Chapter 10: First Steps into the World

 After grasping the initial mysteries of the "Lingxi Sacred Canon", Lin Yu's strength increased significantly, and his reputation gradually spread around the Taoist temple. However, he was well aware that he couldn't confine himself to this small area. To progress further on the path of cultivation, he had to explore the broader world, accumulate more experience, and undergo more trials.

 One day, Lin Yu expressed his desire to his master to go down the mountain and venture out. After hearing this, the master looked at him with a mix of pride and worry, saying, "My disciple, your strength has indeed improved greatly. Going down the mountain for training will be beneficial to your growth. But the world is full of dangers, and people's hearts are unpredictable. You must always be vigilant and not trust others easily."

 Lin Yu replied respectfully, "Master, please rest assured. I understand. I will be cautious, avoid causing trouble, and keep your teachings firmly in mind."

 The master nodded slightly and handed Lin Yu a storage bag, saying, "Inside are some dry rations, healing pills, and spirit stones for your emergencies. When facing difficulties outside, use your wits and never act impulsively."

 Lin Yu took the storage bag and said gratefully, "Thank you, Master. I will surely return as soon as possible."

 Just like that, Lin Yu bid farewell to his master and the Taoist temple, setting foot on the path down the mountain. Along the way, he admired the beautiful scenery of the mountains, felt the breath of nature, and his heart was filled with both excitement and a bit of nervousness. This was the first time he was leaving the protection of his master and facing the outside world alone. Everything seemed so new and unfamiliar to him.

 Before long, Lin Yu arrived at a bustling small town. The town was crowded with people. The cries of peddlers rose and fell one after another, and there were a wide variety of shops, offering everything imaginable. Lin Yu curiously weaved through the crowd, looking at everything around him, his heart full of novelty.

 Suddenly, a commotion came from ahead. Lin Yu pushed through the crowd and saw a group of people forming a circle, seemingly watching some excitement. He approached and found that

a young girl was being pestered by several bullies. The girl had a beautiful face, but at this moment, her eyes were filled with fear and helplessness.

 "Little lady, come with us. As long as you serve me well, I guarantee you a life of luxury," one of the bullies said with a lecherous grin, reaching out to grab the girl's arm.

 The girl was so frightened that she stepped back repeatedly, with tears welling up in her eyes. "Don't you dare! I won't go with you!"

 Although the people around were angry at the bullies' behavior, no one dared to step forward to stop them, for fear of bringing trouble upon themselves.

 Seeing this scene, a sense of justice welled up in Lin Yu's heart. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and stood in front of the girl, looking coldly at the bullies. "In broad daylight, how dare you act so outrageously? Is there no law?"

 The bullies were stunned at first. Then, seeing that Lin Yu was alone and looked young, they felt relieved and laughed loudly. "Kid, where did you come from? Mind your own business, or we'll deal with you too!"

 Lin Yu snorted. "I'm definitely going to take care of this!" As he spoke, spiritual energy circulated in his body, and he got ready for battle.

 Seeing that Lin Yu refused to back down, the bullies flew into a rage. They all drew their weapons and rushed towards Lin Yu. Lin Yu remained calm. He executed the Lingxi Phantom Step from the "Lingxi Spirit - Controlling Art", easily dodging the bullies' attacks. Then, he struck out several palms in return. The palm winds contained spiritual energy, knocking the bullies down in a sorry state.

 "You brat, you have some skills! Just you wait, we won't let you get away with this!" The leader of the bullies, clutching his chest, said viciously, and then led the other bullies to flee in a hurry.

 The girl looked at Lin Yu gratefully. "Thank you, sir, for saving me. I don't know how to repay you."

 Lin Yu smiled and said, "Miss, you don't need to be polite. It was just a small effort. Why were you being pestered by these bullies?"

 The girl sobbed, "My name is Ling'er, and I'm a resident of this town. Today, something happened at home, and I came out to buy some things. I didn't expect to encounter these bullies. They usually do all kinds of evil and oppress the common people. Everyone is angry with them but dare not speak out."

 After hearing this, Lin Yu couldn't help but feel a bit of emotion. He didn't expect that behind this seemingly prosperous small town, there were so many injustices and darkness. He said to Ling'er, "Miss, don't worry. These bullies won't dare to bully you again. If they come to cause trouble, you can go to the inn at the entrance of the town to find me, and I'll help you deal with it."

 Ling'er nodded gratefully. "Thank you, sir. I will always remember your great kindness."

 Lin Yu left the scene amidst the praises of the crowd. He knew that this was just a small episode after he went down the mountain, but through this incident, he became even more determined to uphold justice and protect the weak. In the days to come, he would continue to roam the world, face more challenges and opportunities, and write his own legendary story.