Volume 2: North Territory Contention

Chapter 31: First Entry into the Villa, Undercurrents Surge

The carriage came to a slow halt on the winding mountain road.

Lin Xuan lifted the curtain and looked up. Before him stood a towering stone gate, about three zhang high, constructed entirely from dark red boulders. Inscribed on the lintel in ancient seal script were four large characters—Bailian Villa. The strokes were vigorous and archaic, faintly exuding a sense of heaviness accumulated through the passage of time and weathering. On both sides of the stone gate stood two stone lions, each two zhang tall. They were lifelike, yet they were not ordinary stone carvings, but a type of Puppet, with faint light flowing deep within their eye sockets, clearly possessing the ability to stand guard.

Behind the stone gate, layers of buildings were constructed along the mountain, extending from the foot of the mountain to the mist-shrouded mountainside. With blue-tiled roofs and flying eaves, the corridors twisted and turned. Occasionally, firelight shone from some of the buildings; that was the light of the Artifact Refining furnaces. The air was permeated with a faint scent of sulfur and the smell of burning metal, mixed with the cold mountain air, forming a unique atmosphere.

"We have arrived." The gray-clothed old man driving the carriage spoke for the first time, his voice as hoarse as sandpaper rubbing together. After speaking, he said nothing more, just quietly watching Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan jumped off the carriage, and Wang Mang and Li Dali followed suit. Both of them were dumbfounded as they looked at the magnificent villa before them.

"Goodness, this… this is too big!" Wang Mang scratched his head, his face full of shock. "It's bigger than the entire Qingshi Town!"

Li Dali had a glimmer in his eyes, and he lowered his voice, saying, "Brother Lin, this Bailian Villa is much more imposing than the Yunni Sect's station. Have we come to the right place this time?"

Lin Xuan did not reply, just quietly looking at the stone gate, feeling the rich flame energy surging in the earth veins here. This energy was completely different from the Evil Qi of the Black Wind Ridge ruins; it was more scorching and violent, yet also more… pure. He could feel that the operation of the Ancient God Body Refining Technique within his body was faintly accelerating under the traction of this energy.

Ouyang Ye leaned on his pitch-black cane, hunched over as he walked to Lin Xuan's side, and glanced at the gray-clothed old man: "Old Wu, you first take those two kids to the Guest Elder Courtyard to settle in. I will personally take this kid inside."

The gray-clothed old man nodded slightly, made a "please" gesture to Wang Mang and Li Dali, and led the way toward the side gate. The two looked at Lin Xuan, and Lin Xuan nodded, signaling them to follow.

After the three had walked away, Ouyang Ye withdrew his gaze, a flash of complexity appearing in his cloudy old eyes: "Kid, once you step through this door, you are no longer the obscure Loose Cultivator from Qingshi Town. Although Bailian Villa cannot compare to those large Sects, it still carries some weight in the North Territory. Your every move will be watched by others and remembered in their hearts."

Lin Xuan said calmly, "Senior, please speak your mind."

Ouyang Ye chuckled. He was not annoyed, but leaned on his cane and walked toward the stone gate, saying as he walked, "I told you before, most of my descendants have forgotten the roots of their ancestors. They are accustomed to calling themselves 'Artifact Refiners', accustomed to being on good terms with major Sects, and accustomed to living a stable life in this corner of the North Territory. You suddenly appeared, and you even carry the Aura of the ancient Martial Dao…" He paused. "Some people will be curious; some will be disdainful; and others, I fear, will be green with envy."

Lin Xuan followed behind him and said indifferently, "Envious of what? My Legacy?"

"Smart." Ouyang Ye did not look back. "Your Legacy, although it belongs to the Martial Dao lineage, involves Body Refining methods and ways of using blood and Qi, which have many commonalities with our Bailian Villa's Artifact Refining techniques. If one can comprehend a thing or two, perhaps it could take one's Artifact Refining level to the next stage. Others may not be able to sense the Aura of your Ancient God Body Refining Technique, but those old fellows in the Villa can sense some of it."

He stopped and looked back at Lin Xuan, a hint of craftiness flashing in his cloudy old eyes: "So, kid, you must be prepared. Once you enter this door, you are no longer a guest, but a walking piece of 'fat meat'. As for whether you can keep this meat, that depends on your own ability."

Lin Xuan was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Senior said earlier that as long as I don't cause any loss of life, I can do as I please. Does this still hold true?"

Ouyang Ye was stunned for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter. The laughter was hoarse and cheerful, echoing in front of the mountain gate, startling several flying birds in the distant forest.

"It holds true! Of course it holds true!" He laughed until he was out of breath. It took a while for him to stop, and he tapped the ground with his cane. "I want to see what kind of tricks you can pull. Let's go, go inside and meet those little brats."

With that, he turned and stepped into the stone gate.

Lin Xuan looked up, took one last look at the four archaic characters, took a deep breath, and stepped in to follow.

