Chapter Sixty-Eight: The Path of the Strong

Returning to Songyan Peak, Lin Xiaobao examined Wang Dashan’s injuries. Although the fellow was still unconscious, the recovery abilities of the Body of the Divine Strength made Lin Xiaobao envious. Now Wang Dashan’s life was no longer in danger; waking up was only a matter of time.

Because of her status, Cen Shuya had already departed. Lin Xiaobao gave Nie Feiyan a few instructions, left several talisman slips, and then retreated to his own courtyard.

Nie Feiyan, puzzled, took the talisman slips from Lin Xiaobao. The moment she saw them, she was stunned. What Lin Xiaobao handed her were not finished products, but embryonic formations he had carved while researching array techniques. The formations depicted on the talisman slips were a completely different concept from what the Elder had taught. For a moment, Nie Feiyan felt as if Lin Xiaobao had opened another door to the path of array mastery for her.

Back in his courtyard, Lin Xiaobao quickly stored all the matured medicinal herbs into his storage bracelet. The principle of “wealth on the road, poverty at home” was something he had understood all too well as an orphan in his previous life. Especially now, since this journey was bound to be fraught with challenges.

After tidying everything up, standing outside the Pine Hall and about to set off, Lin Tian hurried back.

“Are you really going?” Lin Tian’s eyes were filled with worry.

“Consider it a form of tempering,” Lin Xiaobao replied, unwilling for Lin Tian to carry too much psychological burden.

“The strength of those two is far beyond the likes of Long Xingtian, let alone the powerful cultivators of the Flowing Cloud Sect…” Lin Tian said anxiously. He didn’t spell it out, but his intention to dissuade was clear.

“Father, you needn’t feel too guilty. I’m not journeying solely for the sake of the inner core.” Lin Xiaobao’s gaze drifted toward the distant south, as if he could already see Jiuping Mountain. “On the path of the strong, there is no room for retreat!”

Seeing Lin Xiaobao’s expression, Lin Tian suddenly realized that though Lin Xiaobao was striving for the inner core, viewed from another angle, he was also pursuing his own growth. He had always considered him a child out of habit, but everything Lin Xiaobao displayed seemed to show a resolve greater than most adults.

Understanding this, Lin Tian’s guilt eased considerably. Perhaps his own injury would force out Lin Xiaobao’s potential even more. “Just be careful in everything you do!”

“Don’t worry, Father. I won’t risk my life recklessly. Wait for my good news!” Lin Xiaobao said, about to depart.

“Wait!” Lin Tian suddenly called out, “If you encounter trouble in the secular world, show the Snowwind Token. As long as you’re within Ningfeng’s borders, your status as a personal disciple means even the city’s lord must obey your commands. Even before the current emperor, you need not kneel.”

So powerful? Lin Xiaobao hadn’t expected that besides storing contribution points, the Snowwind Token had such authority. It meant that even if he never returned from this journey, holding the Snowwind Token would let him live comfortably in Ningfeng for a lifetime.

If it had been before he truly experienced the benefits of cultivation, such a life would have matched his ultimate ideal across two lifetimes—living without pressure, eating and waiting for death.

But today, on the arena, the moment he broke through to the Realm of Spiritual Path, Lin Xiaobao distinctly felt his vitality multiply several times. This must be the legendary five hundred years of added lifespan!

As the elders said, the Realm of Spiritual Path was merely the threshold for becoming a cultivator. If just reaching it added five hundred years, what about the realms above? A thousand years? Ten thousand? Immortality?

That was why Lin Xiaobao’s resolve to cultivate became steadfast. Years later, whenever he recalled his motivation for cultivating, he would always show a somewhat awkward smile—whose flavor only he could truly understand.

After bidding farewell to Lin Tian, Lin Xiaobao quickly left Snowwind Pavilion and sped southward.

Even though Lin Xiaobao had carved a gravity array two thousand times stronger onto himself, his speed still surpassed what he could achieve at the ninth stage of innate martial arts. Even so, traveling day and night, it still took him five days to reach Kaiyang Town before Jiuping Mountain—making Lin Xiaobao marvel at the vastness of Ningfeng.

Entering Kaiyang Town, Lin Xiaobao saw no trace of the great battle between the two nations two years prior.

Though just a town, the towering buildings lining the streets seemed to outclass even those in Howling Moon City. The endless stream of people spoke of its prosperity.

Unlike Howling Moon City, from the moment he entered Kaiyang Town to the present, Lin Xiaobao noticed that everyone he saw possessed at least the eighth rank of martial arts. There were plenty of martial artists and innate martial artists everywhere.

By dusk, Lin Xiaobao did not hurry to ascend the mountain, but instead chose a rather luxurious inn to enter.

“Welcome, sir! Would you like to lodge here or dine?” As soon as Lin Xiaobao entered, a server greeted him warmly.

“Both. First, arrange a superior room for me. After I dine, I’ll retire there.” As he spoke, Lin Xiaobao flicked a gold coin from his storage bracelet to the server. “Just bring the best food and wine.”

“Certainly, sir. Please wait a moment, I’ll arrange everything!” The server, beaming, retreated to the back.

Wonderful! The feeling of having money is truly exhilarating! Savoring the moment when he flicked the coin, Lin Xiaobao felt his whole body tingle. Casually, he picked a window-side seat. Such extravagant spending—this must be the first time in two lifetimes!

On the way here, when passing through Nanhuai City, Lin Xiaobao deliberately lingered, entered the city lord’s mansion, and displayed the Snowwind Token, claiming Snowwind Pavilion had urgent matters and requisitioned a thousand taels of gold. The city lord, upon seeing the token, instantly knelt and had the gold brought forth, immediately offering to host a banquet for Lin Xiaobao.

Unfortunately, urgent business called, and Lin Xiaobao declined and hurried on. But in his heart, he decided that once his task was done, he would return to Nanhuai City to experience what it felt like to be served by the city lord.

He had barely sat down for a moment when the server brought the food and wine: three meat dishes, two vegetables, four dishes and a soup—quite a feast for someone dining alone.

“Sir, your room is ready. Would you like any special services…” After setting out the food, the server stood beside Lin Xiaobao, smiling slyly and whispered.

“Special services?” Lin Xiaobao, just picking up his chopsticks, paused.