Chapter Seven: The Chief Culprit

After realizing that he could break through with only six Foundation Establishment Pills, Lin Ze gradually relaxed his mindset. He opened the simulator, preparing to simulate the Four Seasons Cycle Palm. He feared that the wretched man would try to kill and rob him after breaking through with Foundation Establishment, so he decided not to give him the Breathing Technique just yet. Without a cultivation method to guide spiritual energy, even if the Daoist swallowed six Foundation Establishment Pills at once, he would simply end up exploding from the inside. As for why he didn't choose the Frostfall Leaf Sword, it was mainly because it was faster to get started with a palm technique, and besides, he had no sword at hand.

"This should work," Lin Ze muttered, curling his lips. He knew himself well enough—he would never act rashly without absolute certainty of victory.

[Ordinary Host Card: Lin Ze]
[Low-tier Skill Card: Four Seasons Cycle Palm]
[Begin Simulation]

The Daoist opened his eyes and looked silently at the Foundation Establishment Pills by his side, shaking his head with a hint of helplessness. He rose, stepped out of the thatched hut, and set his stance outside the door, his palms circling his body like dragons, fingertips exuding a gentle aura reminiscent of spring returning to the earth.

He practiced until dawn.

Su Bailu approached from behind. "Master."

The Daoist’s brows furrowed in hesitation, as if caught in deep internal conflict. Only after a long while did he sigh and say, "Let’s go."

Trying to take on two with just a perfected Qi Refining stage was still too much of a stretch. It would be better to focus on mastering the palm technique and leave Xiaojia Village once he achieved mastery in the Four Seasons Cycle Palm.

Lin Ze stood atop the clouds, smiling wryly. Where was that decisive ruthlessness? Was he really so much a bully who feared the strong and preyed on the weak?

"Master, I came in such a hurry this time that I didn’t bring much with me," Su Bailu said, a trace of hesitation flashing across her beautiful face. After a moment's thought, she bit her lip and pulled a small pellet from her storage pouch. "This is a Sword Pellet from East Peak Sect. Crush it, and it will unleash a sword energy comparable to an early Foundation Establishment cultivator. Keep it for self-defense, so your disciples won’t worry."

Hearing this, Lin Ze almost wanted to rush down and slap her. The man was just racking his brains to figure out how to kill the two of you, and you’re handing him a weapon.

What Lin Ze didn’t expect was that on hearing these words, the middle-aged Daoist was momentarily stunned. He turned and gazed deeply at Su Bailu, complex emotions flickering in his eyes. After a long silence, he looked away and said blandly, "You keep it."

Afterward, he pursed his lips and managed to squeeze out another sentence: "Demon Mountain is dangerous. Be careful on your journey."

Without the simulator, the Daoist had no idea about the Golden Core demon, so his words held no hidden meaning—just a simple warning.

"Yes, Master, I understand. Please take care of yourself," Su Bailu said with a gentle smile. Her master was as stubborn as ever. "Once the sect competition is over, I’ll come back to see you."

She performed a disciple’s salute and walked toward Zhao Ling, who was waiting in the distance.

When the two walked away, the middle-aged Daoist stood in thought for a moment, then resumed practicing the Four Seasons Cycle Palm, a hint of warmth now visible in his eyes. After a while, he shook his head with a smile. He had already decided to leave Xiaojia Village—by the time she returned, she would no longer find him here.

Lin Ze’s expression was blank as he observed the scene before him. Last time, when the Daoist lashed out, Su Bailu hadn’t offered any Sword Pellet. Now, the Daoist’s reaction was even more absurd—a trivial gift was enough to send him off? What a touching display of master-disciple affection. Had he become the villain, judging a gentleman by his own petty heart?

Reminding himself that this was just a simulation, Lin Ze shrugged and continued to watch below.

Three months passed in a flash.

After the Four Seasons Cycle Palm reached the first stage of perfection, the Daoist gently stroked the round head of the sleeping Xiao Bao and, with his bundle on his back, quietly left. He entered Demon Mountain, walked half a mountain’s distance, and his figure vanished into the depths of the mist.

