I, a centenarian, sweep through the gates of immortality.

Although they didn't spend much time together, Yun Shu was deeply moved by both the future of the sect and Lin Feng's personal resilience.

Now that she believes Lin Feng is dead, hatred inevitably arises in her heart.

With a flick of her sleeve, she collected what she believed to be Lin Feng's ashes, then swiftly flew back to Chongyang Valley.

Upon seeing the sect leader, Yun Shu immediately knelt down, her expression quite grave.

"Sect Leader, Elder Lin, he..."

Yun Shu then took out the collected ashes.

"It was too late when I arrived; he had already been murdered."

Recently, the sect has been busy with many matters, and Xu Yuanrang was already mentally and physically exhausted. He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and asked a question.

"Who could have done this?"

"That's what the young Taoist priest in charge of escorting Lin Feng said."

"The other party is a cultivator, and he's incredibly arrogant, clearly not taking our Chongyang Valley seriously."

Yun Shu also shared her opinion.

"Could it be the work of people from Xuanqing Temple?"

"They probably already knew that Mr. Lin was exceptionally talented, reaching the third realm in five days. They were worried that it would affect their battle against us, which is why they were so ruthless in killing him."

Xu Yuanrang and the others neither agreed nor disagreed with Yun Shu's statement.

Firstly, there is a logical flaw at this point, and secondly, they lack conclusive evidence.

Secondly, even if it really was Xuanqing Temple that did it, would they really go looking for revenge now?

Left with no other choice, Xu Yuanrang could only sigh.

Everything is predestined.

"Alright, let's put this matter aside for now. You should continue with your preparations."

"Sect affairs are of utmost importance."

Yun Shu opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but Xu Yuanrang waved his hand, and the junior sister next to her tugged at Yun Shu's sleeve. Seeing this, she had no choice but to give up.

After leaving the main hall, Yun Shu looked into the distance, her expression somber.

"Ugh."

"He lived to be over a hundred years old, yet he did not die a peaceful death. If I had known this would happen, I should not have led you down the path to immortality."

Regret came, but it was too late.

Now, let's turn our attention to Lin Feng.

Although he was nearly a hundred years old, Lin Feng's body was indeed much lighter after he gained spiritual energy. Although crossing mountains and ridges was not exactly like walking on flat ground, it was not too strenuous. Lin Feng took more than a day to travel more than a hundred miles and finally arrived.

However, Lin Feng did not go into the city, but instead settled in a village not far from the city.

On the one hand, it was to prevent Ying Wujiu from getting the news and finding him.

On the other hand, it's also because Lin Feng still needs to improve his strength, and cultivating in the city will inevitably attract attention.

Upon entering the village, Lin Feng, following the customs of the farmers, prepared a gift—a relatively inexpensive elixir—and handed it to the villager.

Lin Feng didn't bring any money with him when he went to Chongyang Valley.

When he left Chongyang Valley, he didn't take a single penny with him.

Only elixirs can be given as gifts.

Although the villagers were simple and honest, they lived close to the city and knew that this was a magic pill, so they quickly invited Lin Feng back to their home.

"Sir, it is our honor to have you stay here. Why bother preparing these gifts?"

The villagers were being polite, so Lin Feng could only wave his hand and say...

"I'm afraid I'll have to stay at your house for quite a while longer. I apologize for the inconvenience. Please accept this elixir and exchange it for some money in the city. It's just a token of my appreciation."

The villagers said with a touch of emotion.

"Recently, many immortals have come to the village, but most of them are extremely arrogant. It is very rare to find someone as polite as you."

"Alright, sir, I'll go prepare some wine and food for you now."

Any kind of elixir can be exchanged for a lot of money in the city. Since the villagers accepted the elixir, they naturally wouldn't let Lin Feng down, so they prepared a lavish feast.

But after hearing what the villager said, Lin Feng suddenly felt a tightness in his heart. Although he remained calm on the surface, he muttered to himself in secret.

"Most cultivators don't usually come to the village, but these villagers say that many immortals have come to the village recently. Could it be to select disciples? But there's no need for so many people to come to select disciples, is there?"

Suppressing his doubts, Lin Feng asked calmly.

"You said many immortals have been coming to the village lately. Do you know which sect or school they belong to, and what they are doing here?"

The villager shook his head, seemingly indifferent.

"How would I know? Aren't all immortals the same? As for what they do, they certainly wouldn't tell me."

"But judging from their accents, they're not locals."

"I heard from the traveling merchants in the village that it seems to be from Chongqing."

Yuzhou?

Lin Feng immediately made a connection: wasn't Xuanqing Temple in Chongyang Valley, which was to be annexed, located in Yuzhou?

What are they doing in the village?

Recruiting disciples?

They haven't merged with Chongyang Valley yet.

Besides, there's no need for so many people to come.

Seeing Lin Feng's confusion, the villager continued.

"Look at those immortals, they're holding compasses, mirrors and other things, as if they're looking for something."

"Maybe there's some treasure underground."

Lin Feng suddenly looked up at the villager, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

This is indeed a possibility.

But what Lin Feng couldn't understand was, if they wanted to come to search for treasure, they could just come directly. Why did they have to merge Chongyang Valley as well?

Xuanqing Temple is located in Yuzhou, which is not connected to Zhongzhou. Yet it has crossed state and county boundaries to merge with it. Isn't this a redundant move?

Lin Feng vaguely sensed that the mergers and acquisitions of sects and the plundering of treasures must be intrinsically linked.

Lin Feng couldn't figure out the secrets yet, so he could only say to the villager.

"If any more immortals come here, please let me know."

Once the villagers accepted Lin Feng's treasures, he would grant their every request, unless it meant risking his life.

"Don't worry, sir. I'll let you know immediately if anything happens."

After saying that, the villager left to prepare food and wine.

Once he was sure no one was around and he was safe, Lin Feng finally relaxed.

"Something big might be about to happen."

"Although I don't understand the reason, improving my strength as quickly as possible is the most important thing right now."

Thinking of this, Lin Feng silently took out the jade pendant from his chest.

Previously, Lin Feng had absorbed almost all the discarded swords in the sword-making room.

If Lin Feng absorbs all those broken sword spirits, his strength will definitely increase significantly.

"Time waits for no one!"

Originally, Lin Feng was deliberately isolating the jade pendant from his own body, but now that he needed to quickly improve his strength, he released the restriction. Soon, the surging sword intent flowed into Lin Feng's body through the jade pendant.

According to the cultivation method, Lin Feng guided the sword intent to transform into spiritual energy, circulating it throughout his body, and finally gathering it all in his dantian.

The rich spiritual energy seemed to form a water sphere in Lin Feng's dantian.

The meridians, internal organs, and viscera can all feel the nourishment of spiritual energy.

"I'm just one step away from reaching the fourth level of Qi Refining."