786: Ruins breaking the rules

Lin Yang nodded: "However, the entry time node is different from last time; this time it began when I was arranged to go to the secret room, and the mission is also different from the last one."

Yu Qing was even more surprised: "There's such a thing?"

The probability of being continuously drawn into the same Ancient Ruins world is almost non-existent.

Lin Yang had never heard of the things he encountered this time.

Lin Yang asked about Yu Qing's situation again, then immediately said: "Fellow Daoist Yu Qing, what are your plans now?"

Yu Qing did not answer immediately, but took out a communication jade slip and sent a message for a while before saying:

"According to the latest news I've gathered, the speed of the Ancient Ruins invading cities has slowed down significantly. The closer it is to the inner prefecture, the slower it gets, and there are even faint signs of it stopping. We can wait and see how things develop; perhaps the large-scale invasion of cities by the Ancient Ruins is starting to end."

"So that means, after the mist dissipates, it will be safe for a long time again." Lin Yang also breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Instances of the Ancient Ruins invading cities are very, very rare, and after an invasion, the Ancient Ruins will return to calm for a long time.

This intelligence was learned from Yu Qing when they exchanged information last time.

Yu Qing nodded and said with some heaviness: "I hope so. This time, the Ancient Ruins invaded nearly two hundred prefectures on our human side, with countless casualties."

Lin Yang was silent.

With nearly two hundred prefectures invaded by the Ancient Ruins, judging by the mortality rate of this invasion, the number of dead is likely uncountable.

Even if they are strangers, as fellow humans, thinking about this terrifying number of casualties makes one feel very uncomfortable.

Lin Yang also sent a message to Zhao Hu, but had not yet received a reply from Zhao Hu.

After thinking for a moment, he said: "Fellow Daoist Yu Qing, since the Ancient Ruins have started to stop invading, what's next? Should we continue to head towards the inner prefecture, or?"

Yu Qing's eyes flickered: "Return to Xiwu City!"

"Return to Xiwu City?" Lin Yang was a bit surprised.

"Yes, our side suffered heavy casualties this time, and the Gu Xu Clan must be the same. Once the Ancient Ruins invasion is completely over, trade between the two clans will inevitably resume, and there will be business opportunities everywhere by then!" Yu Qing's eyes sparkled with the light of making money.

Lin Yang raised an eyebrow and said: "Fellow Daoist Yu Qing doesn't look like someone who is short of money, so why are you so concerned about making money?"

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Lin Yang, is there anyone in this world who would complain about having too much money?" Yu Qing said with a smile.

Lin Yang laughed in spite of himself: "That's also true."

"Does Fellow Daoist Lin Yang have other plans?" Yu Qing asked in return.

Lin Yang shook his head: "None for now."

"Then let's return to Xiwu City together. Once the Ancient Ruins invasion ends, if we seize the opportunity and make a big profit, we won't have to worry about cultivation resources for a short time." Yu Qing said.

Lin Yang's heart stirred.

What he most urgently needs now is to improve his cultivation.

But wanting to improve his cultivation requires a large amount of cultivation resources.

The current resources and savings he has are not enough to support his long-term cultivation.

Returning to Xiwu City and taking the opportunity to make a profit is a good choice.

Furthermore, after returning to Xiwu City, he could go to the Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm to continue letting "Jie" absorb energy.

As for the expenses to return to Xiwu City, Yu Qing also covered them.

In Yu Qing's words, the original plan was to escape the invasion range of the Ancient Ruins, but the Ancient Ruins' invasion speed was too fast. Having only run through a few dozen prefectures, returning to Xiwu City was not too far, so she didn't make Lin Yang pay for himself.

...

The Ancient Ruins invasion came fiercely and left quickly.

On the third day after Lin Yang and Yu Qing escaped the Ancient Ruins, the mist in the city began to recede.

The two began to return to Xiwu City.

Halfway there, Lin Yang received a reply from Zhao Hu.

Zhao Hu indicated that the Zhao family was quite lucky this time, and not many clansmen died in the Ancient Ruins.

When he learned that Lin Yang was already on his way back to Xiwu City, he was pleasantly surprised and invited Lin Yang to visit the Zhao family in Xiwu City.

Lin Yang chatted with him for a while and gained a general understanding of the situation in Xiwu City.

After this round of Ancient Ruins invasion, the landscape of Xiwu City has changed significantly.

Some of the original families in the city had too many clansmen die, suffering heavy losses and declining, leaving behind many resources and territories.

Now, the existing major families in Xiwu City are all expanding and fighting for territory and resources.

However, the Five Great Families are still strong, and currently, they still dominate Xiwu City.

The Five Great Families have many people; although many died, as long as the family's Yuan He Realm ancestors do not die, they will always be like a stabilizing force, and it is easy to lead the family to revival.

At the same time, Lin Yang also learned the latest news about the Fierce Ancient Ruins in Baichi City.

It can be said to be very bad news.

