"What show?" Queen Medusa asked.
Lin Yuan looked toward the direction of Jia Ma Sacred City and replied, "To see how Xiao Yan and the people backing the Xiao Clan respond. To see what actions the Hall of Souls takes afterward. And if there's a suitable opportunity, I want to capture a Protector of the Hall of Souls."
At present, whether it was his research into the envisioned "Divine Origin Transformation," or forging soul clones capable of bearing Heavenly Flames, both required deeper knowledge of the Hall of Souls as support.
And Protector Wu was undoubtedly the best target at the moment. His strength was not particularly overwhelming, nor did he have many allies, but he certainly had no shortage of enemies.
Hearing this, Queen Medusa fixed a serious gaze on Lin Yuan and said earnestly, "This Queen will not interfere with your decisions, but both the Hall of Souls and the Ancient Clans are colossal existences. You must be extremely careful in your actions."
"Don't worry, I know," Lin Yuan nodded before asking, "You're not coming with me?"
Queen Medusa shook her head. "The Snake-People Tribe's migration has reached its final stage. There are matters that require me, as Queen, to preside over personally. Besides, I still need to return and keep an eye on Xiao Cai and Zi Yan. If I'm not there, those two little troublemakers will probably start causing chaos again."
After speaking, Queen Medusa paused briefly and formed several hand seals. A seven-colored snake scale suddenly appeared on her smooth forehead, radiating faint rainbow light.
She gently stroked the colorful scale and slowly explained, "This scale was refined from a strand of my soul using the Snake-People Tribe's secret art. It is used for the tribe's most urgent communications."
Immediately afterward, she changed her hand seal, drawing out a strand of soul force from the seven-colored scale. It hovered lightly around her fingertips.
She sliced open Lin Yuan's clothing slightly, then pressed the strand of soul force onto his chest, where it transformed into a faint seven-colored mark.
Looking at the mark, Queen Medusa nodded in satisfaction and smiled lightly. "If you encounter something requiring this Queen's assistance, simply burn this strand of soul force and I will sense it. At that time, I'll immediately head to Jia Ma Sacred City."
Lin Yuan did not stand on ceremony. He merely nodded slightly and accepted her goodwill.
Afterward, he took out a storage ring and handed it to Queen Medusa. "Some things I picked up while wandering around. I hope you all like them."
Queen Medusa accepted it and checked its contents. There was nothing especially valuable inside, only finely crafted clothing and delicious foods he had selected over time. She nodded calmly and turned toward the direction of the Tagore Desert. However, for some reason, her departing figure seemed a bit lighter and more cheerful than before.
After watching her leave, Lin Yuan touched the soul mark on his chest. "The marvelous uses of soul marks, huh? The Snake-People Tribe truly is extraordinary."
With a sigh, Lin Yuan spread his wings and flew toward Jia Ma Sacred City.
The next day, Jia Ma Sacred City.
Before dawn had fully broken, the city was already completely bustling. Today was the final decisive day of the Alchemist Grand Meeting.
Although it was still early, the area outside the Royal Plaza where the competition was held was already packed shoulder-to-shoulder with people. After yesterday's matches spread through word of mouth among the spectators present, the thrilling battles had captivated countless hearts, pushing the event's popularity to an even greater height.
Within the Mitel Clan estate, Lin Yuan looked at Qing Lin, who had carefully dressed herself today, and a knowing smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of his lips.
Qing Lin was in excellent spirits today. Although maintaining the Sky Network for extended periods during the past few days of battle had greatly taxed her mental energy, after using the Essence Soul Pill, her mind and soul force had fully recovered.
"Qing'er, today is the final round of the Alchemist Grand Meeting. Opportunities like this are rare. Let's go watch it together," Lin Yuan invited softly.
"Okay, Young Master!" Qing Lin replied excitedly, a trace of anticipation flashing in her eyes.
Though already a Dou King expert, she was still ultimately just a young girl. Deep down, she naturally looked forward somewhat to lively scenes like this.
Soon after, Lin Yuan and Qing Lin left the Mitel Clan estate.
However, the two did not head directly to the competition grounds. Instead, they leisurely strolled through the streets of the Imperial Capital together.
