Mountain Venerable and Sea Immortal

After a night of quiet cultivation, the sky was already tinged with the first light of dawn. Before the bells of the outer mountain disciples' courtyard had even rung, many early risers were already taking advantage of the abundant spiritual energy of the morning light to practice their breathing exercises. The area around the spiritual spring was already rich in spiritual energy, and with the hidden signs of the spiritual turtle's awakening last night, the spiritual energy was even more abundant at this moment, attracting many disciples to watch from afar, but none dared to approach easily.

Lin Yan had just finished his practice and stood up. The spiritual energy flowing within his dantian was becoming increasingly smooth, and his Qi Refining Level 6 realm was as stable as a rock, only one step away from breaking through to Qi Refining Level 7. The spirit turtle by the spring moved its head slightly, its small body crawling slowly along the stone surface, obediently lying at his feet, as if quietly guarding him.

Before long, three figures strode quickly along the bluestone path, their imposing manner heading straight for the Spirit Spring. The leader was none other than Zhao Kui, the outer sect manager disciple. He was dressed in his outer sect robes, which were impeccably tailored, and wore a manager's wooden badge at his waist. His face was arrogant, and his eyes held undisguised hostility.

Two followers followed behind him, and further away stood a familiar figure—Su Chen, the young patriarch of the Su clan, who had clashed with Lin Yan in Qingfeng Town.

When Su Chen saw Lin Yan looking at him, a hint of resentment flashed in his eyes, but he deliberately hid behind Zhao Kui, clearly the instigator of this incident.

Lin Yan's gaze turned slightly cold, and he instantly understood a few things.

Zhao Kui stepped forward, looking down at Lin Yan with an arrogant tone: "You're Lin Yan? A newcomer who just entered the sect, do you even deserve to monopolize such a precious place as the Spirit Spring?"

Lin Yan remained calm: "The guardians of the Spirit Spring were personally appointed by True Person Danxuan, and their duties are recorded in a register. How can you say they are unworthy?"

"So what if we're related?" Zhao Kui sneered, his gaze sweeping over Su Chen not far away. His tone grew increasingly arrogant. "I am a member of the Su clan of Qingfeng Town. Su Chen, who is newly recruited to the mountain this year, is my cousin. You dared to insult the Su clan's reputation and disturb Su Chen when you were still at the foot of the mountain. Now that you've entered Laoshan, do you still expect to live a peaceful life?"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding disciples immediately erupted in murmurs and whispers. It turned out that this was not a simple dispute over resources, but rather an old grudge that had not been settled, and the disciples had come to the mountain gate for revenge.

Su Chen stepped out from behind Zhao Kui, his face grim: "Cousin, this is the man who publicly humiliated me in Qingfeng Town and even joined forces with the rogue cultivator Ye Qing to provoke the Su family. If we don't teach him a lesson, others will think our Su family is easy to bully!"

Zhao Kui nodded, and his Qi Refining Level 7 spiritual power suddenly erupted, his aura imposing: "Today I will seek justice for my cousin and make you understand that Laoshan is not a place where you can act recklessly. You are not worthy to stay in this spiritual spring. Go and sweep the mountain path, then kowtow to Su Chen and apologize, and only then will this matter be settled."

"Bullying others with your power, and you dare to speak of justice?"

A cold shout came, and Yunxi, holding Yi Azhu's hand, quickly arrived, followed closely by Chen Dagang. The four of them stood side by side instantly, showing no fear.

Yi Azhu's water spirit body stirred slightly, sensing the intense hostility from the other party. Her small hands gripped the Warm Soul Pearl tightly, yet she maintained her upright posture, showing no fear. Yun Xi's fingertips rested on the hilt of her sword, her restrained sword intent subtly erupting. Her cold eyes locked onto Zhao Kui, ready to strike at any moment. Chen Da, his steel-tower-like body standing forward, his blood surging, possessed an imposing aura despite lacking spiritual power.

Seeing this, Zhao Kui became even more enraged: "So you're all planning to rebel together? Very well, I'll teach you all a lesson today!"

Before he finished speaking, he raised his hand and unleashed a Spirit Wind Palm, the spiritual energy carrying a powerful gust of wind, aimed directly at Lin Yan's face. The attack was ruthless and showed no mercy. Meanwhile, Su Chen secretly activated his wood-elemental spiritual energy, intending to launch a sneak attack and completely suppress Lin Yan's arrogance.

