I Can Recognize Everything, But the Information is Wrong

At daybreak, Yu'er came to Tian Lin's door with hot water.

At that moment, Tian Lin was cultivating the Buddha and Demon Freedom Skill. Upon hearing activity outside, he sat still for a moment longer to fully absorb the effect of the medicine before opening his eyes.

The Buddha and Demon Freedom Skill is not easy to cultivate. Ordinary people save up money to buy expensive Elixirs and mostly rely on their understanding of these divine Spells to practice.

But Tian Lin was different; although he was poor, he was not short of 'Buddha Demon Pills.'

Recently, besides fishing, he spent his time cracking Elixirs and cultivating.

It wouldn't take much longer for him to achieve minor success in the Buddha and Demon Freedom Skill.

Yu'er did not knock at the door, but Tian Lin still got up from bed.

He opened the door, and after Yu'er placed the washbasin on its stand, he went over to wash his face.

As Yu'er stood behind Tian Lin, she said:

"Next door, Daoist Gao and Immortal Cai seem to have already left. After you wash up and have some breakfast, you can head to the old house in time to attend the meeting with the Great Elder."

Tian Lin was noncommittal. He let Yu'er arrange his morning, and after eating porridge, he went to the old house, planning to muddle through this 'meeting.'

At this time, five or six Tong Family Tribute holders had gathered in the main hall of the old house.

When Tian Lin arrived, not only were Gao He and Cai Shu present, but even the Dragon Elixir Master, who usually secluded himself in the alchemy room, had come.

Among these six Tribute holders, Tian Lin only recognized his three neighbors in addition to Gao He, and another who was the Artifact Refining Tribute holder, Rong.

Rong, the Artifact Refiner, sat below the Dragon Elixir Master, and above the two was a chair occupied by a seemingly carefree middle-aged man.

But since this middle-aged man was seated in front of the Dragon Elixir Master and Rong, Tian Lin figured the man's strength was not to be underestimated.

Among the Tribute holders, rank was accorded by cultivation strength first, then status and identity.

As a fisherman who had just achieved Foundation Establishment, Tian Lin had neither the strength nor a good identity.

He took a seat below Gao He, waiting for the old house's servants to serve tea.

The group bantered and flattered each other for a while before two or three more Tong Family Tribute holders arrived.

The most popular among them was Zhou Shoufan, who had taken the name 'Xing Bufan.'

Zhou Shoufan was the only one at mid-stage Foundation Establishment among the Tribute holders present. Except for the Dragon Elixir Master who remained seated, even Tian Lin joined the others in fawning over Zhou.

"Brother Xing is young but exceptional for having cultivated the Five Elements Dharma Body after the Five Elements Foundation Establishment—

Not to mention Pingyang City, in the whole Tianbei County, aside from the thirteenth young master, there are hardly any who have Brother Xing's talent, right?"

Cai Shu pressed herself against Zhou Shoufan, but her husband Gao He seemed unconcerned and stood by, stroking his beard with a smile and nodding in agreement.

Tian Lin hadn't expected Gao He's wife to be so talkative.

He had met Cai Shu twice before, and she had always seemed aloof and silent.

Tian Lin thought it was just her nature, but only today did he realize he had been mistaken.

"Achieving the Five Elements Dharma Body depends entirely on Elixirs, but to achieve Dharma Manifestation is much more challenging."

After saying this, Zhou Shoufan turned his attention to the elderly man who had been seated highest before the Dragon Elixir Master:

"Elder Li, how many of the Three Elements Dharma Bodies have you mastered?"

Elder Li sighed and said, "Shamefully, at my age, I have only managed to cultivate two Dharma Bodies—Fire and Water."

Zhou Shoufan encouraged him, "That means you've yet to master the Golden Dharma Body completely; there's no hurry."

Elder Li lamented, "It's this Golden Dharma Body that has dragged me down for too long, mainly because the Golden Essence Pills required by my 'Golden Essence Technique' are too expensive—

Had I cultivated the Golden God Technique, I would have used the Golden God Pill to cultivate the Golden Dharma Body long ago. Although still unequal to Brother Zhou's Five Elements Dharma Body, I would have reached mid-stage Foundation Establishment with Three Elements Dharma Body."

