly produced a sound transmission talisman and surrounded Lin Xuan as they led him into the branch hall.
guò le yuē yī zhǎn chá de shí 。 guāng huá dà qǐ 。 lín xuān shén shí yī sǎo 。 qián lái yíng jiē de jū rán yǒu shù bǎi xiū shì 。
过了约一盏茶的时。光华大起。林轩神识一扫。前来迎接的居然有数百修士。
After about a cup of tea's worth of time, the light grew intense. Lin Xuan swept his divine sense across the area and found that there were actually hundreds of cultivators waiting for him.
zuì qián miàn de 。 shì liǎng dào zǐ sè de dùn guāng 。 qí yú de 。 zé yǔ tā men bǎo chí yí dìng de jù lí 。
最前面的。是两道紫色的遁光。其余的。则与他们保持一定的距离。
At the forefront were two streaks of purple light, while the rest maintained a certain distance from them.
shù bǎi dào guāng huá zhī zhōng 。 yǒu wǔ fēn zhī yī zhù jī qī xiū shì 。 shèng xià de zé quán shì líng dòng qī dì zǐ 。 lín xuān méi tou yí zhòu 。 liǎn shàng lù chū shēn sī de biǎo qíng 。
数百道光华之中。有五分之一筑基期修士。剩下的则全是灵动期弟子。林轩眉头一皱。脸上露出深思的表情。
Among the hundreds of lights, about one-fifth were Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, with the rest being Flexible Spirit Period disciples. Lin Xuan frowned and wore an expression of deep thought on his face.
“ hē hē 。 bù zhī shǎo mén zhǔ jià lín 。 shǔ xià yǒu shī yuǎn yíng 。 hái qǐng shù zuì 。”
“呵呵。不知少门主驾临。属下有失远迎。还请恕罪。”
"Ahaha, I did not know that Young Master was visiting; my apologies for not greeting you at the entrance. Please forgive me."
huǎng yǎn 。 zǐ guāng jiù lái dào le shēn qián 。 xiàn chū le yī nán yī nǚ 。
晃眼。紫光就来到了身前。现出了一男一女。
The purple light approached him, revealing a man and a woman.
nán zi yuē sì shí yú suì nián jì 。 róng mào pǔ tōng 。 cái lüè xián xiāo shòu 。 rán ér qì shì què pǒ yǒu jīng rén 。 jū rán shì níng dān hòu qī de xiū shì 。
男子约四十余岁年纪。容貌普通。材略嫌消瘦。然而气势却颇有惊人。居然是凝丹后期的修士。
The man appeared to be around forty years old, with an ordinary appearance and somewhat thin frame, but he exuded a surprising aura—indeed, he was a late-stage Core Formation cultivator.
nà nǚ zǐ zé yào nián qīng duō 。 zhǐ yǒu èr shí qī bā de yàng zi 。 rán hòu yǎn jiǎo chù 。 què yǒu bù shǎo yú wěi wén 。 kàn lái cǐ nǚ de gōng fǎ yě méi yǒu duō shǎo zhù yán de xiào guǒ 。 bù guò bǎo yǎng yǒu fāng bà le 。
那女子则要年轻多。只有二十七八的样子。然后眼角处。却有不少鱼尾纹。看来此女的功法也没有多少驻颜的效果。不过保养有方罢了。
The woman looked much younger, only in her mid-twenties, though she had many crow's feet at the corners of her eyes. Her cultivation method seemed to have little effect on her appearance; it was just well-maintained.
jìng jiè zé yǔ zì jǐ xiāng tóng 。 bù rù níng dān zhōng qī wèi jiǔ 。
境界则与自己相同。步入凝丹中期未久。
Their levels were the same, having recently entered the middle stage of Core Formation.
kàn liǎng rén de shén qíng 。 yīng gāi shì yī duì shuāng xiū bàn lǚ 。
看两人的神情。应该是一对双修伴侣。
From their demeanor, they appeared to be a couple practicing dual cultivation together.
“ hē hē 。 shī xiōng kè qì le 。 hái wèi qǐng jiào zūn xìng 。”
“呵呵。师兄客气了。还未请教尊姓。”
"Ahaha, Elder Brother is too kind. May I ask your esteemed name?"
