For two consecutive days and nights, there was still no news of Zheng Yaxin, and the Zheng Clan was frantically searching for any trace of her.
Lin Beichen sat atop a Buddhist Stupa, silently absorbing Spiritual Qi, gazing at the distant storms. Though he didn’t communicate with outsiders, he clearly saw everything happening.
His perception spread across the entire civilian district, and it seemed the Zheng Clan had found some clues, intensifying their search within the impoverished area.
However, even they were unaware of the underground tunnels, so despite their frantic search, they resembled ants on a hot pan, blindly looking with no direction.
During this time, they did have some findings. Near Zhou Yuanshou’s hiding place, they found his corpse among the garbage heap.
After two days of fermentation, Zhou Yuanshou’s corpse was completely decomposed.
Workers endured the nauseating stench and brought Zhou Yuanshou’s body back to Zhou Kuangtian.
Lin Beichen didn’t know how furious Zhou Kuangtian was, nor did he care, but from this day, the Zheng Clan’s search team was joined by many cultivators.
With the help of these cultivators, by noon on the third day, they finally detected Zheng Yaxin’s aura.
However, just as they were about to rescue Zheng Yaxin, a Celestial Thunder descended from the sky, collapsing the entire underground passage, and amidst the crowd’s exclamations, Zheng Yaxin was swept skyward by electric light like the thunder.
Everyone was stunned, yet the cultivators were not surprised.
Yet, the cultivators dared not rescue Zheng Yaxin.
Zheng Yaxin was merely a mortal; any slight harm during the rescue could prove fatal to her.
Lin Beichen did not hide himself.
The crowd followed Zheng Yaxin to the mountaintop beneath the Buddhist Stupa.
After the security office and Zheng Clan urgently surrounded the Buddhist Temple, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.
For three days, in their search for Zheng Yaxin, they caused a citywide uproar. Though most common folk were unaware of the incident, those with connections knew Zheng Yaxin’s disappearance had become well-known.
Lin Beichen remained atop the mountain, surrounded by dense Spiritual Qi, like waves crashing against the shore.
The security office and cultivation team’s leader consulted several times, yet refrained from taking action fearing harm to Zheng Yaxin.
Ultimately, they dispatched a member of the Zheng Clan to deliver a message through tangible objects.
After hours of probing, they finally found a clue.
As long as Zheng Yaxin stayed within the temple’s boundaries, Lin Beichen wouldn’t directly intervene.
Reaching this point, matters were beyond their concern, so they only needed to care for Zheng Yaxin’s wellness.
After waiting another day, by the evening of the fourth day, a letter descended from the sky, landing above the Buddhist Temple.
Within the fully cordoned temple, only Lin Beichen and the cultivation team remained.
The letter unfolded, and suddenly a voice sounded.
"Young Lin, I am Zhou Kuangtian, outsiders show me respect and call me Zhou Shenlong.
In two days, I challenge you at Jiulong Pool, hoping you will accept."
With these words, the scene fell silent as a grave.
Everyone gazed at the figure on the Buddhist Stupa.
Lin Beichen silently floated above the stupa, his form thin, his expression calm. Though wild Spiritual Qi surrounded him, his face remained tranquil, as if the challenge was of lesser significance than a bird soaring in the sky.
On Lin Beichen’s fifth day on Xiang Island, the vacation had entered its latter half.
During the seven-day holiday, Lin Beichen only spent the first day wandering with classmates; the remaining days were spent on his own endeavors.
Liu Yunxi and others recognized Lin Beichen had matters to attend to on Xiang Island and couldn’t accompany them merely for tourism.
After days of intense shopping, they were exhausted.
Today, Liu Yunxi and others didn’t go out but stayed in their rooms to rest.
At dusk, as the sun set, under the verdant Jiulong Pool, few humans stirred.
Jiulong Pool was a renowned scenic spot of Xiang Island, but since morning, access was heavily restricted.
From the foot of Dragon Mountain outside Jiulong Pool, a large number of sentinels blocked the uphill path.
From the mountain’s base to the winding roads, extending to high altitude vigilance.
Every entrance to Jiulong Pool was tightly secured, making any clandestine entry impossible.
Zhou Kuangtian challenged Lin Beichen at Jiulong Pool.
This grand duel attracted countless attention.
To Xiang Island’s populace, although the cultivators were numerous, their lives kept them distant.
Lin Beichen intruding Xiang Island with disregard, causing a stir among two local titans.
Xiang Island’s norms were shattered, with the Zheng Clan and Zhou Kuangtian blaming Lin Beichen, while the discerning recognized the truth.
The actual issue, indeed, was singular.
Whether the Zheng Clan or Zhou Kuangtian, their prosperous days had lasted too long. They should bear full responsibility for the duel, yet wished to sit unchallenged, lording over Lin Beichen.
Though an Immortal Pill saved the patriarch’s life, it did not awaken his conscience.
While Zheng Yaxin erred initially, no one reproached her; instead, they shifted all faults onto Lin Beichen.
Upon Lin Beichen’s arrival at Jiulong Pool, before he met Zheng Yaxin, he faced three assassination attempts.