Mountain Venerable and Sea Immortal

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and the recruitment notice from the Outer Gate Hall was posted on the stone wall of the training ground as scheduled.

A group of outer disciples gathered around, their eyes falling on the notice, and immediately saw the personnel assigned for this security mission.

The sect's team for gathering spiritual herbs was divided into two groups according to the prior arrangement, each with its own duties and without interfering with the others.

A group led by Elder Minglang included Lin Yan, Yi Azhu, Chen Dagang, Yun Xi, and Ye Qing. Elder Feng was in charge of outer sect training and patrolling the valleys, and was skilled in wilderness exploration and dealing with dangers. The five of them, including Lin Yan, had solid cultivation and calm temperaments. Lin Yan, in particular, was calm in the face of adversity and had extremely strong adaptability. He was the person personally selected by Elder Fenglie. The group of six was responsible for scouting the way ahead and providing overall protection for this trip.

The other group was led by Elder Hailan, and included Su Chen, Shi Kui, Liu Ying, Man Tu, and Zhao Weiwei. Elder Hailan was in charge of affairs outside the mountain gate and dealings with aristocratic families. Su Chen, as a direct descendant of the Su family in Qingfeng Town, was familiar with the connections of aristocratic families outside the mountain and the terrain along the way. His accompanying the group was not only to assist Elder Hailan in contacting aristocratic families along the way and handling procurement matters, but also to naturally travel with the group, though he secretly harbored ulterior motives.

The two teams, one open and one covert, one righteous and one cunning, quickly assembled at the mountain gate.

True Immortal Danxuan and True Immortal Qingxuan did not appear; only Elder Tiesu came to give them a few words of advice, which were nothing more than to tell everyone to abide by the sect's rules while they were out, to prioritize safety in any situation, and to return immediately after successfully completing the procurement mission. Elder Minglang responded in a deep voice, his gaze sweeping over Lin Yan and the other four behind him, with a hint of approval and admonition; Elder Hailan's expression was calm, but there was a deep meaning hidden in his eyes. Su Chen followed beside him, occasionally glancing at Lin Yan's back, a subtle, sinister smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

With the elder's command, the two groups of people stepped out of the Laoshan Mountain gate and headed out of the mountain.

After speeding along and avoiding the dangerous places where monsters roamed the mountains, the group arrived at Qingfeng Town, their stop along the way, in about half a day.

Qingfeng Town is located a hundred miles outside Laoshan Mountain. It is an important town where cultivators and ordinary people come and go. It is named after the many green maple trees that grow in the town. The town is built against Qingfeng Ridge. Everywhere you look, there are tall green maple trees with thick trunks and lush foliage. Even if it is not late autumn, the layers of green maple leaves cover the sky and block out the sun. Walking in the town, you are surrounded by the refreshing spiritual energy of grass and trees.

The town is well-organized, with wide and clean streets paved with bluestone slabs, lined with shops on both sides. There are shops selling secular goods as well as spiritual material markets for cultivators. It is bustling with people, noisy but not chaotic. Stalls bearing the mark of Qingfeng can be seen everywhere along the streets, selling unique local products: protective pendants carved from Qingfeng wood, incense made from the essence of maple leaves, dried spiritual fruits from Qingfeng Ridge, and small storage bags woven from maple tree roots. Each item carries the unique charm of Qingfeng Town.

The delicacies of Qingfeng Town are renowned far and wide. The aroma lingers in the streets and alleys: freshly baked maple syrup pastries are golden and crisp, their sweet fragrance carrying the refreshing scent of maple leaves; the maple dew spirit chicken soup, simmered slowly over a low flame, is rich and flavorful, infused with the unique spiritual herbs of Qingfeng Ridge, nourishing and invigorating; there's also soft and sweet maple leaf sticky rice, fresh and delicious Qingfeng fish from the stream, and chilled maple dew wine—each dish is unforgettable, even those who spend most of their time cultivating in the sect can't help but turn their heads in admiration.

