Retirement begins with summoning Yuan Tiangang

The atmosphere on the return airship was somewhat strange.

The tension and anticipation of the journey were gone, replaced by the exhaustion of surviving a disaster, and... an indescribable silence.

Many people still had injuries and were wrapped in bandages, their eyes somewhat vacant, as if they had not yet fully recovered from the hellish scene of the day and the miraculous appearance at the end.

Yingqi leaned against the ship's railing, stroking the white token that had returned to normal temperature in her hand.

The character "玄" on the token remains ancient, but now it seems to carry a sense of mystery and weight.

Xuanjizi... that cave, that chessboard, that final evil creature... what kind of story lies behind all of this?

"What are you thinking about?"

A breeze carrying the scent of cosmetics wafted by, and Shangguan Yunque sat down next to him without him noticing, holding his ever-present small mirror, tidying his somewhat messy hair in front of the mirror.

He appeared completely unharmed, even his bright silver soft armor was spotless, as if he wasn't the one who had just been wreaking havoc in the cave and facing the demonic vines at the cave entrance.

"My lord," Shadow Seven hesitated for a moment before asking.

"What exactly is inside that cave? Is it really Senior Xuanjizi?"

"Xuanjizi?" Shangguan Yunque scoffed, putting down the mirror.

"That old guy's bones are probably all turned to ash by now, he wouldn't have the mind to do these underhanded tricks. I bet he somehow got his hands on that evil blood-snatching rebirth technique back then, and messed it up while practicing it, or he was simply corrupted by the evil thoughts left in that technique."

"Unwilling to accept his fate before death, he set up this grand scheme of the cave, using his own remains and the cave as bait to lure those who would come to him, using their life force to nourish his corrupted remnant soul in an attempt to be resurrected."

He paused, his tone tinged with mockery: "Unfortunately, man proposes, God disposes. I doubt he even anticipated that this cave would attract so many people, much less... that it would attract us, the Bad Guys, and that guy from the Three Thousand Inner Courtyard."

"Lord Sanzenin...so strong." Kageya also came over, his eyes shining.

"Is that what a terrestrial immortal is? It feels like... they're on a completely different level from celestial beings."

"nonsense."

Shangguan Yunque rolled her eyes at him.

"The Celestial Realm still relies on the power of heaven and earth. The Land Immortals, to some extent, can already control the power of a region."

"That guy Sanzenin is like he's at home in this Gobi Desert. The earth vein power he borrowed is terrifyingly strong. Even if that evil thing isn't fully resurrected yet, it's still unstable after being resurrected. It would be no match for him."

His tone was casual, but his words acknowledged Sanzenin's strength.

"Lord Sanzenin... how did you know we were in danger?" Kageshita asked another question.

"I reckon that Mirror Heart Demon is a cryptic and mysterious creature, best at scheming and prying into the secrets of heaven."

Shangguan Yunque curled his lip, "Or maybe the commander-in-chief was worried and had him keep an eye on things here. That guy must have realized something was wrong with this cave a long time ago and timed it right to notify the Three Thousand Academy to come and keep order. Hmph, he got a chance to steal the spotlight."

As he spoke, he seemed a little annoyed, and then took out a box of rouge and touched up his makeup in front of the mirror.

Shadow Seven and Shadow Eight looked at each other in bewilderment.

So all of this was anticipated or even controlled by the higher-ups of the Bad Guys?

Even the mobilization of terrestrial deities was planned?

Thinking hard.

"Those...those people from other forces..." Shadow Eight looked behind the flying boat, where he could still vaguely see some scattered, hastily fleeing streaks of light.

"Who cares if they live or die?"

Shangguan Yunque didn't care at all.

"It's their good fortune to have escaped; if they haven't... consider them fertilizer for the Gobi Desert. That's how it is in the cultivation world. If you're weak but greedy, you can't blame anyone but yourself if you die."

These words are cold, but they are the stark reality.

Shadow Seven and Shadow Eight recalled their days in the Shadow Pavilion and were deeply moved.

"You two have done a great job going back this time," Shangguan Yunque said, changing the subject and looking at the two brothers.

