Misty Cloud Sect, Misty Cloud Treasury
Zi Yan looked at Lin Yuan with confusion written all over her face and asked in puzzlement,
"Lin Yuan, Lin Yuan, why don't we just pack up all the good stuff here and take it away? Just like what we did with the underground treasury in the Imperial Palace."
At this moment, Lin Yuan was holding a moon-white scroll he had taken from a nearby shelf. It was the scroll that recorded the Misty Cloud Covering Sun Formation.
"Hehe."
Hearing Zi Yan's question, Lin Yuan chuckled softly.
"Yun Shan helped me with a few things. I promised him that I would look after the Misty Cloud Sect to some extent. So we shouldn't go too far here."
"We'll use a different method, trade."
"Of course, a one-sided trade."
As he spoke, Lin Yuan placed the scroll containing the Misty Cloud Covering Sun Formation into his storage ring, then took out an alchemy notebook and placed it where the scroll had originally been.
After leaving the Imperial City, Lin Yuan and Zi Yan had not returned directly to the Mittel Clan. Instead, they came to the Misty Cloud Sect and began another round of treasure hunting.
With Lin Yuan's abilities and Zi Yan's treasure-sensing talent, the current Misty Cloud Sect was practically undefended against them. Under Zi Yan's guidance, they easily located the Treasury and began their search.
As usual, Lin Yuan took everything useful to himself. The only difference this time was that he left compensation behind.
These included cultivation methods, medicinal pills, and Dou Techniques, mostly items of little value to him but useful to others.
"So that's how it is. Then there's no helping it. What a pity."
Zi Yan muttered unhappily.
Seeing her expression, Lin Yuan pinched her smooth little cheek and laughed.
"You little greedy goblin. We've already gained more than enough today."
"At the very least, neither you nor Xiao Cai will have to worry about medicinal ingredients until you both break through to the Seventh-Grade."
"Let's go. There's nothing else here that I need. We're heading somewhere else."
"Somewhere else? But I can't sense any other treasure vaults."
"Not for treasure hunting. We're going to eliminate a hidden danger, a contingency plan Yun Shan left behind."
"This is the last one."
With that, Lin Yuan led Zi Yan toward one of the cloud-shrouded peaks of the Misty Cloud Sect.
Not long afterward, atop a mountain peak.
Lin Yuan looked at a crystal stone in his hand and revealed an amused smile.
"A Recording Crystal, huh?"
"Yun Shan really learned thoroughly from me."
With a squeeze of his hand, the crystal shattered into powder.
At this point, the final clue linking Lin Yuan to the Ancient Jade incident of the Xiao Clan had been completely erased.
That Night, A Secret Chamber Within the Mittel Clan
Lin Yuan flicked his finger, and the Myriad Beast Cauldron landed before him.
Today's haul was enormous. There are quite a few pills I can refine now.
Let's start with two Xuanyuan Pills, one for myself and one for Qing Lin.
The Xuanyuan Pill was a high-tier Sixth-Grade medicinal pill. After consumption, it could increase the cultivation speed of a Dou King or Dou Emperor severalfold for an entire month.
Although it could not directly raise one's cultivation level, it was an exceptionally valuable support-type medicinal pill. It was essentially an advanced version of the Qingyuan Pill that Lin Yuan had previously taken.
Its most remarkable feature was that it could be consumed multiple times.
Unlike the Dou Spirit Pill, which could only be taken once in a lifetime, the Xuanyuan Pill had no such restriction.
In other words, aside from its outrageous cost, it had virtually no drawbacks.
Lin Yuan sat cross-legged and reviewed the refinement process in his mind.
Wisps of azure flame danced playfully at his fingertips, and as they flickered, the temperature within the chamber rapidly rose.
Moments later, he flicked his finger.
The azure flame traced a distorted arc through the air before entering the cauldron, where it instantly expanded into a roaring sea of blue fire.
As several medicinal ingredients were swept into the Myriad Beast Cauldron by a thread of Dou Qi, the refinement of the Xuanyuan Pill officially began.
Wu Tan City, Xiao Clan
Inside the Xiao Clan's assembly hall, a middle-aged man cupped his hands toward Xiao Yan, who sat at the head seat.
"Third Young Master, the first group of people designated for relocation is ready. They can depart at any time."
Xiao Yan nodded.
"Have them leave tomorrow morning."
The middle-aged man fell silent for a moment before asking reluctantly,
"Third Young Master, do we really have to leave Wu Tan City?"
"The Clan Leader worked hard for so many years to build the Xiao Clan into what it is today."
"Uncle Payne," Xiao Yan replied helplessly, "I grew up in Wu Tan City as well. I don't want to leave either."
"But the Xiao Clan has no choice."
"The enemies we face now are not opponents that I can currently fight against."
Looking at the man's lonely departing figure, Xiao Yan sighed inwardly.
