fēi xuān yǎn jīng ， mī ， lüè lüè gǎn dào yǒu xiē chà yì ， cǐ rén shēn shàng méi yǒu sī háo lì qì bō dòng ， què shí shì fán rén wú yí ， kě kàn tā de biǎo qíng ， jū rán xiàng rèn shí zì jǐ 。
非轩眼睛，眯，略略感到有些诧异，此人身上没有丝毫力气波动，确实是凡人无疑，可看他的表情，居然像认识自己。
Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of surprise flickering across his face. This person exuded no trace of power fluctuations; he was undoubtedly an ordinary mortal. Yet, the man seemed to recognize Lin Xuan.
ér lín xuān què bàn diǎn yìn xiàng yě wú ， zì jǐ zài shì sú jiè nán dào yě yǒu chóu rén me ， zhè jiā huo wèi hé huì yī liǎn fèn nù ？
而林轩却半点印象也无，自己在世俗界难道也有仇人么，这家伙为何会一脸愤怒？
However, Lin Xuan had no recollection of him at all. Could it be that he had enemies in the secular world? Why did this guy look so angry?
xīn zhōng sī suǒ ， bù guò lín xuān què shén me yě méi shuō 。
心中思索，不过林轩却什么也没说。
Lin Xuan's thoughts raced, but he said nothing.
xuē lǎo mù guāng shǎn shuò ， zài cì jiāng lín xuān cóng tóu kàn dào jiǎo ， tū rán jiāng shǒu zhōng de chá bēi jǔ qǐ ， hěn hěn xiàng zhe dì xià shuāi qù 。
薛老目光闪烁，再次将林轩从头看到脚，突然将手中的茶杯举起，狠狠向着地下摔去。
Old Master Xue's eyes flashed as he scrutinized Lin Xuan from head to toe again. Suddenly, he raised a teacup and smashed it onto the ground with a heavy thud.
suì cí luàn jiàn ， qīng cuì de pò liè shēng yuǎn yuǎn chuán kāi …
碎瓷乱溅，清脆的破裂声远远传开…
Shards of porcelain scattered everywhere, and the clear sound of shattering echoed far away…
suí hòu zǐ bái jīn qīng guāng huá yī shǎn ， sì wèi xiū xiān zhě yǐ jīng chū xiàn zài le miàn qián èr sān nán yī nǚ ， quán lán zhù jī qī xiū shì ， qí zhōng xiū wèi zuì gāo de shì yī míng zuò shū shēng dǎ bàn de bái páo nán zi ， yǐ dào jiǎ dān qī ， kàn shàng qù yuē sān shí yú suì nián jì 。
随后紫白金青光华一闪，四位修仙者已经出现在了面前二三男一女，全兰筑基期修士，其中修为最高的是一名做书生打扮的白袍男子，已到假丹期，看上去约三十余岁年纪。
Then, purple, white, golden, and green light flared up, and four cultivators appeared before them—three men and one woman. All were at the Foundation Establishment stage, with the highest being a man in scholar's attire wearing a white robe, already at the False Core stage, around thirty years old.
tā men suī fú shì gè yì ， dàn měi gè rén de xiù kǒu ， dōu xiù zhe yī xiǎo xiǎo de ràng gǔ ， bú yòng shuō ， xiǎn rán shì tóng yī mén pài de 。
他们虽服饰各异，但每个人的袖口，都绣着一小小的让谷，不用说，显然是同一门派的。
Though their attire varied, each had a small symbol of Drifting Cloud Valley embroidered on their sleeves, clearly indicating they belonged to the same sect.
bài xuān gé zhí shì ！
拜轩阁执事！
Venerable of Lin Xuan Pavilion!
sì rén xiū wèi yě bù dī le ， kě duì xuē lǎo què lù chū gōng jìng zhī sè ， bìng fēn zhàn sì jiǎo ， yǐn yǐn jiāng lín xuān wéi zài qí zhōng 。
四人修为也不低了，可对薛老却露出恭敬之色，并分站四角，隐隐将林轩围在其中。
Despite not having high cultivation, these four cultivators showed respect towards Old Master Xue and stood in a formation around Lin Xuan, subtly encircling him.
