A passing traveler through the heavens

On Taihu Lake in Suzhou, a small boat moves slowly forward, its hull lightly slicing through the water and creating ripples. The boat's destination is a small island in Taihu Lake—Manshan Island, and on the island lies a mysterious place called Mantuo Villa.

At the bow of the small boat stood a young man, his posture upright, his gaze deep and resolute. This young man was none other than Ji Lin, who had just left Dali. He wore a blue robe, the hem of which fluttered in the wind, as if he had become one with the surrounding lake water.

"Young master, we are about to reach the territory of Mantuo Manor. This is private property, and outsiders are not allowed to enter without permission," the boatman reminded him.

Ji Lin nodded slightly, indicating that he understood. He looked at the Mantuo Manor, which was hidden in the mountains and forests, surrounded by lush trees and flowers, like a paradise.

Ji Lin tossed some money to the boatman as payment, then used his internal energy to leap into the air, his movements as light as a bird. In the blink of an eye, he had landed steadily in front of the manor gate.

At this moment, the two gatekeepers at the manor gate saw that the visitor was a stranger. They immediately drew their swords and asked warily, "Who goes there? Leave at once! Otherwise, don't blame us for being impolite!"

Ji Lin smiled slightly, cupped his hands and said, "I am Ji Lin, the current leader of the Xiaoyao Sect. I have come to pay my respects to Madam Wang. Please inform her of my presence."

The two gatekeepers exchanged a glance, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes. They hadn't expected this young man to be the leader of a sect. However, they had never heard of a renowned sect in the martial arts world called the Free and Unfettered Sect. Therefore, they remained vigilant, swords still drawn.

“I don’t care who your sect leader is, men are not allowed to enter our Mantuo Manor,” one of them said.

Ji Lin chuckled softly, flicking his finger to instantly seal their internal energy and disarm them. He then instructed them to go and report that the leader of the Xiaoyao Sect had arrived; Madam Wang would understand.

Upon hearing this, one of them turned and ran towards the villa, while the other remained wary of Ji Lin.

Ji Lin stood quietly at the door, secretly anticipating his meeting with Madam Wang. After all, besides visiting the Langhuan Paradise within the Mantuo Manor, his other purpose was to meet the most beautiful woman in Tianlong, the fairy-like Wang Yuyan.

Shortly afterward, the gatekeeper returned and respectfully said to Ji Lin, "Madam requests your presence. Please follow me."

Ji Lin followed the gatekeeper into the manor, walking along winding paths and through lush gardens until they finally arrived at an elegant courtyard. Several tables and chairs were placed in the courtyard, which was surrounded by various flowers.

"You're the leader of the Free and Unfettered Sect? You're so young, it can't be fake. I remember the leader of the Free and Unfettered Sect is Wu Yazi." Madam Wang said coldly, sitting in a chair. She was dressed in gorgeous clothes, with a beautiful face and elegant demeanor, making her irresistible to all.

Ji Lin stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Ji Lin greets Senior Sister. I hope Senior Sister will forgive my unauthorized intrusion."

Then Ji Lin took out the Seven Treasures Ring, which symbolized the leader of the Free and Unfettered Sect.

Madam Wang took the ring, examined it for a moment, then gestured for Ji Lin to sit down, and said, "May I ask what brings Sect Leader Ji to visit today?"

Ji Lin took a deep breath and explained his purpose and the current situation of the Xiaoyao Sect to Madam Wang. It turned out that he had come to Mantuo Manor for two reasons: first, to pay respects to his senior sister, and second, to hope to study at Langhuan Paradise.

Lady Wang listened quietly to Ji Lin's words, a trace of sadness in her eyes. She nodded slightly and asked softly, "Wu Yazi...is he really gone?"

Ji Lin nodded and replied solemnly, "Yes, Senior Sister. Master passed away not long after passing the leadership of the sect to me."

Upon hearing this news, Madam Wang's eyes immediately welled up with tears. Although Madam Wang didn't have much affection for Wu Yazi, he was, after all, her biological father. This filled her with grief. However, she didn't allow herself to wallow in sorrow for long and quickly regained her composure.

After a moment of silence, Madam Wang looked up at Ji Lin and said, "Since you are the current leader of the Xiaoyao Sect, you are not an outsider. You may stay at my manor. You may also visit the Lianghuan Paradise at any time."

Ji Lin was overjoyed upon hearing this. He then followed the servants into the guest room.

In the afternoon, the warm sunshine shone on the garden of Mantuo Villa. After settling into his room, Ji Lin strolled around the courtyard, ready to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mantuo Villa.

Just as he was captivated by the enchanting scenery, a clear and melodious zither tune suddenly reached his ears. Ji Lin looked in the direction of the sound and saw a woman gracefully playing the guzheng in a pavilion.

Ji Lin felt a refreshing spring flowing through his heart, sweeping away his fatigue and making him feel refreshed. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the beautiful melody.

