A mortal cultivating immortality can nurture spirit beasts.

"It's Senior Sister Chen, please come in!"

Senior Sister Chen walked in with a curious look on her face. Lin He's residence was very clean, but the furnishings were also very simple, with only a bed, a table and two stools.

Lin He brought a stool for her, and Senior Sister Chen didn't stand on ceremony and sat down directly. After exchanging a few polite words, they started talking about business.

"Senior Sister Chen, what brings you here?"

"Can't you come and see me if there's nothing wrong?" Chen Qiaoqian rolled her eyes at him, making Lin He quite embarrassed. Fortunately, she quickly changed the subject.

"I came to tell you about what happened yesterday. I've already told my older brother and my father."

Lin He nodded, then asked, "So, what was the result?"

"My eldest brother has always loved me the most. When he heard about it, he immediately wanted to pick up his gold book and silver pen to go and demand justice from the Lu family, but my father stopped him."

Lin He didn't speak. He knew that Senior Sister Chen would definitely have more to say. Sure enough, he heard her continue, "My father has already told me that he will personally go to the head of the Lu family. He also told me not to disclose this matter to outsiders."

Lin He understood immediately. The Chen family head was probably afraid that the Chen family's reputation would be damaged by this incident, so he did not intend to publicize it. Instead, he secretly negotiated with the Lu family and dealt with the matter in secret.

Lin He had already guessed the Chen family head's plan and couldn't help but praise him. As a father, it was certainly satisfying to seek justice for his daughter in a grand manner, but as the head of the Chen family, he had to consider the reputation of the Chen family. The best way was to handle the matter secretly.

Of course, all of this is based on the premise that Chen Qiaoqian is still safe and sound. If she were really killed by Senior Brother Lu, then everything would be different.

"The way Patriarch Chen handled this situation is indeed the best way to minimize the negative impact; at least Senior Sister Chen's reputation is preserved." Lin He said, then suddenly remembered something and couldn't help but joke.

"However, since your father instructed you not to disclose this to outsiders, Senior Sister Chen, you told me about it. I wonder if that counts as going against your father's wishes?"

Upon hearing this, Senior Sister Chen muttered under her breath, "After doing that kind of thing, how can you still be considered an outsider?"

"Senior Sister Chen, what are you saying?"

"Ah...it's nothing." Senior Sister Chen looked flustered and quickly changed the subject, "By the way, there's been a big event in the sect recently, have you heard?"

"A big deal? Senior Sister Chen must be referring to the forbidden area trial."

With just over a month until the forbidden area trial, this is the most talked-about topic in the entire Yellow Maple Valley. How could Lin He not have guessed it?

Chen Qiaoqian seemed to have thought of something and said with some worry, "It's about this matter. My older brother has decided to participate in the forbidden area trial, and I'm a little worried about his safety."

In the original novel, Chen Qiaoqian had a Foundation Establishment Pill, which she probably obtained at the last sect conference. However, it was later taken away by Han Li, forcing her to participate in the forbidden area trial and collect spiritual herbs to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

However, the plot has now changed. Chen Qiaoqian's Foundation Establishment Pill has not been taken away, so she no longer needs to risk participating in the forbidden area trial.

However, Chen Qiaoqian's eldest brother might have been a little less talented, and felt that one Foundation Establishment Pill wasn't enough to guarantee success, so he needed to get another one. But according to the original story, his ending wasn't good. He failed to establish his foundation after taking two Foundation Establishment Pills in a row, and in despair, he went to manage family affairs.

Lin He recalled the original plot and quickly figured out the cause and effect of the matter. He then comforted him, saying, "Your eldest brother, Senior Brother Chen Qiaoshan, is very strong. You don't need to worry too much."

Chen Qiaoshan's cultivation level of thirteenth level of Qi Refining puts him in the top tier among low-level disciples, making him a promising candidate for Huangfeng Valley. His set of magical artifacts, consisting of a golden book and a silver pen, is very powerful, so there's no need to worry about him. Chen Qiaoqian's concern has clouded her judgment.

