Chapter 132: Setting Up
As the following days quietly passed, everyone within the sect gradually noticed that Lin Xiao Tian had completely changed.
The earlier relaxed and shameless sect master who constantly joked around with the disciples seemed to have disappeared entirely after Bai Xue’s death.
In his place remained a far colder and quieter figure whose presence alone now carried an invisible pressure throughout the sect.
Even the disciples unconsciously became more disciplined under that atmosphere.
The first thing Lin Xiao Tian handled was the matter regarding the Fatty Prince.
Not long after returning to the sect, he directly sent Tian Jian Zun alongside the prince back toward the imperial palace. Several days later, Tian Jian Zun finally returned with unexpected news.
At the same time, Lin Xiao Tian finally understood another matter that had been bothering him ever since the battle inside the secret realm.
The reason Tian Jian Zun’s sword intent never reacted during the earlier possession incident was actually far simpler than he originally expected.
The first and biggest reason was the secret realm itself.
The moment everyone entered that isolated space, the connection between the outside world and the sword intent left behind by Tian Jian Zun had already been heavily weakened and partially cut off by the realm laws.
Especially after the secret realm began collapsing and the demonic aura spread throughout the battlefield, the remaining connection became even more unstable.
Under those circumstances, the sword intent could no longer properly distinguish the situation inside.
And the second reason...
Lin Xiao Tian quietly rubbed his forehead afterward while letting out a faint bitter sigh.
Tian Jian Zun never even considered setting protections against friendly fire in the first place.
The sword intent was originally created only to protect disciples from external enemies and life-threatening danger.
No one within the sect had ever imagined that one disciple would one day lose control and attack another from inside the group itself.
During the earlier battle against the demonic expert inside the secret realm, the emperor himself had secretly suffered severe injuries while protecting the imperial bloodline.
Although he still maintained the appearance of stability outwardly, his lifespan had already nearly dried up completely.
At most he only had three years remaining and with the emperor gradually approaching death, the royal palace itself had already begun splitting apart internally.
Numerous princes secretly started fighting for influence while several powerful factions within the court prepared themselves for the upcoming chaos.
Under such circumstances, the emperor ultimately made his decision.
He wished to submit himself beneath the Celestial Origin Supreme Sect and receive Lin Xiao Tian’s protection in exchange for helping the Fatty Prince safely ascend the throne in the future.
Hearing this report, Lin Xiao Tian remained silent for a long time as the implications behind this matter were enormous.
Once the emperor died, the imperial dynasty would inevitably descend into complete internal conflict.
Yet if the Celestial Origin Supreme Sect intervened successfully during that period, then not only would they gain enormous influence over the entire empire, but his five-year system mission would also likely complete automatically through controlling the dynasty itself.
Indeed... helping that fatty climb the throne brings far greater profit than expected.
After understanding the overall situation clearly, Lin Xiao Tian finally nodded his approval.
Soon afterward, Tian Jian Zun was directly sent back toward the imperial palace once more in order to secretly oversee the situation there.
Meanwhile, Lin Xiao Tian himself completely focused on strengthening the sect.
He directly gathered every resource obtained from the secret realm before opening the ancient storage ring they recovered earlier.
The moment he fully examined its contents, even he became shocked, the ring truly contained terrifying heavenly treasures.
Countless rare herbs and materials filled the storage space while dense spiritual energy continuously flowed throughout the interior.
Many resources inside had likely already disappeared from the outside world entirely.
There were numerous top-tier alchemy materials capable of refining pills even Nascent Soul experts would desperately fight over.
Several treasures specifically designed for Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul breakthroughs were also carefully preserved inside.
Even Lin Xiao Tian himself could not help inhaling deeply after seeing such wealth gathered together.
And among those treasures he finally found what Zhang Qingyue needed.
Several Void Bane Lotuses quietly rested within jade containers deep inside the storage ring while faint spatial ripples drifted around their petals continuously.
