59: Yao family's shocking change, night exploration of the secret vault

Deep within the cave, the gurgling sound of the undercurrent was like an ancient whisper, tapping against the silent rock walls. The shadows here were so thick they couldn't be dispelled, perfectly engulfing Lin Chen's figure, leaving only a pair of deep-set eyes that flickered with calm, analytical light in the absolute darkness, like a predator lurking in the abyss, scrutinizing the uninvited guest before him.

Yao Qing stood at the boundary between light and shadow, the faint light outlining her weary and anxious profile. She could feel a cold gaze fall upon her, as if it could penetrate flesh and reach deep into her Soul, causing an involuntary shiver. She took a deep breath, trying to suppress the tension in her heart and the panic brought by the immense Family pressure. She knew this was the Yao Family's only hope, and she absolutely couldn't mess it up.

"Your Excellency Lin Chen," her voice carried a subtle tremor, yet she tried to maintain composure, "The matter needs to be told starting from half a month ago, when you righteously intervened in the outskirts of the Blackwind Mountains and helped us retrieve the youying grass..."

Her narration brought Lin Chen back to that brief encounter, then the conversation shifted, sinking into a heavy reality.

"My Yao Family has lived in Yao City in the Black Domain Great Ridge for generations. Although not a prominent Family, we have been rooted here for hundreds of years. My father, Yao Wanli, a Five Star Dou Ling Cultivator, presides over the Family, and has always been cautious and benevolent." Yao Qing's voice lowered, tinged with a hint of bitterness, "Underneath the Family ancestral hall, there is said to be a secret vault passed down from our ancestors, its exact age unknown. Successive Clan Chiefs have passed down the knowledge orally, only knowing that it contains a great treasure related to the Family's lifeline, but not its specifics. Ancestral teachings strictly forbid its opening unless the Family's survival is at stake, otherwise, it might invite disaster."

She paused, fear and resentment flashing in her eyes: "However, just half a month ago, shortly after that earth-shattering battle erupted in the Blackwind Mountains, a group of mysterious people, like ghosts, suddenly descended upon Yao City. The leader was an old man shrouded in a large black robe. His Aura... his Aura was extremely cold and terrifying, far surpassing my father! They directly broke into the sacred ancestral hall, speaking coldly, claiming to 'retrieve an old item,' and forcibly demanded my father to immediately open the secret vault."

"My father naturally refused sternly. The ancestral hall's secret vault is the Family's foundation; how could outsiders covet it? Both sides disagreed, and immediately came to blows... But... but the opponent's strength was too terrifying. That black-robed old man didn't even exert his full strength; with just one palm... just one palm, he severely injured my father!" Yao Qing's voice choked, her eyes reddening, "My father fell heavily, unconscious. What was even more terrifying was that the palm strike contained an extremely sinister and malicious Dou Qi, like a festering bone, continuously eroding my father's vitality! The Family spared no effort, invited various Medicinal Pill masters, and even sought out Rank Four Medicinal Pills, but none could dispel that strange Dou Qi. We could only watch helplessly as my father's Aura grew weaker day by day..."

She looked up at Lin Chen in the shadows, tears welling in her eyes: "The Grand Elder secretly and sorrowfully said that the Dou Qi is sinister and strange, unheard of, and perhaps... perhaps it is the method of that most terrifying force on the continent—the Hall of Souls!"

"Hall of Souls?" From the shadows, Lin Chen's indifferent voice finally sounded, without the slightest ripple, as if merely confirming a term. But his heart slightly tensed. The Hall of Souls's reach was longer and more secretive than he had imagined. An ancient secret vault of a small Family in a remote area could attract their attention? What exactly was the so-called "old item" in that secret vault?

Yao Qing nodded vigorously, as if clutching at a life-saving straw: "Precisely! The Family is in peril, the Clan Chief's life hangs by a thread, and we are all helpless. It was at this moment that the Second Elder, Yao Zhenhai, who usually lives in seclusion and studies ancient texts, suddenly emerged from his retreat. After consulting a large number of fragmented ancient Family texts, he proposed a method: according to a very ancient and fragmented note, it seems that a supreme Yang and supreme rigid exotic treasure is sealed deep within our Family's secret vault, which might be able to counteract that cold Dou Qi and save my father!"

"But the problem is," Yao Qing's tone turned helpless and urgent, "the only key to the secret vault is kept personally by my father, and the complete method of opening it has always been passed down orally only to the Clan Chief, never recorded in any book. Now that my father is unconscious, no one can open the secret vault!"

