Chapter 149

Chapter 149: Longfeng Mountain Range

The situation in the Longfeng Mountain range was unexpected for Zhou Luo and the others.

None of them had ever been outside before, so they had only seen its location on the family map before coming here.

Who could have imagined that this mountain range, located close to the Qingyuan Sect, would be so perilous?

It all came down to the Qingyuan Sect turning a blind eye.

Fortunately, the clues they sought were on the outskirts—otherwise, even with the dual cultivation technique, Zhou Luo would have turned back without hesitation.

Risking his life for a few clues wasn’t his way.

After gaining a general understanding of Jiang City, the group rested on the third floor of the main building, arranged by Lin San.

After all, the long journey had severely drained their mental energy, leaving everyone weary.

Meanwhile…

At a small courtyard within an alley in Jiang City.

Wang Tong slipped inside after confirming no one was tailing him, quietly making his way to the innermost room.

Inside the room.

Liu Fu Chen sat cross-legged, mending his injuries.

His internal wounds proved severe, compounded by his inability to openly seize women for cultivation. Recovery crawled at a snail’s pace.

Wang Tong bowed before him, recounting every detail he had uncovered.

"The Third Young Lady of the Lin Family?!" Liu Fu Chen exclaimed in surprise.

He hadn’t expected the Lin Family to send her to Jiang City.

The heavy injuries he now bore? All thanks to the Lin Family.

Killing both members here would strike a devastating blow against the Lin Family—a perfect act of vengeance.

The thought alone made Liu Fu Chen itch to strike now.

After all, the strongest person the Lin Family had stationed in Jiang City was only at the Qi Refinement seventh level, no match for him.

Yet, he quickly cooled his fury.

If the Lin Family dared send out crucial disciples like Lin Xin, hidden protectors surely followed.

Moreover, the Lin Family’s important industries lay shielded by protective arrays. A rash attack would not only alert them but likely expose his presence.

So, for the moment, he suppressed his urge to act.

"Stay close. Watch them. Find an opportunity, then crush the message talisman immediately," Liu Fu Chen ordered sternly.

"Understood," Wang Tong replied before withdrawing.

……

Half a month later.

Lin Family’s Alchemy Workshop.

Zhou Luo was instructing two apprentices in potion-making.

Just then, Lin Xin and Wang Yu Wei appeared in the potion workshop.

Since becoming acquainted with her family’s business affairs, this ethereal Third Young Lady had begun displaying a notably swift and decisive manner.

Today she wore a white blouse embroidered with a vibrant peony, paired with a light blue pleated skirt that revealed the fair and delicate long legs beneath.

"We can go to Longfeng Mountain range now," Lin Xin whispered to Zhou Luo after pulling him aside.

Two weeks had finally convinced the family their journey was genuinely for personal cultivation.

So when Lin Xin proposed traveling to Longfeng Mountain range.

Neither Lin San nor Lin Dong raised any objections.

Finally able to leave Jiang City, Zhou Luo wore a smile, his spirits thoroughly uplifted.

During this period, he’d thoroughly mapped Jiang City’s potion market.

Despite the constant flow of cultivators through Jiang City, their purchasing power proved surprisingly low.

Most came solely to buy healing potions.

Leaving Zhou Luo deeply disappointed.

He’d initially planned to sell Lifespan Pills here first, but seeing this, he’d be lucky to sell even a few capsules.

Fortunately, information from Lin San revealed an outer-market near Longfeng Mountain range.

Goods sold there derived from rare treasures found within the mountains, promising higher-end clientele.

That afternoon.

In the estate courtyard, Lin San stood respectfully in the outer yard leading a group of cultivators with notable auras.

Longfeng Mountain range differed vastly from Jiang City.

Given Lin Xin and Zhou Luo’s critical importance.

Utmost caution was essential.

For this expedition, the Lin Family essentially mobilized Jiang City’s entire guard force.

Including Lin Dong, the contingent featured four Qi Refinement seventh level experts, as many as ten at the sixth layer of Qi Refinement, and the rest were cultivators at the fifth layer of Qi Refinement.

"Third Young Lady, all preparations are complete," Lin San declared with a bow as Lin Xin approached.

"Uncle Lin, such formality truly wasn’t necessary," Lin Xin replied with visible resignation.

This extensive security escort far exceeded her expectations.

A single guard like Lin Dong might allow a chance for them to slip away unnoticed.

But with so many eyes watching, escape became nearly impossible.

"Third Young Lady, your esteemed status brooks no compromise in safety," Lin San stated solemnly.

Beyond safeguarding Lin Xin, Zhou Luo’s protection was equally paramount.

These two individuals represented nothing less than the Lin Family’s future destiny.

Even stripping Jiang City bare of all Lin cultivators felt justified to Lin San.

Seeing the other party’s persistence, Lin Xin didn’t say anything more; they would simply have to play it by ear when the time came.

So, the entourage boarded the flying boat grandly and departed the city.

Wang Tong witnessed this scene unfold.

His face lit up with delight, and his hands involuntarily clenched into fists. "Finally, the wait is over," he murmured.

…

On the second day, the flying boat bearing the maple leaf crest appeared high above the Longfeng Mountain range.

Looking down from above, the entire mountain range was vast beyond measure, stretching thousands of miles with no end in sight.

Dozens of towering peaks pierced the clouds, wreathed in mist.

Even at the limit of sight, only the outermost areas were visible, the deeper regions completely hidden.

Once the founding grounds of the Hehuan Sect, its territory spanned an area comparable to the Qinyuan Sect.

Moreover, rumors spoke of a damaged, medium-sized spiritual vein here. Though fractured, it was still rich in spiritual energy, making it a coveted destination for countless loose cultivators.

For this outing, Lin San chose not to take them into the chaotic mixed-bag of the trading posts.

He intended to begin exploring the outermost fringes first.

After all, Lin Xin and Zhou Luo held unique statuses; extreme caution was necessary in every move.

The flying boat descended into a dense stretch of jungle.

Belonging to the very peripheral zone of the Longfeng Mountain range, few cultivators came here seeking treasures.

"Third Young Lady, magical beasts often prowl this area, please exercise caution," Lin San advised Lin Xin.

Beside them, Zhou Luo faintly shook his head.

With so many powerful protectors present, he thought, they could retreat unscathed even from a magical beast horde. What kind of proper cultivation trial is this?

These same thoughts echoed in Lin Xin’s mind.

Yet, despite being the family’s Third Young Lady, she held little power to refuse in the presence of these senior elders.

They were acting for her own good, after all.

And so, for the next two days;

the entourage hunted magical beasts within this outermost territory.

But due to the accessible location, any valuable beasts had long been claimed by other cultivators. Only common creatures, scarcely more than wild beasts, remained.

One night, the group settled beside a small stream.

By Lin San’s instructions, one cultivator produced an array disk and began setting up a defensive formation.

Simultaneously, others took out spiritual symbols to provide light.

"Third Young Lady, this area offers nothing of worth for honing skills now. We can return tomorrow," Lin San stated respectfully.

Plainly, the Jiang City overseer remained anxious about potential mishaps.

Frustration washed over Lin Xin. If they returned like this, who knew when she’d have the chance to venture out again?

It’s time to attempt my plan, she decided, time to shed this restrictive "protection"!

Just as she prepared to speak—the first step in her plan—

Whoosh—

Right then, a streak of sword light shot out from the darkness.

Radiating an unstoppable, razor-sharp force, it hurtled straight towards the cultivator setting up the formation.