“ ń 。” lín xuān diǎn diǎn tóu ， zhuāng chū yī fù gāo rén de mú yàng ：“ nà jiù yǒu láo liǎng wèi shī dì le ， yú xiōng cǐ lái ， shì xiǎng mǎi yī xiē fú 。”
“嗯。”林轩点点头，装出一副高人的模样：“那就有劳两位师弟了，愚兄此来，是想买一些符。”
"Ah," Lin Xuan nodded, adopting the demeanor of a sage: "Then it's up to you two younger brothers. I came here with the intention of purchasing some talismans."
yǎn zhōu dì chǔ biān chuí ， xiū zhēn shuǐ píng luò hòu ， bù xiàng nà xiē xiū zhēn mén pài zhòng duō ， xiū shì fán shèng de dì yù ， yǒu zhuān gōng xiū zhēn zhě mǎi mài dōng xī de fāng shì ， dàn dào fú shān què suàn shì yí gè bǐ jiào tè bié de mén pài ， píng xīn ér lùn ， qí xiū shì gōng lì bù gāo ， dàn yīn wèi shàn yú zhì fú ， shí lì bù kě qīng rǔ 。
兖州地处边陲，修真水平落后，不像那些修真门派众多，修士繁盛的地域，有专供修真者买卖东西的坊市，但道符山却算是一个比较特别的门派，平心而论，其修士功力不高，但因为善于制符，实力不可轻辱。
Yanzhou was situated in a remote area, and its cultivation level lagged behind; unlike regions where numerous cultivation sects thrived with many cultivators, there were no specialized markets for cultivating practitioners to buy and sell items. However, Dao Fú Shān could be considered rather unique among the sects. To be fair, their cultivators' strength was not particularly high, but because they excelled in talisman crafting, their power should not be underestimated.
chú le tè yì zhì zuò de fú lù ， qí dì zǐ liàn xí gōng fǎ de shí hòu ， cháng cháng yě huì shùn dài zhì chū bù shǎo fú ， zì jǐ yòng bù wán ， biàn chū mài huò shì jiāo huàn gěi bié de yī xiē xiū zhēn zhě 。
除了特意制作的符箓，其弟子练习功法的时候，常常也会顺带制出不少符，自己用不完，便出卖或是交换给别的一些修真者。
Apart from specially crafted talismans, when their disciples practiced cultivation techniques, they often produced many talismans as well, selling or exchanging them with other cultivators who had excess.
dāng rán ， yě bú shì shén me rén dōu néng mǎi de 。
当然，也不是什么人都能买的。
Of course, not everyone could buy these talismans. Low-grade talismans required only crystal stones or equivalent items; regardless of the person, payment was made in one hand and the item in the other, since what was sealed within merely contained low-level spells.
dī jiē fú lù ， zhǐ yào yǒu jīng shí huò zhě děng zhí de wù pǐn ， bù guǎn lái rén shì shuí ， yī shǒu jiāo qián ， yī shǒu jiāo huò ， fǎn zhèng lǐ miàn fēng yìn de bù guò shì dī jiē fǎ shù 。
低阶符箓，只要有晶石或者等值的物品，不管来人是谁，一手交钱，一手交货，反正里面封印的不过是低阶法术。
Middle-grade talismans were sold exclusively to sects that had good relations with Dao Fú Shān, such as Drifting Cloud Valley or some cultivation families affiliated with Dao Fú Shān. As for high-grade talismans, their management was extremely strict; they were generally used only within the sect for internal exchanges among disciples and rarely sold even to allies unless there was a special reason.
zhōng jiē fú lù ， nà biàn zhǐ chū mài jǐ yǔ běn mén jiāo hǎo de yī xiē mén pài ， bǐ rú shuō piāo yún gǔ ， huò zhě yī fù yú dào fú shān de yī xiē xiū zhēn jiā zú 。
中阶符箓，那便只出卖给与本门交好的一些门派，比如说飘云谷，或者依附于道符山的一些修真家族。
After all, the power of high-grade talismans was too great.
zhì yú gāo jiē fú lù ， zé guǎn lǐ dé shí fēn yán gé ， yì bān qíng kuàng xià ， zhǐ ná lái zuò běn mén dì zǐ nèi bù jiāo huàn zhī yòng ， jiù suàn shì méng yǒu ， chú fēi yǒu tè bié yuán yīn ， yě gài bù chū shòu 。
至于高阶符箓，则管理得十分严格，一般情况下，只拿来做本门弟子内部交换之用，就算是盟友，除非有特别原因，也概不出售。
...
bì jìng gāo jiē fú de wēi lì tài dà le 。
毕竟高阶符的威力太大了。
Lin Xuan already knew Dao Fú Shān's rules before his arrival. His purpose this time was to buy middle-grade talismans; as a disciple of Drifting Cloud Valley, he should be able to purchase them. Of course, he would have to act opportunistically and try to acquire some high-grade talismans if possible. That way, even if he encountered a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, he would have more chances of escaping.