Her gaze refocused on Lin Chen, filled with anticipation: "So... so we thought of you! Your Excellency Lin Chen! We inquired extensively and learned that there was an earth-shattering battle that night in the Blackwind Mountains, involving Hall of Souls powerhouses and... and immensely powerful exotic flames! Since you were able to escape safely from such a dangerous place that day, you are certainly extraordinary. We have no other way; we can only hope that you might know clues about exotic flames, or... or you yourself... We earnestly request your assistance! If you can save my father and open the secret vault, anything you need from my Yao Family's secret vault can be yours! I, Yao Qing, swear by my Soul that the Yao Family will forever be grateful for this great kindness, will never be your enemy in this life, and will not hesitate to die for any command!"

Her words were sincere and emotional, her bright eyes staring into the darkness, trying to catch any reaction from Lin Chen. Her performance did not seem like a pretense; the despair of a Family in distress and a father on the verge of death, combined with desperate hope, was hard to fake.

Lin Chen remained silent. Only the gurgling of the undercurrent and Yao Qing's slightly hurried breathing remained in the cave. He was rapidly weighing his options.

The risks were obvious. Yao City was undoubtedly a den of dragons and tigers now. The Hall of Souls Elder who could severely injure Five Star Dou Ling Yao Wanli with a single palm must be at least a Dou Emperor, or even higher. Was this person still in Yao City? Had they set up an inescapable net? The Second Elder Yao Zhenhai, who suddenly proposed opening the secret vault and emerged from his retreat at this moment, had a timing that raised suspicious doubts. Was this a desperate choice made out of eagerness to save his father, or a carefully designed trap to lure him in?

But the opportunities were equally tempting. The "old item" that the Hall of Souls valued so highly and personally tried to obtain must be extraordinary. If the "supreme Yang and supreme rigid exotic treasure" mentioned in the notes truly existed, it might not only detoxify Yao Wanli but also have an unexpected suppressive or even neutralizing effect on the backlash of the Shadow Erosion Dou Qi in his own body! More importantly, this was an excellent opportunity to observe the Hall of Souls's mode of operation up close, and perhaps glimpse a corner of their plans!

"What is the specific strength of that Hall of Souls Elder? Are there any distinct features?" Lin Chen's voice remained calm, like an unmoving rock.

Yao Qing tried to recall, a clear look of fear flashing across her face: "I don't know his specific cultivation, but his oppressive Aura was like mountains and peaks, far surpassing my father. He is probably... probably a Dou Emperor powerhouse, without a doubt. He was completely shrouded in a black robe, so I couldn't see his face, but... but at the moment he struck, I glimpsed a dark red scorpion tattoo on the back of his right hand, which was quite eerie."

Dou Emperor! Dark red scorpion tattoo! Lin Chen silently noted these two key pieces of information. The Hall of Souls had a strict hierarchy, and those with unique tattoos often held high positions.

"What is the current strength of your Yao Family's Second Elder? What is his usual character? What specific actions has he taken since emerging from his retreat this time?" Lin Chen's questions were detailed and calm, like peeling an onion.

Yao Qing paused slightly, seemingly surprised that Lin Chen would ask in such detail. After a moment of thought, she replied: "Second Elder Yao Zhenhai is roughly a Three Star Dou Ling Cultivator. He has been in seclusion for many years, rarely involving himself in Family affairs, and is obsessed with studying various ancient texts and secrets. His temperament is somewhat reclusive and gloomy. However, this time, with father severely injured, he has indeed been busy, consulting ancient texts and offering advice to save him. He is also the most insistent on trying to open the secret vault, believing it to be the only hope for saving father and the Family..."

Three Star Dou Ling, obsessed with ancient texts, reclusive and gloomy temperament, yet unusually active at this moment... A faint trace of doubt flashed in the depths of Lin Chen's eyes. This combination didn't sound much like a loyal Family Elder.

"Take me to Yao City." After a long while, Lin Chen finally made his decision, his voice unyielding, "But I will not easily reveal my identity. You go back first and arrange for someone you absolutely trust to meet me. I need to personally confirm Clan Chief Yao's situation and the actual guard situation outside the ancestral hall's secret vault. Remember," his tone suddenly turned cold, carrying a chilling warning, "my whereabouts must not be known to a second person, especially—your Second Elder. If even a hint of it leaks out, our cooperation will immediately terminate, and you will bear the consequences."

Upon hearing this, Yao Qing first widened her eyes in disbelief, then an expression of ecstasy flooded her face. She quickly nodded vigorously, afraid Lin Chen would change his mind: "Thank you, Your Excellency! Thank you! Qing'er understands! Absolute secrecy! I will immediately return to Yao City to make arrangements! I have a private residence in the east of the city. Here is my token, a jade hairpin, and the address," she quickly took out a jade hairpin, entirely green with intricate cloud patterns carved on its head, and a slip of paper with an address written on it from her bosom, respectfully handing them towards the shadows, "Your Excellency can use this to contact my personal maid, Xiao Ru. She grew up with me and is absolutely loyal and trustworthy!"

