Martial Immortality: Starting with the Spirit Beast Scroll

Chapter 376: Chapter 353: Secret Plot

Zhao Lin quickly rose. A tall, elegant, middle-aged cultivator with a scholarly air walked in, his steps measured and deliberate.

Following behind him was a stout young man dressed in white.

Both of their robes were embroidered with family crests, but the shapes and styles were different.

Using his Qi Observation Skill, he couldn’t discern the middle-aged cultivator’s realm, which meant he was a Foundation Establishment Realm master. The young man in white’s cultivation was clear at a glance—he was at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer.

"I am Zhao Lin, a junior. Greetings, Senior."

Zhao Lin offered a salute.

The middle-aged cultivator bore a fair resemblance to Li Yuanyou, so he was likely Li Chenglin. However, to avoid addressing him incorrectly, Zhao Lin called him "Senior" instead of "Master Li."

"No need for formalities."

Li Chenglin made a gesture as if to help him up, sizing up Zhao Lin. He could tell at a glance that he was a Martial Cultivator, and his expression grew serious.

Although it was difficult for Martial Cultivators to advance, they were still highly valued by the sects. In certain minor realms that only Qi Refining Realm cultivators could enter, powerful Martial Cultivators often played a crucial role.

"I am the master of this estate. This is Tao Huang, a talented young man from the Tao family of this county."

Li Chenglin nodded slightly, casually introducing the young man in white.

"A pleasure."

Tao Huang clasped his hands in salute toward Zhao Lin.

"A pleasure."

The Tao family was also a family of cultivators, and Zhao Lin had heard of them before.

"Please, sit."

Li Chenglin sat down casually, smiled faintly, and said, "Judging by your attire, young friend, you must not be from this province, are you?"

"You have a sharp eye, Senior. I am a disciple of the Spirit Dao Institute from Nanhe Province. I am currently out gaining experience on a mission for my sect."

Zhao Lin replied solemnly.

"To be out on a sect mission so young... Martial Cultivators are indeed courageous."

Li Chenglin said admiringly, stroking his long beard.

"You flatter me, Senior. It’s just a mission to gather Spirit Grass."

Zhao Lin said humbly.

"Why have you come to see me?"

After a few more pleasantries, Li Chenglin steered the conversation to the main point.

"I’ve come to deliver a message on someone’s behalf."

Zhao Lin also wanted to get this over with quickly, so he stated his purpose directly.

"Please, young friend, do tell."

Li Chenglin leaned forward slightly, putting on an appearance of great interest.

"It’s news of your son, Li Yuanyou."

Zhao Lin said in a low voice.

"Oh."

Li Chenglin chuckled softly, leaned back in his chair, and his expression grew cold.

Tao Huang snorted coldly. "Another charlatan! Brother Li has been missing for twenty years. Both the sect and the Li family have sent out search parties multiple times to no avail. Where would a mere disciple from the Spirit Dao Institute like you hear such news?"

’This is a little strange,’ Zhao Lin thought. ’Judging by Li Chenglin’s expression, it’s clear he doesn’t believe it, which is understandable. But why is an outsider like Tao Huang so worked up?’

"Li Yuanyou isn’t dead. He’s trapped in the Yinfeng Realm. There was another man with him named Hu Hongxing..."

"Hu Hongxing wanted to become a Ghost Cultivator. When he discovered that Li Yuanyou possessed a Profound Yin Physique, he deliberately befriended him and tricked him into entering a minor realm..."

Zhao Lin explained the whole story in one go, watching as Li Chenglin and Tao Huang’s expressions shifted from initial disbelief to surprise, and then to utter astonishment.

He then added, "Qiuyang County has already dispatched guards and confirmed the details. I believe news will arrive from them soon."

"What you’re saying... is it all true? Yuanyou... he’s not dead?"

Li Chenglin was stunned for a long moment before he spoke.

"I seek neither wealth nor fame. I only came to inform you because I promised Fellow Daoist Li I would. Besides, news will be arriving from Qiuyang County soon. The truth will be clear then."

As Zhao Lin spoke, he noticed Tao Huang staring at him with a hostile expression.

He had a form of echolocation; he could tell what the other’s expression was even without looking. He couldn’t help but feel confused.

’I just delivered a message. How did that make me an enemy?’

"That’s... wonderful!"

Li Chenglin let out a laugh, but though his words were joyful, his face showed no hint of happiness.

Zhao Lin sighed inwardly. ’It seems this isn’t good news for Master Li.’

’Li Yuanyou has been away from home for twenty years. Any familial bonds have likely faded long ago. His survival has probably become a nuisance to the family. But that’s not something I can do anything about.’

As he thought of this, a sudden, inexplicable sense of danger washed over him.

’A Foundation Establishment cultivator could kill me with ease. He almost certainly wouldn’t, but this feeling is truly unsettling. The thought stems purely from an instinct for self-preservation.’

"Now that the message is delivered, I will take my leave."

Zhao Lin said as he stood and cupped his fist in salute.

"Wait, young friend. It is already late. Why don’t you stay the night at my humble home?"

Li Chenglin held up a hand to stop him, then called for a steward and ordered, "Take this young friend to a guest room to rest."

Zhao Lin insisted, "You are too kind, Senior. I have been away for a long time and wish to return to the Spirit Dao Institute as soon as possible."

"That would be improper. You have come from so far to deliver this message, young friend. If I let you leave so late, others would surely say that the Li family lacks courtesy."

Li Chenglin waved his hand and said in a tone that brooked no refusal, "Few Spiritual Vessels leave the port at night. Even if you went, you wouldn’t be able to depart. Besides, the roads are unsafe. It is better to stay the night here."

"This... In that case, I will impose upon you."

Zhao Lin knew Li Chenglin was speaking the truth. After a moment’s consideration, he decided to stay for the night and said no more.

He followed the steward into the guest room. With no mood to cultivate, he lay on the bed, still fully clothed, but found he couldn’t fall asleep.

He replayed Li Chenglin’s earlier behavior in his mind. ’His smile seemed fake. And that young man in white, Tao Huang, was also very strange; he seemed so full of hostility toward me.’

His years of martial arts training had given Zhao Lin an almost beast-like instinct that was rarely wrong. The more he thought about it, the more suspicious the situation seemed. He decided he would leave first thing in the morning.

「In the inner hall, the lamps were still lit.」

Li Chenglin sat upright in his chair, holding a teacup and taking a sip from time to time. His expression was calm, but the slight downward turn of his lips betrayed his inner turmoil.

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