“ bù gǎn 。 zài xià zhōu miǎn 。 zhè wèi shì cáo yuè cáo shī mèi 。” nà shòu xuē nán zi shí fēn jiàn tán yán yǔ zhī zhōng 。 xiǎn de yì cháng kè 。
“不敢。在下周冕。这位是曹月曹师妹。”那瘦削男子十分健谈言语之中。显的异常客。
"I beg your pardon. I am Zhou Mian, and this is my junior sister, Cao Yue," said the thin man, who was unusually talkative, showing an extraordinary level of politeness.
lín xuān zì rán bú huì yīn cǐ jiù fàng sōng jǐng tì 。 dāng rán biǎo miàn shàng yě shì yī fù fēi cháng qīn rè de yàng zi 。 yǔ duì fāng hán xuān de le jǐ jù 。
林轩自然不会因此就放松警惕。当然表面上也是一副非常亲热的样子。与对方寒暄的了几句。
Lin Xuan did not relax his vigilance despite this. He maintained a warm appearance as he chatted with them for a few moments.
“ shǎo mén zhǔ néng gòu píng ān wú shì tài hǎo le 。 tīng shuō nín qù le shí wàn dà shān 。 zhǎng mén zhēn rén yì zhí fēi cháng guà niàn 。”
“少门主能够平安无事太好了。听说您去了十万大山。掌门真人一直非常挂念。”
"Thankfully, Young Master has returned safely. I heard you went to the Ten Thousand Mountains; our sect leader has been very concerned."
“ yǒu láo shī zūn fèi xīn le 。 tā lǎo rén jiā yī qiè kě hǎo ？” lín xuān mǎn liǎn de wēi xiào 。
“有劳师尊费心了。他老人家一切可好？”林轩满脸的微笑。
"I thank you for your concern. How is my revered senior?" Lin Xuan wore a smile on his face.
“ dāng rán 。 tōng yǔ shī xiōng hěn hǎo bù jǐn shēn tǐ kāng jiàn 。 ér qiě xiū wèi dà jìn 。 yǐ jīng zhǔn bèi jié yīng 。” shuō dào zhè lǐ zhōu miǎn liǎn shàng bù kě yì zhì de lù chū yī sī xiàn mù dì biǎo qíng 。
“当然。通羽师兄很好不仅身体康健。而且修为大进。已经准备结婴。”说到这里周冕脸上不可抑制的露出一丝羡慕地表情。
"Of course, Senior Brother Tongyu is well. Not only is he in good health, but his cultivation has greatly advanced. He's preparing to form an infant," Zhou Mian said with an involuntary look of envy.
“ ó ？” lín xuān yī jīng 。 bù guò suí jí yòu lù chū shì rán de biǎo qíng 。 tōng yǔ nà lǎo hú lí 。 běn lái jiù shì tiān cái 。 zī zhì fēi fán 。 yǒu zhāo yī rì néng gòu chéng wéi yuán yīng xiū shì 。 yě shì yì liào zhōng de shì 。
“哦？”林轩一惊。不过随即又露出释然的表情。通羽那老狐狸。本来就是天才。资质非凡。有朝一日能够成为元婴修士。也是意料中的事。
"Oh?" Lin Xuan was surprised but quickly showed a relieved expression. Senior Brother Tongyu, that old fox, had always been a prodigy with exceptional talent; it was expected that he would eventually become an Immortal Core cultivator someday.
zhǐ shì duì fāng dì chēng hū 。 xuān lüè gǎn gān gà de yáo le yáo tóu 。
只是对方地称呼。轩略感尴尬的摇了摇头。
However, the way they addressed him made Lin Xuan feel slightly awkward as he shook his head.
shuō qǐ xiū xiān jiè de guī jǔ 。 yǔ shì sú wǔ lín shì dà bù xiāng tóng qiáng zhě wèi zūn 。 jí shǐ shì bèi fēn 。 yě zūn xún zhè ge guī jǔ 。
说起修仙界的规矩。与世俗武林是大不相同强者为尊。即使是辈分。也遵循这个规矩。
Speaking of cultivation rules in the world of cultivators, they were vastly different from those in secular martial arts—strength and power held sway. Even seniority followed this rule.