Payne's thoughts represented those of most Xiao Clan members.
However, on the Dou Qi Continent, strength was the ultimate authority.
The current Xiao Clan revolved around Xiao Yan.
Especially after news spread of his victory over Nalan Yanran and the revelation that Yan Xiao, champion of the Alchemist Grand Meeting, was actually Xiao Yan himself, his prestige within the clan had instantly surpassed even that of Xiao Zhan, who had served as Clan Leader for decades.
Backed by such prestige, and with the clan elders and Clan Leader absent, Xiao Yan naturally became the undisputed decision-maker of the Xiao Clan.
Therefore, despite their reluctance, the clan members still carried out the relocation order faithfully.
After the middle-aged man left, an aged yet solid hand patted Xiao Yan's shoulder.
"Look on the bright side, Little Yan."
"Once you've gained enough strength, you'll return sooner or later."
Xiao Yan turned around and saw Yao Lao's now solidified figure.
"Teacher, you've recovered?"
"Barely," Yao Lao nodded.
"But it's enough."
His gaze shifted toward the direction of the Mittel Auction House.
"The people arranged by Lin Yuan have arrived."
"Let's go confirm things."
"Yes, Teacher!"
The following morning, a massive convoy departed from Wu Tan City.
The Xiao Clan, once one of the city's three great clans and now its sole dominant power, officially began its migration.
"Phew—"
Lin Yuan let out a long breath and placed the blue-and-red medicinal pill in his hand into a jade bottle.
"The second Xuanyuan Pill is complete."
"With these Xuanyuan Pills assisting our cultivation, it should only take one month for me to reach the bottleneck between six-star and seven-star Dou Emperor."
"Qing Lin should also be able to advance directly to either an eight-star or even a nine-star Dou King."
"Alchemy truly is miraculous."
Thinking about it, Lin Yuan could not help sighing.
The alchemy system of the Dou Qi Continent was astonishingly powerful.
As long as one had sufficient wealth, countless problems could be solved through medicinal pills.
Injuries could be healed with pills such as the Life Bone Blood Fusion Pill.
Cultivation levels could be increased with pills like the Royal Extreme Pill.
Cultivation speed could be accelerated through pills such as the Xuanyuan Pill.
Even cultivation talent itself could be improved through pills like the Origin One Pill.
Powerful, comprehensive, and versatile.
This was precisely why alchemy stood at the pinnacle of all secondary professions on the Dou Qi Continent.
Lin Yuan shook his head and dispelled his wandering thoughts.
He then took out a pitch-black box from his storage ring, a sharp gleam flashing through his eyes.
"Next..."
"It's time to thoroughly dig into the secrets of the Hall of Souls."
A cold light flashed across his eyes.
His soul aura spread outward, enveloping the entire chamber and completely isolating it from the outside world.
Immediately afterward, a strand of Fallen Heart Flame's sub-flame emerged from his body and formed an airtight invisible wall of fire around the interior of the soul barrier.
Once the preparations were complete, Lin Yuan finally opened the box.
The instant it opened, a translucent soul burst out and shot toward the door in panic.
However, the moment it collided with the invisible wall formed by the Fallen Heart Flame, sizzling sounds erupted.
A miserable scream followed.
"AAAAAH—!"
"Hehehe..."
"Protector Wu, why are you running so fast?"
Lin Yuan waved his hand casually.
A portion of the Heart Flame separated from the invisible wall and descended, forming a circular cage of fire around Protector Wu before slowly lowering him to the ground a short distance in front of Lin Yuan.
Inside the fiery prison, Protector Wu carefully avoided every strand of flame around him, not daring to let his soul body touch even the slightest trace of the Fallen Heart Flame.
Seeing this, Lin Yuan revealed a playful smile.
"Heh heh heh... Leaving in such a hurry? It seems Protector Wu has misunderstood me and doesn't wish to be my guest. In that case, we should get to know each other a little better."
As soon as he finished speaking, Protector Wu's eyes filled with horror as Lin Yuan waved his hand.
The invisible wall of flame suddenly contracted.
A scream far more miserable than before echoed throughout the secret chamber.
Only after the flames had scorched him for nearly half a minute did they retreat, leaving behind Protector Wu's weakened soul body.
Even so, he continued glaring viciously at Lin Yuan.
"Who are you? What do you want? Every Protector of the Hall of Souls has a soul imprint left within the Hall. If you kill me, they will immediately discover it. When that happens, the Hall of Souls' enforcers will never let you go!"
Resting his cheek on one hand, Lin Yuan replied with amusement,
"But didn't you personally get rid of Protector Sun? I didn't see anyone come for him."
"Uh..."
Protector Wu was momentarily speechless.
Then he hurriedly said, "How can that fool compare to me? I carry an important mission, one valued even by the higher-ups!"
"I see."
Lin Yuan nodded slightly and said casually,
"Don't worry. I never intended to kill you anyway."
