Tian Shu Wu Wang Lu

Lin Ye packed his things and hurried back to the outer courtyard. As soon as he entered, he saw Su Nianxi squatting in the courtyard, struggling to wash the dirty clothes he had changed out of today. Her little hands were slightly red from the cold, and Xing Jin was obediently lying next to her.

His heart tightened, and he quickly stepped forward to take the clothes from her hands, his voice filled with concern: "Why are you doing these chores again? I've told you so many times, I can do these things."

Su Nianxi tilted her head up, her eyes a little hesitant, and said softly, "Brother Lin Ye is busy every day, gathering spiritual herbs and doing sect duties. It's too hard for him. I want to help you share some of the burden... I also want to find a stable job so that my brother won't have to worry about me all the time."

Seeing his stepsister's sensible yet aggrieved appearance, Lin Ye felt even more reluctant to let her go.

He had long thought about finding a stable place for Su Nianxi, so that she wouldn't have to do the arduous and heavy menial work in the Spirit Plant Garden, exposed to the sun and rain. He just wanted her to be in a safe place, doing some light work, with enough to eat and wear without getting tired.

Now that he had gained Luo Li's trust, and with this opportunity presented itself, he immediately began to make plans.

The next morning, Lin Ye made a special trip to the alchemy workshop to find Luo Li. Always discreet, he didn't speak directly. First, he carefully handed over the list of animal materials brought back from the hunting grounds the previous day. After confirming its accuracy, he spoke sincerely, with a touch of tenderness for his sworn sister: "Young Sect Master, I have a request. My sworn sister, Su Nianxi, has been orphaned since childhood. She is obedient, sensible, and meticulous in her work. Currently, she has no stable place within the sect. I know the workers in the workshop who manage the storeroom, organize spiritual materials, and copy lists. Although she has no cultivation, she is meticulous, quiet, and hardworking. I wonder if it would be possible to give her a chance to work as a handyman in the alchemy workshop? High pay isn't necessary; I just want her a stable place to stay, to do some light work, so she doesn't have to endure the hardships of constant travel."

He knew that the alchemy workshops were the core areas of the sects, and ordinary people could not enter them. However, he felt sorry for Su Nianxi and did not want her, who was so young, to do the hard work of watering, weeding, and being exposed to the sun and rain in the spirit plant garden. That's why he shamelessly asked for help.

Upon hearing this, Luo Li raised an eyebrow and looked at Lin Ye.

She had always admired Lin Ye's composure and reliability, and seeing how much he cherished his sworn sister, she felt even more favorably toward him. Considering that the alchemy workshop did indeed need a few discreet, meticulous, and trouble-free servants to manage daily affairs, Su Nianxi, being Lin Ye's sworn sister, was certainly trustworthy and reliable.

She tapped her fingertips lightly on the table, and after a moment's thought, she readily agreed: "Since you asked, and she's a reliable and obedient person, then let her report to the alchemy workshop's storeroom tomorrow. She'll be responsible for organizing spiritual materials, checking accounts, and cleaning the inner hall—all easy tasks. She'll be provided with three meals a day and lodging, and her monthly allowance will be paid according to the workshop's miscellaneous worker standards."

Lin Ye was overjoyed that Luo Li agreed so readily, and immediately bowed respectfully: "Thank you for your kindness, Young Sect Master. On behalf of my younger sister, I thank you. She will certainly work diligently and will not cause any trouble!"

Luo Li waved her hand, her smile casual: "It's alright, I trust your judgment. You're reliable, so your sworn sister must be just as good. Just do your job well."

Having received confirmation, Lin Ye returned to the courtyard with great joy and told Su Nianxi the good news.

The little girl was both surprised and delighted. Her eyes lit up instantly, and she clutched his sleeve repeatedly to confirm. When she learned that she would not have to do hard chores and could go to the alchemy workshop to do a stable and easy job, her eyes reddened with excitement.

"Brother Lin Ye, thank you. I will definitely do my job well and not cause you or the young sect leader any trouble!"

Lu Chenyuan was already waiting there, and Lin Ye gave him half of the spirit stones and pills he had obtained from this mission.

Lu Chenyuan clutched the warm cultivation resources tightly in his hand, his eyes filled with determination and sincerity as he looked at Lin Ye. He said, word by word, "Big brother, I will definitely cultivate diligently and improve my strength as soon as possible. In the future, I will protect you and Nianxi and never let you suffer any injustice!"

Xingjin also came over, rubbing against their feet, the golden markings on his forehead shimmering with soft starlight, as if he were happy for them.

