Immortal Road.

Lin Shan was furious. "That old scoundrel, Immortal Lord Xuheng, is so dishonest!"

If you have good methods, you should share them instead of hiding them away; that's too stingy!
So he looked at it once and deliberately frowned, saying:

"This feels like a censored version of some kind of general outline."

Immortal Lord Xuheng gave an awkward smile.

"Ahem, I'm barely able to protect myself right now. I'm afraid that if you learn my unique technique and it gets discovered by outsiders, it will bring trouble!"

I think you just don't want to give it to me, right?

There was no other way; the two sides had only just begun to establish a deal, and it was unrealistic to demand that he obtain a Celestial Lord-level cultivation technique. Giving him a simplified version was already quite generous.

“Refining and comprehending the laws are not the same thing. Refining requires a huge amount of magical power, so you can consider that after you reach the mid-stage of the Void Realm. As for comprehending, that will have to wait until you have refined them, and with the help of some related treasures, it will probably take until the late stage of the Void Realm. There’s no need to rush for now.”

With this bigwig planning his future, Lin Shan felt much more at ease.

Just then, he heard a noise nearby. When he came to his senses, he saw that it was his little brother Chu Feng!
After experiencing the extremes of heaven and hell, he was devastated and hung his head, looking heartbreaking. His seven younger brothers were not much better off.

"As expected, the true spirit still looks down on us."

However, remembering Lin Shan, she forced a smile.

"Congratulations, Brother Zhong! You have actually been favored by the true spirit. It turns out that you are the true chosen one. It is my honor to befriend you."

Seeing this, Lin Shan could only offer words of comfort, patting him on the shoulder.

"Brother Chu, don't underestimate yourself. You are still young and have a long road ahead. The true spirit roams the world and comes and goes unpredictably. It is just a fleeting memory in our lives. Why be so attached to it and delve into it?"

These words were a form of guidance, and Chu Feng quickly overcame his inner conflict and stopped worrying about it.

He also noticed the unfriendly gazes around him, and someone whispered a warning in his ear:

"Brother Zhong, you've been targeted. I'm afraid that after the True Spirit leaves, you'll be attacked by numerous open and covert attacks! It would be better to hide back in the Immortal City as soon as possible, where at least no one will dare to make a move openly. You can then disguise yourself and deceive everyone before finding an opportunity to escape."

This guy is pretty reliable; he offered him advice and suggestions, providing a seemingly good way out.

But reality is never that simple. How could someone at the Foundation Establishment stage possibly control a true spiritual treasure?

As they were talking, gasps of surprise rang out. After a gust of wind swept through, a huge shadow rose up on the horizon!

Ripples spread across the water, wave after wave.

The True Spirit Loquat flapped its wings and flew away.

The crowd was pushed to both sides, and a boy in green robes walked over. Although he was small in stature, he had a great presence and spoke in a clear, childlike voice.

"Congratulations to this young friend on your good fortune in gaining the favor of the true spirit. My master has specially invited you to have a chat. Please."

"Your husband?"

As expected, what was bound to happen eventually did. Lin Shan was not surprised at all. He looked up and saw an old man in the distance stroking his beard and smiling at him.

Elder Huang of Cloud Edge City!
Lin Shan nodded, took a deep breath, knowing he couldn't refuse under these circumstances, turned around and patted Chu Feng's hand, then strode away in front of his seven brothers.

"Brother Zhong, please take care."

"Hahaha, Brother Chu, you too! Thank you for your hospitality along the way. I hope we'll meet again someday!"

Chu Feng watched as Lin Shan was led away by the boy. The surrounding cultivators all shook their heads and sighed, discussing how long it would take for the treasure to change hands, their words inevitably filled with pessimism.

The cultivators at the bottom level finally obtain a great opportunity, only to have it snatched away by the higher-ups in such a cunning and forceful manner. Such a world is simply outrageous. They might as well go back and lie down obediently!

"That's enough, that's enough."

The crowd dispersed in all directions, shoulder to shoulder, as the grand performance came to an end, leaving behind endless emotions.

He was clutching a hard object in his hand—a storage ring containing some parting gifts left to him by Lin Shan.

"Cousin."

The younger brothers around Lin Shan were also indignant on his behalf, but they were too weak to make any changes and could only advise their leader to think more positively.

Chu Feng was initially worried about Lin Shan, but when he inadvertently saw what was in the storage ring, he was immediately stunned!
Then, as if suddenly realizing something, he regained his composure, smiled, and shook his head.

"It's alright, Brother Zhong is a man of great fortune, we don't need to worry about him. Perhaps we'll have a chance to meet again a hundred years from now."

Lin Shan was led to Elder Huang.

At this moment, the other party was alone. The other Void Realm experts in Yunbian City were scattered in various places, looking for those cultivators who had just received the True Spirit's reward, and half-inviting and half-forcing them to come over.

This is an absolute feast of division!

On the surface, it appears to be a celebration of hundreds of thousands of cultivators leaping over the dragon gate, but in reality, it is a scheme orchestrated by those in power and those in the capital, and the time has come to reel in the catch.

