Only after the three guardians had completely disappeared did everyone slowly breathe a sigh of relief, their eyes filled with deep awe as they looked at Lin Zhou.
Even the core guardians of Falling Star Village were intimidated by him. Just who is this Lin Zhou?
Shen Jinhao walked to Lin Zhou's side, his voice still trembling slightly: "Fellow Daoist... what you just did actually triggered the celestial phenomenon of Falling Star Village, that's amazing!"
Lin Zhou said calmly, "It was just an unintentional touch on the origin of the realm, nothing serious."
He really didn't care. With his strength, let alone triggering the celestial phenomena of Falling Star Village, even shattering this small realm wouldn't take much effort.
The gray-robed elder's lips twitched at the sight before him, and he quickly stepped forward to smooth things over: "Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, let's hurry up and clear the level to reach the Celestial Realm."
After saying that, he quickly walked to the stone door at the end of the passage, formed a hand seal, and gently pushed the stone door.
A hint of anticipation flashed in Luo Yun Chu's eyes as she took the lead and walked towards the stone gate; Lu Zhi Zhou and Huo Zheng also composed themselves.
He followed; Old Monster Xuan Tie hesitated for a moment, but finally gritted his teeth and followed, keeping a distance from Lin Zhou, for fear of getting into trouble.
Lin Zhou and Shen Jinhao walked at the back. The moment they passed through the stone gate, a knowing glint flashed in Lin Zhou's eyes.
He could clearly sense the fluctuations of innate energy at the deepest part of the celestial realm. His goal was finally within reach.
The mortal village behind the stone gate was completely different from the oppressive atmosphere of the previous trials.
The bluestone path gleamed from countless footsteps, and wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys of the mud-brick houses on either side, mingling with the aroma of cooked food.
Several children with pigtails chased and played with wooden swords, their laughter ringing out.
An old farmer carrying a hoe returned from the fields, his trouser legs covered in mud. When he saw Lin Zhou and the others, he simply grinned.
Their eyes were gentle, without a trace of the wariness of a cultivator, truly resembling an ordinary village untouched by worldly strife.
Lin Zhou glanced at the people around him; including himself, only a handful of people had passed the second stage.
Luo Yun Chu, Lu Zhi Zhou, Huo Zheng, and the Xuan Tie Old Monster, who was hiding in a corner and trying to minimize his presence.
Shen Jinhao ultimately failed to pass through. He was standing at the stone gate entrance, waving at Lin Zhou, his face showing disappointment.
But he also said with a sense of relief, "Fellow Daoist, I'll wait for you outside. Please be careful."
He knew he wasn't capable enough, and forcing himself to follow would only hold them back.
The old man in gray stood at the village entrance and said to the group, "The third trial will require the arrival of cultivators from other realms, which will take approximately two more hours."
"You may wander around the village as you please, but do not disturb the villagers, and especially do not trespass into the bamboo grove behind the village, which is the Master's residence."
After saying this, the old man stepped aside and closed his eyes to rest.
Luo Yun Chu's gaze unconsciously fell on Lin Zhou, who was surveying the village.
He stepped forward lightly, his voice clear and melodious: "Fellow Daoist, why don't we take a stroll together? We can also see the local customs and culture of Falling Star Village."
Her curiosity about Lin Zhou grew stronger, and she wanted to know more about him.
Lin Zhou paused upon hearing the sound, his mind instantly on high alert.
He thought of all those talented cultivators who had previously fawned over Luo Yun Chu. If they saw him traveling with Luo Yun Chu, their eyes would probably be filled with daggers, and he would get himself into a lot of trouble for no reason.
He didn't even turn his head, but quickened his pace and walked towards the teahouse not far away, leaving Luo Yun Chu standing there with just a faint "No need."
Luo Yun Chu stood there, stunned, watching Lin Zhou's back. A hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes, but then she couldn't help but laugh. This person was even more afraid of trouble than rumored.