Perhaps because the Tuoshe Ancient God Jade was now in his hands, allowing him to influence the Soul Clan's thousand-year grand scheme to a certain extent, Lin Yuan's state of mind had become much calmer and more relaxed than before. The sense of urgency that had constantly pressured him due to time had also lessened considerably.
Leading Qing Lin through the bustling streets, Lin Yuan quietly experienced the lively atmosphere of everyday city life.
Around them echoed the cries of merchants and the chatter of pedestrians. Occasionally, excited discussions about yesterday's competition could also be heard.
Suddenly, Lin Yuan halted his steps and looked ahead. Qing Lin looked at him curiously and asked, "Young Master, what's wrong?"
"What a coincidence. I didn't expect to encounter someone I wanted to find here." Lin Yuan chuckled softly, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes. "Qing'er, perhaps we'll have a chance to obtain news about your Little Fairy Doctor sister."
Qing Lin's eyes immediately brightened with delight. "News about Sister Little Fairy Doctor? Really, Young Master?"
Although she had only spent a few months with the Little Fairy Doctor, Qing Lin treasured deeply the older-sister-like care and affection the latter had shown her.
"Mhm." Lin Yuan nodded and turned his gaze forward. "Here he comes. That's the person up ahead."
As his words fell, a gray-robed youth appeared before them, it was the same gray-robed youth who had competed fiercely against Xiao Yan at yesterday's tournament. However, the youthful appearance was merely an illusion. His true identity was Yan Li, Vice President of the Chu Yun Empire's Alchemist Association.
At the moment, Yan Li radiated a cold aura, deep gloom hidden within his eyes, as he walked toward the competition grounds.
Following Lin Yuan's gaze, Qing Lin looked toward Yan Li, and emerald light flashed within her pupils.
A moment later, Qing Lin said gravely, "Young Master, that person's soul and body seem somewhat mismatched."
Hearing her words, Lin Yuan explained, "Because he used a Rejuvenation Pill to make his body appear younger."
However, inwardly, Lin Yuan was still somewhat astonished that Qing Lin could perceive the issue at a glance.
Even Fa Ma with his peak Dou Emperor cultivation and peak Fifth-Grade alchemist abilities had failed to detect Yan Li's abnormality.
Yet Qing Lin, whose current cultivation was only that of a seven-star Dou King, had managed to directly see through the problem using the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils.
Lin Yuan glanced at Qing Lin and sighed inwardly.
"Qing'er's growth rate is even faster than I expected. Once she receives the Snake-People Tribe's inheritance, she'll probably experience another leap in strength. Maybe soon, I'll really be living off her support."
At that thought, his emotions became somewhat complicated. There was satisfaction at seeing his hopes fulfilled, yet also a faint, indescribable sense of crisis deep within.
Suppressing the stray thoughts in his mind, Lin Yuan's gaze sharpened as he looked toward Yan Li. A concentrated strand of soul force mixed with fierce killing intent shot precisely toward him.
As Yan Li walked forward, he suddenly felt himself enveloped by a terrifying killing intent he could not resist. Instinctively, he looked toward the young man standing not far ahead, only to see the latter staring at him with utterly indifferent eyes.
Then Yan Li saw the man's lips move slightly, and an overwhelming soul voice rang beside his ears like thunder.
"Follow me, or die."
After speaking, Lin Yuan took the hand of the green-robed young girl beside him and entered a luxurious restaurant belonging to the Mitel Clan nearby.
Yan Li touched the blood at the edge of his ear and shook his head, trying to dispel the stabbing pain within his soul.
He looked around and discovered that no one else seemed to have noticed anything unusual just now.
At this moment, when Yan Li looked at Lin Yuan's retreating figure again, reverence unconsciously appeared within his eyes.
From that single instant of contact, he understood that he had encountered a powerful expert he could neither provoke nor resist. Thus, he obediently followed Lin Yuan into a quiet private room within the restaurant.
After entering, Lin Yuan casually waved his hand. Vast soul force spread around them, sealing the room inside and out.
Seeing this display, Yan Li's pupils contracted sharply. Such powerful soul force, and such effortless mastery over it, was far beyond anything he could compare to.
At that thought, the fear within Yan Li deepened, and the respect in his gaze toward Lin Yuan grew even greater.