Bailian Villa, Main Hall.

Unlike the main hall of the Yunni Sect's Qingshi Town station, the main hall of Bailian Villa was more archaic and rugged. There were no complicated carved beams or painted pillars, only huge stone pillars and thick stone walls, exuding a sense of steadiness and rigidity accumulated over time. On both sides of the hall, various tools and semi-finished Magical Artifacts used for Artifact Refining were displayed. Ancient murals depicting scenes of Artifact Refining hung on the walls, and a faint scent of smoke and fire permeated the air.

At this moment, many people had gathered in the hall.

In the main seat sat a burly middle-aged man with a resolute face, thick eyebrows, and tiger eyes. His Aura was heavy and condensed, and he was clearly already at the Golden Core Early Stage. He was the current Villa Master of Bailian Villa—Sect Master Ouyang Lie, a direct descendant of Ouyang Ye.

On both sides sat several white-haired old men and several young, vigorous disciples of the Villa. The old men's cultivation was mostly between the Foundation Establishment Late Stage and the Golden Core Early Stage, while the young people were mostly at the Qi Refinement Late Stage or Foundation Establishment Early Stage. Their gazes were now focused on the hunched figure in the center of the hall—Ouyang Ye.

"Old Ancestor, you have finally returned." Sect Master Ouyang Lie stood up to welcome him, but his eyes fell on Lin Xuan behind Ouyang Ye, and his brows wrinkled imperceptibly. "Who is this…"

Ouyang Ye waved his hand, walked carelessly to the side of the main seat, and sat down, with no intention of "giving up his seat". Sect Master Ouyang Lie was not annoyed, just smiled and stepped aside.

"This kid is named Lin Xuan, a Loose Cultivator from Qingshi Town." Ouyang Ye pointed at Lin Xuan. "He obtained some Opportunity in the Black Wind Ridge ruins and had some unpleasantness with the Yunni Sect, so I saved him. From now on, he will stay in the Villa's Guest Elder Courtyard. You Elders should take care of him."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was a commotion in the hall.

"Black Wind Ridge ruins?" An old man with white hair and beard on the left spoke, his eyes sharply examining Lin Xuan. "Is it the Black Wind Ridge where earthquakes were reported recently? The Yunni Sect discovered an ancient relic there, and it is said that many people died. This kid managed to come out alive and even obtained an Opportunity?"

"Correct." Ouyang Ye nodded. "That ruin has some connection with our Bailian Villa. Specific details will be discussed later. In short, this kid will stay in the Villa from now on. Anyone who has questions about Artifact Refining, or wants to spar, can look for him. Of course," he paused, and a hint of craftiness flashed in his cloudy old eyes, "whether he is willing or not is his own business."

A young disciple on the right sneered and looked Lin Xuan up and down, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt. "Old Ancestor, are you joking? What kind of ability can a Loose Cultivator have? Sparring? I think he came to our Villa to freeload!"

This young man was named Ouyang Jie, with Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivation. He was the second son of Villa Master Sect Master Ouyang Lie and had extremely high talent in Artifact Refining. He was deeply loved by several Elders and was usually arrogant, never mincing his words.

Ouyang Ye glanced at him but did not reply. He just looked at Lin Xuan, his eyes filled with a trace of mockery, as if saying: See? Didn't I tell you?

Lin Xuan's expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn't heard Ouyang Jie's mockery. He just stood quietly in the hall, his calm gaze sweeping over everyone present. Those scrutinizing, contemptuous, curious, and wary gazes were already commonplace to him.

"Jie'er, do not be rude." Sect Master Ouyang Lie scolded, but his tone was not stern; clearly, he was just putting on a show. He looked at Lin Xuan and said indifferently, "Since Young Friend Lin was brought back by our Old Ancestor, he is a guest of our Bailian Villa. The Guest Elder Courtyard has been prepared. Young friend, you may go and rest first. If you need anything in the future, just ask."

These words sounded polite, but the alienation and superiority were obvious to everyone. Clearly, this Villa Master did not welcome Lin Xuan's arrival.

Lin Xuan nodded slightly in response, then looked at Ouyang Ye.

Ouyang Ye waved his hand. "Go, go, get settled first. We will talk about other things tomorrow."

Lin Xuan turned and strode away amidst the complicated gazes of the hall.

After he walked out of the main hall, there was an immediate buzz of discussion.

"Old Ancestor, what is this play of yours?" An Elder couldn't help but ask. "Is a Loose Cultivator at the Qi Refinement Stage worthy of you bringing him back personally?"

"Does he really have some Opportunity on him? Can he take it out for us to study?" another person chimed in.

Ouyang Ye snorted coldly, his cloudy old eyes sweeping over the crowd. Although the gaze had no pressure, it made everyone shut their mouths.