tóng yī jìng jiè de 。 hù wéi shī xiōng dì 。 dāng xiū wèi tí shēng yǐ hòu 。 bèi fēn yě suí zhī zēng zhǎng 。
同一境界的。互为师兄弟。当修为提升以后。辈分也随之增长。
At the same level, one was considered a peer; when their cultivation improved, so did their seniority.
suǒ yǐ cháng cháng chū xiàn yī tóng rù mén de dì zǐ 。 gāng kāi shǐ de shí hòu 。 hái píng bèi lùn jiāo 。 kě shù shí zài hòu 。 què mò míng qí miào dì le shī zhí yǔ shī shū de guān xì 。
所以常常出现一同入门的弟子。刚开始的时候。还平辈论交。可数十载后。却莫名其妙地了师侄与师叔的关系。
Thus, it often happened that disciples who entered together would initially be on equal footing but years later found themselves as junior or senior brothers.
dāng rán yě yǒu tè lì 。 rú shuō lín xuān yǔ tōng yǔ zhēn rén 。 liǎng rén nǎi shì xíng guò zhèng shì de bài shī zhī lǐ 。 suǒ yǐ jí shǐ lín xuān chéng wéi yǔ tā yī yàng níng dān xiū shì 。 yī yào chēng hū duì fāng wèi lǎo shī 。
当然也有特例。如说林轩与通羽真人。两人乃是行过正式的拜师之礼。所以即使林轩成为与他一样凝丹修士。依要称呼对方为老师。
Of course, there were exceptions, such as Lin Xuan and Senior Brother Tongyu, who had formally undergone the拜师ritual. Even if Lin Xuan became a Core Formation cultivator like him, he still needed to address him as teacher.
zài zhòng rén de cù yōng xià 。 xuān jìn rù le fēn tán 。 zhōu wéi jū rán méi yǒu jìn zhì 。 guài bù de zì jǐ lái de shí hòu 。 sī háo gǎn jué bú dào líng lì 。 lín xuān méi tóu wēi zhòu rán ér bìng méi yǒu kāi kǒu 。
在众人的簇拥下。轩进入了分坛。周围居然没有禁制。怪不的自己来的时候。丝毫感觉不到灵力。林轩眉头微皱然而并没有开口。
Under their escort, Lin Xuan entered the branch hall. To his surprise, there was no禁制, which explained why he felt no spiritual energy upon arrival. He frowned but did not speak.
“ zhōu shī xiōng 。 zhè lǐ zhǐ yǒu nǐ hé cáo shī jiě liǎng wèi níng dān qī xiū shì me ？”
“周师兄。这里只有你和曹师姐两位凝丹期修士么？”
"Senior Brother Zhou, are you and Senior Sister Cao the only Core Formation cultivators here?"
“ bù 。 hái yǒu zhèng shī dì 。 zhǐ shì jǐ tiān qián 。 wǒ men yòu fā xiàn yī chù kě néng cáng yǒu bǎo wù de dì diǎn 。 suǒ yǐ zhèng shī dì dài rén qù le 。”
“不。还有郑师弟。只是几天前。我们又发现一处可能藏有宝物的地点。所以郑师弟带人去了。”
"Not exactly; Zheng Junior Brother is also present. A few days ago, we discovered a potential location for treasure, so Zheng went with some others."
“ ń 。” lín xuān diǎn le diǎn tóu 。 jìn rù fēn tán yǐ hòu 。 liǎng rén jiù jiāng qí tā dì zǐ qiǎn sàn 。 yóu fū fù èr rén lǐng zhe lín xuān 。 lái dào le yī chù jīng měi de gé lóu qián 。
“嗯。”林轩点了点头。进入分坛以后。两人就将其他弟子遣散。由夫妇二人领着林轩。来到了一处精美的阁楼前。
"Hmm," Lin Xuan nodded. After entering the branch hall, they dispersed the other disciples and led him to a beautiful pavilion.