Elder Hailan led Su Chen and his group ahead. As soon as they entered Qingfeng Town, servants sent by the Su family were waiting at the town entrance, respectfully guiding them to the Su residence.

As one of the top cultivation families in Qingfeng Town, the Su family mansion boasts a vast estate with green tiles, white walls, and upturned eaves. The courtyard is filled with spiritual plants, and simple protective barriers are placed at the four corners, revealing the family's profound heritage. The Su family patriarch personally led his clansmen to greet Elder Hailan, treating him with utmost respect. They exchanged pleasantries and led him into the mansion, where a sumptuous feast had been prepared. The table was laden with all kinds of Qingfeng Town's specialties, including rare delicacies and spiritual wines, demonstrating the family's sincere hospitality.

The banquet was held in the main hall of the Su family mansion. Elder Hailan naturally sat in the main seat, accompanied by the head of the Su family. Su Chen and others stood to the side. The entire event was hosted by the Su family to Elder Hailan.

Lin Yan stood outside the hall with Elder Minglang and his group, observing the scene, and understood what was going on.

Elder Hailan and the Su family already had a deep friendship, and their arrival made them distinguished guests. However, their entourage had a private feud with Su Chen, so it would be inappropriate for them to stay at the Su residence for the banquet. Lin Yan, always astute and tactful as ever, immediately stepped forward, bowed respectfully to Elder Minglang, and said humbly, "Elder, Elder Hailan and the Su family have a long-standing relationship. This is a private banquet for a prominent family, and we should not disturb them. As we entered the town, we saw signs for inns and guesthouses for cultivators at the street corners. Finding a quiet inn to stay in shouldn't be difficult. Perhaps my fellow disciples and I could go ahead and await your instructions."

Minglang understood and nodded slightly upon hearing this, then said in a deep voice, "Very well, take them to settle in and get some rest. Be extra vigilant at night, as things outside the mountains are not like those in the sect, so do not let your guard down."

"Your disciple obeys."

Lin Yan acknowledged, then turned to Yi Azhu, Chen Dagang, Yun Xi, and Ye Qing. The five of them said no more, bowed slightly to the hall, and then turned and left the Su residence.

The streets of Qingfeng Town are clearly defined, and the inns specifically set up for cultivators are often marked with pale blue spirit lamps, making them easily identifiable. Lin Yan followed the guidance of the spirit lamps, avoiding the bustling main street, and strolled slowly along Qingfeng Creek for a while before coming to a small courtyard by the creek. Above the door were the three characters "Qingfeng Inn," and two concealed spirit lamps hung outside the door. This was the tranquil inn that received cultivators.

He stepped forward and gave a slight nod, announcing his identity as an outer disciple of Laoshan. The innkeeper immediately welcomed him in respectfully and settled the five of them into five interconnected guest rooms in the backyard, a secluded and safe place that would not attract attention.

Lin Yan instructed everyone to close the doors and windows, not to go out at night, and to return to their rooms to rest and recuperate.

During the day, Qingfeng Town was bustling and peaceful, showing no sign of danger. However, Lin Yan felt a slight unease, sensing that this trip harbored some unspeakable hidden dangers. He sat cross-legged on the couch, circulating his cultivation technique to regulate his breathing, while keeping his spiritual sense constantly focused on his surroundings.

As night deepened, the lights of Qingfeng Town gradually went out, and the streets fell silent. Only the evening breeze rustled through the maple trees, and the moonlight shone through the windows, casting a cold and lonely glow on the ground.

Around midnight, all was quiet.

Suddenly, several extremely faint sounds of clothes rustling through the air came from the roof of the inn. They were as fast as ghosts and had no spiritual energy fluctuations, clearly the work of assassins skilled in stealth.

The next second, three dark figures, like bats in the night, silently landed outside the window of Lin Yan's room. The poisoned short blades in their hands, gleaming with cold light, pierced straight through the window paper and viciously stabbed towards Lin Yan on the bed!

Meanwhile, outside the guest rooms of Yi Azhu, Chen Dagang, Yun Xi, and Ye Qing next door, a faint sound of wind breaking could also be heard...