Retirement begins with summoning Yuan Tiangang

—The outside world

The wind in the southern desert is like a red-hot knife scraping across the Gobi, whipping up clouds of yellow sand that could blow away one's soul.

This place is so remote that even birds don't poop and rabbits don't urinate; you can't even see a ghost on a normal day.

But in the last few days, it's been as lively as a temple fair—although the participants in this temple fair all have a hungry wolf's eye on them.

The news spread half a month ago: deep in the southern desert, a rosy glow shot into the sky for three days without dissipating, and the earth shook seven times.

A fearless rogue cultivator peeked over and nearly popped his eyes out—a majestic and ancient stone gate had sprung up from under the yellow sand, with four ancient seal characters carved on the lintel: "Mysterious Cave Heaven".

Upon further inquiry, wow!

It turned out to be the place where the once-famous rogue cultivator "Xuanjizi" passed away a thousand years ago!

This guy was once at the peak of the ninth level of the Celestial Realm, a half-step terrestrial immortal!

How many treasures must be inside the cave he left behind?

This caused quite a stir.

A bald... oh no, a high-ranking Buddhist monk from the Western Regions arrived riding a white elephant;

The courtiers and scions of noble families from several dynasties traveled in a grand procession aboard flying boats.

Those old Taoist priests from Beixuan, those with flowing robes... no, they were Taoist immortals, who arrived gracefully on cranes.

Even some evil and crooked paths that usually hide in the gutter have started to peek out.

Suddenly, the remote and desolate Tiannan Desert became the focus of attention for almost half the world.

The magical artifacts flying in the air were dazzling, and the cultivators walking on the ground were shoulder to shoulder. Shouts, arguments, and attempts to get close to each other were endless, mixed with the sandstorm, making the world restless.

……

Lin Tian's courtyard in Hexi Town.

"yawn--"

Lin Tian lay on the rocking chair, basking in the warm afternoon sun, and yawned deeply, a few physiological tears welling up in the corners of his eyes.

On the stone table next to them, there was a half-eaten plate of pumpkin seeds and a cup of steaming coarse tea—bought from the monk Ku Hui; it tasted alright, but had a lot of stems.

Little Lin Feng was squatting by the vegetable garden, intently poking at an ant nest with a small stick, muttering to himself, "Ants moving house...it's going to rain...Daddy's lazy...he won't get up..."

Shi Yao sat under the eaves, sewing a small garment with fine stitches, a gentle smile on her lips.

Ao Xiaohei transformed into a palm-sized, miniature black dragon phantom—his newly developed skill, euphemistically called "Energy Saving Mode"—coiled on the grape trellis above Lin Tian's head, idly flicking its tail, its eyes half-closed, as if dozing off.

Peaceful times, salted fish lying still.

Suddenly, the "Organization Management" interface in Lin Tian's mind, which had been dormant for some time, flickered slightly.

He lazily opened it with his mind.

[Organization: Bad Guys]

Leader: Yuan Tiangang

[Recent Developments: The "Mysterious Cave Heaven" in Tiannan Desert has emerged, attracting forces from all sides.]

Based on analysis, the cave may contain resources that could help the organization's development (cultivation techniques, elixirs, rare materials).

Shangguan Yunque (Celestial Triple Realm) has been dispatched to lead a team to investigate and contest the area.

Member list: Shangguan Yunque (team leader), 15 elite members of the Bad Guys (including 8 innate realm, 5 grandmaster realm, and 2 great grandmaster realm), 2 newly recruited members from the periphery (Shadow Seven and Shadow Eight, innate level 5)...

Lin Tian didn't even raise an eyebrow, but he just thought to himself, "Oh."

Treasure hunting in secret realms? That's the same old trick.

It's been written to death in novels.

Either the protagonist jumps off a cliff and finds treasure, or the villain kills and robs, or the secret realm itself is a trap where many who enter die.

"The commander-in-chief certainly knows how to seize opportunities."

Lin Tian muttered something to himself, then casually picked up a sunflower seed from the plate and cracked it open with a snap.

