wǒ zhè me zuò nǎi shì wèi cháng yuǎn kǎo lǜ ”
我这么做乃是为长远考虑”
"I'm doing this for the long-term."
“ cháng yuǎn ？” yuè ér yí zhèng ， qiào liǎn shàng yī jiù shì mí huò de biǎo qíng 。
“长远？”月儿一怔，俏脸上依旧是迷惑的表情。
"Long-term?" Moon儿 was taken aback, her pretty face still puzzled.
“ bù cuò ， cóng biǎo miàn shàng kàn ， bù gōng kāi wǒ yǔ liǎng nǚ jiān de guān xì shì zuì hǎo de ， kě yuè ér xiǎng guò méi yǒu ， yǒu le wǒ de bāng zhù ， liǎng nǚ xiū wèi tū fēi měng jìn jī hū shì zhù dìng ， ér tā liǎ yòu bìng fēi líng gēn tè bié yōu yì zhī rén ， zhè yàng yī lái ， bù yǐn qǐ yǒu xīn rén de zhù yì cái guài ， nà xiē rén shùn téng mō guā ， chí zǎo yě huì jiāng wǒ yǔ tā liǎ de guān xì chá chū lái 。”
“不错，从表面上看，不公开我与两女间的关系是最好的，可月儿想过没有，有了我的帮助，两女修为突飞猛进几乎是注定，而她俩又并非灵根特别优异之人，这样一来，不引起有心人的注意才怪，那些人顺藤摸瓜，迟早也会将我与她俩的关系查出来。”
"Indeed. On the surface, it might seem best not to publicly reveal my relationship with the two girls. But have you considered that with my help, their cultivation will advance rapidly? And since they are not particularly gifted in spirit roots, it's inevitable that someone would notice them eventually. Those people would follow clues and find out about us sooner or later."
yuè ér diǎn le diǎn tóu ， zhè huà hěn yǒu dào lǐ ， kě shì ……
月儿点了点头，这话很有道理，可是……
Moon儿 nodded. That made sense, but...
rán ér tā shàng wèi kāi kǒu ， lín xuān yǐ jiē zhe wǎng xià shuō 。
然而她尚未开口，林轩已接着往下说。
Before she could speak, Lin Xuan continued. "Better to declare this myself. After all, I'm just a registered disciple for outsiders, which is quite common for condensation core cultivators. No one really cares."
“ yǔ qí nà yàng ， hái bù rú wǒ zì jǐ xiān biǎo míng ， fǎn zhèng duì wài shuō de bù guò shì jì míng dì zǐ ， zhè duì yú níng dān qī xiū shì ér yán ， yě shì hěn píng cháng de shì ， méi yǒu shuí huì tài zài yì 。”
“与其那样，还不如我自己先表明，反正对外说的不过是记名弟子，这对于凝丹期修士而言，也是很平常的事，没有谁会太在意。”
"That's true. It's better to be upfront rather than hiding it, and the truth or falsehood can actually ease concerns from those who might suspect something," Moon儿 smoothed her hair, agreeing with Lin Xuan.
“ yě shì ， yǔ qí zhē zhē yǎn yǎn ， bù rú dà fāng yì diǎn ， zhēn jiǎ xū shí ， fǎn ér gèng róng yì dǎ xiāo yǒu xīn rén de gù lǜ 。” yuè ér shēn shǒu lǐ le yī xià xiù ， suàn shì zàn tóng le lín xuān de kàn fǎ 。
“也是，与其遮遮掩掩，不如大方一点，真假虚实，反而更容易打消有心人的顾虑。”月儿伸手理了一下秀，算是赞同了林轩的看法。
"Besides, I'm also testing her this way!"
“ hé kuàng wǒ zhè me zuò yě yǒu kǎo yàn de chéng fèn a ！”
“何况我这么做也有考验的成分啊！”
"Testing?"
“ kǎo yàn ？”
“考验？”
"Yes, Ying'er is smart and cunning, but how capable she truly is, I've never seen. Managing a branch sect is the perfect test for her."