As the sun sets, its afterglow stretches across the sky, gently elongating the shadows of the three people and the fox. Warm light envelops the small courtyard, filling it with peace and comfort.

Lin Ye raised his eyes and looked into the depths of the sect, shrouded in mist and unfathomable in the distance. His gaze was sharp yet calm, full of certainty.

He remains an inconspicuous outer disciple in the sect, without a distinguished background or top-tier cultivation. However, he has won the approval of the young sect master of the alchemy workshop and the princess of a powerful mortal kingdom by virtue of his composure, reliability, and tact. Now, he has even secured a safe haven for his sister, and has loyal brothers by his side.

He didn't seek instant success; he only wished for the well-being of those around him, while he himself progressed steadily. He didn't walk the path of cultivation quickly, nor did he have any earth-shattering fortunes, but every step he took was solid. He protected those he cared about, accumulated rare opportunities, and slowly took root in this vast immortal sect, blossoming with each step.

He thought that with his reliable subordinates and the approval of the two benefactors, Luo Li and Chu Ling, the idle people in the outer sect would restrain themselves a bit. However, the tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not stop. Lin Ye won first place in the competition one after another and took over the private work of the alchemy workshop. The abundant cultivation resources had already aroused the envy and resentment of a group of senior disciples in the outer sect.

That evening, Lin Ye and Lu Chenyuan returned from the outer sect's spiritual fields after collecting cultivation supplies. As they walked along a secluded bamboo forest path, they were blocked by five burly outer sect disciples.

The leader was Zhao Hu, a peak second-level Star Guiding Realm cultivator. He hadn't participated in the outer sect competition and had been running rampant in this area for a long time. He also had several followers who specialized in bullying new disciples and robbing them of resources.

Zhao Hu crossed his arms, glancing sideways at Lin Ye, his triangular eyes fixed on the bulging storage bag at Lin Ye's waist, his greed undisguised: "Lin Ye, you've been living the good life lately, haven't you? Winning the competition and working at the alchemy workshop, you've accumulated quite a few good things, haven't you?"

Lin Ye's expression became increasingly respectful, and he even deliberately bowed slightly, completely concealing all his star power. His whole body only exuded a faint aura of the peak of the first level of star attraction, making him look mediocre and timid.

He subconsciously took a half step back and gently tugged at Lu Chenyuan, putting on an act of being afraid of causing trouble and wanting to take a detour. His tone was deliberately ingratiating: "Senior Brother Zhao, we are just lowly disciples trying to make a living. We don't have anything valuable. Please be kind and let us pass."

He perfectly embodied the phrase "weak and easily bullied," showing no trace of his former composure. He was just like a newly recruited disciple who could be easily manipulated. This kind of patience, insightful understanding of people's hearts, and composure before taking action is the wisdom he honed when he was a food deliveryman.

Lu Chenyuan instantly understood. Although he was anxious, he cooperated with Lin Ye, clenching his fists tightly and standing behind him with a firm look in his eyes, ready to fight side by side at any time.

This deliberate show of weakness completely lowered Zhao Hu and his men's guard, making them even more arrogant and domineering.

"Now you're scared? Too late!" Zhao Hu took a sudden step forward, his Star Power, at the second level of the Star Guiding Realm, surging wildly around him, sending bamboo leaves flying. He pointed at Lin Ye's nose and yelled, "Empty your storage bags and kowtow three times to us to admit your mistake, or I'll break your legs and throw you into the back mountains to feed the monsters!"

Several henchmen immediately surrounded him, pushing and shoving, shouting, and one even shoved Lin Ye hard, their arrogance reaching its peak: "Hurry up! Don't dawdle, or you'll regret it if you anger Brother Tiger!"

Lin Ye stumbled from the push, lowered his head to hide the cold glint in his eyes, and still feigned timidity as he whispered, "Senior brother, these resources are our means of survival, we really can't give them to you..."

"You think you're so great?!" Zhao Hu erupted in fury, spitting out insults. "A lowly wretch who climbed his way up from a menial job dares to negotiate with me? You're giving me this stuff today, whether you like it or not!"

Before he finished speaking, Zhao Hu leaped into the air, his right claw imbued with all his star power, aiming straight for Lin Ye's face. His other hand went straight for the storage bag, his attacks ruthless, intending to subdue Lin Ye directly. The other henchmen also swarmed forward, unleashing punches and kicks at Lin Ye and Lu Chenyuan.

Lu Chenyuan tensed up instantly, about to step forward to defend, but Lin Ye grabbed him tightly.

At this critical moment, Lin Ye's aura suddenly changed dramatically!

