Lin Sheng was already seated inside the manager's office by the time the auction concluded, his posture appearing calm and unhurried while every sense remained stretched to its limit. Beneath that composed exterior lay absolute vigilance, for he knew that possessing nearly a million mid-grade Spirit Stones was enough to tempt even cultivators who ordinarily cherished their reputations.
His fingers rested lightly upon the armrest as though idly waiting, yet inside his sleeve twelve newly upgraded Rank Three Magnetic Thunder Orbs were quietly held in place by his telekinesis. Every rune engraved upon them had been refined countless times during the past few months, fragments of specialized inscriptions woven into their structure to disrupt a Purple Palace cultivator's Niwan Palace the instant they detonated. Even if the explosions failed to kill such an opponent outright, the sudden backlash against their Divine Sense would leave them disoriented for a precious moment.
For Lin Sheng...
A single moment was enough.
He had never entertained the foolish notion of defeating every enemy that stood before him. Survival had always come first, and as long as those orbs bought him enough time to conceal his aura and escape, their purpose would already have been fulfilled.
His Mental Perception spread silently throughout the surroundings, passing through walls and corridors like invisible ripples as it continuously monitored every fluctuation within several dozen li. Servants carrying tea, guards patrolling the auction house, cultivators leaving their private rooms and even the subtle circulation of Spiritual Qi around the nearby restrictions were all reflected within his Sea of Consciousness.
Nothing unusual.
Even so, he refused to relax.
The Thousand Isle Auction House possessed the protection of a Nascent Soul Monarch, making it one of the safest places in the entire Southern Archipelagos, but caution had never harmed anyone. More importantly, caution had saved his life countless times.
Several moments later, the office door opened.
An elderly manager entered with an amiable smile, accompanied by two attendants carrying jade trays. Neither of them emitted the slightest hostility, their movements measured and respectful as though welcoming an honored guest rather than someone whose identity remained hidden beneath robes and concealment techniques.
"Esteemed Senior has waited long."
The manager cupped his fists politely before placing a storage ring upon the table between them.
"After deducting the agreed commission, everything has been prepared according to the auction records."
Lin Sheng did not immediately reach for the ring.
Instead, his Mental Perception swept across it several times before extending into the surrounding office, searching for hidden formations, concealed restrictions or unusual fluctuations. Only after confirming that nothing had been tampered with did he pick it up.
His Mental Perception entered the storage ring.
Rows upon rows of neatly stacked mid-grade Spirit Stones immediately came into view, their rich Spiritual Qi almost condensing into mist inside the storage space. Alongside them were the proceeds from the large batches of pills he had consigned earlier, all carefully separated and catalogued.
The enormous wealth would have shaken almost any Purple Palace cultivator.
Lin Sheng merely exhaled quietly.
The tension that had remained tightly wound within him eased by a fraction.
Thankfully...
There was no need to fight.
The Thousand Isle Auction House had chosen its reputation over greed, exactly as he had expected from an organization backed by a Nascent Soul Monarch. To betray a guest for temporary profit would destroy centuries of accumulated prestige, a price no established force would willingly pay for a single Heaven Mending Pill.
The waves rolled gently against the shores of Ridge Mist Island as a streak of azure light descended from the sky.
Lin Sheng stepped off his flying artifact and landed soundlessly on the familiar stone platform near the island's entrance. A cool sea breeze swept across the shoreline, carrying with it the faint scent of salt and medicinal herbs cultivated throughout the island.
He stood there for a moment, silently observing his surroundings.
Everything appeared peaceful.
Disciples tended the herb gardens with practiced movements while servants transported freshly harvested spiritual plants toward the alchemy pavilion. Smoke rose steadily from several pill furnaces, and the sounds of merchants discussing business drifted faintly from the marketplace.
Nothing seemed out of place.
Yet Lin Sheng's expression remained calm.
The peace before him only strengthened his resolve.
After leaving Thousand Isle City, he had deliberately concealed his aura countless times, changed directions repeatedly, and even mimicked the aura of several passing cultivators before finally returning to the island.
Only after confirming that no one had followed him did he dare return.
The manager of the Jiuding Merchant Alliance had already sent an assassin after him.
Although that assassin had died without accomplishing anything, Lin Sheng did not believe the matter had ended there.
A cautious person survived longer.
Especially in the cultivation world.
