After venting his emotions, the now-calmed Yun Shan appeared somewhat dazed. Just a few days ago, he had been filled with ambition, determined to lead the Misty Cloud Sect to a higher level. Yet today, he suddenly realized that the Misty Cloud Sect had already stepped onto a dead end, an almost inescapable one.
And the root cause of the Misty Cloud Sect's predicament was the Soul Hall approaching him, and his own acceptance of the Soul Hall's "gift."
It's time to talk about cooperation, Lin Yuan thought to himself.
He then straightened his posture, fixed his gaze on Yun Shan, and said in a deep voice, "It seems Sect Master Yun Shan has already realized the crisis that both you and the Misty Cloud Sect are facing."
Hearing Lin Yuan's words, Yun Shan took a deep breath. The firmness and composure befitting a sect master gradually returned to his eyes. "It seems you have long since seen through the predicament my Misty Cloud Sect is in. Since you knew all this yet were still willing to cooperate with me, then what you said earlier about saving the Misty Cloud Sect shouldn't be empty words."
"Of course not. But whether it can be accomplished depends on Sect Master Yun Shan's sincerity in this cooperation, as well as your resolve," Lin Yuan replied solemnly.
Yun Shan fell silent for a moment, then said firmly, "For the sake of the Misty Cloud Sect, I will pay any price."
With a wave of his hand, Lin Yuan condensed green Dou Qi into three sets of wine cups—six cups in total, neatly arranged on the table. He picked up the wine jug and filled each cup in turn.
Under Yun Shan's slightly puzzled gaze, Lin Yuan smiled and said, "From my observation, Sect Master Yun has three major problems to deal with. So, we'll have three cups of wine for three problems."
"Oh?" Hope flickered in Yun Shan's heart. He thought to himself, This alchemist has a deep background and possesses far more information than I do. From his perspective, perhaps the Misty Cloud Sect's crisis is not unsolvable.
He straightened his posture and said seriously, "Please speak, my friend."
Lin Yuan picked up the first cup of wine and said calmly, "The first problem of the Misty Cloud Sect is me, specifically the recording stone in my hand."
Hearing this, Yun Shan looked at Lin Yuan in surprise. He hadn't expected him to raise this sensitive issue so directly. "You're quite straightforward."
"Since we're cooperating, some things naturally have to be laid out in the open," Lin Yuan said frankly. "Actually, you don't need to worry too much about this matter. To me, the recording stone mainly serves to ensure that you won't betray our cooperative relationship."
"As long as our cooperation remains stable, this matter will stay secret. I won't use it to coerce you into doing anything. Its sole purpose is to prevent you from undermining this cooperation."
Looking at Lin Yuan's earnest expression, Yun Shan said in a deep voice, "I hope you will abide by what you said today."
"Of course." Lin Yuan nodded, then seemed to think of something and revealed a playful smile. "Actually, Sect Master Yun, there's another way for you to solve this problem."
"Oh?"
"Strength," Lin Yuan said with a smile. "The reason you're constrained by the recording stone is simply because your strength is insufficient. There are far too many people in the Soul Hall who can easily kill you; the cost of dealing with you is too low. If you were to become a Dou Venerate, all of these problems would cease to exist."
"Dou Venerate… that's a distant goal indeed." Yun Shan pondered for a moment, then raised the first cup of wine. "Rest assured, my friend, I will not betray this cooperation."
"That's good. A pleasant cooperation."
The two of them drained the first cup.
Next, Lin Yuan picked up the second cup and said, "The second problem of the Misty Cloud Sect lies in the restriction on your soul body. As for this issue, I already have some ideas. Just as I said before, I will resolve it for you at an appropriate time."
Yun Shan raised his cup upon hearing this. "Many thanks!"
The two drank the second cup.
Lin Yuan then lifted the third cup, his expression turning solemn as he said, "The third problem of the Misty Cloud Sect is that, under the coercion of the Soul Hall, it has been dragged into the conflict between Ancient Clans."
