"Right, regarding the future granddaughter-in-law of our Lin family, I only acknowledge Yu Xiang. I'm stating this now, and the heir to my Lin family will only be the child of you and Yu Xiang."
Lin Xiao Tian hadn't fully recovered from the shock when the old lady began making him swear an oath.
Reclusive families favored swearing oaths in the name of their lineage, and Lin Xiao Tian experienced it this time.
However, Lin Xiao Tian had no objections to the old lady's demands.
In his opinion, it was inevitable.
It was just that Lin Xiao Tian truly didn't care about the position of Lin family heir. Ever since stepping onto the path of cultivation, Lin Xiao Tian no longer placed much importance on worldly fame and fortune.
After returning from the old lady, Lin Xiao Tian began planning his venture into Black Mountain.
There were quite a few millennium-level medicinal herbs in Black Mountain, and the danger involved in obtaining them was far less than in the Kunlun Valley.
Lin Xiao Tian naturally intended to go into the mountains alone. However, after the incident in Kunlun Valley, the old lady watched Lin Xiao Tian very closely and absolutely forbade him from acting alone. Lin Xiao Tian inexplicably gained a bodyguard.
Lin Xiao Tian contacted Liang Xu. After such a long time, Liang Xu hadn't found a new job and had been waiting for Lin Xiao Tian.
Liang Xu was still driving that Porsche. Although the Porsche seemed much more modest compared to the convoy of luxury cars accompanying the Lin family's outing this time, Lin Xiao Tian was sentimental and couldn't bear to part with his former car.
Sitting in the car, Liang Xu began to report on the company matters during Lin Xiao Tian's absence. As for Lin Xiao Tian's experience in Kunlun Valley, Liang Xu didn't ask many questions. He was very intelligent and knew that something must be hidden within, so he chose to remain silent.
Lin Xiao Tian inquired about Xiao Nian Nian's condition and was relieved to learn that the little girl was stable.
"Uncle Xu, after I'm done collecting herbs in Black Mountain, I'll treat Nian Nian again. This time, Nian Nian will be completely cured," Lin Xiao Tian said with confidence.
Now that he possessed magical power, he could heal by transmitting it.
His magical power could, according to Lin Xiao Tian's will, repair any injuries on Nian Nian without leaving any side effects. This was far superior to any surgery in the world.
Hearing this, Liang Xu's eyes lit up. He knew exactly what Lin Xiao Tian meant; it meant his daughter could live like a normal person from now on.
"Mm!" Liang Xu gave Lin Xiao Tian a profound look.
The bond between them no longer required thanks or such gestures to compensate.
They set off in the morning and, after more than an hour, arrived at the mountain road entrance of Jinsha Village.
Lin Xiao Tian got out of the car and was pleasantly surprised to find that half of the previously bumpy mountain road had now been paved with cement. There were even vehicles coming and going, and although they were all small electric scooters, it was a huge leap forward compared to the old flatbed carts.
"Xiao Tian?"
A villager riding a small electric scooter recognized Lin Xiao Tian.
Lin Xiao Tian also recognized the other person, "Sister Hong, long time no see."
"Oh my! I thought I mistook you, but it's really Xiao Tian!" Sister Hong said excitedly.
"Everyone, come quickly and see, Xiao Tian is back."
Sister Hong's voice quickly drew the attention of others.
Soon, Lin Xiao Tian was surrounded by people.
Xiao Ming nervously shielded Lin Xiao Tian behind him. Lin Xiao Tian was not only his mentor now but also a key person the Lin family had instructed him to protect.
Although he didn't know why the old lady had given this order, especially since he was a bodyguard meant to protect core members of the Lin family, Xiao Ming was eager to carry out the old lady's command.
He had always felt guilty about only being able to watch from the sidelines when Lin Xiao Tian was in danger before.
Liang Xu also came to Lin Xiao Tian's side, and the two flanked him, sandwiching him in the middle.
Seeing this formation, the surrounding villagers immediately dared not approach.