He walked through the island without drawing attention to himself.
Every servant and guard respectfully bowed as he passed.
"Island Master."
"Greetings, Island Master."
Lin Sheng simply nodded before continuing deeper into the residence.
Soon, he arrived outside a modest courtyard.
Knock.
Knock.
The wooden door opened almost immediately.
Assistant Xu looked momentarily surprised before bowing respectfully.
"Island Master."
Lin Sheng stepped inside.
"Let's talk."
Assistant Xu quickly closed the door behind them before preparing tea.
Neither of them spoke until both cups had been filled.
Only then did Lin Sheng calmly ask,
"How has the island been during my absence?"
Assistant Xu answered without hesitation.
"Everything has been progressing smoothly."
"The newest batch of Spirit Nourishing Pills has already been sold."
"The medicinal gardens have expanded by another twenty acres."
"We've also completed negotiations with three merchant groups from nearby islands."
He paused before adding,
"Our monthly profits have increased by nearly fifteen percent."
Lin Sheng nodded slightly.
Assistant Xu had always been capable.
Ever since he had recruited the man, nearly every matter concerning Ridge Mist Island had been handled efficiently.
It had saved him countless hours.
After hearing the report, Lin Sheng placed his teacup down.
"There is something important I need to tell you."
Assistant Xu immediately straightened.
"I am listening."
Lin Sheng remained silent for several breaths before speaking.
"I may be leaving the Southern Archipelagos."
Assistant Xu froze.
His eyes widened slightly.
"...Leaving?"
Lin Sheng nodded.
"Perhaps for several years."
"Perhaps even longer."
Silence filled the room.
Assistant Xu did not ask why.
He understood the rules of the cultivation world.
Some matters could not be questioned.
Instead, he simply asked,
"What does Island Master require of me?"
A faint smile appeared on Lin Sheng's face.
"As expected of you."
He reached into his storage ring and placed several jade slips onto the table.
"There are records of every agreement we've signed over the past few years."
"Merchant routes."
"Financial records."
"Spirit herb inventories."
"Pill production quotas."
"And the island's defensive formations."
Assistant Xu stared at the growing pile in front of him.
Lin Sheng continued calmly.
"If I do not return..."
He paused briefly.
"...you will become the acting master of Ridge Mist Island."
Assistant Xu immediately stood.
"I cannot accept such responsibility."
Lin Sheng shook his head.
"You already shoulder most of it."
"The only difference is that my name has stood at the front."
Assistant Xu fell silent.
He knew those words were true.
Over the years, Lin Sheng had spent more time cultivating than managing daily affairs.
Most routine decisions had gradually fallen to him.
Lin Sheng looked toward the courtyard outside.
"The island must continue operating normally."
"Do not expand recklessly."
"Do not provoke stronger factions."
"If someone covets the island..."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"...yield when necessary."
Assistant Xu looked startled.
"Yield?"
Lin Sheng nodded.
"This island is merely property."
"Your lives are more valuable."
Assistant Xu remained silent for a long time before slowly nodding.
"I understand."
Lin Sheng continued issuing instructions.
"The medicinal gardens must remain the island's primary source of income."
"Reduce the production of high-grade pills."
"Focus on stable profits instead."
"The fewer people who pay attention to Ridge Mist Island, the better."
Assistant Xu carefully memorized every instruction.
None of them sounded like temporary arrangements.
Instead...
They resembled preparations made by someone expecting a long journey with an uncertain destination.
After nearly an hour, Lin Sheng finally finished.
Assistant Xu hesitated before asking softly,
"Island Master..."
"Will you return?"
Lin Sheng looked toward the distant sea beyond the window.
For a brief moment, even he didn't know the answer.
The cultivation world was vast.
The dangers waiting beyond the Southern Archipelagos were countless.
A single mistake could cost him everything.
After a long silence, he smiled faintly.
"If fate permits."
Assistant Xu lowered his head.
"I shall guard Ridge Mist Island until your return."
Lin Sheng nodded.
"I know."
That simple answer carried more trust than any promise.
The two men sat quietly, listening to the waves crashing against the island's cliffs.
Outside, the afternoon sun slowly began its descent toward the western horizon.
Neither of them noticed that the calm sea stretching beyond Ridge Mist Island would soon become the center of a storm capable of shaking the entire Immortal Continent.