Immortality: Starting with the Fruit of Taiyin

"Is it him... that Wang disciple from the lower academy back then?"

He paused, recognizing Wang Xuan as well.

On the official road, almost subconsciously, a murderous intent flashed through Lin Qingyi's mind.

There was no other reason; it was simply a spontaneous reaction of the pursued individual to the unexpected turn of events.

In his recollection, his presence during this meeting with chamber of commerce members and contact with the smuggling vessel at the border should have kept his whereabouts confidential, so this encounter was merely an accident...

He couldn't help but regret it. If he hadn't run out of high-level talismans and needed to prepare for the future, he wouldn't have been so careless.

Fortunately, it's never too late to mend the fence after the sheep are lost. Just consider it bad luck for this kid... His spiritual sense had already probed into the storage bag, but just as Lin Qingyi's killing intent was growing stronger, a rising spiritual light instantly dispelled his original plan.

Second-tier, low-grade Qingyuan Talisman!

At the nameless tea stall, the defensive talisman was activated on the spot, forming an invisible cyan barrier around Wang Xuan.

At the same moment, a second second-tier talisman was held between his fingertips, seemingly ready to be activated at any moment.

Instead of immediately revealing the demon beast in the spirit beast bag, Wang Xuan instructed Xiao Qing to hide to the side using a soul contract.

After all, although the Earth-grade demon beasts were quite powerful, he was not so arrogant as to think that the newly advanced Void Shadow Sparrow could easily defeat them.

It's hard to say how strong Lin Qingyi himself is, but since he was able to survive peacefully until today after the sect's destruction, the sect's resources he possesses must be extraordinary.

"Hmm? What do you mean by that, Junior Brother?"

"Thank you for your kind words, senior."

Without trying to get close or pretending not to see, Wang Xuan simply calmly reminded him:

"Although this place is remote, it is only seventy li away from Baihefang City."

"If a Foundation Establishment level magical fluctuation were to occur, it would likely attract outsiders to investigate, thus ensuring the safety of the market."

"Therefore, please stop here, senior, to avoid any misunderstanding."

"...Junior brother, could it be that you didn't recognize your senior brother's identity?"

Lin Qingyi's smile froze slightly, her steps faltered, and an unnatural smile appeared on her face.

"Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye. Junior brother, do you still remember our meeting at Xiaoze Mountain?"

"We are from the same sect, and I truly never expected to meet you here again, my junior brother. This is truly—"

"Oh, right."

Before he could interrupt, Wang Xuan added without changing his expression.

"As far as I know, a month ago, a fake alchemist from the Lu family of Xuanfu suddenly arrived at the market. I don't know why he came, nor do I know if he has left yet."

"I see you are in a hurry, senior. If it is truly related to this... please think twice before you act."

"……I……"

Lin Qingyi opened her mouth, but the smile on her face gradually disappeared.

What does it mean that the Lu family's fake pills have been here before, and what were they doing here?

He took a deep breath; at this moment, his focus was no longer on Wang Xuan.

The Lu family... could it be that they also want to get involved in this mess?

It shouldn't be like this...

For a moment, Lin Qingyi's mind was in turmoil, and he almost thought that his plan had been exposed.

However, upon further reflection, if this were true, then there would be more than just one fake elixir here.

A month ago... Could it be the Xihe Chamber of Commerce?!

Lin Qingyi felt a sinking feeling in her heart, as if she had understood something.

So that's how it is. No wonder... No wonder the person I was supposed to meet changed the location to here at the last minute. He was using someone else to do his dirty work!

The Immortal Merchant Guild trades with countries around the world.

The larger the scale, the more trust it enjoys from major Nascent Soul sects across the country, and the more important its own reputation becomes.

It was precisely because Lin Qingyi was aware of this that she dared to contact them before... But who knew that although the Xihe Chamber of Commerce did not take action themselves, it did not prevent them from setting a trap by taking advantage of the information gap, making her actively get into this trouble.

If he were to happen to meet Master Lu, it would simply be bad luck, and the other party would not be considered to have breached the contract.

"Very well... I'll remember the Xihe Chamber of Commerce!"

Feeling secretly relieved, Lin Qing couldn't help but feel a lingering fear amidst his anger.

His ability to remain undiscovered to this day is partly due to luck.

If he were to be caught by a fake pill here, he wouldn't be able to escape so easily.

"Phew... Thank you for the reminder, Junior Brother. I have learned a lot."

Exhaling a long breath, Lin Qingyi looked at Wang Xuan again, and his killing intent completely dissipated.

"Junior brother, there's no need to be nervous. I mean you no harm."

"Although our sect has been destroyed, the bond between us fellow disciples will never die... Since we are brothers, why be so formal?"

"Senior Lin, you flatter me."

Wang Xuan bowed respectfully, showing proper etiquette, but his attitude remained distant.

"On the path of spiritual cultivation, those who attain enlightenment come first."

"How dare I call myself a junior brother in front of someone who has reached the Foundation Establishment stage? I would only be ridiculed."

"Ha, what senior? He's nothing but a stray dog, wandering around Chen Kingdom."

Shaking his head and smiling bitterly, Lin Qingyi looked desolate, ignoring Wang Xuan's coldness.

"Seeing how cautious my junior brother is, he must have experienced this firsthand."

"When a big tree falls, the grass and trees that sheltered it wither as well... I've come here to be pursued by people, and I'm afraid I can't stay any longer."

"However, now that we, fellow disciples, have met again here, I have something I must say."

"Junior brother, do you know that although the State of Chen is vast, there is probably no place for us to stand anymore..."

With a long sigh, Lin Qing seemed to be expressing a deep sense of regret.

However, Wang Xuan remained noncommittal, simply watching the other party's performance in silence.

Strictly speaking, he didn't really want to get involved in this big trouble with his former disciple.

But since he had already run into them, he had no choice but to pretend to listen.

"What you mean, senpai, is..."

"What I mean is that, as a true disciple of Nanhua, even if the sect is destroyed, I should still shoulder the heavy responsibility of revitalizing the sect's tradition."

"A nine-story tower begins with a pile of earth; a tree that can be embraced grows from a tiny sprout."

"The power of one person is ultimately limited; only the collective strength of many can form a sect."

"If you, junior brother, are willing to lend me a hand, I, as your elder brother, will not only help you achieve the Foundation Establishment stage."

"When you achieve the Great Perfection of the True Core and the sect is rebuilt, you, junior brother, will surely become a sect elder, and future generations will offer you endless tributes!"

Speaking in a deep voice, Lin Qing's expression was sincere, not feigned.

If everything the other party says can be done, then perhaps his promise can truly be kept.

However, as a listener, Wang Xuan was not influenced by him; instead, he automatically translated his meaning into human language.

What does it mean that the power of one person is ultimately limited, and only the collective strength of many can form a sect?

I've finally realized that without someone to run errands, I can't even gather information.

Fortunately, it's not too late to understand now, so I'm offering you a Foundation Building resource to recruit you to work for me.

As for the subsequent benefits... they will naturally come after I reach the Core Formation stage.

Until then, please, junior brother, practice forbearance.