Volume 1, Chapter 25: A Troubled Journey Home, Renown in Qingshi

The tremors were not an illusion.

When Lin Xuan and his group, supporting each other, finally stumbled out from the exit of dark red mist that twisted, fluctuated, and seemed on the verge of closing completely, they were met not only by the slightly chilly air of the forests outside Qingshi Town, but also by the persistent, muffled rumbling and tremors coming from deep within the earth beneath their feet.

Black Wind Ridge, this mountain range that had slumbered for countless years, was currently undergoing a cataclysmic upheaval.

As far as the eye could see, the distant mountains had their outlines distorted by dust and smoke, and vast swathes of forest were collapsing, as if pushed over by an invisible giant hand.

The rumbling of falling rocks rose and fell, mixed with the terrified and desperate roars of Yao Beasts, echoing from deep within the ridge.

Although the sky had not changed color, a heavy and oppressive atmosphere shrouded the surroundings, and even the wind carried the scent of earth, stone, and a faint hint of sulfur.

Near the exit, the temporary camp that had been simply leveled by the Yunni Sect was now in complete shambles.

Tents were toppled and askew, and the simple Formation that had been set up had long since collapsed and failed due to the continuous tremors.

The few low-level Disciple and servants left behind were pale-faced, cowering behind relatively stable boulders. When they saw Han Feiyu and the others escaping in such a wretched state like beggars, they were first stunned, and then overwhelmed by the ecstasy of having survived, followed by a deep fear of what would come next.

"Junior Martial Uncle Han! Junior Martial Uncle Sun! You... you've finally come out!"

A Qi Refining third-layer Disciple who had been left behind scrambled over to meet them, his voice choked with sobs, "The tremors are too severe! The mountain... the mountain seems like it's about to collapse!"

Han Feiyu struggled to stand steady; his moon-white brocade robe was already filthy and ruined. His face was ashen, and he swept a glance over the devastated mountain ridge and the panicked Disciples left behind. Without answering immediately, he took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the churning Qi and blood in his body and the severe pain from the backlash of the Medicinal Pill, and ordered in a deep voice, "We cannot stay here long! Everyone, evacuate immediately! Return to the Qingshi Town base! Quickly!"

His command was clear and urgent, carrying an unquestionable authority.

At this moment, although Han Feiyu was in a wretched state, the accumulated prestige of an inner Sect elite and a Foundation Establishment Cultivator remained. Coupled with having just experienced life and death, no one dared to raise any objections.

Sun Miao also quickly directed the Disciples who could still move, helping the heavily injured, counting heads, and ordering the remaining Disciples to immediately destroy any supplies that could not be taken, to prevent Sect information from leaking (although the place was already in total chaos).

Lin Xuan was supported on the left and right by Wang Mang and Li Dali. His face was as pale as paper, his breath was weak, and his eyes were half-closed, as if he were already in a semi-comatose state.

But in reality, his consciousness was incredibly clear. He was using his greatest willpower to suppress the severe injuries in his body, while simultaneously diverting a wisp of his mind to guide that weak warm current originating from the Legacy, extremely slowly repairing the most lethal internal injuries, especially his almost shattered internal organs and his nearly exhausted Divine Soul.

The profound concepts of "Endless Life" and "Physical Body Self-Healing" from the Foundation Establishment chapter of the Indestructible Body of the Martial God were being arduously understood and attempted by him.

He could feel that the metal tokens (the disk and the fragments) in his bosom had their resonance significantly weakened after leaving the ruins, but they still emitted a faint warmth, faintly echoing the Legacy information in his mind.

What made him even more vigilant was Han Feiyu's gaze, which seemed careless but repeatedly swept over the position of his bosom, like a maggot on a tarsal bone, cold and greedy.

Under Sun Miao's signal, Su Qingyue walked over, stuffed a bottle of high-quality "Jade Marrow Flesh-Regenerating Pill" into Wang Mang's hand, and whispered, "Give this to him; it might be useful."

Her gaze lingered on Lin Xuan's pale face for a moment, complex and hard to decipher, before she turned to assist other injured people.

Wang Mang hurriedly thanked her, while Li Dali had already deftly poured out the Medicinal Pill and carefully fed it into Lin Xuan's mouth.

As the Medicinal Pill entered his stomach, it turned into a cool and pure medicinal power that dispersed, truly alleviating some of the pain and allowing Lin Xuan to recover a little strength.

He opened his eyes slightly and nodded at Wang Mang and the other to show his gratitude, but his gaze calmly swept over Han Feiyu, who was directing the retreat, and the busy Su Qingyue.

The retreat proceeded in an oppressive and hurried atmosphere.