“ shǎo mén zhǔ 。 zhè lǐ bù bǐ líng yào shān 。 jiǎn lòu yì cháng 。 yě méi yǒu shén me hǎo de líng mài 。 hái qǐng nín duō bāo hán 。” zhōu miǎn yī bào quán 。 lüè yǒu qiàn yì de kāi kǒu 。
“少门主。这里不比灵药山。简陋异常。也没有什么好的灵脉。还请您多包涵。”周冕一抱拳。略有歉意的开口。
"Young Master, this place cannot compare to Spirit Medicine Mountain; it is rather simple and lacks good spiritual veins. Please forgive us for its shortcomings," Zhou Mian said with a bow, expressing some regret.
“ yǒu láo xián kàng lì 。 méi guān xì 。 zài xià yě bù guò zài zhè lǐ zàn zhù ér yǐ 。”
“有劳贤伉俪。没关系。在下也不过在这里暂住而已。”
"I thank you, esteemed couple. It's no trouble at all; I am merely staying here temporarily."
“ zàn zhù 。 shǎo zhǔ jí zhe lí qù me ？”
“暂住。少主急着离去么？”
"Temporarily? Is Young Master in a hurry to leave?"
“ dāng rán 。 wǒ lí kāi mén pài yǐ jiǔ 。 xiē xī tiān 。 jiù huí líng yào shān 。” lín xuān kàn le èr rén yī yǎn ：“ duì le 。 yǔ wǒ yì qǐ huí lái de liǎng nǚ 。 tīng shuō wéi fǎn le mén guī 。 wǒ kàn liǎng gè yā tou hái líng lì shùn yǎn 。 xiāng féng shì yǒu yuán 。 shī xiōng kě fǒu wǎng kāi yí miàn ？”
“当然。我离开门派已久。歇息天。就回灵药山。”林轩看了二人一眼：“对了。与我一起回来的两女。听说违反了门规。我看两个丫头还伶俐顺眼。相逢是有缘。师兄可否网开一面？”
"Of course. I have been away from the sect for a long time and will rest for one day before returning to Spirit Medicine Mountain," Lin Xuan glanced at them: "By the way, those two girls who came with me are said to have violated our sect's rules. They seem quite lively and obedient; perhaps we met by fate. Elder Brother, could you give them a chance?"
“ hē hē 。 shǎo mén zhǔ yán le 。 xiǎo shì yī zhuāng ér yǐ 。 wǒ nǎ néng bù gěi nǐ miàn zi ？” zhōu miǎn yí zhèng 。 suí jí dà dù de bǎi le bǎi shǒu 。 qū qū liǎng gè líng dòng qī dì dī jiē dì zǐ 。 tā gēn běn jiù méi dàng zuò yī huí shì ：“ shǎo zhǔ hái yǒu shén me fēn fù 。 jǐn guǎn kāi kǒu 。”
“呵呵。少门主言了。小事一桩而已。我哪能不给你面子？”周冕一怔。随即大度的摆了摆手。区区两个灵动期地低阶弟子。他根本就没当作一回事：“少主还有什么吩咐。尽管开口。”
"Aha, Young Master, that is nothing. A small matter indeed; how could I not show you favor?" Zhou Mian was taken aback but then waved his hand generously: "Young Master, if there's anything else you need, just say the word."
“ méi le 。” lín xuān yáo le yáo tóu 。
“没了。”林轩摇了摇头。
"Nothing more," Lin Xuan shook his head.
“ jì rán rú cǐ 。 wǒ fū fù èr rén jiù bù dǎ rǎo shǎo zhǔ xiū xī 。 zàn qiě gào cí 。”
“既然如此。我夫妇二人就不打扰少主休息。暂且告辞。”
"Since so, my esteemed couple can leave me to rest. Goodbye for now."
