xiān kè lái ！
仙客来！
Guest of Immortals!
kàn zhe zhè jiān chá lóu de míng zì ， lín xuān bù yóu de yī zhèn wú yǔ 。
看着这间茶楼的名字，林轩不由的一阵无语。
Looking at the name of this tea house, Lin Xuan couldn't help feeling speechless.
hái zhēn shì wú qiǎo bù chéng shū ， tā jì de dāng chū yōu zhōu mǒu zuò fāng shì zhōng de chá lóu ， tóng yàng shì jiào zhè ge míng zì ， ér nà shí
还真是无巧不成书，他记得当初幽州某座坊市中的茶楼，同样是叫这个名字，而那时
Indeed, it was no coincidence. He remembered a tea house in a certain坊市in Youzhou that bore the same name back then, and he had been just a small Foundation Establishment cultivator at that time.
hòu ， zì jǐ hái shì yī míng xiǎo xiǎo de zhù jī xiū shì 。
候，自己还是一名小小的筑基修士。
Now, after a century had passed, his cultivation had greatly improved. Seeing this tea house with the same name in a different place, Lin Xuan couldn't help feeling a sense of change over the years.
rú jīn bǎi nián guò qù ， tā de xiū wèi zǎo yǐ jīn fēi xī bǐ ， zài yì dì kàn jiàn zhè zuò tóng yàng míng zì de chá lóu ， xīn zhōng bù yóu
如今百年过去，他的修为早已今非昔比，在异地看见这座同样名字的茶楼，心中不由
Of course, Lin Xuan was not easily moved by such thoughts. He quickly relaxed and walked into the establishment with a calm expression.
de shēng chū cāng hǎi sāng tián de gǎn kǎi lái le 。
的生出沧海桑田的感慨来了。
Indeed, the business here was thriving.
dāng rán ， lín xuān xīn zhì jiān rèn ， zì rán bú shì shén me duō chóu shàn gǎn zhī rén ， hěn kuài jiù biǎo qíng yī sōng ， mǎn liǎn tǎn rán de zǒu
当然，林轩心智坚韧，自然不是什么多愁善感之人，很快就表情一松，满脸坦然的走
Lin Xuan didn’t know that nearby there was a type of spirit tea that, while it could only satisfy one’s palate for high-ranking cultivators, had some Essence Cleansing effects on lower-ranked cultivators.
rù qí zhōng 。
入其中。
Thus, it was well-known and many far-traveling cultivators would taste it. The building was only two stories tall but naturally had private rooms. However, as Lin Xuan was disguised as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he didn’t have the qualifications to enter.
hái bié shuō ， shēng yì zhēn de bù cuò 。
还别说，生意真的不错。
He wasn’t bothered by this. Such tea houses were often in public places where one could easily gather useful information.
lín xuān zì rán bù zhī dào ， zhè fù jìn shèng chǎn yī zhǒng líng chá ， duì yú gāo jiē xiū shì lái shuō ， suī rán yě jiù bǎo bǎo kǒu fú ， dàn
林轩自然不知道，这附近盛产一种灵茶，对于高阶修士来说，虽然也就饱饱口福，但
Although the business was busy, the service was very attentive. As soon as Lin Xuan entered, a young man who looked like an apprentice greeted him with a smile.
duì yú dī jiē xiū xiān zhě ， què yě yǒu yí dìng de yì jīng xǐ suǐ xiào guǒ 。
对于低阶修仙者，却也有一定的易经洗髓效果。
Lin Xuan’s divine sense swept over and found no trace of magical power on this person; he was just an ordinary mortal. Lin Xuan didn’t show any surprise, for many sects in the Cloud Sea Immortal World valued the world and had many mortals working hard for them.
yě suàn shēng míng yuǎn bō ， gù ér chá zī suī rán bù fēi ， dàn yuǎn dào ér lái de xiū shì ， dà duō dū huì pǐn cháng yī èr 。
也算声名远播，故而茶资虽然不菲，但远道而来的修士，大多都会品尝一二。
Although Liyang Sect had a vast influence, it also belonged to such types.