"Cultivator Li, don't sigh. You are only just over two hundred years old, sooner or later you will cultivate the Three Elements Dharma Body."

Cai Shu moved forward again, pressing her chest against Elder Li.

Among those present, only she was a female cultivator, and so she was given a lot of leeway.

While everyone was engrossed in conversation, suddenly a young servant of the Tong Family announced 'the Great Elder has arrived.'

Everyone turned to greet the Great Elder with respect as he strode in. Even the Dragon Elixir Master, who had been daydreaming in his seat all along, stood up at this time.

The Great Elder nodded at a few people and sat down in the main seat with a stride.

After surveying everyone and waiting for them to sit down, he spoke: "Gentlemen, you must have already heard about the mysterious fog moving south over Immortal Sinking Pond, right?"

Elder Li below nodded first and spoke:

"A couple of days ago, I accompanied Cultivator Feng of the River Branch to investigate at sea, and it seems that the fog is coming from beyond Immortal Sinking Pond.

As far as I know, our Cangzhou was once connected to Yulong Continent through Immortal Sinking Pond. I wonder if this ghostly fog might have come from Yulong Continent?"

After he finished speaking, Tian Lin, who had been overlooked at the bottom, looked up at him and glanced at Zhou Shoufan from the corner of his eye.

Zhou Shoufan was expressionless, and no one knew what he was thinking.

However, Gao He spoke, "Yulong Continent has been without news for nearly a thousand years, whether it still exists or not is itself a question.

Even if Yulong Continent still exists, the ghostly fog could not be 'released' by that small island."

At that moment, Zhou Shoufan nodded and said concisely, "In my opinion, it's further south of Yulong Continent."

South of Yulong Continent, it's said that even Nascent Souls cannot cross over.

No one knows what lies further south—

"Where exactly the Ghost Fog comes from is not our concern.

Today, I've called you all here to ask for help in eradicating the resentful spirits in Immortal Sinking Pond during your free time, to prevent them from bringing calamity upon the civilians of Pingyang City."

At this time, Dragon Dan Master was the first to speak: "I have to make Elixirs, how do I have the time to deal with these trifles?"

Although the others didn't speak, they all showed a passive attitude toward the matter.

Great Elder clearly prepared for this, and directly said:

"Resisting the resentful spirits of Immortal Sinking Pond is not only the Tong Family's concern but also a demand of the Shuiyun Sect."

He said: "Gentlemen, if you wish to become Outer Disciples of Shuiyun Sect, then show your best effort. Just like you, Tribute Gao He, if you become an Outer Disciple of Shuiyun Sect, are you worried that you won't have access to Golden Essence Pills?"

The Tribute Gao He stood up, looking incredulously at the Great Elder: "The Immortal Gate is willing to accept us as Outer Disciples?"

Great Elder shook his head: "Shuiyun Sect intends to accept those who have achieved merit at sea as Outer Disciples.

Let me tell you the truth, the thirteenth young master being summoned back by our Tong Family ancestor is not for some Dharma Manifestation Pill, but for this opportunity to become an Outer Disciple."

He looked at everyone's excited faces and pulled out a bead from his sleeve:

"This is the Soul Collecting Bead, it's specifically used to collect Residual Souls. It will record your harvest at sea—

From now on, every half year you'll hand in your Soul Collecting Bead once. Based on the number of Residual Souls inside, we will select three individuals to enter Shuiyun Sect for a trial. Once the trial is successful, you can become an Outer Disciple of Shuiyun Sect."

His words were no less than enticing, waiting even Dragon Dan Master, who couldn't help but show a conflicted expression.

At this moment, Tian Lin couldn't help but ask the Great Elder: "Shuiyun Sect can judge the rankings based on the number of Residual Souls in the Soul Collecting Bead, but how to distinguish whether the souls in the bead are those from the Immortal Sinking Pond?"