The group of over fifty people who had come, grand and high-spirited; returned with fewer than twenty, everyone wounded and in a wretched state, like defeated soldiers.

The ambition and greed of exploring the ancient ruins upon arrival had long been replaced by the fear experienced between life and death and the relief of having survived. On a deeper level, there were various thoughts quietly brewing beneath the exhaustion and pain, born from the uneven distribution of gains and losses.

There was no conversation along the way, only heavy breathing, suppressed groans, and the occasional aftershocks of the earth beneath their feet reminding them that disaster had not yet passed.

Along the way, they could already see many low-level Yao Beasts fleeing from deep within Black Wind Ridge, and even occasionally, the figures of panicked Mortal soldiers and hunters. Seeing this wretched but clearly "Immortal Revered Master" group, they all avoided them from afar, their eyes filled with shock and suspicion.

When the outline of the not-so-tall, yet now exceptionally endearing, walls of Qingshi Town appeared on the horizon, many people's eyes grew hot, and they almost shed tears.

However, the scene outside the town was equally grim.

The town walls had cracks in many places, some dilapidated houses had already collapsed, and there were few pedestrians on the streets, their faces showing panic.

A tense atmosphere permeated the air.

Clearly, the tremors from Black Wind Ridge had already spread to this place.

The Yunni Sect base was brightly lit and heavily guarded at this moment.

The protective Formation was fully activated, with halos of light circulating.

Deacon Wang had long since received the warning and was personally waiting at the gate with people, his face full of anxiety.

When he saw Han Feiyu and the others returning in such a miserable state, even though he had been mentally prepared, he couldn't help but gasp.

"Martial Nephew Han! Junior Martial Uncle Sun! You... quickly, come in!"

Deacon Wang hurriedly went up to meet them, directing his men to receive the wounded. At the same time, his gaze quickly swept over the crowd. When he saw the supported, dying Lin Xuan, his pupils contracted slightly, but he quickly returned to normal, only making the arrangements more meticulous, "Quick! Send the heavily injured to the quiet room in the West Courtyard and immediately ask Pharmacist Zhou to prepare for treatment! Those with light injuries go to the East Wing to tend to their wounds! Martial Nephew Han, Junior Martial Uncle Sun, please follow me to the main hall to talk!"

The arrangements were orderly, revealing Deacon Wang's experience.

Han Feiyu nodded and said to Sun Miao, "Junior Martial Uncle Sun, please take the Disciples to settle down and treat their wounds first. Martial Uncle Wang and I will first go to send a message to the Sect and report the situation."

He glanced again in Lin Xuan's direction and added, "Junior Martial Brother Lin's injuries are severe; be sure to take good care of him and use the best Medicinal Pill."

This sounded like concern, but in reality, it was to temporarily "protect," or rather "monitor," Lin Xuan.

Sun Miao understood and nodded wearily, "Rest assured, Martial Nephew Han."

Lin Xuan was supported by Wang Mang and Li Dali and sent to the West Courtyard.

He could feel that after entering the base, at least three obscure Divine Senses had quietly fallen upon him, carrying the meaning of scrutiny and investigation.

He sneered in his heart, but on the surface, he maintained a weak and comatose posture. He only secretly pushed the breath-concealing technique of the Ancient God Body Refining Technique to the extreme, deeply hiding the weak Legacy warm current and the [Source Martial Spiritual Energy] within his body, leaving only the appearance of severe external injuries and exhausted (disguised) spiritual power.

The quiet room in the West Courtyard was serene and had soundproofing and simple protective Restrictions set up.

Pharmacist Zhou was a gray-haired, stern-faced old man with a cultivation base at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, who specialized in Alchemy and healing.

After carefully examining Lin Xuan's injuries, his brows furrowed tightly.

"The external injuries are extremely severe, bones and tendons are fractured in many places, internal organs are shaken and injured, spiritual power... is nearly exhausted, and the Divine Soul is also damaged."

Pharmacist Zhou said in a grave tone, "It is already a stroke of luck to have come back alive. It requires 'Bone-Knitting Flesh-Regenerating Ointment' for external application, 'Soul-Warming Yuan-Nourishing Pill' for internal consumption, supplemented by a 'Rejuvenation Formation' for slow recuperation. This may preserve his Foundation, but to return to his original state will take at least several months of effort, and his future cultivation may be affected."

While speaking, he quickly took out the corresponding Medicinal Pill and ointment, handed them to Wang Mang and Li Dali, and instructed them on how to use them.

Wang Mang and Li Dali hurriedly took note, then carefully treated Lin Xuan's wounds and fed him the Medicinal Pill.

