"Stand down."
Lin Yuan casually waved his sleeve, storing the soul shadow of Protector Wu before him.
To ensure the accuracy of the information, after thoroughly interrogating Protector Wu, Lin Yuan had also used Iron Protector to cross-check everything. The accounts given by the two were identical, confirming the authenticity of the information.
If nothing unexpected happened, all kinds of information regarding Lin Yuan had already been reported to Central Plains by Protector Xuan.
"There isn't much time left. I need to speed up a few things." Lin Yuan pressed his right hand lightly against his brow, his voice carrying a hint of contemplation. "Considering the distance between the Black-Corner Region and the Central Plains, even if the Hall of Souls reacts quickly, we should still have about three months."
"Young Master, how should we deal with this?" Qing Lin stared at Lin Yuan worriedly.
Having her Young Master targeted by the Hall of Souls was truly an extremely troublesome matter.
Lin Yuan had mentioned the terrifying strength of that colossal existence before. Its depths were unfathomable, and it was far beyond what they could currently contend with.
At this moment, Qing Lin's desire for strength grew even stronger.
"If only I were a little stronger…"
Seeing the furrowed brows on Lin Yuan's face, Qing Lin bit her lip. Any complacency she had developed because of her current Dou Emperor-level cultivation and Dou Ancestor-level combat strength completely vanished at this moment.
No matter how high one's talent was, before turning that talent into actual strength, one could never afford to become complacent.
Seeing this, Lin Yuan smiled softly. He gently stroked the top of Qing Lin's head and said calmly, "Qing'er, there's no need to worry too much. What the Hall of Souls values is my alchemy skills. Even if I really am captured by them, they won't hurt me. Instead, they'll treat me with courtesy."
He opened the door and walked outside.
"Come on. Let's go find Protector Xuan. I need to confirm the exact time when he sent the information so that I can make the necessary arrangements for our next move."
Simply sitting around and waiting for the people from the Hall of Souls to arrive was not Lin Yuan's style. Naturally, he intended to deal with the situation proactively.
As for the exact strategy, that would depend on how much time he had left.
Hearing this, the worry in Qing Lin's heart eased somewhat. She said solemnly, "Young Master, follow me. I've already found out where Protector Xuan is hiding. He's in the underground palace beneath the Ghost Valley."
Very soon, two figures flew out of the Inner Academy and headed toward Ghost Valley.
Half a day later.
Deep within the Black-Corner Region, beneath Ghost Valley, a majestic underground palace stood imposingly, faint ghostly light flickering throughout it.
Lin Yuan sat lazily upon the throne in the main hall, his legs crossed. Qing Lin and the Heavenly Demon Puppet stood on either side of him.
Below them, a hazy black soul shadow knelt on the ground. It was none other than the uneasy and terrified Protector Xuan.
"So, you're saying that you reported my information to the Central Plains twenty days ago?" Lin Yuan asked slowly.
Hearing this, Protector Xuan's body trembled slightly, and his voice was filled with barely concealed fear.
"Yes… Yes. This subordinate was foolish and ignorant and mistakenly reported your information. I beg Your Excellency to spare my life. As long as I can survive, I'm willing to do anything…"
As he spoke, Protector Xuan cautiously glanced at the Heavenly Demon Puppet, his eyes filled with fear.
When his strongest attack had been casually dispersed by this puppet, he had understood that before its absolute strength, any resistance was futile.
And the invisible flames that had subsequently burned his soul had completely stripped away his ability to resist.
Lin Yuan closed his eyes in contemplation, his slender fingers lightly tapping against the armrest of the throne.
Tap. Tap.
The sound echoed through the quiet hall like the tolling of a judgment bell. Each strike hammered against Protector Xuan's taut nerves, causing waves of unease to surge through his heart.
A moment later, the tapping abruptly stopped.
Lin Yuan opened his eyes. His gaze was sharp as he stared directly at Protector Xuan below.
"You should have died. However, considering that you may still be useful, I'll give you a chance to atone for your crime."
"Send a false message to the Central Plains on my behalf. Hmm, Tell them that Lin Yuan has already left the Black-Corner Region and headed for the Northern Region of the Central Plains."
Hearing this, delight immediately appeared on Protector Xuan's face. He hurriedly kowtowed.
"Thank you, Your Excellency! This subordinate will immediately send the message for you."
With that, he immediately got up and began preparing the message.
"One who understands the situation is a true wise man."
Lin Yuan nodded and smiled lightly. His next words carried a profound warning.
"Remember, you only have one life, so cherish it well. Don't try any little tricks. My understanding of the Hall of Souls is no less than yours."
Protector Xuan's body immediately trembled.
"Yes! This subordinate will remember!"
Lin Yuan casually waved his hand and said indifferently, "If you want to live, then do what you're supposed to do."
Soon, Protector Xuan sent a false message to the Central Plains according to Lin Yuan's instructions.
Afterward, just as he had done with Wu Protector and the others, Lin Yuan burned Protector Xuan until he was barely clinging to life before sealing him inside a pitch-black soul box.
