I Can Recognize Everything, But the Information is Wrong

He and his two servants didn't talk long with the Dragon Elixir Master before he was given a bottle of Bone Regeneration Pills, and then they took their leave.

When Tian Lin returned to his residence, he saw Xiang'er at her courtyard gate, her face full of worry.

He didn't know what she was afraid of, but upon seeing Tian Lin, she immediately hid in the alley.

However, Tian Lin's spiritual sense was not what it once was, and her subtle actions made him more alert.

Tian Lin swept his spiritual sense through his own residence and found nothing unusual inside.

He then directed his spiritual sense towards Gao He's residence, where the body of the Tribute stiffened on the big bed.

As he passed Gao He's courtyard, Tian Lin suddenly realized and withdrew his spiritual sense.

Yu'er opened the door, and seeing Tian Lin frowning deeply, she asked Cui'er to bring some hot water. Then she tentatively brought forward the water and Bone Regeneration Pills and asked Tian Lin:

"Does Daoist's shoulder hurt a lot?"

Tian Lin waved his perfectly fine left hand: "You go and prepare some tea; we might have guests coming over soon."

Yu'er didn't know which guest would appear so soon; Tian Lin had been unwell, and now suddenly someone comes quickly.

The two sisters did not ask more and left the room.

Yet, Tian Lin was thinking about the elder's words. She had said that many across the world seek the paintings of the Nine-Life True Man, but the Nine-Life True Man does not have the leisure to seek out people himself.

Thus, it seemed that he was an exceptional case of the Nine-Life True Man's 'special favor'.

Tian Lin glanced at the Bone Regeneration Pills on the table; these items had no use in healing his injuries.

Fortunately, his physical body had strong self-healing abilities; originally, when Xing Tongtian broke his neck, he also recovered by relying on his self-healing ability.

The elder crushed his shoulder blade, which would be an irreversible injury for a normal Foundation Establishment Cultivator, but it was not so severe for him.

Only the pain of broken bones deeply tormented his heart.

If he could not reach the Nascent Soul Realm in his lifetime, there was no need to talk about revenge.

If he could reach the Nascent Soul Realm—

Tian Lin looked up from his thoughts, only to see Yu'er coming in and saying, "Daoist, Tribute has arrived."

Tian Lin put down his cup of water, and said in a quirky tone: "The Tribute? Now, that's a rare guest."

The Tribute walked in from outside, greeted Tian Lin with a bow, and slightly lowering his body, said:

"Just now, I heard that Tian had a narrow escape from a woman in white on the painting boat, and I specially came to congratulate you."

After the Tribute sat down, Tian Lin waved for Yu'er to leave and scoffed: "The Tribute jests; you come here to congratulate me, yet how did you end up in Cai Shu's bed?"

The Tribute thought to himself, as expected.

He had previously sensed someone spying and heard from Xiang'er that Tian Lin was back, so he guessed it was Tian Lin who had spied on him, and he had come over now.

Now that Tian Lin had exposed his secret, he immediately stood up and said:

"Do not blame me, Tian, although Gao He is your sworn brother, my relationship with Cai Shu is consensual.

Moreover, Gao himself is well aware of this matter; the room was voluntarily vacated by him."

Tian Lin was somewhat taken aback, hearing the Tribute explain:

"Gao He, when dealing with the Evil Spirit on the sea before, had spent many Spirit Stones buying Magical Treasures and Elixirs. Now his debts have been accumulating, and knowing he can't repay, he instead used Spirit Stones to clear his debts."

Tian Lin frowned and said, "If I remember correctly, he had also saved up quite a few Soul-Collecting Beads. Can't those Soul-Collecting Beads be sold to exchange for quite a few Spirit Stones?"

Having heard Tian Lin's words, the Tribute shook his head:

"The Soul-Collecting Beads he had collected with his life, how could he bear to sell them? It's better to use the Soul-Collecting Beads to exchange for a servant disciple status from the Shuiyun Sect."

Tian Lin knew that there were servant disciples in the immortal gates across Cangzhou, like Zhou Qing, who had once been a servant disciple of the Wendaos Sect.

But even the servant disciples were selected based on talent. It was because of this that so many Huahua Lang from the Foundation Establishment Realm became Tributes in the Golden Core families.

However, Tian Lin found it absurd to think that the status of a Shuiyun Sect servant disciple was so desirable that one would choose not to sell valuable items, but instead sell his own wife.

"Tian, I came here to ask if you are interested in becoming a servant disciple of Shuiyun Sect? I think with your strength and talent, even without Soul-Collecting Beads, Shuiyun Sect would be willing to take you in."

Tian Lin had once been a servant disciple in Yao Yue Sect, and he knew the lowly status of servant disciples.

He had the opportunity to become an Outer Disciple of the Wendaos Sect, how could he become a servant disciple of Shuiyun Sect?

"Are you suggesting, Tribune, that you want to buy my Soul-Collecting Beads?"

The Tribute laughed and said: "Tian, you don't know that nowadays, the Tributes from the Tong Family are trying to gather Soul-Collecting Beads to seize the opportunity to become servant disciples of Shuiyun Sect.

This is a rare opportunity indeed, after all, Shuiyun Sect hasn't openly recruited for servant disciples for a thousand years."

Tian Lin understood the Tribute's meaning.

Those Outer Disciples who wished to become servant disciples of Shuiyun Sect would need to buy Soul-Collecting Beads.