The onlookers were all sweating bullets for Lin Yan. On one side was a managerial disciple who had been in the sect for half a year and whose cultivation had reached the seventh level of Qi Refining, and on the other side was a newcomer who had just entered the mountain. The outcome seemed to have been predetermined.

Lin Yan's expression remained unchanged; instead of retreating, he advanced. He did not activate the domineering spiritual power of the Canglan Sea Emperor Technique, but instead activated the Laoshan Basic Technique, drawing upon the surrounding spiritual spring water vapor to transform it into a soft yet resilient water curtain.

"Bang!"

Zhao Kui's palm strike slammed into the water curtain, but instead of causing any damage, he was violently shaken by the hidden soft force of the spring water vapor. He lost his balance, staggered back several steps, and almost fell to the ground, looking utterly disheveled.

"The rules of Laoshan Sect are strict, forbidding private fights and revenge. As a disciple in charge, you dare to provoke us with personal grudges. Do you truly disregard the sect rules?" Lin Yan's clear voice echoed throughout the surroundings, each word ringing with conviction. "Before a true master, right and wrong will be judged fairly. If you continue to be obstinate, don't blame me for reporting you to the steward!"

Seeing the situation was dire, Su Chen secretly shot out a small wooden spike, intending to ambush Lin Yan. However, the wooden spike was instantly shattered by a wisp of sword energy unleashed by Yun Xi as soon as it flew out.

"Sneaking attacks in secret, such low character, does he even deserve to cultivate in Laoshan?" Yunxi said coldly.

Just as the situation was becoming increasingly tense, a dignified voice came from afar: "Stop!"

Master Danxuan walked slowly over, his gaze sweeping across the scene, taking in all the events that had already unfolded.

Zhao Kui and Su Chen's expressions changed drastically. They quickly withdrew their spiritual power and bowed in respect.

Master Danxuan's expression was cold and stern, his gaze first falling on Su Chen: "As a scion of a noble family, your Dao heart is restless and your mind is narrow. From the very beginning of your entry into the mountain, you have used personal grudges to cause trouble and violated the sect rules. You are hereby punished to face the wall for three days and copy the sect rules one hundred times!"

Turning to Zhao Kui, the Master's tone became even stern: "As the outer sect manager, instead of setting a good example, you condone your relatives' bullying of newcomers and use your position to settle personal scores. You will have all your spirit stones deducted for this month, and you will be tasked with cleaning the mountain paths for a month. If you repeat this offense, you will be expelled from the sect!"

Zhao Kui and Su Chen turned pale, dared not argue, and could only bow and accept their punishment. They glared at Lin Yan resentfully and left in a huff.

The way the surrounding disciples looked at Lin Yan completely changed, from initial disdain to admiration and fear. It was truly rare for a newcomer to not only calmly resolve the difficulties caused by the combined efforts of the steward and the disciples of the aristocratic families, but also to abide by the rules and reason.

Master Danxuan looked at Lin Yan, his eyes filled with obvious approval: "You are composed in your dealings, abide by the rules and etiquette, know how to advance and retreat, and have a strong Daoist heart. The position of guarding the Spirit Spring will remain with you."

With that, he raised his hand and waved it, and a lustrous jade pendant fell into Lin Yan's hand.

"This talisman can gather spiritual energy and nourish your meridians. It is compatible with your constitution, so cultivate diligently."

Lin Yan quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Disciple thanks the True Person for the reward."

Master Danxuan nodded slightly, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over the spirit tortoise at Lin Yan's feet. A barely perceptible hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he said nothing and turned to leave.

After everyone had left, Yi Azhu looked up at her with eyes full of admiration: "Brother, you're amazing!"

Yunxi sheathed her sword intent, and her gaze toward Lin Yan held a newfound trust.

Chen Dagang laughed heartily: "Brother Lin, we've really gotten our revenge! Next time something like this happens, I'll be the first to step up!"

Lin Yan gripped the Water Cloud Jade Token tightly, feeling a warm and gentle spiritual energy spread throughout his body from his palm, echoing the Sea Emperor's inheritance in his dantian and the aura of the spiritual tortoise at his feet. His cultivation was showing signs of further improvement.

He gazed towards the inner mountain, deep in the clouds, and murmured to himself.

"Entering the mountain gate is easy, but entering is not. The old grudges of the Su family have not been settled, and now there is turmoil in the outer sect. The road ahead will only be more difficult."

The spring water gurgles and surges with spiritual energy.

The tortoise gently rubbed against his ankle, as if silently keeping him company.