shí wèi guǐ wáng ， rú guǒ fàng zài yōu zhōu ， zì rán shì bù zhí yī tí ， dàn duì mán yǎn zhōu ér yán ， què shì bù kě xiǎng xiàng de qiáng dà shí lì 。
十位鬼王，如果放在幽州，自然是不值一提，但对蛮兖州而言，却是不可想象的强大实力。
Ten Ghost Kings. If placed in Youzhou, they would naturally be insignificant, but to the barbarian Yanzhou, their strength was unimaginably formidable.
héng sǎo méi yǒu wèn tí ， jiù suàn jiāng yǎn zhōu suǒ yǒu de zōng mén jiā zú còu zài yì qǐ ， yě méi yǒu wǔ shí wèi níng dān qī xiū shì 。
横扫没有问题，就算将兖州所有的宗门家族凑在一起，也没有五十位凝丹期修士。
Scouring was not an issue; even if all the sects and families of Yanzhou were gathered together, there wouldn't be fifty Core Formation Stage cultivators.
hé kuàng chú le guǐ wáng ， hái yǒu shù yǐ qiān jì de dī jiē yīn hún ， yǎn zhōu de xiū xiān zhě jī hū shì yī chù jí kuì ， bù zú qī tiān ， jiù quán jìng lún xiàn 。
何况除了鬼王，还有数以千计的低阶阴魂，兖州的修仙者几乎是一触即溃，不足七天，就全境沦陷。
Moreover, besides the Ghost Kings, there were thousands of lower-grade yin souls. The cultivators in Yanzhou almost collapsed at the slightest touch, and within seven days, the entire region fell.
hào jié xí lái ， shēng líng tú tàn ， yǎn zhōu de fán rén bèi tú chuō dài jìn ， xiū xiān jiè de gè zōng mén jiā zú ， yě sǔn shī le dà pī zhàn lì 。
浩劫袭来，生灵涂炭，兖州的凡人被屠戳殆尽，修仙界的各宗门家族，也损失了大批战力。
The calamity came, causing countless deaths. The common people of Yanzhou were nearly exterminated, and major sects and families in the cultivation world suffered significant losses as well.
jiàn shì bù kě wèi ， xiū xiān zhě men bù zài yìng pīn ， xuǎn zé bǎo cún shí lì ， yǐ tú dōng shān zài qǐ 。
见事不可为，修仙者们不再硬拼，选择保存实力，以图东山再起。
Seeing that things couldn't be salvaged, cultivators no longer engaged in a head-on battle but chose to preserve their strength for future revival.
rán ér yǎn zhōu xiǎn rán yǐ bú shì hé jì xù shēng cún xià qù ， jīng guò tòng kǔ de sī liáng ， tā men zhǐ néng bèi jǐng lí xiāng ， jiāng zhěng gè mén pài jiā zú ， qiān wǎng yōu zhōu zàn bì 。
然而兖州显然已不适合继续生存下去，经过痛苦的思量，他们只能背井离乡，将整个门派家族，迁往幽州暂避。
However, it was clear that Yanzhou could no longer sustain life. After much painful deliberation, they had to leave their homeland and relocate the entire sect and family to Youzhou as temporary refuge.
“ yuán lái rú cǐ 。” lín xuān diǎn diǎn tóu ， xǔ jiā suī rán shuō dé jiǎn duǎn ， dàn qí zhōng jīng lì le duō shǎo xuè lèi yǔ è zhàn ， tā què néng gòu qīng yì de xiǎng xiàng chū lái 。
“原来如此。”林轩点点头，许佳虽然说得简短，但其中经历了多少血泪与恶战，他却能够轻易的想象出来。
"Indeed." Lin Xuan nodded. Although Xu Jia's words were brief, he could easily imagine the bloodshed and bitter battles she endured.
