15: The past is the past, the present is the present.

At the foot of the mountain of the Primordial Holy Land, within a dense forest.

Lin Tian wandered aimlessly.

His cultivation was crippled, he was expelled from the Sect, and his sister had severed ties with him... A series of blows had nearly drained all of his energy and spirit.

He didn't know where he was going, nor did he know where else he could go.

The physical pain was far less than the inner despair.

He walked like this, stumbling along until his body could no longer support him; his vision went dark, and he fell heavily to the ground.

Before his consciousness completely blurred, he vaguely heard a crisp, somewhat surprised girl's voice.

"Grandpa, look! There's a person lying here!"

...While Lin Tian was suffering at the foot of the mountain, his sister Lin Qingxuan was also suffering on the mountain.

It was a case of both siblings suffering together.

When night fell and the bright moon hung high in the sky, the doors to the Holy Son's Palace's bedchamber finally opened slowly.

Lu Yi walked out, neatly dressed and refreshed; Lin Qingxuan had completed 1/∞ of her promised progress.

He looked up at the sky and couldn't help but laugh self-deprecatingly.

He hadn't expected that even after transmigrating to this cultivation world, he would still end up living this kind of life where day and night were reversed.

"Master~"

A slender figure appeared silently behind him; it was Ling'er.

She bowed to Lu Yi and then began to report the news she had just received.

But her tone clearly carried a hint of jealousy that she couldn't hide.

"Master, there's a new development regarding that Lin Tian you asked me to keep an eye on."

"Oh? Let's hear it."

Lu Yi responded casually.

"The spies report that he fainted in the forest at the foot of the mountain, and then... was picked up by an old man."

When Lu Yi heard the word "old man," he was slightly stunned at first.

Then, a classic plot trope immediately surfaced in his mind.

He almost subconsciously followed up with a question:

"Does that old man also happen to have a good-looking granddaughter?"

Hearing this, Ling'er showed a surprised expression on her face:

"Master, how did you know? The spies said that the one who discovered Lin Tian was indeed a young girl, appearing to be about thirteen or fourteen years old, with delicate features."

After receiving confirmation, Lu Yi sneered, understanding everything in his heart.

This classic novel trope where the protagonist is heavily injured and unconscious, only to be saved by a hidden expert who not only treats their injuries for free but also passes on peerless Cultivation Techniques...

...and finally even throws in his own beautiful granddaughter; he had seen enough of this in his previous life.

He didn't expect this world to be so lacking in originality as well.

"Pass down the order."

Lu Yi gave Ling'er a new instruction:

"Have our people continue to closely monitor Lin Tian's situation, but they must maintain a good distance and hide their presence well. Do not let the other party notice them."

"Yes."

Ling'er respectfully accepted the command, but her face was full of confusion.

She hesitated for a moment but couldn't help asking:

"Master, forgive Ling'er's dullness. Why don't you take this opportunity to just send someone to kill Lin Tian and eliminate future trouble? He is now a cripple; killing him would be as easy as turning over a hand."

Hearing this, Lu Yi turned around and looked at her with amusement.

He then reached out his finger and lightly flicked her forehead:

"You girl, you're so young, why are you so full of hostility?"

Ling'er covered her forehead indignantly and pouted back:

"Isn't this exactly what you taught me before, Master? You said that when dealing with enemies, one must 'pull up the grass by the roots to eliminate future trouble'!"

"Uh..."

Lu Yi was momentarily choked by his own words.

Actually, he had this thought at the very beginning; after all, these Sons of Destiny were usually unkillable cockroaches.

At the same time, their combat power was like a spring; the worse they were treated, the harder they bounced back.

But Lu Yi could feel that Lin Qingxuan was currently only disappointed in her so-called "brother" and hadn't completely given up hope.

This was something he absolutely could not accept.

He had to find a way to make her completely give up on Lin Tian, or even kill Lin Tian with her own hands.

He coughed lightly to hide his embarrassment and then put on a profound air, educating her solemnly:

"The past is the past, the present is the present. Don't use the past to talk about the present."

"Today, this Saint will teach you a new principle called 'letting out a long line to catch a big fish.' You should learn it well."

He decided to use Lin Tian, a "fish" that could no longer stir up any waves, as a long fishing line to catch the even bigger "fish" attached to him.

Lu Yi then continued to instruct:

"Also, go investigate if there are any major Secret Realms about to open in the Heavenly Profound Realm recently, or any grand gatherings to be held by various forces. Report to me after organizing the information."

In the past, Lu Yi wouldn't have participated in these messy Secret Realms or competitions.

But now that he had the System as a cheat, he could no longer stay in seclusion to avoid trouble as he did before.

Now, he had to take the initiative and go looking for trouble.

Only by constantly wading into muddy waters everywhere could he trigger more System options and obtain more rewards.

Strive to drain the System's rewards as soon as possible!

"And also, do a good investigation into Shen Yueyao's background..."

"Yes, Master..."

Ling'er accepted the command again, but this time, as she turned to leave, she muttered in a voice as faint as a mosquito:

"Making the horse run but not letting the horse eat grass..."

With Lu Yi's cultivation, her complaint was heard by him word for word.

"Hmm?"

Lu Yi darkened his face with feigned majesty:

"What did you say? This Saint didn't hear clearly. Say it again?"

Ling'er's body stiffened, knowing her whispering had been caught.

But instead of being afraid, she turned around, boldly raised her head to meet Lu Yi's gaze, and said righteously:

"Hmph! It's nothing! Just telling the truth!"

"Telling the truth?"

Lu Yi felt playful; he walked up to her, pinched her puffed-up cheeks, and teased with a smile:

"I think you're looking for trouble, girl, muttering all day long. Do you believe this Saint will 'send you to heaven'?"

"I... don't believe it!"

Ling'er raised her head defiantly, her eyes full of provocation.

She was never afraid that Lu Yi would actually do anything to her; one could even say she was somewhat looking forward to what he would do... Seeing her charming and bold appearance, Lu Yi's flirtatious thoughts were also stirred.

He pointed toward the Spirit Spring in the back mountain and raised an eyebrow.

"Not convinced? Want a round?!"

Hearing this, Ling'er was stunned at first, but then she quickly realized what "want a round" meant.

Two patches of rosy clouds instantly appeared on her face, but she still refused to admit defeat. She puffed out her chest and accepted the challenge.

"A round it is! Who's afraid of who! You wait, I'm going to change clothes right now!"

...