"Study? Study what?" He sneered. "The things on him are his own Opportunity. Why are you all so green with envy? If you have the ability, go find it in Black Wind Ridge yourselves!"

The crowd looked at each other, not daring to speak.

Ouyang Jie was unconvinced and whispered, "Old Ancestor, I just can't stand his attitude. A Loose Cultivator at the Qi Refinement Stage, what qualification does he have to put on airs in front of us?"

Ouyang Ye looked at him and suddenly smiled, his smile carrying a profound meaning. "You can't stand him? That's perfect. Tomorrow, you can go and 'spar', and see why he is entitled to put on airs. However…" He paused. "I warn you, don't cry when you lose."

Ouyang Jie's face stiffened, then flushed red. He gritted his teeth and said, "I will lose? Old Ancestor, you underestimate me too much!"

"Then try it." Ouyang Ye stood up, leaned on his cane, hunched over, and walked out of the hall, muttering as he walked, "Young people, if they don't suffer a little, they will never know the immensity of heaven and earth…"

The crowd looked at his retreating back, their expressions varied.

Sect Master Ouyang Lie's brows were tightly locked as he looked in the direction Lin Xuan had left, a flash of deep thought in his eyes.

Guest Elder Courtyard, located deep within a quiet bamboo forest on the west side of Bailian Villa.

The courtyard was not large, but it was arranged elegantly and neatly. There were three main rooms, several wing rooms, and an independent small courtyard. A few stalks of bamboo were planted in the courtyard, and the environment was quiet. After the gray-clothed old man brought Lin Xuan here, he left without a word.

Wang Mang and Li Dali had settled in one step ahead and were looking around in the main room. Seeing Lin Xuan come in, the two hurriedly greeted him.

"Brother Lin! You're finally back!" Wang Mang was full of excitement. "This courtyard is too good! It's a hundred times better than where we stayed in Qingshi Town! Look at this bed, this table, this… this teacup, they are all like new!"

Li Dali was more steady and whispered, "Brother Lin, just now in the main hall, those people…"

Lin Xuan nodded. "I know. This is not Qingshi Town, and the people of Bailian Villa will not be as polite to us as Deacon Wang was. In the future, there may be a lot of trouble."

"Trouble?" Wang Mang scratched his head. "What trouble?"

Li Dali rolled his eyes at him. "Didn't you see it? That kid in the brocade robe in the main hall just now, the way he looked at Brother Lin, he wanted to eat Brother Lin alive. And those old men, their eyes were rolling around, they definitely didn't have good intentions."

"Ah?" Wang Mang widened his eyes. "Then… then what should we do?"

Lin Xuan walked to the window and looked at the quiet bamboo forest outside the courtyard, saying indifferently, "Soldiers come, generals block; water comes, earth covers. Our trip here is originally to borrow the place to heal, and by the way, avoid the limelight. As long as we don't actively provoke trouble, they might not go too far."

He paused, a flash of cold light appearing in his eyes. "But if someone insists on seeking death… I don't mind fulfilling them."

Wang Mang shivered, while Li Dali's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he chuckled. "Brother Lin is right! We don't cause trouble, but we aren't afraid of it either! If someone really dares to come, let them taste the flavor of a fist!"

Lin Xuan turned around, looked at the two, and said sternly, "These few days, you should also Cultivate well. The Basic Martial Dao Spirit-Transformation Art I passed to you, although it is only introductory, as long as you practice diligently, breaking through the Qi Refinement Stage is not a problem. In this Villa, strength is the basis for speaking."

Wang Mang and Li Dali looked at each other and nodded solemnly.

The night grew darker, and the bamboo forest rustled.

Lin Xuan sat alone in the courtyard, cross-legged, adjusting his breathing. Inside his body, the Indestructible Body of the Martial God was slowly operating. That warm current originating from the Legacy was unceasingly repairing his remaining injuries, while simultaneously nourishing the eight hundred strands of Source Martial Spiritual Energy in his Dantian. He could feel that he was getting closer and closer to the Perfection stage of one thousand strands.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes and cast his gaze deep into the bamboo forest.

There, a fleeting, elusive gaze of prying flashed and disappeared.

A faint arc curled up at the corner of Lin Xuan's mouth, and he closed his eyes again.

It seems that some people are already impatient.

That is fine, just in time to test how deep the water in this Bailian Villa is.

(Volume 2 Chapter 31 End)

[Next Chapter Preview]: First entry into the Villa, undercurrents surge. Lin Xuan settled down in Bailian Villa, but attracted attention from all sides. Ouyang Jie's provocation, the Elders' probing, and Sect Master Ouyang Lie's indifference all indicate that the future days will not be peaceful. At the same time, Wang Mang and Li Dali began to Cultivate the Basic Martial Dao Spirit-Transformation Art. Can they make a Breakthrough? And when will the injuries in Lin Xuan's body be completely healed? Next Chapter: Sparring Provocation, Establishing Prestige with One Fist!