53: Chapter 53 Intelligence Organization, Tianji Pavilion Appears

The roar of the green python chased after them like thunder.

Lin Ye led the team through the complex terrain of the Spirit Medicine garden, with tangled ancient tree roots underfoot and strange vegetation taller than a person beside them.

Every step they took could land on some unknown Spiritual Plant, but no one cared about that now.

"Quick! The passage is ahead!" Su Qingyue pointed to a crack in the distant rock wall.

The crack was about a zhang wide and two zhang high, deep inside, which was the passage to the library pavilion marked on the Jade Slip map.

As long as they could get in, the green python's huge body would find it difficult to pursue them due to the narrow terrain.

But they were still fifty zhang away.

And the python's speed was much faster than theirs.

"Hiss —!"

A fishy wind hit their faces; the python had already chased them to within ten zhang!

It opened its mouth and spat out a cloud of dark green poison mist. Wherever the poison mist passed, the vegetation withered instantly, and the rock surface was corroded into pits.

"Dodge!" Lin Ye shouted, turning around simultaneously, and summoned the myriad mother qi cauldron. The cauldron's mouth dripped down grayish mother qi, forming a barrier.

The poison mist hit the mother qi barrier, making "chi chi" sounds, constantly eroding it.

Although the mother qi could resist it, the consumption was huge, and Lin Ye could feel his Divine Power passing away rapidly.

"This won't work!" Chen Hao gritted his teeth, "Brother Ye, you go first, I'll lead the Azure Dragon Hall to hold the rear!"

"Don't be stupid!" Shi Potian pulled him back, "That is a Dao Palace Third Layer, you'll be throwing your lives away if you hold the rear!"

"Then what do we do?!"

Seeing that the poison mist was about to erode through the mother qi barrier, and the python's giant tail had also been raised, ready to launch a fatal blow.

Just at this critical moment —

"Hum!"

A silver-white light screen suddenly rose behind the crowd, separating the python from the team!

The light screen was as thin as a cicada's wing, yet exceptionally tough. The python's giant tail slapped against it, only causing a ripple, failing to break it.

At the same time, four Talismans fell from the air, sticking to the python's head, neck, body, and tail respectively.

The Talismans ignited with ghost-blue flames. The flames were not hot, but they made the python emit painful hisses, its movements significantly slowed.

"This way!"

A cold female voice came from the direction of the passage.

Lin Ye looked in the direction of the voice and saw a woman standing at the entrance of the passage.

She was wearing a plain white long dress, with delicate features, but her eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.

She held a palm-sized bronze mirror in her hand, with the mirror surface facing the python's direction. The silver-white light screen just now was obviously emitted by this bronze mirror.

No time to hesitate, Lin Ye immediately led the team to rush into the passage.

The team filed in one by one. After the last person entered, the woman also flashed in, and with a wave of her hand, three stone doors fell at the passage entrance, closing with a "rumble," isolating the python's roar outside.

The light in the passage was dim, with only sporadic glowing crystals on the walls providing faint light. But they were finally safe.

"Many thanks for your help, Miss." Lin Ye cupped his hands, "May I ask who you are..."

"Qin Ruoxue." The woman put away the bronze mirror, her voice calm, "An intelligence dealer."

Qin Ruoxue?

Lin Ye quickly searched his mind for this name.

In his previous life, there was indeed a famous intelligence organization called the "Heavenly Secret Pavilion", and the pavilion master was named Qin Ruoxue, known for accurate intelligence and well-informed news.

Just didn't expect her to appear so early.

"So it is Miss Qin." Lin Ye remained calm, "The method just now, was it a Formation combined with Talismans?"

"Yes." Qin Ruoxue nodded, "A simplified version of the [Four Symbols Spirit Sealing Formation], combined with [Slowing Talisman] and [Spirit Sealing Talisman], can temporarily trap a Dao Palace Third Layer Yao Beast.

But it can only be maintained for the time of one incense stick; when it breaks free, we must leave this passage."

She looked at Lin Ye, her gaze filled with scrutiny: "You are Lin Ye, the second in the whole server, the guild leader of the Heavenly Court."

"Exactly." Lin Ye admitted frankly, "Miss Qin seems to know us very well."

"Those who deal in intelligence naturally need to know about important targets." Qin Ruoxue took a Jade Slip from her bosom, "This records all your actions after entering the Secret Realm: killing the Iron-Winged Eagle flock, conflicting with the Zongheng Alliance, blowing up the silver mine vein, snatching the Nine-Leaf Golden Ginseng... Oh, that golden Spirit Medicine just now was the Nine-Leaf Golden Ginseng, right?

Earth Rank Low Grade, permanently increasing attributes, what good luck."

Lin Ye's pupils shrank slightly.

This woman knew their actions like the back of her hand! This could definitely not be explained by a chance encounter.

"Are you tracking us?" Chen Hao gripped his spear vigilantly.

"Can't call it tracking." Qin Ruoxue shook her head, "Just observing. In this Secret Realm, I have been paying attention to the movements of all important forces. Olympus, Zongheng Alliance, Green Robe Tower, and... your Heavenly Court."

She paused and added: "Of course, there are also three hidden forces that haven't appeared yet, but are also in the Secret Realm."

"Hidden forces?" Su Qingyue asked.

"One is the remnants of the 'Shadow Kill Tower'. After the Shadow Killer died, his subordinates did not disband, but formed a small killer organization and took the order to assassinate you." Qin Ruoxue looked at Lin Ye, "The employer is the Alliance Master of Henghe Alliance from the Zongheng Alliance, with a reward of fifty thousand Spirit Stones."

Lin Ye's eyes turned cold. The Alliance Master of Henghe Alliance, sure enough, was not reconciled.