rú jīn yīn hún yǐ jīng dà jǔ jìn gōng ， kě xiū xiān jiè de gè dà shì lì yī rán méi néng hěn hǎo de zhěng hé ， qián tú rú hé ， hái shì liǎng shuō 。
如今阴魂已经大举进攻，可修仙界的各大势力依然没能很好的整合，前途如何，还是两说。
With yin souls now launching a major assault, yet the cultivation world's major forces still hadn't integrated well, their future was uncertain.
lín xuān mò rán ， bù guò hěn kuài jiù huī fù le guò lái ， huà tí yī zhuǎn ：“ xǔ gū niáng ， bù zhī guì mén de qín yán qín dào yǒu xiàn zài rú hé ？”
林轩默然，不过很快就恢复了过来，话题一转：“许姑娘，不知贵门的秦妍秦道友现在如何？”
Lin Xuan remained silent but quickly recovered his composure as he changed the subject. "Miss Xu, how is your fellow daoist Qin Yan doing at your sect?"
liǎng rén céng zài xī yuè jiàn shēng sǐ yǔ gòng ， duì yú zhè wèi yún zhōng xiān zi ， lín xuān hái shì yǒu jǐ fēn guà huái de 。
两人曾在溪跃涧生死与共，对于这位云中仙子，林轩还是有几分挂怀的。
He and Xu Yan had shared life-or-death moments in Xiyue Gou, and Lin Xuan still harbored some concern for her.
“ qián bèi shuō qín shī jiě ？” xǔ jiā yī dāi ， biǎo qíng yǒu xiē gǔ guài ， tōu tōu de kàn le lín xuān yī yǎn ， piāo yún gǔ de shí lì ， fàng zài yōu zhōu bù zhí yī tí ， dàn qín yán què jué duì shì qiān nián nán yù de qí cái ， ér qiě mào měi rú huā ， fēng huá jué dài 。
“前辈说秦师姐？”许佳一呆，表情有些古怪，偷偷的看了林轩一眼，飘云谷的实力，放在幽州不值一提，但秦妍却绝对是千年难遇的奇才，而且貌美如花，风华绝代。
"Senior, you're asking about Senior Sister Qin?" Xu Jia was taken aback. Her expression was somewhat odd as she secretly glanced at Lin Xuan. The strength of Drifting Cloud Valley might be insignificant in Youzhou, but Qin Yan was undoubtedly a rare genius and exceptionally beautiful.
bié shuō běn mén dì zǐ ， dāng nián zài yǎn zhōu ， yǎng mù tā de nán xiū shì ， bù zhǐ fán jǐ ， lín xuān chū shēng piāo yún gǔ ， nán dào yě shì qín shī jiě de chóng bài zhě zhī yī ？
别说本门弟子，当年在兖州，仰慕她的男修士，不止凡几，林轩出生飘云谷，难道也是秦师姐的崇拜者之一？
Not only did many male cultivators admire her back in Yanzhou, but even Lin Xuan, born into Drifting Cloud Valley, could have been one of her admirers?
xiǎng dào zhè lǐ ， xǔ jiā tàn le kǒu qì ， yì fāng miàn ， shì duì qín yán lüè yǒu xiē jí dù ， ér lìng wài yì fāng miàn ， zé shì zài tóng qíng zhè wèi lín qián bèi le 。
想到这里，许佳叹了口气，一方面，是对秦妍略有些嫉妒，而另外一方面，则是在同情这位林前辈了。
Thinking this, Xu Jia sighed. On one hand, she felt a touch of jealousy for Qin Yan; on the other, she pitied Senior Lin.
qín shī jiě měi zé měi yì ， kě xī què lěng ruò hán bīng ， cóng bù duì yì xìng jiā yǐ cí sè ， zhè wèi ruò shì yǒu yì ， kǒng pà yě shì yī cháng dān xiāng sī 。
秦师姐美则美亦，可惜却冷若寒冰，从不对异性加以辞色，这位若是有意，恐怕也是一场单相思。
Qin Yan was indeed beautiful, but unfortunately, she was as cold as ice and never showed any favor to men. If he had feelings for her, it would likely be a one-sided love.