[Simulation Ended]
[No rewards for Host Card]

Lin Ze opened his eyes, and a set of palm techniques appeared vividly in his mind. It was as if he had practiced them long ago—engraved into his very bones. Though he couldn’t execute them immediately, there was no need to start from scratch; only a little familiarization was needed.

"So I only need to wait three months, and the Golden Core demon won’t appear."

Recalling the events in the simulator, Lin Ze finally felt at ease. He still didn’t know why, but at least he had a solution.

He chewed the Foundation Establishment Pill and began circulating the East Peak Breathing Technique. A strange sensation of fullness welled up inside, as if he had swallowed a belly full of air. As he took more pills, the feeling gave way to an intense tearing pain, as if he were about to be ripped apart from the inside out.

"If even he could do it, there’s no reason I can’t."

Thinking of his performance in the simulation, Lin Ze’s spirit became combative. If he couldn’t endure even this much pain, wouldn’t that mean he was worse than a mere character card?

He clenched his fists tightly, digging his nails into his flesh to keep his mind clear. His breathing technique grew ever more practiced, and waves of white mist poured into his body.

The process lasted a full two hours.

If there had been a mirror before him, Lin Ze would have seen that his expression was identical to that of the Daoist in the simulation—teeth clenched, eyes wild, a fierce determination at the corners of his mouth.

"Break through for me!"

A rumble echoed faintly within his spiritual sea, like a ray of golden light tearing through the clouds to bathe the earth.

Foundation Establishment—accomplished!

Perhaps because he had already experienced this once before, it only took five Foundation Establishment Pills for him to succeed.

His blue robe was drenched in sweat. Lin Ze lay on his bed, panting, suddenly yearning to become a salted fish. "Breaking through is this exhausting—only a fool would cultivate immortality."

In the next instant, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth converged, pouring into his foundation. A pleasant warmth suffused his entire body, as if he might float away.

He pondered for a moment, then sat up to meditate and breathe.

…

The sky was pale with dawn.

A light rain had fallen, leaving the air slightly humid.

Su Bailu pushed open the wooden door to find Senior Sister Zhao waiting outside. "Where did you go last night, Senior Sister?"

Zhao Ling snorted and pursed her lips sourly. "I’m just an outsider—how could I dare disturb you and your master reminiscing?"

"Senior Sister, your heart is soft but your tongue is sharp," Su Bailu replied with a rueful smile. Noticing the irrepressible joy in Zhao Ling’s brows, she asked curiously, "You look so happy—did you break through?"

"How could it be so fast? I’m hoping to earn a good rank in the sect competition. If Master’s in a good mood, she might reward me with a Foundation Establishment Pill," Zhao Ling rolled her eyes, then lowered her voice with a grin, "Don’t ask—wait until we’re back at the sect and I’ll show you my stroke of fortune."

With that, she grabbed Su Bailu’s wrist, eager to leave.

"Why are you in such a hurry? I haven’t even said farewell to Master," Su Bailu protested, holding her back and shaking her head helplessly.

"Go on, then," Zhao Ling sighed impatiently.

At that moment, the Daoist in the blue robe slowly stepped out of the thatched hut.

Lin Ze gazed quietly at Su Bailu. Before she could speak, he said, "You’ve finally come back—why not stay in the village for a few days?"

Su Bailu was still processing his words when Zhao Ling grew anxious. "What a joke! You’re just a rogue cultivator—what do you know of sect matters? If we miss the competition, can you take responsibility?"

She had no intention of quarreling with this rogue after finding her own fortune, but had not expected him to overstep his bounds.

Su Bailu hesitated, tugging at her senior sister’s sleeve. Looking at Lin Ze, she said, "Master, after the competition, I will definitely come back to see you."

The old man was sentimental—reluctant to part with his disciples, which was understandable. And none of her three senior brothers had returned. Master must be disappointed, which was why he wished her to stay a while longer.

As long as she explained herself clearly, he would understand.