“ gé xià zhè shì hé yì ？” qū qū jǐ míng zhù jī qī xiū shì ， lín xuān zì rán bú huì fàng zài yǎn lǐ ， dàn xīn zhōng què yě rěn bú zhù yǒu xiē jīng qí ， zì jǐ lí kāi yōu zhōu yǐ yǒu liù qī shí zài ， àn lǐ shuō ， yīng gāi yǔ zhè jǐ rén wú chóu wú yuàn 。
“阁下这是何意？”区区几名筑基期修士，林轩自然不会放在眼里，但心中却也忍不住有些惊奇，自己离开幽州已有六七十载，按理说，应该与这几人无仇无怨。
"Sir, what is your intention?" Lin Xuan naturally didn't care about a few Foundation Establishment stage cultivators. However, he couldn't help feeling somewhat surprised. He had been away from Youzhou for over six decades; logically, these people should have no grudge against him.
“ shì a ， xuē lǎo ， lín xiān zhú shì jiā zǔ de ēn rén ， wéi rén háo shuǎng zhàng yì ， nín zhè shì wèi hé ， shì bú shì nòng cuò rén le sān ， tū rán de biàn gù ， yě jiāng zhāng xiào yǐng xià dé dāi dāi de ， shào nǚ tái qǐ tóu ， yǒu xiē jiāo jí de kāi kǒu èr “ yǐng yā tou ， de bù zhī dào shì qíng yuán wěi ， bú yào duō zuǐ 。” xuē lǎo jǐn jǐn dīng zhù lín xuān ， yǔ qì biàn dé shí fēn bù shàn ： gé xià shì tiān yuán měng de rén ba ， shì zì jǐ xiàn chū zhēn yán ， hái shì xiǎng ràng wǒ men dòng shǒu ？”
“是啊，薛老，林仙竹是家祖的恩人，为人豪爽仗义，您这是为何，是不是弄错人了三，突然的变故，也将张笑影吓得呆呆的，少女抬起头，有些焦急的开口二“影丫头，的不知道事情原委，不要多嘴。”薛老紧紧盯住林轩，语气变得十分不善：阁下是天缘猛的人吧，是自己现出真颜，还是想让我们动手？”
"Yes, Old Master Xue, Lin Xiannv is my ancestor's benefactor. She is generous and righteous. Why are you doing this? Did I offend you?" Suddenly, Zhang Xiaoying was frightened into silence as she raised her head anxiously.
lín xuān tīng le ， què yě bìng bù zhe nǎo ， yǐ tā de chéng fǔ ， nǎ hái bù míng bái duì fāng shì jiāng rén rèn cuò ， zuǐ jiǎo biān lù chū yī sī xiào róng èr jiàn lín xuān yǒu shì wú kǒng ， nà xuē lǎo liǎn gōng de biǎo yí yuè fèn nù ， yī huī shǒu ：“ ná xià le 。”
林轩听了，却也并不着恼，以他的城府，哪还不明白对方是将人认错，嘴角边露出一丝笑容二见林轩有恃无恐，那薛老脸工的表怡越愤怒，一挥手：“拿下了。”
Old Master Xue tightly stared at Lin Xuan, his tone turning hostile: "Are you the person from Heavenly Destiny Firmament? Are you going to reveal your true form or let us deal with it?"
jǐ míng zhù jī qī xiū shì tīng le ， qí qí tà qián yī bù ， yóu yú lín xuān shǐ yòng le liǎn qì zhī fǎ ， gù ér tā men yě kàn bù chū cǐ rén de jìng jiè rú hé ， dàn yǐ sì dí yī ， zì rán méi shén me hǎo wèi jù ， gè zì jiāng zì jǐ de líng qì jì qǐ 。
几名筑基期修士听了，齐齐踏前一步，由于林轩使用了敛气之法，故而他们也看不出此人的境界如何，但以四敌一，自然没什么好畏惧，各自将自己的灵器祭起。
Lin Xuan remained unperturbed. He knew that Old Master Xue had mistaken him for someone else. A smile played on his lips as he saw Lin Xuan's nonchalance.