Lin Yuan turned around, looked at Yan Li, and said calmly, "Yan Li, you still have a competition later, so I won't delay you for too long."
Having his identity exposed, Yan Li's expression changed drastically. Instantly, he thought of the high-ranking Jia Ma Empire official who had uncovered his identity last night.
"Could this person be working together with the Jia Ma Empire's higher-ups?"
As though reading his thoughts, Lin Yuan said indifferently, "Relax. I have absolutely no interest in the conflict between the Jia Ma Empire and the Chu Yun Empire. Answer my questions honestly, and if I'm in a good mood, you can leave safely. Otherwise… heh heh heh…"
Hearing those words utterly devoid of concealed killing intent, Yan Li's heart trembled, and he respectfully replied, "Yes, Senior."
"Tell me properly about the current situation in the Chu Yun Empire," Lin Yuan said calmly. "Especially matters related to the Poison Sect. And remember, do not joke with your own life."
The instant the words "Poison Sect" were spoken, Yan Li's pupils suddenly shrank.
Involuntarily, he recalled that terrifying silver-haired woman, one so peerlessly graceful that she could only be described as stunning beyond compare, as well as those cold and emotionless grayish-purple eyes.
He secretly glanced at Lin Yuan once more. At this moment, the indifferent look in Lin Yuan's eyes bore some resemblance to the Heavenly Poison Woman he had once seen.
"Absolutely cannot become enemies with him!"
Taking a deep breath, Yan Li slowly began recounting everything he knew.
"The Poison Sect appeared in the Chu Yun Empire a little over a year ago, but its rise was unbelievably swift. By now, it has already become the empire's new overlord."
"The Poison Sect follows the creed: 'Those who submit prosper; those who resist perish.' Over the past two years, they have annihilated countless clans and sects throughout the Chu Yun Empire."
"And the reason the Poison Sect expanded so terrifyingly fast is inseparable from its Sect Leader, the legendary Heavenly Poison Woman of the Chu Yun Empire."
"She rose to prominence at an astonishing speed. Every time she appeared before the public, her strength had undergone earth-shaking changes."
"Before coming to the Jia Ma Empire, I was fortunate enough to meet Lady Heavenly Poison Woman once. At that time, she had already become a Dou Ancestor powerhouse and had even subdued the legendary Netherworld Poison Flame."
As Yan Li continued his explanation, Lin Yuan gradually pieced together Xiao Yi Xian's experiences.
Simply put, after entering the Chu Yun Empire and lying low for a period of time, Xiao Yi Xian established the Poison Sect. From then onward, her life revolved around cultivation, territorial expansion, exterminating clans, and seizing resources, repeating the cycle endlessly.
Under Xiao Yi Xian's leadership, the Poison Sect expanded at an astonishing pace. By now, it had become the undisputed new hegemon of the Chu Yun Empire, with nearly thirty percent of the empire effectively under its control.
Yet Xiao Yi Xian had no intention of stopping. Instead, she continued leading the Poison Sect's relentless expansion. Every day, forces throughout the Chu Yun Empire were destroyed or annexed by the Poison Sect.
Recently, in order to resist the Poison Sect, many of the empire's major factions had united to form an alliance known as the Anti-Poison Sect Alliance.
Perhaps because both sides had now reached a temporary balance of power, the situation had entered a stalemate and appeared relatively calm on the surface. However, anyone with insight could already tell that an earth-shattering war between the Poison Sect and the Anti-Poison Sect Alliance was inevitable and that battle would ultimately determine the true ruler of the Chu Yun Empire.
After hearing Yan Li's explanation, Lin Yuan looked at him with interest and casually asked,
"And what about you? Which side does the Chu Yun Empire's Alchemist Association support?"
Yan Li hesitated for a moment before finally answering honestly,
"Our internal opinions are divided, but the upper echelon mainly leans toward supporting the Anti-Poison Sect Alliance, because the Poison Sect's methods are far too domineering."
"However, Lady Heavenly Poison Woman is simply too terrifying, so no one dares openly oppose her either."
"In the end, after discussion, the Chu Yun Empire's Alchemist Association decided to remain neutral whoever wins, we support them."
"Oh? Then what about you?" Lin Yuan asked playfully.
Seeing the meaningful look in Lin Yuan's eyes, Yan Li decided to gamble.