His previous timidity and deference vanished completely. His slightly hunched body straightened instantly, and his tall and strong figure exuded a domineering aura. His eyes were sharp as knives on his light wheat-colored face, and his pure golden star power exploded without reservation. The powerful aura of the early stage of the third level of Star Dust entering the body soared into the sky, and the bamboo branches and leaves were blown wildly by the force!

One second he was a pushover, the next he was a ruthless character in control of the whole scene. The extreme contrast made Zhao Hu and the others' pupils shrink instantly, their hearts filled with horror, and their movements froze on the spot.

Lin Ye raised his eyes, a nonchalant smirk playing on his lips, his voice languid yet chillingly cold: "What's the rush? Don't you want it anymore?"

Before he finished speaking, he casually moved to the side, easily dodging Zhao Hu's claws. Then he raised his hand, his fist gathering star power, moving so fast that it was just a blur, and accurately struck Zhao Hu's wrist joint.

"Snap!"

A cracking sound rang out as Zhao Hu's wrist was instantly crippled. Before he could even scream, Lin Ye kicked him in the chest, sending him flying like a kite with a broken string. He crashed heavily into a bamboo tree, coughing up blood.

The remaining four followers were terrified, but they were tightly restrained by Xingjin's star power, their bodies stiffened, their star power blocked, and their moves full of flaws.

Lin Ye walked forward slowly, each step carrying an overwhelming sense of pressure. His tone was flippant yet cutting: "Weren't you pretty arrogant just now? What, you can't stand still now?"

He was swift, accurate, and ruthless, yet he controlled his movements with ease. With a raised hand, a twisted arm, and a kick to the knee, all four men collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain, within two breaths.

Lin Ye looked down at Zhao Hu, who was sprawled on the ground, his fingertips tracing the corner of his lips, exuding a roguish yet chilling aura: "Is this all you've got? You dare to come out and steal? Who gave you the guts to mess with me?"

Zhao Hu clutched his wound, trembling all over. Looking at the completely different Lin Ye, he roared in a shaky voice, "You...you were clearly at the peak of the first level of Star Attraction! You were deliberately feigning weakness to trick me!"

"So what if I played you?" Lin Ye scoffed, leaning down to stare at him, his gaze so sharp it was unsettling. "I gave you a way out politely, but you insisted on heading down a dead end. Whose fault is that?"

He straightened up, his tone indifferent yet carrying an undeniable authority, each word striking Zhao Hu's heart: "Remember this, the outer sect is not a place anyone can mess with. Don't mess with me, and especially don't touch my people. If there's a next time, it won't just be one hand that's crippled, but your entire cultivation path."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xingjin darted out of the bamboo forest and jumped back onto Linye's shoulder. The golden pattern on his forehead shone brightly, and he let out a soft whistle. He carried the pressure of a high-level spirit beast, which frightened Zhao Hu and the others so much that they trembled all over and did not dare to raise their heads. They dared not utter a single complaint.

Lu Chenyuan strode forward and stood beside Lin Ye, his eyes filled with admiration and determination: "Big brother, they brought this on themselves!"

Lin Ye withdrew his star power, instantly transforming back into the plainly dressed, seemingly ordinary outer disciple. He dusted himself off, his tone returning to its usual indifferent tone, and lazily said, "Let's go. It's a waste of time with these clueless fools."

The two people and the fox turned around calmly, their backs unrestrained and free, leaving the provocateurs lying on the ground in a disheveled state, completely terrified.

After this incident, the news that Lin Ye was a master of feigning weakness to deceive others, possessed hidden strength, and was protective of his own people spread like wildfire throughout the outer sect. Everyone understood that this seemingly inconspicuous young man, who appeared easygoing, was actually ruthless. Not only did he have the hidden backing of the Pill and Weapon Workshop and the Lingyue Kingdom, but his own strength was also formidable. No one dared to provoke him anymore, let alone touch Lu Chenyuan and Su Nianxi beside him.

Back in the courtyard, Su Nianxi saw that the two had returned safely and quickly served them warm spiritual fruits.

The setting sun cast its warm and peaceful glow over the courtyard. Lin Ye looked at his loyal brothers and his obedient and sensible stepsister, his roguishness fading, replaced by unwavering determination.

He conceals his strength, endures with restraint, and believes in the principle of "I will not offend others unless they offend me, but if they do, I will retaliate with thunderous force." This is the foundation of Lin Ye's confidence in the dog-eat-dog world of cultivation.

This unassuming yet reliable and protective nature made Luo Li and Chu Ling appreciate and value him even more, laying a more solid foundation for his future.