……
……
With the customer arriving, it was a Master of the Flexible Spirit Period, two junior cultivators did not dare to be careless. They exchanged glances; one on the left spoke: "Since that's the case, Younger Brother Zhang will remain here as a lookout while I lead Elder Brother Ye into the mountain."
dào fú shān de guī jǔ ， lín xuān lái zhī qián ， jiù yǐ jīng liǎo jiě dé yì qīng èr chǔ ， cǐ xíng tā de mù dì shì zhōng jiē fú lù ， yǐ zì jǐ piāo yún gǔ dì zǐ de shēn fèn ， yīng gāi shì kě yǐ mǎi dào de 。
道符山的规矩，林轩来之前，就已经了解得一清二楚，此行他的目的是中阶符箓，以自己飘云谷弟子的身份，应该是可以买到的。
"Thank you for your trouble."
dāng rán ， yě yào jiàn jī xíng shì ， rú guǒ yǒu kě néng ， zuì hǎo néng mǎi jìn yī xiē gāo jiē fú ， nà yàng ， jiù suàn pèng shàng zhù jī qī xiū zhēn zhě ， zì jǐ yě duō le jǐ fēn táo pǎo de bǎ wò 。
当然，也要见机行事，如果有可能，最好能买进一些高阶符，那样，就算碰上筑基期修真者，自己也多了几分逃跑的把握。
Lin Xuan smiled slightly and deployed his Wind Control Technique. He moved like a swift swallow, graceful and ethereal, leaving the two junior cultivators dazzled and even more impressed.
gù kè shàng mén ， yòu shì líng dòng qī dà yuán mǎn jìng jiè de gāo shǒu ， liǎng gè xiǎo xiū shì bù gǎn dài màn ， duì wàng le yī yǎn ， zuǒ biān de yí gè kāi kǒu le ：“ jì rú cǐ ， zhāng shī dì zài zhè lǐ jǐng jiè ， yóu wǒ yǐn lǐng yè shī xiōng jìn shān mén 。”
顾客上门，又是灵动期大圆满境界的高手，两个小修士不敢怠慢，对望了一眼，左边的一个开口了：“既如此，张师弟在这里警戒，由我引领叶师兄进山门。”
"Elder Brother is looking to buy talismans; it's just the right time. Today is our sect's monthly Talisman Gathering Day."
“ yǒu láo le 。”
“有劳了。”
"Monthly Talisman Gathering Day?"
lín xuān wēi wēi yī xiào ， yù fēng shù shī zhǎn kāi ， shēn qīng rú yàn ， piāo rán ruò xiān ， kàn dé liǎng gè xiǎo xiū shì shén chí mù xuàn ， xīn zhōng gèng jiā pèi fú 。
林轩微微一笑，御风术施展开，身轻如燕，飘然若仙，看得两个小修士神驰目眩，心中更加佩服。
"Yes," said the leading disciple, nodding: "Our Dao Fú Shān holds a gathering once a month where we sell and exchange talismans among our disciples and outsiders." The young disciple was so excited that his face turned red. "Although there are always talismans for sale, on Talisman Gathering Days, the types and quality of the talismans are much better."
“ shī xiōng yào mǎi fú ， lái de zhèng qiǎo ， jīn tiān zhèng shì běn mén yí yuè yī cì de fú huì zhī rì 。”
“师兄要买符，来得正巧，今天正是本门一月一次的符会之日。”
Lin Xuan's expression remained unchanged, but he secretly rejoiced; it seemed his luck had been good.
“ fú huì zhī rì ？”
“符会之日？”
As they walked along, chatting idly, Lin Xuan gleaned a lot about Dao Fú Shān from the young disciple. In response to a question from a fellow Seventh Stage Technique Master, the young disciple spoke freely and candidly, in return, Lin Xuan casually advised him on cultivation methods, which made the young disciple even more talkative, revealing more secrets.
