Nonsense! How could my adopted son be a villain?

This fighting spirit subsided after leaving Ailao Mountain. Although more than a month had passed, Xu Lingguang was still afraid of the pursuing cultivators. So this time, he was very cautious. He wore a homemade bamboo hat to cover his face, changed into a coarse cloth outfit that ordinary people wore, and carried a small bamboo basket. He sneaked down the mountain with his dog.

Fortunately, he hid long enough that the cultivators had probably dispersed, and no one jumped out to kill him along the way.

After repeatedly confirming, Xu Lingguang finally took off the cloth covering his face and fanned himself vigorously with his hand—it was cool in the mountains, but very hot down below, and covering his face with the cloth was unbearably hot.

Watching this scene from afar, Zhou Fuying noticed that he had dressed himself up like a man in his sixties and frowned, asking Yu Yun, "What exactly is he planning to do?"

As soon as Xu Lingguang came out of Ailao Mountain, Yu Yun received the news from the puppet.

Although Song Nanchu had previously sent a message saying that Xu Lingguang was nearing the end of his life, the two were still somewhat worried. After learning that Song Nanchu had left Ailao Mountain to find a place for seclusion, Yu Yun had been keeping watch outside Ailao Mountain with the puppets.

Xu Lingguang had been relatively well-behaved before, but unexpectedly, he couldn't wait to go down the mountain after only half a month of Song Nanchu's departure.

What is he going down the mountain for?

Unable to fathom his purpose and fearing he might cause trouble, the two decided to secretly follow him to see what would happen.

However, the scene before them was somewhat different from what they had imagined. Both of them were puzzled by the young man who was wrapped up from head to toe in the sweltering heat and acting suspiciously.

Yu Yun said, "He had a few ginseng roots in his basket."

Zhou Fuying: ?

What was he doing carrying ginseng down the mountain?

"Perhaps he wants to sell it?" Yu Yun said uncertainly. Ginseng is a common medicinal herb that is beneficial to ordinary people, but it is not very useful to cultivators. Xu Lingguang himself probably doesn't need it.

Zhou Fuying said, "Doesn't he still have a box of spirit stones? Besides, he hides in the Ailao Mountains all day long, what would he need mortals' money for?"

Yu Yun glanced at him: "You're asking me? Who should I ask?"

Zhou Fuying fell silent. He watched the young man drink the water and continue on his way, stroked his sword sheath, and said, "I'll go down the mountain with him and take a look. Are you coming?"

Yu Yun didn't really want to go. She had been keeping an eye on Xu Lingguang because she was worried he might have some kind of scheme, but seeing him like this now... she felt he was exactly as Song Nan had described in his message—still the same dim-witted guy. So she couldn't be bothered to keep an eye on him anymore and waved her hand, saying, "I'm going back to practice. You go by yourself."

Since Yu Yun wouldn't go, Zhou Fuying had no choice but to follow on her own.

*

Xu Lingguang had never been down the mountain before, so when he came down, he encountered a very serious problem—he didn't know the way.

However, considering the size of the Qingyu Sect, he figured it must have been a powerful sect in the past. Based on his experience reading cultivation novels, there should usually be towns or villages near such sects. So, with a very optimistic attitude, he went down the mountain first, intending to search and ask around as he went.

After coming down from the mountain, there were smooth roads on both sides. Xu Lingguang randomly picked one and slowly walked forward, stepping on the shadows of the trees.

He was lucky; after walking for a short while, he met an old man herding cattle. Xu Lingguang was overjoyed and quickly went up to ask for directions.

The old man glanced at him and saw that he was young and handsome, but dressed in tattered clothes. He immediately felt sorry for him and said, "Young man, have you encountered robbers?"

Xu Lingguang was stunned for a moment, then looked around: "Are there still robbers here?"

The old man clapped his hands and said angrily, "Yes, there are some. It's been quite a big commotion lately. I heard that the leader is a female bandit who likes to kidnap handsome young men. After kidnapping them, she plunders their gold and silver, then abuses them, and finally throws them out naked when she's done with them. Poor things."

As he spoke, he looked Xu Lingguang up and down and clicked his tongue, saying, "A handsome young man like you is the most likable."

Xu Lingguang thought to himself that the world of cultivation didn't seem to be very safe. He touched the spirit stone he had wrapped in cloth and hidden in his bosom, thinking that he would have to be careful once he entered the city.

"Thank you for reminding me. I'll be careful. Do you know how to get to town recently?"

"What a coincidence! I was just about to go to the market. Come with me, I'll give you a ride." The old man patted the two bamboo baskets on the ox's back.

Xu Lingguang quickly agreed and followed the old man.

He was completely clueless about the world and knew nothing about it. Now that he had finally met someone he could chat with, he started chatting with the old man.

From the old man's words, Xu Lingguang learned that the town they were going to was called Qingyu City, and from the name, he knew that it was named after the Qingyu Sect.

However, the old man said that the Qingyu Sect has been getting weaker and weaker in recent years. About two months ago, the sect leader was said to have suddenly died. The Qingyu Sect was in ruins and its members scattered. It is estimated that the imperial court will soon send a general to take over the city.

"The imperial court?" Xu Lingguang was taken aback upon hearing "the imperial court." How could the cultivation world have matters of the imperial court?

The old man glanced at him, as if mocking his ignorance: "It's always been like this. If a major sect is in charge, this territory is guarded and governed by that sect. Those evil demons and monsters are afraid of the major sects and dare not cause trouble in the human world. The reason those bandits dare to blatantly rob people now is because the Qingyu Sect has declined and no one is in charge. So the prefect of Qingyu City reported it to the imperial court. I heard that the imperial court has sent General Zhenglu to oversee the area, along with three thousand heavenly soldiers, who will arrive soon. It is said that General Zhenglu's cultivation is even higher than that of the previous Qingyu Sect leader."

Xu Lingguang was greatly shocked, thinking to himself that this was a world where feudal dynasties and immortal cultivation sects coexisted.

He didn't care who would guard Qingyu City, but thinking of the fallen Qingyu Sect, he asked with some concern, "What will happen to the Qingyu Sect when the imperial court arrives?"

The old man shook his head: "If you say that, I wouldn't know."

Before they knew it, the two had arrived at their destination. The old man pointed to the village in front of them and said, "Look, we're here. Let's go in quickly."

Xu Lingguang looked over and saw a slightly old village in front of him. The village was surrounded by high walls, but the gate was wide open. From the outside, he could see several young men walking by with blank expressions.

Xu Lingguang belatedly realized something was wrong. He took a step back without making a sound and said with a smile, "Is this Qingyu City?"

The old man smiled and said, "Yes, young man, is this your first time here? Come on in, come on in, you'll like it here."

Xu Lingguang cursed under his breath when his suspicions came true.

You were just saying something about robbers abducting men, and you were so indignant. So, sir, you're the robber yourself?

Xu Lingguang took off running.

But he was fast, and a white thread flew out of the village even faster. The white thread tightly bound Xu Lingguang and dragged him into the village.

Seeing this, the old man quickly put his hands in his pockets and followed him inside, and the village gate slammed shut behind him.