Sister Hong looked at Lin Xiao Tian and gave an embarrassed smile. She meant no harm.
Lin Xiao Tian certainly knew her intentions. Everyone present were villagers, and ordinary people at that; they couldn't possibly harm Lin Xiao Tian.
"Don't be nervous. This is Sister Hong, this is Uncle Ban Zi, and this is..."
Lin Xiao Tian introduced them one by one to Xiao Ming and Liang Xu.
Seeing that Lin Xiao Tian had specifically introduced himself, Sister Hong's nose twitched.
She had thought that Lin Xiao Tian, having become successful, would be distant upon their reunion, but to her surprise, Lin Xiao Tian was still the same Lin Xiao Tian as before.
Upon hearing that Lin Xiao Tian wanted to enter the village, Uncle Ban Zi offered his small electric scooter. However, Lin Xiao Tian directly refused. Uncle Ban Zi was over fifty, and years of farm work had left him with many ailments. He used to try to avoid going out as much as possible in the village. Now that he finally had the opportunity with the electric scooter, Lin Xiao Tian felt too embarrassed to accept it.
"Alas! It's a pity that only half the road is repaired. If a larger vehicle goes up, the entire road will be blocked. Otherwise, I'd have my spouse use the donkey cart to give you a ride," Sister Hong said with some regret.
"Haha, thank you, Sister Hong."
"What for? You repaired the road for the village; we should be thanking you!"
"Don't you all agree?"
Sister Hong glanced at the people around her.
"Yes! Without you, I would never have imagined in my lifetime that the road would be repaired all the way to our village," an older uncle said excitedly.
"Xiao Tian, well done."
Being praised by so many people, Lin Xiao Tian felt a little shy.
After some pleasantries, Lin Xiao Tian set off again.
He didn't use the electric scooter but chose to run. The electric scooter was too slow; it couldn't compare to Lin Xiao Tian's speed.
As Lin Xiao Tian ran, the others naturally followed suit. However, Lin Xiao Tian's speed was too fast, and in the end, only Xiao Ming could faintly see Lin Xiao Tian's back.
But even this was temporary. After this, Lin Xiao Tian completely disappeared from his sight. Xiao Ming was helpless. At his fastest, Lin Xiao Tian was no slower than a fully-accelerated race car, even on these winding mountain roads. Even a sprint champion couldn't keep up with Lin Xiao Tian.
To avoid worrying Xiao Ming, Lin Xiao Tian called him every so often, otherwise, Xiao Ming wouldn't be able to report back.
By the time he made the second call, Lin Xiao Tian had already reached the village.
It was still noon, and most people were at home, so no one noticed Lin Xiao Tian's return.
As per the old lady's request, he had to wait for Xiao Ming and the others. During this time, Lin Xiao Tian began preparing the materials for entering the mountains.
First were herbs to conceal his aura, followed by various wound-healing powders. After completing these, Lin Xiao Tian called to ask Xiao Ming his ETA and learned that they were still half an hour away.
With half an hour to spare, Lin Xiao Tian thought he could visit some old acquaintances.
It was daytime, and it wouldn't be proper to visit Zhang Cui Hua and Li Gui Hua directly. Lin Xiao Tian decided to go and see Li Er Guai.
On his way to Li Er Guai's house, Lin Xiao Tian heard a string of curses.
The sound came from a group of women who were pointing and gesturing towards someone ahead.
Lin Xiao Tian looked closely and was surprised to see that the person being pointed at was Zhang Cui Hua.
"Shameless, all you know is how to seduce men."
"You're already a widow, and you still don't know how to behave? You cursed your own husband to death, and now you want to curse someone else's man to death?"
Among the group of women was a man. This person was none other than Li Hu.
"Zhang Cui Hua, you slut, how dare you seduce my man? Now he wants a divorce from me, and it's all your fault, you jinx," the woman next to Li Hu said angrily.
"I'm definitely divorcing him. Cui Hua, I'll be your man from now on," Li Hu shamelessly declared.