Survival in an apartment, starting with a stroke of luck on a plane

Under the increasingly awe-inspiring gazes of Zhao Dashan and the others, Lin Yu calmly strode into the gates of Tieshu County.

The scene inside the city was indeed quite different from the wilderness outside. The streets were much wider, paved with bluestone slabs, and although uneven, they were quite impressive.

Shops lined both sides of the road, their flags fluttering, selling all kinds of goods. Pedestrians and vehicles came and went, making it quite lively.

But if you look closely, you can see that many pedestrians have a numbness on their faces from long-term suppression, and their eyes hide a subtle worry. Beneath the prosperity of the city, there seems to be an undercurrent of tension and unease.

Lin Yu didn't rush into action. He first wandered around the city for a while to get a general feel for the layout, and then chose a relatively clean-looking inn with an inconspicuous location to stay in. He asked for a quiet superior room.

He needed to find a place to stay first, and then find out more about the details, sphere of influence, and relationships of the three "immortal masters" in the city before planning his next move.

Of course, the most important thing is to find a safe and secluded place near the city to move the apartment there, so that you can attack or defend as needed.

It has to be said that in this kind of world, apartments play a huge role for players, especially for players like Lin Yu whose apartments themselves represent a certain level of combat power.

Lin Yu thought for a moment, tipped the clever waiter in the inn a few copper coins, and easily got some basic information, which was pretty much the same as what Master Sun had said: there were three most famous immortal masters in Tieshu County.

The official representative of the imperial court was a "Taoist priest named Ebony" who was stationed in the backyard of the county government office.

In the west of the city, there is a strangely popular temple called "Black Buddha Temple," whose abbot is known as "Black Bone." It is said that his Buddhist teachings are... quite different from others.

Outside the city, on Tiger Tooth Mountain, there is a "Tiger God Temple". The master of the temple calls himself "Tiger Venerable" and seems to have some disciples who look inhuman.

According to Xiao Er's description, Lin Yu always felt that those "non-human disciples" he mentioned were very similar to the monkey that had been turned into a beast by Master Sun.

Could it be that this Tiger Venerable is also a practitioner of the [Animal Creation Technique]?

Lin Yu pondered to himself.

These three forces usually seem to keep to themselves, maintaining a delicate balance, and jointly control most of the "extraordinary" affairs in Tieshu County and the surrounding area. Ordinary people keep their distance from them.

In addition, some independent cultivators like Lin Yu occasionally come to Tieshu County, but they don't stay long.

After listening to the intelligence, Lin Yu returned to his room while pondering it.

However, just as Lin Yu sat down in the guest room, preparing to brew a cup of tea and carefully sort out his thoughts, there was a gentle knock on the door.

Two yamen runners, dressed in official robes and carrying broadswords at their waists, stood respectfully outside the gate.

"My lord, excuse me. The county magistrate has invited you. Daoist Wumu is also in the yamen and wishes to meet with you. We would be honored if you would do us the honor." The head yamen runner spoke tactfully, conveying both the invitation and the shared intention of two "important figures."

Lin Yu knew in his heart that the little trick he had shown when he entered the city had indeed attracted the attention of the local official cultivators, just like a stone thrown into a calm lake.

However, this was within his expectations, and it could even be said to be the result of his deliberate actions.

Meeting this "immortal master" revered by the imperial court might save a lot of time and effort in groping around in secret, allowing you to directly obtain some high-level information.

"Lead the way." Lin Yu put down his teacup, his expression calm. He stood up, straightened his robes, and gestured for the constable to lead the way.

Following the yamen runners through the several imposing courtyards of the county government office, with its blue bricks and gray tiles, winding corridors, and an atmosphere filled with the solemn and oppressive feeling unique to government offices.

Finally, they arrived at a brightly lit and relatively elegantly furnished back room.

Inside the hall, a middle-aged man in a blue official robe, slightly plump, with a fair complexion and no beard, sat in the main seat. He was presumably the county magistrate, and at this moment, he had a slightly awkward smile on his face.

What truly caught Lin Yu's attention was the person sitting in the grand chair below the county magistrate.