“ shì de 。” yǐn lù de xiǎo xiū shì diǎn le diǎn tóu ：“ wǒ men dào fú shān měi yuè huì jí huì bǎi tān yī cì ， gōng běn pài dì zǐ hé wài lái de péng yǒu jiāo huàn gòu mǎi fú lù 。” shuō qǐ běn pài dé yì zhī shì ， xiǎo xiū shì xīng fèn dé mǎn liǎn tōng hóng ：“ suī rán píng shí yě yǒu fú lù chū shòu ， dàn fú huì zhī rì ， fú de zhǒng lèi yǔ pǐn cì dōu yào hǎo dé duō 。”
“是的。”引路的小修士点了点头：“我们道符山每月会集会摆摊一次，供本派弟子和外来的朋友交换购买符箓。”说起本派得意之事，小修士兴奋得满脸通红：“虽然平时也有符箓出售，但符会之日，符的种类与品次都要好得多。”
This wasn't because Lin Xuan had any peculiar interest in snooping into other sects' affairs; rather, it was his first time visiting such a place. Although they were allied sects, he was still unfamiliar with them, and knowing more about their detailed circumstances would be beneficial for this trip.
lín xuān liǎn shàng bù dòng shēng sè ， dàn xīn zhōng què yě àn àn huān xǐ ， kàn lái zì jǐ de yùn qì bù cuò 。
林轩脸上不动声色，但心中却也暗暗欢喜，看来自己的运气不错。
"Do you want to buy high-grade talismans?"
liǎng rén yī biān gǎn lù ， yī biān xián liáo ， cóng xiǎo xiū shì de kǒu zhōng ， lín xuān páng qiāo cè jī ， liǎo jiě le bù shǎo dào fú shān de qíng kuàng 。
两人一边赶路，一边闲聊，从小修士的口中，林轩旁敲侧击，了解了不少道符山的情况。
Seeing the young disciple's straightforward nature, Lin Xuan subtly revealed some information, hoping to gauge whether buying high-grade talismans could lead him somewhere useful.
duì yú yī wèi dì qī céng gōng fǎ shī xiōng de xún wèn ， xiǎo xiū shì zhī wú bù yán yán wú bù jìn ， tóu táo bào lǐ ， lín xuān zài xiū wèi fāng fǎ shàng ， yě suí yì diǎn bō le jǐ jù ， xiǎo xiū shì xīng fèn bù yǐ ， gèng jiā kǒu wú zhē lán ， ràng lín xuān tào chū le gèng duō de yǐn mì 。
对于一位第七层功法师兄的询问，小修士知无不言言无不尽，投桃报李，林轩在修为方法上，也随意点拨了几句，小修士兴奋不已，更加口无遮拦，让林轩套出了更多的隐秘。
"This might be difficult," Wang Xin frowned: "The senior aunts and uncles manage high-grade talismans very strictly. Even for our sect members, it isn't easy to obtain them."
zhè yàng zuò ， dào bú shì lín xuān yǒu qí guài shì hào ， xǐ huān dǎ tīng bié rén mén pài de **， ér shì chū dào guì dì ， suī rán shì tóng méng mén pài ， dàn bì jìng mò shēng ， duō liǎo jiě yī xiē tā men de xiáng xì qíng xíng ， duì cǐ xíng yǒu hǎo chù 。
这样做，倒不是林轩有奇怪嗜好，喜欢打听别人门派的**，而是初到贵地，虽然是同盟门派，但毕竟陌生，多了解一些他们的详细情形，对此行有好处。
"Is there no way?"
“ shī xiōng xiǎng yào mǎi gāo jiē fú ？”
“师兄想要买高阶符？”
"Not exactly," Wang Xin pondered for a moment: "It mainly depends on luck. If Elder Brother can meet Elder Tianyuan, he might be able to get what he wants."
jiàn xiǎo xiū shì xiōng wú chéng fǔ ， lín xuān shāo wēi lù le yì diǎn kǒu fēng ， xī wàng tóu shí wèn lù ， kàn mǎi gāo jiē fú ， shì fǒu néng zhǎo dào shén me mén lù 。
见小修士胸无城府，林轩稍微露了一点口风，希望投石问路，看买高阶符，是否能找到什么门路。
"Elder Tianyuan?"