After a while, Ji Lin slowly opened his eyes and looked in the direction from which the sound came. He saw a woman dressed in white, with a pure and elegant appearance, playing the zither in an elegant pavilion.

The woman looked up, her eyes meeting Ji Lin's. A sweet smile appeared on her lips, and then she gently stopped playing.

Ji Lin's heart stirred, and he couldn't help but walk towards the pavilion.

"You must be Ji Lin, the leader of the Xiaoyao Sect that my mother mentioned." The woman's voice was as beautiful as heavenly music.

Ji Lin nodded: "It is indeed me. You must be Miss Wang Yuyan."

"Hmm, I didn't expect Brother Ji to look so young! I thought he was an old man." Wang Yuyan smiled lightly, a hint of curiosity flashing in her beautiful eyes.

Looking at the woman's face, Ji Lin couldn't help but sigh, "Truly worthy of being called the number one beauty in Tianlong. Especially considering that three generations share the same face."

Wang Yuyan blushed slightly and said softly, "My playing is still very rusty, I hope Brother Ji will forgive me."

After all, this was the first time she had met a man other than her cousin Murong Fu, and this man was so handsome, like he had been painted. Wang Yuyan seemed a little shy.

"Miss Wang, your zither playing is truly divine and captivating," Ji Lin exclaimed sincerely.

Hearing Ji Lin's praise, Wang Yuyan blushed. She lowered her head and said softly, "Thank you for the praise, Brother Ji. If you like to hear it, I can play another piece."

Ji Lin smiled slightly, nodded, and then sat down quietly to the side, listening to Wang Yuyan play the melodious tune again.

In this tranquil atmosphere, Ji Lin and Wang Yuyan were completely immersed in the ocean of music.

As the music ended, its lingering melody resonated in the air. Ji Lin, in high spirits, enthusiastically invited Wang Yuyan, "Would Miss Wang so kindly take me on a tour of the Langhuan Paradise?"

For some reason, Wang Yuyan's gaze kept unconsciously falling on the man she was meeting for the first time, and a strong sense of curiosity welled up in her heart.

Wang Yuyan nodded slightly, a smile playing on her lips, and readily agreed, "Since Young Master Ji has such an elegant interest, this humble woman is naturally happy to accompany you." With that, she turned gracefully and led Ji Lin into the mysterious cave.

Upon entering the Langhuan Paradise, Ji Lin was deeply shocked by the mountains of books piled up before him, a dazzling array of titles. The sheer number and variety of books here were beyond imagination, leaving him overwhelmed and unable to keep up.

There are only empty bookshelves with the names of some superior martial arts, but there are also all kinds of martial arts such as the Seventy-Two Arts of Shaolin Temple.

Ji Lin eagerly walked to the bookshelf, gently stroking the yellowed pages. He greedily picked up book after book, flipping through them with great eagerness, absorbing the knowledge and wisdom within with insatiable thirst.

Wang Yuyan sat quietly on a stone bench to the side, her beautiful eyes fixed on Ji Lin, who was engrossed in reading, a faint smile on her face.

Occasionally, when Ji Lin encountered something confusing or perplexing, she would gently answer his questions, her eyes revealing a hint of tenderness and patience.

With Wang Yuyan as a walking treasure trove of martial arts knowledge, Ji Lin's learning became much easier.

Time slipped away unnoticed as Ji Lin became completely immersed in his books, oblivious to the changes in the world around him. Wang Yuyan remained silently by his side, sharing this rare moment of tranquility with him, like a beautiful painting.

During this period, Ji Lin not only learned many martial arts manuals, but also gained a deeper understanding of various things in the martial arts world.

Ji Lin not only studied but also copied down the books in the Blessed Land of the Strange and Beautiful.

As time goes by, Ji Lin's system space should gradually become as rich and colorful as, or even more wonderful than, the Langhuan Paradise.

On this day, Ji Lin was diligently copying martial arts manuals in the Langhuan Paradise, as usual. Suddenly, a clear shout came from afar, interrupting his thoughts.

"Brother Ji!"

Ji Lin frowned slightly, recognizing the voice as belonging to Wang Yuyan. He immediately put down his paper and pen, and got up to walk out of the cave, abandoning his copying.

When they reached the cave entrance, they saw Wang Yuyan standing there anxiously, and beside her were two beautiful women dressed in plain clothes.

Ji Lin was about to ask what had happened when Wang Yuyan spoke first. Her expression was panicked and filled with worry as she said, "Brother Ji, something terrible has happened! Rumors are circulating in the martial arts world that Ma Dayuan, the vice-leader of the Beggars' Sect, has been murdered. Everyone says… everyone says the murderer is my cousin!"

As she spoke, a tear flashed in Wang Yuyan's eyes, her expression one of immense pain.

Ji Lin's heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself, "It seems the plot has developed to this point. These two women in front of me must be A Zhu and A Bi, right?"

