Chapter Thirty-Seven: Weighing the Pros and Cons, a Night Visitor

After Liu Yanran left, the Guest Elder Courtyard returned to silence.

But that invisible pressure seemed to remain in the air, lingering for a long time.

Lin Xuan sat by the stone table, holding the Communication Jade Talisman in his hand, his gaze deep. Wang Mang and Li Dali exchanged a look and tactfully did not disturb him, quietly retreating to the side rooms.

The evening sun dipped low, and the bamboo shadows swayed.

Lin Xuan remained in the same posture, sitting for a full two hours.

What was he thinking about?

He was thinking about Xuanji Pavilion's proposal.

Intelligence support, risk evasion, and protection at critical moments—these were indeed the things he needed most at present. Zhao Yuanqing of the Yunni Sect had already contacted three other Sects to apply joint pressure, the aftermath of the Black Wind Ridge ruins was spreading, and more and more eyes would be focused on him. Relying on his strength alone, how far could he go in this Northern Region chess game?

He did not know.

But what he knew even better was that any transaction came with a price. What Xuanji Pavilion wanted for 'consultation' was, on the surface, merely observation and sparring, but who knew what intentions were hidden behind it? Once this opening was made, would they push for more in the future?

Reputation? Xuanji Pavilion had stood for a thousand years, and its reputation was indeed impeccable. But reputation was always meant to be broken. When the benefits were large enough, even the most solid reputation was nothing more than a sheet of window paper.

However, what about refusal?

Refusing Xuanji Pavilion was equivalent to giving up the most reliable source of intelligence. In this Northern Region where every step was a killing intent, a delay in news could mean the difference between life and death.

He raised his head, looking toward the darkening sky in the north.

Su Qingyue was under house arrest.

This news was like a thorn stuck in his heart.

That fiancée who was once high and mighty, viewing him with the mindset that 'immortals and mortals are different,' had actually stood up to testify for him on the day of the public trial, not hesitating to offend Han Feiyu and Zhao Yuanqing. She said, 'I'm afraid... but I'm even more afraid of becoming a person like them.'

She said, 'I'm sorry... and thank you.'

When she said those words, the clarity and determination in her eyes were things Lin Xuan remembered very clearly.

If she truly fell into a predicament because of him...

Lin Xuan's gaze gradually became sharp.

But immediately after, he suppressed that sharpness.

Impulsiveness was an emotion only the weak possessed. The truly strong could maintain their composure at any time.

He needed more information.

He needed to know the truth behind Su Qingyue's house arrest, the movements within the Yunni Sect, which three Sects were part of the joint pressure, and... exactly how many enemies he had, and how many potential allies.

And the only one who could give him this information was Xuanji Pavilion.

Lin Xuan lowered his head, looking at the jade talisman in his hand.

After a long time, he injected a sliver of spiritual energy.

The jade talisman glowed slightly, then returned to tranquility.

The message had been sent.

...

Half an hour later, night fell.

Lin Xuan was still sitting in the courtyard, as if waiting for something.

From deep within the bamboo forest came a faint sound of footsteps.

Liu Yanran's figure appeared at the courtyard gate once again. This time, she was alone, without the man in gray.

"Has Young Master Lin thought it through?" She had a smile on her lips as she walked gracefully into the courtyard.

Lin Xuan raised his hand, gesturing for her to take a seat.

Liu Yanran was not formal either, sitting down by the stone table. Her gaze lingered on Lin Xuan's face for a moment as she smiled and said, "For the Young Master to make a decision so quickly is somewhat surprising to this little girl."

Lin Xuan said indifferently, "Time waits for no one."

"Well said, 'time waits for no one'." Liu Yanran nodded. "Since that's the case, if the Young Master has any questions, feel free to ask. I will tell you everything I know."

Lin Xuan looked at her and said slowly, "First question: what specifically does the 'consultation' Xuanji Pavilion wants refer to?"

Liu Yanran seemed to have expected this question long ago and said unhurriedly, "The so-called 'consultation' is to invite the Young Master, when convenient, to spar with several Elders of our pavilion, allowing them to observe the Young Master's combat style and the way you utilize your blood and Qi. That is all. The Young Master does not need to teach any Cultivation Technique, nor do you need to reveal the core of your Legacy."

Lin Xuan's gaze narrowed slightly: "Is it that simple?"

"It is that simple." Liu Yanran looked him in the eye candidly. "Although my Xuanji Pavilion is an intelligence power, there are also many people in the pavilion who are obsessed with the Dao of cultivation. Their interest in the methods of ancient Body Cultivators is purely academic. If they can gain some insight through observation, it is their fortune; if not, we will not force it."

Lin Xuan was silent for a moment, then said, "Second question: to what extent can your intelligence reach?"

Liu Yanran smiled slightly. "As long as it's within the Northern Region, there is almost no news my Xuanji Pavilion cannot find. Every move within the Yunni Sect, the details of Zhao Yuanqing's contact with those three Sects, the movements of powers around the Black Wind Ridge ruins, and even... the truth of Su Qingyue's house arrest, our pavilion can provide for the Young Master."

Lin Xuan's gaze froze. "Can you tell me the truth about Su Qingyue now?"

