"Quite special indeed," Duan Chenglian replied. "Elder Lu and I have been tirelessly studying it. Not long ago, we finally uncovered some clues. We deduced that the disk is likely a 'key plate' for a restrictive formation—essentially, it functions like a key. Such disks are typically used at the entrance to cave abodes."
Lin Feng's eyes lit up with surprise. "You mean... that disk might be the 'key' to someone's cave abode?"
"Very likely," Duan Chenglian nodded, continuing earnestly. "And judging by its complexity, it probably isn't an ordinary abode. Just a few days ago, I encountered the wandering cultivator who originally sold me the disk. After some questioning, he revealed more details. It turns out he stumbled upon the remains of a Golden Core cultivator purely by chance. The disk was found inside the dead man's storage ring. Alongside it, he discovered... a map of Lanling Ruins!"
He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping. "The deceased cultivator likely ventured into Lanling Ruins, encountered some perilous danger within, managed to escape but ultimately succumbed to his grievous injuries. This means... the disk almost certainly originated from within Lanling Ruins itself!"
"Lanling Ruins?" Lin Feng's eyebrows arched slightly. The name wasn't unfamiliar. Months ago, the Lingyue Sect's Vice-Sect Leader and others had journeyed there, only to return empty-handed and injured. He'd also gleaned information from the sect's archives. Lanling Ruins was rumored to be the ruined cave abode of a mighty ancient cultivator. Now, after untold years, it had transformed into a perilous land infested with powerful spirit beasts, some said even reaching the terrifying fourth tier.
"Precisely," Duan Chenglian affirmed. "Elder Lu and I both believe the disk is intrinsically linked to Lanling Ruins. Moreover, we suspect... it might very well be the key plate required to access the legendary cave abode hidden deep within the ruins themselves!!"
Lin Feng felt a jolt of surprise, but he remained silent. He knew Duan Chenglian wouldn't share this significant information without a reason; there would be a request coming.
Sure enough, Duan Chenglian paused briefly before speaking directly to Lin Feng. "Elder Lu and I are now preparing to venture into Lanling Ruins. We've also invited a few trusted Golden Core cultivators to join us. Since you are here today... I wanted to ask: could you perhaps relay this matter to your esteemed Master? If feasible, we would be deeply honored to extend an invitation for him to accompany us. Should we gain any treasures within, they would naturally be shared fairly amongst all participants."
So that's the purpose… Lin Feng understood inwardly, though a wry smile touched his heart. He deliberately 'pondered' for a moment before adopting an apologetic tone. "This... I fear will disappoint you, Senior Duan. My Master entered secluded cultivation not long ago. It's unlikely he will emerge... any time soon."
Duan Chenglian's brow furrowed slightly, a sigh of disappointment escaping him. "Is that so? Ah... that truly is a great pity..."
...
Not long after, Cheng Lin returned with the batch of herbs Lin Feng had requested. Bidding farewell to Duan Chenglian, Lin Feng took Xia Xin and left the Myriad Treasures Pavilion.
Walking down the bustling street, Xia Xin, still nibbling on half a piece of pastry, suddenly pointed excitedly at a small stall ahead. "Brother Lin Feng, look!! Clay figurines!!"
"Hah," Lin Feng chuckled. "Aren't you a bit old for clay figurines now?"
Xia Xin stuck out her pink tongue playfully and cooed, "They never had anything like this in our village! Brother Lin Feng, please, let's go take a look?" Before he could answer, she darted towards the stall like a joyful butterfly.
Amused, Lin Feng started to follow her when a surprised voice called out from behind him.
"Lin Feng?!"
Lin Feng halted mid-step and turned around. A middle-aged man dressed in a brown scholar's robe was staring at him in astonishment, a servant dressed like a family retainer standing beside him.
"Uncle Kou?" Lin Feng was momentarily stunned, equally surprised. The man was none other than Kou Tingting's father, Kou Xuyun!
"It really is you!" Kou Xuyun walked up to him, his face breaking into a delighted grin. "I thought my eyes were deceiving me! Lin Feng, what brings you here?"
Encountering an acquaintance lifted Lin Feng's spirits, though he couldn't reveal his membership in the Lingyue Sect. He offered a vague explanation. "Ah, I happened to be travelling through the area for training purposes. Uncle Kou, what brings you to Lingyue City?"
