A man from the Big Dipper, starting his charlatanship at Mount Tai.

"Yes, Little Ancestor is very powerful. He already knows the implications without Ruyu's reminder."

"So, Little Ancestor intends to obtain some of the ruthless person's techniques from her?"

"Yes, that's true. Although I have cultivated the Devouring Heaven Demon Art and the Myriad Transformations Saint Technique, I haven't cultivated any of the Ruthless Man's other techniques. Now that I have the opportunity to complete them, it's best to do so all at once."

Although Lin Xiu could copy many unique Daoist principles from Xiao Nannan, and even obtain many ruthless people's techniques through her, his copies were always incomplete because Xiao Nannan's status was too high. As a result, the techniques he had obtained so far were all incomplete.

Of course, even fragments have their value. Little Nannan is the manifestation of the Dao fruit after the Ruthless Great Emperor lived several lifetimes in reverse. Even fragments obtained from her are far more profound than the methods passed down by the Ruthless Great Emperor in his first or second life.

But in the end, a fragment is still just a fragment, and the method is incomplete. The best way to use it is to "first collect other complete methods, and then use the fragments of later life methods obtained from Xiao Nannan to strengthen the former."

Now that he has the opportunity to collect the complete techniques of other ruthless individuals, Lin Xiu naturally won't miss it.

Chapter 160 The Spirit of Zhuofeng Flies to Zhuofeng

"I see." Yan Ruyu nodded in deep agreement.

Since Xiao Zu already had a plan, all she needed to do was support him.

.......

Before long, Lin Xiu and Yan Ruyu entered the Tai Xuan Sect's mountain gate.

In front of the mountain gate.

A hundred main peaks soared into the clouds, shrouded in celestial mist, with spirit birds occasionally flitting by, bringing with them a trail of rosy light. Before the mountain gate, a bustling crowd gathered, with countless young cultivators lining up in long queues, awaiting the entrance test.

Lin Xiu and Yan Ruyu stood in the crowd, inconspicuous.

Yan Ruyu changed into a long dress, her black hair simply tied up with a wooden hairpin. She looked less regal and more ethereal. Even so, her stunning beauty still drew frequent glances from the surrounding cultivators.

"Little Ancestor, should we conceal our identities and enter Zhuofeng?" Yan Ruyu asked telepathically.

"I guess so~" Lin Xiu smiled.

He came to Zhuofeng not only for the secret of the character "皆", but also for Zhuofeng itself.

Before making any big moves, Lin Xiu planned to conduct an experiment on Zhuofeng.

........

The test was simple, merely examining aptitude and innate talent, and observing the cultivation scriptures. For Lin Xiu and his companion, simply sealing some of their cultivation would allow them to pass easily.

When the elder in charge of the tests saw the test results of Lin Xiu and Yan Ruyu, his eyes lit up.

"Both of you have excellent aptitude and are qualified to enter the inner sect for cultivation."

"Our Tai Xuan has one hundred and eight main peaks, each with a different lineage. You two may choose one, and if you can pass the peak master's test, you can become a disciple of that peak," the elder said, stroking his beard with a smile.

Yan Ruyu did not answer, but turned to look at Lin Xiu.

Lin Xiu's gaze swept across the distant mountains, finally settling on a rather ordinary-looking peak.

The mountain was neither high nor dangerous, with sparse vegetation and exposed rocks. Compared to the other main peaks, which were shrouded in spiritual energy and glowing with rosy light, it appeared particularly simple, even somewhat shabby.

"Let's go with that one," Lin Xiu said, pointing to the mountain.

The elder followed the gaze and paused slightly in surprise:

"Zhuofeng?"

"What, is there a problem?"

No, not at all.

"It's just that the lineage of Zhuofeng has been broken for many years, and now there are few disciples and the peak master is also... Never mind, since you two have chosen, then go." The elder shook his head, thinking to himself that this was yet another person who had come for the Nine Secrets.

After saying this, the elder took out a jade slip and handed it to Lin Xiu:

"This is an entry token; with it, one can ascend Mount Zhuo. As for whether it can be kept, that depends on the decision of Uncle-Master Li Ruoyu."

......

Lin Xiu accepted the jade slip, thanked her, and then walked towards Zhuofeng with Yan Ruyu.

The journey passed several main peaks, each with its own unique and magnificent appearance. One was the Sword Peak, its sword-like energy stretching for three thousand miles. Another was the Crimson Peak, its fragrance permeating the air, its rosy glow forming clouds. And yet another was the Star Peak, drawing in starlight, shining as brightly as day under the night sky.

Only Zhuofeng seemed ordinary the closer you got to it.

The mountain path was made of ordinary bluestone steps, crooked and broken in some places. Weeds grew rampant on both sides, and a few old trees stood there, their branches and leaves sparse. The whole mountain was eerily quiet; even the chirping of birds was rare.

"This mountain... seems a bit too ordinary." Yan Ruyu frowned slightly.

"The mountain may seem ordinary, but through it one can indeed comprehend the great principles of nature. Yan'er, do not underestimate it."

"The Great Way of Nature?" Yan Ruyu seemed to be deep in thought.

"That's right, the natural way."

“Look at this mountain range. It seems chaotic, but it actually conforms to the natural order of the world. Every blade of grass, every tree, every stone, and every clod of earth is in its proper place. Any more would be superfluous, and any less would be incomplete.”

"If we want to preserve the natural order of this place, the best way is... to take the entire mountain away."

As he spoke, Lin Xiu reached out and gently touched a blue stone by the roadside.