“ shì de ， yíng ér suī rán cōng míng ， hěn yǒu xīn jī ， dàn néng lì jiū jìng rú hé ， wǒ què méi yǒu jiàn guò ， zhè guǎn lǐ fēn tán ， zhèng hǎo shì duì tā de yí gè mó liàn 。”
“是的，盈儿虽然聪明，很有心机，但能力究竟如何，我却没有见过，这管理分坛，正好是对她的一个磨练。”
Moon儿's face showed thoughtful contemplation. Master really does think deeply about everything he does.
yuè ér liǎn shàng lù chū ruò yǒu suǒ sī zhī sè 。 shào yé zuò shì qíng guǒ rán shì shēn sī shú lǜ dì 。
月儿脸上露出若有所思之色。少爷做事情果然是深思熟虑地。
"All right. Any other questions?"
“ hǎo le 。 hái yǒu wèn tí ma ？”
“好了。还有问题吗？”
"No."
“ méi yǒu 。”
“没有。”
After resolving Moon儿's doubts, Lin Xuan stood up and walked out.
wèi yuè ér jiě dá wán yí huò 。 lín xuān qǐ shēn 。 xiàng wài zǒu qù 。
为月儿解答完疑惑。林轩起身。向外走去。
"Master!"
“ shǎo zhǔ ！”
“少主！”
The cultivators along the way bowed respectfully, their expressions filled with reverence. Lin Xuan remained calm, neither worried nor happy, adding a touch of mystery to their eyes.
yán tú dì xiū shì fēn fēn xíng lǐ 。 liǎn shàng chōng mǎn le jìng wèi zhī yì 。 lín xuān biǎo qíng dàn rán 。 wú yōu wú xǐ 。 kàn zài zhè xiē rén dì yǎn lǐ 。 gèng duō le yī fēn gāo shēn mò cè zhī yì 。
沿途地修士纷纷行礼。脸上充满了敬畏之意。林轩表情淡然。无忧无喜。看在这些人地眼里。更多了一分高深莫测之意。
Soon, Lin Xuan arrived at a small valley covered in vines, located in the southwest corner of the branch sect, very secluded.
hěn kuài ， lín xuān lái dào le yī téng tiáo biàn bù de xiǎo shān gǔ ， cǐ dì wèi yú fēn tán de xī nán jiǎo ， shí fēn yǐn mì 。
很快，林轩来到了一藤条遍布的小山谷，此地位于分坛的西南角，十分隐秘。
Many dense plants grew around the entrance, making it impossible to notice the narrow path that could only accommodate one person unless you looked closely.
rù kǒu shēng zhǎng zhe xǔ duō mào mì dì zhí wù ， ruò bù zǐ xì guān chá ， gēn běn jiù xiàn bù liǎo nà tiáo jǐn róng yī rén tōng xíng de xiǎo dào 。
入口生长着许多茂密地植物，若不仔细观察，根本就现不了那条仅容一人通行的小道。
As soon as Lin Xuan arrived, several spiritual senses swept over him but quickly vanished.
lín xuān gāng lái dào zhè lǐ ， jiù gǎn jué shù gǔ shén shí zài zì jǐ shēn shàng sǎo guò ， bù guò hěn kuài jiù xiāo shī dé wú yǐng wú zōng 。
林轩刚来到这里，就感觉数股神识在自己身上扫过，不过很快就消失得无影无踪。
Lin Xuan nodded satisfactorily. Ying'er was in charge of the treasure vault, and the security measures were well set up.
lín xuān mǎn yì de diǎn le diǎn tóu ， nèi jǐn wài sōng ， yíng ér fù zé bǎo kù ， zhè jǐng jiè bù zhì dé bù cuò 。
林轩满意的点了点头，内紧外松，盈儿负责宝库，这警戒布置得不错。
He took out a sound transmission talisman from his pocket, ready to use it, when a slender and beautiful girl appeared beside him with a gentle bow: "Master."
cóng huái zhōng qǔ chū yī zhāng chuán yīn fú ， zhèng yào jì chū ， bái guāng yī shǎn ， yī wèi miáo tiáo xiù měi de shào nǚ yǐ lái dào le shēn biān ， yíng yíng xià bài ：“ shào yé 。”
从怀中取出一张传音符，正要祭出，白光一闪，一位苗条秀美的少女已来到了身边，盈盈下拜：“少爷。”
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow. The girl seemed to know why he was dissatisfied, smiling lightly: "Master, I've instructed the guards to step down. We are alone here."
lín xuān méi tóu yī tiāo ， nà shào nǚ què fǎng fú yǐ jīng zhī dào tā yīn hé bù mǎn ， qīng xiào qǐ lái ：“ shào yé ， hù wèi de dì zǐ wǒ yǐ jīng fēn fù tā men xià qù ， zhè ér zhǐ yǒu nǐ wǒ liǎng rén ér yǐ 。”
林轩眉头一挑，那少女却仿佛已经知道他因何不满，轻笑起来：“少爷，护卫的弟子我已经吩咐他们下去，这儿只有你我两人而已。”
"Then so be it." Following Ying'er into the valley, they found the treasure stored by fallen sect members of Spirit Mountain after their retreat.