jiàn zhù suī rán zhǐ yǒu liǎng céng ， dàn zì rán shè yǒu yǎ jiān xiǎo zuò ， bù guò lín xuān rú jīn wěi zhuāng chéng zhù jī xiū shì ， kě méi yǒu zī
建筑虽然只有两层，但自然设有雅间小座，不过林轩如今伪装成筑基修士，可没有资
"Immortal Master, please follow me."
gé jìn rù qí zhōng 。
格进入其中。
"Nod." Lin Xuan nodded and sat down at a window-facing seat. He chose this spot because he overheard several people discussing topics related to the Liyang Sect.
tā yě bù zài hū zhè ge ， xiàng zhè zhǒng chá lóu ， wǎng wǎng shì dà tíng guǎng zhòng ， gèng róng yì dǎ tīng dào yī xiē yǒu yòng xiāo xī de 。
他也不在乎这个，像这种茶楼，往往是大庭广众，更容易打听到一些有用消息的。
"Ahh, Brother Ma, you came just a bit late. The ten-yearly reception conference of the Liyang Sect has already ended three days ago. Your friend probably missed his chance," said a muscular cultivator with a sigh, his face filled with sympathy and regret.
chá lóu shēng yì suī rán fán máng ， dàn fú wù què shí fēn zhōu dào ， lín xuān yī shàng lái ， lì kè jiù yǒu yī míng xiǎo èr mú yàng de nián qīng
茶楼生意虽然繁忙，但服务却十分周到，林轩一上来，立刻就有一名小二模样的年轻
"Brother Cumei, I was late this time due to unforeseen circumstances on my journey. My second uncle is an outer hall official of the Liyang Sect. Can you ask him for some advice?" The young man next to the muscular one looked like a scholar, dressed in white, appearing quite refined.
rén ， wēi xiào zhe yíng shàng lái le 。
人，微笑着迎上来了。
As he spoke, he handed over a small package: "These five hundred crystal stones are not meant as a gift, but I hope you won’t mind."
lín xuān shén shí yī sǎo ， cǐ rén shēn shàng méi yǒu bàn diǎn fǎ lì bō dòng ， nǎi shì yī pǔ tōng de fán rén le 。 lín xuān bìng méi yǒu liú lù
林轩神识一扫，此人身上没有半点法力波动，乃是一普通的凡人了。林轩并没有流露
The muscular man’s eyes flashed with greed. But then, as if remembering something, he shook his head. "Brother Ma, we have known each other for so long. If I can help, I wouldn’t hesitate, but the reception conference has already ended. Even my second uncle would be unable to assist. Perhaps Brother should wait another ten years."
chū chà yì zhī sè ， yún hǎi xiū xiān jiè jiǎng jiū rù shì de mén pài hěn duō ， bù shǎo dōu yǒu fán rén tì tā men xīn qín láo zuò 。
出诧异之色，云海修仙界讲究入世的门派很多，不少都有凡人替他们辛勤劳作。
The scholar’s face fell in disappointment. After a while, he sighed unwillingly: "Is there truly no room for negotiation?"
liè yáng mén suī rán shì lì guǎng bó ， què yě shì shǔ yú zhè zhǒng lèi xíng de 。
烈阳门虽然势力广博，却也是属于这种类型的。
"Room?" The muscular man raised his eyebrows. "After the reception period, it is still possible to join the sect. However..."
“ xiān shī ， zhè biān qǐng 。”
“仙师，这边请。”
"Oh, what are the conditions? Brother Cumei can just say them. If I need to make some connections, that’s fine," the scholar in white was overjoyed and quickly spoke up.
“ ēn 。” lín xuān diǎn le diǎn tóu ， zǒu dào yī lín chuāng de wèi zi zuò xià ， zhī suǒ yǐ zhè yàng xuǎn zé ， shì yīn wèi tā tīng jiàn nà
“恩。”林轩点了点头，走到一临窗的位子坐下，之所以这样选择，是因为他听见那
"Brother Ma, you must be mistaken. The Liyang Sect is one of the nine major forces in the Cloud Sea Immortal World. Even during the reception conference, the selection process is extremely strict; bribery cannot get you in..."
jǐ rén tán lùn de huà tí zhèng qiǎo yǔ liè yáng mén yǒu guān 。
几人谈论的话题正巧与烈阳门有关。
"So, Brother Cumei’s meaning is?"
