The Path of Survivor begins with obtaining titles

Basically, it was all about some not too important matters, with Senior Brother Zhou Yun Feng sending quite a number of talismans detailing important events that had taken place both inside and outside the Sect; so that he would not be completely unaware of what had happened once he emerged from seclusion.

The most important thing was that Master Golden Sword Zen Ren had gone into closed-door cultivation, preparing to contemplate the path to the Nascent Soul Realm. Unless it was an emergency, he could not be disturbed. If there were any confusion about cultivation levels or swordsmanship, or other matters, they could consult him.

Hearing this message, Lin Yi reflected with a smile. He himself had joined Golden Sword Peak for forty years now, and this was the first time Master Golden Sword was going into strict closed-door cultivation. Breaking through from the Golden Core to the Nascent Soul Realm was not that easy.

It required multiple contemplations to loosen the bottleneck. He hoped very much that his master could break through to the Nascent Soul Realm, so that he would have a Nascent Soul Master to rely upon in the Cultivation World.

Of course, depending on others was always uncertain, only relying on oneself was the safest choice. Therefore, enhancing his own cultivation was of the utmost importance.

Apart from the messages from his senior brothers and sisters, Lin Yi also received two talismans from Zhang Fu Guang. He had established an intelligence organization on the outside that was dedicated to gather information about evildoers. It had been many years since he had utilized it last.

The last contact was after he passed the test of the Dan God’s inheritance. At that time, because the Immortal Master guarding Qing Shi City was falsely claiming his credit for killing the Flower Thief to deceive the rich merchant’s daughter into marriage, Xu Zhi Wu and Zhang Fu Guang discovered some information and passed it on to him.

However, it was actually a plot set up by the Xuan Yin Sect. With the help of Master Golden Sword, he had returned safely and even liberated two Red Evil Spirits as a result.

After this incident, he felt a deep sense of lacking strength, so he had remained in closed-door cultivation without using the organization too much.

However, later on, he helped Zhang Fu Guang and some other Loose Cultivators obtain the status of Outer Sect Disciples of Liu Yun Sect. As for Xu Zhi Wu, he recommended him to work at a merchant shop controlled by Golden Sword Peak to sell goods.

He also regularly asked Senior Brother Wu Tian Zhang from the Pill Hall to send them some pills that martial artists could take.

Lin Yi activated Zhang Fu Guang’s talisman and after hearing what was inside, he sighed softly. It turned out that Xu Zhi Wu was seriously ill, in addition to some old ailments. After being diagnosed by a Cultivator, it was found that he had at most half a year to live.

The second talisman said that Xu Zhi Wu was on his deathbed and wanted to see him one last time.

At the end of both talismans, Zhang Fu Guang mentioned the time. The last one was sent a month ago, so Xu Zhi Wu might already be dead by now.

Only when a Qi Refinement Cultivator reaches perfection can they achieve a lifespan of 125 years, while the lifespan of a martial artist usually does not exceed 100 years.

As the saying goes, cultivating internally refines one’s breath, while cultivating externally refines one’s bones and skin. Even if a martial artist practices internal energy, he still follows the path of external cultivation. Coupled with the fact that most martial arts techniques are incredibly domineering and require constant physical cultivation to achieve their purpose, it is natural to have hidden injuries.

When young, the vitality is vigorous and there’s no problem, but when old, various diseases will plague the body. This is why Taoist Cultivators can live a long life, while Martial Artists have a short one.

After contemplating, Lin Yi sent a message to Zhang Fu Guang, agreeing to meet at the mountain gate of Liu Yun Sect.

Then, he arrived outside the courtyard. He had not been back for two years, only to see that the six-acre top-grade medicinal field in front of him was almost overgrown with weeds. It felt like the passage of time was unknown in the mountains.

He did not bother to clean up these weeds because he would soon enter the secret realm again to start making Golden Cores.

If it weren’t for Zhang Fu Guang’s message, he wouldn’t have planned to step out of the Cave Mansion at all.

Leaving the Cave Mansion, Lin Yi arrived at the Ferry Platform. He flew in the air with his Flying Sword, heading towards the Outer Sect. Soon, he arrived at the mountain gate of Liu Yun Sect.

Zhang Fu Guang was already waiting there. Seeing Lin Yi, he quickly bowed with his fists, “Disciple pays his respects to Uncle Master Lin.”