lín xuān tàn le kǒu qì ， tā kě méi yǒu xīn qíng xì shuǎ jǐ míng dī jiē xiū shì ， dāng jí tǐ nèi fǎ jué lüè yī yùn zhuàn ， yī gǔ pò bó de líng lì dùn shí xiàng zhe sì zhōu kuò sàn ， kě pà de líng yā suí zhī chuán lái 。
林轩叹了口气，他可没有心情戏耍几名低阶修士，当即体内法诀略一运转，一股破礴的灵力顿时向着四周扩散，可怕的灵压随之传来。
Seeing this, Old Master Xue's anger intensified. With a wave of his hand, "Take him down."
“ zhè shì …， jǐ míng zhù jī qī xiū shì dùn shí liǎn sè bái ， dēng dēng dēng de xiàng hòu tuī kāi ， shèn zhì lián tā men de líng qì yě bù shòu kòng zhì de diē xià le dì lái 。
“这是…，几名筑基期修士顿时脸色白，蹬蹬蹬的向后推开，甚至连他们的灵器也不受控制的跌下了地来。
The four Foundation Establishment stage cultivators stepped forward in unison. Since Lin Xuan used the method to conceal his aura, they couldn't determine his cultivation level. But with four against one, there was nothing to fear as each raised their spiritual artifacts.
“ bù bù kě néng ， nǐ shì yuán yīng qī qián bèi ！” nà xiū wèi zuì gāo de bái páo nán zi ， sǐ sǐ de dīng zhù lín xuān ， liǎn sè dà biàn 。
“不不可能，你是元婴期前辈！”那修为最高的白袍男子，死死的盯住林轩，脸色大变。
Lin Xuan sighed. He had no interest in playing around with low-ranking cultivators. Instantly, a stream of powerful essence energy spread outwards from within him, followed by an oppressive aura.
“ shén me ， yuán yīng qī ？”
“什么，元婴期？”
"Whoa…" The Foundation Establishment stage cultivators' faces turned pale as they stumbled backward. Even their spiritual artifacts fell to the ground uncontrollably.
xuē lǎo yě bèi xià le yī tiào ， liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng biàn dé yīn qíng bù dìng le qǐ lái 。
薛老也被吓了一跳，脸上的表情变得阴晴不定了起来。
"It can't be… you're a Core Formation stage senior!" The man in white robes stared intently at Lin Xuan, his face changing drastically.
ér zhāng xiào yǐng gèng shì yǐ shǒu yǎn kǒu ， tā suī rán zhī dào zhè wèi ēn rén xiū wèi bù ruò ， dàn yě wàn wàn bù céng xiǎng dào duì fāng huì shì yuán yīng jí de gāo shǒu 。
而张笑影更是以手掩口，她虽然知道这位恩人修为不弱，但也万万不曾想到对方会是元婴级的高手。
"What? Core Formation stage?"
yī shí jiān yǒu ruò mèng zhōng ， yǎn zhōng quán shì chóng bài zhī sè 。
一时间有若梦中，眼中全是崇拜之色。
Old Master Xue was also taken aback, his expression fluctuating between fear and relief. Zhang Xiaoying covered her mouth in shock; she had known that this benefactor's cultivation wasn't weak but never imagined he would be a Core Formation stage expert.
lín xuān xiù páo yī fú ， yī dào guāng xiá fēi lüè ér chū ， nà sì míng zhù jī qī xiū xiān zhě ， hái yǒu zhāng xiào yǐng ， zhǐ jué nǎo dài yī yūn ， dùn shí rén shì quán wú 。
林轩袖袍一拂，一道光霞飞掠而出，那四名筑基期修仙者，还有张笑影，只觉脑袋一晕，顿时人事全无。
She seemed to be in a dream, filled with admiration.
xuē lǎo de biǎo qíng bù yóu de yuè cāng bái le 。
薛老的表情不由得越苍白了。
Lin Xuan swept his sleeve, sending out a beam of light. The four Foundation Establishment stage cultivators and Zhang Xiaoying felt dizzy and immediately lost consciousness.