Even though Lin Yu had already prepared himself for the worst regarding the "appearance" of cultivators in this world, his pupils still involuntarily contracted slightly when he saw the Ebony Daoist in person.

The man was wearing an old, faded gray Taoist robe, with oil stains visible on it. He was hunched over and huddled in a large chair.

What is most disturbing and even horrifying is his appearance—his entire face is covered with dark purple tumors of varying sizes and uneven surfaces. The largest one almost covers the left half of his face, squeezing his eyes into slits, and twisting and deforming his nose and mouth.

The skin exposed outside the Taoist robe, whether it was the dry, claw-like back of the hands or the wrinkled neck, all had a lifeless, dark black color, similar to old tree bark, and was covered with cracks like cracked earth. A faint dark red light shone through the depths of the cracks, as if lava was slowly flowing under the thin skin.

His appearance bore a striking resemblance to the "tree bark man" monster he had encountered in the desolate mountains—a resemblance that was five or six points.

The difference is that although the eyes of the Ebony Taoist in front of him are cloudy, there is still a faint light of reason deep inside. Moreover, the aura he exudes is quite ordinary, only at the bronze level, not much different from that monster.

However, the thick, suffocating aura of pollution emanating from him was even more intense, as if he himself were a walking source of pollution.

Seeing this, Lin Yu frowned. He didn't understand why this guy could remain conscious when the polluted aura on him was so strong.

"Hehe, fellow Daoist, please have a seat." Daoist Wumu spoke, his voice hoarse like two rusty iron pieces rubbing together. He tried to force a smile, but it only made the tumor on his face writhe, making him look even more ferocious.

"I am Wumu, and by the grace of the imperial court, I have been appointed as the garrison commander of Tieshu County. I heard that a fellow Daoist I do not know has come to the city today, and his methods are quite mysterious. I have specially invited him to meet me. I hope you will not mind my presumption, fellow Daoist?"

The county magistrate, standing nearby, quickly echoed with a smile, "It is truly an honor for our county to have the Immortal Master visit us. Daoist Wumu is also just admiring the Immortal Master's demeanor and is acting out of goodwill."

Lin Yu suppressed the turmoil and wariness in his heart, cupped his hands in return, and sat down in the guest seat, his posture neither humble nor arrogant: "I am Lin Yu, just a wandering cultivator from the mountains. I just came down from my sect to travel and passed through your esteemed place. I did not expect to disturb the Daoist and the county magistrate. I am truly ashamed."

When you're out and about, you give yourself an identity. You can just make one up; the magical aura around you won't lie anyway.

"Oh? A rogue cultivator?" Master Wumu's eyes, hidden in the crevices of the tumor, were like a venomous snake lurking deep in a swamp, carefully scrutinizing Lin Yu.

It seems they are assessing the depth of this unfamiliar comrade.

He couldn't sense the particularly strong, familiar spiritual energy fluctuations belonging to "true magic" from Lin Yu. Instead, he felt an inexplicable sense of alienation, which made him somewhat suspicious. However, the lightning magic that Lin Yu displayed when entering the city was undeniable.

He chuckled twice, breaking the silence: "Hehe, fellow Daoist, you are quite young, yet your skills are extraordinary. May I ask where your master is from? Which lineage of immortal techniques do you cultivate? Perhaps my master and I have some connection."

He tried to find out Lin Yu's background first.

Lin Yu sneered inwardly, but showed a hint of "shame" on his face. He cupped his hands and said, "Daoist, you flatter me. My sect has long since declined and I have been living in seclusion in the mountains for many years. It's better not to mention my name. As for the cultivation method... alas, to be honest, Daoist, what my sect has passed down seems to be quite ancient and the progress is slow."

This trip down the mountain is also at the master's behest, to travel and observe the current state of spiritual practice, hoping to find some opportunities to make up for my own shortcomings.

He deliberately feigned weakness and positioned himself as a down-on-his-luck successor of an ancient technique seeking "opportunity," hoping to extract information from this guy.

Upon hearing the words "ancient" and "slow progress," Master Wumu's eyes flashed with a hint of disdain, and most of his initial doubts dissipated.