Because that Ancient Ruins has expanded again over these years.

And more than once.

Originally, after four expansions, there were only five cities left in Jidong Prefecture that were not covered by the Ancient Ruins.

But with the fifth expansion of the Ancient Ruins, the remaining five cities in Jidong Prefecture were all covered.

At first, people didn't pay much attention when they saw that the Ancient Ruins completely covered one prefecture.

Because other Fierce Ancient Ruins at most only cover one prefecture.

However, what was ominous was that not long after the fifth expansion, the Ancient Ruins underwent a sixth expansion.

This expansion also covered a few cities in the prefecture adjacent to Jidong Prefecture.

This behavior broke past patterns.

Making people feel uneasy.

So now, the prefectures adjacent to Jidong Prefecture have also begun to be on guard, and some cities have started to relocate their populations.

No one knows to what extent the Ancient Ruins will eventually expand or when it will stop.

Now people are in a state of panic.

Lin Yang's expression was grim.

There is an Ancient Ruins invasion in the border prefectures, and the Ancient Ruins in the inner prefecture are also expanding, breaking the rules.

These are all very abnormal situations.

Moreover, the impact and consequences brought by the Ancient Ruins expanding against the rules are likely even more serious than the Ancient Ruins invasion.

The Ancient Ruins invasion of cities has started to end.

This at least proves that the invasion of the Ancient Ruins has an end.

But after the Ancient Ruins expand, they do not shrink back.

The occupied areas will permanently become the territory of the Ancient Ruins.

If that Ancient Ruins continues to expand continuously, the consequences are unimaginable.

Lin Yang thought for a moment, took out the communication jade slip, and prepared to send messages to Xia Shuang and Li Liping.

Now Jidong Prefecture has fallen, and the Ancient Ruins are still continuing to expand.

He doesn't have to worry too much about being discovered.

Moreover, Lin Yang believed that Xia Shuang and Li Liping would definitely not leak his news.

He first sent a message to Xia Shuang.

Having not been in contact for many years, when Xia Shuang received Lin Yang's message, she was obviously stunned for a good while, and then an excited voice came through the communication jade slip:

"Big Brother Lin Yang, I knew you would definitely be okay. Where have you been for so many years? Are you okay? I miss you so much!"

Her voice was trembling, choking with sobs.

Lin Yang could hear that this Little Girl was truly overwhelmed with excitement, and couldn't help but smile:

"Little Xia Shuang, I had some accidents these years, so I didn't contact you in time. I am very well now, you don't need to worry. But you, I heard that the Ancient Ruins have expanded towards other prefectures, how are you now?"

Xia Shuang replied in a tone that was clearly suppressing her emotions: "I'm fine. The Huan Yin Sect is relatively far from Jidong Prefecture, so it's safe for now. You don't need to worry about me!"

"That's good." Lin Yang said.

"Big Brother Lin Yang, where are you now? What happened in Baichi City back then? I heard at that time that Baichi City was completely isolated by that Ancient Ruins. You escaped, the price you paid must have been huge, right? Are you injured?" Xia Shuang said in one breath, very worried about Lin Yang's safety.

Lin Yang said with a smile: "I'm very well. The events of that year are a long story, let's talk about it when there's a chance in the future. As for where I am now, it's in a very far place, and I won't be able to go back in the short term. You don't need to worry about me, take care of yourself."

Xia Shuang was silent for a moment upon hearing this, clearly feeling disappointed about not being able to see Lin Yang, and then said: "I know, I will take good care of myself!"

"Mm, that's good."

Lin Yang chatted with Xia Shuang for a while longer, and finally instructed her to try not to mention his affairs to others, before ending this communication amidst the Little Girl's reluctant tone.

Afterwards, he followed up by sending a message to Li Liping.

But this guy didn't answer, so Lin Yang didn't continue to send messages.

He sent a message to Li Liping mainly to care about this guy's safety.

If the message could be sent, it means Li Liping is still alive.

Not answering the message for now might be because he is busy. When he finishes and sees the missed message, he will naturally reply.

Put away the communication jade slip.

Lin Yang's heart was completely settled.

For these years, he held back from contacting Xia Shuang and Li Liping, mainly because Jidong Prefecture was still there.

Now, at least he doesn't have to worry too much about the issue of being exposed.

A stone in his heart finally landed.

Next, he and Yu Qing teleported all the way back to Xiwu City.

Because all the prefectures here had been invaded by the Ancient Ruins and suffered countless casualties, taking the Teleportation Array was not as crowded as before; there was no need to queue, and no need to pay extra.

Therefore, the two returned to Xiwu City in a shorter time than when they were fleeing before.

Returning to Xiwu City again, Lin Yang was full of emotions.

This can be considered his second hometown on the Primal Ancient Continent.

"Fellow Daoist Lin Yang, the situation in Xiwu City is complicated now. I'll go handle some old matters first, so let's part ways here. Later, when I have settled the trade matters, I will contact you again."