“ āi ， mǎ xiōng ， nǐ shāo wēi lái chí le yī bù ， liè yáng mén měi shí nián yī cì de zhāo dài dà huì ， yǐ yú sān tiān qián jié shù ，
“唉，马兄，你稍微来迟了一步，烈阳门每十年一次的招待大会，已于三天前结束，
"If Brother Ma has some special skills, I can ask my second uncle to help."
dào yǒu kǒng pà shì cuò guò liáng jī le 。” yī míng zhuàng hàn mú yàng de xiū xiān zhě ， tàn le kǒu qì ， liǎn shàng mǎn shì tóng qíng yǔ wǎn xī 。
道友恐怕是错过良机了。”一名壮汉模样的修仙者，叹了口气，脸上满是同情与惋惜。
"Special skills? What are they?" A look of bewilderment appeared on the scholar's face.
“ mù róng xiōng dì ， wèi xiōng zhè cì lái chí le shì bù dé yǐ ， zài lù shàng yù jiàn le yī xiē tū fā de shì ， dào yǒu de èr bó nǎi
“幕容兄弟，为兄这次来迟了是不得已，在路上遇见了一些突发的事，道友的二伯乃
"Hahaha, Brother, how wise you are and then suddenly so foolish. There are a hundred arts in cultivation beyond realm enhancement—alchemical pills, talismans, formations, pest control, tool crafting, and many other miscellaneous skills. The Liyang Sect covers all these areas. If Brother Ma has expertise in any of them, he might be able to get an exception."
liè yáng mén wài táng zhí shì ， xiōng dì néng fǒu qǐng tā zài xiǎng xiǎng zhǔ yì ？” zhuàng hàn páng biān ， shì yī shū shēng mú yàng de nián qīng rén ，
烈阳门外堂执事，兄弟能否请他再想想主意？”壮汉旁边，是一书生模样的年轻人，
The scholar was greatly disappointed after hearing this and remained silent for a long time. As a wandering cultivator, it had been hard enough just to reach the Foundation Establishment stage; he rarely had the energy to pay attention to such matters.
shēn chuān bái yī ， kàn shàng qù pǒ wèi sī wén de yàng zi 。
身穿白衣，看上去颇为斯文的样子。
But Lin Xuan’s eyes flashed with a glint of interest, and a smile appeared on his lips.
yī biān shuō ， yī biān dì guò qù yī xiǎo bāo guǒ ：“ zhè wǔ bǎi jīng shí ， bù chéng jìng yì ， hái wàng xiōng dì bú yào xián qì 。”
一边说，一边递过去一小包裹：“这五百晶石，不成敬意，还望兄弟不要嫌弃。”
The simplest way to target the Nekel Flame Vein was still to infiltrate the Liyang Sect. Although this wasn’t an absolute solution, it seemed more secure than other methods.
nà zhuàng hàn tīng le ， yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī lǚ tān lán zhī sè ， dàn suí hòu yòu xiàng xiǎng qǐ shén me ， yáo le yáo tóu ，“ mǎ xiōng ， wǒ
那壮汉听了，眼中闪过一缕贪婪之色，但随后又像想起什么，摇了摇头，“马兄，我
Lin Xuan had been pondering how to enter the sect but didn't expect such good fortune after just a short stroll through the market district.
men xiāng shí yǐ yǒu nà me jiǔ ， ruò néng yuán shǒu ， zài xià qǐ huì tuī tuō ， zhǐ shì zhāo dài dà huì yǐ jīng jié shù ， jí shǐ zài xià èr
们相识已有那么久，若能援手，在下岂会推托，只是招待大会已经结束，即使在下二
He could only say that he was lucky and even heaven was helping him.
bó ， yě yī yàng ài mò néng zhù ， bù rú ， xiōng zhǎng zài děng shàng shí nián hǎo le 。”
伯，也一样爱莫能助，不如，兄长再等上十年好了。”
With his plans in place, Lin Xuan relaxed and sipped on the spirit tea.
bái yī shū shēng tīng le ， liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng jǔ sàng wú bǐ ， liáng jiǔ ， cái yǒu xiē bù gān xīn de tàn xī ：“ nán dào zhēn shì yì diǎn
白衣书生听了，脸上的表情沮丧无比，良久，才有些不甘心的叹息：“难道真是一点
Half an hour later, the muscular man and scholar left the tea house. Lin Xuan followed silently behind them without drawing attention to himself.
tōng róng de yú dì yě méi yǒu ？”
通融的余地也没有？”
Their discussion didn’t go well, so they each went their separate ways. Lin Xuan continued following the muscular man.