Tribute Gao He also agreed with Tian Lin, saying:

"The Soul Collecting Bead is originally used by Soul Cultivators to collect Residual Souls, and it's common to see Soul Cultivators buy and sell Residual Souls in the market.

I'm afraid that some might buy Residual Souls from Soul Cultivators and then pass them off as those from Immortal Sinking Pond as a way to cheat."

The Great Elder said: "Don't worry about this matter. Henceforth, Pingyang City will prohibit the trade of Residual Souls within the Soul Collecting Beads."

His words, however, did not reassure the people present but made them even more worried.

Within Pingyang City, the Tong Family held the most power.

Naturally, the Tong Family could suppress those who secretly trade resentful spirits, but who would stop the Tong Family members from secretly trading resentful spirits and cheating?

Tian Lin wasn't very hopeful about entering Shuiyun Sect, his consideration was that if trading resentful spirits really became possible, he wouldn't necessarily have to rely on fishing for Spirit Stones.

Resentful souls are terrifying, but as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, as long as he doesn't encounter wandering gods, there should be no risk.

"Gentlemen, let's conclude today's matters here. Those who wish to go to Immortal Sinking Pond to kill resentful spirits can come up and take a Soul Collecting Bead."

After the Great Elder finished talking, Tian Lin was the first to step forward.

The Soul Collecting Bead was free, so who would refuse it?

But he quickly realized that Dragon Dan Master didn't come forward to take the bead; instead, after the assembly dispersed, Dragon Dan Master walked away with a flick of his sleeves.

Tian Lin followed him closely and asked: "Dragon Fellow Daoist, why don't you take a Soul Collecting Bead?"

Dragon Dan Master coldly snorted: "I am only good at Alchemy. Fighting isn't my forte; although the status of an Outer Disciple of Shuiyun Sect is tempting, I still won't join the fray at Immortal Sinking Pond."

Dragon Dan Master was proud and solitary, saying just this sentence and did not engage in any more conversation with Tian Lin on the road.

By the time Tian Lin returned to his residence and told Yu'er everything about today's meeting, Yu'er joyfully said:

"If that's the case, Cui'er and I will be able to help you, Master."

In principle, sword holders usually accompany their masters, but Tian Lin did not want his secrets exposed before them.

"The resentful spirits of Immortal Sinking Pond are extremely fierce, and your cultivations are too low. I'm afraid you wouldn't even know where the resentful spirits are if they found you at sea."

Yu'er thought that Tian Lin was worried about their safety and immediately said:

"Master doesn't know, but to deal with resentful spirits, there are special talismans that can open the eyes. Once your eyes are opened, even mortals can see resentful spirits."

Cui'er, who hadn't spoken to Tian Lin for a long time due to a misdeed, added:

"Coincidentally, Daoist Gao He and Immortal Cai Shu, who are Talisman Makers, live next door. We can buy some talisman paper from them, perhaps at a cheaper rate."

In terms of wealth and sect affiliation, it seemed that the 'partnership' aspect was now showing through.

However, Tian Lin still shook his head:

"Even if you can see the resentful spirits, so what? You can't even extend your Spiritual Sense outward, much less have any exorcism spells. I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to protect your own lives at Immortal Sinking Pond."

Hearing Tian Lin's words, Cui'er couldn't help but say:

"But if the two of us don't help out, relying only on you, Master, how many Residual Souls can you collect? How could you compete against those with higher cultivation and their sword holders?"

Tian Lin calmly responded: "One of the slots for becoming an Outer Disciple of Shuiyun Sect by collecting Residual Souls is definitely reserved for the thirteenth young master. Another will most likely go to the young masters and ladies of the Tong Family. As for people like us, we are just joining the ranks to appear well-read alongside the Crown Prince, so we shouldn't harbor any expectations."

Tian Lin said this, but the image of Zhou Shoufan came to mind.

He estimated that if Zhou Shoufan was to try hard, even with the support of the Tong Family, the thirteenth young master might not compete successfully against Zhou Shoufan.

Yet Tian Lin wondered if Zhou Shoufan was interested in becoming an Outer Disciple of Shuiyun Sect.