The two chatted as they arrived at the new village chief's house.
Lin Xiao Tian looked around and realized it was his own house.
Why had it become the village chief's residence?
Could it be that someone he knew had become the village chief?
"Sister Yan, Xiao Tian Ge is here."
Upon hearing Er Mao's words, a flurry of activity erupted from inside.
Lin Xiao Tian had already seen the other person's figure through his senses.
A stunning woman appeared before him, nearing forty but with a face as youthful as a twenty-something. However, a twenty-something could never possess such a figure.
The main door opened, revealing a nervous face.
"Zi Yan!"
"Xiao Tian!" Xue Zi Yan gasped for breath.
She had been stunned for a moment upon hearing Lin Xiao Tian's name, and in her haste to react, she had bumped into quite a bit of furniture.
Not long after, Er Mao left.
Lin Xiao Tian looked around the room, a wave of nostalgia washing over him.
This was where he had started from scratch.
The house had been dilapidated then, and it leaked when it rained.
Xue Zi Yan poured Lin Xiao Tian a cup of water, her eyes fixed on him.
Lin Xiao Tian understood.
It must have been difficult for her, enduring so many years with her innate seductive physique.
After a period of passionate intimacy, Xue Zi Yan fell asleep, content.
Following this encounter, her physical age would further regress, even returning to her twenties, achieving true ageless growth.
This time, Lin Xiao Tian did not go to Black Mountain. Instead, he visited several other places.
His purpose in doing so was singular: to make a statement to certain individuals.
For instance, the Yang family, residing in another province at this very moment.
Upon learning that Lin Xiao Tian was alive and well, Yang Tao and Yang Xin's faces turned ashen.
If Lin Xiao Tian were to reveal what had transpired in Kunlun Valley to the Lin family, it would mean an outright war between them and the Lin family.
The Lin family of today possessed the strength to bring down any other family.
The Yang family was not yet powerful enough, and Yang Tao was not the head of the family. To offend the Lin family at this juncture could even jeopardize their own safety.
"Xiao Tian, why didn't you die? Why?" Yang Xin clenched her fists tightly.
She had truly wished for Lin Xiao Tian's death this time.
Yang Tao's expression was equally grim.
Just moments ago, he had tried countless times to contact the Apostles but found he couldn't reach them at all.
He had established a mental link with one of the Apostles, who was permanently stationed at the encampment, so there should be no reason for him to be unable to connect. The only explanation for this situation was one:
"The Apostles in the encampment have all been wiped out," Yang Tao stated.
"How do you know? Did you just try to contact them?" Yang Xin asked.
"I couldn't reach them, and there's only one scenario where I wouldn't be able to," he replied.
Hearing Yang Tao's words, Yang Xin's face turned ashen.
Yang Xin knew all too well how powerful the Apostles in the encampment were; they were beings impervious to conventional firearms.
How strong must Lin Xiao Tian be to have annihilated them all?
So, last night, he had been holding back against her!
Just as the mother and son were in despair, Yang Lin suddenly entered.
"I just encountered Xiao Tian outside the manor. He asked me to give this to you," Yang Lin said, still trembling.
Moments earlier, they had heard that Lin Xiao Tian was in the distant Jiang City, and the next moment he appeared before him. Witnessing Lin Xiao Tian materialize and vanish into thin air, Yang Lin felt the terror of a cultivator for the first time.
If he were to ever anger Lin Xiao Tian, would he be silently killed?
"What is it?" Yang Xin asked urgently.
Yang Lin, with trembling hands, produced a small box.
Yang Xin hesitated to open it, her gaze lingering on the box. Finally, Yang Tao opened it.
Inside the box were several shimmering fragments, precisely the remnants of the demon cores from the Apostles Lin Xiao Tian had killed the previous night.
Yang Tao sensed a familiar aura from within, the same aura emanating from the Apostle with whom he had established a mental link.
"What is this?" Yang Xin, unfamiliar with demon core fragments, couldn't fathom Lin Xiao Tian's intent.
"These are the demon core fragments of the Apostles," Yang Tao replied.
Yang Xin froze, then her eyes welled up.
"He still has some conscience."
But Yang Tao sighed, "These are the demon core fragments from when he annihilated the Apostles in the encampment last night."
"What?"
Yang Xin was stunned.
Yang Lin, standing beside them, was visibly anxious. "Is Xiao Tian warning us? Will he kill us?"
The three looked at each other, unsure how to answer the question.
It was only after several days like this that he began to relax somewhat.
What they didn't know was that during this period, Lin Xiao Tian frequently visited the Yang family.
In his spare time, Lin Xiao Tian also helped Xiao Xuan cultivate.
With Lin Xiao Tian's assistance, Xiao Xuan's physique grew increasingly robust. If she continued to develop in this manner, her future achievements would surely rival those of any of Lin Xiao Tian's children.
Upon reaching the Nascent Soul stage, ordinary resources could no longer satisfy Lin Xiao Tian. He would frequently venture to Black Mountain, where, using the bloodline suppression of Little White, he could often gain an advantage over the demon beasts in the Deity Transformation stage.
The treasures collected by Deity Transformation stage demon beasts, even ordinary ones, were extremely valuable resources for cultivators in the Nascent Soul stage.
After each scavenging expedition, Lin Xiao Tian would meditate and cultivate in the Thunder Pool. Occasionally, he would bring Xiao Xuan here as well.
Little White and Xiao Xuan conversed with great delight. This was her third companion, after Lin Jiong and Lin Ling.
In his free time, Lin Xiao Tian also dedicated himself to studying the Teleportation Token.
After searching Li Da Zhu's sea of consciousness, Lin Xiao Tian had confirmed that the Teleportation Token posed no other threats.
However, the destination was the deepest part of Black Mountain, and the power of the demon beasts there was something Lin Xiao Tian himself was uncertain of.
If the Teleportation Token were to fail there, wouldn't he be throwing his life away in vain?
Fortunately, time was still abundant, and Lin Xiao Tian decided to focus on his cultivation before delving into matters concerning the Teleportation Token.
Unbeknownst to them, a century passed.
One generation departed, and a new one rose to take its place.
The Lin family grew increasingly prosperous, with Lin Xiao Tian and Qin Yu Xiang becoming like living fossils within the family.
Cultivators lived exceptionally long lives, but human lifespans were fleeting. In the beginning, Lin Xiao Tian would strive to aid his old friends, hoping to extend their lives, but ultimately, they had to depart.
Accustomed to loss, Lin Xiao Tian eventually ceased his efforts.
Immortality was not a privilege reserved for all; the path of cultivation was destined to be a solitary one.
Now, Lin Xiao Tian had fewer earthly concerns. His grandchildren were capable of handling their own affairs independently. Seeing that all was well, Lin Xiao Tian decided to challenge other forbidden lands.
He was determined to obtain the complete inheritance of the Shen Nong Medical Codex this time!