Conclusion, Research

Lin Yuan turned and looked around the cave. After pondering for a moment, he said to Xiao Yi Xian, "Though I don't know who the Senior Who Left Treasure in the Cave was, this cave has already completed its mission of giving its treasures to those fated to receive them. Since we benefited from him, let's give the cave's master some peace."

"Mm, I think so too. What do you plan to do?" Xiao Yi Xian nodded. In her view, she had benefited the most this time, so it was only right to show some sincerity.

"Very simple. We'll block this passage so no one can go in and disturb this senior's rest. Xiao Yi Xian, you get on Xiao Lan first and leave the cave," Lin Yuan said to Xiao Yi Xian.

Nodding, Xiao Yi Xian nimbly flipped onto Xiao Lan. Xiao Lan carried Xiao Yi Xian out of the cave, then Lin Yuan flew into midair. As his Dou Qi swept out, he directly blasted the cave walls until they collapsed, completely sealing the cave. Then, as his sleeve lightly waved, he drew over the surrounding dust and leaves, covering up the traces here. The cave's whereabouts vanished along with them.

"Let's go, Xiao Yi Xian. I'll send you back. Xiao Lan flying you back to Qingshan Town would be too conspicuous." Lin Yuan flew onto Xiao Lan's back.

"Mm, thank you." Xiao Yi Xian thought for a moment and did not refuse Lin Yuan's kindness. Her gains from this trip were too great. With such abundant wealth, more than she had ever had before, on her person, she felt somewhat uneasy. It was better to be careful.

After giving Xiao Lan an instruction, Lin Yuan wrapped an arm around Xiao Yi Xian and brought her flying toward Qingshan Town, while Xiao Lan freely soared through the skies of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, feeling the power and body that had been comprehensively enhanced.

Lin Yuan was very fast. Before long, he had brought Xiao Yi Xian back to her residence. The two exchanged a glance, understanding in their hearts that today was the time to part.

"Well then, goodbye, Xiao Yi Xian."

"Goodbye, Lin Yuan."

After Lin Yuan left, Xiao Yi Xian lay on her bed, tossing and turning. Tonight's experiences kept replaying in her mind, and all sorts of chaotic thoughts surged into her heart.

The changes that had happened in this one night surpassed the life she had lived for many years. She had obtained wealth enough to support an ordinary life for the rest of her days, learned that she possessed the Woeful Poison Body, gained a young genius as a friend, and Xiao Lan had advanced to become a Tier 2 Magical Beast. Clearly her gains were so great, yet Xiao Yi Xian felt empty inside.

She got out of bed, draped a thin coat over herself, lit a lamp, and walked to sit before the desk. She took out the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture and turned to the final volume, staring at it in a daze.

After who knew how long, a low sigh sounded within the room.

"Woeful Poison Body..."

After parting with Xiao Yi Xian, Lin Yuan flew back to the residence he shared with Qing Lin.

When he reached Qing Lin's room, he discovered that this little girl, Qing Lin, was actually not sleeping at such a late hour, but cultivating instead. Crimson Jade was standing guard outside the room.

After Crimson Jade saw Lin Yuan, it immediately sent Qing Lin a message. Qing Lin, who had been cultivating with her eyes closed, instantly put away her cultivation hand gesture, opened her eyes, and hurriedly rose to open the door.

Qing Lin trotted up to Lin Yuan. Looking at him, a huge smile appeared on her face.

"Young Master, welcome home!"

Hearing Qing Lin say the words "come home," Lin Yuan suddenly felt as though a lifetime had passed. How many years had it been? Ever since his parents passed away, how long had it been since he had heard those two words, "come home"? In that instant, Lin Yuan's heart seemed to become very soft, and a different sort of gentleness entered his tone.

"Mm, I'm back!"

Mm? Lin Yuan very quickly sensed that moment of uncontrollable weakness in his heart. He grew somewhat vigilant. He actually had this weakness? He could be shaken for an instant because of this long-lost feeling of home. If he encountered a powerful illusion in the future, would this become a flaw? He needed to make some preparations ahead of time.

After pondering for a moment, Lin Yuan thought that this period of time was just right for tempering the somewhat restless state of mind brought about by the large amount of battle and killing in the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

"Looks like I can take this period of time to do some research on the Soul Aspect and on how to deal with illusion realms and illusion techniques."

After setting a goal, Lin Yuan looked at Qing Lin and discovered that her mental state was clearly somewhat off. He could tell this was a sign of excessive mental exhaustion, and a bit more sternness appeared in his eyes. "Qing'er, although I said that you should cultivate diligently at home, I also said that cultivation requires a balance of work and rest, right? Judging from your mental state, you probably haven't slept since I left. This way of yours has gone too far. You cannot do this again. Cultivation at the Dou Qi stage stresses gradual, step-by-step progress. You must not seek quick success and instant benefits."

"But I want to grow stronger sooner. That way, I can help Young Master sooner," Qing Lin said in a soft, tender voice.

He stroked Qing Lin's forehead and gently comforted her, "I know what you're thinking, and I'm very happy too. But there's no need to rush. I have already planned out your path of cultivation. In the future, there will definitely be times when you can help me, so there's no need to rush. You must not lose the greater for the lesser."

"Mm, Qing'er understands." Qing Lin obediently nodded.

"Good. Then hurry and get a proper sleep. Tomorrow, I'll take you out for a walk."

After Qing Lin lay down as told, Lin Yuan lit a burner of Calming Incense by her bedside to help her recover the mental energy she had exhausted from over-cultivating these past two days.

After that, Lin Yuan returned to his own room and took out an extremely ancient scroll from his storage ring. After he unrolled the scroll, a slightly yellowed map appeared before his eyes. Some patterns that looked completely irregular were drawn on the map, and in one corner was the vague image of a black lotus flower. A thin layer of black flame seemed to cling to the pattern. When he looked closely, a strange, demonic feeling arose of its own accord. It was indeed undoubtedly the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame Fragment Map.

Lin Yuan released his Soul Power and probed toward the demonic flame fragment map, carefully sensing the patterns on the map. After studying it for a long time, he put the map down, unable to help praising it in his heart.

"As expected of something left behind by a peak nine-star Dou Saint level figure. It is far beyond what the current me can see through."

During his probe, Lin Yuan discovered that an extremely obscure and extremely vast Soul Power was hidden on the map. This Soul Power would not directly harm anyone. However, if someone wanted to probe the map's origin or copy the map, then this Soul Power would imperceptibly erode their mind, making them unable to obtain any effective information. Even consciously resisting the erosion would have no effect whatsoever.

Although Lin Yuan's Soul Perception was outstanding, before the methods set down by a peak-level figure of the continent, he was not much different from an ordinary person, even if that person had fallen a thousand years ago. This was the first time he had felt the gap between himself and the summit. The gap was so great that he could not even determine how large it truly was.

"The peak of the Dou Qi Continent is truly unfathomable. However, one day, I will also climb to it." The enormous gap did not make Lin Yuan feel discouraged at all. Instead, he was somewhat excited.

"Speaking of which, the Purifying Demonic Lotus Saint's unique skill, Nightmare Heavenly Mist, is a mist that can make people fall into illusion realms. Legend says he once used this move to make the people of an entire city feel as if they had lived for several hundred years. Only after the mist scattered did those people discover that those hundred years of experience were merely an illusory dream. With such wonder, his attainment in illusion techniques could be said to have reached the pinnacle. If I can scrape a little benefit from this map, that would be great."

"Perfect. I was planning to do some research related to illusion techniques recently, so I'll try using the study of these two fragment maps and the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils as my topics!"