“ yú dì ？” zhuàng hàn tīng le ， méi tóu yī tiāo ：“ guò le zhāo dài shí jiān ， hái xiǎng yào rù pài ， yě bú shì méi yǒu kě néng ，
“余地？”壮汉听了，眉头一挑：“过了招待时间，还想要入派，也不是没有可能，
He did not hide his movements, so he wasn't long in being discovered.
zhǐ bù guò ……”
只不过……”
The muscular man’s face darkened slightly, but there was no fear on it. He was a disciple of the Cumei family and an outer hall official of the Liyang Sect in this market district. He believed that nobody would dare to meddle with him here.
“ ó ， yǒu shén me tiáo jiàn ， mù róng xiōng jǐn guǎn shuō ， shì fǒu xū yào shàng xià dǎ diǎn ， zhè hǎo bàn ， zài xià suī shì sàn xiū ， dàn
“哦，有什么条件，幕容兄尽管说，是否需要上下打点，这好办，在下虽是散修，但
Instead of avoiding confrontation, he deliberately walked into a dead end.
jī yuán qiǎo hé ， hái shì jī lěi le yī xiē shēn jiā de 。” bái páo shū shēng dà xǐ ， máng bù dié de kāi kǒu le 。
机缘巧合，还是积累了一些身家的。”白袍书生大喜，忙不迭的开口了。
Lin Xuan was surprised but pleased by this development. He followed calmly behind.
“ mǎ xiōng wù huì le ， liè yáng mén nǎi yún hǎi jiǔ dà shì lì ， biàn shì zhāo dài dà huì shàng de shāi xuǎn ， yě shì yán gé wú bǐ ， nǎ
“马兄误会了，烈阳门乃云海九大势力，便是招待大会上的筛选，也是严格无比，哪
Finally, they reached a cul-de-sac. The muscular man suddenly turned around and said unhappily: "Why have you been following me? What do you want?"
shì huì lù kě yǐ jìn qù de ……”
是贿赂可以进去的……”
A hint of killing intent emanated from his body.
“ nà mù róng xiōng de yì si shì ？？”
“那幕容兄的意思是？？”
"Hahaha, don’t misunderstand; I have no ill intentions. I just need your help with something."
“ xiǎng yào bèi pò gé lù qǔ ， chú fēi mǎ xiōng yǒu yī xiē tè shū de jì yì ， zhè yàng wǒ cái kě yǐ qǐng èr bó bāng máng 。”
“想要被破格录取，除非马兄有一些特殊的技艺，这样我才可以请二伯帮忙。”
"Help?" The muscular man’s expression froze in surprise. Lin Xuan's response had clearly surprised him: "Do we know each other?"
“ tè shū jì shù ， nà shì shén me ？” bái páo shū shēng de liǎn shàng ， liú lù chū jǐ fēn mí wǎng 。
“特殊技术，那是什么？”白袍书生的脸上，流露出几分迷惘。
"No, this is our first meeting. But just now at the Guest of Immortals, I sat next to you," Lin Xuan said with a cheerful smile.
“ hē hē ， xiōng tái zěn me cōng míng yī shì ， hú tú yī shí ， xiū xiān bǎi yì ， chú le tí shēng jìng jiè yǐ wài ， hái yǒu liàn dān ，
“呵呵，兄台怎么聪明一世，糊涂一时，修仙百艺，除了提升境界以外，还有炼丹，
This reminder made the muscular man recall what happened and his expression softened slightly, but he remained vigilant.
zhì fú ， zhèn fǎ ， qū chóng ， zhì qì děng zhū duō zá xué ， ér zhè xiē ， liè yáng mén dōu yǒu shè jí ， mǎ xiōng ruò shì duì qí zhōng yī
制符，阵法，驱虫，制器等诸多杂学，而这些，烈阳门都有涉及，马兄若是对其中一
"Since we have never met before, why do you want me to help you? Isn’t that too absurd?"