dāng rán ， zhè xiē huà tā yě jiù xīn zhōng xiǎng xiǎng ， jué bù gǎn zài zuǐ shàng tòu lù fēn háo 。
当然，这些话她也就心中想想，绝不敢在嘴上透露分毫。
Of course, these thoughts remained in her mind, and she wouldn't dare reveal them verbally.
ruò shì rě dé lín xuān bù kuài ， zì jǐ qǐ bù shì zì zhǎo má fán ， lüè lüè zhěng lǐ le yī xià sī xù ， xǔ jiā xiǎo xīn yì yì de zhēn zì zhuó jù ：
若是惹得林轩不快，自己岂不是自找麻烦，略略整理了一下思绪，许佳小心翼翼的斟字酌句：
If she offended Lin Xuan, she would only bring trouble upon herself. After sorting through her thoughts, Xu Jia carefully chose her words:
“ qín shī jiě yī qiè ān hǎo ， rú jīn zhèng zài bì guān ， zhǔn bèi níng jié jīn 。
“秦师姐一切安好，如今正在闭关，准备凝结金。
"Senior Sister Qin is well. She's currently in seclusion, preparing to condense her golden core."
“ ó ， zhè me kuài ？”
“哦，这么快？”
"Oh, so quickly?"
lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī yà rán ， qín yán yǔ tā yī tóng rù mén ， xiū xiān bù guò wǔ shí yú zài ， zhè me duǎn de shí jiān ， jiù suàn shì tiān zòng zhī zī ， shèng líng gēn de xiū shì ， yì bān lái shuō ， yě zuì duō zhù jī hòu qī 。
林轩脸上露出一丝讶然，秦妍与他一同入门，修仙不过五十余载，这么短的时间，就算是天纵之资，圣灵根的修士，一般来说，也最多筑基后期。
Lin Xuan's face showed a hint of surprise. Qin Yan had entered the sect with him and had been cultivating for over fifty years. In such a short time, even with exceptional talent and spiritual roots, most cultivators would only reach late Foundation Establishment.
xǔ jiā tīng le zhè huà ， liǎn shàng bù yóu de lù chū yī sī guài yì ， zài yù jiàn lín xuān yǐ qián ， tā yě duì qín yán pèi fú dé wǔ tǐ tóu dì ， tóng shí rù mén de dì zǐ ， zì jǐ yě suàn yǒu bù cuò dì zī zhì ， yě cái gāng gāng zhù jī chéng gōng ér yǐ ， qín yán zú zú kuài le yí gè jìng jiè 。
许佳听了这话，脸上不由得露出一丝怪异，在遇见林轩以前，她也对秦妍佩服得五体投地，同时入门的弟子，自己也算有不错地资质，也才刚刚筑基成功而已，秦妍足足快了一个境界。
Xu Jia couldn't help but feel a bit strange when she heard this. Before meeting Lin Xuan, she had admired Qin Yan immensely. Among the disciples who entered together, her own资质 weren't bad, yet she had just successfully established her foundation, while Qin Yan was already an entire stage ahead.
ér qiě jù zhǎng mén zhēn rén suǒ yán ， bié rén níng dān huò xǔ hěn nán ， dàn qín yán què bú huì yǒu shén me wèn tí ， zhì shǎo yǒu jiǔ chéng de bǎ wò 。
而且据掌门真人所言，别人凝丹或许很难，但秦妍却不会有什么问题，至少有九成的把握。
Moreover, according to the Immortal True Monarch's words, others might find condensing their core challenging, but Qin Yan would have at least a ninety percent chance of success.
yuán běn yǐ wéi tā jiù shì zuì nì tiān de qí nǚ zǐ le ， kě yǎn qián zhè ge ……
原本以为她就是最逆天的奇女子了，可眼前这个……
She originally thought she was the most extraordinary woman, but this...