The stone surface is rough, covered with moss, and feels slightly cool to the touch.

But... in that instant, the entire Zhuofeng Peak suddenly trembled slightly.

"Boom!"

A slight tremor sounded, and the mountain grass and trees moved rustlingly without wind, like the breath of awakening.

Yan Ruyu's beautiful eyes narrowed.

She could sense that this seemingly ordinary mountain had undergone some kind of mysterious change.

The changes on the mountain were secondary. As a person in a vegetative state, what she felt first was the change in the plants on the mountain. Yan Ruyu felt that the goodwill of those mountain spiritual plants that were originally very close to Lin Xiu towards Lin Xiu was increasing wildly!

And... it seems that it's not just plants!

.......

"What did Xiao Zu just do?" Yan Ruyu asked curiously.

"Nothing was done."

"It was just telling a beautiful story to an innocent child."

Lin Xiu clapped his hands with a smile. Compared to Zishan, Zhuofeng could only be considered an ignorant child, or even... calling it a child was too much of a compliment.

Lin Xiu continued walking upwards, and with each step, the bluestone beneath his feet shimmered faintly. The light was very faint, like flowing water under the moon, fleeting yet bringing the entire mountain path to life.

On the mountainside, in front of a simple thatched hut.

Li Ruoyu sat cross-legged on the stone platform, meditating with his eyes closed. He wore a gray Taoist robe, his hair and beard were all white, and his face was covered with wrinkles, making him look like an ordinary old man from a mountain village.

But the moment Lin Xiu touched the rocks, he suddenly opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in his cloudy old eyes!

"This is!"

Li Ruoyu suddenly stood up and looked down the mountain.

He had lived alongside Zhuofeng for centuries, his spirit and energy intertwined with the mountain's energy. Just a moment ago, he clearly felt... Zhuofeng rejoicing!

It wasn't just ordinary spiritual energy fluctuations, but a kind of joy that came from the source, like a child seeing a loved one!

The person who could elicit such a reaction from Zhuofeng is no ordinary person!

The next second, Li Ruoyu's figure blurred, and he transformed into a gray shadow as he swept down the mountain.

He wasn't fast, but he moved in perfect harmony with the mountain's contours. Every step he took landed precisely on a node of spiritual energy, as if he had become one with the entire mountain.

The more this happened, the more alarmed Li Ruoyu became.

Because the more he could sense Zhuofeng's state, the more he could know just how great Zhuofeng's joy was at that moment.

Who exactly is this person? Who could possibly evoke such emotions in Zhuofeng?

.......

A moment later, Li Ruoyu stopped Lin Xiu and Yan Ruyu halfway up the mountain.

When Li Ruoyu's gaze fell on Lin Xiu, her pupils contracted slightly.

The young man before him appeared to be no more than twenty years old, dressed in a white robe, with handsome features and an otherworldly air. Yet, upon closer inspection, Li Ruoyu could not discern the man's true strength.

It wasn't that his cultivation was too high to see through him; rather, the other person stood there as if he were one with the surrounding world. If it weren't for seeing it with his naked eye, relying solely on his divine sense, Li Ruoyu would have even thought it was a tree, a rock, part of this Zhuofeng Peak.

This understanding of the Dao of Nature, which is almost identical to his own, actually appeared in a young boy? He's truly not a human being!

"The younger generation...is truly formidable!"

Li Ruoyu sighed deeply and bowed with his hands clasped.

"I am Li Ruoyu, the master of Zhuofeng Peak. I was unaware of your arrival, young friend, and I have failed to greet you properly."

Li Ruoyu was very easygoing and had no airs of a senior or expert.

Yan Ruyu stood beside Lin Xiu, secretly alarmed. She could sense that this old man's cultivation was unfathomable. For her to have such a feeling, he must be at least a great figure at the Immortal Platform Realm. She just didn't know if he was a half-step Immortal One Realm expert or an Immortal Two Realm expert.

Of course, whatever the reason, she knew she didn't need to worry about it.

What kind of powerful being or half-powerful being could withstand a single blow from an Emperor-level weapon? Moreover, Lin Xiu was carrying three Emperor-level weapons with him!

.......

[Li Ruoyu.......]

Upon seeing Li Ruoyu, Lin Xiu recalled his performance in the original novel. Although Li Ruoyu's strength was not great, he left a very deep impression. Apart from his impressive power level in the early stages, what was most memorable was his "Peaceful Immortal Master" behavior.

It's extremely rare in the world of Shrouding the Heavens that someone won't break through to extend their lifespan until they're on the verge of death.

What's most infuriating is that... he manages to successfully overcome each tribulation and advance to the next stage.

After a few seconds of hesitation, Lin Xiu respectfully returned the greeting:

"This junior is Lin Xiu from the Sacred Body lineage, and this is Yan Ruyu from the Azure Lotus lineage. I have long admired the great name of Tai Xuan Zhuo Peak and have come to pay my respects."

"The Holy Body lineage? The Azure Lotus lineage?"

Li Ruoyu couldn't help but chuckle. He had heard of Lin Xiu and Yan Ruyu, who were currently making waves, but he didn't expect Lin Xiu to come to Zhuofeng so openly to steal his knowledge. He even introduced himself. Did he really think he was one of the family?

"Young friend, you must have come here for the Nine Secrets of Zhuofeng, right?" Li Ruoyu asked again.

Lin Xiu didn't mince words: "That's absolutely true."

Li Ruoyu was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "As expected. The Zhuofeng lineage has been broken for many years. The only thing that can attract outsiders' covetousness is the legendary Nine Secrets."