Chapter 1071: Chapter 1071: The Closed-Door Cultivation Site

After breakfast, the Xu Family welcomed another guest, someone Lin Tian was quite familiar with—Xu Dongxu.

The bandages on his face had already been removed, leaving a scar that ran across his entire face, making him look as menacing as a fierce outlaw, full of roguish charm.

This was a stark contrast to the usual image of a lofty recluse he portrayed.

As always, he carried a cloth bundle on his back, but Lin Tian, curious about its contents, took a peek with his X-ray vision. It turned out to be some bizarre items, which would only have an effect when in his possession.

"That scar on your face isn’t doing you any favors with the ladies. I’ve got a remedy that could help you get rid of it. How about it? You’d owe me a favor," Lin Tian said.

Xu Dongxu glanced at Lin Tian and snorted softly, "No need, I can owe anyone a favor, but not yours. I’ll keep this scar; it’s fate."

This guy was talking cryptically, and Lin Tian didn’t plan to continue the topic further but instead asked, "You’re not here just for nostalgia, are you? Have you found a solution for the Martial Sect’s Heart Demon?"

"I do have something, but I can’t guarantee how effective it will be. We’ll only know after trying," Xu Dongxu replied. "If we go overboard, that old man might really be utterly destroyed, and I wouldn’t have any solutions then."

"Then it’s best to be cautious. I don’t understand this as much as you do, so I won’t get too involved. If the Heart Demon is eradicated, there’ll be benefits for you. If not, I certainly won’t hold back."

"Understood." Xu Dongxu replied blandly, and his tone revealed no hint of joy or sorrow.

"By the way, how’s Xu Nanhai doing now?" Lin Tian suddenly asked, merely out of curiosity.

Xu Dongxu turned his head to look at Lin Tian, and his gaze wasn’t very friendly. "According to the regimen you prescribed, his health has been pretty well restored, and the Longevity Elixir has been consumed. But how effective it is remains to be seen."

"Haha, at least his health is improving, right? Alright, I’ve got things to attend to, so I won’t chat with you longer. The Martial Sect is in the backyard, possibly soaking in a medicinal bath, so you shouldn’t go over without permission. You’d best wait in the living room for a while."

"Alright." Xu Dongxu nodded, then went his way, clearly unwilling to engage in much conversation with Lin Tian.

...

Around the Xu Family Stream, there were many clan protection arrays that once played a significant role in defending against the eleven clans centuries ago. But now they lay in peaceful slumber.

Xu Xianrong held Thousand Cyan Threads, moving swiftly ahead, her Lightweight Skill was so ethereal that she left only a shadow behind, making it hard to keep up with her.

Lin Tian carried a copper furnace on his back with one hand and held a burlap sack in the other, which was bulging yet not heavy. Nonetheless, carrying it was still a burden. Chasing after Xu Xianrong all the way left him sweating profusely, his breath long unsteady.

"Hey! Slow down! I can’t keep up!" Lin Tian shouted loudly, secretly thinking: that wicked woman must be getting revenge!

A bamboo snake’s mouth and a wasp’s sting aren’t venomous, but the most venomous is a woman’s heart.

Unexpectedly, Xu Xianrong halted her steps after being called out, turned around, and said, "Can’t keep up, are you even a man?"

Lin Tian was filled with embarrassment. Were you even listening last night? I’m as much of a man as a man can be!

"Try holding this alchemy furnace! It weighs over a hundred pounds. If it were you, you wouldn’t be able to keep up with yourself!" Lin Tian said irritably. "If you can’t manage, at least help me carry this bag of herbs?"

"You were the one who picked the location, so carry it yourself, and hurry up!"

Without giving Lin Tian another chance to speak, Xu Xianrong vanished again like a swift swallow in the clouds.

Lin Tian wore a wry smile, muttering complaints, and reluctantly chased after her.

With one in front and the other behind, quickly and slowly, they eventually ascended a mountain north of the Xu Family Stream, covered in dense vegetation.

The abundant flora on the mountain had not been tended or cleared, so the path was difficult to traverse. Especially since Lin Tian had an alchemy furnace on his back. That wicked woman wouldn’t be trying to deliberately make things difficult for me?

Finally, Xu Xianrong stopped. Drawing Thousand Cyan Threads, she thrust out a sword flower, slashing Sword Qi onto the stone wall covered in dense vegetation, quickly revealing a cave.

Clearly, this cave had been carved out by someone, and it was extraordinarily spacious.

"Is this the place where you previously secluded yourself?" Lin Tian asked.

"Yes." Xu Xianrong nodded, walking into the cave, "Come in, no one will disturb you here."

With her leading the way, Lin Tian naturally had no qualms and followed her inside.

Upon entering the cave, one could feel that it’s even cooler inside than outside, and more importantly, the concentration of Spiritual Qi here was far beyond Lin Tian’s imagination!

The reason for carrying the alchemy furnace and running with Xu Xianrong for such a long distance was precisely for the Spiritual Qi in this secluded place, which was much thicker than outside.

Inside the cave, there’s actually a Spirit Gathering Array, beneficial for cultivation and alchemy. It wasn’t in vain for Lin Tian to lug the alchemy furnace such a distance.

Upon entering the cave, neither of them used a flashlight because the inner walls housed four embedded Luminous Pearls, enough to illuminate the entire night.

The cave’s ceiling was a circular arc, like an overturned bowl. The ground was exceptionally flat, appearing to be quite a decent residence.

On both sides, there were two small caves whose features were obscured by darkness. But where they were now, tables, chairs, and benches were all complete, made from fine agarwood and lacquered, with virtually no damage.

Lin Tian surveyed enough and, stretching his hand, let the alchemy furnace on his back fall to the ground with a clang, not raising a speck of dust.

"Aunt." Lin Tian called out.

"What’s up?" Xu Xianrong asked.

"We have the medicinal ingredients, the alchemy furnace, and even a Grotto Heaven. But without wood, we can’t start a fire," Lin Tian said with a bitter smile.

Xu Xianrong wielded Thousand Cyan Threads, sneering, "What? Do you expect me to go gather firewood for you?"

"The Foundation Establishment Elixir can’t be crafted quickly... it requires quite a bit of wood. Let’s gather some first. If it’s not enough, you might need to help out," Lin Tian said.

"Hmph~" Xu Xianrong took a long breath, feeling that Lin Tian was getting back at her. Is it that big of a deal to carry the alchemy furnace all the way?

"How much is needed?" Xu Xianrong asked.

Lin Tian counted on his fingers, then shook his head, "Well... I can’t be sure. If there was a dan fire furnace, we wouldn’t need it."

Xu Xianrong’s face darkened as she said irritably, "Who would have that kind of antique?! It’s long lost, where am I supposed to get it for you?!"

Indeed, alchemy has been neglected by all clans for many years, and even alchemy furnaces and dan fire furnaces are almost lost. Especially the dan fire furnace, which Lin Tian managed to buy at an auction, though it was very dilapidated. He later repaired it using a spiritual bee egg’s liquid and supplemented the arrays inside, otherwise, it was useless.

Lin Tian pointed to himself, smiling, "Well, I do have one, but... it’s in Kanyue City."