74: Chapter 73 A Visit, An Alliance?

At the border of Ling Province.

A purple light descended, and Daoist Zixiao revealed his form.

He took a deep breath, his brow slightly raised.

This Spiritual Qi...

Something's off.

In his memory, Ling Province was famously barren throughout the entire Eastern Region, with sparse Spiritual Qi and scarce resources.

Having lived for tens of thousands of years, he could count the number of times he had visited Ling Province on one hand—there was simply nothing worth coming for.

Yet now, as soon as he stepped into Ling Province's territory, the concentration of Spiritual Qi that greeted him was already on par with ordinary areas of Xuan Province.

Suppressing the doubts in his heart, he continued forward.

The deeper he went, the denser the Spiritual Qi became.

Daoist Zixiao stood in place, silent for a long time.

He recalled a few months ago, when the Taixuan Sect suddenly emerged, the entire Eastern Region was abuzz with discussions about this newly appeared Sect.

At that time, he had wondered, what kind of decent force could possibly emerge from a place like Ling Province?

Later, when Core Elder Mu Xuan slew a Quasi-Emperor, he had no choice but to take the Taixuan Sect seriously.

But now.

To make the Spiritual Qi of an entire province this dense... is this something a Quasi-Emperor could accomplish?

The suspicion in his heart grew stronger.

A fork in the road.

Daoist Zixiao stopped and looked around. There were no road signs.

He didn't know the way. He had no idea which direction the Taixuan Sect was in!

After a moment's thought, he decided to ask someone.

By the roadside, there happened to be a young Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Daoist Zixiao walked over and revealed a "friendly" smile.

"Young friend, which way to the Taixuan Sect?"

The young Cultivator looked up and glanced at him.

His eyes held no fear, no flattery, but rather a kind of... unperturbed calm, as if this were nothing unusual.

"Another one," he muttered, then pointed to the right.

"Just keep going in that direction."

Another one?

Daoist Zixiao was taken aback.

The young Cultivator had already lowered his head to continue organizing his pack, casually adding:

"There have been many visitors lately; you're not the first. Just follow the main road; you won't go wrong."

His tone was flat, as if commenting on the weather.

Daoist Zixiao nodded. "Thank you."

He turned and left.

Only after flying a great distance did it dawn on him.

That young Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator just now had a faint, almost imperceptible trace of pride on his Face.

The meaning was clear: Our Taixuan Sect in Ling Province gets visitors every day; we're used to it.

Daoist Zixiao shook his head, feeling somewhat dazed.

Xuanqi City.

Daoist Zixiao landed at the city gate and looked up.

Then he froze.

The concentration of Spiritual Qi in this city... was already no less than that of his Purple Cloud Holy Land.

He stepped into the city. The streets were wide, shops lined the roads, and Cultivators came and went in an endless stream.

He did not linger in the city but passed straight through, heading toward the Taixuan Sect's mountain gate.

Outside the mountain gate.

As soon as Daoist Zixiao landed, a team of guards emerged from within the gate.

Mo Yuan stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting:

"Fellow Daoist, who might you be? What brings you to our Taixuan Sect?"

Daoist Zixiao returned the gesture politely:

"This humble Daoist is Daoist Zixiao of the Purple Cloud Holy Land, here to pay a visit to your Sect Master. I would trouble you to announce my arrival."

Mo Yuan nodded. "Wait a moment."

With that, he turned and walked back through the mountain gate.

Inside the Sect Masters Hall.

Lin Chen held a teacup, his eyes closed as he rested.

Mo Yuan hurried in and knelt on one knee:

"Reporting, Sect Master. Someone has arrived outside the mountain gate, claiming to be Daoist Zixiao of the Purple Cloud Holy Land, saying he has come to visit the Sect Master."

Lin Chen opened his eyes, a slight smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

He arrived quite quickly.

The System had already noticed Daoist Zixiao the moment he entered Xuanqi City.

Lin Chen nodded and set down his teacup.

"Have Core Elder Mu Xuan go greet him."

Mo Yuan accepted the order. "Yes!"

He turned and withdrew.

Lin Chen picked up his teacup and took a leisurely sip.

A moment later, Core Elder Mu Xuan appeared outside the mountain gate.

Daoist Zixiao looked up and was slightly taken aback.

Core Elder Mu Xuan walked up to him, cupped his hands, and smiled:

"Fellow Daoist Zixiao, it's been a while."

Daoist Zixiao hurriedly returned the greeting. "Fellow Daoist, we meet again."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Core Elder Mu Xuan stepped aside to make way:

"The Sect Master is already waiting inside the hall. Fellow Daoist, please follow me."

Daoist Zixiao nodded and followed him through the mountain gate.

The moment he stepped through the gate, Daoist Zixiao's footsteps halted.

An overwhelmingly dense concentration of Spiritual Qi rushed toward him, almost tangible in its intensity.