xiàng yǒu zhuān cháng ， wèi bì bù néng pò gé lù qǔ 。
项有专长，未必不能破格录取。
"There’s nothing wrong with it. All under heaven are brothers. I believe you’re a kind-hearted person, and in any case, I won’t make you do this for free," Lin Xuan said, speaking empty words while secretly tapping his storage pouch and taking out several pieces of crystal.
bái páo shū shēng tīng le ， què dà shī suǒ wàng ， jiǔ jiǔ bù yǔ ， tā yī jiè sàn xiū ， néng gòu chéng gōng zhù jī ， dōu hěn bù róng yì ，
白袍书生听了，却大失所望，久久不语，他一介散修，能够成功筑基，都很不容易，
Although the number wasn't large, they were all middle-grade quality. As the saying goes, money can make even ghosts move, and this was also true in the cultivation world. The muscular man’s face lit up as he accepted the crystals, his expression becoming much friendlier: "You’re straightforward. What do you need my help with?"
píng shí nǎ hái yǒu zhè xiē jīng lì qù guān zhù zhè xiē 。
平时哪还有这些精力去关注这些。
Lin Xuan continued to speak empty words while secretly taking out some crystal stones from his storage pouch.
ér lín xuān de yǎn zhōng què yǒu yī lǚ jīng máng shǎn guò ， zuǐ jiǎo biān lù chū jǐ fēn xiào yì lái le 。
而林轩的眼中却有一缕精芒闪过，嘴角边露出几分笑意来了。
Although the number wasn't large, they were all middle-grade quality. As the saying goes, money can make even ghosts move, and this was also true in the cultivation world. The muscular man’s face lit up as he accepted the crystals, his expression becoming much friendlier: "You’re straightforward. What do you need my help with?"
Guest of Immortals!
Looking at the name of this tea house, Lin Xuan couldn't help feeling speechless.
Indeed, it was no coincidence. He remembered a tea house in a certain坊市in Youzhou that bore the same name back then, and he had been just a small Foundation Establishment cultivator at that time.
Now, after a century had passed, his cultivation had greatly improved. Seeing this tea house with the same name in a different place, Lin Xuan couldn't help feeling a sense of change over the years.
Of course, Lin Xuan was not easily moved by such thoughts. He quickly relaxed and walked into the establishment with a calm expression.
Indeed, the business here was thriving.
Lin Xuan didn’t know that nearby there was a type of spirit tea that, while it could only satisfy one’s palate for high-ranking cultivators, had some Essence Cleansing effects on lower-ranked cultivators.
Thus, it was well-known and many far-traveling cultivators would taste it. The building was only two stories tall but naturally had private rooms. However, as Lin Xuan was disguised as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he didn’t have the qualifications to enter.
He wasn’t bothered by this. Such tea houses were often in public places where one could easily gather useful information.
Although the business was busy, the service was very attentive. As soon as Lin Xuan entered, a young man who looked like an apprentice greeted him with a smile.
Lin Xuan’s divine sense swept over and found no trace of magical power on this person; he was just an ordinary mortal. Lin Xuan didn’t show any surprise, for many sects in the Cloud Sea Immortal World valued the world and had many mortals working hard for them.
Although Liyang Sect had a vast influence, it also belonged to such types.
"Immortal Master, please follow me."
"Nod." Lin Xuan nodded and sat down at a window-facing seat. He chose this spot because he overheard several people discussing topics related to the Liyang Sect.
"Ahh, Brother Ma, you came just a bit late. The ten-yearly reception conference of the Liyang Sect has already ended three days ago. Your friend probably missed his chance," said a muscular cultivator with a sigh, his face filled with sympathy and regret.
"Brother Cumei, I was late this time due to unforeseen circumstances on my journey. My second uncle is an outer hall official of the Liyang Sect. Can you ask him for some advice?" The young man next to the muscular one looked like a scholar, dressed in white, appearing quite refined.
As he spoke, he handed over a small package: "These five hundred crystal stones are not meant as a gift, but I hope you won’t mind."
