Cultivation begins with earning spirit stones

Chapter 50 Identity Exposed

Zhang Lin did not linger in the city but went directly to the teleportation array.

It's best to leave this place of trouble as soon as possible.

The teleportation array of Qingxuan City is located in the north of the city. It is a circular stone platform with runes engraved on its surface. There is a stone pillar at each of the four corners, and a high-grade spirit stone is inlaid on the top of each pillar. The spirit stone flows with spiritual light and faintly fluctuates in space.

An old man sat beside the teleportation array, resting with his eyes closed.

Zhang Lin stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Senior, this junior wishes to be teleported to Qingyun Town."

The old man opened his eyes, glanced at him, and said, "Fifty spirit stones."

Zhang Lin took out fifty spirit stones from his storage bag and handed them to the old man.

"Stand up."

Zhang Lin walked up to the stone platform and stood in the center.

The old man made a hand seal, and a beam of spiritual light entered the stone platform.

The runes on the stone platform lit up, and spiritual light surged like a tide, while the power of space gathered and enveloped Zhang Lin.

The next moment, everything went blurry, and he disappeared into the teleportation array.

Qingyun Town.

The light from the teleportation array faded, and Zhang Lin stepped out of it.

He took a deep breath; the air was filled with the fresh scent of the mountains and fields, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of Qingxuan City.

came back.

Zhang Lin strode towards the market, pondering his next move.

------

Qingxuan City, Zhou Family Council Hall.

The hall was spacious, with neatly arranged tables and chairs made of rosewood, and several paintings and calligraphy works by famous artists hanging on the walls, exuding a faint fragrance of ink.

In the corner, a bronze incense burner held fine sandalwood, its wisps of smoke filling the room with fragrance.

However, this elegant atmosphere was crushed by the heavy silence in the hall.

Zhou Mingyuan sat in the first chair on the left, his face ashen.

Several sheets of paper were spread out on the long table in front of him, covered with dense writing, the ink still wet, clearly having been delivered recently.

"Have you found out?"

The one who spoke was the elderly man sitting in the main seat.

The old man had white hair and beard, a thin face, but bright, piercing eyes. His body radiated a restrained spiritual light, clearly indicating that he was at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Zhou Huai-ren, an elder of the Zhou family.

"Reporting to Uncle, the matter has been investigated." Zhou Mingyuan stood up, bowed, and picked up the paper on the table. "Zhang Lin did not appear in Qingxuan City out of thin air; he came under the identity of Lin Xuan."

He handed the note to Zhou Huai Ren and said, "I checked the teleportation array records. Lin Xuan first appeared in Qingxuan City three days before the Dharma Assembly. The teleportation array records show that he was teleported from Qingyun Town."

"As for Zhang Lin, he registered for the competition with his real identity on the day of the Dharma Assembly, so he probably wouldn't dare to deceive the Danxia Sect with a false identity."

"My grandson sent someone to Qingyun Town to inquire, and learned that there is indeed a cultivator named Zhang Lin at Qingguan Temple in Qingyun Town. He entered the temple to cultivate a few months ago and has the cultivation level of the early stage of Qi Refining."

"But by the time of the Dharma assembly, Zhang Lin had already reached the late stage of Qi Refining."

Zhou Mingyuan paused, his gaze turning somber: "In just a few months, he has progressed from the early stage of Qi Refining to the late stage. Even the most talented disciples of the Nine Great Mystic Sects might not achieve such progress."

"This person either has a secret or he's actually a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, but why would he join such a lowly, insignificant temple as Shangqing Temple?"

Zhou Huai-ren took the paper and read it line by line, his brows gradually furrowing.

"You mean, he used a pseudonym?"

"That's right." Zhou Mingyuan nodded. "Lin Xuan is the alias he used to move around in Qingyun Town. He had to use his real name this time in order to enter Danxia Sect."

"Using the identity of Lin Xuan, he rented a shop in the market of Qingyun Town and opened a 'Lin's General Store', selling magical artifacts and pills, and those pills he sold..."

Zhou Mingyuan took out a porcelain bottle from his sleeve and handed it over.

"These are the Qi-Nourishing Pills sold from his shop. They are top-grade, of excellent quality, and exactly the same as the pills he refined at the Dharma Assembly."

