A passing traveler through the heavens

Just as Ji Lin was about to leave after obtaining the Treasure-Dropping Coin, the two people in front of the formation suddenly came to their senses, and one of them shouted out.

"You thief, hand over the treasure you just took, and my brother and I will spare your life!" The voice was like a thunderclap, full of undeniable ruthlessness.

Ji Lin raised his eyes, paused, and slowly turned his head. His eyelids drooped slightly, and a hint of nonchalant disdain flashed in his eyes. He glanced at the two people in front of him as if they were ants, and let out a sneer from his nose.

"Who are you two, talking so arrogantly?"

"Listen carefully, you scoundrel! We are Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao, the wandering immortals of Wuyi Mountain!" The man opposite him was furious. He announced his identity, and his aura surged slightly with anger.

Upon hearing this, Ji Lin's previously lazy demeanor remained unchanged, but a slight thought stirred within him as he remembered that these two were the original owners of the Fallen Treasure Coin.

He slowly took out the Treasure-Dropping Coin from his system space, leaned against a large tree, bent one leg casually, placed the Treasure-Dropping Coin in his palm, and gently flicked it with his fingers, making it spin around, its ancient luster appearing and disappearing intermittently.

A moment later, he yawned, holding the money in one hand with his arm hanging casually at his side, his tone full of mockery: "If you want it, then come and take it."

Having said that, he casually flicked his wrist, and the Treasure Coin flew into the air as if he had tossed out an insignificant little object.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao's eyes flashed with greed and eagerness. Without hesitation, they leaped into the air and reached out to grab the falling treasure coins that were flying in the air.

Just as their fingertips were about to touch the money, Ji Lin made a move.

He lunged forward as easily as if he were stretching, his legs kicking out casually, yet with a whooshing sound, landing heavily on the chests of the two men.

The kick was incredibly powerful; Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao were sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground and raising a cloud of dust.

Ji Lin landed steadily, not even glancing at the two people who had fallen to the ground. He casually caught the still-falling treasure coins with a smooth and effortless motion, and then stored them back in his system space.

At this moment, Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao, who had fallen to the ground, were each rubbing their chests, their faces full of pain.

The two exchanged a glance, their resentment and anger intensifying. Suddenly, they slammed their hands on the ground, using the recoil to spring to their feet, each instantly conjuring a longsword in their hand.

The swords flashed with cold light, the two swordsmen were sharp and coordinated, attacking Ji Lin from the left and right, their sword shadows intertwined and impenetrable.

Xiao Sheng adopted an unorthodox approach, focusing his attacks on Ji Lin's lower body. Each thrust of his sword was accompanied by the sound of wind breaking, attempting to disrupt Ji Lin's footwork.

Cao Bao then unleashed a powerful and sweeping sword strike, leaping high into the air and slashing downwards, the blade cutting through the air as if to cleave Ji Lin in two.

The two, one tall and one short, one attacking and one defending, displayed swordsmanship as swift as a storm, leaving the audience breathless.

Ji Lin looked at the approaching sword force, but instead of panicking, he was even a little lazy. He slowly snapped his fingers, his eyes suddenly changed, and the Starry Sea Fan instantly appeared in his hand.

The moment the fan appeared, the surrounding air seemed to be stirred. Ji Lin held the fan and waved it gently, as if swatting away mosquitoes, easily dealing with the two's attacks.

He moved with graceful ease, lightly touching the ground with his toes, as if taking a stroll, to evade Xiao Sheng's tricky thrust. At the same time, he waved his Star Sea Fan, the fan surface acting as a shield, casually blocking Cao Baoli's powerful slash.

The clanging of metal was incessant, but he remained indifferent, as if it were just a boring farce.

Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao's teamwork was indeed quite good, and their offense and defense even had some structure. However, unfortunately, their combat ability and magical power were far inferior to Ji Lin's.

While skillfully defending himself, Ji Lin looked around listlessly, as if waiting for something.

Seizing an opening, he flicked his wrist, and the Starry Sea Fan emitted countless threads, like nimble snakes, which instantly entangled the two of them.

Immediately afterwards, Ji Lin exerted a little force, and the silk thread tightened instantly, piercing through the bodies of the two men. Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao stared wide-eyed, their faces filled with disbelief.

Ji Lin showed no sign of stopping. He raised his left hand, and a blazing flame instantly condensed in his palm.

The flames, carrying an aura of destruction, shot towards the two in an instant. A scream rang out, and the two were instantly engulfed by the flames, turning to ashes in the blink of an eye, leaving only a patch of scorched earth as proof that they had been there.

Ji Lin simply dusted off non-existent dust from his body, hummed an unknown tune, and slowly turned and left.

Before leaving, Ji Lin made a point of thoroughly exploring the entire mountain, leaving no hidden corner unexplored.

Apart from the treasure-dropping coin, he couldn't find anything else of value. With a bit of regret, he used his magic to fly up into the clouds and head towards Qianyuan Mountain.

In a short while, Qianyuan Mountain came into view.

Ji Lin stood outside the cave with the three large characters "Golden Light Cave" written on it, straightened his slightly disheveled clothes, and raised his hand to knock on the cave door.

Before long, the gate of the Golden Light Cave slowly opened automatically. Stepping into the cave, the first thing that caught Ji Lin's eye was a large lotus pond.

Lotus flowers bloom freely in the pond, some in delicate pink, others in pure white. A gentle breeze stirs the lotus leaves and blossoms, creating ripples of green and floral waves.

Ji Lin stepped onto the stone bridge spanning the lotus pond. When he reached the middle of the bridge, he looked up and saw Taiyi Zhenren holding a whisk, sitting quietly on a futon with his eyes closed in meditation.

The real person exuded a peaceful aura, his clothes fluttering gently in the wind, as if he were one with heaven and earth.

To its left is an exquisite tea set, with the aroma of tea rising from the purple clay teapot and filling the air. Not far away are several tall bookshelves filled with ancient books and jade slips.

Ji Lin strode up to Taiyi Zhenren, respectfully cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Disciple Ji Lin greets Uncle Taiyi."

Taiyi Zhenren slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and intense. After scrutinizing Ji Lin for a moment, he said with a hint of doubt, "Don't try to claim any connection. Who is your senior uncle?"

Ji Lin quickly explained, "The Jade Cauldron Immortal of Jinxia Cave on Jade Spring Mountain is my master."

Upon hearing this, the doubt in Taiyi Zhenren's eyes vanished instantly, and a gentle smile appeared on his face. He nodded and said, "So you are Yu Ding's disciple. It's been many years. He's even taking on disciples now."

"Your arrival reminds me of the days when we discussed the Dao together." With that, Taiyi Zhenren pointed to the stone bench beside him, gesturing for Ji Lin to sit down.

Ji Lin sat down as instructed, and then said, "I have another request to make."

"My junior brother Yang Jian is currently studying under Master Yu Ding Zhenren. During this trip, I was entrusted by my junior brother to visit his third sister Yang Chan..." Ji Lin explained the whole story in an orderly manner.

After listening, Taiyi Zhenren maintained his calm expression, took a sip of tea, and slowly said, "Yang Chan is a kind and innocent child. She and Nezha should be in Chentang Pass at this time."

Ji Lin nodded earnestly: "Thank you for informing me, Uncle-Master." He then bowed again and took his leave of Master Taiyi.

He turned and left. Taiyi Zhenren watched Ji Lin's retreating figure, his lips slightly parted, as if he wanted to say something, but then hesitated and stopped.

After a moment, he sighed softly, closed his eyes again, and entered a state of secluded cultivation, restoring the cave to its usual tranquility.