178: I told you not to cause trouble, and you still came to mess with me. You're really sensible.

"But before that..."

Lin Fan thought to himself and opened the System Mall.

He looked towards the Cultivation Technique section.

[Devouring Heaven Demonic Art (Second Half · Pseudo)]: An imitation of the second half of the Devouring Heaven Demonic Art, containing the cultivation methods from Martial Venerable to Martial God realm, as well as the ultimate mystery of "Devouring the World." Price: 500,000,000 prestige value.

Too expensive, can't afford it.

[Primal Sword Intent (Complete Edition)]: The complete Legacy of the Primal Sword Intent, containing the Supreme Dao truth of creating the world. Price: 300,000,000 prestige value.

Still can't afford it.

[Self-Transformation Freedom Technique (Complete Edition)]: The complete Legacy of the Space-Time Law, allowing one to freely travel through past and future, creating thousands of Incarnations. Price: 9... 9 prestige value.

Even less affordable.

Lin Fan shook his head and looked at the Item section.

What he needed most right now was an item that could quickly improve his comprehension of the Chaos Law.

[Chaos Stone (Fragment)]: A strange stone fragment containing Chaos Qi; refining it can improve comprehension of the Chaos Law. Price: 1,000,000 prestige value/piece.

[Chaos Green Lotus (Imitation)]: An imitation of the Chaos Green Lotus, which can nourish the Chaos Law and stabilize the Foundation. Price: 2,000,000 prestige value.

[pangu essence blood (Diluted a million times)]: A further diluted version of pangu essence blood, containing weak Law of Strength and Chaos Qi. Price: 3,000,000 prestige value.

Can't afford any of them.

Lin Fan sighed.

His prestige value was still not enough.

"Looks like I'll have to find a way to earn some more prestige value..."

Just as he was thinking, King Kong's voice came from outside the door:

"Master, someone is here to see you."

"Who?"

"He says... his name is Wealthy Gold."

Wealthy Gold?

Lin Fan was stunned, then remembered—wasn't this the Myriad Treasures Pavilion Steward who had invited him to participate in the Prodigy Battle back in the Eastern District?

"Let him in."

A moment later, a round figure squeezed into the cultivation room.

It was indeed Wealthy Gold.

However, he looked even more prosperous than he had in the Eastern District. He wore a brocade robe, a jade crown, and eight rings on his ten fingers, each radiating precious light.

"Champion Lin! Congratulations, congratulations!" Wealthy Gold beamed as soon as he entered. "I knew you would win! The first time I saw you in the Eastern District, I knew you were no ordinary person!"

Lin Fan smiled: "Steward Jin, speak your mind."

"Hehe, Champion Lin is straightforward." Wealthy Gold rubbed his hands together. "It's like this, the headquarters of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion is very interested in you and would like to invite you to become our Supreme Guest Elder."

"Supreme Guest Elder?" Lin Fan raised an eyebrow. "What are the benefits?"

"Plenty of benefits!" Wealthy Gold listed them like he was counting his own treasures. "First, an annual offering of ten million Medium Grade Blood Crystals! Second, you can enjoy a 50% discount at any branch of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion! Third, you can get one chance to enter the Myriad Treasures Pavilion's treasury to select three treasures! Fourth..."

He paused and lowered his voice:

"Fourth, our Pavilion Master said that as long as you agree, we can help you... solve some small troubles."

"Small troubles?" Lin Fan narrowed his eyes.

"For example..." Wealthy Gold's voice dropped even lower, "like the Old Ancestors of certain Secret Realms, like the dissatisfaction of certain forces in the Central District towards you, or perhaps... the potential resistance from within the Enforcers."

Lin Fan's heart stirred.

The Myriad Treasures Pavilion was very well-informed.

They even knew about things inside the Enforcers?

"Who is... your Pavilion Master?" Lin Fan asked.

"This..." Wealthy Gold gave a bitter smile. "I cannot disclose the identity of the Pavilion Master. But I can guarantee that the Myriad Treasures Pavilion is fully sincere."

Lin Fan was silent for a moment.

"I need to consider it."

"Of course, of course!" Wealthy Gold nodded quickly. "This is the Guest Elder token, please keep it for now. Once you've considered it, activate it at any time, and our people will contact you immediately."

He handed over a golden token with the characters "Myriad Treasures" engraved on it.

Lin Fan took it; it was heavy in his hand, clearly made of extraordinary material.

"Also..." Wealthy Gold took a jade box out of his embrace. "This is a congratulatory gift from the Pavilion Master, congratulating you on winning the championship."

Lin Fan opened the jade box.

Inside were three Medicinal Pills the size of Dragon eyes, entirely Chaos-colored, emitting a rich Chaos Qi.

[chaos enlightenment pill (Heaven Rank High Grade)]: After consumption, one can enter a state of Chaos enlightenment, significantly improving comprehension of the Chaos Law. Each pill lasts for three days.

Lin Fan's pupils constricted slightly.

chaos enlightenment pill!

And it was Heaven Rank High Grade!

The value of this thing was probably higher than the life creation pill!

Myriad Treasures Pavilion... what a grand gesture!

"The Pavilion Master said this is just a meeting gift," Wealthy Gold smiled. "If you become a Guest Elder, you will receive three more every year."

Lin Fan closed the jade box.

"Thank the Pavilion Master for me."

"Definitely, definitely!" Wealthy Gold bowed. "Then I won't disturb Champion Lin's rest any longer, farewell."

He retreated.

In the cultivation room, Lin Fan looked at the jade box and the token in his hand, lost in thought.

Why was the Myriad Treasures Pavilion recruiting him so heavily?

Just because he won the championship? Or because of... the Chaos Law?

Or, was there some deeper reason?