So he was just a penniless old man clinging to his old almanac! His smile became much more natural, even carrying a hint of superiority: "Oh? So you're a fellow Daoist from the ancient lineage. No wonder... no wonder your aura is a bit... austere."

He found a word that was barely derogatory.

"A life of simplicity?" Lin Yu revealed a perfectly timed expression of "doubt" and "eagerness": "Please enlighten me, Daoist Master! Could it be that the current path of cultivation is vastly different from what my sect has taught me?"

"As a newcomer, I do feel that the spiritual energy here... seems exceptionally 'active,' quite different from the tranquility of the mountains. Could this... have any impact on cultivation?"

He steered the conversation toward differences in spiritual energy, which is the most obvious and least likely to raise suspicion.

Seeing Lin Yu's "eager for knowledge" appearance, Master Wumu's vanity was satisfied. He stroked his sparse beard and said in a tone of someone who had been through it all, "Fellow Daoist, you are right. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth is no longer as docile as described in ancient books."

This is due to a great change in the world, containing supreme power; it would not be an exaggeration to call it 'innate divine power'! Ancient methods are slow and inefficient, making it difficult to absorb such divine power; therefore, fellow Daoist, you may feel that your progress is slow and your aura is 'weak'.

He paused, his tone enticing: "And the 'True Method' we cultivate is precisely designed to align with this divine power. With each breath, one's cultivation can advance by leaps and bounds! It is far superior to the ancient methods."

Whether unintentionally or intentionally, he omitted the enormous risks of cultivating the true method, emphasizing only its high efficiency.

Lin Yu followed his words, feigning surprise and longing: "Is that so?! One can improve with just a few breaths? This...this method is truly miraculous! I wonder...are there any...secrets to cultivating this method? Or, is there anything I should be careful about? My knowledge is limited, and I'm afraid I might make a mistake."

He pretended to be a novice who was both excited and afraid of making mistakes.

Seeing that Lin Yu had taken the bait, Master Wumu was pleased with himself, but he naturally wouldn't easily tell outsiders about the specific taboos and risks of cultivation. He only vaguely said, "As for the secrets... it's best to have a master to guide you."

As for things to pay attention to... the most important thing is to have a strong will and be able to withstand the impact of divine power flowing into the body. As for other minor details, they cannot be explained in a few words.

If you are truly interested in learning more, perhaps... you could consider staying here a little longer and exchanging ideas with me.

Seeing that he had already gotten what he wanted, Lin Yu knew he wouldn't reveal any more secrets if he pressed further. So he showed a grateful expression and said, "Master's words have truly enlightened me! Thank you for your guidance! As for the matter of staying, I do need to consider it carefully."

He then asked, "By the way, before I entered the city, I encountered a monster in the mountains that looked like a withered tree and seemed to be insane. I heard that it was caused by carelessness in cultivation."

I wonder if such incidents are common here? How should we, as practitioners, guard against them?

He steered the conversation toward the phenomenon of "possession by demons," which is a way to understand the dangers of the true teachings from another perspective.

Master Wumu's face darkened slightly, clearly unwilling to discuss such disgraceful matters further. He replied perfunctorily, "Oh, those were just losers whose Dao hearts were not firm enough and who could not withstand the backlash of divine power. They only had themselves to blame."

Fellow Daoist, there's no need to worry too much. As long as you remain true to your principles and cultivate step by step, you will be safe. The county government and we will also conduct regular inspections to clean up these wicked obstacles.

He downplayed the issue, attributing the entire responsibility to "personal moral conscience."

Lin Yu sneered inwardly, but on the surface he put on an expression of "sudden realization" and "great benefit," as if he had really accepted this explanation.

The two chatted evasively for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Master Wumu seemed to enthusiastically introduce the local customs and cultivation resources of the county, but in reality, his words were full of hidden meanings. He kept probing Lin Yu's lineage details, the characteristics of the method he practiced, and even his specific understanding of the "ancient methods".

Lin Yu either cleverly avoided the questions, gave vague answers, or steered the conversation to other topics, never revealing any real flaws.

