Mortal: I can unlock the card pool by becoming an apprentice to him.

"Don't think I'm joking with you. The importance of disciples of the Sique sect to the sect is self-evident. Generally speaking, only those who can consistently suppress those of the same level are qualified to become disciples of the Sique sect. You are only at the ninth level of Qi Refining now. What will you do if you encounter a cultivator with ill intentions when you go down the mountain?"

"So what if he's at the ninth level of Qi Refining? Senior Brother Lin's cultivation level isn't that high either."

Su Jiutong pouted, her little face slightly raised, and said nonchalantly.

Seeing the other party's unconvinced expression, the elfin-like girl couldn't help but shake her head slightly.

If she hadn't been a close friend of this girl's mother for over a hundred years, and had been entrusted by an old friend to take care of this girl, she wouldn't have been so open and honest with her.

"Senior Brother Lin? Is that your colleague in the same position?"

"Yes, Aunt Wan, haven't you heard of Senior Brother Lin's great name? I've even heard that the sect leader has called on all disciples to learn from him."

Su Jiutong's eyes lit up, and she immediately became interested.

"metropolitan?"

The elven girl paused slightly, then a thoughtful expression appeared on her face.

As a Golden Core cultivator, she naturally couldn't possibly remember the deeds of a minor Qi Refining cultivator. It was only when she heard the words "Sect Master" that she remembered that there was indeed such a disciple of the Si Que family who, in order to protect the rent of the Zongfang Market, did not hesitate to fight against the Yan family and even killed one of them.

"So it was him."

The elven girl nodded calmly, and in an instant, she no longer took the matter to heart.

"Now that you know his story, you should learn more from him in the future."

"I've heard that this person is merely a rogue cultivator; in the future..."

She had intended to use Lin Mo's identity to offer Su Jiutong a few more words of advice, urging her to cherish her unique advantages, but she hadn't expected the girl to misunderstand.

"I understand, Aunt Wan. I didn't even use the Flying Moon Shuttle when I was on duty last time. Don't worry, no one else could possibly know my background."

Seeing Su Jiutong's self-righteous and sensible appearance, the elven girl was speechless for a moment and sighed helplessly.

......

Lin Mo had just returned to his residence and hadn't even had a chance to catch his breath when he heard a knock on the door.

He raised his hand to push open the wooden door and looked up.

"Senior Sister Yan? Please come in."

The girl outside the door spoke calmly and gently, "Junior brother, I've come to say goodbye."

"Saying goodbye? Where is Senior Sister going?"

Lin Mo was taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. Yan Ruyan's current status was undeniably special, and it was reasonable to assume that the Hidden Moon Sect wouldn't let her return to the Yan family anytime soon.

"Of course..."

A sly glint flashed in Yan Ruyan's eyes.

"We've reached Yunquan Mountain."

Upon hearing this, a hint of amusement flashed in Lin Mo's eyes.

"Could it be that Senior Sister Yan has come to her senses and wants to be with Senior Brother Liu...?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Yan Ruyan's cheeks flushed slightly, and she frowned, gently interrupting him with a reproachful tone.

"It was Elder Ni Chang who offered to lend me the spiritual spring for my foundation building. Although this thing is dispensable to me, being able to see the legendary spiritual eye is a rare opportunity."

"I see."

A knowing glint flashed in Lin Mo's eyes.

When she first met Yan Ruyan, she was already at the thirteenth level of Qi Refining. Now that so much time has passed, given the incredible cultivation speed of a Heavenly Spiritual Root, she should have already reached the Foundation Establishment stage.

Yan Ruyan's gaze fell on Lin Mo.

"Junior brother, you'd better hurry up and cultivate, otherwise when we meet again, you'll have to call me 'uncle' instead."

As she said this, the girl raised her eyes slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Uncle-Master?"

Lin Mo twitched the corner of his mouth, seemingly joking, and said, "Once Senior Sister reaches Foundation Establishment, what difference would it make if she called you 'Master,' let alone 'Uncle-Master'?"

However, to his surprise, Yan Ruyan shook her head violently upon hearing this.

"If I become your master, I'll have to abide by the rules of master-disciple etiquette. I don't want that. It's much better to just be your senior sister peacefully."

After speaking, she looked at Lin Mo, as if waiting for his response.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Mo cupped his hands and said, "I wish Senior Sister a speedy success in establishing her foundation and making great progress in the Great Dao."

Yan Ruyan: "..."

Two days later, seeing that the restrictions on the adjacent residence had been completely closed, Lin Mo began to cultivate in peace again.

I wonder how Han Li and Zhang Tie are doing now.

Lin Mo pondered to himself, noting that the original novel's description of Han Li during this period was almost glossed over. After joining Huangfeng Valley, Han Li had dutifully begun guarding the herb garden, and when he reappeared, he was already close to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Having cultivated for so long, Han Li must already know how difficult it is for someone with four spiritual roots to achieve Foundation Establishment.

If nothing unexpected happens, he will definitely go to the forbidden area to find spiritual herbs to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Therefore, this plot development should not deviate from the original work.

Lin Mo is now at the critical juncture of Foundation Establishment, and according to his plan, he doesn't need to go to the Crimson Forbidden Land.

However, to be on the safe side and to allow the plot to develop normally according to the original story, Lin Mo planned to send Han Li a letter when the time was right, invoking Doctor Mo's words and urging him to go to the forbidden area.

In the current timeline, Mo Juren has not done anything improper to Han Li and Zhang Tie, so his words still carry some weight.

With the invasion of the demonic path imminent, if I remain a free and unrestrained cultivator, I will naturally be unaffected. At worst, I can escape to another country and cultivate freely.

But now that he has to deal with the two major forces of the Hidden Moon Sect and the Ghost Spirit Sect, Lin Mo naturally has to consider things more carefully.

No matter what, improving one's cultivation level is never wrong.

He calmed his mind and, after clearing his mind of all distractions, Lin Mo slowly sat down cross-legged and began to cultivate.

......

"Senior Brother Lin, which market are we going to today? I've heard that some markets have secret shops that sell things that can't be brought to the light of day. Is that true?"

Su Jiutong, standing on the gourd, familiarly approached and asked mysteriously.

"have no idea."

Lin Mo stood with his hands behind his back, his tone indifferent and showing no interest in responding.

Seeing his expression, Su Jiutong seemed to realize something, and her expression darkened as she said, "Senior brother, have I been talking too much and annoyed you?"

Lin Mo glanced at her sideways.

"no."

It wasn't that he didn't want to answer the other person's question, but Lin Mo sensed that there seemed to be a figure following them from a distance since they started descending the mountain.

"A cultivator undergoing a tribulation? Or am I overthinking it?"

Lin Mo secretly perked up. The person behind him was extremely good at hiding, concealing his aura perfectly.

If he hadn't remained somewhat vigilant since leaving the sect, he certainly wouldn't have discovered the other party's existence.

Amidst Su Jiutong's soft whispers, the two finally landed in a market town within Jianzhou.

The restrictions have been broken.

Looking at the bustling crowd below and the cultivators coming and going from all directions, Lin Mo finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Let's go."

Lin Mo took the opportunity to pull Su Jiutong's arm and, without saying a word, carried her into a shop.

Su Jiutong looked bewildered and was about to ask a question when Lin Mo stopped her with a look.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a figure quietly appeared outside the barrier.