“ fàng xīn ， wǒ zhǐ shì duì tā men xià le yī dào hūn shuì de jìn zhì ér yǐ ， bú huì yǒu shì ， gé xià xiàn zài kě yǐ shuō shuō ， wèi hé yī jiàn wǒ jiù huì dòng shǒu ？” lín xuān cóng zhuō shàng qǔ guò chá hú ， zì zhēn le yī bēi màn màn de shuō 。
“放心，我只是对他们下了一道昏睡的禁制而已，不会有事，阁下现在可以说说，为何一见我就会动手？”林轩从桌上取过茶壶，自斟了一杯慢慢的说。
Old Master Xue's expression turned even paler.
xuē lǎo què yī jiù zài gōng xià dǎ liàng tā de miàn róng ， yǎn zhōng de jīng jù jiàn jiàn xiāo shī ， qǔ ér dài zhī shì xīng fèn yǔ kuáng rè ， tū rán pū tōng yī shēng guì le xià lái ， kē tóu rú dǎo suàn ：“ gōng yíng shǎo zhǔ guī cǎi ， qǐng shù lǎo nú zhōu cái mào fàn 。”
薛老却依旧在工下打量他的面容，眼中的惊惧渐渐消失，取而代之是兴奋与狂热，突然扑通一声跪了下来，磕头如捣蒜：“恭迎少主归采，请恕老奴洲才冒犯。”
"Rest assured, I only placed a sleep restriction on them. They will be fine. Sir, can you explain why you attacked me the moment you saw me?" Lin Xuan took a sip of tea from the teapot and spoke calmly.
“ shén me ， shǎo zhǔ ？”
“什么，少主？”
Old Master Xue continued to scrutinize his face, his fear gradually fading into excitement and enthusiasm. Suddenly, he knelt down, bowing like a pestle: "I humbly welcome our young master's return, forgive my rudeness."
lín xuān suī rán yě liào dào duì fāng huì qiú ráo ， dàn rú cǐ qián jù hòu gōng hái shì dà chū yì wài ， zǒu qí duì fāng kǒu zhōng de yǔ yán ， gèng shì ràng rén jué de shí fēn gǔ guài 。
林轩虽然也料到对方会求饶，但如此前倨后恭还是大出意外，走其对方口中的语言，更是让人觉得十分古怪。
"What? Young master?"
huì zhè yàng chēng hū zì jǐ ， mò fēi yǎn qián zhī rén jìng yǔ líng yào zhǐ yǒu shén me guān xì ？
会这样称呼自己，莫非眼前之人竟与灵药止有什么关系？
Lin Xuan had expected someone to beg for mercy but was still surprised by the sudden change in attitude. The language used further puzzled him.
“ nǐ xiān qǐ lái ， wèi hé wèi chēng hū wǒ shǎo zhǔ ， mò fēi yǐ qián wǒ men céng jīng jiàn guò ？” lín xuān yǒu xiē hú yí de kāi kǒu le 。
“你先起来，为何为称呼我少主，莫非以前我们曾经见过？”林轩有些狐疑的开口了。
Could this person be related to Lingyun Sect?
“ shǎo zhǔ shù zuì ， lǎo nú shì dì yī cì jiàn dào nín de zhēn róng ， bù guò zài liǎng wèi gé zhǔ de dòng fǔ ， què shì shí cháng kě yǐ jiàn dào nín huà xiàng de ， gù ér rèn de 。” xuē lǎo yòu kē le yí gè tóu ， zhè cái gōng gōng jìng jìng de zhàn qǐ ， shù shǒu ér lì 。
“少主恕罪，老奴是第一次见到您的真容，不过在两位阁主的洞府，却是时常可以见到您画像的，故而认得。”薛老又磕了一个头，这才恭恭敬敬的站起，束手而立。
"Please rise. Why do you call me young master? Did we meet before?" Lin Xuan asked doubtfully.