Finally, Master Wumu seemed to realize that it was difficult to extract more valuable information from this seemingly young but slippery rogue cultivator, so he turned to the county magistrate and said in an ordering tone: "Since Fellow Daoist Lin is a cultivator, according to the regulations of our dynasty and the conventions of the cultivation world, he should hold a 'Celestial Pass' (a special travel pass used only by cultivators, which serves as both an identity document and a travel permit).

"Immediately prepare a document for Fellow Daoist Lin, ensuring it is thorough, so that it will facilitate his future travels."

The magistrate, as if receiving an imperial edict, immediately bowed and replied, "Your humble servant obeys! I will certainly handle this matter properly for the Immortal Master!"

Master Wumu then looked at Lin Yu, forcing an unsettling smile on his face: "Fellow Daoist Lin has just arrived, why not stay in the county town for a few more days?"

Although Tieshu County is a small place, it has its own unique charm. If you have any questions about your cultivation, need any resources, or wish to discuss the Dao with me, you are welcome to come to the county government office to find me at any time. Also…”

He changed the subject, his tone seemingly casual yet carrying a subtle warning: "In this Iron Tree County, besides the government, the Black Bone Bald Donkey of the Black Buddha Division and the Tiger Demon of Tiger Tooth Mountain are not to be trifled with either. They each have their own spheres of influence. Fellow Daoist, you should be careful when you travel here and not easily get involved in trouble."

This statement, ostensibly a reminder, actually implies drawing a clear line, asserting sovereignty, and making an initial attempt to win over the other party.

Lin Yu knew perfectly well what was going on, so he cupped his hands in thanks and said calmly, "Thank you for the reminder, Daoist Master. I will certainly be careful."

When Lin Yu left the county government office, he had a "celestial guide" in his hand, which was made of special material and was stamped with the official seal of the Iron Tree County Government and the private seal of the Ebony Taoist.

This certificate not only allows him to move freely through most cities and passes within the Great Qian Dynasty, but also serves as, to some extent, a temporary identity document for him in the cultivation world of this region.

Back in his quiet superior room at the Yuelai Inn, Lin Yu closed the door, and the calm on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a deep solemnity.

This meeting with Master Wumu gave him a more direct and profound understanding of the practitioners of the "new method" in this world.

They were not unaware of the risks of their own cultivation system; rather, they were already deeply entrenched in it, and their physical bodies and souls may have already undergone irreversible transformation.

Yet they still regard this path to madness and destruction as the only "great road," and harbor a deep-seated rejection and denigration of other possible paths (such as ancient methods).

That state, a mixture of fanaticism, paranoia, and a degree of self-deception, is chilling.

"We must find a safe ancient method to pass down as soon as possible, or... find the possibility of using the pure spiritual energy of the apartment to safely cultivate the 'new method' of this world, even if it's just the minimum use, in order to complete the main quest."

Lin Yu secretly resolved that the waters of Tieshu County were deeper than he had anticipated.

The three major forces are intertwined, mutually restraining and coveting each other. As an "outsider," I must proceed with extreme caution. Fortunately, I am currently just a passerby, so as long as I don't cause any trouble, nothing serious should happen.

The most important thing right now is to take advantage of the fact that it's not completely dark yet to carefully survey the area around the county town, find a safe, secluded, and easily accessible location, and move the apartment there as soon as possible to establish a solid base.

With this escape route and a sacred place for cultivation, he can more calmly carry out his next move in this perilous and bizarre world.

……

In the superior room of the inn, Lin Yu did not sleep like an ordinary traveler.

He sat cross-legged on the hard bed, seemingly resting with his eyes closed, but in reality, he was repeatedly pondering and analyzing every detail he had learned from his meeting with Master Wumu.

Although this world doesn't seem particularly dangerous at the moment, the strange spiritual energy in the world makes it impossible for Lin Yu to fall asleep peacefully.

Therefore, he estimated that he would not be able to sleep peacefully before moving the apartment here. Fortunately, his mental attributes were high enough that he would not get tired even if he did not sleep for seven days and seven nights.

The sky outside the window changed from pitch black to pale white, and the first rays of morning light shone through the window paper, dispelling the gloom inside the room.