“ yuán lái rú cǐ 。” lín xuān bù zài yíng ér yǐn lǐng zhe jìn rù le xiá gǔ ， lǐ miàn suǒ cún fàng de shì líng yào shān xiū shì lái dào lún xiàn qū hòu suǒ shōu jí lái dì bǎo wù 。
“原来如此。”林轩不再盈儿引领着进入了峡谷，里面所存放的是灵药山修士来到沦陷区后所收集来地宝物。
Most of the materials for the Nine Heavens Moon Ring had been collected, leaving only two auxiliary items that weren't particularly rare and could likely be found in the treasure vault.
liàn zhì jiǔ tiān míng yuè huán de cái liào yǐ shōu jí le shí zhī **， zhǐ shèng xià zuì hòu liǎng zhǒng fǔ zhù zhī wù ， ér qiě bìng bù suàn tè bié xī yǒu dì nà zhǒng ， zài cáng bǎo kù zhōng yīng gāi kě yǐ zhǎo dào 。
炼制九天明月环的材料已收集了十之**，只剩下最后两种辅助之物，而且并不算特别稀有地那种，在藏宝库中应该可以找到。
Following the winding path for about a li, it seemed to end. A thick stone wall appeared before them.
yán zhe xiá gǔ qī wān bā guǎi ， zǒu le yuē yǒu lǐ xǔ ， xiǎo lù sì hū dào le jìn tóu ， yǎn qián chū xiàn le yī dǔ hòu shí de shān bì 。
沿着峡谷七弯八拐，走了约有里许，小路似乎到了尽头，眼前出现了一堵厚实的山壁。
Ying'er flipped her hand, revealing a silver-colored badge in her palm. With a slight wave of her fingers, white light shot out from the badge.
lù yíng ér yù shǒu yī fān ， zhǎng xīn zhī zhōng yǐ duō chū le yí miàn yín sè de yāo pái ， qiàn shǒu wēi yáng ， cóng shàng miàn shè chū yī dào bái guāng 。
陆盈儿玉手一翻，掌心之中已多出了一面银色的腰牌，纤手微扬，从上面射出一道白光。
Instantly, spiritual light shone, and the stone wall became transparent, gently oscillating like water.
dùn shí yī zhèn líng guāng shǎn yào ， nà shān bì jìng rán biàn dé tòu míng liǎo qǐ lái ， ér qiě qīng qīng dàng yàng ， fǎng fú hú shuǐ yì bān 。
顿时一阵灵光闪耀，那山壁竟然变得透明了起来，而且轻轻荡漾，仿佛湖水一般。
Ying'er smiled charmingly as she stepped inside without hesitation. Lin Xuan followed, vanishing into the wall.
lù yíng ér qiǎo xiào qiàn xī ， háo bù chí yí de zǒu le jìn qù ， lín xuān yě shēn xíng yī huǎng ， mò rù qí zhōng bú jiàn le zōng jì 。
陆盈儿巧笑倩兮，毫不迟疑的走了进去，林轩也身形一晃，没入其中不见了踪迹。
The stone wall returned to its original form, but inside was a different world.
shān bì yòu huī fù le yuán xíng ， lǐ miàn què shì bié yǒu dòng tiān 。
山壁又恢复了原形，里面却是别有洞天。
It was a large stone chamber with hundreds of feet in diameter, surrounded by night明珠s and fluorescent stones on the walls, emitting faint light that allowed Lin Xuan's keen eyesight to see everything clearly.