"Doesn't matter." Lin Fan shook his head. "Better to improve my strength first."

He took out a chaos enlightenment pill and swallowed it.

The Medicinal Pill melted in his mouth.

The next moment, Lin Fan felt as if he had entered a wonderful state.

Everything around him became slow and clear.

The trajectories of the Laws, the flow of energy, the fluctuations of time... everything felt within reach.

And his comprehension of the Chaos Law began to improve rapidly!

52%... 53%... 54%...

Three days later.

Lin Fan opened his eyes, Chaos swirling in his pupils, as if containing an endless starry sky.

The Chaos Prototype had increased from 52% to... 58%!

An increase of 6 percentage points!

"As expected of the chaos enlightenment pill..." Lin Fan marveled.

At this rate, if he took two more, the Chaos Prototype would be able to break through to over 70%!

By then, even without the asura armor, he would be able to truly fight against monsters at the Late Stage Martial Emperor level!

"Master." King Kong's voice came again, "Seventh Master has sent someone to invite you to the Star Gazing Platform."

"Got it."

Lin Fan stood up and stretched his muscles.

The effect of the chaos enlightenment pill was still continuing, and he could feel his control over Chaos strengthening by another notch.

"Qin Yue, Mu Yu, let's go."

"Yes!"

The three left the station and walked towards the Star Gazing Platform.

On the way, Lin Fan could feel countless gazes fixed on him.

There was awe, jealousy, curiosity, and also... hostility.

Especially a few obscure auras that followed them until they disappeared near the Star Gazing Platform.

"Looks like some people don't want me to have an easy time," Lin Fan muttered to himself.

On the Star Gazing Platform.

Seventh Master was already waiting there.

Besides him, there were two other Enforcers—a man and a woman, both with unfathomable auras.

"Lin Fan, you're here." Seventh Master smiled. "These two are Third Master and Ninth Master, both Seniors among the Enforcers."

"I have met Third Master, Ninth Master." Lin Fan cupped his fists.

Third Master was a middle-aged man with a stern face; he nodded without speaking.

Ninth Master was a woman who looked only in her twenties, with a gentle temperament, but her eyes were as sharp as swords.

"Lin Fan, we have all seen your performance." Ninth Master spoke, her voice cold. "The Chaos Law, the asura armor... truly extraordinary."

"But you must remember, being an Enforcer reserve is only the beginning."

"The competition within the Enforcers is equally fierce."

"And..." She paused. "Some people might not welcome you."

Lin Fan raised an eyebrow: "Because I come from the Eastern District? Or because... I am too young?"

"Both." Third Master finally spoke, his voice hoarse. "There are complex factions within the Enforcers. Since you were favored by Seventh Master, you have naturally taken a side. And Seventh Master's opponents... will not let you grow smoothly."

"Understood." Lin Fan nodded. "I will be careful."

"Very good." Seventh Master said with satisfaction. "For the next three months, you need to stay in the Holy City to receive training and assessment as a reserve."

"During this period, you are not allowed to leave the Holy City."

"After three months, if you pass the assessment, you will be an official reserve, and you can start executing missions, accumulating contributions, and exchanging for resources."

Lin Fan frowned: "Three months? What about the Eastern District..."

"We will send people to look after the Eastern District." Seventh Master said. "Rest assured, as long as you are in the Holy City, no one will dare to touch the Eastern District."

Lin Fan was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Alright."

Three months—just enough time for him to fully improve his strength.

Once the Chaos Prototype breaks through 70%, combined with the asura armor, then...

When he returns to Earth, he will truly be at a "global" level...

"Also." Seventh Master handed over a Jade Slip. "This is the basic Cultivation Technique for Enforcer reserves, the 'Enforcer Art', as well as some precautions. Take it back and study it carefully."

"Yes."

Lin Fan took the Jade Slip and scanned it with his Divine Sense.

There was a lot of content, besides the Cultivation Technique, it also included the history, duties, authority, taboos, etc., of the Enforcers.

"Alright, that's it for today." Seventh Master said. "You may go back now. Remember, for these three months, do not cause trouble, but do not be afraid of trouble either."

"Enforcer reserves have the dignity of Enforcers."

"Whoever dares to provoke... kill without mercy."

The last three words were filled with Killing Intent.

A flash of sharpness crossed Lin Fan's eyes:

"Understood."

Leaving the Star Gazing Platform on the way back to the station.

Qin Yue asked in a low voice: "Brother Fan, we have to stay in the Holy City for three months?"

"Yes." Lin Fan nodded. "For these three months, you two should stay in the station and Cultivate; don't run around. Although the Holy City is safe, there are undercurrents, so be careful."

"Understood." The two women nodded.

Just as they returned to the entrance of the station, Lin Fan frowned.

There were several strange auras around the station.

And... they were not friendly.

"King Kong." Lin Fan said indifferently.

"Here."

"Clear the area."

"Yes!"

King Kong stepped out, his Mid-stage Martial Emperor aura exploding forth!

"You rats hiding in the shadows, get out here!"

As the voice fell, four figures emerged from the shadows.

Each of them was at the Late Stage Martial Emperor cultivation level!

The leader was a One-eyed Old Man who sneered: "Lin Fan, don't think that just because you're the champion, you can walk sideways in the Holy City."

"There are some people you cannot afford to provoke."

Lin Fan smiled.

He looked at the One-eyed Old Man and spoke slowly:

"Seventh Master just said not to cause trouble..."

"And you came knocking on my door."

"How truly..."

He took a step forward, Chaos Qi permeating the air:

"Considerate of you."

[Ding! Encountered provocation, responded domineeringly, prestige value +5000!]

[Current prestige value: 300,000 points!]

prestige value, broke through 300,000!