He took a deep breath, feeling every pore in his body open wide, more comfortable than when Cultivating in seclusion at the Purple Cloud Holy Land.

Having lived for tens of thousands of years, he had visited countless Holy Lands in the Eastern Region and even ventured into the Central Region.

Nowhere had Spiritual Qi reached this level.

Suppressing the shock in his heart, Daoist Zixiao followed Core Elder Mu Xuan forward.

The scenery along the way repeatedly refreshed his understanding.

In the distance, a tall tower emitted spatial fluctuations that made even him, a Quasi-Emperor, feel uneasy, as if it concealed some incredible secret.

Beside it, a garden shrouded in Spiritual mist faintly exuded the aura of Spirit Medicines whose names even he could not recognize, at least at the Quasi-Emperor level or higher.

And there was that building radiating a warm aura, with faint flickers of firelight, making it clear at a glance that its interior was anything but ordinary.

The more Daoist Zixiao looked, the more astonished he became.

Each of these structures emitted an aura he could not fathom.

And being unable to fathom something often meant—it was beyond his level.

The suspicion in his mind grew clearer.

A Quasi-Emperor could not accomplish this.

Only one kind of existence could achieve such feats.

An Emperor.

Daoist Zixiao took a deep breath to steady his mind.

If the Taixuan Sect truly had an Emperor...

Then this trip today was the right decision.

They arrived at the Sect Masters Hall.

Core Elder Mu Xuan stopped and gestured to the side. "Fellow Daoist, please."

Daoist Zixiao took a deep breath and stepped inside.

The hall was spacious but not extravagant. On the main seat sat a young man, holding a teacup, his gaze calm as he looked at him.

Daoist Zixiao instinctively released his Divine Sense, wanting to probe the other's depth.

But as soon as his Divine Sense approached, it was blocked by an invisible force and pushed back.

He detected nothing.

Only feeling that this person was unfathomable.

Daoist Zixiao's heart tightened. He quickly withdrew his Divine Sense and stepped forward, cupping his hands solemnly:

"Zixiao pays his respects to the Taixuan Sect Master."

Lin Chen set down his teacup and smiled slightly:

"Fellow Daoist Zixiao, there's no need for such formality. Please, have a seat."

Daoist Zixiao took a seat, carefully choosing his words before speaking:

"This humble Daoist has come for two reasons. First, to express gratitude to your Sect for the matter in Xuan Province last time.

Fellow Daoist Mu Xuan eliminated the evil Cultivators of the Yin Ghost Sect, ridding Xuan Province of a scourge. As a local of Xuan Province, it is only right for this humble Daoist to offer thanks."

Lin Chen nodded:

"Fellow Daoist Zixiao is too kind."

Daoist Zixiao continued, "Second..."

He paused, his tone growing more sincere:

"This humble Daoist has lived for tens of thousands of years and considers himself somewhat worldly. But today, upon entering your Sect, what I have seen and heard far exceeds my imagination.

The Purple Cloud Holy Land wishes to form an alliance with the Taixuan Sect, to watch over and assist each other in the future. I wonder what the Sect Master thinks?"

Lin Chen looked at him and suddenly laughed.

This old fellow is quite direct.

He set down his teacup and spoke slowly:

"Fellow Daoist Zixiao's kind intentions are appreciated by this Sect."

Daoist Zixiao's heart leaped with joy, but before he could speak, Lin Chen's next words cut him off.

"However, the Taixuan Sect has never been fond of alliances."

Daoist Zixiao's smile stiffened.

Lin Chen continued, "It's not directed at you, Fellow Daoist, but rather the way this Sect operates.

One thing at a time. Being on good terms today means just that; there's no need to bind it with the term 'alliance.'"

Daoist Zixiao fell silent.

The words were polite, but the meaning was clear—the Taixuan Sect did not need allies.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found himself at a loss for words.

Lin Chen glanced at him, his tone growing slightly cooler, yet as if casually remarking:

"If Fellow Daoist trusts this Sect, should the Purple Cloud Holy Land ever Face difficulties in the future, feel free to send someone to inform us. The Taixuan Sect will not refuse to help where it can."

Daoist Zixiao was taken aback.

These words...

Having lived for tens of thousands of years, he naturally understood their meaning.

No need for allies, but willing to offer protection.

Not an equal alliance, but one-sided shelter.

He remained silent, not immediately responding.

Lin Chen was in no hurry. He picked up his teacup and took a leisurely sip.

The hall fell quiet for a few breaths.

Countless thoughts raced through Daoist Zixiao's mind.

The Taixuan Sect had an Emperor—this he was almost certain of.

They didn't need allies but were willing to give a promise. This was already giving him Face.

He should be grateful and accept immediately.

But after all, he was the Old Ancestor of the Purple Cloud Holy Land, having lived for tens of thousands of years, accustomed to standing on equal footing.

Suddenly having to accept a "protected" relationship—that mental hurdle was not easy to overcome.

So he remained silent.