Kou Xuyun laughed warmly. "Have you forgotten the Kou family deals in pills? Our Fragrant Elixir Workshop sources its pills wholesale right here in Lingyue City. This time, I came personally to negotiate deals for several new pill varieties."
"Of course," Lin Feng nodded in understanding. He then asked, concern lacing his voice, "Uncle Kou, do you have any news... of Zheng Kai and the others?"
"Yes, actually," Kou Xuyun replied readily. "Not long ago, Zheng Kai and Tingting both sent letters home. They are now officially accepted disciples of the Immortal Distant Sect! They are doing well... As for Xiaojing and your other three friends, they are thriving at the Biquan Sect too. They visited home just half a month ago! Xiaojing mentioned she even earned the qualification to enter the Blackmist Herb Valley! Patriarch Zhanggong was overjoyed for days!"
Lin Feng's brow wrinkled in confusion. "The Blackmist Herb Valley? What kind of place is that?"
"You haven't heard of it?" Kou Xuyun seemed momentarily taken aback. He quickly explained, "It's a rather mysterious realm. The major sects utilize it as a proving ground for their inner disciples. Once every five years, the prominent sects across Southern Xia Kingdom dispatch their most outstanding disciples to enter the Blackmist Herb Valley for trial. Legends say it holds countless rare spirit herbs and heavenly materials, brimming with boundless opportunities. Those fortunate enough to enter always emerge with substantial gains."
"A proving ground?" Lin Feng found the concept intriguing. A thoughtful gleam flickered in his eyes. "Can disciples from any major sect in Southern Xia participate?"
"Yes," Kou Xuyun confirmed. "It's an ancient agreement established long ago by the major sects. Legend has it fierce battles once raged over control of that realm. After reaching a truce, the sects forged a pact: designate it solely as a trial ground for disciples and only permit entry during the agreed-upon time, with participants sent simultaneously. This tradition has endured for hundreds of years."
His expression shifted slightly as he recalled something else. "Ah, that reminds me, Lin Feng. Not long after you left Qingyun City, a mysterious cultivator arrived, asking discreet questions about you. By the time Patriarch Zhanggong and I caught wind of it... the man had already vanished without a trace." Kou Xuyun's voice lowered with concern. "We suspect... he might very well be connected to the cultivator who controlled those spirit beasts that ravaged Qingyun City."
"What?!" Alarm jolted through Lin Feng. His immediate thought was of the Yin Corpse Sect. A wave of relief washed over him at his timely departure; staying would have meant grave trouble. They were searching for me...
"Whoever he was, he seemed intent on finding you," Kou Xuyun said gravely. "Lin Feng, you must remain vigilant."
Lin Feng nodded solemnly. "Yes. Thank you for the warning, Uncle Kou. I will be careful."
...
As Kou Xuyun needed to hurry to his business negotiation, their conversation remained brief. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he took his leave.
Lin Feng watched Kou Xuyun disappear into the crowd before turning back towards the clay figurine stall. Xia Xin was patiently waiting nearby. The sensible girl, seeing Lin Feng engaged in conversation, hadn't interrupted but simply lingered by the stall.
As Lin Feng approached, she looked up curiously. "Brother Lin Feng, who were you talking to?"
"An old acquaintance," Lin Feng replied with a smile, gesturing towards the colourful figurines. "So, did you see one you like? Go ahead, pick one out. I'll get it for you."
"Yay! Thank you, Brother Lin Feng!" Her eyes sparkled with delight. "I want that monkey one, please!"
...
Leaving Lingyue City, their journey back to the Lingyue Sect was leisurely. With Xia Xin accompanying him and no urgent need to rush, Lin Feng maintained a relaxed pace. They even stopped overnight at a roadside relay station, resuming their journey the next morning and arriving at the sect grounds by late morning.
After seeing Xia Xin safely back to the inner disciple residences, Lin Feng made his way alone to the secluded back mountain.
He pushed open the gate to his small courtyard and had barely stepped inside when a rotund figure shot towards him like lightning. Stumbling in his haste, the man practically slammed face-first onto the ground at Lin Feng's feet. Ignoring the dirt, he scrambled forward and clung desperately to Lin Feng's leg, bursting into tears of pure relief.
"Praise the Ancestral Masters!! Junior Brother Lin Feng! You've FINALLY returned!! Waaaah... If you hadn't come back soon... this senior brother would have completely lost his mind!!"