After transmigrating into the body of the protagonist's childhood friend, he was targeted by a

On the originally smooth and warm jade surface, a thin crack appeared at some point, winding from the edge to the center, like a faint scar.

Lin Zhixu stared at the crack for a long time.

He looked down at his wrist again.

The skin was smooth and normal, with nothing on it.

He sat silently for a while, then took the jade pendant off his neck and gently held it in his palm.

The jade-like surface was cool, pressed against his skin, as if silently comforting him.

This jade pendant was given to him by Yu Linzhou. Now that it has a crack, it has saved him from another calamity.

He looked at it for a while, then put the jade pendant away.

System: [Aren't you wearing it anymore? This jade pendant seems to have a restraining effect on demonic energy, protecting you from its corruption.]

Lin Zhixu: [No need. It already has a crack, and I have a feeling it might break soon if I wear it any longer. It's better to put it away. Besides, aren't you protecting me? This jade pendant is unnecessary.]

The system smugly replied: "Of course, I'm enough. This jade pendant is unnecessary."

Lin Zhixu smiled and coaxed it a few more times, following the system's advice, until its tail was practically wagging in the air, before finally lying down again.

I slept soundly that night, undisturbed by anything else.

In the days that followed, Lin Zhixu resumed his daily routine of eliminating evil cultivators.

The evil cultivators are multiplying too fast, with tasks coming one after another, leaving no time to even catch their breath.

That day, he had just finished dealing with a group of wandering evil cultivators and returned to the sect in a dusty state. Before he could even catch his breath, he received a message from the Grand Elder.

Lin Zhixu was taken aback.

The Grand Elder is looking for him?

He didn't dare to delay and hurriedly went to the main hall of the peak.

Upon entering the hall, he found it filled with people, including many elders, among whom was Yan Lingcang.

Lin Zhixu paused, steadied himself, and stepped forward to bow to the Grand Elder in the main seat.

"Disciple Lin Zhixu greets all elders."

The Grand Elder, with his white hair and beard and a kind face, gestured for them to sit down: "You've arrived. Please sit. Immortal Venerable Fengheng is in seclusion, so as his personal disciple, you will represent him at this meeting."

Lin Zhixu was slightly startled, but he didn't show it on his face. He respectfully agreed and sat down in the empty seat below him.

The other elders didn't say much, which was considered tacit agreement.

Once everyone had arrived, the Grand Elder got to the point: "I have summoned you all here today to discuss an important matter. Recently, evil cultivators have been rampant, committing all sorts of atrocities. Although the major sects have sent disciples to suppress them, their numbers are too large to eradicate in a short time."

"The people are suffering terribly, and their complaints are endless. Even the imperial palace was almost destroyed. Fortunately, the disciples of our sect intervened in time, preventing a major disaster."

"The main purpose of this council meeting is to discuss sending disciples to guard the palace. The palace is the seat of human destiny, and we cannot afford any further mistakes. Does anyone have a candidate to recommend?"

These words immediately sparked a flurry of discussion within the hall.

Elder Xuanqing spoke first: "During the last palace turmoil, my disciple Jiang Che participated and was seriously injured. He has not yet fully recovered and I'm afraid he is unable to fulfill his duty of guarding the palace."

"But given his experience at the time, it would be safer for the garrison disciples to be at least at the Golden Core stage of martial arts cultivation."

Everyone nodded in agreement, agreeing that what he said made sense.

However, some people immediately raised objections.

"That being said, there are not many Golden Core stage disciples in the sect to begin with, and each one is an elite of their respective peak. Now that the sect is in dire need of manpower to eliminate evil forces, if some of them are transferred to guard the palace, it may affect the progress of the encirclement operation."

"If the evil cultivators aren't suppressed and chaos breaks out in the palace, we'll be caught in the middle, which won't be ideal."

Upon hearing this, many elders frowned, finding it reasonable.

The palace was divided into two factions. One faction believed that the safety of the palace was related to the fate of the country and that elite troops should be stationed there.

The other faction worried that their forces would be scattered and they would be unable to attend to all aspects of the situation.

Both sides held their own views, resulting in a stalemate.

Lin Zhixu sat to the side, lost in thought. He felt that this kind of thing had nothing to do with him; he was just there to make up the numbers.

Suddenly, I felt a gaze fall on me.

Looking up, I saw the Grand Elder.

The old man looked at him with a gentle gaze, which also carried a hint of encouragement.

Lin Zhixu: "..."

The Grand Elder suddenly spoke up: "Actually, I do have someone in mind."

The commotion inside the hall gradually subsided, and everyone turned to look at the person in the main seat.

The Grand Elder's gaze fell on Lin Zhixu. "I remember, Zhixu participated in the last palace turmoil. He even rescued two disciples from the sect. He must know something about the palace."

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at Lin Zhixu, and they remembered as well.

After thinking about it, I think he is indeed a good candidate.

Moreover, he is Yu Linzhou's disciple.

Putting everything else aside, given Feng Heng Immortal Venerable's protective nature, how could his disciple be without something to protect his life?

Even if one's cultivation level hasn't reached the Golden Core stage, one's safety level might not be inferior to others.

Thinking about it this way, everyone felt even more that this person was the most suitable candidate.

The two groups that were arguing just moments ago now all turned to look at Lin Zhixu.

Lin Zhixu sat in his seat, under the gaze of all the elders in the hall, his face remaining calm, but inwardly he sighed.

It's true what they say, what you fear most is what happens.

He knew that being called out by name in this kind of situation was never a good thing.

The Grand Elder smiled and asked, "I wonder if Zhixu would be willing to go?"

Lin Zhixu remained silent for a moment, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

His appearance amused the Grand Elder.

This child is quite different from Yu Linzhou.

If it were that troublesome person sitting here, if they didn't want to go, they would have already slammed their fist on the table, made an excuse, and slipped away. Why would they be sitting here obediently, making things difficult?

He's still young and easily embarrassed.

The Grand Elder smiled and said, "Don't worry, the sect won't let you go alone. Besides the Tianheng Sect, the other major sects will also send disciples. You can stay together and look after each other."

"I have already informed the palace that they will make proper arrangements for your accommodations and expenses. Once the situation stabilizes, you may return to your clan."

Since that's what they said, Lin Zhixu had no choice but to agree.

"This disciple is willing to go."

The Grand Elder nodded in satisfaction: "Good. Go back and prepare. We'll depart in three days. If you need anything, just go to the storeroom and get it; don't hesitate to ask."

The elders in the hall breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that the matter was settled.

Actually, this is a good job. If they had suitable disciples, they would have recommended themselves long ago. The main problem is that they really don't have suitable candidates.

Lin Zhixu sat down again, and the Grand Elder gave him a few more instructions on the precautions for guarding the post.

Although it is called a garrison post, it does not actually require patrolling day and night like a guard. It only requires keeping an eye on whether there are any suspicious people in the palace who may endanger the safety of the emperor and the dragon vein.

If the new emperor is a wise ruler with a clear mind who will not be easily swayed, they will be able to retire quickly after achieving their goals.