These Huahua Lang, who did not have enough Soul-Collecting Beads, would pay any price, even if highly inflated, for this opportunity.

This indeed provided a good opportunity for earning Spirit Stones.

Although Tian Lin also wanted Spirit Stones, he had already saved up enough for the costs required to transport him to the North Wilderness.

Compared to Spirit Stones, he was more eager to exchange the Soul Bead for the Heavenly Water Breathing Technique from Shuiyun Sect.

Mei Immortal stated she would help him, but never mentioned it would be free of charge.

Moreover, without the Soul Bead, Mei Immortal might not have enough influence to persuade Shuiyun Sect to impart their Divine Skills to an outsider like him.

"No need to mention the Soul Bead, I have great use for it."

Tian Lin spoke ambiguously, but the Tribute understood and commented, "That's right, given your strength, Tian, it wouldn't be impossible for you to vie for a place among the Outer Disciples."

Though he spoke as such, deep down he certainly viewed Tian Lin's thoughts skeptically.

Yet, Tian Lin was not willing to let the matter drop with the Tribute, he coldly said, "Gao He's behavior disgusts me; what business you two conducted doesn't concern me. But isn't it too much for two men to coerce a good person into prostitution?"

What did this have to do with him, really?

But Tian Lin knew all too well the type of person the Tribute was, always bullying the weak and fearing the strong.

When he was first 'taken away' by the Ferryman, the Tribute had snatched the Soul Bead from his servant girl.

Now that he had been 'taken away' by the Day Patrol Deity, although the Tribute didn't make a move, he was surely watching.

Tian Lin suspected that his visit to Gao He was a ruse, and that he was actually here to monitor Yu'er and her sisters.

After all, who knew if Yu'er and her sister had any of his inheritance?

"Tian, do not misunderstand. Cai Immortal is a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, if she were unwilling, who could force her?"

The Tribute explained, "Before they summoned the Evil Spirit, they were quite affectionate as a couple. But ever since the Evil Spirit incident, and after Shuiyun Sect offered Inner Sect Disciple places, their marriage has become one of mere appearances.

Both being at the early-stage of Foundation Establishment, how could they compete with others? Hence, they planned early on to join forces as a couple, letting only one of them enter the sect eventually.

But when joining forces as a couple, who can ensure that the one who becomes an Outer Disciple won't betray the other? Their rifts were already forming, later exacerbated by their debts, and they grew to loathe each other."

Tian Lin was momentarily at a loss for words. Matters between spouses were none of his concern and were not his place to comment.

But his past calling of 'Brother Gao' was not without significance.

"Back then, I had sworn brotherhood with him—"

Having said this, Tian Lin slammed his hand down and shattered the table, startling the Tribute.

As the Tribute looked up at Tian Lin, Tian Lin stood straight and said to him, "Have you come to my door today to flaunt this?"

The Tribute felt like crying, not knowing from where Tian Lin's anger had arisen.

"I merely came to congratulate you, Tian, how could it be construed as flaunting?"

Hearing the commotion, Cui'er stepped forward with her sword, although unaware of what had transpired, she scoffed upon hearing the Tribute's words:

"Since it's a congratulatory visit, why didn't you bring a gift?"

Her sharp tongue was somewhat indelicate.

Yu'er, who followed, frowned at her sister, unhappy that her sister had embarrassed Tian Lin.

But Tian Lin remained silent, while the Tribute suddenly realized something.

He fumbled in his Storage Bag and instantly produced five small Array Flags.

He offered the Array Flags to Tian Lin, saying, "I see you dwelling quietly amid the bustling city, here's a small array to protect your residence from prying eyes.

This item is something I've long intended to give you, Tian, I just never found the right opportunity. Fortunately, Miss Cui'er mentioned it, or else I would have almost forgotten."

Tian Lin did not accept the Array Flags, and the Tribute assumed Tian Lin thought they were too few.

He was shocked and angry, having been 'extorted' by Tian Lin before. The Array Flags he now held were the most valuable items he possessed.

Fortunately, Yu'er understood Tian Lin's intent and stepped forward to accept the Array Flags, saying:

"Don't worry, Mr. Tribute, my master is just in a bad mood today. His anger is not entirely directed at you."

Seeing his Array Flags taken by Yu'er, the Tribute felt a pang of heartache.

Unless Tian Lin returned the Array Flags to him now, he would not believe Yu'er's words.

"Since Tian is currently indisposed, I shall call upon him another day!"

He bowed and left the residence with a heart full of resentment.

It was only then that Yu'er handed the Array Flags over to Tian Lin.

Tian Lin took the flags and asked Yu'er, "Autumn Elder injured my shoulder blade, should I hold a grudge against her?"

Before Yu'er could speak, Cui'er said, "How could you not? Those disciples and elders from the immortal gate always look down on others. If it weren't for her status as an immortal gate elder, someone would have sought revenge already."

Tian Lin remained silent, but internally he agreed.

He harbored hard feelings toward Autumn Elder. If one day he attained the cultivation of a Nascent Soul, how could he not seek revenge?

However, the Tribute having been extorted by Tian Lin twice, although both times were justified,

in the eyes of the other party, he had been cheated by Tian Lin, how could he not harbor resentment?

If the Tribute hadn't thought about joining Shuiyun Sect as a servant disciple, it might be another matter, but since he was determined to do so and had a strong chance of success,

wouldn't he think of taking revenge on Tian Lin someday after attaining Golden Core cultivation?