“There's no time to lose; I'll depart shortly.” The shadows rippled, and the jade hairpin and note silently vanished. Lin Chen's voice remained calm, yet carried a reassuring strength.

Yao Qing bowed deeply once more, placing all her hopes on this mysterious and powerful young man. Only then did she turn and, with a mix of apprehension and excitement, hurried out of the cave.

After Yao Qing's footsteps completely faded beyond the cave, Lin Chen remained hidden in the darkness, not acting immediately. His fingertips caressed the warm jade hairpin, his mind racing, piecing together and analyzing all the information fragments Yao Qing had provided.

Risk and opportunity coexisted. But this muddy water was worth wading into.

He no longer hesitated, taking out the "Illusionary Appearance Pill" he had obtained from Blackrock City from his storage ring. The Medicinal Pill dissolved in his stomach, immediately transforming into a peculiar warm current. His facial bones and muscles experienced a slight yet distinct sensation of creeping sensation, as if invisible hands were shaping him. A moment later, he looked at his reflection in the faint water light of a nearby stream; the reflection in the water had become that of a sallow-faced, ordinary-looking young man who would be unremarkable in a crowd. Not only his appearance, but even his surrounding Aura became ordinary and restrained, no longer possessing the subtle sharpness and profundity he had before.

He then changed into a set of inconspicuous gray coarse cloth clothes, before ghost-like, he swept out of the cave, his figure merging into the shadows of the forest, silently speeding towards Yao City in the Blackwind Mountains.

Two days later, Yao City.

This city, built against the mountain, appeared somewhat oppressive. The number of guards checking at the city gates had noticeably increased, all of them Yao Family disciples, their eyes vigilantly scanning every person entering the city. An atmosphere of impending storm hung heavy in the air.

Lin Chen, disguised as the sallow-faced young man, kept his head down, blending in with the mercenaries and merchant caravans entering the city to make a living. He paid the city entry tax and entered the city without attracting any attention.

The atmosphere within the city was equally tense; passersby hurried along, and conversations were hushed. Following the address on the note, Lin Chen passed through several secluded alleys and quickly found the private residence in the east of the city that Yao Qing had mentioned. The small courtyard was quiet, and the entrance was desolate.

He knocked on the door knocker, three long and two short. Soon, a crack opened in the side door, and a small maid with twin buns and lively eyes cautiously peeked out. It was Xiao Ru. Lin Chen showed her the jade hairpin. After Xiao Ru carefully examined it, the wariness on her face instantly turned into respect and urgency, and she quickly led him into the courtyard.

“Young Miss went directly to the Ancestral Hall to visit the Clan Chief after she returned. For now, the Family's internal and external affairs are temporarily overseen by the Second Elder,” Xiao Ru whispered, speaking quickly. “The people from the Hall of Souls have seemingly vanished since that day they made their move, and haven't appeared publicly again. But Young Miss privately noticed that there seem to be some unfamiliar faces in the city, with a cold Aura. She suspects the Hall of Souls people haven't left, but have merely gone into hiding. The overt and covert sentries around the Ancestral Hall have more than doubled, and… and it's said they've all been replaced by the Second Elder's confidants.” A flicker of worry crossed Xiao Ru's eyes.

Lin Chen listened quietly, his expression unreadable: “How is Clan Chief Yao?”

“The Clan Chief is still unconscious,” Xiao Ru's expression dimmed. “Several Elders take turns using their Dou Qi daily to sustain the Clan Chief's life, but the effect is minimal. That chilling Dou Qi is too overbearing; the Clan Chief's vitality is still slowly draining away…”

“I understand.” Lin Chen nodded. “Tonight at midnight, find a way to get me into the Yao Family's inner residence. I need to personally examine Clan Chief Yao's condition.”

Xiao Ru looked troubled, but remembering Young Miss's solemn entrustment, she gritted her teeth and nodded: “Tonight at midnight, a convoy transporting rare Medicinal Pills from the manor outside the city will enter the inner residence's storeroom through the southwest side gate. We have people among the guards, Your Excellency can take the opportunity to sneak in. I will wait to meet you in the purple-striped bamboo grove behind the inner residence's laundry room.”

That night, the moon was dark and the wind was high, a perfect time for stealth.

As midnight approached, the Yao Family's southwest side gate quietly opened, and a convoy slowly drove in. Lin Chen, like a weightless ghost, silently clung to the underside of the last carriage's chassis, perfectly concealing all his Aura. With the Dark Shadow Soul Binding Art in operation, he merged with the shadows at the bottom of the carriage; even if someone looked down, it would be difficult to detect anything unusual.