"I have to say, the Duan family's genes are really strong. None of the daughters of Duan Zhengchun that I've met so far are not good-looking."

Then, Wang Yuyan said in a tearful voice, "I know my cousin wouldn't do such a thing, but my mother won't let me go to him. Brother Ji, please help me?"

Looking at Wang Yuyan's heartbroken appearance, Ji Lin couldn't help but feel a pang of pity, but at the same time, he began to ponder.

"Now, I have basically collected all the martial arts manuals in Langhuan Paradise. What remains are just some unimportant miscellaneous books. Since that's the case, I can take this opportunity to go out and visit that chivalrous and righteous hero, Qiao."

Thinking of this, Ji Lin nodded and said to Wang Yuyan, "Okay, I'll go with you to persuade your mother."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuyan's face lit up with joy, and she quickly pulled Ji Lin along to head towards Mantuo Manor.

Afterwards, he found Madam Wang and persuaded her with his emotions and reason, finally winning her approval. Wang Yuyan was moved to tears, and the four of them embarked on their journey to the Beggars' Sect together.

The four's first stop was Yanziwu, the residence of the Murong family in Gusu. The scenery along the way was picturesque and breathtaking. As the boat slowly approached the shore, they felt a sense of tranquility and mystery.

After the ship docked, before everyone could rest for even a moment, several "No, no" sounds were heard. This distinctive catchphrase immediately made Wang Yuyan recognize the person who had come.

"It's Brother Bao San!" A'Zhu said excitedly.

"Brother Ji, let's go ashore." Wang Yuyan grabbed Ji Lin's hand, eager to see Bao Butong.

Once they reached the shore, Ji Lin finally took a proper look at the "number one argumentative master in the martial arts world" before him. He was dressed in gray, tall, with a serious face, and looked very unassuming.

"Brother Bao, what are you doing here? Where's my cousin?"

"Young Master told me to go back to Yanziwu to take care of some things first, and then go to the Beggars' Sect to meet up with them."

"Great! We're going to the Beggars' Sect to find my cousin anyway, so we can go together," Wang Yuyan said excitedly.

That night, everyone sat around the dinner table, the lights shining brightly. Wang Yuyan and the others discussed with great interest how to help Murong Fu, while Bao Butong, sitting to the side, had other plans.

“Hehe, Young Master Ji, we can take good care of Miss Wang. As for you, please do as you please. You don’t need to trouble yourself with my young master’s affairs!” Bao Butong said with a disdainful look.

"Judging by your delicate skin, your martial arts skills are probably not that great. You'd better not get involved in this mess!" he continued to mock.

Hearing this, Ji Lin felt a surge of displeasure. He slightly raised his hand and flicked his finger, instantly sending an invisible force striking Bao Butong. Bao Butong was immediately sent flying, landing awkwardly on the ground.

Since arriving in the world of Tianlong, no one had dared to speak to Ji Lin like that. This sudden turn of events stunned everyone present, especially Wang Yuyan and the others.

"Young Master Ji, please have mercy!" Wang Yuyan quickly stood up and pleaded anxiously.

Azhu and Abi also pleaded, "Young Master Ji, please don't hurt Brother Bao..."

"Don't worry, I won't take his life, but he must pay the price for his words and actions." Ji Lin looked coldly at Bao Butong lying on the ground, a chill flashing in his eyes.

“Bao Butong, remember my words, keep your mouth shut. If there’s a next time, I’ll make sure you can never speak again,” he warned.

Out of consideration for Wang Yuyan and the others, Ji Lin didn't bother to say anything more and turned to leave.

The night was as dark as ink, and all was silent. Ji Lin, relying on his exceptional lightness skill, quietly evaded the Murong family's guards and arrived at the Huanshi Water Pavilion.

This Huanshi Water Pavilion was built by Murong Fu at Langhuan Paradise in Mantuo Mountain Villa.

He gently pushed open the window and leaped into the room. The room was filled with the scent of old books; although the martial arts manuals on the bookshelves were not as abundant as those in Langhuan Paradise, many were still similar.

Ji Lin paid no attention to anything else and began to explore the mechanisms inside the house, and soon made a discovery.

Ji Lin gently tapped an empty bookshelf and noticed a hollow space behind it. He then carefully rubbed around the bookshelf, and after turning a vase, a wooden box appeared before his eyes.

Upon opening the scroll, two martial arts manuals were found: one was "Shifting Stars" and the other was "Converging Finger." Both were the Murong family's heirloom martial arts. Ji Lin stored them in his system space, restored the room to its original state, and then quietly left.

After returning to his residence, Ji Lin took out the two manuals and examined them carefully, discovering that both were superior martial arts manuals.

In particular, the book on the combined finger techniques has similarities to his own One-Finger Divine Skill.

With this thought in mind, Ji Lin began his cultivation...