Hearing this comforting remark, Senior Sister Chen understood. She nodded, then looked at Lin He and asked somewhat uneasily, "Junior Brother Lin now has a Foundation Establishment Pill, so you shouldn't need to go to the forbidden area for trials and adventures, right?"

Hearing this, Lin He shook his head and said, "Senior Sister Chen, you are mistaken. Although I have dual spiritual roots, even a Foundation Establishment Pill cannot guarantee my success in establishing my foundation. Moreover, more importantly... I missed the sect's grand meeting when I joined the sect and had no chance to obtain that Foundation Establishment Pill. To outsiders, it seems that I don't have a single Foundation Establishment Pill. If I were to successfully establish my foundation, wouldn't that become my biggest weakness?"

Cultivators must use Foundation Establishment Pills to establish their foundation; this is a rule in the cultivation world. Apart from unorthodox methods like those of the Black Fiend Sect, no other cultivator can break this rule.

To outsiders, Lin He doesn't seem to have any Foundation Establishment Pills. But if he successfully established his foundation, where did the Foundation Establishment Pills come from? If we extrapolate the timeline, it's easy to connect it to the missing Senior Brother Lu.

Murder to steal treasure, especially a fellow disciple, and even stealing the Foundation Establishment Pill – what a heinous crime!

The Chen family now believes that Lin He killed Senior Brother Lu, but both sides have a tacit understanding to keep the secret. The Chen family does not want to damage their reputation, and Lin He does not want to expose the matter to avoid retaliation from the Lu family. Both sides get what they want and have formed a tacit understanding.

Although Chen Qiaoqian was a bit love-struck, she wasn't stupid. She quickly understood and looked at Lin He's handsome face with great concern.

"I understand your concerns, but... but the forbidden area trial is fraught with danger. Your cultivation is only at the eleventh level of Qi Refining. It's a den of dragons and tigers for you. You should think carefully."

"Senior Sister Chen, I've made up my mind, so please don't try to persuade me anymore. I don't want to face retaliation from the Lu family and the sect's judgment as soon as I reach the Foundation Establishment stage. I'll be doomed anyway, so I might as well take the risk now."

Although Lin He's voice wasn't loud, the determination in his words still made Senior Sister Chen tremble violently. She took a deep breath, her face full of guilt, and said, "Junior Brother Lin, it's all my fault. If it weren't for saving me, you wouldn't be in such a predicament."

"Senior Sister Chen, how can you say that you harmed me? You are also a victim. The one who really harmed me is Senior Brother Lu."

Senior Sister Chen nodded. She thought for a moment, seemingly making a decision, and then took out a brocade handkerchief radiating spiritual energy from her storage bag.

"This is a top-tier defensive magic artifact. It can save your life in times of crisis. Junior brother, please keep it safe."

Although Chen Qiaoqian is the daughter of the Chen family, she probably doesn't have many top-tier magical artifacts. After all, she is the seventh child in the Chen family, with six older brothers. Even if each brother gets a share, she probably won't have many left. This handkerchief is likely a life-saving item she possesses.

Lin He already possessed a plethora of top-tier magical artifacts, including numerous defensive ones, so he didn't need another one. Just as he was considering how to refuse, Chen Qiaoqian suddenly said coldly...

"Junior Brother Lin, if you don't accept it, I will never come again."

The beauty was so affectionate that she even gave him her life-saving magic weapon. What could Lin He say?

Lin He tucked the handkerchief away, then pulled her to the bedside and said softly, "You've been so good to me, I really don't know how to repay you."

Chen Qiaoqian blushed and whispered, "I don't want any repayment from you. I'll be content as long as you treat me well in the future."

Lin He looked at the beautiful young woman in front of him. Just as she was about to say something, Lin He cut her off, and then the room was filled with the warmth of spring.

……

……

More than a month later, the forbidden area trial finally began.