After the seal was lifted, Yun Shan's Dou Ancestor cultivation fully restored, departed together with Gu He and Yun Yun.
After confirming their cooperative relationship, Lin Yuan decisively removed the seals and poison from them. However, to prevent any possible leakage of information, Yun Yun and Gu He remained unconscious all the way until they left.
Lin Yuan lightly tossed the scroll in his hand, his gaze deep as he stared in the direction Yun Shan and the others had departed. He silently thought, "With Yun Shan acting as my eyes and ears, I will be able to grasp the movements of the Soul Hall. That way, when it comes to plotting for the Xiao Clan's Ancient Jade, I will finally have a bit more certainty. Next, I only need to patiently wait for the right opportunity."
As Lin Yuan's involvement in this world deepened, especially within the Jia Ma Empire, his actions had already altered far too many of the original trajectories. His former advantage as a foreknower was gradually losing its effectiveness in reality, forcing many of his plans to be readjusted. When it came to matters concerning the Xiao Clan's Ancient Jade in particular, Lin Yuan did not dare harbor even the slightest bit of luck. He could only hide himself while carefully scheming in the shadows.
Thus, most of the time, he did not dare use his true appearance.
For some reason, Lin Yuan suddenly found himself missing Zi Yan and the Jia Nan Academy.
Shaking his head, Lin Yuan looked back at the scroll in his hand. It was a clone-type Dou Technique he had deliberately exchanged from Yun Shan, Afterimage Clone.
"After I return, I'll study this Dou Technique and see whether its effects are as I imagined."
After thinking for a moment, Lin Yuan flew in the direction of the Medusa Queen.
"You didn't die? That's good. Just now, it was clearly Yun Shan who left with his aura intact. What exactly happened between you two?" The Medusa Queen said expressionlessly when she saw Lin Yuan.
Hearing her words, Lin Yuan smiled slightly. After hearing the Queen speak like this so often, he found it rather interesting.
"Combat, conversation, and a deal."
"What was the outcome of the battle?" The Medusa Queen frowned slightly and asked calmly. She knew Lin Yuan had been secretly planning something all along, and this battle was undoubtedly a crucial link in the entire plan.
Lin Yuan lightly tapped his forehead with his finger. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Let's call it a draw."
"Then let's return." Without waiting for Lin Yuan's reply, the Medusa Queen spread her energy wings and flew toward the royal city. The corners of her lips curved faintly.
"A draw? It seems he won."
Lin Yuan looked toward the Fourth Elder and smiled. "Today's matter has troubled the Fourth Elder. As agreed, I will help you remove the poison tomorrow. I'm a bit tired today."
Upon hearing Lin Yuan's words, the Fourth Elder revealed a smile.
"Elder Alchemist, you're too polite. We're all on the same side."
The two of them also spread their wings and flew toward the Scared City.
After returning to the Snake-People Sacred City, Lin Yuan went alone to the Alchemy Hall.
Qing Lin, who had been waiting for a long time, hurried forward, excitement visible on her face.
"Young Master."
Lin Yuan looked at her and revealed a reassuring smile.
"Qing'er, don't worry. Your Young Master won again."
"Mm!" Qing Lin nodded vigorously, her eyes shimmering with light.
"Young Master is invincible."
The next day.
The Fourth Elder sat cross-legged in the Alchemy Hall, a faint black aura lingering on her forehead, her face showing slight pain. The Medusa Queen stood to the side, watching.
"Disperse!"
With Lin Yuan's command from behind her, the black aura was swept away completely. The Fourth Elder opened her eyes and felt the poison within her body vanish entirely. A hint of a smile appeared on her gaunt face as she stood up and clasped her hands toward Lin Yuan.
"Many thanks, Elder Alchemist."
"As long as the Fourth Elder doesn't resent me. After all, I was the one who administered the poison," Lin Yuan said calmly with a faint smile.
"Elder Alchemist is joking." The Fourth Elder then said, "I'll take my leave. I hope your relationship with our tribe can continue to remain harmonious. I will depart first, Your Majesty."