Lin Xuan played along, yet in his heart, he knew clearly that his injuries were far from as simple as they appeared. The Profound Truth of the Foundation Establishment stage of the Ancient God Body Refining Technique and the Indestructible Body of the Martial God, along with that warm current of the Legacy, were repairing his body from the most fundamental level of life in a way that exceeded ordinary understanding. His severe external injuries were, in a sense, an opportunity for "breaking and then establishing." It was just that this process required time and had to be hidden.

Just as Pharmacist Zhou finished his instructions and prepared to leave to treat other wounded, the door of the quiet room was gently knocked.

Deacon Wang pushed the door open and entered, followed by two law-enforcement Disciples with steady auras and sharp eyes.

"Junior Martial Nephew Zhou, how is Little Friend Lin's injury?" Deacon Wang asked with concern.

Pharmacist Zhou repeated the diagnosis. Upon hearing it, Deacon Wang sighed: "Such heavy injuries... it really has been hard on Little Friend Lin. In this exploration, Little Friend Lin has made great contributions, and the Sect will certainly not treat him unfairly." He changed the subject and looked at Wang Mang and Li Dali, "The two of you have also worked hard. Go to the adjacent room to rest first; our Sect's Disciples can take care of things here."

This was an attempt to send Wang Mang and Li Dali away.

Wang Mang frowned and was about to speak, but Li Dali pulled him back and smiled apologetically at Deacon Wang: "Many thanks for your concern, Deacon Wang, then we will trouble your Sect." Saying this, he dragged the unwilling Wang Mang out of the quiet room.

Only Lin Xuan, Deacon Wang, and the two law-enforcement Disciples remained in the room.

Deacon Wang walked to the bedside, looked at Lin Xuan who seemed to be asleep with his eyes closed, pondered for a moment, and said slowly: "Little Friend Lin, the collapse of the Black Wind Ridge ruins this time caused widespread tremors and caused quite a stir. Senior Brother Han has urgently sent a message to the Sect. Regarding what happened inside the ruins, especially the situation in the 'Inner Forbidden Ground,' and... what you obtained, Little Friend, the Sect needs a detailed statement. I wonder if you are able to speak at this moment?"

His tone was calm, even carrying concern, but the meaning in his words was very clear: he wanted Lin Xuan to confess his experiences and gains in the Forbidden Ground, especially the "thing" he obtained.

Lin Xuan slowly opened his eyes; his gaze was dim and dull, and his voice was weak and hoarse: "Deacon... Deacon Wang... deep in the ruins... the Evil Qi rioted... the earth veins collapsed... we had a narrow escape... luckily escaped... Lin is heavily injured... Divine Sense is chaotic... many things... I cannot remember clearly... I only remember the end... the stone tablet collapsed... the Legacy seemed to have spiritual light... scattered... I couldn't touch it..."

He spoke intermittently, directing the focus to the uncontrollable force of the ruins collapsing and his "failure to obtain" the Legacy, blurring the process of him obtaining the metal token and the Legacy information, while fully displaying his "severely injured" state.

Deacon Wang's eyes narrowed slightly, carefully examining Lin Xuan's expression and aura. Lin Xuan's injuries could not be faked, and his aura was indeed weak and chaotic. But he always felt that this boy seemed to be hiding something. That Han Feiyu had sent a private message, his words full of wariness and concern regarding this boy, implying that he might be carrying a great treasure.

"Cannot remember clearly?" Deacon Wang was noncommittal and took out a memory stone from his robe, "This is a fragment of the final scene that Senior Brother Han hurriedly recorded with his Divine Sense. Little Friend, you might want to take a look; perhaps it will help you remember something." He injected a trace of Spiritual Qi into the memory stone, and a blurred light and shadow projected onto the wall. It was exactly the moment before the obelisk collapsed, when the metal component flew into the stele body and triggered a burst of blood-gold light! Although blurred, Lin Xuan's figure and the light of the metal component were vaguely visible.

Lin Xuan's heart tightened; Han Feiyu really had a trick up his sleeve. On the surface, however, he showed a look of confusion and pain, lifting his hand to support his forehead: "That light... so blinding... my head hurts so much... That's right... it seems like something flew over... and then I couldn't see anything... then the sky collapsed and the earth cracked..."

He performed just right, portraying the image of someone with chaotic memories due to severe injury who only remembered sporadic, terrifying fragments.

Deacon Wang stared at him for a long time, finally put away the memory stone, and sighed: "Little Friend's injuries are too severe; rest well first. We will discuss the matter of the ruins another day. These two Disciples will guard here; if you need anything, Little Friend, just ask." After saying that, he gave Lin Xuan a meaningful look and turned to leave.

The two law-enforcement Disciples at the Late Stage of Qi Refining stood at the entrance of the quiet room like door gods, without saying a word.

