Having decided to return to the Flying Spirit Gate, Li Lin carefully explained a number of things to Li Xintong and Zhang Mingtao. First was about Li Qing's death; they had to pretend to be unaware of who killed him to avoid arousing suspicion. Additionally, Li Lin concocted a new identity for himself as a closed-door disciple taken by Li Qing in the Wudu Mountain Range, making it easier to justify his stay in the Flying Spirit Gate.

After sorting out these matters, Li Lin, along with the others, arrived at Flying Spirit Mountain. Observing the surroundings of Flying Spirit Mountain, Li Lin was somewhat surprised to find the small sect’s mountain gate quite impressive.

“Sir… no, Junior Brother, our Flying Spirit Mountain has quite a nice scenery. When you have time, you can enjoy it,” said Zhang Mingtao.

“That’s true, I should appreciate it when I have the chance,” Li Lin replied with a smile. The mountain peaks around them were already dotted with numerous buildings.

As they approached and observed, these buildings were mostly palace-like structures, about twenty or thirty in total, scattered around. According to Zhang Mingtao, Flying Spirit Gate had once had over three hundred members at its peak, but over the years, it had declined. In the past decade, not a single new disciple had joined.

Within dozens of miles around, everyone knew Flying Spirit Gate as poor and weak, so those with martial talents in their families wouldn't send them to train there, as there was no future in it. Moreover, about two-thirds of the original Flying Spirit Gate disciples had left to seek their fortunes elsewhere.

“Junior Brother Zhang Mingtao, you’re back,” greeted three Flying Spirit Gate disciples as they approached the building complex. They were all young men in their early twenties, wearing half-old clothes and looking listless, making it clear how difficult it was to stay motivated in such a declining sect.

“These are your Junior Brothers. Come and meet Li Lin, Senior Brother. He is a closed-door disciple taken by the sect leader and will be your Senior Brother from now on,” Li Lin introduced them to the three.

In Flying Spirit Gate, there was a distinction between personal disciples and ordinary disciples. Regardless of age or time of entry, ordinary disciples, when in the same generation, had to address personal disciples as 'Senior Brother'.

Only among personal disciples was seniority determined by the time of entry. Currently, in Flying Spirit Gate, there were only a few personal disciples - those of the three elders and the sect leader. Li Lin knew of only two disciples of Li Qing: Zhang Mingtao and Zhong Yunzhou, with Zhong Yunzhou deceased, leaving only Zhang Mingtao.

"Greetings, Senior Brother," the three young men curiously observed Li Lin and then lazily saluted him. They didn’t take Li Lin seriously, sensing no aura from him and thus considering him a novice.

"Uh-huh," Li Lin responded briefly. The three were a first-level warrior and a ninth-level martial apprentice, a bit too weak for their ages. Li Lin wasn’t sure whether it was due to poor cultivation methods of the Flying Spirit Gate or their lack of talent.

"Junior Brother, let's go inside," suggested Zhang Mingtao.

They went to a palace-like building, situated against the mountain and near a huge waterfall, surrounded by lush green trees, with birds occasionally flying by.

"The scenery is indeed nice," Li Lin remarked appreciatively.

“Junior Brother, this is where Master used to live. You can stay here now,” said Zhang Mingtao.

"Brother, I used to live here," Li Xintong said, blinking her eyes.

Li Lin was satisfied with the place. It was quiet, ideal for cultivation without attracting attention, and the little dragon could come out to play without being noticed.

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“Junior Brother Zhang Mingtao, the three elders have asked for you in the main hall. They also want to see Miss Xintong and the new disciple taken by the sect leader,” announced several Flying Spirit Gate disciples from outside.

“What should we do?” asked Zhang Mingtao, looking a bit nervous, and then turning to Li Lin.

“They’re quick with their news, knowing as soon as we arrived at Flying Spirit Gate,” Li Lin thought to himself. After pondering for a moment, he said, “Let's go. We’ll do as we planned earlier.”

"Yes, I remember. I will listen to Brother and be patient. We'll seek revenge later," Li Xintong said, biting her red lips, her eyes filled with determination.

"Yes, let's go," Li Lin said, stroking Li Xintong's head and instructing the little dragon to hide in his sleeve, ready to act if there was any danger.