“ xián kàng lì qǐng biàn jiù shì 。”
“贤伉俪请便就是。”
"The esteemed couple may go as well."
lín xuān bào quán xiāng sòng 。 rán ér dāng liǎng rén de shēn yǐng xiāo shī 。 biǎo qíng què ** chén le xià lái 。 zhè fēn tán guǒ rán yǒu wèn tí 。 suī rán liǎng gè jiā huo yǎn shì de hěn hǎo 。 kě lín xuān de shén shí yuǎn zài tā men yù liào zhī shàng 。
林轩抱拳相送。然而当两人的身影消失。表情却**沉了下来。这分坛果然有问题。虽然两个家伙掩饰的很好。可林轩的神识远在他们预料之上。
Lin Xuan bowed in farewell. However, when their figures disappeared, his expression turned serious. This branch hall indeed had issues; although the two masked it well, Lin Xuan's divine sense was far beyond what they anticipated.
cóng èr rén de shēn shàng 。 jìng rán gǎn jué dào le yī gǔ ruò yǒu ruò wú de guǐ yì zhī qì 。 yǔ yāo shòu bù tóng 。 hé guǐ wù yě yǒu qū bié 。 jiū jìng shì shén me 。 lín xuān yě shuō bù qīng chǔ 。
从二人的身上。竟然感觉到了一股若有若无的诡异之气。与妖兽不同。和鬼物也有区别。究竟是什么。林轩也说不清楚。
He sensed an eerie aura emanating from them—neither like that of a monster nor a ghost. What exactly it was, Lin Xuan could not say for sure.
kě tā míng míng zǐ xì chá kàn 。 liǎng rén líng tái qīng xī 。 fǎn yìng mǐn jié 。 yì diǎn yě bù xiàng bèi yì lèi duó shě le shēn tǐ 。
可他明明仔细查看。两人灵台清晰。反应敏捷。一点也不像被异类夺舍了身体。
But he had carefully examined their spiritual platforms and found them clear and responsive, showing no signs of possession by any other entity.
kě zhè yì cháng yòu gāi zuò hé jiě shì ？
可这异常又该作何解释？
Yet this anomaly required explanation. After a moment's silence, a hint of mockery appeared at the corner of his mouth. It was indeed tricky but nothing to fear with his cultivation level; it might even be an opportunity.
chén mò le bàn xiǎng 。 lín xuān | jiǎo biān lù chū yī sī jī cháo 。 què shí yǒu xiē jí shǒu 。 bù guò yǐ tā de xiū wèi 。 yě méi shén me hǎo pà de 。 shuō bù dìng fǎn ér shì yí gè jī huì 。
沉默了半响。林轩|角边露出一丝讥嘲。确实有些棘手。不过以他的修为。也没什么好怕的。说不定反而是一个机会。
Lin Xuan looked up at the pavilion in front of him. It was a two-story building, elegant and unique, constructed from an unknown white stone. If placed in the secular world, it would rival the luxurious residences of emperors.
lín xuān tái qǐ tóu 。 kàn le yī yǎn qián miàn de gé 。 shì yī dòng liǎng céng gāo de jiàn zhù 。 bié zhì diǎn yǎ 。 shì yòng yī zhǒng bù zhī míng de bái sè yù shí dā jiàn ér chéng 。 rú guǒ fàng zài shì sú 。 dì wáng zhī jiā 。 yě bù yí dìng yǒu zhè me shē chǐ 。
林轩抬起头。看了一眼前面的阁。是一栋两层高的建筑。别致典雅。是用一种不知名的白色玉石搭建而成。如果放在世俗。帝王之家。也不一定有这么奢侈。
The surrounding environment was beautiful but lacked spiritual veins, making it an excellent place for cultivation if not for that issue.
zhōu wéi dì huán jìng yě hěn yōu měi 。 kě xī shǎo le líng mài 。 fǒu zé dǎo shì yī jué jiā de xiū dào dì diǎn 。
周围地环境也很优美。可惜少了灵脉。否则倒是一绝佳的修道地点。
Lin Xuan stepped inside and released his divine sense to thoroughly search the entire pavilion. He found no abnormalities; Zhou Mian had indeed been clever enough not to make a move that would alert others.
lín xuān mài bù zǒu le jìn qù 。 fàng chū shén shí 。 jiāng zhěng dòng gé lóu dōu sōu suǒ le yī biàn 。 bìng méi yǒu fā xiàn yì cháng 。 kàn lái nà zhōu miǎn bú shì shǎ guā 。 méi yǒu zuò chū dǎ cǎo jīng shé zhè zhǒng chǔn shì 。
林轩迈步走了进去。放出神识。将整栋阁楼都搜索了一遍。并没有发现异常。看来那周冕不是傻瓜。没有做出打草惊蛇这种蠢事。
With a flick of his sleeve, several array flags appeared in his hand. Lin Xuan skillfully set them around the pavilion, creating an array formation that made it his private domain.