“ shén me gé zhǔ ， huà xiàng ， nǐ bú yào jí ， màn màn shuō 。”
“什么阁主，画像，你不要急，慢慢说。”
"I apologize, sir. I have never seen your true form before, but I often saw your portraits in the two masters' lairs. That's why I recognized you," Old Master Xue bowed again and stood up respectfully.
“ hē hē ， yě nán guài shǎo zhǔ bú jì dé ， nín shī zōng yǐ jīng liù qī shí nián le ， liǎng wèi gé zhǔ yì zhí zài dǎ tīng nín de xiāo xī ， què yīn xìn quán wú ， bù zhī dào nín hái jì de dāng nián de 6 yíng ér yǔ liú xīn me ？”
“呵呵，也难怪少主不记得，您失踪已经六七十年了，两位阁主一直在打听您的消息，却音信全无，不知道您还记得当年的6盈儿与刘芯么？”
"What masters, portraits? Please take your time to explain."
“ shén me ， liú xīn ，6 yíng ér ， shì nà liǎng gè yā tou shī ” lín xuān mō le mō xià bā ， shí fēn yì wài de kāi kǒu ：“ mò fēi zhè bài xuān gé ”
“什么，刘芯，6盈儿，是那两个丫头尸”林轩摸了摸下巴，十分意外的开口：“莫非这拜轩阁”
"Haha, it's no wonder you don't remember. You've been missing for over six decades. The two masters have been searching for news of you but in vain. Do you still recall Ying'er and Liu Xin?"
“ shǎo zhǔ suǒ liào bù cuò ， dāng nián zài jiǔ lóng shān zhī shí ， nín shōu gòu le yī jiā bǎi shàn táng ， jiāo yóu liǎng wèi gé zhǔ dǎ lǐ ， jīn rì de bài xuān gé ， jiù shì yóu xī yí bù bù zhǎn qǐ lái de èr ” lǎo zhě shí fēn gōng jìng de shuō 。
“少主所料不错，当年在九龙山之时，您收购了一家百善堂，交由两位阁主打理，今日的拜轩阁，就是由牺一步步展起来的二”老者十分恭敬的说。
"What? Liu Xin, Ying'er… those two girls…" Lin Xuan rubbed his chin, surprised.
lín xuān yǐ jīng mù dèng kǒu dāi le ， zài tā de jì yì zhōng ， bǎi shàn táng zhǐ bù guò shì yī jiā xiǎo xiǎo xiǎo de diàn pù ， jiāng qí shōu gòu mù dì yě jǐn jǐn shì ràng liǎng gè yā tou yǒu yī róng shēn zhī chù ， suī rán yě liú xià le bù shǎo bǎo wù ， bìng zhǔ fù liǎng gè yā tou shōu gòu fèi dān yǔ dān fāng ， qí shí yě bìng méi yǒu fàng zài xīn gōng 。
林轩已经目瞪口呆了，在他的记忆中，百善堂只不过是一家小小小的店铺，将其收购目的也仅仅是让两个丫头有一容身之处，虽然也留下了不少宝物，并嘱咐两个丫头收购废丹与丹方，其实也并没有放在心工。
"Your guess is correct. Back on Nine Dragons Mountain, you purchased a Benevolence Hall and entrusted it to the two masters. Today's Drifting Cloud Valley has grown from that," the old man said respectfully.