"We discovered the stone chamber, obtained the token, and... well, we didn't hold you back too much. You'll get your contribution points. When you go back to the cultivation technique pavilion, you can pick something more suitable for your current stage. The 'Shadow Twin Technique' is good, but it's too profound. You should start by practicing basic movement techniques, stealth, and combined attack skills."

"Thank you, sir!" the two brothers quickly expressed their gratitude.

"Alright, stop bothering me. I need to rest for a while and take care of my skin."

Shangguan Yunque waved his hand, closed his eyes, leaned against the ship's railing, and surprisingly began to breathe evenly and softly very quickly, while still holding the small mirror in his hand.

Shadow Seven and Shadow Eight stepped aside, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.

Although most of their time on this journey to the secret realm was spent in escape and shock, the gains far exceeded their wildest imaginations.

He witnessed the overwhelming power of true experts in battle, obtained treasures, received guidance promised by a Celestial Realm expert, and, more importantly, personally experienced the unfathomable depths and... biased protection of the Bad Guys organization.

Following such an organization and having such a boss, despite the unusual style, seems... to have a really promising future.

The flying boat streaked across the sky, speeding towards the Bad Guys' stronghold.

A few days later, in the Lin family courtyard in Hexi Town.

As the sun sets, it bathes the courtyard in a warm orange-red hue.

Lin Tian lay on the rocking chair, holding a jade slip containing the latest intelligence summary sent by the Bad People, and was reading it with great interest.

"Tsk tsk, Tiannan Desert, Xuanji Cave Heaven, Bloodthirsty Demon Vine, Evil Spirit Possession, Three Thousand Courtyards Tearing Through the Void, Suppressing Evil with a Single Palm... Goodness, this is quite a spectacle."

He smacked his lips, as if he had just listened to a wonderful storytelling performance.

Shi Yao was busy in the kitchen, and the aroma wafted out.

Little Lin Feng squatted by the vegetable garden, holding a small stick, poking at a cabbage that his father had over-fertilized with "spiritual plant nutrient solution," making it grow like a short, stunted sapling. He muttered, "Cabbage spirit...grow faster...for Daddy to eat..."

On the grape trellis, the mini black dragon Ao Xiao Hei lay sprawled out, belly up, fast asleep, occasionally smacking its lips, probably dreaming of roasting sweet potatoes.

Everything was peaceful and serene.

Lin Tian put down the jade slip and looked at the system interface. The loyalty of Shadow Seven and Shadow Eight was stable at 93% and 91% respectively.

The reputation and influence of the Bad Guys organization will likely rise significantly after the Tiannanmo incident.

What is consumed is merely the travel time of some summoned characters and a little bit of potential risk, although there is basically no risk.

"This deal is a good one."

He nodded in satisfaction, picked up a clean crabapple from the plate next to him. It was a wild fruit picked outside the town, sweet and sour, and he took a big bite.

The fruit juice was sweet and refreshing, and the evening breeze was gentle.

As for the secrets of the cave, the rebirth of evil creatures, or the intervention of a terrestrial immortal to awe the world... that's none of his business.

Lin Tian is just an ordinary stay-at-home dad in Hexi Town, taking care of his child, basking in the sun, and occasionally watching his underlings work hard outside...

At most, he's a behind-the-scenes swindler with some special channels and relatively good information.

"Dinner's ready!" Shi Yao's gentle voice came from outside.

"Coming!" Lin Tian responded, stood up, stretched, and went over to pick up his son, who was still studying the "cabbage spirit."

"Let's go, Wuyou, let's eat! Your Aunt Yao made braised pork today!"

Worry-free is Raymond Lam's nickname

"Meat! Eat meat!" Lin Feng immediately dropped the stick and waved his little hand.

The miniature black dragon on the grape trellis twitched its nose, groggily rolled over, and mumbled, "Braised pork... leave some... for me..."

In the courtyard, laughter and the aroma of food mingled with the golden sunset, flowing gently through the air.

It was as if the bloodshed, power struggles, and the fame of the strong in the outside world had nothing to do with this small world.

But who could know what secrets and powers, so powerful that even heaven and earth would take notice, are hidden beneath this tranquility?

At least, Lin Tian didn't know, and didn't want to know, at this moment.

All he knew was that the braised pork was cooked to perfection today.