Looking at them, Lin Xiao Tian quietly sighed in relief. At least one burden within his heart had finally lightened slightly.
Soon afterward, he directly distributed the resources according to each disciple’s cultivation path and future needs.
Even the outer disciples received resources far beyond anything ordinary sects could possibly provide.
At the same time, Lin Xiao Tian completely emptied the sect’s remaining contribution points and treasury reserves without hesitation.
Then he issued a direct order across the entire sect. Every disciple would immediately enter two years of closed-door cultivation.
The atmosphere throughout the sect gradually became quieter afterward as all disciples began isolating themselves for cultivation one after another.
Formation arrays continuously operated throughout the mountains while spiritual energy density within the sect rapidly increased under the endless consumption of resources.
Meanwhile, Lin Xiao Tian quietly stood alone atop the highest peak while observing the gradually silent sect beneath him.
The wind slowly moved through his robes as the sunset illuminated the mountains around him with faint golden light.
Looking toward the countless cultivation caves now sealed tightly throughout the sect, Lin Xiao Tian finally exhaled quietly. "Well... now we finally have enough resources for now."
His gaze slowly lowered afterward. "There is no need for all of you to continue risking your lives outside anytime soon."
For the first time in a long while, a faint trace of exhaustion finally appeared within his eyes. "It is better to cultivate slowly... than die chasing opportunities before your time."
As Lin Xiao Tian slowly walked back toward the main hall, the quiet atmosphere of the sect remained completely unchanged around him. Most disciples had already entered closed-door cultivation while the remaining elders focused entirely on stabilizing the sect’s recent gains.
Just as he stepped onto the stone pathway leading toward the inner courtyard, Han Leu suddenly appeared nearby.
"Sect Master," he said respectfully while cupping his fists. "The City Lord of Golden Leaf City has arrived outside the sect."
Han Leu paused slightly before continuing. "Do you know the reason for his visit?"
Hearing this, Lin Xiao Tian’s expression did not change much at all. "Let him enter," he answered calmly while continuing to walk forward slowly.
Then a faint smile finally appeared across his face for the first time in several days. "He is merely a helpful person."
Seeing that expression, Han Leu became slightly stunned because it was the first genuine reaction Lin Xiao Tian had shown ever since returning from the secret realm.
Still, he quickly nodded before disappearing once again, not long afterward, Han Leu returned alongside Tian Jian Wun.
At that moment, Lin Xiao Tian was already quietly seated within the pavilion near the inner lake.
The surroundings remained peaceful while faint mist drifted across the water beneath the evening sunset.
A small kettle quietly boiled atop the stone table before him while the scent of spiritual tea slowly spread throughout the pavilion.
As Tian Jian Wun entered, Lin Xiao Tian calmly raised his hand toward the seat opposite him. "Please sit, Lord Wun."
The city lord quietly sat down afterward while observing the surroundings silently for a brief moment.
Lin Xiao Tian slowly poured a cup of tea before gently pushing it toward him.
The steam rising between them blurred the atmosphere slightly while neither spoke immediately.
Eventually, Tian Jian Wun quietly looked toward Lin Xiao Tian before speaking. "You seem to have changed quite a bit, Sect Master."
Hearing this, Lin Xiao Tian lowered his gaze slightly toward the flowing tea within his cup. "It is not as you think, Lord Wun," he answered calmly after several moments.
His voice remained steady, yet the exhaustion hidden beneath it could still faintly be heard. "It is merely the passing of time."
The evening wind quietly moved through the pavilion while the lake beneath reflected the dim golden light of sunset.
"Time heals all wounds eventually," Lin Xiao Tian continued softly. "I am still simply myself."
Yet despite those words, the atmosphere around him no longer carried the same relaxed warmth from before.
Still, Lin Xiao Tian quickly pushed those thoughts aside afterward before calmly lifting his teacup again.
"Enough about these trivial matters," he said quietly while looking toward Tian Jian Wun once more. "Let us speak about what you brought with you today."