zhè shì yī jiān jù dà de shí shì ， yuē yǒu shù bǎi zhàng fāng yuán ， sì zhōu dì bì shàng xiāng qiàn zhe yī xiē yè míng zhū ， yíng guāng shí ， suī rán zhǐ néng chū wēi guāng ， dàn yǐ lín xuān de yǎn lì ， suǒ yǒu dì yī qiè ， què shì yì lǎn wú yí 。
这是一间巨大的石室，约有数百丈方圆，四周地壁上镶嵌着一些夜明珠，荧光石，虽然只能出微光，但以林轩的眼力，所有地一切，却是一览无遗。
To the left were bookshelves made from earth-type techniques, holding nearly a hundred jade cylinders—certainly containing cultivation methods.
zuǒ cè shì yī pái yòng tǔ xì gōng fǎ zhì chéng de shū jià ， shàng miàn bǎi fàng zhe jìn bǎi méi yù tǒng ， bú yòng shuō ， dāng rán shì gōng fǎ yī lèi de dōng dōng 。
左侧是一排用土系功法制成的书架，上面摆放着近百枚玉筒，不用说，当然是功法一类的东东。
However, the surface of these cylinders flashed with purple light, indicating they had been sealed by experts. After all, this was sect property, and even managing cultivators couldn't use them without permission.
bù guò lín xuān xiàn yù tǒng de biǎo miàn ， zǐ guāng shǎn shuò ， xiǎn rán shì bèi gāo shǒu xià le jìn zhì de ， bì jìng zhè shì mén pài de dōng xī ， jí shǐ shì fù zé guǎn lǐ dì xiū shì ， méi yǒu dé dào yǔn xǔ ， yě bù néng shàn zì dòng yòng 。
不过林轩现玉筒的表面，紫光闪烁，显然是被高手下了禁制的，毕竟这是门派的东西，即使是负责管理地修士，没有得到允许，也不能擅自动用。
Lin Xuan wasn't bothered by this. As the sect's master, he had the right to do so.
dāng rán lín xuān méi yǒu zhè ge gù jì ， bì jìng tā shì běn mén de shǎo zhǔ ， zhè diǎn quán lì hái shì yǒu dì 。
当然林轩没有这个顾忌，毕竟他是本门的少主，这点权利还是有地。
Walking over, he casually picked up one of the cylinders, a faint green light flashing as he removed the seal. He then placed it on his forehead.
mài bù zǒu guò qù ， suí yì qǔ xià qí zhōng yī méi ， shǒu shàng qīng máng yī shǎn ， yǐ jiāng jìn zhì jiě kāi ， rán hòu jiāng cǐ wù tiē shàng é tóu 。
迈步走过去，随意取下其中一枚，手上青芒一闪，已将禁制解开，然后将此物贴上额头。
Soon, Lin Xuan withdrew his spiritual senses, putting down the unimpressed cylinder and picking another...
hěn kuài lín xuān jiù shōu huí shén shí ， miàn dài bù xiè de yù tǒng fàng xià ， chóng xīn ná le yī méi xīn dì ……
很快林轩就收回神识，面带不屑的玉筒放下，重新拿了一枚新地……
In less than an hour, Lin Xuan had examined most of the contents, showing slight disappointment on his face.
duǎn duǎn yī zhù xiāng de gōng fu ， lín xuān jiù chá kàn le qí zhōng dì shí zhī **， liǎn shàng wēi lù shī wàng zhī sè 。
短短一炷香的功夫，林轩就查看了其中地十之**，脸上微露失望之色。
The items were indeed cultivation methods, but all ordinary ones. For a general condensation core cultivator, they might be useful, but for him, they weren't worth considering.
lǐ miàn què shí shì shōu jí dào de gōng fǎ ， kě quán dōu shì pǔ tōng huò sè ， duì yú yì bān de níng dān qī xiū shì ér yán ， huò xǔ hái yǒu kě yǐ jiè jiàn de dì fāng ， dàn jiù lín xuān de qíng kuàng ， gēn běn jiù bù rù tā de yǎn 。
里面确实是收集到的功法，可全都是普通货色，对于一般的凝丹期修士而言，或许还有可以借鉴的地方，但就林轩的情况，根本就不入他的眼。
Ying'er stood quietly beside him, neither speaking nor asking questions, her obedient demeanor earning Lin Xuan's silent approval.