lín xuān zì rán zhī dào duì fāng zài xiǎng shén me ， zì jǐ dì qíng kuàng bù tóng ， yǒu rú jīn dì xiū wèi ， chú le qín fèn ， hái yǒu wú shù de dān yào zuò zhù tuī ， ér qín yán zé shì yǐ kào běn shēn de tiān fèn yǔ hàn shuǐ 。
林轩自然知道对方在想什么，自己地情况不同，有如今地修为，除了勤奋，还有无数的丹药做助推，而秦妍则是倚靠本身的天份与汗水。
Lin Xuan knew what she was thinking. His situation was different; with his current cultivation and countless pills as support, while Qin Yan relied solely on her innate talent and hard work.
dāng rán ， lín xuān bú huì xiàng duì fāng jiě shì shén me ， yóu tā qù cāi cè hǎo le 。
当然，林轩不会像对方解释什么，由她去猜测好了。
Of course, Lin Xuan didn't need to explain anything to her. Let her guess.
xǔ jiā mǎn fù dòu ， kě xī què bù gǎn hú luàn kāi kǒu 。
许佳满腹窦，可惜却不敢胡乱开口。
Xu Jia had many thoughts but dared not speak freely.
suí hòu ， lín xuān yòu wèn le yī xiē piāo yún gǔ xiàn zài de qíng jǐng ， duì fāng dào yě méi yǒu yǐn mán fēn háo ， míng xiǎn liú lù chū yī sī tǎo hǎo 。
随后，林轩又问了一些飘云谷现在的情景，对方倒也没有隐瞒分毫，明显流露出一丝讨好。
Lin Xuan then asked about the current situation in Drifting Cloud Valley. Xu Jia revealed nothing, clearly showing a desire for favor.
jí biàn shì zhǎng mén zhēn rén de shén tōng yǔ zhè wèi lín qián bèi xiāng bǐ ， yě yào xùn sè yī chóu ， rú guǒ néng gòu dé dào tā de qīng yǎn ， zì rán shì yǒu shù zhī bù jìn de hǎo chù 。
即便是掌门真人的神通与这位林前辈相比，也要逊色一筹，如果能够得到他的青眼，自然是有数之不尽的好处。
Even though the Immortal True Monarch's abilities were inferior to Lin Xuan's, she still hoped he would show her some favor. There would be countless benefits if she could gain his approval.
duì fāng dì yì tú ， lín xuān xīn zhōng yì qīng èr chǔ ， kě xī bàn diǎn xìng qù yě wú 。
对方地意图，林轩心中一清二楚，可惜半点兴趣也无。
Lin Xuan understood her intentions but showed no interest.
bìng bù diǎn pò ， lì yòng duì fāng xiǎng yào xiàn mèi de xīn lǐ ， qīng ér yì jǔ de tào chū le zì jǐ xiǎng yào de qíng bào 。
并不点破，利用对方想要献媚的心理，轻而易举的套出了自己想要的情报。
He didn't reveal anything and easily extracted the information he wanted by exploiting her desire for flattery.
“ xiè xiè gū niáng wèi wǒ jiě huò 。” lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī mǎn yì zhī sè 。
“谢谢姑娘为我解惑。”林轩脸上露出一丝满意之色。
"Thank you, Miss Xu, for your enlightenment." Lin Xuan's face showed satisfaction.