Yes, I cooked it myself, and the heat was just right.

Are those two kids, Shadow Seven and Shadow Eight, on the list too?

Or is it a newly joined member from the periphery?

I guess they just went along to broaden their horizons or just to observe.

That's good. Young people should experience more things, as long as they don't lose their lives.

He closed the interface and continued basking in the sun with his eyes half-closed. Ao Xiaohei, perched on the grape trellis, rolled over and mumbled in his sleep, "My dragon flame... is best for roasted sweet potatoes..."

Lin Tian chuckled. This silly dragon, he even dreams about eating.

……

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of miles away from Hexi Town, at a secret stronghold of the Bad Guys.

The brothers Shadow Seven and Shadow Eight stared at each other, their eyes filled with bewilderment as they looked at the mission briefing that had just been handed out, still smelling of ink.

The confusion of "Who am I? Where am I? Why do I exist?"

They hadn't been with the Bad Guys for very long, and had just completed their first escort mission. Although they mainly relied on their tokens to intimidate people, they hadn't even had time to warm up their contribution points, and they had only reached the second level of the "Shadow Twin Technique" they had exchanged. How could they suddenly be called upon to participate in some "Secret Realm Competition"?

Or are we going with the important person leading the team?

"Brother...it says here that Xuanjizi is at the ninth level of the Celestial Realm?"

Yingba swallowed hard, feeling as if the paper in his hand weighed a ton.

Ying Qi frowned, nodded, and felt a turmoil in his heart.

The Nine Heavens!

That was something they never dared to even dream of before!

How could small fry like them meddle in the place where such a great being passed away?

"Did we... offend one of the managers? Are we being given the cold shoulder?"

Shadow Eight lowered his voice, his face pale.

He had seen many such suicide missions in the Shadow Pavilion.

Yingqi shook his head and pointed to the small print at the bottom of the briefing: "Look, the note says that new members will be training with the team, mainly to observe and adapt, and will not participate in the core competition unless necessary."

"Observe? Adapt?"

Shadow Eight blinked.

"So...we're just going there to make up the numbers and stand on the sidelines watching?"

"I'm afraid so."

Ying Qi breathed a sigh of relief, but then her heart tightened again.

Even if they were just observing, the slightest aftershock of a fight of that level would probably reduce the brothers to dust.

Just then, a fragrant breeze... well, or rather, a rich breeze, a mixture of perfume and some exotic floral scent, drifted by.

The two brothers looked up and saw a figure wearing bright silver soft armor, with a waist that swayed like a willow in the wind, walking gracefully towards them.

It was Tian Qiaoxing and Shangguan Yunque who led this mission.

Shangguan Yunque seemed to have dressed up specially today. Her hair was combed neatly and tied into an exquisite bun at the back of her head, with a jade hairpin inserted.

He seemed to have a thin layer of powder on his face, making his already handsome face appear even more eerie.

He held a pink silk handkerchief in his hand, taking one step and twisting it three times, smiling before even speaking:

"Oh my gosh~ These are the two little ones who came with me to see the world this time?"

Shangguan Yunque walked closer and looked Ying Qi and Ying Ba up and down with his peach blossom eyes, his gaze lingering especially on Ying Ba's still somewhat immature face.

"He's quite handsome, but his cultivation level... tsk tsk, it's a bit lacking."

Shadow Seven and Shadow Eight quickly bowed and greeted Lord Shangguan!

"No need, no need~" Shangguan Yunque waved her silk handkerchief, her delicate fingers raised high.

"When you're out and about, there's no need to be so formal. Just call me Lord Shangguan."

He leaned closer, lowered his voice, and spoke with a hint of mystery.

"This mission is both simple and dangerous. You two, stick close to me, observe more, listen more, and speak less, and especially don't wander off! If you lose your lives or mess things up... heh heh~"

Those two "humming" sounds, though seemingly weak, made the hairs on the back of Shadow Seven and Shadow Eight's necks stand on end.

"Understood! I will follow your instructions closely and will not cause any trouble!"

