"Do you have any doubts about this?"
Lin Jing had anticipated this result, so he didn't speak in his defense.
"No, I abide by the Sect's decision," Lin Jing said with a clasped hand.
Steward Li nodded, waved his hand, and said, "Go back and pack your belongings. You will leave the mountain tomorrow."
Lin Jing clasped his hand: "Steward Li, I take my leave."
After speaking, he prepared to leave.
"Hold on."
Just then, a voice called out.
Lin Jing looked up and saw the Inner Sect Disciple who was in charge of supervising the collection of Spirit Rice speaking up.
Steward Li looked at him in surprise, not knowing why he would suddenly speak up at this moment, and quickly reminded him,
"Senior Han, he has been expelled from the Sect. This is the decision of the Sect Elders; the matter is settled, and you mustn't be confused."
The Inner Sect Disciple's expression was indifferent as he said to Steward Li: "Junior Brother Li, you worry too much."
Then, he turned his head and stared at Lin Jing as if scrutinizing him carefully.
Lin Jing felt somewhat uncomfortable under his gaze, and upon reflection, he realized that he didn't know Senior Han and wondered why the latter was staring at him like this.
After a long while, Senior Han finally asked,
"Your name is Lin Jing?"
Lin Jing answered with a clasped hand: "Yes, Senior Brother."
Lin Jing's former status was that of a Spirit Farmer, but he was also a menial disciple of Qingyuan Sword Sect, so addressing the Inner Sect Disciple as 'Senior Brother' was not inappropriate.
Although he had been expelled from Qingyuan Sword Sect, there was no better address available to him at the moment, so he chose to continue calling him Senior Brother.
Senior Han didn't object and continued to ask, "Do you recognize Lin Yue?"
Lin Jing was taken aback for a moment before hurriedly replying, "Senior Brother, Lin Yue is indeed my father."
Senior Han nodded, then said,
"There are often Demonic Beasts on the mountain road, which is very dangerous. Coincidentally, I need to go down the mountain tomorrow. Come here early tomorrow morning, and you can descend the mountain with me."
Steward Li heard this and quickly tried to dissuade him: "Senior Han, this person is just a disciple who has been expelled from the Sect. Just letting him go down the mountain is enough; why should you, Senior Han, bother to personally escort him?"
Senior Han looked at Lin Jing and said softly, "I had an old acquaintance with his father. As the son of an old friend, I naturally can't allow him to come to harm under my watch."
"So that's how it is, Senior Han truly values friendship and loyalty."
Steward Li said with a smile:
"Why should Senior Han trouble himself over this matter?"
"In that case, I will escort him down the mountain myself tomorrow. I know some people in the Fang Market at the foot of the mountain who can help him find lodging and, incidentally, find him some work."
"This way, Senior Han's friendship can be fully honored, wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Senior Han didn't reply after hearing this but instead turned his head, his gaze burning as he stared intensely at Steward Li.
Steward Li felt very uncomfortable under his gaze and let out a forced laugh twice before saying,
"Senior Han, is there something wrong?"
Only at this point did Senior Han speak: "Junior Brother Li, you work so hard, no need to trouble yourself. The Demonic Beasts at the foot of the mountain are fierce, and I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to fend them off."
"I don't want my old friend's son to meet with any mishap."
"Junior Brother Li."
"Do you... understand?"
Seeing Senior Han's intense gaze, Steward Li's eyes flashed with a hint of panic, which he quickly concealed.
He then clasped his fists toward Senior Han and said:
"I admire the depth of feeling from Senior Han."
After speaking, Steward Li turned to Lin Jing and said,
"Lin Jing, tomorrow Senior Han will take you down the mountain; won't you thank Senior Han?"
"Thank you, Senior Han."
Although Lin Jing didn't understand why Senior Han was acting this way, he still clasped his hands and thanked Senior Han.
"Remember to come here early tomorrow morning, I will be waiting for you here. Don't be late,"
"Senior Han, rest assured," Lin Jing replied.
After that, Lin Jing greeted Senior Han and Steward Li, then pulled his cart and left.
......
By the time he returned to his dwelling, it was already pitch dark, and Lin Jing had no desire to cook. He simply ate some dry food to fend off the hunger.
By the dim light of the moon, he surveyed the thatched cottage he had lived in for a year. He was leaving tomorrow, and he felt a bit reluctant to part with it.
After all, it was the first home he had in this world after transmigrating, even though he was the only one there.
The original owner's mother had passed away early, and his father had also died a year ago, leaving not much behind. In no time at all, Lin Jing had finished packing up his things.
Once everything was packed up, Lin Jing sat cross-legged on his bed and started to reflect on the day's events.
As for the story about the refugees from beyond the mountains that Steward Li had mentioned, Lin Jing naturally didn't believe it.
This was the Qingyuan Sword Sect, after all. Not just refugees from beyond the mountains, but even cultivators from outside wouldn't dare to cause trouble here.
Looking at it this way, Lin Jing could only think of one possibility: the destruction of the Spirit Field was very likely related to Steward Li.
"Listening to the conversation between Senior Han and Steward Li today, it seems there's more to the story," Lin Jing mused to himself.
"Could it be that Steward Li is trying to target me?"
"If the destruction of the Spirit Field was indeed caused by Steward Li, then what is his purpose?"
"Is it just to drive me away from the mountain? Or does he intend to kill me on my way down?"
Lin Jing felt that he was getting close to the truth of the matter.
"I haven't had any conflicts with him, though."
"And as for wealth, that's even more impossible. I'm so poor that I'm practically clinking from emptiness; I only have two Lower Grade Spirit Stones to my name, which makes me one of the poorest among the Spirit Farmers."
This was the most baffling aspect for Lin Jing.
And as for Senior Han, Lin Jing could feel that he bore no malice towards him.
Senior Han should be a trustworthy person...
As for being expelled from the Sect, Lin Jing didn't care at all.
He even felt a bit of secret joy about it.
Because the status of being a Spirit Farmer in the Qingyuan Sword Sect wasn't free at all, not even allowed to leave the mountain, nor could he get in touch with other cultivation resources.
With his talents, if he continued to stay here, he probably wouldn't be able to turn his life around for the rest of his days.
As a transmigrator, how could he be content to remain a Spirit Farmer?
Of course, he was not content, so leaving the Qingyuan Sword Sect was also part of his plan. It had just happened a bit earlier than expected.
After all, he was a man who had a System...
Though his System couldn't directly enhance his combat abilities, it could ensure he wouldn't have to worry about food and clothing...
Whenever Lin Jing thought about this System, he wanted to complain.
But upon closer thought, being able to live another life was probably a sign that his ancestors' graves were billowing with green smoke.
He should be content with what he has, what more could he want...
......
"Right now, improving my strength is the most important thing. Let's not think about it anymore. I'm just one step away from reaching the second level of Qi Refinement; if nothing goes wrong, I should be able to break through to the second level tonight," Lin Jing thought.
After that, Lin Jing began to meditate seriously.
The Spiritual Energy here was much thinner than in Steward Li's courtyard. Lin Jing meditated for a long time before he could feel a bit of Spiritual Energy slowly entering his body and then beginning to circulate through his meridians.
He continued to meditate until late into the night, past the middle of Zi Time, when a voice rang out in Lin Jing's mind.
"System Space time refresh, entering remaining time: 2 hours."
Lin Jing suddenly opened his eyes, the corners of his mouth turned up into a smile.
"I've been waiting for you."