Chapter 6: This is a world where strength is paramount.

The thatched cottage was not large, facing south and backed by the north, nestled against the mountain. The main hall was empty, with only a dining table and two chairs. A hand-drawn portrait hung high in the central hall, depicting an elderly woman with a kind and benevolent face. Yun Xiangyi recognized her as the old woman who had raised Lin He. This old woman had long been in charge of the medicinal garden and the alchemy room, and no one knew her age. She passed away ten years ago when Lin He was eight years old.

Looking around, the only thing of value in the main hall was the sound box, which required three first-grade spirit stones per month. It reported on all the major and minor events, as well as the gossip in the cultivation world. The organization that ran this business was not just any ordinary entity but the entire Heavenly Dao Federation. Few of the younger generation knew the origins of this organization, only that the sect leader had to attend a grand assembly every year.

This thatched cottage, which could be described as having nothing but four walls, was quite fitting for Lin He's status. Cultivators with good items wouldn't display them openly, especially not a low-level cultivator. The eastern room was the alchemy room, which was also very simple, with only an alchemy furnace and a mat. The walls were clean, without even a spider web. The western room served as both a bedroom and a study, with just a bed, a chair, and a table.

This was truly a humble abode. Above the table were four powerful and vigorous characters: "Heaven rewards diligence!"

Seeing that Lin He had not returned, Yun Xiangyi sat on the chair, staring at the four characters, thinking to herself that this boy was not good at cultivation but was quite capable in other areas. Back when they both started cultivating, Yun Xiangyi was a disciple of Wanzhong Mountain, while Lin He was a disciple of Yao Yao. At that time, they often played together. Five years ago, Lin He was exiled, and she hadn't seen him since, until now...

Lost in thought, Yun Xiangyi actually fell asleep on the chair, completely lacking the vigilance a cultivator should have. This room, like Lin He himself, always gave people a sense of calm.

Sizilong did not follow Yun Xiangyi, but he did send someone to keep an eye on her. If today's events were exposed, it would certainly be a major scandal within the sect. Sizilong's position as the eldest disciple might even be shaken. He couldn't afford to take any risks. When the disciple he sent reported that Yun Xiangyi had kicked open the bamboo fence and entered, Sizilong finally felt relieved. He knew that Lin He now relied on alchemy to maintain his position within the sect. Yun Xiangyi, with her high aspirations, would never look up to him and would certainly use him to vent her frustrations.

When Lin He returned to the small courtyard, he saw the broken bamboo fence and sighed, a bitter smile on his face. Being too smart was not always a good thing. In just that moment of hesitation, Lin He had figured out what had happened. It must have been Yun Xiangyi. No one else would have the need to break the door, and only Yun Xiangyi, who had returned from Wanzhong Mountain, would have the resentment to do so.

Sighing, he felt no fear and did not bother to fix the broken door. Instead, he went to the vegetable garden at the back, caught a nine-tailed pheasant, and picked some vegetables he had grown. He then slowly made his way to the kitchen at the back of the yard.

A fragrant aroma wafted into his nose, and Yun Xiangyi's nose twitched several times. Her eyes opened, and she saw a plain face and a smile. "You're up. There's spring water from the mountain in the yard. Go wash up; it's time to eat."

Looking at the time, it was around two or three in the afternoon. She wasn't sure if it was lunch or dinner. Cultivators didn't place much importance on food; pursuing the Dao was their ultimate goal. Yun Xiangyi usually didn't care much about what she ate; it was normal to go without food for ten to eight days while practicing and meditating.

Nevertheless, the warmth that flooded her heart felt quite nice.

In the clay pot was a fragrant and steaming nine-tailed pheasant soup, and two plates of green and shiny vegetables. Since starting cultivation, Yun Xiangyi had never felt that food could be so appealing. "Where is he? Where did he go?"

From the alchemy room came a voice: "I'm here!" Lin He appeared, holding two scorched bamboo tubes. Seeing Yun Xiangyi, he smiled and said, "This is the spirit rice made from this year's new spirit grains. Try it; I grew it myself."

Yun Xiangyi looked at the alchemy room behind her, her mind a bit muddled, and asked, puzzled, "You use the alchemy furnace to cook?"

"Ah, the alchemy furnace is big enough, and it's fast. Moreover, the residual spirit energy from various medicinal herbs inside is beneficial for cultivators," Lin He said matter-of-factly.

The bamboo was split open, and a faint bamboo fragrance mixed with the aroma of the spirit grains wafted out, smelling wonderful. Yun Xiangyi, who had started cultivating at the age of eight, once again felt the immense allure of food.

"Pity, your intelligence is misdirected," Yun Xiangyi said, still trying to belittle the person who had provided her with such delicious food. After saying this, she was puzzled; why had she become so casual, when she was usually so reserved?