“ zhè kǒng pà yǒu nán dù 。” wáng xīn zhòu le zhòu méi ：“ gāo jiē fú shī shū bó men guǎn lǐ dé hěn yán ， jí biàn běn mén dì zǐ ， yě bú shì qīng yì kě yǐ gòu dé 。”
“这恐怕有难度。”王鑫皱了皱眉：“高阶符师叔伯们管理得很严，即便本门弟子，也不是轻易可以购得。”
Lin Xuan repeated the name silently. Although his cultivation was not low, he rarely left Drifting Cloud Valley and knew little about other sects' powerful figures except for those he had specially researched for this mission.
“ méi yǒu bàn fǎ ？”
“没有办法？”
Seeing Lin Xuan's lack of reaction, Wang Xin was both surprised and disappointed: "Has Elder Brother never heard of Elder Tianyuan?"
“ dào yě bú shì 。” wáng xīn chén yín le yī xià ：“ zhǔ yào hái shì kàn yùn qì ， rú guǒ shī xiōng néng gòu jiàn dào tiān yuán zhǎng lǎo ， shuō bù dìng kě yǐ dé cháng suǒ yuàn 。”
“倒也不是。”王鑫沉吟了一下：“主要还是看运气，如果师兄能够见到天元长老，说不定可以得偿所愿。”
"Haha, I usually prefer seclusion and have limited knowledge of external experts."
“ tiān yuán zhǎng lǎo ？”
“天元长老？”
Hearing Lin Xuan say this, Wang Xin understood; if the elder brother before him wasn't a diligent practitioner, how could he be so young yet reach the Flexible Spirit Period's peak?
lín xuān mò niàn le yī biàn zhè ge míng zì ， tā rú jīn suī rán xiū wèi bù dī ， dàn shèn shǎo chū gǔ ， chú le běn mén gāo shǒu ， yǐ jí wèi le cǐ xíng ， tè yì liǎo jiě le yī xià huǒ líng mén de jí shǒu rén wù ， duì yú qí tā zōng mén jiā zú de gāo shǒu ， dào zhēn de kě yòng yī wú suǒ zhī lái xíng róng 。
林轩默念了一遍这个名字，他如今虽然修为不低，但甚少出谷，除了本门高手，以及为了此行，特意了解了一下火灵门的棘手人物，对于其他宗门家族的高手，倒真的可用一无所知来形容。
Clearing his throat, Wang Xin began to recount his senior uncle.
jiàn lín xuān háo wú fǎn yìng de yàng zi ， wáng xīn yòu shì jīng yà yòu shì xiè qì ：“ shī xiōng méi yǒu tīng shuō guò tiān yuán zhǎng lǎo de míng zì ？”
见林轩毫无反应的样子，王鑫又是惊讶又是泄气：“师兄没有听说过天元长老的名字？”
Compared to Drifting Cloud Valley and Fire Spirit Sect, Dao Fú Shān was slightly weaker in strength; it didn't have any cultivators who had entered the Condensation Core stage. However, don't underestimate them; these sects with thousands of years of heritage still harbored some strong individuals.
“ hē hē ， wèi xiōng píng shí bǐ jiào xǐ huān bì guān ， duì yú wài jiè de gāo shǒu ， suǒ zhī shèn shǎo 。”
“呵呵，为兄平时比较喜欢闭关，对于外界的高手，所知甚少。”
For example, Tianyuan Senior Uncle mentioned by Wang Xin.
tīng lín xuān zhè yàng shuō ， wáng xīn cái wèi zhī shì rán ， xiǎng xiǎng yě shì ， yǎn qián zhè wèi shī xiōng ruò bú shì qín xiū kǔ liàn de zhǔ ér ， jiù suàn líng gēn zài yōu yì ， yòu zěn me kě néng rú cǐ nián qīng ， jiù dào dá líng dòng qī dà yuán mǎn de jìng dì ？
听林轩这样说，王鑫才为之释然，想想也是，眼前这位师兄若不是勤修苦练的主儿，就算灵根再优异，又怎么可能如此年轻，就到达灵动期大圆满的境地？
The top expert of Dao Fú Shān!
wáng xīn qīng le qīng sǎng zi ， lián shuō dài bǐ ， kāi shǐ jiǎng shù qǐ zì jǐ de zhè wèi qián bèi shī bó lái 。
王鑫清了清嗓子，连说代比，开始讲述起自己的这位前辈师伯来。
It was said that although this old man was a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, he might not be weaker than Condensation Core stage experts when it came to actual combat.
