Li Xuan stood quietly inside the main hall.
The village chief sat at the center while several elders remained nearby.
The atmosphere was calm.
Far lighter than before.
The village chief looked toward Li Xuan.
"You've already received your reward."
A brief pause followed.
"What do you plan to do now?"
"Will you remain in the village and recover…"
"Or leave?"
Li Xuan remained silent for a moment.
Then—
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Thank you for your concern."
"But…"
"There's still a path I need to walk."
The chief's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Oh?"
"And where does that path lead?"
Li Xuan's gaze remained calm.
Steady.
He slowly spoke.
"Dao Temple Sect."
The hall became quiet for a brief moment.
Several elders exchanged glances silently.
The village chief looked at Li Xuan carefully.
Then—
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"So you've set your sights on a sect…"
Li Xuan did not deny it.
For cultivators—
Joining a sect meant stepping into a completely different world.
More resources.
More dangers.
More opportunities.
And only by entering a larger world—
Could he find a true way to repair his damaged dantian.
The village chief slowly nodded.
"As it happens…"
"A village caravan will be traveling toward the Dao Temple Sect tomorrow."
His gaze shifted toward Li Xuan.
"You may travel with them."
"It will make the journey safer."
Li Xuan gave a faint nod.
"Understood."
"I'll go with them."
The chief continued,
"They depart at dawn tomorrow."
"So for tonight…"
"Get some proper rest."
Li Xuan nodded calmly.
"Yes, Chief."
He cupped his fists lightly.
"Then I won't disturb everyone further."
After saying that—
He turned.
And slowly walked out of the hall.
Several elders quietly watched his departing figure.
Their eyes carried different emotions.
Curiosity.
Confusion.
Disbelief.
No one had expected the weakest cultivator among them—
To become the only survivor.
And obtain the pill.
Night quietly descended over the village.
A cool wind drifted through the streets.
Inside his room—
Li Xuan sat cross-legged on the bed.
His eyes remained closed.
Silent.
Focused.
Faint spiritual energy slowly circulated through his body.
Moving carefully through his damaged meridians.
The process was slow.
Painful.
Several pathways still carried signs of instability from the battle inside the cave.
At times—
Sharp pain spread through his body.
Yet Li Xuan endured it silently.
Time passed quietly.
Then—
His brows slowly frowned.
Compared to before—
His condition had improved slightly.
But only slightly.
Far from enough.
His damaged dantian continued restricting the flow of spiritual energy.
The recovery speed was painfully slow.
Slowly—
Li Xuan opened his eyes.
A thoughtful expression appeared on his face.
"At this speed…"
"It'll take far too long."
His gaze lowered slightly.
If he wanted to survive within the Dao Temple Sect—
This level of strength would not be enough.
Not even close.
Silence filled the room.
Then—
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"Normal recovery methods won't be enough."
"I need another way to repair my meridians."
As the thought lingered—
His hand slowly touched the storage ring on his finger.
For a brief moment—
His mind recalled the broken ancient armor inside it.
A strange item.
Worthless in the eyes of others.
Yet something about it still felt unusual.
Li Xuan remained silent for a few seconds.
Then slowly closed his eyes once more.
The night passed quietly.
The next morning—
The village entrance had already become lively.
Several people gathered near the waiting carriages.
Supplies were being loaded.
Horses prepared.
Cultivators quietly discussed the upcoming journey.
The group heading toward the Dao Temple Sect was ready to depart.
Li Xuan arrived calmly and joined them.
Some people glanced toward him briefly.
After hearing the rumors from yesterday—
Many had become curious about him.
But Li Xuan ignored the gazes around him.
His expression remained calm as always.
After a short while—
The caravan finally began moving.
The wheels slowly rolled forward.
Dust rose into the air.
Step by step—
The village gradually disappeared behind them.
Li Xuan silently looked ahead.
Beyond the distant mountains—
Lay the Dao Temple Sect.
A place filled with unknown dangers.
And opportunities.
The wind brushed past his face as his gaze slowly sharpened.
His journey—
Had only just begun.