Hearing this, Protector Wu was instantly overjoyed.
However, before he could say anything, the invisible wall of flame suddenly contracted once more and surged toward him.
Another miserable scream echoed through the chamber.
More than ten seconds later, the Heart Flame receded, leaving behind a soul body that was barely hanging on.
At that moment, Lin Yuan's indifferent voice sounded beside him.
"That was a small warning. I'm glad you told me about your mission, but I didn't like the threatening tone you used earlier."
"Remember this: regardless of what happens in the future, right now, if I wish, I can crush you at any time or make you beg for death."
"Do you understand?"
Protector Wu glanced fearfully at the invisible flames surrounding him and quickly nodded while forcing his weakened soul body upright.
Seeing this, Lin Yuan lightly flicked a finger.
A strand of Heart Flame inside the fire cage transformed into an invisible flaming whip and lashed directly at Protector Wu.
Crack!
"AAAAAH!"
Amid Protector Wu's weak cry of pain, Lin Yuan said calmly,
"So you still have the strength to speak. Then why did you only nod and not answer verbally just now? Do you have a problem with me?"
"Bastard!"
Protector Wu glared at him furiously.
"What exactly do you want?"
"Nothing much."
Lin Yuan answered lightly.
"I simply want you to answer a few questions."
"Heh heh..."
Protector Wu let out a sinister laugh.
"Is that how you ask people for favors?"
Crack!
"AAAAAH!"
Another scream that seemed to pierce straight into the depths of the soul erupted from Protector Wu's mouth.
"A favor?"
Lin Yuan looked at him calmly.
"Have you misunderstood something? I'm quite confident in my research of souls. There are many ways to make you speak honestly."
He glanced at the weakened Protector Wu and smiled faintly.
"However, just to be safe, I'll first give you a complete set of soul restrictions."
As he spoke, majestic soul power surged from between his brows.
At the same time, his hands formed an extraordinarily complicated series of seals.
A soul restriction even more intricate than the one he had placed on Jia Xingtian was branded into Protector Wu's weakened soul body.
The moment he sensed the complex azure rune embedded in his soul, panic appeared in Protector Wu's eyes.
"What did you do?"
"No need to panic."
Lin Yuan clapped his hands and chuckled.
"It's merely a simple proof of employment."
"Protector Wu, welcome to the Second Hall of Souls, abbreviated as the Hall of Souls."
Looking at Lin Yuan through the invisible wall of flames, Protector Wu asked in confusion,
"Proof of employment? Second Hall of Souls? What do you mean?"
Lin Yuan smiled mysteriously.
"I'll tell you about that later. The time isn't right yet."
"For now, tell me everything you know about the Hall of Souls. Let's start with the locations of the branch halls you know about."
"The Hall of Souls' intelligence?"
Protector Wu froze for a moment and stared at Lin Yuan in astonishment.
Ordinary people avoided the Hall of Souls like the plague.
Yet this young man was actually taking the initiative to inquire about its secrets.
"Kid, you've got quite the nerve—AAAH!"
Before he could finish his harsh words, another serving of Heart Flame descended upon him.
His miserable screams echoed once more.
Lin Yuan glanced at him indifferently.
"My patience isn't particularly good. Stop wasting time and answer my questions."
Looking at the Heart Flame gathering around him and preparing to strike again, Protector Wu still gritted his teeth and refused.
"The locations of the branch halls are major secrets of the Hall of Souls. If I reveal them, my fate will be worse than dying in your hands!"
Seeing how stubborn Protector Wu remained even now, Lin Yuan could not help but admire the Hall of Souls' methods of indoctrination.
None of these Protectors were good people. Every one of them had committed countless atrocities.
Yet their loyalty to the Hall of Souls was remarkably strong. Even in a life-or-death situation like this, they still tried their best to protect its secrets.
"Since you're so resistant, I'll give you some face and won't ask about that for now."
"But courtesy must be reciprocated."
"I gave you face, so you should give me face as well. Don't you agree, Protector Wu?"
As he spoke, Lin Yuan tapped the flaming whip floating before Protector Wu.
The whip immediately transformed into an invisible fire dragon that began circling around him.
Watching the fire dragon that looked ready to bite down at any moment, Protector Wu's heart trembled.
"Y-Yes, yes, you're absolutely right, sir. Please ask."
"Very good."
Lin Yuan nodded slightly.
"The more cooperative you are, the better it will be for both of us."
His deep eyes fixed upon Protector Wu as he spoke in a low voice,
"I'm very interested in the secret arts of the Hall of Souls."
"I want every Hall of Souls technique you know."
"For example, the soul-devouring technique you used that day, Nine Forests Hundred Soul Devourers."
"And the formation Protector Sun used—Myriad Souls Devouring Spirit Formation."
----
For additional chapter's
Join pateron.com/Translaterappu