Yun Shan's expression became grave. This was the issue he was most concerned about and the one he considered the most unsolvable.
"This problem is not without a solution," Lin Yuan said, looking straight at Yun Shan. "At the very least, I have already found a generally feasible approach."
"Oh? Please explain in detail," Yun Shan said, a hint of urgency in his voice.
Lin Yuan slowly spoke two words: "Feign death."
Yun Shan's eyes immediately lit up. He asked in a deep voice, "Please elaborate, my friend."
Lin Yuan said seriously, "Sect Master Yun, you have a blind spot in your perspective. You see yourself and the Misty Cloud Sect as one entity, which leads to a misconception, that the Soul Hall cooperating with Yun Shan is the same as cooperating with the Misty Cloud Sect."
He paused slightly before continuing, "In reality, these two are not the same. The Soul Hall's connection to the Misty Cloud Sect is established through you, Yun Shan. So, what if Yun Shan no longer exists in this chain of connection? The link between the Soul Hall and the Misty Cloud Sect would naturally be severed, wouldn't it?"
Lin Yuan looked at Yun Shan meaningfully and continued, "Thus, my strategy is feigned death. At an appropriate time and place, you, Yun Shan, are to be 'killed' by a powerful enemy."
Hearing this, a glimmer of insight flashed through Yun Shan's eyes. He said with sudden realization, "Once I 'die,' the Soul Hall will no longer have leverage over the Misty Cloud Sect. The sect can then avoid being dragged into this conflict, and I can also sever my ties with the Soul Hall."
Lin Yuan nodded in agreement. "Exactly."
As his thoughts became clearer, Yun Shan's gaze toward Lin Yuan grew deeper. After some contemplation, he said, "This strategy requires cooperation. That 'powerful enemy' must work together with Yun Shan to put on this act."
He then turned to Lin Yuan, a trace of amusement in his eyes. "It seems, my friend, that you're willing to play the role of this 'powerful enemy,' aren't you?"
Lin Yuan nodded seriously. "Since I proposed this strategy, it's only fitting that I play the role of the 'powerful enemy.' This is also the compensation I offer you as part of our cooperation."
The two of them drank the third cup of wine.
Yun Shan set down his cup and asked,
"Then, having received such generous compensation, what price must I pay?"
He was quite satisfied with his cooperation with Lin Yuan. Although Lin Yuan held leverage over him, this partner was unexpectedly reliable.
After pondering for a moment, Lin Yuan asked, "Before that, may I ask Sect Master Yun to tell me who from the Soul Hall contacted you, and how strong they are?"
Yun Shan hesitated briefly before replying,
"It was someone known as Protector Wu. His strength is far greater than mine."
"Only him?"
"I have only had contact with him."
After confirming the information, Lin Yuan thought for a moment before saying in a deep voice, "Then, as compensation for helping Sect Master Yun remove the soul restriction and resolve the sect-destroying crisis facing the Misty Cloud Sect, I will need your assistance with two matters."
"Please speak."
"First, I hope Sect Master Yun can temporarily remain at his side, helping me gather information on him. Then, when necessary, assist me in delivering certain messages to him."
"You intend to deal with Protector Wu?" Yun Shan frowned and warned, "I must remind you that Protector Wu's strength far surpasses mine. Even if you possess the ability to defeat an ordinary Dou Ancestor, you may not gain the upper hand against him."
Lin Yuan replied meaningfully, "Sect Master Yun need not worry. I have some understanding of Protector Wu. I will not act against him without complete preparation. The final outcome may very well be beyond your expectations."
"As long as you know what you're doing." Seeing Lin Yuan's confident expression, Yun Shan did not say more. "And the second matter?"
"The second matter is this: whenever Sect Master Yun receives news or orders related to the Xiao Clan or the Soul Hall, I hope you can inform me immediately. As for how we will stay in contact—here."
As he spoke, Lin Yuan handed Yun Shan a notebook and a purple jade ring.
Yun Shan accepted the notebook and the jade ring. "Hm? This is a magical beast?"
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