Hearing this “Uncle Master,” Lin Yi couldn’t help but touch his nose and think about the time when he used to call Senior Brother Li Yuan Qing. Looking back, it was really awkward. He waved his hand, “There’s no need for such politeness. I just came out of seclusion. How is Xu Zhi Wu now?”

“To reply to Uncle Master, I just came back from Qing Yun City this morning. Brother Xu is still alive, but he’s barely hanging on.” Zhang Fu Guang quickly replied.

Lin Yi nodded slightly and a Wind Thunder Sword appeared in front of him. The sword gradually enlarged, “Let’s go. We will head to Qing Yun City.”

When Zhang Fu Guang mounted his flying sword, he took off towards Qing Yun City. On the journey, he asked about Xu Zhi Wu’s serious illness, whether it was due to natural causes or inflicted by others. The response was that it was due to natural causes.

After learning Xu Zhi Wu’s current location, Lin Yi circled around Qing Yun City and arrived at a different gate. After showing his identity plaque, he directly entered the city.

The area where Xu Zhi Wu now lived was the suburbs of Qing Yun City. The rent was cheap, and most of the inhabitants were Loose Cultivators. Martial Artists usually lived in even more remote and disorganized slums.

Zhang Fu Guang mentioned that this suburban house was rented with the money from a shop owned by the Liu Yun Sect, which Lin Yi understood completely.

After all, in the eyes of those cultivators, Xu Zhi Wu was just a martial artist. Even with a certain connection with the Inner Sect direct disciple, it was just a superficial relationship.

The shop could afford to rent a suburban house for a dying martial artist, mostly due to his relationships.

Lin Yi followed Zhang Fu Guang, arrived at a small house in the suburbs and saw Xu Zhi Wu lying on the bed. They hadn’t seen each other for more than twenty years. Xu Zhi Wu, once robust, had become skeletal and ghostly, even worse than Old Huang.

From his perception, he knew that Xu Zhi Wu was running out of time, probably only supported by the desire to see him one more time.

If he had not come out of seclusion, Xu Zhi Wu’s willpower probably wouldn’t last a few more days.

At present, there was a girl taking care of him by his side, judging from her age, she should be his daughter.

“Brother Xu, Uncle Master Lin is here to see you,” softly said Zhang Fu Guang as he walked in.

Xu Zhi Wu, who was originally with absent-minded eyes, became spirited up upon hearing this. He even struggled to stand up and pay his respects, “Master Lin, you’re here. Rou’er, help me up quickly, I want to pay respects to Master Lin…”

Lin Yi quickly stepped forward to stop Xu Zhi Wu. Given his current condition, any potion would be useless, as the medicinal power would only accelerate his death. He slightly injected some gentle spiritual power to protect his heart.

“Brother Xu, between us, there’s no need for such formality. I’ve been in seclusion for years, and I just came out today. I didn’t expect you to be so seriously ill.”

Xu Zhi Wu lay down and saluted Lin Yi, “Cough, Master Lin, if it wasn’t for your care over the years, I would have died long ago.”

“For a dying man like me to drag you here, causing a delay in your cultivation, I’m really sorry. Xiao Rou, quickly pour a cup of tea for Master Lin.”

“Brother Xu, if you continue with such formality, I’ll just leave.” Lin Yi said with a smile. Although Xu Zhi Wu was a martial artist, he had helped him a lot in the past.

A bright smile spread across Xu Zhi Wu’s face. He was proud to have known such a cultivator like Lin Yi.

Then, he reached out for the cabinet next to him, but a surge of pain twisted his face as soon as he moved. Despite this, he didn’t cry out in agony.

“Dad, what do you need? I’ll get it for you.” The girl hastily offered.

Xu Zhi Wu pointed shakily at the cabinet, “In the drawer below, there’s a package, take it out.”

After the girl brought it out, he took it over and handed it to Lin Yi with shivering hands, “Master Lin, this package contains the information on the villains I’ve been investigating over the years. I updated it last year. Most of them are still alive. Consider it my final token of thanks.”

Lin Yi took the package, seeing that it contained a pile of papers filled with the names and information of individuals.

Packing it up in his storage bag, he smiled, “Brother Xu, I didn’t expect you to still be collecting information on villains. I will take care of them one by one.”

“Ha ha ha, then I won’t be lonely on the road. Master Lin, knowing you has been the greatest fortune of my life.” Xu Zhi Wu let out a hearty laugh.

Then, he glanced at his daughter beside him, hesitated for a moment, sighed deeply and said nothing in the end.