[Secrets of the Fox Tribe]
Deep within the valley, firelight flickered.
The elder of the Spirit Fox Tribe, Xuanmu, personally recounted various secrets of the Tianyuan Sect to Lin Ye.
“Tianyuan Sect migrated from the Eastern Region a hundred years ago. At first, it was merely a third-rate power, but within just a few decades, it rose rapidly, annexing over a dozen surrounding sects and families, large and small.”
Xuanmu’s voice was low and aged, yet each word was laced with caution and awe. “It is said that a Nascent Soul stage cultivator lies hidden within their sect, known as ‘Tianyuanzi’, who has been in seclusion for many years. They also have five Qi Sea stage elders stationed throughout the sect. If you intend to move against them, you must think carefully.”
Lin Ye remained silent, his eyes sharp and cold. It wasn’t that he felt no fear—only that retreat was not an option.
“Nascent Soul stage?” he murmured. “That is an enemy I will have to face sooner or later.”
But Xuanmu only chuckled and shook his head. “You are young, yet already your body is coiled in demonic aura and your bloodline stirs with strangeness. If given time… who would dare to underestimate you?”
[Tianyuan Sect Outpost]
Ling Shuang slowly unrolled a finely drawn scroll. A grand city unfolded upon the paper.
“This is Qingshi City,” she said, pointing to a gray-blue fortress marked on the map. “The Tianyuan Sect has established an External Affairs Hall here, overseen by three stewards and a rotating Qi Sea stage guardian. They handle disciple recruitment, ore trade, and spiritual material taxation. It’s also the primary contact point for rogue cultivators seeking to approach the sect.”
Lin Ye’s gaze sharpened.
“If I can infiltrate this place, I might be able to uncover more of their inner workings,” he said.
Ling Shuang nodded. “Our tribe has already planted informants in the city. When you arrive, you can contact one—he goes by the alias ‘Liu San’. He works as an apprentice in the apothecary on the west side of the city and carries a hidden mark we left behind.”
[Infiltrating Qingshi City]
At dawn, with the sky just beginning to lighten.
Lin Ye left the Spirit Fox Tribe’s residence alone, wearing a gray robe and deliberately blurring the sharpness of his facial features. To prevent being recognized, he also activated a low-tier illusion technique provided by the system, disguising himself as an ordinary young mortal man in his twenties, his aura concealed like dust.
He traveled day and night, crossing mountains and valleys. In less than three days, he caught sight of the city nestled at the foot of Qingshi Mountain.
Towering walls, stone-paved streets, bustling crowds—cultivators mingled with commoners, and spirit vessels sailed through the skies, all contributing to an atmosphere of vibrant prosperity.
Qingshi City was not purely a cultivator stronghold. It was a hub where sect and secular worlds converged, and its scale surpassed any human city Lin Ye had ever seen.
He melted into the crowd, walking slowly, but his eyes gleamed coldly.
“Tianyuan Sect, here I come.”
ns216.73.216.82da2