After returning to Xiwu City, Yu Qing hurriedly bid farewell and left.

Lin Yang thought to himself, it seems that Yu Qing has quite a few connections in Xiwu City.

He glanced at Xiwu City, which was now noticeably much quieter, and walked towards the original residence of the Zhao family.

In Xiwu City, he was still relatively familiar with and trusted the Zhao family.

Since he was back, naturally he would definitely go to the Zhao family to stay.

After all, he is still a Guest Elder of the Zhao family.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with returning to the Zhao family.

Regarding his return, the entire Zhao family naturally gave him a warm welcome.

Zhao Yuan even personally greeted him.

Nowadays, the situation in Xiwu City is turbulent, and it is in the period of fighting for resource points. For the arrival of a powerhouse with Lin Yang's strength, the Zhao family simply couldn't ask for more.

Lin Yang didn't stand on ceremony either, and immediately indicated to Zhao Yuan that he could continue to serve as a Guest Elder of the Zhao family, and was also willing to contribute to the Zhao family's current efforts to fight for resources.

Of course, not working for free.

He needs a share from it.

If it were before, he might not have done this, but now it's different.

He needs resources, the more the better.

That Yin Soul has set its sights on him, which makes him feel very insecure.

He must become stronger as soon as possible.

He also needs to try to obtain more resources.

In the current situation of Xiwu City, except for the Five Great Families which are unshakable.

If he helps the Zhao family with all his might, he can definitely help the Zhao family go further, and asking for some resources is not excessive.

After all, if he doesn't help, the Zhao family will probably remain a second-rate family, at most a bit stronger than before.

And with his full support, the Zhao family can rank among the first-rate families, and the resources they can obtain will more than double.

If he takes a portion from it, the remaining part is pure profit for the Zhao family.

Of course, this also depends on the Zhao family's attitude.

However, Lin Yang believes that the Zhao family will not refuse.

This is a win-win situation.

The Zhao family currently only has Zhao Yuan in the Yuan He Realm, and without his full support, they cannot rank among the first-rate families.

And he himself is only one person, so joining forces is mutually beneficial.

This is also the reason why he sought cooperation with the Zhao family.

He alone cannot take too much advantage among the many families in Xiwu City.

But adding Zhao Yuan makes it different.

With the two of them working together, it is enough to get a share of the pie in the current Xiwu City.

And Zhao Yuan's decision did not exceed Lin Yang's expectations.

He agreed very readily.

Afterwards, both sides made an agreement and discussed a specific resource allocation plan.

When everything was settled, Zhao Yuan said with a smile: "Guest Elder Lin, I wish us a happy cooperation!"

"Happy cooperation!" Lin Yang also said with a smile.

In the following period of time.

Lin Yang, in accordance with the agreement, took down quite a few resource territories together with Zhao Yuan.

With Lin Yang's actions, his strength and reputation also began to spread rapidly in Xiwu City.

With the cultivation of the peak of Nie Kong Realm, he has the combat power of the Yuan He Realm!

For a time, Lin Yang's reputation skyrocketed.

The Zhao family also naturally became a first-rate family in Xiwu City.

And, it is the top-tier first-rate family!

The most direct manifestation of this is that the Zhao family's treasure land in the Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm not only improved from the original Grade C to Grade B, but the number also doubled from three pieces.

Moreover, there were also two more good mineral deposits.

Just the improvement in the Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm was very considerable.

Lin Yang naturally entered the Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm again as a matter of course.

The mist dissipated too quickly, and "Jie" didn't absorb much. Now returning to the Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm is precisely to let "Jie" absorb again.

Since he already knew how slow "Jie" absorbs, Lin Yang didn't stay idle this time either.

He prepared a large amount of resources, preparing to break through to the Yuan He Realm.

As for where that large amount of resources came from...

Naturally, it came from the cooperation with the Zhao family this time.

In fact, just taking down resource territories, there wouldn't be revenue so quickly.

But he wanted to break through as soon as possible, so Zhao Yuan advanced him a portion.

The faster his strength improves, the greater the benefits the Zhao family can get.

So the large amount of resources for this breakthrough to the Yuan He Realm was provided by the Zhao family at their own cost first.

Lin Yang sat cross-legged in the closed-door cultivation room in the central area of the Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm, no longer paying attention to "Jie"'s absorption, and focused on breaking through the realm.

Don't know how much time passed.

Bursts of cold power suddenly emerged in the closed-door cultivation room, and the temperature dropped suddenly.

Lin Yang opened his eyes abruptly.

His eyes were unprecedentedly solemn.

Because, his previous premonition had indeed come true.

That Yin Soul seems to be able to find him without him having to actively set up a Spirit Communication Array.

Now this cold power is the most direct manifestation of the other party trying to break through some kind of restriction to descend!

He felt that cold power, and was a bit surprised that the Yin Soul had already been able to do this so quickly.

(End of chapter)