Zhou Huai Ren took the porcelain bottle, poured out a pill, brought it to his nose and sniffed it, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Indeed, it is a top-grade first-class pill." He put the pill back into the bottle, pondered for a moment, and said, "This young man's pill-making skills are indeed extraordinary. Even inner disciples of top sects may not be able to match him."

"That's precisely why we can't let him live." Zhou Mingyuan's voice was low and ruthless. "Uncle, if this boy joins the Danxia Sect, with his alchemy skills, he will definitely be valued by the sect."

"By then, it will be as difficult as climbing to heaven for the Zhou family to touch him again."

Zhou Huai-ren did not respond, but instead turned to look at a middle-aged man sitting on his right.

The middle-aged man appeared to be in his forties, with a square face, three long wisps of beard, and a cultivation level of the early Foundation Establishment stage.

He was a contact of the Zhou family at the Danxia Sect's Qingxuan City branch. Although he was not a formal disciple, he was on good terms with several deacons at the branch.

"Jingtang, what do you think?"

Zhou Jingtang pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "This boy certainly cannot be allowed to live, but we must be careful about how we kill him."

"Your identity as an outer disciple of the Danxia Sect is a protective shield. You failed last night. If you try to kill again openly, it will be a slap in the face to the Danxia Sect. It will be difficult to explain to the branch master."

"And what's your opinion?"

"Cut off his source of income and force him to leave Qingyun Town." Zhou Jingtang stroked his beard, his gaze deep. "He has shops in Qingyun Town; that's his source of wealth."

"If his source of income is cut off, he will be unable to stay in Qingyun Town. At that time, he will either have to return to Qingxuan City or leave Qingyun Town to find another way out."

"Once he leaves Qingyun Town, he will be out of the sight of the Danxia Sect branch in Qingxuan City. At that time..."

Zhou Jingtang didn't continue speaking, but instead made a throat-slitting gesture.

Zhou Huai-ren nodded, then looked at Zhou Ming-yuan.

"Mingyuan, what do you think?"

Zhou Mingyuan gritted his teeth, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes.

He originally intended to send someone to ambush and kill Zhang Lin before he was officially registered in the sect's roster, to eliminate him completely, but he didn't expect to alert the enemy. It was all because of those three good-for-nothings.

But what's done is done, and what Uncle and Uncle Jingtang said makes sense. Being an outer disciple of the Danxia Sect is indeed a protective charm.

If Zhang Lin were killed in Qingyun Town, it would still fall under the jurisdiction of Qingxuan City, and the Danxia Sect would definitely investigate.

Given the shrewdness of the branch leader, he will eventually trace it back to the Zhou family.

At that point, the Zhou family will not only be unable to protect him, but will also bring trouble upon themselves.

"Uncle is right." Zhou Mingyuan suppressed his resentment and cupped his hands, saying, "Then let's do as Uncle Jing said, cut off his source of income first, and force him to leave Qingyun Town."

"We'll make our move after he leaves."

Zhou Huai Ren nodded and said, "This matter must be handled cleanly and efficiently, leaving no room for doubt. Let De Mao handle it. He is the market steward of Qingyun Town, and taking back the shops is perfectly legitimate and will not arouse suspicion."

"Yes," Zhou Mingyuan replied.

"And one more thing." Zhou Huai-ren's gaze sharpened, and his tone became stern. "After this matter is over, you will focus on cultivation and go to the Danxia Sect to prepare for Foundation Establishment."

"Don't let small things cause you to lose sight of the bigger picture and delay important matters. You know how much the Zhou family has invested in you."

Zhou Mingyuan's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly lowered his head: "Grandson understands."

Zhou Huai-ren waved his hand: "Go ahead."

Zhou Mingyuan and Zhou Jingtang rose to take their leave and walked out of the council hall.

Under the eaves, Zhou Mingyuan stopped and looked into the distance with a sinister expression.

"Mingyuan," Zhou Jingtang patted his shoulder and said in a low voice, "This matter is not urgent. Although this boy has some skills, he is ultimately a rogue cultivator with no roots or foundation."

"The Zhou family has been operating in Qingxuan City for generations. They have plenty of ways to deal with a rogue cultivator."