Cultivating Immortality Through a Hundred Lifetimes: I Possess the Heavenly Book of Merit

Although he really didn't want to stay here, Yu Yan knew in his heart that he no longer had a say in this matter.

From the moment they stepped into this small courtyard in the woods, they lost all choice.

Lin Shi was outwardly polite, arranging accommodations and presenting tokens, showing warmth and thoughtfulness in every way.

But the guards standing at the door were silently telling them one fact:

They cannot leave without Lin Shi's permission.

Or rather, it would be more accurate to say that the two of them were placed under house arrest.

Yu Yan stood by the window, looking at the bamboo forest outside.

Sunlight filters through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Occasionally, a breeze rustles through the bamboo grove, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere.

I just don't know how many people are secretly monitoring us.

Let's just say what he could see, or what the other party deliberately made him see.

Looking out from this room, you can see three hidden locations.

A figure occasionally appears deep in the bamboo forest, a person is hidden behind the artificial hill by the pond, and a pair of eyes are also behind the window on the second floor of the small building in the distance, glancing this way from time to time.

Overt sentries, covert sentries, and lookouts.

This was arranged perfectly.

Yu Yan withdrew his gaze and looked into the room.

This room is really nice.

It was about four or five zhang square, and the furnishings were simple but not shabby.

A wooden bed with a soft mattress; a desk with writing implements on it; and a futon placed in the center of the room.

What caught Yu Yan's attention the most was the array engraved on the floor of the room.

Judging from the effect, it should be a spirit-gathering array, and of a fairly high grade.

According to the servants, this formation can consume hundreds of spirit stones in just one hour.

Sitting cross-legged on the futon, one can clearly feel the spiritual energy around them slowly converging here, making cultivation more than twice as fast as in ordinary places.

Lin Shi's arrangements were quite thoughtful.

It was so thoughtful that you couldn't find any fault with it.

But it is precisely because of this that it makes people more vigilant.

Yu Yan walked to the door and reached out to push it open.

The door had barely opened a crack when a figure appeared in front of him.

He was a cultivator dressed in gray, with an ordinary face but sharp, eagle-like eyes.

He stood at the doorway, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Yu Yan, and spoke in a polite yet authoritative tone:

"Fellow Daoist Yu, Young Master Lin Shi instructed that our two distinguished guests have come from afar and need to rest well. If there is anything you need, please feel free to ask. However..."

He paused, his smile perfectly timed.

"Some areas outside this courtyard are under renovation and are not very safe. If Fellow Daoist Yu wishes to take a walk around, it would be best if someone accompanied him."

Yu Yan looked at him without saying a word.

Repair?

That's a really flimsy excuse.

He didn't expose him, but simply nodded and said calmly, "I understand."

Then close the door.

Lin Shi intends to trap them here until he achieves some goal.

What do they want from them?

He walked back to the center of the room and sat down on the futon.

Never mind that for now, since we're here, we might as well make the best of it.

Since we can't leave, we can only enjoy it.

If Lin Shi wanted them to stay, then so be it. After all, food and lodging were free, and they could even cultivate using the Spirit Gathering Array—where else could they find such a good deal?

As for the rest...

Yu Yan closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

First, cultivate yourself.

The power of the Jade Bamboo Tea within his body was still slowly emanating, its gentle spiritual energy flowing through his meridians, guiding his own spiritual power to circulate gently. He could feel this power gradually merging into his body, becoming a part of his cultivation.

If one can calmly refine the essence at this moment, one might actually achieve a breakthrough.

He calmed his mind and began to circulate his internal energy.

Time passed little by little.

After an unknown amount of time, a soft footstep suddenly came from outside the door.

Yu Yan opened his eyes.

The footsteps stopped at the door, followed by a knock.

"Distinguished guest?"

It was an unfamiliar voice.

Yu Yan stood up, walked to the door, and opened it.

A young servant in blue robes stood outside the door, his face handsome, carrying a tray. On the tray lay a palm-sized token, entirely purple, exceptionally luxurious.

Purple-gold token.

The servant presented the tray with both hands and said respectfully:

"Fellow Daoist Yu, these were sent by Young Master Lin Shi. He said that since you two are new to the Upper Three Levels, it would be inconvenient for you not to have tokens. These two tokens are a small token of his appreciation; please accept them."

Yu Yan looked down at the token, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

They actually delivered it.

Does the City Lord's Mansion really issue this many of these things? They just give them away like that.

They came up in a spirit boat before, and could only stay for one day.

Now that I have this token, I can stay as long as I want.

Lin Shi's move is truly extravagant.

What was the purpose of it all?

He didn't reach out to take it, but instead said:

"Young Master Lin, you are too kind. However, this token is far too valuable, and we cannot accept it without having done anything to deserve it."

The servant smiled, as if he had expected him to say that.

"Fellow Daoist Yu, there's no need to refuse. Young Master said you two are distinguished guests, this small token is nothing. Besides..."

He paused, then moved the tray forward.

"This token is already registered under your names. Returning it would only make things more difficult. Fellow Daoist Yu, please accept it as a token of the young master's goodwill."

Yu Yan remained silent for a moment, then reached out and took the token.

The token felt cool to the touch and had a substantial weight; its craftsmanship was exquisite. The front was engraved with the character "云" (cloud), while the back featured intricate runes with a faint, shimmering aura.

He nodded to the servant: "Please convey our thanks to Young Master Lin."

The servant smiled, cupped his hands in greeting, and turned to leave.

Yu Yan watched him walk away, then glanced around the doorway.

The guards remained standing there, like statues, motionless, their gazes seemingly lingering in this direction.

Yu Yan remained calm and closed the door.

We have no choice but to accept it.

Judging from this situation, if there is any resistance, the beautiful facade before us may be completely shattered.

Now that we're on board, we'll just have to wait and see. What Lin Shi wants from them will eventually be revealed. Then we'll deal with whatever comes our way.

"Sigh, too much trouble is just a hassle."

He put the token into his pocket and sat down again on the futon.

Since things have come to this, let's focus on self-cultivation first.

In any case, improving one's cultivation level is never a bad thing.

The power of the Jade Bamboo Tea within his body remained, and its gentle spiritual energy flowed slowly through his meridians. He could sense that his cultivation had reached a critical point, and he might break through at any moment.

He closed his eyes and began to circulate his internal energy.

Time flies when you're practicing.

After an unknown amount of time, Yu Yan suddenly felt a jolt within his body.

The ever-flowing power of the green bamboo tea finally merged completely into his meridians. At the same time, his own spiritual energy seemed to be ignited, circulating wildly.

boom--

A surge of heat flowed from the dantian, traveling along the meridians to the limbs and bones.

Yu Yan felt a jolt throughout his body, and an unprecedented sense of comfort surged through him. His meridians seemed to have widened, and the circulation of spiritual energy was much faster than before.

Breakthrough.

He opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath.

Fifth level of Qi Refining.