"The Dao has no gate; I can only seize this short century, enjoying each day as it comes, and not letting myself down," Lin He said, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy, especially in this cultivation world.

Seeing his expression, Yun Xiangyi felt a bit guilty. Wasn't this like rubbing salt in the wound? She quickly smiled and said, "You're right. Sizilong has issued a gag order."

Lin He didn't even think before replying, "That's inevitable. As the eldest disciple, if he doesn't stand by his fellow disciples in a crisis, it would be a scandal. He hopes you die at the hands of... uh, the old monster of Wanzhong Mountain." He almost said the wrong thing and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Yun Xiangyi showed no sign of anger; instead, she subconsciously gave him a flirtatious look and said, "I know what you mean. That old monster of Wanzhong Mountain is notorious in this area. Some female disciples have been harmed and dare not speak out. Hmph, their cultivation may have improved in the short term, but if a woman's body is compromised before the Foundation Establishment stage, she will never be able to break through to the Golden Core stage."

Lin He was momentarily dazzled by the flirtatious look and quickly averted his gaze, saying, "Let's eat, let's eat."

Half an hour later, inside the alchemy room, two mats faced each other.

"What should I do next?" Yun Xiangyi asked, expressing her dilemma.

Lin He said, "In the cultivation world, nothing is more reliable than one's own strength. I'm sure you understand what I mean."

Yun Xiangyi's beautiful eyebrows moved slightly, and she nodded, "I understand. I'll act as if nothing happened. Once I break through to the Foundation Establishment stage and surpass others in cultivation, I can seize the position of the new generation's leader in the sect, and everything will be fine."

Snap, a finger snap: "Absolutely correct, beautiful lady. Work hard to reach the Foundation Establishment stage as soon as possible."

Sigh, a long sigh: "Foundation Establishment Pill. I've heard that the entire Wanzhong Sect only has one Foundation Establishment Pill left. My master said that in recent years, the number of Foundation Establishment Pills available on the market has decreased. This thing is too difficult to refine; a single batch of medicinal herbs may not even produce one pill. Wild medicinal herbs like the Traction Grass are also becoming rarer. My master hopes I can achieve something at the new generation's competition at the Heavenly Dao Federation. If I can place in the top ten, I will receive a Foundation Establishment Pill. I've calculated the number of young experts from various sects and found that there are at least twenty who have already reached the Ninth Level of Qi Cultivation."

Lin He, of course, wouldn't be foolish enough to tell Yun Xiangyi that he had a Foundation Establishment Pill. He said with a serious face, "Yes, you must make a breakthrough within the year and reach the Ninth Level. Otherwise, the chances for the second senior sister in the year-end competition are slim. The second senior sister might ask the master for a place with less spirit energy to cultivate for a while."

"Are you really that stupid? The North-South Competition is in three months. The master, the mistress, and the elders have been in closed meditation for half a year. The only elder who hasn't entered closed meditation, Elder Liefeng, is rarely seen. Who would dare to disturb the elders in their closed meditation without a major reason? Otherwise, how could Sizilong cover everything up? Why should I endure in silence?"

"Uh, are you that old? I haven't felt it. Hehe, just joking, trying to lighten the mood. Don't you think the atmosphere is too heavy now?" Lin He's words didn't have much effect; the woman's eyebrows were already raised. Women are unreasonable, and female cultivators are even more so.

"I have a method that might help you in your cultivation. However, I can only tell you, and you must not reveal it to anyone else." Lin He's words were like a beacon in the dark, making Yun Xiangyi's eyes light up. She puffed out her chest and said, "Speak quickly. If it works, I'll reward you."

Seeing the peaks rise and fall as she puffed out her chest, Lin He swallowed and said, "Can we talk about the reward first?"

Yun Xiangyi gave him a flirtatious look and said in a sweet, cloying voice, "Boy, how do you want to die?"

Lin He immediately put on a fawning face and said, "Second senior sister, don't be angry. I'll tell you, I'll tell you. It's actually very simple. It's a formation, which I call the Spirit Gathering Formation."

Yun Xiangyi left satisfied, with eight Spirit Gathering Banners in her spatial ring. Lin He, still sitting on the mat in the alchemy room, was in a daze. How could she, how could she... kiss him? His first kiss!

Yun Xiangyi was quite pleased. Giving a reward first was indeed effective. It was just a kiss, a simple touch of the lips, and she had obtained the eight Spirit Gathering Banners and the formation. The problem was, why did the moment of that touch keep flashing in her mind, that sudden stillness in the air, the rapid flow of blood, and the racing heart, which were so unforgettable? Was she being too frivolous?

If Yun Xiangyi knew that after Lin He recovered from his daze, he said, "I still lost out!" she would definitely tear him to pieces! "Eight Spirit Gathering Banners, I've only used four at most. In five years of refining, I've only managed to produce sixteen, and now I've lost half." Lin He continued to complain to himself.

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End of Chapter 6

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