“ qián bèi kè qì le ， ruò fēi nín dà zhǎn shén wēi ， xiǎo nǚ zǐ zǎo yǐ xiāng xiāo yù yǔn ， néng gòu shāo shāo bào dá qián bèi ， nǎi shì qiè shēn de běn fèn 。” xǔ jiā shí fēn guāi qiǎo ， yì chēn yì xǐ dì dào 。
“前辈客气了，若非您大展神威，小女子早已香消玉殒，能够稍稍报答前辈，乃是妾身的本分。”许佳十分乖巧，亦嗔亦喜地道。
"You're welcome, Senior. If not for your prowess today, I would have perished long ago. Being able to repay you is my duty," Xu Jia replied obediently, a mix of anger and joy in her voice.
suí hòu lüè yī chí ， liǎn dài hóng yùn de kāi kǒu le ：“ bù zhī qián bèi hái yǒu shì me ， bù lùn shén me fēn fù ， xiǎo nǚ zǐ yí dìng jìn lì qù zuò 。
随后略一迟，脸带红晕的开口了：“不知前辈还有事么，不论什么吩咐，小女子一定尽力去做。
After a slight pause, she added, "Senior, do you need anything else? Whatever you command, I will certainly try my best."
“ shì me ？” lín xuān yǎn zhōng yǐn xiàn jī cháo zhī sè 。
“是么？”林轩眼中隐现讥嘲之色。
"Is that so?" Lin Xuan's eyes flashed with irony.
suī rán zǎo jiù tīng shuō yī xiē zī zhì bìng bù chū zhòng de nǚ xiū ， wèi le néng gòu zài xiān tú shàng gèng jìn yī bù ， bù xī xī shēng sè xiàng ， yǐn yòu gāo jiē xiū shì ， yǐ tú duì fāng néng gòu duō jiā zhào gù ， méi xiǎng dào zì jǐ dào zhēn de yù shàng le 。
虽然早就听说一些资质并不出众的女修，为了能够在仙途上更近一步，不惜牺牲色相，引诱高阶修士，以图对方能够多加照顾，没想到自己倒真的遇上了。
Though he had heard about some female cultivators sacrificing their beauty to attract high-ranking cultivators for better prospects, he never expected it would happen to him.
lín xuān bìng méi yǒu yīn cǐ kàn qīng duì fāng ， xiū xiān jiè xiàng lái rú cǐ ， hé kuàng rú jīn gèng shì hào jié yǐ zhì ， xǔ jiā xiǎng yào zhǎo gè kào shān ， zhè zhǒng xiǎng fǎ méi yǒu shén me zhí de xiū chǐ 。
林轩并没有因此看轻对方，修仙界向来如此，何况如今更是浩劫已至，许佳想要找个靠山，这种想法没有什么值得羞耻。
Lin Xuan didn't look down on her. The cultivation world was like this, and with the calamity at hand, St. Jia's desire for a protector wasn't shameful.
kě xī shén nǚ yǒu yì ， xiāng wáng wú xīn ， lín xuān bìng bù dǎ suàn lǐng tā de qíng ， cǐ nǚ bù lùn zī zhì ， tóu nǎo dōu bù guò yì bān ér yǐ ， shèn zhì yuǎn yuǎn wú fǎ hé liú xīn lù yíng ér xiāng bǐ ， jiù suàn jiāng tā shōu zuò nú bì ， duì zì jǐ de xiū xíng yě méi yǒu shén me zhù yì 。
可惜神女有意，襄王无心，林轩并不打算领她的情，此女不论资质，头脑都不过一般而已，甚至远远无法和刘芯陆盈儿相比，就算将她收做奴婢，对自己的修行也没有什么助益。
Unfortunately, even if the goddess had intentions, Lin Xuan wasn't interested in accepting them. This girl's talent and intelligence were merely average, far inferior to Liu Xin or Lu Ying'er. Even as her servant, she wouldn't be of much help to his cultivation.
“ xǔ gū niáng wú xū duō lǐ ， lín xuān què shí yǒu yī shì xū yào dào yǒu xié zhù 。”
“许姑娘无需多礼，林轩确实有一事需要道友协助。”
"Miss Xu, no need for such formalities. I do have one matter that requires your assistance."
“ shén me ？” xǔ jiā lù chū shí fēn kāi xīn de shén sè 。
“什么？”许佳露出十分开心的神色。
"What?" Xu Jia looked very happy.
