Chereads / Sword pointing towards the sky / Chapter 35 - Undercurrents Surging, Proceeding with Caution

Chapter 35 - Undercurrents Surging, Proceeding with Caution

Inside the cave dwelling, spiritual energy was dense and a serene atmosphere filled the air, giving a sense of tranquility. Lin Tian sat cross-legged on the bluestone cushion, his eyes slightly closed, and his divine sense immersed in the operation of the spiritual energy within his body. After this period of concentrated cultivation, his cultivation level had gradually stabilized at the peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage, only one step away from the Golden Core stage. However, Lin Tian was not in a hurry to break through. He understood that on the path of immortal cultivation, while the improvement of the realm was important, the stability of the foundation was even more crucial. A slightest carelessness might trigger hidden dangers in cultivation or even lead to going insane. Therefore, although the spiritual energy within him was already abundant, Lin Tian still chose to suppress his urge to break through and devoted more energy to the cultivation of his state of mind and the consolidation of the foundation. In addition to cultivation, Lin Tian did not forget to study arrays and ancient books. He held a yellowed ancient book in his hand, on the pages of which were recorded the experiences and insights of the cultivators in ancient times. Although these records were obscure and difficult to understand, when studying them, Lin Tian could feel the crystallization of the wisdom of the predecessors, and many parts enlightened him. As the night deepened, the world outside the cave dwelling gradually quieted down. Only gusts of night wind blew, bringing a hint of coolness. Lin Tian let out a light sigh, put down the ancient book, closed his eyes and sat still, and his divine sense slowly spread, sensing every movement outside the cave. This serene way of cultivation made Lin Tian's state of mind more peaceful, and his spiritual energy was further purified and enhanced in this quiet cultivation. Despite the tumultuous outside world, Lin Tian still maintained a rare calmness, which was particularly precious in the world of immortal cultivation. However, during the time when Lin Tian was concentrating on his cultivation, the turmoil inside and outside the sect gradually intensified. Qing Yun Sect, as a major immortal cultivation sect, the internal factional struggles had never truly subsided. Since Lin Tian's feud with Mo Tiancheng, undercurrents had been surging within the sect, and many forces were secretly observing this escalating conflict. Lin Tian did not ignore these trends. Although he seemed indifferent on the surface, in fact, he had already set up multiple exploration arrays around the cave dwelling to monitor the movements around. Whenever strange cultivators approached, he would know in advance and be prepared to deal with it. One day, Lin Tian received a message from an outer sect disciple, learning that several disciples who were on good terms with Mo Tiancheng in the sect were secretly active, seemingly planning something. Although the message was not specific, it made Lin Tian become somewhat vigilant. "Mo Tiancheng really hasn't given up..." Lin Tian thought to himself, and then immediately tightened the protective arrangements of the cave dwelling. He did not plan to take the initiative but chose to wait and see and wait for the right time. Lin Tian knew well that the struggles within the sect were never simple head-on confrontations. More often, they were battles of conspiracy and calculation. Acting rashly would often only fall into the other party's trap. Therefore, he chose to remain silent while constantly enhancing his own strength for unexpected needs. Just as Lin Tian was steadily cultivating, one night, an unexpected visitor came quietly. This was a tall and slender man in black, mysterious and unfathomable. His arrival did not attract the attention of others, as if he merged with the night. Lin Tian had noticed him approaching the cave dwelling long ago, but he did not alarm the other party immediately but observed quietly. The man in black stood outside the cave dwelling, seemingly hesitating. After a moment, he gently knocked on the stone door of the cave. Lin Tian slightly frowned but remained calm and slowly got up and walked towards the stone door. When the door opened, a gust of cold air rushed in, and the face of the man in black was hidden in the darkness, only a pair of eyes shining with strange light could be seen. "Brother Lin Tian, can we talk in private?" The man in black said in a low voice, his voice as cold as the cold wind. Lin Tian pondered for a moment and nodded, indicating the other party to come in. The man in black immediately flashed into the cave dwelling, and Lin Tian turned and gently closed the stone door. "Sir, what brings you here at this late hour?" Lin Tian asked calmly, with a hint of vigilance in his tone. The man in black smiled slightly, revealing a cold expression: "Brother Lin, I was ordered to come and convey a message. Brother Mo Tiancheng recently obtained several rare treasures and wants to invite Brother Lin to have a look. What does Brother Lin think?" Lin Tian's heart trembled, but his expression remained unchanged: "Oh? Brother Mo has such a