lù yíng ér wén jìng de zhàn zài yī biān ， jì bù kāi kǒu ， yě bù xún wèn ， guāi qiǎo de yàng zi ràng lín xuān xīn zhōng àn zàn 。
陆盈儿文静的站在一边，既不开口，也不询问，乖巧的样子让林轩心中暗赞。
Having gained nothing from the jade cylinders, Lin Xuan turned his attention to other treasures. He wasn't a high-minded, fussy individual; no fool would leave a treasure trove empty-handed.
yù tǒng jiǎn méi yǒu shōu huò ， lín xuān yòu kàn xiàng qí tā bǎo wù ， tā bìng fēi shén me pǐn gé gāo shàng de yū fǔ zhī tú ， shǎ guā cái huì rù bǎo shān què kōng shǒu ér guī 。
玉筒简没有收获，林轩又看向其他宝物，他并非什么品格高尚的迂腐之徒，傻瓜才会入宝山却空手而归。
Besides the two needed materials, he took whatever else caught his eye without hesitation, stuffing them into his storage bracelet.
chú le xū yào de nà liǎng zhǒng cái liào ， qí tā de bǎo wù líng cǎo ， zhǐ yào shì kàn dé shàng de ， lín xuān dōu háo bù yóu yù de zhōng bǎo sī náng 。
除了需要的那两种材料，其他的宝物灵草，只要是看得上的，林轩都毫不犹豫的中饱私囊。
My domain, my rules. Even if True Immortal Tongyu had no idea how many treasures this branch sect had collected over these days, he'd have to accept it with a forced smile.
wǒ de dì pán wǒ zuò zhǔ ， xiāng xìn tōng yǔ zhēn rén yě jué bù zhī dào fēn tán zhè xiē shí rì yǐ lái jiū jìng shōu jí le duō shǎo bǎo wù ， jiù suàn xīn zhōng huái yí ， kě méi yǒu zhèng jù ， yě zhǐ néng niē zhe bí zi rèn le 。
我的地盘我做主，相信通羽真人也绝不知道分坛这些时日以来究竟收集了多少宝物，就算心中怀疑，可没有证据，也只能捏着鼻子认了。
So Lin Xuan took half of the 300,000 crystal stones piled in the corner without hesitation, leaving the rest for later.
yú shì nà duī fàng zài qiáng jiǎo de sān shí wàn jīng shí ， lín xuān háo bù yóu yù de èr tiān yī zuò wǔ ， xiān ná zǒu yí bàn zài shuō 。
于是那堆放在墙角的三十万晶石，林轩毫不犹豫的二添一做五，先拿走一半再说。
This action shocked Ying'er, who covered her mouth. Master really is...
zhè ge dòng zuò ràng lù yíng ér sǒng rán dòng róng ， shēn shǒu yǎn zhù xiǎo kǒu ， shào yé hái zhēn shì ……
这个动作让陆盈儿耸然动容，伸手掩住小口，少爷还真是……
Bold!
dǎn zi gòu dà de ！
胆子够大的！
Lin Xuan then found some pills, suitable for foundation establishment and condensation core stages, taking a third of them.
suí hòu lín xuān yòu zhǎo dào le yī xiē dān yào ， yǒu shì hé zhù jī qī de ， yǒu shì hé níng dān qī de ， lüè yī yóu yù ， zhè cì lín xuān ná zǒu le sān fēn zhī yī 。
随后林轩又找到了一些丹药，有适合筑基期的，有适合凝丹期的，略一犹豫，这次林轩拿走了三分之一。
The remaining were mostly foundation establishment stage materials; only one bottle with slightly weaker efficacy was left for the condensation core stage.
dàn shèng xià de dōu shì zhù jī qī ， níng dān qī de zhǐ liú xià le yī píng xiào lì xiāng duì jiào cì de ér yǐ 。
但剩下的都是筑基期，凝丹期的只留下了一瓶效力相对较次的而已。
Next, Lin Xuan picked out several rare items from the materials. Ordinary ingredients like jade mother copper were left untouched as he wasn't concerned about the sect's investigation or just didn't care.
suí hòu lín xuān yòu cóng cái liào zhōng tiāo zǒu le yī xiē zhēn xī zhī wù ， zhì yú pǔ tōng liàn zhì fǎ bǎo de yù mǔ tóng jīng zhī lèi de què shì yī yàng méi ná ， bú shì tā dān xīn mén pài zhuī chá ， ér shì kàn bù shàng 。
随后林轩又从材料中挑走了一些珍稀之物，至于普通炼制法宝的玉母铜精之类的却是一样没拿，不是他担心门派追查，而是看不上。
Lin Xuan extended his spiritual senses to cover every corner of the stone chamber, picking and choosing. As time passed, his expression grew increasingly grim.