House arrest and surveillance had begun.

Lin Xuan closed his eyes again, appearing to have fallen into a deep sleep, but his heart was as clear as a mirror.

He knew that Deacon Wang did not fully believe him, and Han Feiyu would certainly not give up. News of the Black Wind Ridge ruins collapse would soon spread, and he, the only survivor who "possibly came into contact with the final Legacy" and "carried a special token," would inevitably be pushed to the forefront.

Inside the Yunni Sect, the various forces in Qingshi Town, and perhaps even gazes from further away, were likely already quietly focused here.

Healing, recovering strength, digesting the Legacy, dealing with the coming open and hidden arrows... Time was extremely tight.

Meanwhile, in the main hall.

Han Feiyu had taken the Sect's secret healing medicine, his complexion slightly improved, and he was in a secret discussion with Deacon Wang. He told him the situation inside the ruins, especially what he saw in the Inner Forbidden Ground, the words of the battle spirit, the collapse of the obelisk, and the process of Lin Xuan suspected of obtaining the Legacy token and triggering the resonance. Naturally, he omitted some of his own little thoughts and suspicions about Lin Xuan, emphasizing Lin Xuan's "key role" and "possible possession of Legacy clues."

"... Junior Martial Uncle Wang, this boy is of great importance. Although his injuries are severe, we must be vigilant. That Legacy is the core of the ancient Body Cultivator, its value is immeasurable, it must not fall into the hands of outsiders, and certainly cannot be taken away by him!" Han Feiyu's eyes flashed with cold light, "I have already sent a Flying Sword message to Revered Master, detailing this matter. The Sect will certainly make a decision in a few days. Before that, we must firmly control him within the station! As for the two Loose Cultivators by his side..." He made a neck-slashing gesture, then shook his head, "Not yet, lest we alert the enemy. Keep a close watch on them first."

Deacon Wang listened silently, his thoughts racing. He had long seen that Lin Xuan was extraordinary, but he did not expect it to involve so much. The core Legacy of the ancient Body Cultivator... This heaven-sent wealth and risk arrived simultaneously, making even an old veteran like him feel palpitations.

"Junior Martial Nephew Han, rest assured, this old man knows the stakes." Deacon Wang said in a deep voice, "I have increased personnel to monitor the West Courtyard. It's just... Junior Martial Uncle Sun seems to be quite protective of this boy. And that Su Qingyue..."

"Junior Martial Uncle Sun knows the big picture and will prioritize the Sect's interests. Junior Sister Su..." Han Feiyu thought of the look in Su Qingyue's eyes when she looked at Lin Xuan, feeling inexplicably irritable, and said coldly, "She has her elders to discipline her. The current priority is to stabilize the situation and wait for the Sect's instructions. The earthquake in Black Wind Ridge also needs to be reported to the surrounding towns immediately to prevent accidents."

The two discussed for a while longer, and Deacon Wang hurried away to make arrangements.

Han Feiyu sat alone in the hall, his fingers tapping the table unconsciously, his gaze sinister. He took out the jade box he had obtained in the Forbidden Ground from his arms; it was warm to the touch, but he could not open it, obviously protected by a powerful Restriction. The ancient scroll was the same. This made him even more impatient and even more convinced that what Lin Xuan obtained was definitely worth more than these two!

"Lin Xuan..." He chewed on the name in a low voice, his eyes cold, "No matter what you obtained, in the end, it will be mine."

Night deepened, and Qingshi Town slept uneasily in the aftershocks.

And an undercurrent, more surging than the earthquake, was already quietly surging deep within the Yunni Sect station.

Lin Xuan's reputation, accompanied by tags such as "Black Wind Ridge ruins survivor," "possible recipient of ancient Legacy," and "severely injured and dying," began to spread rapidly within a small circle, as if it had grown wings.

Whether becoming famous in Qingshi is a blessing or a curse, it is still unknown.

(End of Chapter 25, Volume 1)

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[Next Chapter Preview]: Plotting in a dark room, healing and breaking through! Lin Xuan is under house arrest in the West Courtyard, with surveillance outside and severe injuries inside. Can he utilize the secret of the Legacy to recover and even break through in what seems like a desperate situation? Will Wang Mang and Li Dali encounter misfortune? How will Han Feiyu and Deacon Wang further act? Will the attitudes of Sun Miao and Su Qingyue change? And when will the decision of the Sect's higher-ups arrive in Qingshi Town? Will the aftershocks of Black Wind Ridge attract the prying eyes of other forces? Next Chapter: Hibernating and Healing, Undercurrents Surging! Lin Xuan: "Surveillance? Perfect, I need a quiet place to sort out this 'harvest'."