“ jiāng jīn tiān de shì qíng wàng le 。”
“将今天的事情忘了。”
"Forget today's events."
lín xuān shuō dào zhè lǐ ， qū zhǐ yī dàn ， yī dào xì ruò yóu sī de jiàn máng cóng zhǐ jiān fēi shè chū lái 。
林轩说到这里，屈指一弹，一道细若游丝的剑芒从指尖飞射出来。
Lin Xuan then flicked his fingers, sending a thin sword beam flying out from his fingertips.
xǔ jiā dà chī yī jīng ， huā róng shī sè ：“ qián bèi ， nǐ ……”
许佳大吃一惊，花容失色：“前辈，你……”
Xu Jia was shocked and her face pale: "Senior, you..."
kě xī zhè me jìn de jù lí ， tā nǎ yǒu duǒ shǎn dì yú dì ， jiàn máng mò rù le méi xīn ， fān shēn jiù dào 。
可惜这么近的距离，她哪有躲闪地余地，剑芒没入了眉心，翻身就倒。
She had no time to dodge. The sword beam pierced her brow, causing her to fall.
lín xuān shēn chū shǒu lái ， fú zhù tā de jiāo qū ， kàn zhe huái zhōng zhè wèi róng yán xiù lì dì shào nǚ ， qīng qīng tàn le kǒu qì ， zì jǐ dào dǐ yìng bù qǐ xīn cháng ， là shǒu cuī huā 。
林轩伸出手来，扶住她的娇躯，看着怀中这位容颜秀丽地少女，轻轻叹了口气，自己到底硬不起心肠，辣手摧花。
Lin Xuan reached out and supported her body. Looking at the beautiful girl in his arms, he sighed softly. He couldn't bear to be so ruthless; he had to erase today's memory from her mind.
wéi yǒu shī zhǎn yī xiē shén tōng ， mǒ qù duì fāng jīn tiān de jì yì 。
唯有施展一些神通，抹去对方今天的记忆。
He didn't fear exposure but preferred to remain hidden and maintain control.
dào bìng fēi hài pà zì jǐ shēn fèn bào lù ， zhǐ shì jué de yǐn shēn àn chù ， zhǎng wò zhǔ dòng ， zǒng shì hǎo dì 。
倒并非害怕自己身份暴露，只是觉得隐身暗处，掌握主动，总是好地。
Lin Xuan helped her lie down on the grass, then sat cross-legged, took a deep breath, and began using the Forgetfulness Technique.
lín xuān fú zhe tā ， jiāng xǔ jiā píng fàng yú cǎo dì zhī shàng ， rán hòu pán xī zuò xià ， xī le kǒu qì ， kāi shǐ shī zhǎn wàng yōu jué 。
林轩扶着她，将许佳平放于草地之上，然后盘膝坐下，吸了口气，开始施展忘忧诀。
The Forgetfulness Technique was similar to Soul Searching, both belonging to the demonic arts. Unlike the latter's brute force, this technique didn't damage one's mind; with careful application, he could erase her memories of today without causing harm.
wàng yōu jué yǔ sōu hún ** yī yàng ， dōu shǔ yú mó dào shén tōng ， zhǐ bù guò yǔ hòu zhě de bà dào bù tóng ， wàng yōu jué bú huì pò huài duì fāng dì shén zhì ， zhǐ yào xiǎo xīn yī xiē ， jiù kě yǐ wán hǎo wú sǔn de jiāng duì fāng jīn tiān de jì yì mǒ qù 。
忘忧诀与搜魂**一样，都属于魔道神通，只不过与后者的霸道不同，忘忧诀不会破坏对方地神智，只要小心一些，就可以完好无损的将对方今天的记忆抹去。
However, the caster needed to be significantly more powerful than the target.