From the line of questioning just now, he vaguely sensed that this unfathomable expert before him seemed to have an unusual relationship with the Heavenly Poison Woman.
Grinding his teeth, he replied solemnly,
"I support Lady Heavenly Poison Woman."
"Haha, very good!" Lin Yuan laughed while clapping his hands. "Congratulations, Yan Li. You're a smart man. This time, you've managed to preserve your life."
"You were gambling just now, weren't you? Gambling on the relationship between me and the Heavenly Poison Woman. You guessed correctly, she and I are friends."
"Although I cannot personally travel to the Chu Yun Empire to help her for the time being, now that you've appeared before me, I have no intention of letting this opportunity slip away."
Hearing this, Yan Li quietly let out a deep breath, finally feeling somewhat relieved.
At the very least, his life appeared temporarily safe.
Yet at the same time, he sensed an extreme coldness and ruthlessness from the youthful-looking man before him, one eerily similar to the aura Xiao Yi Xian gave off.
Thinking of this, Yan Li hurriedly cupped his fists respectfully.
"I have long admired Lady Heavenly Poison Woman and would be honored to serve under her."
Lin Yuan patted his shoulder approvingly.
"Good, very good. I appreciate people who understand the times."
"Since you wish to serve her, I naturally won't stand in your way. Now, open your mind. I'm going to place a soul restriction on you as the foundation of trust."
Yan Li immediately cried out in alarm.
"M-My lord, this…"
Although he had mentally prepared himself, Lin Yuan's direct and utterly unrestrained approach still left him stunned.
Under normal circumstances, shouldn't this be the part where a loyal subordinate meets a wise master? Why had it immediately escalated to soul restrictions?
"Hm? You're hesitating?" Lin Yuan frowned slightly, his expression turning cold. "Could it be that everything you said earlier was a lie? In that case, I cannot allow you to live."
As he spoke, a dangerous glint flashed through Lin Yuan's eyes. Dou Qi rapidly gathered in his palm, as though he might strike and kill him at any moment.
Damn it, where did this barbaric lunatic come from?!
Yan Li wailed inwardly, but outwardly he hurriedly explained,
"My lord, you misunderstand! I was merely thinking about how to completely steer the Alchemist Association toward Lady Heavenly Poison Woman's side!"
Seeing the impatience already appearing in Lin Yuan's eyes, Yan Li dared not speak further nonsense. He quickly relaxed his mind, allowing Lin Yuan to plant the soul restriction.
However, once the restriction was completed, most of the resentment in Yan Li's heart unexpectedly faded away.
At the same time, the way he looked at Lin Yuan became even more respectful and submissive.
Because during the process of planting the restriction, Yan Li had clearly sensed Lin Yuan's vast soul strength.
As an alchemist, Yan Li knew exactly what that represented.
This seemingly young man before him was either an unimaginably terrifying expert or a high-tier alchemist of extraordinary rank.
No matter which it was, such a figure was far beyond the ability of a mere Fifth-Grade alchemist like himself to resist.
To be noticed and utilized by such a great figure perhaps that itself is a kind of honor, Yan Li comforted himself inwardly.
After planting the restriction, Lin Yuan pondered briefly before retrieving another "pill" from his storage ring and handing it to Yan Li.
"My lord what is this?" Yan Li asked cautiously.
Lin Yuan smiled indifferently.
"I refined it using the principles of poison branding, with Heavenly Flame poison as the base ingredient. Without absolute strength, only a Heavenly Flame can remove it."
"I heard that you advocate combining poison masters with alchemists. Why not give it a try?"
"Poison branding? Heavenly Flame poison?" Yan Li inhaled sharply and forced an awkward smile. "You must be joking, my lord…"
Lin Yuan glanced at him coldly.
"This seat does not enjoy joking. I never trust verbal loyalty alone."
"Once you consume this pill, only the Heavenly Poison Woman, who possesses a Heavenly Flame will be capable of curing you in the entire Chu Yun Empire."
"That way, you will have no choice but to serve her faithfully."
"She will also recognize the aura of the Heavenly Flame within this pill and realize that I was the one who intervened. That should allow you to gain her preliminary trust."
"Now that I've explained enough consume this 'pill.' Or are you planning to die here?"
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