The two brothers spoke in unison.

"Hmm~ Sensible."

Shangguan Yunque nodded in satisfaction, then took out a small bronze mirror, checked her makeup, touched up any non-existent blemishes, and then turned around, swaying her hips.

"Let's go, the flying boat is ready. We'll take you to broaden your horizons and see just how many reckless fools dare to try and steal our food!"

Shadow Seven and Shadow Eight exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of helplessness and deep unease in each other's eyes.

Following this eccentric and unfathomable Lord Shangguan to the secret realm of the ninth level of the Celestial Realm... opening this eye might not be so easy.

……

The enormous black airship, like a silent behemoth, hovered above the stronghold.

The hull was covered with intricate runes, emitting a dark luster. This was a flying artifact specially made by the Bad People, extremely fast and possessing a certain degree of stealth and defensive capabilities.

Fifteen elite members of the Bad Guys had already lined up, each dressed in black, exuding a calm and collected aura, with eyes as sharp as eagles.

Their gazes toward Shadow Seven and Shadow Eight were mostly scrutinizing and tinged with barely perceptible indifference—newcomers, especially those with low strength, often meant a burden in such missions.

Shangguan Yunque seemed completely unconcerned. He lightly leaped onto the deck of the flying boat and even turned back to wave at Ying Qi and Ying Ba: "Hurry up, you two little idiots~"

With gritted teeth, Shadow Seven and Shadow Eight, under the watchful eyes of those elites, climbed onto the flying boat using both hands and feet.

As soon as it steadied itself, the flying boat trembled slightly, the runes lit up, and it transformed into a beam of light that pierced through the clouds and sped off in the southwest direction.

A fierce wind howled outside the airship's protective shield, causing the mountains and rivers below to recede rapidly.

Shadow Eight gripped the ship's railing tightly, his face pale.

This was the first time he had ever ridden in such a high-speed flying artifact.

Shadow Seven wasn't much better off, but he forced himself to remain calm and looked toward the bow of the flying boat.

Shangguan Yunque was leaning against the railing, letting the wind blow his hair and clothes. A small jade pot had appeared in his hand, and he was sipping from it. His profile, in the rapidly moving light and shadow, had a unique and eerie beauty.

"grown ups,"

A member of the Bad Guys' gang, at the Grandmaster level, stepped forward and respectfully reported.

"We expect to reach the edge of Tiannan Desert in three days. According to current intelligence, the forces from the Western Regions Dalun Temple, the Central Court Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion, and the Northern Xuan Qingyun Temple have been confirmed to have arrived. In addition, the people from the Shadow Pavilion have also appeared, led by their Third Pavilion Master, Ghost Shadow Li Kun, who is a Grandmaster at the ninth level."

"Shadow Pavilion?"

Shangguan Yunque put down the jade pot, stuck out his tongue and licked the wine stains from the corner of his lips, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

"Those rats from the gutter dare to join the fun? Li Kun? Ha, just a defeated opponent."

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the people on the deck, finally settling on the tense Shadow Seven and Shadow Eight, and suddenly gave a charming smile:

"Hey kids, did you hear that? It's an old friend. If we run into each other, we might have to catch up with them!"

Shadow Seven and Shadow Eight felt a sinking feeling in their hearts.

Shadow Pavilion! Their former home! If they were to run into them...

The airship moved silently through the clouds, carrying a group of people with different thoughts, heading towards the desert shrouded in yellow sand and greed.

High above, out of their sight, a raven, entirely black with crimson eyes, silently swept across the sea of ​​clouds, its crimson eyes fixed on the black flying boat below, continuously transmitting all information back to the leisurely courtyard in Huihexi Town.

Under the grape trellis, Lin Tian clicked his tongue, rolled over, and muttered, "Shadow Pavilion... what a small world. Hopefully, those two kids will be quick-witted."

The mini black dragon phantom above its head let out a loud snore and blew out a snot bubble. Why would a soul have a snot bubble?

The bubble seemed to reflect the desert, the stone gate, and countless moving figures.