Seeing that the Medusa Queen seemed to have something to say, the Fourth Elder left the hall.
"What is it, Your Majesty? You look like you have something on your mind," Lin Yuan said with a smile as he looked at the Medusa Queen.
The Medusa Queen replied, "I've almost gathered all the materials for the Pill. There's only one medicinal ingredient left that I have no leads on, so I wanted to ask if you have any ideas."
"Which one?" Lin Yuan asked.
"Soul Origin Fruit."
"So it really is that." Lin Yuan seemed to have anticipated this. After a moment, he slowly said,
"The Soul Origin Fruit is the main ingredient of the Heavenly Soul Pill, and also the most precious one. It is indeed extremely rare."
After thinking for a moment, Lin Yuan asked,
"The Soul Origin Fruit requires nourishment from both ice and fire energy, as well as soul power. It usually appears on battlefields where ice and fire alternate. Your Majesty, do you know of any such place nearby?"
"In my memory, there seems to be a place described similarly, but it doesn't appear to be within the Jia Ma Empire. I'll need to return and check the records," the Medusa Queen replied.
Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Shan's secluded cultivation grounds.
Yun Shan sat quietly with his eyes closed. A faint Dou Qi radiance lingered around his body as surging energy howled in all directions.
"Heh heh heh…"
A strange, eerie laugh echoed as a mass of black mist drifted before Yun Shan.
Yun Shan opened his eyes. The energy around him dissipated as he looked at the black mist before him, a trace of cold light flashing deep within his gaze.
"Protector Wu, you've arrived. What business brings you here?" Yun Shan asked calmly.
A sinister voice emerged from the black mist.
"So, Yun Shan, your precious disciple has been rescued? If you ask me, why bother saving such trash? A sect master's disciple being captured, she might as well have died. At least that would have salvaged a bit of face for your Misty Cloud Sect."
"As for Gu He, hmph. A Sixth-Grade alchemist's soul force is not weak. He'd make quite an excellent soul body. Dying there would've been far too wasteful. In that regard, you handled things rather well. Heh heh…"
Yun Shan frowned slightly.
"You want Gu He's soul?"
"Why not?" The black mist sneered. "Gu He was saved by you, and you, Yun Shan, were cultivated by the Soul Hall. Since you saved him, his life naturally belongs to the Soul Hall. What, are you reluctant? Yun Shan, don't forget how you obtained everything you have today. Remember, your life and your cultivation were bestowed upon you by the Soul Hall. And anything the Soul Hall gives can be taken back at any time. Heh heh."
Yun Shan's expression changed. Lowering his head, he gave a bitter smile.
"Protector Wu, the Soul Hall has shown me great kindness. I dare not forget it. It's just that, at present, the Misty Cloud Sect still cannot do without Gu He's alchemy skills. Could you grant a bit more time? When you complete your mission here and rise in rank, Gu He's soul will be presented as a congratulatory gift from the Misty Cloud Sect. You may take it as you please."
"Heh heh, now this is more like it. This is the Yun Shan the Soul Hall appreciates, someone who knows the times." A satisfied laugh came from the black mist. "Since you're being so sensible, I'll let Gu He remain in your Misty Cloud Sect for a while longer. But remember, his soul already belongs to this Protector."
The black mist rippled, gradually turning illusory. Moments later, it completely vanished before Yun Shan.
After the black mist dissipated, a flash of viciousness passed through Yun Shan's lowered gaze.
"Protector Wu… just wait. Once the restriction within my soul is lifted, if that person truly moves against you, I, Yun Shan, will certainly lend a hand."
Thinking of Lin Yuan, Yun Shan recalled the conclusions he had reached over the past two days.
"From a logical standpoint, that man's plan has a high chance of success but it still isn't foolproof. I must prepare in advance. If all attempts fail, I need to leave behind some seeds for the Misty Cloud Sect's revival."
"Yun'er… you may have to suffer a little." Yun Shan sighed softly. "Don't blame your master. If that day truly comes, you will understand my painstaking intentions."
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