The muscular man’s eyes flashed with greed. But then, as if remembering something, he shook his head. "Brother Ma, we have known each other for so long. If I can help, I wouldn’t hesitate, but the reception conference has already ended. Even my second uncle would be unable to assist. Perhaps Brother should wait another ten years."
The scholar’s face fell in disappointment. After a while, he sighed unwillingly: "Is there truly no room for negotiation?"
"Room?" The muscular man raised his eyebrows. "After the reception period, it is still possible to join the sect. However..."
"Oh, what are the conditions? Brother Cumei can just say them. If I need to make some connections, that’s fine," the scholar in white was overjoyed and quickly spoke up.
"Brother Ma, you must be mistaken. The Liyang Sect is one of the nine major forces in the Cloud Sea Immortal World. Even during the reception conference, the selection process is extremely strict; bribery cannot get you in..."
"So, Brother Cumei’s meaning is?"
"If Brother Ma has some special skills, I can ask my second uncle to help."
"Special skills? What are they?" A look of bewilderment appeared on the scholar's face.
"Hahaha, Brother, how wise you are and then suddenly so foolish. There are a hundred arts in cultivation beyond realm enhancement—alchemical pills, talismans, formations, pest control, tool crafting, and many other miscellaneous skills. The Liyang Sect covers all these areas. If Brother Ma has expertise in any of them, he might be able to get an exception."
The scholar was greatly disappointed after hearing this and remained silent for a long time. As a wandering cultivator, it had been hard enough just to reach the Foundation Establishment stage; he rarely had the energy to pay attention to such matters.
But Lin Xuan’s eyes flashed with a glint of interest, and a smile appeared on his lips.
The simplest way to target the Nekel Flame Vein was still to infiltrate the Liyang Sect. Although this wasn’t an absolute solution, it seemed more secure than other methods.
Lin Xuan had been pondering how to enter the sect but didn't expect such good fortune after just a short stroll through the market district.
He could only say that he was lucky and even heaven was helping him.
With his plans in place, Lin Xuan relaxed and sipped on the spirit tea.
Half an hour later, the muscular man and scholar left the tea house. Lin Xuan followed silently behind them without drawing attention to himself.
Their discussion didn’t go well, so they each went their separate ways. Lin Xuan continued following the muscular man.
He did not hide his movements, so he wasn't long in being discovered.
The muscular man’s face darkened slightly, but there was no fear on it. He was a disciple of the Cumei family and an outer hall official of the Liyang Sect in this market district. He believed that nobody would dare to meddle with him here.
Instead of avoiding confrontation, he deliberately walked into a dead end.
Lin Xuan was surprised but pleased by this development. He followed calmly behind.
Finally, they reached a cul-de-sac. The muscular man suddenly turned around and said unhappily: "Why have you been following me? What do you want?"
A hint of killing intent emanated from his body.
"Hahaha, don’t misunderstand; I have no ill intentions. I just need your help with something."
"Help?" The muscular man’s expression froze in surprise. Lin Xuan's response had clearly surprised him: "Do we know each other?"
"No, this is our first meeting. But just now at the Guest of Immortals, I sat next to you," Lin Xuan said with a cheerful smile.
This reminder made the muscular man recall what happened and his expression softened slightly, but he remained vigilant.
"Since we have never met before, why do you want me to help you? Isn’t that too absurd?"
"There’s nothing wrong with it. All under heaven are brothers. I believe you’re a kind-hearted person, and in any case, I won’t make you do this for free," Lin Xuan said, speaking empty words while secretly tapping his storage pouch and taking out several pieces of crystal.
Although the number wasn't large, they were all middle-grade quality. As the saying goes, money can make even ghosts move, and this was also true in the cultivation world. The muscular man’s face lit up as he accepted the crystals, his expression becoming much friendlier: "You’re straightforward. What do you need my help with?"
Lin Xuan continued to speak empty words while secretly taking out some crystal stones from his storage pouch.
Although the number wasn't large, they were all middle-grade quality. As the saying goes, money can make even ghosts move, and this was also true in the cultivation world. The muscular man’s face lit up as he accepted the crystals, his expression becoming much friendlier: "You’re straightforward. What do you need my help with?"