kě jīn tiān de bài xuān gé ， yǐ jīng shì yōu kè dì yī dà shāng méng ， bù guò duǎn duǎn de liù qī shí nián ， zěn me kě néng zhǎn zhè me kuài ， liǎng gè yā tou hái yǒu rú cǐ shǒu wàn ？
可今天的拜轩阁，已经是幽刻第一大商盟，不过短短的六七十年，怎么可能展这么快，两个丫头还有如此手腕？
Lin Xuan was speechless. In his memory, Benevolence Hall had been just a small shop, acquired merely as a place for the two girls to stay. He had left many treasures behind and instructed them to collect waste pills and elixir formulas but hadn't given it much thought.
lín xuān xīn zhōng yí huò ， dàn liǎn gōng què sī háo méi yǒu biǎo lù chū ， nà chù biàn bù jīng de biǎo qíng luò zài xuē lǎo yǎn zhōng ， bù yóu de ràng tā gèng jiā pèi fú 。
林轩心中疑惑，但脸工却丝毫没有表露出，那处变不惊的表情落在薛老眼中，不由得让他更加佩服。
But in just six or seven decades, Drifting Cloud Valley had become Youzhou's largest commercial alliance. How could such rapid growth be possible? And what about those two girls?
“ nǐ cóng huà xiàng rèn dìng wǒ shì shǎo zhǔ ， nà wèi hé gāng gāng què yòu rú cǐ fèn nù ？” lín xuān lüè yī chén yín zhī hòu ， zài cì shén sè dàn rán de kāi kǒu 。
“你从画像认定我是少主，那为何刚刚却又如此愤怒？”林轩略一沉吟之后，再次神色淡然的开口。
Lin Xuan was puzzled, but his expression remained calm. Old Master Xue's admiration for his composure only increased.
“ shǎo zhǔ xī nù ， yīn wèi nín chū xiàn dé tài tū rán ， lǎo nú bù gǎn xiāng rèn ， hái yǐ wéi shì tiān yuán háng xiū shì suǒ shuǎ de yīn móu 。”
“少主息怒，因为您出现得太突然，老奴不敢相认，还以为是天缘航修士所耍的阴谋。”
"Why did you recognize me as the young master when you were so angry just now?" Lin Xuan asked calmly after a moment of thought.
“ tiān yuán háng ？” lín xuān méi tou yí zhòu ：“ nà shì shén me ？”
“天缘航？”林轩眉头一皱：“那是什么？”
"Please forgive my anger, sir. Your sudden appearance caught me off guard; I feared it was a plot by Heavenly Destiny Firmament."
“ shì wǒ men de jìng zhēng duì shǒu ， yōu zhōu de lìng yī dà shāng méng ， shí lì yǔ wǒ men xiāng bǐ ， suī rán yǒu suǒ bù jí ， dàn tīng shuō qí zōng zhǔ ， yǔ lí yào gōng dà zhǎng lǎo yǒu yī xiē guān xì ， zuì jìn yǐ jīng tūn shí le wǒ men bù shǎo shēng yì 。” xuē lǎo shuō dào zhè lǐ ， hèn hèn bù yǐ 。
“是我们的竞争对手，幽州的另一大商盟，实力与我们相比，虽然有所不及，但听说其宗主，与离药宫大长老有一些关系，最近已经吞食了我们不少生意。”薛老说到这里，恨恨不已。
"Heavenly Destiny Firmament?" Lin Xuan frowned. "What is that?"
“ lí yào gōng ？”
“离药宫？”
"It's our competitor, another major commercial alliance in Youzhou. Although their strength doesn't match ours, rumors say their sect leader has some connection to the Great Elder of Life Medicine Palace. They've been eating away at our business lately," Old Master Xue said with a bitter expression.
lín xuān yǐ jīng dì èr cì tīng shuō zhè ge míng zì ， xīn zhōng yǒu xiē hào qí ， bù guò yě méi yǒu jì xù zhuī wèn xià qù ， bì jìng yǎn qián de jǐn jǐn shì yī fán rén ér yǐ ， zì jǐ suǒ xū yào de xiāo xī ， děng jiàn dào 6 yíng ér yǔ liú xīn hòu zài màn màn dǎ tīng bù chí 。
林轩已经第二次听说这个名字，心中有些好奇，不过也没有继续追问下去，毕竟眼前的仅仅是一凡人而已，自己所需要的消息，等见到6盈儿与刘芯后再慢慢打听不迟。
"Life Medicine Palace?"