Stepping out of the palace, they were greeted by over thirty young Flying Spirit Gate disciples gathered outside. With no new members joining the Flying Spirit Gate for ten years, the sudden arrival of a new disciple, reportedly taken in by the sect leader, naturally drew the curiosity of the disciples, who were typically idle. They wanted to see who had the misfortune of joining this seemingly hopeless sect.

Li Lin paid no mind to the crowd’s stares, instead assessing the cultivation levels of the thirty or so people. Judging by their exposed aura, most were eighth or ninth-level martial apprentices, with only three or four reaching the level of a warrior.

Li Lin now had a better understanding of Flying Spirit Gate's overall strength. It seemed that the sect had not cultivated new disciples properly, or else their abilities would not be so lacking.

After walking along several stone paths, they reached an ancient-looking palace building, prompting Li Lin to frown. The main hall of Flying Spirit Gate was somewhat dilapidated, with spider webs here and there. Seeing a sect fall into such disrepair was indeed an eye-opener.

Inside the main hall, which could accommodate about a hundred people, the walls originally adorned with murals were now blurred and indistinct.

Over sixty ordinary disciples were present in the hall. Sitting at the front were two men and a woman, middle-aged, whom Li Lin recognized as the three elders of Flying Spirit Gate - Huang Haibo, Zhou Yuhou, and Zheng Ying - from Zhang Mingtao's memories.

Observing the three, the one in the middle was Huang Haibo, wearing a yellow robe, with long hair and a broad forehead. His eyes were reserved, giving him a somewhat gloomy appearance. Zhou Yuhou, slightly plump and shorter in stature, had a sharp look in his eyes. Lastly, Zheng Ying, a woman dressed in gray, appeared in her thirties, well-maintained like a young woman, with a mature charm. Li Lin knew from Zhang Mingtao's memories that Zheng Ying had never been married for some reason.

Beside these three elders were about ten disciples, all personal disciples of the three elders, including several female disciples likely belonging to Zheng Ying.

"Greetings to the three elders," Zhang Mingtao stepped forward and saluted the elders. Only Li Lin knew that Zhang Mingtao was suppressing his anger; it seemed he wasn't foolish enough to act rashly.

"Back already? Who is this?" Huang Haibo asked, his gaze lingering on Li Xintong and Li Lin.

"Uncle Huang, he is a disciple my father took in," Li Xintong said to Huang Haibo, holding Li Lin's hand, which trembled slightly, whether from panic or fear.

Li Lin gently pressed Li Xintong's hand and gave her a reassuring look.

"Oh, a new disciple? How come I wasn't aware," Huang Haibo scrutinized Li Lin.

"Xintong, where is your father?" Zheng Ying asked, crouching down to Li Xintong's level.

"Uncle, my father is dead."

"What?" Zheng Ying's expression changed dramatically, and many Flying Spirit Gate disciples around also showed shock, their eyes fixed on Li Xintong.

Li Lin observed everyone's reactions. Upon hearing the news of the sect leader's death, Huang Haibo and Zhou Yuhou's expressions changed subtly, while their disciples did not show much surprise, but rather looked panicked.

"Indeed, something's fishy," Li Lin thought to himself.

"Xintong, tell your uncle how your father died," Zheng Ying urged anxiously.

"My father was killed by masked men. I don't know who they were. Granny Lan was also killed. Those people wanted to kill me too, but then a beast appeared and ate those who were trying to kill me. Brother and I barely managed to escape," Li Xintong said, sobbing.

"Xintong, did your father give you anything before he died?" Huang Haibo asked, his expression changing slightly.

"No," Li Xintong shook her head.

"What about Granny Lan? Did she give you anything?" Zhou Yuhou continued to probe.

"Our senior brother is dead. Aren't you in a hurry to avenge him instead of looking for the sect leader's seal?" Zheng Ying turned to Huang Haibo and Zhou Yuhou.

"How can we avenge him when we don't know who did it?" Huang Haibo said lightly. "To seek revenge, we need to find the murderer first."

Li Lin watched everyone, not saying much. The three elders and Li Qing were all disciples of the original sect leader. After the sect leader's position was passed to Li Qing, the eldest disciple, Li Lin surmised that Zheng Ying might genuinely be unaware of the situation, while Huang Haibo and Zhou Yuhou could have been the ones who conspired to kill Li Qing.

"What's your name, and what did your master give you? Hand it over," Zhou Yuhou then turned his attention to Li Lin.