He also confiscated the souls Protector Xuan had collected over the years.
Qing Lin looked at Lin Yuan worriedly and asked in confusion, "Young Master, can a false message like this really stop the people from the Hall of Souls from coming here?"
"No."
Lin Yuan shook his head.
He straightened himself and said solemnly, "Even if the Hall of Souls believes this false message, the information is still a full twenty days late. In twenty days, no matter how inefficient the Hall of Souls is, they probably already dispatched people to capture me."
"Besides, more than ten days ago, Protector Xuan also reported that I had successfully refined an Eighth-Grade medicinal pill. Considering how highly they value me."
At this point, even Lin Yuan couldn't help feeling somewhat helpless.
Protector Xuan was simply too dedicated to his work. After sending the initial intelligence, he had actually continued updating his information.
That made things rather troublesome.
An alchemist under twenty years old who possessed Seventh-Grade strength but lacked any major background might still give the Hall of Souls some reason to hesitate.
But an Eighth-Grade alchemist under twenty years old?
If the Hall of Souls directly dispatched a Heavenly Venerable to capture him, Lin Yuan wouldn't find it surprising in the slightest.
The status and value of a Seventh-Grade Grandmaster and an Eighth-Grade Grandmaster were worlds apart.
"Then Young Master, why did you send the false message?" Qing Lin asked curiously.
"To be safe and to confuse them."
Lin Yuan gently rubbed his temple before explaining, "It's to prevent the Hall of Souls from continuing to monitor this area after dispatching their first wave of people, and to prevent them from paying unnecessary attention to Jia Nan Academy."
If the Hall of Souls failed to capture him and also had no idea where he was, they might turn their attention toward Jia Nan Academy.
Once that happened, they might discover that sea of magma.
And perhaps even the Ancient Emperor's Cave-Dwelling.
Lin Yuan could not accept such an outcome.
The Ancient Emperor's Cave-Dwelling absolutely could not be exposed this early.
Although the probability of such a situation occurring was extremely low, he still had to eliminate even the slightest possibility.
"Qing'er, let's go back."
Lin Yuan slowly rose from the throne and glanced toward the direction of the academy.
"This matter is extremely important. I need to inform Xiao Yixian and Xiyue. We'll discuss it together and make the necessary arrangements for our next move."
"Yes, Young Master!"
Qing Lin nodded.
With that, the two left the underground palace.
Lin Yuan held Qing Lin in his arms and spread out the Heavenly Phoenix Wings. Like a streak of silver light, they sped toward the Inner Academy.
Inner Academy, Medicine Garden.
By the time Lin Yuan returned, it was already deep into the night.
He summoned Medusa, who was currently digesting the medicinal effects of the herbs, and Xiao Yixian, who was cultivating her Soul Art, and explained the entire situation to them in detail.
Among companions, there was no need for excessive riddles. Only by keeping each other informed could they avoid making foolish mistakes.
After listening to Lin Yuan's explanation, Medusa, who had been lazily reclining in a nanmu chair, unconsciously straightened herself. Her tone also became more solemn.
"So, we're going to have to confront the Hall of Souls from now on?"
Her words clearly showed that she had already regarded herself and Lin Yuan as one entity. This was the Medusa Queen after she had truly given her heart to someone.
However, she still maintained an extremely high level of vigilance toward the Hall of Souls.
During the previous incident in the Jia Ma Empire, merely dealing with two low-ranking members of the Hall of Souls had already forced them into a bitter battle. And now.
The Hall of Souls had set its sights on Lin Yuan himself. In Medusa's eyes, this was already an irreconcilable conflict.
A trace of killing intent flashed through her eyes, and her expression became resolute.
Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin beside her also wore nearly identical expressions.
A solemn atmosphere reminiscent of "The wind howls over the Yi River, and the warrior departs, never to return" spread throughout the hall of the Medicine Garden.
However.
"Hehe."
A clear laugh suddenly broke the serious atmosphere.
Looking at the three solemn-faced women, Lin Yuan casually waved his hand and chuckled.
"Alright, alright. Things aren't nearly as bad as you think."
Seeing the confident look on Lin Yuan's face, the three women also unconsciously relaxed somewhat.
Medusa took a deep breath and her expression turned serious.
"Lin Yuan, stop keeping us in suspense. Tell us what you're actually planning."
Although Lin Yuan had told them a great deal of information, it ultimately consisted of knowledge that someone closely connected to the Lei Clan might possess.
The information unique to a transmigrator's perspective was something Lin Yuan had never told anyone.
Naturally, he had no intention of telling anyone either.
Even to those closest to him, this was a secret that belonged solely to him. It was his deepest secret, the foundation that had allowed him to reach his current level, and his true "cheat."
Without the advantage of foresight, the three women naturally tended to become overly worried when it concerned him.
After giving everyone a reassuring look, Lin Yuan composed himself and spoke thoughtfully.
"There are two ways to deal with this matter. The first is to resist the Hall of Souls. The second is to submit to the Hall of Souls."