“ nǐ xiān qián jì rán yǒu suǒ huái yí ， nà rú jīn yòu zěn me rèn dìng wǒ jiù shì shǎo zhǔ ？” lín xuān sì xiào fēi xiào de kāi kǒu le 。
“你先前既然有所怀疑，那如今又怎么认定我就是少主？”林轩似笑非笑的开口了。
Lin Xuan had heard this name twice and was curious but didn't delve further. After all, he was just dealing with an ordinary mortal; he could gather more information from Ying'er and Liu Xin later.
“ ké ， ké ， xiān qián shì lǎo nú mǎng zhuàng ， tiān yuán chuán shí lì suī rán bù ruò ， dàn bìng méi yǒu yuán yīng qī gāo shǒu ， hé kuàng nín de xiàng mào yòu yǔ shǎo zhǔ xiāng tóng ， gù ér lǎo nú cái gǎn duàn dìng nín jiù shì liǎng wèi gé zhǔ zhāo sī mù xiǎng de rén wù …”
“咳，咳，先前是老奴莽撞，天缘船实力虽然不弱，但并没有元婴期高手，何况您的相貌又与少主相同，故而老奴才敢断定您就是两位阁主朝思暮想的人物…”
"Why did you doubt me earlier but now recognize me as the young master?" Lin Xuan asked sardonically.
"Ahem, ahem, I was hasty before. Although Heavenly Destiny Firmament has some strength, they don't have any Core Formation stage experts. Your appearance is similar to that of the young master, so I dared to conclude that you are the person the two masters have been longing for…"
Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of surprise flickering across his face. This person exuded no trace of power fluctuations; he was undoubtedly an ordinary mortal. Yet, the man seemed to recognize Lin Xuan.
However, Lin Xuan had no recollection of him at all. Could it be that he had enemies in the secular world? Why did this guy look so angry?
Lin Xuan's thoughts raced, but he said nothing.
Old Master Xue's eyes flashed as he scrutinized Lin Xuan from head to toe again. Suddenly, he raised a teacup and smashed it onto the ground with a heavy thud.
Shards of porcelain scattered everywhere, and the clear sound of shattering echoed far away…
Then, purple, white, golden, and green light flared up, and four cultivators appeared before them—three men and one woman. All were at the Foundation Establishment stage, with the highest being a man in scholar's attire wearing a white robe, already at the False Core stage, around thirty years old.
Though their attire varied, each had a small symbol of Drifting Cloud Valley embroidered on their sleeves, clearly indicating they belonged to the same sect.
Venerable of Lin Xuan Pavilion!
Despite not having high cultivation, these four cultivators showed respect towards Old Master Xue and stood in a formation around Lin Xuan, subtly encircling him.
"Sir, what is your intention?" Lin Xuan naturally didn't care about a few Foundation Establishment stage cultivators. However, he couldn't help feeling somewhat surprised. He had been away from Youzhou for over six decades; logically, these people should have no grudge against him.
"Yes, Old Master Xue, Lin Xiannv is my ancestor's benefactor. She is generous and righteous. Why are you doing this? Did I offend you?" Suddenly, Zhang Xiaoying was frightened into silence as she raised her head anxiously.
Old Master Xue tightly stared at Lin Xuan, his tone turning hostile: "Are you the person from Heavenly Destiny Firmament? Are you going to reveal your true form or let us deal with it?"
Lin Xuan remained unperturbed. He knew that Old Master Xue had mistaken him for someone else. A smile played on his lips as he saw Lin Xuan's nonchalance.
Seeing this, Old Master Xue's anger intensified. With a wave of his hand, "Take him down."
The four Foundation Establishment stage cultivators stepped forward in unison. Since Lin Xuan used the method to conceal his aura, they couldn't determine his cultivation level. But with four against one, there was nothing to fear as each raised their spiritual artifacts.
