Chapter 31: Lin Tian’s Whereabouts

Lightning split the night sky, striking straight down upon a new grave deep within the mountain forest. The tomb exploded, and the body of the man who had died was reduced to ashes beneath the bolt. A ball of white light rose, transforming into a stream of radiance that vanished into the darkness.

Xuan Dao Sect, one of the three great sects of the Clearwater Kingdom, rivaled the strength of the Azure Cloud Sect. Its disciples numbered in the tens of thousands. Three towering peaks formed a triangular pattern, two on the north and south banks of the Clearwater River, and the third rising from the river’s center, taller by far than the others.

Yin Tianfang held the waist token of the dead man in his hand. The name engraved upon it belonged to the deceased. Raising his hand, Yin Tianfang wiped it clean and replaced it with his own name. He strode up the steps toward the northern mountain. Halfway up, he paused, a trace of difficulty crossing his face. He realized he had no idea where the man had lived—whether he was a menial servant, an outer disciple, or perhaps an inner disciple.

“Judging by his attire, his status in Xuan Dao Sect must not have been high. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have attempted to steal the Spirit Seizing Pill,” Yin Tianfang mused. The Spirit Seizing Pill was also found in Azure Cloud Sect; it helped disciples condense spiritual energy more quickly and hasten their cultivation. Though the pill was precious, the sect distributed one per month to outer disciples and three to inner disciples. This man had tried to steal the pill, so he was likely a menial servant in Xuan Dao Sect. With this thought, Yin Tianfang felt at ease.

That meant he needn’t worry about his identity being exposed. Among so many menial servants, who would notice the death of one or two?

“In that case, I don’t need to find lodgings. Tomorrow, I’ll inquire about how to be assessed for promotion to outer disciple, and simply enter the outer ranks,” Yin Tianfang decided, settling in a quiet spot to meditate and cultivate.

The next morning, as the first light appeared, Yin Tianfang opened his eyes and headed up the mountain.

Morning was the beginning of the day, and already, numerous figures bustled about the three peaks of Xuan Dao Sect. Most were menial servants, who, lacking the fate for immortal cultivation, remained in the sect as servants. Some, through chance and fortune, succeeded in condensing spiritual energy and became outer disciples, but most would never tread the immortal path.

Walking along the mountain road, Yin Tianfang soon encountered a menial servant. After asking directions, he proceeded straight toward the summit under the servant’s astonished gaze.

Atop the peak, the vast training grounds held dozens of outer disciples meditating in the morning light. Three grand halls stood at the summit: the central hall was the residence of the peak master, while the other two were for the elders’ cultivation.

Yin Tianfang approached one of the halls. Inside, an elderly man with snow-white hair sat cross-legged. Noticing Yin Tianfang’s entry, the elder slowly opened his eyes and a flash of brilliance flickered within.

“What brings you here?”

“By fortunate chance, this disciple has succeeded in condensing spiritual energy and comes to request assessment from the elder,” Yin Tianfang replied, bowing respectfully.

“Oh?” At his words, the elder’s eyes shone, and he rose to stand beside Yin Tianfang. The clothes Yin Tianfang wore belonged to the man from last night—a servant’s garb.

In the sect, menial servants lacked any qualification for immortal cultivation. When they joined, the sect assessed them, and even if there was an error, without cultivation methods, it was futile.

Now, a menial servant claimed to have entered the Qi Condensation stage by chance—such fortune was rare. Usually, if this occurred, the sect would pay great attention, for cultivation depended not only on talent but on fate, and sometimes fate was more important than talent.

“Show me your hand,” the elder said. Under the elder’s sharp gaze, Yin Tianfang felt as if he were utterly exposed, with no secrets at all. His scalp tingled—he had overlooked this. There was no way out: if the elder probed his cultivation, he was likely to be exposed, yet escaping was impossible. With no other choice, Yin Tianfang extended his hand.

The elder gripped it, sending a thread of spiritual energy into Yin Tianfang’s body. After a moment, he looked at him with a deep, inscrutable expression.

“From now on, you are an outer disciple of the North Bank. What is your name?” The elder released Yin Tianfang’s hand and walked to the back of the hall. When he returned, he carried a storage pouch.

“Disciple Yin Tianfang.”

“Very well.” The elder took out a waist token, inscribed Yin Tianfang’s name, and handed it to him. “Come, I’ll arrange a place for you.”

Smiling, the elder walked out with his hands clasped behind his back. Yin Tianfang followed silently, though his heart was filled with doubts. Why had the elder not seen through his cultivation? If he had, why not expose him?

“Could it be…” Yin Tianfang recalled everything he had suffered in Azure Cloud Sect, and grew wary.

“I’ll observe the situation first. Once I find this Lin Tian and obtain what I seek, I’ll leave Xuan Dao Sect at once.” With his mind made up, Yin Tianfang ceased his worries.

Shortly after, the elder brought him to a small courtyard. “From now on, you will live here. On the first day of each month, you may collect one Spirit Seizing Pill and one low-grade spirit stone from the Pill Hall on the main peak.”

“Disciple understands. Thank you, Elder!” Yin Tianfang bowed and clasped his fists.

The elder nodded with a smile and departed. Watching the elder’s retreating figure, Yin Tianfang breathed a sigh of relief.

Returning to his room, Yin Tianfang sat on the bed and opened the storage pouch the elder had given him. Inside were several sets of blue robes, signifying his status as an outer disciple, and a waist token—nothing else.

Yin Tianfang looked up, his expression turning grave. The elder had not given him any cultivation methods, which meant he had already seen through his true level.

“What is that old man planning?” Yin Tianfang frowned, uncertain of the elder’s motives. After his ordeal with Daoist Wuchen of Azure Cloud Sect, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

“This place is not safe for long. I must find Lin Tian quickly, get what I want, and leave at once!”

He exhaled softly, suppressing his uneasiness, and sat cross-legged to cultivate.

Seven days passed in a blink, and Yin Tianfang had been in Xuan Dao Sect for a week. Aside from training, he gradually grew familiar with the other disciples.

And from their mouths, he finally learned where to find Lin Tian.