The convoy passed the inspection smoothly and entered the inner residence. As it passed through the shadow of a rockery, Lin Chen's figure slipped down like smoke, instantly disappearing into the darkness without making a sound.

Following the route in his memory, he moved like a civet cat through the shadows of pavilions and towers, avoiding patrolling guards, and soon arrived outside the courtyard of Yao Wanli's sickroom.

The bedroom was brightly lit, and several figures were silhouetted on the window paper. Lin Chen held his breath, concentrating his Soul perception to the extreme, like invisible tendrils, slowly probing into the room.

Inside, Yao Wanli lay on the bed, his face ashen, his breath faint, unconscious. Surrounding the bed were several elderly members of the Yao Family, all with worried expressions. The leader, a gaunt-faced man in a dark purple Elder's robe with sunken eyes, his sharp gaze carrying a hint of imperceptible malevolence, was none other than the Five Star Dou Ling Second Elder, Yao Zhenhai.

He was pressing his palm to Yao Wanli's chest with a “grieved” expression, seemingly transmitting pure Dou Qi to sustain his life, sighing, “Clan Chief, you must hold on…” However, Lin Chen's incredibly keen Soul perception clearly detected a subtle energy hidden beneath Yao Zhenhai's seemingly gentle Dou Qi, an energy originating from the same source as the chilling Dou Qi within Yao Wanli! He was not saving him, but rather very covertly and slowly aggravating Yao Wanli's injuries, delaying his recovery, and perhaps… even maintaining a certain balance of that chilling Dou Qi, preventing it from being immediately fatal, yet also making it impossible to expel!

What a vicious Second Elder! He truly harbored malicious intentions! If not for Lin Chen's Soul Power being strengthened by the earth core soul marrow and his extreme sensitivity to energy attributes, he would never have detected this hidden evil!

Lin Chen sneered inwardly, quietly withdrawing his perception, and silently retreated into the deeper darkness. In Xiao Ru's anxious wait, he appeared as scheduled in the purple-striped bamboo grove.

“Your Excellency, how is the situation?” Xiao Ru asked eagerly.

“Take me near the Ancestral Hall, a distant observation will suffice.” Lin Chen did not answer, merely instructed calmly.

Xiao Ru dared not ask more. Under the cover of night, she led Lin Chen to another side of the inner residence, pointing to a magnificent, brightly lit ancient complex in the distance: “That is the Ancestral Hall, a heavily guarded area.”

Lin Chen gazed intently. The Ancestral Hall was indeed heavily guarded, with numerous overt sentries, bright torches, and dozens of hidden Auras in the shadows. However, under his powerful Soul perception, he discovered even more—in some shadowy corners on the outskirts of the Ancestral Hall, several extremely well-hidden figures lurked, their Auras clashing with their surroundings! Their Auras were cold, obscure, carrying a unique, repulsive deathly stillness characteristic of the Hall of Souls! Although they used sophisticated concealment techniques, almost merging with the darkness, that unique “texture” could not deceive Lin Chen!

The people from the Hall of Souls had indeed not left! They were like patient leopards, lurking around the prey's lair! Moreover, there seemed to be a strange tacit understanding between them and the “confidant” guards of the Second Elder outside the Ancestral Hall, not interfering with each other, and even… subtly watching over each other!

A clear, terrifying outline of a conspiracy fully formed in Lin Chen's mind: Second Elder Yao Zhenhai had long since secretly defected to the Hall of Souls! The so-called ancient records, supreme Yang treasures, and opening the secret vault to save people were all part of a meticulously designed double trap! On one hand, it was to control the Family's power, and on the other, and most importantly, it was to use Yao Wanli as bait and the secret vault as a lure, utilizing Yao Qing to draw out anyone who might possess a unique flame or know the secret of the vault (such as those who survived the Blackwind Mountains incident and were in the know)! And the experts from the Hall of Souls were lying in wait, ready to strike like lightning once the “key” appeared, like a mantis stalking a cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it!

What a vicious ploy, inviting the enemy into a trap and killing two birds with one stone!

That girl, Yao Qing, was almost unknowingly made into a tool in the enemy's hands, yet she was wholeheartedly trying to save her Family.

Lin Chen's lips curved into a cold and dangerous arc. The situation was now clear.

Hall of Souls, Second Elder… you set up a chess game, wanting to lure me into your net?

Very good.

Then let's see how I, this unexpected chess piece, will disrupt your chessboard and snatch chestnuts from the fire in this Dragon's den!

He no longer lingered, signaling Xiao Ru to retreat. His figure merged into the night, as if he had never appeared.

The plan had to change.

(Chapter 60 End)