Lin Xuan sighed. He had no interest in playing around with low-ranking cultivators. Instantly, a stream of powerful essence energy spread outwards from within him, followed by an oppressive aura.
"Whoa…" The Foundation Establishment stage cultivators' faces turned pale as they stumbled backward. Even their spiritual artifacts fell to the ground uncontrollably.
"It can't be… you're a Core Formation stage senior!" The man in white robes stared intently at Lin Xuan, his face changing drastically.
"What? Core Formation stage?"
Old Master Xue was also taken aback, his expression fluctuating between fear and relief. Zhang Xiaoying covered her mouth in shock; she had known that this benefactor's cultivation wasn't weak but never imagined he would be a Core Formation stage expert.
She seemed to be in a dream, filled with admiration.
Lin Xuan swept his sleeve, sending out a beam of light. The four Foundation Establishment stage cultivators and Zhang Xiaoying felt dizzy and immediately lost consciousness.
Old Master Xue's expression turned even paler.
"Rest assured, I only placed a sleep restriction on them. They will be fine. Sir, can you explain why you attacked me the moment you saw me?" Lin Xuan took a sip of tea from the teapot and spoke calmly.
Old Master Xue continued to scrutinize his face, his fear gradually fading into excitement and enthusiasm. Suddenly, he knelt down, bowing like a pestle: "I humbly welcome our young master's return, forgive my rudeness."
"What? Young master?"
Lin Xuan had expected someone to beg for mercy but was still surprised by the sudden change in attitude. The language used further puzzled him.
Could this person be related to Lingyun Sect?
"Please rise. Why do you call me young master? Did we meet before?" Lin Xuan asked doubtfully.
"I apologize, sir. I have never seen your true form before, but I often saw your portraits in the two masters' lairs. That's why I recognized you," Old Master Xue bowed again and stood up respectfully.
"What masters, portraits? Please take your time to explain."
"Haha, it's no wonder you don't remember. You've been missing for over six decades. The two masters have been searching for news of you but in vain. Do you still recall Ying'er and Liu Xin?"
"What? Liu Xin, Ying'er… those two girls…" Lin Xuan rubbed his chin, surprised.
"Your guess is correct. Back on Nine Dragons Mountain, you purchased a Benevolence Hall and entrusted it to the two masters. Today's Drifting Cloud Valley has grown from that," the old man said respectfully.
Lin Xuan was speechless. In his memory, Benevolence Hall had been just a small shop, acquired merely as a place for the two girls to stay. He had left many treasures behind and instructed them to collect waste pills and elixir formulas but hadn't given it much thought.
But in just six or seven decades, Drifting Cloud Valley had become Youzhou's largest commercial alliance. How could such rapid growth be possible? And what about those two girls?
Lin Xuan was puzzled, but his expression remained calm. Old Master Xue's admiration for his composure only increased.
"Why did you recognize me as the young master when you were so angry just now?" Lin Xuan asked calmly after a moment of thought.
"Please forgive my anger, sir. Your sudden appearance caught me off guard; I feared it was a plot by Heavenly Destiny Firmament."
"Heavenly Destiny Firmament?" Lin Xuan frowned. "What is that?"
"It's our competitor, another major commercial alliance in Youzhou. Although their strength doesn't match ours, rumors say their sect leader has some connection to the Great Elder of Life Medicine Palace. They've been eating away at our business lately," Old Master Xue said with a bitter expression.
"Life Medicine Palace?"
Lin Xuan had heard this name twice and was curious but didn't delve further. After all, he was just dealing with an ordinary mortal; he could gather more information from Ying'er and Liu Xin later.
"Why did you doubt me earlier but now recognize me as the young master?" Lin Xuan asked sardonically.
"Ahem, ahem, I was hasty before. Although Heavenly Destiny Firmament has some strength, they don't have any Core Formation stage experts. Your appearance is similar to that of the young master, so I dared to conclude that you are the person the two masters have been longing for…"