dāng rán ， yǒu yí gè qián tí ， shī shù zhě bù lùn xiū wèi shén shí ， dōu yào yuǎn zài bèi shī shù zhě zhī shàng 。
当然，有一个前提，施术者不论修为神识，都要远在被施术者之上。
Lin Xuan had no problem meeting that condition.
zhè yì diǎn ， lín xuān zì rán shì méi yǒu wèn tí 。
这一点，林轩自然是没有问题。
After half a stick of incense, he successfully erased her memory. After some hesitation, Lin Xuan took out a small bag from his pocket containing several hundred crystals. They met for a reason; she answered many questions, and a few crystals would serve as compensation.
bàn zhù xiāng yǐ hòu ， jiù chéng gōng mǒ qù le duì fāng de jì yì ， lín xuān lüè yī chóu chú ， cóng huái zhōng qǔ chū yí gè xiǎo kǒu dài ， lǐ miàn zhuāng yǒu jǐ bǎi jīng shí ， xiāng féng jí shì yǒu yuán ， bù guǎn rú hé ， cǐ nǚ yě suàn jiě dá le zì jǐ bù shǎo wèn tí ， xiē xǔ jīng shí ， jiù dàng zuò shì bào chóu hǎo le 。
半炷香以后，就成功抹去了对方的记忆，林轩略一踌躇，从怀中取出一个小口袋，里面装有几百晶石，相逢即是有缘，不管如何，此女也算解答了自己不少问题，些许晶石，就当做是报酬好了。
He then cast another green spell to break the seal. Soon, Xu Jia would wake up. Lin Xuan flashed away, vanishing into the distance.
Ten Ghost Kings. If placed in Youzhou, they would naturally be insignificant, but to the barbarian Yanzhou, their strength was unimaginably formidable.
Scouring was not an issue; even if all the sects and families of Yanzhou were gathered together, there wouldn't be fifty Core Formation Stage cultivators.
Moreover, besides the Ghost Kings, there were thousands of lower-grade yin souls. The cultivators in Yanzhou almost collapsed at the slightest touch, and within seven days, the entire region fell.
The calamity came, causing countless deaths. The common people of Yanzhou were nearly exterminated, and major sects and families in the cultivation world suffered significant losses as well.
Seeing that things couldn't be salvaged, cultivators no longer engaged in a head-on battle but chose to preserve their strength for future revival.
However, it was clear that Yanzhou could no longer sustain life. After much painful deliberation, they had to leave their homeland and relocate the entire sect and family to Youzhou as temporary refuge.
"Indeed." Lin Xuan nodded. Although Xu Jia's words were brief, he could easily imagine the bloodshed and bitter battles she endured.
With yin souls now launching a major assault, yet the cultivation world's major forces still hadn't integrated well, their future was uncertain.
Lin Xuan remained silent but quickly recovered his composure as he changed the subject. "Miss Xu, how is your fellow daoist Qin Yan doing at your sect?"
He and Xu Yan had shared life-or-death moments in Xiyue Gou, and Lin Xuan still harbored some concern for her.
"Senior, you're asking about Senior Sister Qin?" Xu Jia was taken aback. Her expression was somewhat odd as she secretly glanced at Lin Xuan. The strength of Drifting Cloud Valley might be insignificant in Youzhou, but Qin Yan was undoubtedly a rare genius and exceptionally beautiful.
Not only did many male cultivators admire her back in Yanzhou, but even Lin Xuan, born into Drifting Cloud Valley, could have been one of her admirers?
Thinking this, Xu Jia sighed. On one hand, she felt a touch of jealousy for Qin Yan; on the other, she pitied Senior Lin.
Qin Yan was indeed beautiful, but unfortunately, she was as cold as ice and never showed any favor to men. If he had feelings for her, it would likely be a one-sided love.
Of course, these thoughts remained in her mind, and she wouldn't dare reveal them verbally.