Lin Yu slowly opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them. The inn was not a place to stay for long; he had to establish his own safe haven as soon as possible.

After settling the bill, we left the inn.

The town of Tieshu was beginning to awaken in the early morning, but the oppressive atmosphere in the air did not dissipate with the night.

Early risers are mostly in a hurry, with indifferent expressions. When they do talk, they keep their voices down, as if afraid of disturbing something.

Lin Yu headed straight for the East Gate.

When he presented that special "divine guide," the guards were even more respectful than yesterday, almost bowing as they escorted him out of the city gate.

Fresh air from outside the city rushed in, carrying the scent of earth and vegetation. Although one could still feel the pervasive, polluted "spiritual energy," it was still a welcome respite from the city's murky atmosphere, which was filled with too much negative emotion.

His goal was clear—Tiger Tooth Mountain in the east of the city.

Based on yesterday's observations and inquiries, the area is characterized by continuous mountain ranges, sparse population, and is the territory of the "Tiger Venerable".

Because his disciples are so eccentric, this guy is probably the most unacceptable of the three immortal masters in Tieshu County. Therefore, ordinary people generally do not dare to easily enter the territory of Tiger Fang Mountain, but may find an unexpectedly quiet place instead.

Lin Yu didn't take the main road, but instead relied on the powerful capabilities of his multi-functional electric vehicle to keep venturing into the mountains and forests, specifically choosing those almost abandoned paths trodden by wild animals.

The [Heavenly Eye (Fake)] remains active, scanning the surrounding energy flow, life force, and potential traps or dangerous areas.

He avoided several valleys that exuded a strong demonic aura or a deathly atmosphere, and also detoured around some areas that seemed peaceful but were actually abnormally chaotic in terms of spiritual energy.

After trekking through the mountains for about an hour and a half, as the sun rose higher, Lin Yu finally found his ideal spot on a steep mountainside.

This is a naturally formed platform, with a near-vertical cliff behind it and a deep valley shrouded in clouds and mist in front. It offers a great view, overlooking a large area below, including the vague outline of Tieshu County.

The platform is surrounded by jagged rocks, dense shrubs and thorns, forming a natural barrier that makes it very secluded. More importantly, according to the [Heavenly Eye], the earth's veins here are relatively stable, although the spiritual energy is thin.

It was much "quieter" than other places, with no strong fluctuations from pollution sources or any traces of being marked by a powerful entity.

"This is it." Lin Yu looked around with satisfaction. With a thought, he took out the faintly glowing [Apartment Relocation Card] from his backpack.

The card felt warm to the touch and contained profound spatial power.

"Using the [Apartment Relocation Card], Destination: Current Location."

The moment he confirmed his intention, the card transformed into a soft yet irresistible white light, enveloping his entire body.

The next moment, white light spread outwards like mercury, quickly outlining an all-too-familiar silhouette. Lin Yu's apartment, which looked like an adobe house in this world, seemed to be drawn from nothingness, gradually solidifying from a transparent phantom, and finally fitting perfectly into the environment on the mountainside.

Lin Yu thought for a moment, then slapped the ground with his hand. A vine extended from his arm and stuck into the ground. Then, a large number of vines wrapped around the vegetation in the mountains, completely covering the entire mud-brick house. From a distance, it looked like an ordinary place covered with vegetation.

Lin Yu nodded in satisfaction before stepping into the vegetation.

Pushing open the door, familiar modern facilities came into Lin Yu's view.

At the same time, the pure spiritual energy inside the room made Lin Yu, who had been immersed in the eerie spiritual energy for a whole day, feel much more relaxed.

The two-headed hellhound guarding the house happily rushed over when it saw Lin Yu. Lin Yu patted its head and gave it some food.

After closing the door, Lin Yu finally breathed a long sigh of relief. With the protection of the statue of Qingyuan Miaodao Zhenjun in the apartment, Lin Yu was confident that no one in this world could harm him.

He first walked to the Pure Spirit Spring in the corner of the living room, scooped up a mouthful of spring water with the accompanying wooden spoon, and drank it all in one gulp.