The true spirit acts on impulse; it has no time to worry about the aftermath.
Whether you can keep what you've gained afterward is your business. If you get robbed, it's entirely your own fault and has nothing to do with the true spirit.

The numerous cultivators in Yunbian City are nothing more than fishponds kept by the higher-ups.

Those without strength are not worthy of possessing it. The Immortal Realm may appear prosperous and glamorous, but it is merely a facade of peace. In reality, it is still the dog-eat-dog world of cultivation!

Elder Huang, kind and approachable, failed to see through Yu Xuhuanyun's disguise and gently inquired about Lin Shan's origins:
"Young friend, may I ask your surname, where you live, and what your teacher is?"

Lin Shan was honest enough to reveal all his secrets, leaving the mess to his third brother who hadn't yet ascended to immortality.

"Reporting to the elder, I am Zhong Shenxiu, a disciple of Bailu Academy."

"White Deer Academy?"

Elder Huang raised his eyebrows slightly, thinking through the situation in his mind. He knew all the well-known forces in the South China Sea, but he couldn't find this one no matter how hard he looked. He seemed to have never heard of it before.

Could it be some shady, backwater school in some remote mountain village?
This is not impossible, after all, Nankaido is so big, there are many small and small households.

Since he hadn't heard of it, Elder Huang knew what was going on and got to the point.

"I just saw you make an exchange with the True Spirit, young friend. I wonder what you received? May I see it?"

Lin Shan sneered inwardly.

If I show it to you, I'm afraid the baby won't take my surname anymore, right?

How you handle it then is entirely up to you!

Elder Huang thought the same thing. Anyway, this kid was just a Foundation Establishment cultivator with no powerful backing. He could just take the items first and then give him a magic treasure as a reward.

How simple is that?

When it comes to cunning and forceful plundering, as the local tyrant of Yunbian City, he is naturally more skilled than anyone else!
Lin Shan looked troubled, his head lowered and his eyes flickering as if he were thinking about something.

"What is it, young friend? Is there something you're having trouble telling me? Please speak freely!"

Elder Huang was quite patient; at least he was careful about the impact in broad daylight, and he couldn't lose the hearts of the people in front of hundreds of thousands of cultivators from the Immortal City.

Moreover, putting himself in the other person's shoes, if someone were to receive divine favor through sheer luck, no one would be willing to simply hand it over. He knew it wouldn't be easy for this kid to accept it all at once, but there were plenty of ways to do it!

"Kui'er".

“Master,” the boy replied respectfully.

"Are there any vacant positions in the Elders' Mansion of Yunbian City?"

"Your Excellency, the Archives Department is still short of a Registrar. The previous Registrar, Mr. Sun, resigned six months ago, and there is no one to succeed him yet."

"Oh, I see."

Elder Huang stroked his beard and nodded, deliberately glancing sideways at Lin Shan.

The meaning is self-evident.

Kid, want a secure job in Immortal City? It's a government-funded position, and outsiders can't even get one. It's been vacant for half a year, and it's specially prepared for you!

Lin Shan's lips twitched. You know what, I was actually a little tempted.

If it weren't for the fact that the True Spirit Feather is so precious, and that he could have such a home right after ascending, allowing him to develop peacefully for a while, he would absolutely be more than happy to have it.

But he still appeared hesitant at this moment.

Seeing this, Elder Huang chuckled, his large belly jiggling as he continued his conversation with the boy.

"Kui'er".

"master."

"A while ago, the manor just recruited a batch of maids. I remember they all had the cultivation of the Golden Core stage. They were distributed to my diligent colleagues in the officialdom. How many are left now?"

"Reporting to your master, the two most beautiful women are still left."

"Hmm, I'll deliver it to your young friend later. What's his last name again?"

Lin Shan quickly replied, "My surname is Zhong, Zhong Shenxiu."

"Alright, later send those two Golden Core stage female cultivators to Registrar Zhong's residence to be maids."

"Yes."

The boy answered immediately, his face filled with undisguised envy. This kid is so lucky!

Elder Huang suddenly thought of something else:
"It seems that Registrar Zhong doesn't have a place to stay in Yunbian City yet. How about we also give him a cave dwelling, located near the Canal Night Market?

Good heavens! First came the gift of an official position, then a beautiful woman, and then a house. This combo is so powerful, who can withstand it?
If it were a Foundation Establishment cultivator, they would definitely be so captivated that they would lose their way.

Putting aside official positions and real estate, just the two female cultivators at the Golden Core stage alone are enough to keep you excited all night long!
Lin Fan was inexplicably struck by the fact that Elder Huang seemed quite considerate; his treatment of a Foundation Establishment cultivator was rather generous, not exactly extortionate or plundered.
Nonsence!

No, what am I thinking? That's a True Spirit Feather!
You think you can fob me off with this paltry sum? Do you really think I'm a beggar?

He remained hesitant, which angered the young boy, who launched into a tirade in a clear, childlike voice, sounding both mature and stern.