good mood and even remembers to invite me to view the treasures? I wonder when he had such an interest?" "Brother Lin need not worry. Brother Mo said that inviting you to view the treasures is just a whim and there is no malice." The man in black still kept that sneer. Lin Tian thought secretly that the other party was obviously here to test his reaction. If he went rashly, he was very likely to fall into the other party's trap. Thinking of this, Lin Tian smiled: "Since Brother Mo invites, it's not good to refuse. However, I happen to have a mission to carry out recently and I'm afraid I can't go immediately. Can we make it another day?" Surprise flashed in the eyes of the man in black, but he quickly concealed it: "In that case, I will convey Brother Lin's words to Brother Mo on behalf of him and make an appointment another day." Lin Tian nodded slightly and watched the man in black leave. His expression gradually turned cold, and he already understood that this move by Mo Tiancheng was probably just a cover, and the other party's real purpose was not this. After the man in black left, Lin Tian sat quietly in the cave dwelling, his mind filled with thoughts. He knew that Mo Tiancheng's test was not aimless. The other party had probably already set traps in the dark, waiting for him to fall into the trap. "Mo Tiancheng, you really won't give up easily." Lin Tian murmured to himself, a glint of cold light flashing in his eyes. He decided not to wait passively but to take the initiative to take measures to prevent unexpected situations. The next day, Lin Tian began to strengthen the protection of the cave dwelling. He set up multiple defense arrays, carefully inspected every inch of the land around the cave dwelling to ensure there were no omissions. At the same time, he also set several traps inside and outside the cave dwelling. Once someone trespassed, these mechanisms would be triggered, catching the enemy off guard. In addition, Lin Tian also secretly contacted several outer sect disciples who were on good terms with him, asking them to pay more attention to Mo Tiancheng's movements inside and outside the sect. Once they found anything abnormal, they were to notify him immediately. After everything was arranged, Lin Tian was still as usual, seemingly concentrating on cultivation on the surface, but actually remained vigilant at all times. He knew that the real challenge might come unexpectedly, and a slightest carelessness would lead him into Mo Tiancheng's trap. As time passed day by day, the atmosphere within the sect became increasingly tense. Lin Tian noticed that recently, the cultivators inside and outside the sect were active frequently, especially the disciples of Mo Tiancheng's faction, who entered and exited the sect's forbidden areas many times, apparently conducting some unknown activities. Lin Tian was secretly vigilant in his heart, but he still chose to wait and see and wait for the most suitable opportunity. He knew well that Mo Tiancheng's conspiracy would never be so simple. The other party must have deeper plans. Exposing his whereabouts at this time would only lead to greater danger. As the situation inside and outside the sect became more and more tense, Lin Tian's state of mind also gradually entered a new level. His spiritual energy became more pure and his state of mind became more stable. Despite facing numerous dangers, Lin Tian could still remain calm, and during this period, his cultivation level also showed signs of breakthrough. However, Lin Tian still chose to suppress his realm and was not in a hurry to break through. He understood that breaking through to the Golden Core stage at this time was not the best opportunity. If he broke through rashly when the situation inside and outside the sect was unclear, it was very likely to lead to unpredictable consequences. One night, when Lin Tian was meditating in the cave dwelling, he suddenly felt a strong fluctuation of spiritual energy coming from the direction of the mountains. His divine sense quickly spread, covering everything around the cave dwelling. After a moment, Lin Tian detected that a familiar figure was quietly approaching his cave dwelling. "It's him?" Lin Tian's heart moved, and he immediately adjusted his breathing, hid quietly in the depths of the cave dwelling, and observed the movements of the arrival. The arrival was precisely that Golden Core cultivator who had a close relationship with Mo Tiancheng before. His figure was particularly strange in the night, as if merged with the surrounding darkness. Lin Tian did not act rashly but patiently waited for the other party's further actions. The Golden Core cultivator lingered outside the cave dwelling for a moment, seemingly looking for something, but ultimately did not enter the cave dwelling but left quietly. Lin Tian's divine sense always locked on the other party, and he only came out from the hiding place after confirming that the other party had completely left. "It seems that Mo Tiancheng's plan has gradually emerged." Lin Tian sneered inwardly in his heart. The other party's exploration was obviously to confirm whether he was in the cave dwelling. Once confirmed, the next step was probably to launch an attack. Lin Tian already had a plan in his heart. He decided to take the opportunity to counterattack before the other party launched the action.