The Path of Survivor begins with obtaining titles

Once his preparations were completed, Lin Yi, in the guise of Pedestrian A, teleported to the Lake Heart Mansion to meet with Pill Immortal Master. “Master,” he said, “I would like to venture to the Xuan Tian Realm.”

“You finally proposed this request. I thought you wouldn’t dare to explore another Cultivation World because of your caution and fear,” Zhang Dao Xuan replied with a smile.

“Master, I may appear wary, but it’s purely for self-preservation—I’m not as timid as a mouse,” Lin Yi retorted.

Zhang Dao Xuan waved a dismissive hand and chuckled, “I was merely joking. The Xuan Tian Realm is vast. Where or which sect’s territory do you wish to teleport to?”

“Master, I wish to teleport to the Xuan Yuan Sect,” Lin Yi replied with a respectful fist salute. In the Xuan Tian Realm, because of the polarizing climate, most factions affiliated with Dao Ling Zong were required to put the character ‘Xuan’ in their names.

The affiliated sects of Dao Ling Zong weren’t fixed. They were ranked based on their power. If they failed to meet the requirements, they would be stripped of all the privileges that come with being an affiliate- including some resources from the sect, such as excellent disciples, all of which would be divided by the other affiliated factions, leaving the sect as an empty shell.

In other words, the environment of the Xuan Tian Cultivation World was more brutal than the Heng Yuan World, completely respecting strength. Such fierce competition helped to establish Dao Ling Zong’s position as the number one sect.

At the same time, this was a result of the environment. If Dao Ling Zong couldn’t maintain its power, it would be suppressed by the demonic forces and eventually destroyed.

The Xuan Yuan Sect was one of the weakest sects among the affiliated ones.

During the last Secret Realm quota allocation, Dao Ling Zong did not hold any competition among the sects. Instead, each sect was allocated a quota, allowing the disciples to compete internally. Otherwise, the Xuan Yuan Sect’s power wouldn’t be enough to earn a quota.

The Dan God Secret Realm was one of the few opportunities for weaker sects to increase their power. If they could gather a large amount of spiritual grass, or even precious spiritual grass, they could naturally enhance the power of their sect.

He had previously met a disciple named Lv Jin Wen from the Xuan Yuan Sect in the Secret Realm. Lv Jin Wen was a kind character, and throughout the entire Secret Realm trial, he never caused harm to others.

However, he was not the type to let others disrespect him—he had principles.

At that time, Lin Yi transformed into his Overlord Form and chose Lv Jin Wen as the object of his strategy. Lin Yi skillfully saved him from a dangerous situation.

However, when Lv Jin Wen learned that he was supposed to infiltrate his sect as a spy, he refused without hesitation. He said he was an orphan, and a Golden Core Elder from the Xuan Yuan Sect had saved his life in the snowy wilderness. He was brought back to the sect and taught the principles of Cultivation. He had come to regard the Xuan Yuan Sect as his family.

Consequently, he wouldn’t betray them. He even considered suicide as a way to express his gratitude for saving his life.

The fact that a disciple would rather commit suicide than betray his sect attests to the uniqueness of the Xuan Yuan Sect.

Afterward, upon further inquiry, Lin Yi learned about the Xuan Yuan Sect’s way of doing things. They were righteous, but unlike the Sky Sword Sect’s rigid righteousness, they had room for flexibility. The relationship between the disciples within the Sect was harmonious. Though there was competition, it wasn’t a vicious, do-or-die competition like in other sects.

Lin Yi did not request that Lv Jin Wen betray the Xuan Yuan Sect. He merely asked him to occasionally communicate information about the Xuan Tian Cultivation World, which he agreed to.

It was this past encounter in the Secret Realm that led him to choose to teleport to the Xuan Yuan Sect.

Upon hearing Lin Yi’s response, Zhang Dao Xuan nodded in approval and chuckled, “The Xuan Yuan Sect is indeed a good choice. It suits your cautious character. Go on then.”

After finishing his sentence, he casually waved his hand and opened a passageway suffused with rosy clouds.

Lin Yi bowed respectfully and stepped into the passageway. He soon arrived at some secluded mountains and woods.

He released his Flying Sword from his dantian. The Wind Thunder Sword, usually eye-catching because of its Wind Thunder power, had now been transformed into an unassuming wooden gourd.

After his previous title of [Elite Survivor] had been upgraded to [Trend of Great Conservation], his virtual identity was now also able to simulate his flying tools.