yǔ piāo yún gǔ ， huǒ líng mén xiāng bǐ ， dào fú shān de shí lì yào shāo xùn yī chóu ， bìng méi yǒu jìn rù níng dān qī de gāo shǒu ， dàn qiān wàn bú yào yīn cǐ xiǎo qiáo ， zhè xiē chuán chéng le shù qiān nián de mén pài ， dǐ yùn shēn hòu ， duō shǎo dū huì yǒu yī xiē qiáng zhě 。
与飘云谷，火灵门相比，道符山的实力要稍逊一筹，并没有进入凝丹期的高手，但千万不要因此小瞧，这些传承了数千年的门派，底蕴深厚，多少都会有一些强者。
"What?" Lin Xuan was stunned. Even with his composure, the astonishment on his face could not be concealed, of course, because at the moment, he had used the Heaven Demon Mimicry Technique and disguised himself as Ye Tian; thus, he didn't need to hide his emotions.
bǐ rú shuō wáng xīn kǒu zhōng de tiān yuán shī bó 。
比如说王鑫口中的天元师伯。
It wasn't surprising that he was shocked. Lin Xuan hadn't been in the cultivation world for very long, but this was his first hearing of a rank challenge across stages.
dào fú shān dì yī gāo shǒu ！
道符山第一高手！
A rank challenge referred to a Flexible Spirit stage cultivator defeating someone at the late stage; such cases were rare, but they still belonged to the same realm, and with proper tactics or good artifacts, underdogs could indeed defeat their stronger opponents.
jù shuō cǐ lǎo suī rán shì zhù jī qī xiū shì ， dàn zhēn de dòng shǒu ， yě bù yí dìng huì ruò yú níng dān qī de gāo shǒu 。
据说此老虽然是筑基期修士，但真的动手，也不一定会弱于凝丹期的高手。
What Lin Xuan had heard was a Flexible Spirit stage cultivator defeating a Foundation Establishment stage one, or even a Foundation Establishment stage defeating a Condensation Core stage. ...
“ shén me ？” lín xuān jīng dāi le ， jí biàn yǐ tā de chéng fǔ ， yě yǎn shì bú zhù liǎn shàng de è rán zhī sè ， dāng rán ， hái yǒu yí gè zhòng yào yuán yīn ， cǐ kè shì yòng le tiān mó nǐ róng shù ， huà zhuāng chéng yè tiān de yàng zi ， suǒ yǐ dào yě bù yòng xǐ nù bù xíng yú sè 。
“什么？”林轩惊呆了，即便以他的城府，也掩饰不住脸上的愕然之色，当然，还有一个重要原因，此刻是用了天魔拟容术，化妆成叶天的样子，所以倒也不用喜怒不形于色。
The difference between stages was significant; for example, the gap between the peak of the Flexible Spirit stage and the initial stage of the Foundation Establishment stage was just a thin line, but their strength differed greatly. This Tianyuan Senior Uncle was so formidable that he could challenge across ranks?
"Ah," Lin Xuan nodded, adopting the demeanor of a sage: "Then it's up to you two younger brothers. I came here with the intention of purchasing some talismans."
Yanzhou was situated in a remote area, and its cultivation level lagged behind; unlike regions where numerous cultivation sects thrived with many cultivators, there were no specialized markets for cultivating practitioners to buy and sell items. However, Dao Fú Shān could be considered rather unique among the sects. To be fair, their cultivators' strength was not particularly high, but because they excelled in talisman crafting, their power should not be underestimated.
Apart from specially crafted talismans, when their disciples practiced cultivation techniques, they often produced many talismans as well, selling or exchanging them with other cultivators who had excess.
Of course, not everyone could buy these talismans. Low-grade talismans required only crystal stones or equivalent items; regardless of the person, payment was made in one hand and the item in the other, since what was sealed within merely contained low-level spells.
Middle-grade talismans were sold exclusively to sects that had good relations with Dao Fú Shān, such as Drifting Cloud Valley or some cultivation families affiliated with Dao Fú Shān. As for high-grade talismans, their management was extremely strict; they were generally used only within the sect for internal exchanges among disciples and rarely sold even to allies unless there was a special reason.
After all, the power of high-grade talismans was too great.
...
Lin Xuan already knew Dao Fú Shān's rules before his arrival. His purpose this time was to buy middle-grade talismans; as a disciple of Drifting Cloud Valley, he should be able to purchase them. Of course, he would have to act opportunistically and try to acquire some high-grade talismans if possible. That way, even if he encountered a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, he would have more chances of escaping.