"The elders are treating you this way because they think highly of you! Don't be ungrateful, or you'll end up losing everything. Greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant; you surely understand this principle, don't you?"

"Xiao Kui!"

Elder Huang feigned displeasure and scolded the boy for his insolence.

"How dare you speak to Registrar Zhong like that?"

Turning his head, he immediately put on a smiling face and gently reminded Lin Shan to look in the distance. At that moment, the Golden Banner Commander of the Cloud Edge City Ascension Platform was also coercing and enticing a lucky person.

However, Elder Huang was much more brutal. Several golden-armored guards stood there with guns, their powerful auras like sharp, cold blades, ravaging the man so much that the child was terrified and knelt down, begging to hand over his belongings!
"See? I'm not one of those roughnecks. I believe in fair trade in everything."

Only with comparison can one realize that this side is indeed gentler.

Elder Huang patiently guided him:
"It's not easy for you to wander outside. Fortunately, there are official positions, cave dwellings, and beautiful women here in the Immortal City. Why not settle down first, improve your cultivation and strength? Opportunities will continue to come in the future. Why fantasize about getting fat in one bite? Isn't that too hasty?"

These words contained profound philosophical insights, like an elder earnestly guiding one on the path ahead, and even the child nodded repeatedly upon hearing them.

What use is a Foundation Establishment cultivator like you to a True Spirit Treasure?

Whether you can even reach the Nascent Soul stage in this lifetime is another matter entirely, yet you still dare to dream of seizing it for yourself. Do you even think you can hold onto it? Don't you have the slightest bit of self-awareness?

Now that the elder has shown such kindness, why not exchange it for something useful and eat what's right in front of you?
Upon hearing this, Lin Shan knew that continuing to pretend would be inconsistent with his current identity, so he readily handed over the gray feather with both hands.

"I was blinded by greed just now and almost made a terrible mistake. Now, after your guidance, I realize that this item should not belong to me. I am willing to offer it to you, Elder, to repay your kindness in pointing out my mistake!"

"Haha, very good, Registrar Zhong, please rise quickly."

Elder Huang took the feather and admired it as if it were a work of art.

Little did they know that within the body of the person before them, two remnant souls were already cursing, both questioning Lin Shan in disbelief:

"Are you crazy?!"

"That's a True Spirit Feather, a heaven-defying spiritual object containing complete laws. You just handed it over like that?"

Immortal Lord Xuheng didn't understand, and Immortal Star Sword didn't understand either!
They couldn't think of any reason why Lin Shan would hand it over. You're a Void Realm cultivator, after all. Even if you haven't recovered your domain yet, there's no need for you to back down like this, right?

Once the treasures have been handed over, it's like spilled water—it's difficult to get them back!
But Lin Shan remained unmoved; he naturally had his own plans.

Elder Huang in front of him is not a threat, but the Penglai Cangyan behind him, and the White Whale Ancestor who knows him, are the real deadly threats!

If I dare to resist, and it gets exposed and a conflict arises, and if Cang Yan and the White Whale Ancestor find out, I will definitely not be a match for them!

Therefore, a wise man doesn't suffer immediate losses; he pretends to back down and tries to get by first.

Besides, how do you know that what I gave you is a genuine Spirit Feather?

Lin Shan sneered inwardly. Don't forget he still had one more trick up his sleeve, a feint that could deceive the eye—that was a gift from Heaven.

Myriad Star Flames!

Just a short while ago, I used this fire to simulate the aura of the True Spirit Feather, and then kneaded it into a 100% 'fake'.

If the True Spirit Bird were to return and identify it, it would undoubtedly be able to see through it without a doubt.

But for Elder Huang, this thing is the real deal!
Do you even understand what I'm doing? You're trying to blackmail me.

"Wow, such a rich aura of true spirit! It really is a feather from a true spirit. If I take it back and refine it, is it possible to obtain the bloodline of a true spirit? If I crush it and boil it into medicine, will it improve my cultivation level?"

Wanxiang Xingyan is indeed skilled; this imitation is so lifelike that it's even more authentic than the original in some aspects. Elder Huang simply couldn't tell the difference.

He was completely absorbed in the moment, grinning from ear to ear!
As for the promises made to Lin Shan, they were nothing more than empty words and empty promises, without any real commitment from him.

After obtaining the treasure, another boy led people to the outside. This person also seemed to be a young man favored by the true spirit.

Seeing this, Elder Huang put away the True Spirit Feather, waved to Lin Shan to let him go first, and prepared to take advantage of the second unlucky guy.

"Um, my official position, my cave dwelling, and the beautiful women."

Lin Shan pretended to be in a hurry, perfectly portraying the greed of a petty person, making him linger and unable to leave.

But to his surprise, the boy stepped forward suddenly, his Golden Core stage cultivation level instantly overwhelming him. His fingers gripped the boy's shoulder like calipers, and he was dragged away.

"Don't worry, I'll make it up to you when we get back to the city. Just stay out of there and behave yourself, or I'll chop off your tongue!" (End of Chapter)