One month later.

  After traveling non-stop, Xia Li and Lin Ye finally arrived at the gates of Lingxu Cave Heaven, far away in another province, after five teleportation arrays plus flying boat transfers.

  The province they'd been in was called Ling Province. The Xuan Dan Sect was among its top ten powers.

  Lingxu Cave Heaven's Qian Province bordered Ling Province, and Lingxu Cave Heaven ranked third in Qian Province.

  "We've arrived, Brother Xia. Up ahead is Lingxu Cave Heaven. You can take off your mask now."

  "I still think it'd be better to disguise my identity for entry."

  On the way here, Xia Li had been questioned repeatedly, especially when using public teleportation arrays—people were always checking with wanted posters.

  In the cultivation world, teleportation arrays were essential for long-distance travel. Relying solely on flying boats would take years to reach Lingxu Cave Heaven.

  "Your disguise might work for passing through teleportation arrays, but you're about to join a sect. Wearing that mask will eventually expose you."

  "True."

  After thinking it over, Xia Li pulled off his mask, while also sighing at his insufficient preparation.

  He'd prepared weapons and escape methods—how had he forgotten to get a high-tech mask?

  Those were available on Hidden Wing's internal network. He'd accidentally seen them while browsing the internal marketplace but hadn't paid attention at the time.

  He absolutely had to buy one next time he went back!

  After landing and storing the flying boat, the two set off together up the mountain path.

  Lingxu Cave Heaven opened its gates for disciples once every three years, lasting three days each time. The most basic test was ascending Lingxu Peak.

  On the rugged mountain path.

  Xia Li and Lin Ye walked leisurely, chatting and laughing along the way. This kind of peak-climbing test was just meant to weed out the talentless and the stupid.

  Anyone with Qi Refining Level Seven or above, or possessing mid-grade spiritual roots or a special physique, could climb with their eyes closed.

  Half a day later.

  At the summit of Lingxu Peak, nearly a hundred young people had already gathered, each face bearing insufferable arrogance.

  Being able to reach the summit proved extraordinary talent—they already stood above countless ordinary mortals.

  Xia Li and Lin Ye found a spot to sit and chat. They hadn't even exchanged three sentences when a discordant voice suddenly rang out.

  "Lin Ye, this isn't a place you should be."

  A cold-expressioned man in luxurious robes stood directly before Lin Ye, his demeanor full of disgust and contempt.

  "Lin Qi, whether I should be here or not isn't for you to decide."

  "You can't possibly be thinking of challenging Elder Brother Lin Yu? Then I can only say you're seeking death. Brother Lin Yu is now a True Transmission Disciple."

  "So what?"

  Lin Ye scoffed, appearing to not care at all about this Lin Yu mentioned.

  Xia Li watched the show with interest. It seemed Lin Ye's clan had some drama.

  "Friend, I suggest you stay away from him. Otherwise you'll likely be implicated."

  "For example... not being able to enter the sect!"

  Seeing Lin Ye's dead-pig-doesn't-fear-boiling-water attitude, Lin Qi began threatening Xia Li, trying to isolate Lin Ye.

  But Xia Li had received a hefty friendship fee—for the spirit stones' sake alone, he couldn't back down!

  "Then I'd like to see how you'll keep me from entering the sect."

  Xia Li smiled, thinking that he was Heaven-path Foundation Establishment and could enter without examination. If a True Transmission Disciple could block his entry, then Lingxu Cave Heaven was nothing special after all.

  He wasn't required to join a sect anyway—he'd come with just a trial mentality.

  "Very well, truly worthy of being Lin Ye's friend—just like him..."

  "Ignorant of what's good for you, enjoying the path to death!"

  Lin Qi finished with a cold snort. That gaze seemed to be pronouncing Xia Li's death sentence, making Xia Li very uncomfortable.

  Was being friends with Lin Ye really this dangerous?

  "Brother Lin, that thing just now... wait, why did I catch the bad habit of being polite? My bad, my bad. What was that thing just now?"

  "That thing... nice one..."

  Lin Ye couldn't help but laugh at that. During their journey, Xia Li often said peculiar things—superficially polite without a single dirty word, yet utterly filthy underneath.

  "So what's the deal with that thing?"

  "A cousin of mine. Speaking of which, I haven't told you about my clan yet, have I? It's like this, I..."