Lin Zhou walked into the teahouse, found a seat by the window, and ordered a pot of coarse tea.
The waiter, a boy of about fifteen or sixteen, quickly served the tea. Lin Zhou then asked, "Young man, your village looks quite special. I heard there's a high-ranking scholar there?"
The boy's eyes lit up, and he said with pride, "That's right! Our teacher lives in the bamboo grove behind the village. He teaches us to read and write, and he also tells us stories about the outside world!"
"Everyone in the village, from the elderly to children, respects Master Fu. Even those formidable 'guardian' grandfathers have to be very polite to him and dare not speak loudly!"
Lin Zhou nodded slightly and then asked, "Is your village usually this peaceful? Are there no disagreements?"
The boy's smile faded slightly, and he lowered his voice, saying, "It used to be quite peaceful, but then the Fang family kept saying that our village has a 'treasure,' and we shouldn't just stay in the village and live our lives; we should go out and compete with outsiders."
"They said they would 'rule the Lingxiao Star Region,' and everyone would have a good life then. But the old folks in the village weren't happy about it, saying it was better to stay in the village and live a peaceful life, and not go out and cause trouble."
"The Fang family?" Lin Zhou raised an eyebrow.
"Yes! The Fang family is a prominent clan in the village, with several powerful cultivators in the family!"
The boy spoke with a hint of fear in his eyes, "They always associate with outsiders and even said they wanted to take the village's 'treasures' out to use. Many people disagreed, but the Fang family is powerful, and no one dared to fight them head-on."
Lin Zhou understood. It seemed that Falling Star Village was indeed divided into two factions: one was the conservative faction, which wanted to maintain the village's peace and not get involved in outside conflicts.
The other faction was the radical group led by the Fang family, who wanted to take advantage of the innate energy and celestial paradise of Luoxing Village.
They would unite with external forces, and even rule the Lingxiao Star Region, to gain fame and resources.
He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. The Fang family wanted to use their innate energy? They were walking right into his trap.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the teahouse, and Huo Zheng entered with two Flame Clan followers.
Upon seeing Lin Zhou, his eyes were filled with hostility, but he didn't dare to provoke him. Instead, he found a seat as far away from Lin Zhou as possible and whispered something to his follower.
Lu Zhizhou also walked in. He didn't look for a seat, but just stood at the door, his gaze sweeping over the people in the teahouse, finally settling on Lin Zhou, as if deep in thought.
He had overheard the villagers' discussions and learned about the Fang family's situation. It seemed that Lin Zhou was also inquiring about these things. It appeared that the situation in Luoxing Village was more complicated than he had imagined.
Lin Zhou ignored the two of them, finished his tea, and left.
……………
Inside the bamboo house, the fragrance of sandalwood wafted around the bamboo shadows outside the window, and the ancient books spread out on the table exuded the scent of old ink.
Fang Lie, the head of the Fang family, dressed in a dark-patterned brocade robe, bowed anxiously to the teacher seated above him.
His voice carried a hint of resentment: "Master! The spiritual energy in the Lingxiao Starfield is at its peak, and various forces are vying for territory and competing for spiritual veins."
"Our Falling Star Village is guarded by a celestial paradise and innate energy, yet we remain in a remote corner. Sooner or later, we will be targeted!"
"Only by actively uniting with the outside world and taking control of the Lingxiao Star Region can we ensure our safety and allow everyone in the village to enjoy the resources and fame!"
The village elder, Old Huai, dressed in a faded coarse cloth robe, his hair and beard as white as snow, stood to one side, his tone calm yet his words firm.
"Fang Lie, have you forgotten what the foundation of Luoxing Village's thousand-year peace and stability is? It's its aversion to worldly strife!"
“Once the first step is taken in the struggle for power and profit, endless fighting will ensue, and the villagers’ peaceful days will be gone. This is not protection, it is destruction!”
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