Of course, it wasn’t a complete simulation. It required a physical object as a foundation but could completely change the appearance and aura of said object.

Even with his prestigious title, even the Nascent Soul True Monarch couldn’t identify anything peculiar.

This insignificant gourd was capable of unleashing the formidable power of the Wind Thunder Sword.

Lin Yi lay on the gourd, flew up into the sky, located the gates of the Xuan Yuan Sect, and then travelled towards it, assuming the identity of a simple passer-by.

Upon leaving this secluded forest, it seemed like he had entered a main thoroughfare of sword flight, meeting many others along the way. The volume of traffic was even more bustling than Liu Yun Sect.

One benefit of monopolizing power is that the subordinate sects don’t fight each other viciously; they all strive to become affiliated with Dao Ling Zong or to recruit disciples.

Being a Foundation Building Fifth Layer cultivator, Lin Yi did not stand out in the crowd. Among the passing cultivators, no one paid him any mind.

According to the information provided by Lv Jin Wen, out of the twenty sects affiliated with Dao Ling Zong, almost every sect has several Golden Core Real Persons.

Although these Golden Core Real Persons are eligible to join Dao Ling Zong, the saying goes, “Better to be a chicken’s head than a phoenix’s tail.”

Also, the sects they govern, if they achieve high rankings in certain competitions, Dao Ling Zong will offer exceedingly generous rewards.

However, once they become a Nascent Soul True Monarch, they can no longer stay in their current sect, they must join Dao Ling Zong.

From this information, the advantages of centralized power become crystal clear. Dao Ling Zong alone has over a hundred Golden Core Real Persons. All the sects of the Heng Yuan World, even when put together, wouldn’t stand a chance.

Soon, Lin Yi arrived near the mountain gate of Xuan Yuan Sect and descended. There were no obstructions along the way.

Outside the mountain gate, a polished disciple approached Lin Yi, duly greeted him with a fist-palm salute, and politely asked, “Esteemed senior, may we know the purpose of your visit to Xuan Yuan Sect?”

“I am a Loose Cultivator. I’ve recently refined some pills and would like to exchange them for Spirit Stones. Please have your Golden Core Real Person come out to meet me,” Lin Yi said in a rather laid-back tone while lying on the gourd after landing.

At Lin Yi’s words, the disciple was both amused and perplexed. After coughing, he responded, “Honorable senior, if you want to exchange pills for Spirit Stones, you should go to a nearby Immortal City. We don’t buy medicines from loose practitioners.”

A cultivator at the Foundation Building Realm would at most be able to refine Foundation Building Pills, and the quality might not be high, so naturally, he wouldn’t be allowed to report this to the Golden Core Elder.

However, his tone remained placid, without any condescending demeanor.

Lin Yi casually tossed a porcelain bottle over, “Hand this over to your Real Person and mention that there are numerous pills within. Then they’ll come out to see me.”

Although hesitant, the disciple did not take the initiative to open the bottle. He looked up at Lin Yi, who exuded quiet confidence, finally respectfully replied, “Please wait a moment, senior, while I report this.”

Lin Yi waved his hand and continued to lie on the gourd, stretching lazily.

Soon, the disciple reported to the Foundation Building Elder in charge of alchemical affairs, briefing him about the whole matter and handing him the pill bottle.

Though the Daoist had suggested giving the bottle to a Golden Core Real Person, he wouldn’t dare to interrupt a Real Person’s cultivation on a whim. Naturally, he delegated the task to the Foundation Building Elder.

The Foundation Building elder, after listening to the account, picked up the pill bottle and shook his head, seemingly uninterested in it.

“A Foundation Building Loose Cultivator probably struggles even with his own cultivation. Where would he get spare resources for alchemy? He’s probably testing us. Just tell him to leave.”

Considering the elder’s words, the gate-guarding Qi Refining disciple responded in respect, “Uncle master, why not have a look? That Daoist seemed quite confident.”

“Though he looks ordinary, he doesn’t have the restrained aura of other Loose Cultivators; he seems free-spirited instead.”

After hearing this, the Foundation Building Elder in charge of alchemical affairs found it reasonable and promptly opened the pill bottle. Suddenly, a rich and dense aroma wafted out.

As soon as he sensed this aroma, the elder’s expression changed. He quickly poured the pills out of the bottle. When he saw the appearance and color of the pills, he exhibited an astonished expression, “These are Top-grade Gold Coagulation Pills. How could a Foundation Building cultivator produce them…”