zài chǔ wù dài shàng yī pāi 。 shǒu zhōng yǐ duō le jǐ miàn zhèn qí 。 lín xuān shú liàn de jiāng men bù zhì zài le gé lóu de zhōu wéi 。 zhèn fǎ yùn 。 zhè lǐ yě jiù | zhèng chéng le zì jǐ de sī rén lǐng dì 。
在储物袋上一拍。手中已多了几面阵旗。林轩熟练的将们布置在了阁楼的周围。阵法运。这里也就|正成了自己的私人领地。
Lin Xuan breathed a sigh of relief as he closed his eyes and began meditating. According to his initial plan, the first thing he would do upon arriving at the branch hall was visit the treasure vault. The Spirit Cloud Mountain had received so many heavenly treasures; their sect's gains were likely substantial too. The Nine Day Bright Moon Ring was missing only two materials, which were not particularly rare.
lín xuān sōng le kǒu qì 。 xiù páo yī fú 。 yī měi lì de shào nǚ chū xiàn zài le bàn kōng lǐ 。
林轩松了口气。袖袍一拂。一美丽的少女出现在了半空里。
However, given the current situation, he needed to address the immediate problem first. Otherwise, even if he obtained the treasures, he would have no peace to focus on cultivation.
zài zì jǐ de yī xiù zhōng dài le zhè me jiǔ 。 yě gāi ràng ér chū lái tòu tòu qì le 。
在自己的衣袖中待了这么久。也该让儿出来透透气了。
With that thought, Lin Xuan continued his meditation.
Two women led the way. Lin Xuan naturally found his way to the branch of Spirit Medicine Mountain with ease, and it was no surprise that he encountered a team of low-grade cultivators preparing for an expedition.
Seeing his two sought-after senior sisters alongside this unfamiliar young man, the disciples were both surprised and puzzled. They gathered around him in a flash, ready to interrogate him. However, Lin Xuan had no time for such trivialities and immediately revealed his token.
Upon seeing it, their expressions turned from surprise to joy. They quickly produced a sound transmission talisman and surrounded Lin Xuan as they led him into the branch hall.
After about a cup of tea's worth of time, the light grew intense. Lin Xuan swept his divine sense across the area and found that there were actually hundreds of cultivators waiting for him.
At the forefront were two streaks of purple light, while the rest maintained a certain distance from them.
Among the hundreds of lights, about one-fifth were Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, with the rest being Flexible Spirit Period disciples. Lin Xuan frowned and wore an expression of deep thought on his face.
"Ahaha, I did not know that Young Master was visiting; my apologies for not greeting you at the entrance. Please forgive me."
The purple light approached him, revealing a man and a woman.
The man appeared to be around forty years old, with an ordinary appearance and somewhat thin frame, but he exuded a surprising aura—indeed, he was a late-stage Core Formation cultivator.
The woman looked much younger, only in her mid-twenties, though she had many crow's feet at the corners of her eyes. Her cultivation method seemed to have little effect on her appearance; it was just well-maintained.
Their levels were the same, having recently entered the middle stage of Core Formation.
From their demeanor, they appeared to be a couple practicing dual cultivation together.
"Ahaha, Elder Brother is too kind. May I ask your esteemed name?"
"I beg your pardon. I am Zhou Mian, and this is my junior sister, Cao Yue," said the thin man, who was unusually talkative, showing an extraordinary level of politeness.
Lin Xuan did not relax his vigilance despite this. He maintained a warm appearance as he chatted with them for a few moments.
"Thankfully, Young Master has returned safely. I heard you went to the Ten Thousand Mountains; our sect leader has been very concerned."
"I thank you for your concern. How is my revered senior?" Lin Xuan wore a smile on his face.
"Of course, Senior Brother Tongyu is well. Not only is he in good health, but his cultivation has greatly advanced. He's preparing to form an infant," Zhou Mian said with an involuntary look of envy.