lín xuān jiāng shén shí fàng chū ， fù gài le shí shì de měi yí gè jiǎo luò ， tiāo tiāo jiǎn jiǎn ， suí zhe shí jiān de tuī yí ， shōu huò yuè duō ， kě biǎo qíng què jiàn jiàn de yīn chén xià lái le 。
林轩将神识放出，覆盖了石室的每一个角落，挑挑拣拣，随着时间的推移，收获越多，可表情却渐渐的阴沉下来了。
"Ying'er."
“ yíng ér 。”
“盈儿。”
"What can I do for you, Master?" Ying'er approached quickly, lowering her head submissively.
“ shào yé yǒu hé fēn fù ？” lù yíng ér kuài bù zǒu le guò lái ， dī méi shùn mù 。
“少爷有何吩咐？”陆盈儿快步走了过来，低眉顺目。
"Is that all?" Lin Xuan had indeed found one material he needed, but there was still purple jade crystal missing.
“ zhǐ yǒu zhè xiē me ？” lín xuān gāng gāng què shí zhǎo dào le yī wèi zì jǐ xū yào de cái liào ， kě hái yǒu zǐ yù shuǐ jīng ， méi yǒu zhuó luò 。
“只有这些么？”林轩刚刚确实找到了一味自己需要的材料，可还有紫钰水晶，没有着落。
"There are some more, but..."
“ hái yǒu yī xiē ， kě ……”
“还有一些，可……”
"Why is that?" Lin Xuan frowned.
“ zěn me le ？” lín xuān méi tou yí zhòu 。
“怎么了？”林轩眉头一皱。
"I heard Uncle Li say there were other materials as well. But those items are specifically requested by the sect leader, so..." Ying'er's face showed difficulty. The treasures in this chamber could be taken freely, but these materials were personally managed by Elder Li Yuan.
“ xiǎo bì tīng lǐ shī shū shuō ， què shí hái yǒu yī xiē qí tā de cái liào ， bù guò nà xiē dōng xī ， shì zhǎng mén zhēn rén diǎn míng yào yào ， suǒ yǐ ……” lù yíng ér shuō dào zhè lǐ ， liǎn lù wéi nán zhī sè ， cǐ shí shì lǐ miàn de dōng xī ， shào yé kě yǐ suí yì ná qǔ ， kě nà xiē cái liào ， què shì lǐ yuán qīn zì bǎo guǎn de 。
“小婢听李师叔说，确实还有一些其他的材料，不过那些东西，是掌门真人点名要要，所以……”陆盈儿说到这里，脸露为难之色，此石室里面的东西，少爷可以随意拿取，可那些材料，却是李元亲自保管的。
"Oh!" Lin Xuan nodded, a strange expression appearing on his face.
"I'm doing this for the long-term."
"Long-term?" Moon儿 was taken aback, her pretty face still puzzled.
"Indeed. On the surface, it might seem best not to publicly reveal my relationship with the two girls. But have you considered that with my help, their cultivation will advance rapidly? And since they are not particularly gifted in spirit roots, it's inevitable that someone would notice them eventually. Those people would follow clues and find out about us sooner or later."
Moon儿 nodded. That made sense, but...
Before she could speak, Lin Xuan continued. "Better to declare this myself. After all, I'm just a registered disciple for outsiders, which is quite common for condensation core cultivators. No one really cares."
"That's true. It's better to be upfront rather than hiding it, and the truth or falsehood can actually ease concerns from those who might suspect something," Moon儿 smoothed her hair, agreeing with Lin Xuan.
"Besides, I'm also testing her this way!"
"Testing?"
"Yes, Ying'er is smart and cunning, but how capable she truly is, I've never seen. Managing a branch sect is the perfect test for her."
Moon儿's face showed thoughtful contemplation. Master really does think deeply about everything he does.
"All right. Any other questions?"
"No."
After resolving Moon儿's doubts, Lin Xuan stood up and walked out.
"Master!"
The cultivators along the way bowed respectfully, their expressions filled with reverence. Lin Xuan remained calm, neither worried nor happy, adding a touch of mystery to their eyes.