  "Wait, let me guess."

  Xia Li interrupted Lin Ye.

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  "First, were you a genius in the past?"

  "Huh? I've always been one, including now."

  "I mean, were you ever crippled, or suddenly encountered some problem that prevented you from cultivating?"

  "No."

  "Then let me ask—have you ever had an engagement broken off?"

  "I've never even been engaged. Who would break it off?"

  "Then let me ask—do you have something like a Supreme Bone that was dug out by someone?"

  "My eldest cousin Lin Yu has a piece of innate spirit bone. To be honest, I'd really like to dig his out."

  "Then let me ask—is there a possibility that bone was actually yours?"

  "Brother Xia, I understand what you're getting at now!"

  Lin Ye suddenly nodded.

  "Just say it directly if you want it. Why beat around the bush? When the opportunity comes, I'll dig it out for you personally!"

  "That's not... that's not what I meant. Forget what I just asked."

  Xia Li had been trying to see how many special circumstances applied to Lin Ye, but he didn't fit any of them. Seems he'd been overthinking.

  "Are you alright? Want to take a Mind Calming Pill?"

  "I'm fine. I was just asking randomly. Go on."

  "Mm, so here's the thing..."

  Lin Ye briefly explained his background. He came from the Lin Family of Qian Province—a prominent clan in the region.

  But in clan-based powers, bloodline and legitimacy mattered most. He was merely a bastard son, and talent that exceeded the legitimate heirs only brought him suppression and malice.

  Even his birth father, under pressure from his legal wife, dared not treat him well—afraid that he'd surpass the legitimate sons in any way.

  That would only lead to a dead end.

  His father was actually doing this for his own good.

  But so what?

  Such goodwill might as well not exist. He'd have been happier if he'd simply been sent away to be raised elsewhere, never returning to the Lin Family.

  As for his birth mother?

  Due to years of cold treatment, over time she'd grown depressed and taken her own life.

  But he didn't believe his mother would commit suicide. There must be something hidden behind it, definitely connected to Lin Yu.

  Afterward, he'd defected from the Lin Family and gone to Ling Province.

  "So what you want most right now is to investigate the truth behind your mother's death?"

  "Yes. I crossed provinces to join Cloud Mountain Sect only because my mother came from Cloud Mountain Sect. Unfortunately, they had no information."

  "Then aren't you coming back too early? You're not strong enough yet."

  Lin Ye was only at Qi Refining. Though Heaven Chip detected that Lin Ye exceeded standard Qi Refining strength by over ten times, it was still just Qi Refining.

  He could kill Foundation Establishment, but could he fight Golden Core?

  "But I can't wait any longer. My family's Grand Elder is also the Third Elder of Lingxu Cave Heaven. I can't let Lin Yu gain the Third Elder's support."

  "Otherwise, once he becomes Young Patriarch, I'll lose my chance to investigate the truth."

  "I must... must prove myself. At least make the Third Elder reconsider."

  After finishing, Lin Ye lowered his head, brows tightly furrowed as he sighed. This was why he was so anxious.

  "Brother Lin, I won't say more. In one month, everything you need will arrive. You can also make other requests—I'll keep an eye out when I go back."

  "Brother... say no more. From now on, if I have one spirit stone, you'll have half."

  Lin Ye was deeply moved. To achieve his ambition of surpassing Lin Yu in a shortcut, to confront Lin Yu directly, he needed the help of extraordinary items.

  But those extraordinary items...

  Were all things he wasn't qualified to access. Having spirit stones wasn't enough qualification.

  Supreme-grade Foundation Establishment Pills were a perfect example.

  But now...

  Supreme-grade Foundation Establishment Pills could go to hell!

  In one month, Xia Li would bring him treasures surpassing supreme-grade Foundation Establishment Pills. Lin Yu's Foundation Establishment had only used a supreme-grade pill!

  With just this one step, he could pull ahead!

  With this thought, Lin Ye felt even more grateful to Xia Li.

  "Alas, that I'm not a woman, and neither are you..."

  Suddenly, Lin Ye inexplicably said such a thing.

  "Whoa, bro... that's too much!!"

  Xia Li immediately took a big step back, feeling inexplicably uneasy.

  It's fine to walk into your brother's heart, but you can't walk through your brother's back door!

  Brotherhood can be tight, but brotherhood can't be steel!