"Oh?" Lin Xuan was surprised but quickly showed a relieved expression. Senior Brother Tongyu, that old fox, had always been a prodigy with exceptional talent; it was expected that he would eventually become an Immortal Core cultivator someday.
However, the way they addressed him made Lin Xuan feel slightly awkward as he shook his head.
Speaking of cultivation rules in the world of cultivators, they were vastly different from those in secular martial arts—strength and power held sway. Even seniority followed this rule.
At the same level, one was considered a peer; when their cultivation improved, so did their seniority.
Thus, it often happened that disciples who entered together would initially be on equal footing but years later found themselves as junior or senior brothers.
Of course, there were exceptions, such as Lin Xuan and Senior Brother Tongyu, who had formally undergone the拜师ritual. Even if Lin Xuan became a Core Formation cultivator like him, he still needed to address him as teacher.
Under their escort, Lin Xuan entered the branch hall. To his surprise, there was no禁制, which explained why he felt no spiritual energy upon arrival. He frowned but did not speak.
"Senior Brother Zhou, are you and Senior Sister Cao the only Core Formation cultivators here?"
"Not exactly; Zheng Junior Brother is also present. A few days ago, we discovered a potential location for treasure, so Zheng went with some others."
"Hmm," Lin Xuan nodded. After entering the branch hall, they dispersed the other disciples and led him to a beautiful pavilion.
"Young Master, this place cannot compare to Spirit Medicine Mountain; it is rather simple and lacks good spiritual veins. Please forgive us for its shortcomings," Zhou Mian said with a bow, expressing some regret.
"I thank you, esteemed couple. It's no trouble at all; I am merely staying here temporarily."
"Temporarily? Is Young Master in a hurry to leave?"
"Of course. I have been away from the sect for a long time and will rest for one day before returning to Spirit Medicine Mountain," Lin Xuan glanced at them: "By the way, those two girls who came with me are said to have violated our sect's rules. They seem quite lively and obedient; perhaps we met by fate. Elder Brother, could you give them a chance?"
"Aha, Young Master, that is nothing. A small matter indeed; how could I not show you favor?" Zhou Mian was taken aback but then waved his hand generously: "Young Master, if there's anything else you need, just say the word."
"Nothing more," Lin Xuan shook his head.
"Since so, my esteemed couple can leave me to rest. Goodbye for now."
"The esteemed couple may go as well."
Lin Xuan bowed in farewell. However, when their figures disappeared, his expression turned serious. This branch hall indeed had issues; although the two masked it well, Lin Xuan's divine sense was far beyond what they anticipated.
He sensed an eerie aura emanating from them—neither like that of a monster nor a ghost. What exactly it was, Lin Xuan could not say for sure.
But he had carefully examined their spiritual platforms and found them clear and responsive, showing no signs of possession by any other entity.
Yet this anomaly required explanation. After a moment's silence, a hint of mockery appeared at the corner of his mouth. It was indeed tricky but nothing to fear with his cultivation level; it might even be an opportunity.
Lin Xuan looked up at the pavilion in front of him. It was a two-story building, elegant and unique, constructed from an unknown white stone. If placed in the secular world, it would rival the luxurious residences of emperors.
The surrounding environment was beautiful but lacked spiritual veins, making it an excellent place for cultivation if not for that issue.
Lin Xuan stepped inside and released his divine sense to thoroughly search the entire pavilion. He found no abnormalities; Zhou Mian had indeed been clever enough not to make a move that would alert others.
With a flick of his sleeve, several array flags appeared in his hand. Lin Xuan skillfully set them around the pavilion, creating an array formation that made it his private domain.
Lin Xuan breathed a sigh of relief as he closed his eyes and began meditating. According to his initial plan, the first thing he would do upon arriving at the branch hall was visit the treasure vault. The Spirit Cloud Mountain had received so many heavenly treasures; their sect's gains were likely substantial too. The Nine Day Bright Moon Ring was missing only two materials, which were not particularly rare.
However, given the current situation, he needed to address the immediate problem first. Otherwise, even if he obtained the treasures, he would have no peace to focus on cultivation.
With that thought, Lin Xuan continued his meditation.