Soon, Lin Xuan arrived at a small valley covered in vines, located in the southwest corner of the branch sect, very secluded.
Many dense plants grew around the entrance, making it impossible to notice the narrow path that could only accommodate one person unless you looked closely.
As soon as Lin Xuan arrived, several spiritual senses swept over him but quickly vanished.
Lin Xuan nodded satisfactorily. Ying'er was in charge of the treasure vault, and the security measures were well set up.
He took out a sound transmission talisman from his pocket, ready to use it, when a slender and beautiful girl appeared beside him with a gentle bow: "Master."
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow. The girl seemed to know why he was dissatisfied, smiling lightly: "Master, I've instructed the guards to step down. We are alone here."
"Then so be it." Following Ying'er into the valley, they found the treasure stored by fallen sect members of Spirit Mountain after their retreat.
Most of the materials for the Nine Heavens Moon Ring had been collected, leaving only two auxiliary items that weren't particularly rare and could likely be found in the treasure vault.
Following the winding path for about a li, it seemed to end. A thick stone wall appeared before them.
Ying'er flipped her hand, revealing a silver-colored badge in her palm. With a slight wave of her fingers, white light shot out from the badge.
Instantly, spiritual light shone, and the stone wall became transparent, gently oscillating like water.
Ying'er smiled charmingly as she stepped inside without hesitation. Lin Xuan followed, vanishing into the wall.
The stone wall returned to its original form, but inside was a different world.
It was a large stone chamber with hundreds of feet in diameter, surrounded by night明珠s and fluorescent stones on the walls, emitting faint light that allowed Lin Xuan's keen eyesight to see everything clearly.
To the left were bookshelves made from earth-type techniques, holding nearly a hundred jade cylinders—certainly containing cultivation methods.
However, the surface of these cylinders flashed with purple light, indicating they had been sealed by experts. After all, this was sect property, and even managing cultivators couldn't use them without permission.
Lin Xuan wasn't bothered by this. As the sect's master, he had the right to do so.
Walking over, he casually picked up one of the cylinders, a faint green light flashing as he removed the seal. He then placed it on his forehead.
Soon, Lin Xuan withdrew his spiritual senses, putting down the unimpressed cylinder and picking another...
In less than an hour, Lin Xuan had examined most of the contents, showing slight disappointment on his face.
The items were indeed cultivation methods, but all ordinary ones. For a general condensation core cultivator, they might be useful, but for him, they weren't worth considering.
Ying'er stood quietly beside him, neither speaking nor asking questions, her obedient demeanor earning Lin Xuan's silent approval.
Having gained nothing from the jade cylinders, Lin Xuan turned his attention to other treasures. He wasn't a high-minded, fussy individual; no fool would leave a treasure trove empty-handed.
Besides the two needed materials, he took whatever else caught his eye without hesitation, stuffing them into his storage bracelet.
My domain, my rules. Even if True Immortal Tongyu had no idea how many treasures this branch sect had collected over these days, he'd have to accept it with a forced smile.
So Lin Xuan took half of the 300,000 crystal stones piled in the corner without hesitation, leaving the rest for later.
This action shocked Ying'er, who covered her mouth. Master really is...
Bold!
Lin Xuan then found some pills, suitable for foundation establishment and condensation core stages, taking a third of them.
The remaining were mostly foundation establishment stage materials; only one bottle with slightly weaker efficacy was left for the condensation core stage.
Next, Lin Xuan picked out several rare items from the materials. Ordinary ingredients like jade mother copper were left untouched as he wasn't concerned about the sect's investigation or just didn't care.
Lin Xuan extended his spiritual senses to cover every corner of the stone chamber, picking and choosing. As time passed, his expression grew increasingly grim.
"Ying'er."
"What can I do for you, Master?" Ying'er approached quickly, lowering her head submissively.
"Is that all?" Lin Xuan had indeed found one material he needed, but there was still purple jade crystal missing.
"There are some more, but..."
"Why is that?" Lin Xuan frowned.
"I heard Uncle Li say there were other materials as well. But those items are specifically requested by the sect leader, so..." Ying'er's face showed difficulty. The treasures in this chamber could be taken freely, but these materials were personally managed by Elder Li Yuan.
"Oh!" Lin Xuan nodded, a strange expression appearing on his face.