A few days ago, the law enforcement elder wanted to summon his son, Feng Qing, back to Zixiao Sect. Hearing that his son had gone to execute a task assigned by the sect leader, he pondered for a moment and said nothing more.
In truth, Feng Deji had a very favorable impression of his prospective daughter-in-law, Ye Hong. He was determined to arrange a marriage between Ye Hong and his son at the first opportunity, thereby fulfilling his aspiration as a parent.
Led by Feng Qing, a dozen or so disciples stood solemnly within the Han family's courtyard, their gazes involuntarily focusing on the upright figure standing not far away. This was Han Longsheng. Dressed in a simple cyan robe with his sleeves fluttering gently in the wind, his tall, six-foot-plus frame looked ordinary at first glance, yet it naturally exuded an indescribable, quiet pressure. Here was a powerhouse who had attained the Foundation Establishment stage Peak, his entire body faintly wreathed in a pale, spiritual qi radiance. Intimidated, Feng Qing and the others took a few steps back.
That said, even if Li Qinghe, the leader of Zixiao Sect, were to come here, he would still have to show him three points of deference. Back in the day, Li Qinghe had been injured by Su Yu, the palace mistress of Shuiyue Palace, and it was Han Longsheng who had saved his life.
In reality, it was someone else entirely; how could Han Longsheng possibly have defeated Su Yu?
As the second disciple of Shuiyue Palace and at the Core Formation stage 6th Layer, Su Yu could have instantly killed Han Longsheng.
Han Longsheng's wife had pulled strings behind the scenes to force Su Yu's retreat, though she never showed her face. There were hidden complexities to this matter that could not be spoken of.
Judging by this ordeal, Han Longsheng and Li Qinghe still shared a bit of friendship. The fact that Han Longsheng's medicinal herb field could be established on Zixiao Mountain was entirely due to Li Qinghe's protection. Because it was Zixiao Sect's territory, neither rogue Qi Condensation cultivators nor inner disciples dared to set foot here. Moreover, every year, low-grade six-pattern Qi Condensation pills and other medicinal pills were sold to Zixiao Sect at affordable prices. Aside from giving them to inner disciples to take, Zixiao Sect also used some of these Qi Condensation pills to reward outer disciples.
The Zixiao Sect leader was a man of noble character and exceptional skill, with achievements surpassing the world and an imposing, majestic presence. Far too many people sought his help; even the most ordinary mortal-root cultivators outside the sect had the opportunity to become inner disciples after undergoing layer upon layer of selection.
Although Feng Qing had long heard of Han Longsheng's great name, he had never laid eyes on him.
Thus, Feng Qing spoke with awe, "Greetings, Elder Han. Might I ask if anyone here on Zixiao Mountain underwent Tribulation Transcendence a few days ago?"
Han Longsheng immediately replied, "I saw nothing, only heard a clap of thunder. Now then, what brings the few of you from Zixiao Sect to my humble home?"
Hearing this, Feng Qing wore a suspicious expression. Aside from this old man, there was practically no one else on this mountain. He thought to himself that it would be better to invite Elder Han to sit a while at Zixiao Sect; once the sect leader learned of this, the disciples would be spared from punishment.
Stepping forward with a flattering demeanor, Feng Qing said, "Our sect leader has sent us disciples here to invite you to visit Zixiao Sect, and we certainly won't treat you poorly."
Feng Qing took out a hundred Spirit Stones out of his own pocket and delivered them into Elder Han's hands. Elder Han immediately broke into a pleased smile, thinking to himself that in this brief moment he had earned another hundred Spirit Stones—he needed to earn a bit more so he could afford a wife for that boy Han Lin in the future.
Han Longsheng readily agreed, "Good, good, good. Let's go right now."
Seeing Elder Han agree so straightforwardly, Feng Qing said nothing more. Being such a blockhead, Feng Qing surely had no idea about the friendship between the sect leader and Elder Han. This trip would give Elder Han a chance to see his old friend Li Qinghe again!
Over at Zixiao Sect, Han Lin had just arrived, and as a newcomer, he certainly couldn't use an egg to strike a stone. Thus, when living under someone else's roof, how could one not bow one's head? Although Han Lin was a trash-root Qi Condensation cultivator, he still hoped to cultivate and become an inner disciple as soon as possible. Law enforcement elder Feng Deji not only saw that he was honest and meek, but also held a grudge against him for spoiling the good prospects between his son Feng Qing and Ye Hong. Consequently, he had assigned Han Lin to be nothing more than an outer disciple. Yet Han Lin felt that this still deeply shamed his father. It was a pity that he possessed great ambitions with nowhere to put them to use.
His cousin Ye Hong cared deeply for Han Lin and reserved one of her own rooms for him to live in, terrified that these outer disciples might harbor evil intentions and harm him. After all, by staying with her, Ye Hong could protect him.
Inside the room, Han Lin was sitting cross-legged to circulate his qi, having consumed the Qi Condensation pill given to him by Ye Hong, coupled with the nourishing effects of the meridian-cleansing pill. At this moment, his spiritual roots showed a faint agitation. The pathways throughout his body began to operate, and a warm, tender current coursed through his entire frame. Breathing in and out felt truly wonderful!
Even so, he could still sense that his spiritual roots were incomplete. Senior Sister Ye Hong had told him that cultivators on the Nebula Continent with no spiritual roots or those with trash spiritual roots could alter their spiritual roots by consuming four specific spiritual medicines, which were: "Earth-Replishing Pill, Soul Spiritual Root, Body-Restoring Pill, and Spirit-Recovering Pill." Therefore, Han Lin would find a way to acquire them later; he had no intention of remaining a trash-root cultivator.
As night fell and his session of sitting in meditation to circulate qi concluded, Han Lin lay on his bed to rest. Suddenly, a dark figure flashed past, casting a shadow against the window in the moonlight. The person was not carrying a sword, so they probably weren't here to kill anyone; what on earth could they be doing, then?
Filled with doubt as he gazed at the scene before him, Han Lin thought anxiously, *Oh no, could this be a peeping tom?* *Oh no, Senior Sister Ye Hong is in danger!*
Han Lin hurriedly put on his clothes, cautiously pushed the door open, and poked his head out. He saw a shadowy figure in a black robe lingering by his senior sister's window, peeking inside. His senior sister was taking a bath at that moment!
*I can't shout out loud, or it will startle Senior Sister.*
With that thought, he picked up a small pebble and hurled it, striking the figure in black. Realizing the situation had turned bad, the figure in black immediately tried to take flight, but in his extreme panic right as he lifted off, his black face mask fell off.
Staring hard, Han Lin recognized him and muttered under his breath, "Law enforcement elder, Feng Deji."
Ah!…