"Let's talk about the first option, resisting the Hall of Souls."
"This method is quite simple. I can join a force powerful enough to oppose the Hall of Souls. The Pill Tower and the Ancient Clans are both viable options."
After a pause, a teasing smile appeared on Lin Yuan's face.
"Hehe, with my qualifications, becoming a son-in-law of one of the Ancient Clans wouldn't be difficult. Marrying a woman with a Seventh-Grade bloodline shouldn't be a problem, and there's even a chance I could marry someone with an Eighth-Grade bloodline."
The instant his words fell, the atmosphere in the room suddenly turned as cold as a northern wind sweeping across the land.
Medusa and Xiao Yixian simultaneously fixed icy gazes upon Lin Yuan.
Qing Lin also looked at him with "admiration."
Daring to suggest marrying into an Ancient Clan. That took a truly extraordinary amount of courage.
Although they knew Lin Yuan was merely trying to lighten the atmosphere, looking at that smiling face, Medusa still had an urge to punch him.
She took a deep breath and calmed herself.
"Since you brought up this option first, that means it isn't the choice you actually favor?"
A glimmer of wisdom flashed through Medusa's eyes as she pondered.
"Could it be that you want to cooperate with the Hall of Souls? The Hall of Souls' methods.You're planning to make a deal with a tiger."
"As expected of my Queen."
Lin Yuan gave Medusa an approving glance before nodding frankly.
"I do indeed intend to cooperate with them."
The Hall of Souls coming after him was both a crisis and an opportunity.
If he could make good use of this opportunity, the road ahead would become much smoother.
From several Hall of Souls Protectors, Lin Yuan had learned a few things.
The reason the Hall of Souls possessed so many loyal followers was not merely because of its terrifying rule. It could actually be considered an exceptionally excellent platform.
It imposed harsh punishments for mistakes, but it also genuinely rewarded those who rendered meritorious service.
Moreover, the Hall of Souls' system contained almost everything.
Many resources and treasures that were not circulated outside were freely circulated within the Hall of Souls.
As long as one's contributions were sufficient, even soul cultivation techniques, Heaven Class cultivation techniques, and Heaven Class Dou Techniques could be obtained.
As for Lin Yuan, he was extremely interested in the vast reserves of soul origin within the Hall of Souls.
Without a fascinating Ancestor personally passing down his cultivation, for Lin Yuan to achieve the Emperor Realm Soul would be unbelievably difficult.
The soul of the Heavenly Tomb and an enormous amount of soul origin were currently the only two methods he knew of.
He had to start making preparations early.
And successfully stealing from the organization while serving within it naturally had a higher chance of success than recklessly trying to seize everything by force.
Hearing this, Medusa slightly furrowed her brows and stared deeply at Lin Yuan.
"The Hall of Souls has such a terrible reputation. Cooperating with them will probably. Forget it. Since you've made this decision, I believe you've already weighed the consequences carefully. I won't say anything more."
Looking at Medusa, who was clearly worried yet still firmly supported him, the corners of Lin Yuan's lips curved upward.
The feeling of being trusted unconditionally was truly wonderful.
"Thank you for understanding."
Lin Yuan looked at Medusa, his voice becoming much gentler.
Medusa casually waved her hand.
"As long as you know what you're doing."
"Don't worry, Queen. I know my limits."
Lin Yuan chuckled, and his eyes became slightly deeper.
"What I'm pursuing is cooperation, not unconditional submission. What I intend to do is use the Hall of Souls to accomplish some of my own objectives, not sell my life to them."
The hierarchy within the Hall of Souls was extremely strict, and it possessed countless powerful experts.
As long as one's strength, identity, and status reached a certain level, one could mobilize the corresponding resources.
This system, where strength was paramount, was precisely one of the reasons Lin Yuan had chosen the Hall of Souls.
If he joined another so-called "righteous" faction, everything would be intertwined with personal relationships. He would have to make contributions before obtaining the support of others, and he would need to build connections before he could freely mobilize the faction's forces.
Lin Yuan was too lazy to waste his energy on such things.
Besides, he happened to lack a convenient identity that could serve as a hidden hand.
If the Hall of Souls came to recruit him, it would conveniently fill that role.
"What can we do?" Xiao Yixian's voice suddenly came from the side.
"Waiting for the people from the Hall of Souls to arrive doesn't seem like your style."
"Mm."
Lin Yuan nodded seriously.
"Assuming the worst-case scenario, there are roughly two months before the people from the Hall of Souls arrive here. During these two months, we need to prepare to head to the Central Plains, because we may have to split into two groups."
"Split into two groups?"
The three women looked at Lin Yuan in confusion.
Lin Yuan pondered for a moment before explaining.
"Whether voluntarily or otherwise, I will make a trip to the Hall of Souls. I don't want you to appear within their field of vision as my strength and trump cards. Therefore, we will have to separate for a while."
After a pause, he looked at Xiao Yixian and spoke seriously.
"And before I leave, Xiao Yixian, I want to help you condense the Poison Pill."
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