If she offended Lin Xuan, she would only bring trouble upon herself. After sorting through her thoughts, Xu Jia carefully chose her words:
"Senior Sister Qin is well. She's currently in seclusion, preparing to condense her golden core."
"Oh, so quickly?"
Lin Xuan's face showed a hint of surprise. Qin Yan had entered the sect with him and had been cultivating for over fifty years. In such a short time, even with exceptional talent and spiritual roots, most cultivators would only reach late Foundation Establishment.
"Quickly?"
Xu Jia couldn't help but feel a bit strange when she heard this. Before meeting Lin Xuan, she had admired Qin Yan immensely. Among the disciples who entered together, her own资质 weren't bad, yet she had just successfully established her foundation, while Qin Yan was already an entire stage ahead.
Moreover, according to the Immortal True Monarch's words, others might find condensing their core challenging, but Qin Yan would have at least a ninety percent chance of success.
She originally thought she was the most extraordinary woman, but this...
Lin Xuan knew what she was thinking. His situation was different; with his current cultivation and countless pills as support, while Qin Yan relied solely on her innate talent and hard work.
Of course, Lin Xuan didn't need to explain anything to her. Let her guess.
Xu Jia had many thoughts but dared not speak freely.
Lin Xuan then asked about the current situation in Drifting Cloud Valley. Xu Jia revealed nothing, clearly showing a desire for favor.
Even though the Immortal True Monarch's abilities were inferior to Lin Xuan's, she still hoped he would show her some favor. There would be countless benefits if she could gain his approval.
Lin Xuan understood her intentions but showed no interest.
He didn't reveal anything and easily extracted the information he wanted by exploiting her desire for flattery.
"Thank you, Miss Xu, for your enlightenment." Lin Xuan's face showed satisfaction.
"You're welcome, Senior. If not for your prowess today, I would have perished long ago. Being able to repay you is my duty," Xu Jia replied obediently, a mix of anger and joy in her voice.
After a slight pause, she added, "Senior, do you need anything else? Whatever you command, I will certainly try my best."
"Is that so?" Lin Xuan's eyes flashed with irony.
Though he had heard about some female cultivators sacrificing their beauty to attract high-ranking cultivators for better prospects, he never expected it would happen to him.
Lin Xuan didn't look down on her. The cultivation world was like this, and with the calamity at hand, St. Jia's desire for a protector wasn't shameful.
Unfortunately, even if the goddess had intentions, Lin Xuan wasn't interested in accepting them. This girl's talent and intelligence were merely average, far inferior to Liu Xin or Lu Ying'er. Even as her servant, she wouldn't be of much help to his cultivation.
"Miss Xu, no need for such formalities. I do have one matter that requires your assistance."
"What?" Xu Jia looked very happy.
"Forget today's events."
Lin Xuan then flicked his fingers, sending a thin sword beam flying out from his fingertips.
Xu Jia was shocked and her face pale: "Senior, you..."
She had no time to dodge. The sword beam pierced her brow, causing her to fall.
Lin Xuan reached out and supported her body. Looking at the beautiful girl in his arms, he sighed softly. He couldn't bear to be so ruthless; he had to erase today's memory from her mind.
He didn't fear exposure but preferred to remain hidden and maintain control.
Lin Xuan helped her lie down on the grass, then sat cross-legged, took a deep breath, and began using the Forgetfulness Technique.
The Forgetfulness Technique was similar to Soul Searching, both belonging to the demonic arts. Unlike the latter's brute force, this technique didn't damage one's mind; with careful application, he could erase her memories of today without causing harm.
However, the caster needed to be significantly more powerful than the target.
Lin Xuan had no problem meeting that condition.
After half a stick of incense, he successfully erased her memory. After some hesitation, Lin Xuan took out a small bag from his pocket containing several hundred crystals. They met for a reason; she answered many questions, and a few crystals would serve as compensation.
He then cast another green spell to break the seal. Soon, Xu Jia would wake up. Lin Xuan flashed away, vanishing into the distance.