Liu Yanran nodded. "Naturally. This was intended to be the second meeting gift our pavilion gives to the Young Master."

She paused and said slowly, "Su Qingyue being under house arrest is not because she testified for you. That is only the surface reason. The true root cause lies within her body..."

She looked at Lin Xuan and said word for word, "There is an Ancient Mark."

Lin Xuan's pupils constricted slightly.

"That mark is suspected to be related to her background," Liu Yanran continued. "According to our pavilion's investigation, Su Qingyue is not a native Disciple of the Yunni Sect. She was adopted by an Elder of the Yunni Sect when she was young, and her origins are unknown. That mark recently loosened suddenly, triggering a certain power sleeping within her, which also caught the attention of the Sect's high-level members."

She looked at Lin Xuan and said meaningfully, "Does the Young Master know what that mark is related to?"

Lin Xuan shook his head.

Liu Yanran lowered her voice: "It is related to the Ancient Martial Dao."

Lin Xuan's heart jolted.

Ancient Martial Dao? How could there be a mark related to the Ancient Martial Dao inside Su Qingyue's body?

"Our pavilion is still investigating more specific information," Liu Yanran said. "But what can be confirmed for now is that the Yunni Sect's high-level members take this extremely seriously. They have already placed her under strict supervision and sent a message to the Main Sect, requesting specialists to be sent for an investigation. If nothing unexpected happens, someone from the Yunni Sect's Main Sect will arrive within half a month."

Half a month...

Lin Xuan's brow furrowed tightly.

Liu Yanran looked at him and suddenly asked, "The Young Master seems to care quite a bit about Su Qingyue?"

Lin Xuan did not answer.

Liu Yanran smiled and didn't press further, instead saying, "Does the Young Master have any other questions?"

Lin Xuan was silent for a moment, then said slowly, "Third question: what reward does your Xuanji Pavilion want? Besides the 'consultation'."

A flash of admiration appeared in Liu Yanran's eyes. "The Young Master is indeed cautious. Correct, besides the 'consultation,' our pavilion does indeed have one small request."

She looked at Lin Xuan and said seriously, "If one day the Young Master truly grows up and steps into that supreme Realm, I hope the Young Master will remember this kindness today. At an appropriate time, take action once for my Xuanji Pavilion."

Lin Xuan's gaze narrowed. "Just that?"

"Just that." Liu Yanran nodded. "My Xuanji Pavilion does business and has never been greedy. Today's investment is only to exchange for tomorrow's reward. As for when the Young Master can grow to that level, or whether you can grow to that level at all, it is all our pavilion's own judgment. Even if the Young Master lives a mediocre life in the future, our pavilion will never seek repayment."

Lin Xuan looked at her for a long time and said slowly, "You are quite candid."

Liu Yanran smiled. "When dealing with smart people, being candid is the best strategy."

Lin Xuan was silent for a moment and finally nodded. "Fine, I agree."

A smile blossomed on Liu Yanran's face as she took out an exquisite jade token from her sleeve and placed it in front of Lin Xuan.

"This is the Guest Elder Medallion of my Xuanji Pavilion. Holding this token, you can check intelligence for free once at any branch of Xuanji Pavilion in the Northern Region, or request assistance within our capabilities once. In the future, the Young Master's contact with our pavilion will also be based on this token."

Lin Xuan took the jade token; it felt warm in his hand, with faint fluctuations of spiritual energy. The front of the token was engraved with a nine-story pavilion, and the back was the ancient seal character for 'Guest'.

"Thank you." He tucked the token into his robes.

Liu Yanran stood up, preparing to leave. Walking to the courtyard gate, she suddenly turned back and looked at Lin Xuan, a complex light flashing in her eyes:

"Young Master, I will say one last thing—the mark inside Su Qingyue's body is no small matter. The people coming from the Yunni Sect's Main Sect will have a cultivation of at least the Late Stage of the Golden Core or above. If the Young Master wants to do something, it is best to plan carefully."

Lin Xuan nodded slightly. "Thank you for the reminder."

Liu Yanran said no more, turning and disappearing into the bamboo forest.

The night wind blew, and the bamboo leaves rustled.

Lin Xuan sat alone in the courtyard, looking at the jade talisman in his hand, his gaze deep.

Su Qingyue, the Ancient Mark, the people from the Yunni Sect's Main Sect...

Half a month's time.

What did he need to do within this half-month?

Or... do nothing at all?

He did not know.

But one thing he knew very clearly—that woman who was once viewed by him as 'immortals and mortals are different' was now quietly entangled with his fate.

The night grew deeper.

(End of Volume 2, Chapter 37)

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[Next Chapter Preview]: Lin Xuan reaches a cooperation agreement with Xuanji Pavilion, obtaining intelligence support and learning the truth about Su Qingyue's house arrest—she has a mark related to the Ancient Martial Dao in her body, which has already attracted the attention of the Yunni Sect's Main Sect. Within half a month, the Main Sect will send specialists to investigate. Lin Xuan faces a choice: stay out of it, or take the risk to intervene? At the same time, within Bailian Villa, Ouyang Ye's attitude also seems to be becoming subtle. Next chapter: Undercurrents Surging, the Storm Approaches!