With the customer arriving, it was a Master of the Flexible Spirit Period, two junior cultivators did not dare to be careless. They exchanged glances; one on the left spoke: "Since that's the case, Younger Brother Zhang will remain here as a lookout while I lead Elder Brother Ye into the mountain."
"Thank you for your trouble."
Lin Xuan smiled slightly and deployed his Wind Control Technique. He moved like a swift swallow, graceful and ethereal, leaving the two junior cultivators dazzled and even more impressed.
"Elder Brother is looking to buy talismans; it's just the right time. Today is our sect's monthly Talisman Gathering Day."
"Monthly Talisman Gathering Day?"
"Yes," said the leading disciple, nodding: "Our Dao Fú Shān holds a gathering once a month where we sell and exchange talismans among our disciples and outsiders." The young disciple was so excited that his face turned red. "Although there are always talismans for sale, on Talisman Gathering Days, the types and quality of the talismans are much better."
Lin Xuan's expression remained unchanged, but he secretly rejoiced; it seemed his luck had been good.
As they walked along, chatting idly, Lin Xuan gleaned a lot about Dao Fú Shān from the young disciple. In response to a question from a fellow Seventh Stage Technique Master, the young disciple spoke freely and candidly, in return, Lin Xuan casually advised him on cultivation methods, which made the young disciple even more talkative, revealing more secrets.
This wasn't because Lin Xuan had any peculiar interest in snooping into other sects' affairs; rather, it was his first time visiting such a place. Although they were allied sects, he was still unfamiliar with them, and knowing more about their detailed circumstances would be beneficial for this trip.
"Do you want to buy high-grade talismans?"
Seeing the young disciple's straightforward nature, Lin Xuan subtly revealed some information, hoping to gauge whether buying high-grade talismans could lead him somewhere useful.
"This might be difficult," Wang Xin frowned: "The senior aunts and uncles manage high-grade talismans very strictly. Even for our sect members, it isn't easy to obtain them."
"Is there no way?"
"Not exactly," Wang Xin pondered for a moment: "It mainly depends on luck. If Elder Brother can meet Elder Tianyuan, he might be able to get what he wants."
"Elder Tianyuan?"
Lin Xuan repeated the name silently. Although his cultivation was not low, he rarely left Drifting Cloud Valley and knew little about other sects' powerful figures except for those he had specially researched for this mission.
Seeing Lin Xuan's lack of reaction, Wang Xin was both surprised and disappointed: "Has Elder Brother never heard of Elder Tianyuan?"
"Haha, I usually prefer seclusion and have limited knowledge of external experts."
Hearing Lin Xuan say this, Wang Xin understood; if the elder brother before him wasn't a diligent practitioner, how could he be so young yet reach the Flexible Spirit Period's peak?
Clearing his throat, Wang Xin began to recount his senior uncle.
Compared to Drifting Cloud Valley and Fire Spirit Sect, Dao Fú Shān was slightly weaker in strength; it didn't have any cultivators who had entered the Condensation Core stage. However, don't underestimate them; these sects with thousands of years of heritage still harbored some strong individuals.
For example, Tianyuan Senior Uncle mentioned by Wang Xin.
The top expert of Dao Fú Shān!
It was said that although this old man was a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, he might not be weaker than Condensation Core stage experts when it came to actual combat.
"What?" Lin Xuan was stunned. Even with his composure, the astonishment on his face could not be concealed, of course, because at the moment, he had used the Heaven Demon Mimicry Technique and disguised himself as Ye Tian; thus, he didn't need to hide his emotions.
It wasn't surprising that he was shocked. Lin Xuan hadn't been in the cultivation world for very long, but this was his first hearing of a rank challenge across stages.
A rank challenge referred to a Flexible Spirit stage cultivator defeating someone at the late stage; such cases were rare, but they still belonged to the same realm, and with proper tactics or good artifacts, underdogs could indeed defeat their stronger opponents.
What Lin Xuan had heard was a Flexible Spirit stage cultivator defeating a Foundation Establishment stage one, or even a Foundation Establishment stage defeating a Condensation Core stage. ...
The difference between stages was significant; for example, the gap between the peak of the Flexible Spirit stage and the initial stage of the Foundation Establishment stage was just a thin line, but their strength differed greatly. This Tianyuan Senior Uncle was so formidable that he could challenge across ranks?