"The second is the exploration team of the 'Eternal Star Domain'. They entered the Eastern Wilderness server in advance through special items, with the purpose of collecting data on the combination of technology and cultivation in this world.

Currently, they are disguised as casual players, but their equipment and combat methods are very special."

Eternal Star Domain!

Lin Ye felt a shock in his heart. That was a special force area in "covering the heavens era", famous for technological cultivation; mechas, warships, energy weapons combined with traditional cultivation, with strange combat power.

In his previous life, players from the Eternal Star Domain did not enter other servers on a large scale until half a year after the server opened. He didn't expect an exploration team to come this early.

"What about the third one?" He asked.

"The third..." A hint of gravity flashed in Qin Ruoxue's eyes, "I'm not sure what it is, but I can be sure they are not players. Their behavioral patterns, energy fluctuations, and language habits are different from players, more like... awakened NPCs."

Awakened NPCs!

Lin Ye remembered the NPC anomalies mentioned by Ji Mingyue before, as well as the "will of the heavenly dao" mentioned by Elder Xuanwei. Could it be that they appeared so quickly?

"What does Miss Qin want by telling us this?" Lin Ye asked directly.

"Cooperation." Qin Ruoxue didn't beat around the bush, "I provide intelligence, and you provide protection and resources.

I want to build a specialized intelligence organization 'Heavenly Secret Pavilion', but it needs funds and military support in the Early Stage.

The Heavenly Court has just been upgraded to level two and is in need of an intelligence network. We each get what we need."

Lin Ye was silent for a moment, weighing quickly in his mind.

Qin Ruoxue's intelligence capability was indeed astonishing. If what she said was true, then the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's value to the Heavenly Court would be immeasurable.

In this world where information determines life and death, knowing the enemy's movements, the dangers of the Secret Realm, and the location of treasures in advance was more useful than having a hundred more thugs.

But there were risks: Qin Ruoxue's background was unknown. Why did she come to the Heavenly Court? Did she have other motives? What was her source of intelligence?

"I need to see more proof." Lin Ye said, "You said you know the movements of all important forces in the Secret Realm, so tell me, what is Olympus doing now? What is Athena's goal?"

Qin Ruoxue seemed prepared, taking out a new Jade Slip.

"The Olympus team has a total of three hundred and seventeen people, including eleven in the Dao Palace Realm and eighty-three at the Peak of the Wheel Sea.

Currently divided into three teams: one team of one hundred and twenty people is exploring the 'Artifact Refining Room' area, led by 'Poseidon' (Dao Palace Fifth Layer); one team of one hundred people is defending at the 'Core Area Entrance', led by 'Hades' (Dao Palace Fourth Layer); Athena herself is leading the remaining elites, breaking the Restrictions of the 'Central Hall'."

She paused and continued: "Athena's goal is very clear — the core Legacy of True Monarch Xuan Jin.

According to the clues I've collected, there is a 'Mysterious Gold Seal' in that Legacy, which is an Earth Rank High Grade Magic Treasure, capable of controlling metal and providing a huge boost to metal-attribute Cultivators.

Although Athena is not a metal-attribute specialist, Olympus has metal-attribute experts who need it."

The information was detailed to an outrageous degree. Even the team leaders, number of people, and goals were crystal clear.

"How do you know this?" Shi Potian couldn't help but ask.

"I naturally have my methods." Qin Ruoxue didn't explain, "However, I can tell you that the sources of intelligence include but are not limited to: planted spies, intercepted communications, deduction from observed traces, and... certain special investigation Magic Treasures."

The bronze mirror in her hand glowed slightly, and a blurry image appeared on the mirror surface, which was the scene of the Artifact Refining Room area: a group of golden-armored players were besieging a group of metal Puppets.

"This is the sub-mirror of the 'Peering Heaven Mirror' (Epic), which can peer into designated areas for a short time, but it consumes a huge amount, and it needs a three-day cooldown every time it is used." Qin Ruoxue put away the image, "How about it, is that enough proof?"

Lin Ye took a deep breath.

"How much investment do you want?"

"Five thousand Spirit Stones in the initial stage, used to establish the basic architecture of the intelligence network: communication Formations, spy expenses, intelligence storage equipment, etc." Qin Ruoxue said, "Additional investment will be added later according to demand.

As a return, the Heavenly Court will receive fifty percent of the shares of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, as well as priority access and discount prices for all intelligence."

Five thousand Spirit Stones was not a small amount. But compared to the benefits, it was worth it.

"I can invest." Lin Ye made his decision, "But there are a few conditions."

"Please speak."

"First, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion must sign an alliance contract with the Heavenly Court, and serve the Heavenly Court with priority under equal conditions."

"Can do."

"Second, I want to send two people into the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, not to monitor, but to learn. The Heavenly Court needs to Cultivate its own intelligence talents."

Qin Ruoxue thought for a moment: "Yes, but they must pass my assessment and cannot touch core secrets."

"Third, if I find that the intelligence you provide is wrong, or deliberately misleading, the contract will be terminated immediately, and you will have to compensate ten times."

"Fair and reasonable." Qin Ruoxue nodded, "Are there any other conditions?"

"That's all for now." Lin Ye took a bag from his storage ring, which contained five thousand Spirit Stones, "This is the initial investment. The contract content will be formally signed after leaving the Secret Realm."

Qin Ruoxue took the bag, scanned it with her Divine Sense, and confirmed the amount was correct.

"Straightforward." She showed a slight smile, "Then from now on, we are allies. As a gift, I will provide a few pieces of intelligence for free."

She held up three fingers.

"First, this passage leads to the library pavilion, but there are three trials in the library pavilion: the Illusion Trial, the Combat Power Trial, and the Comprehension Ability Trial.

After passing, you can obtain the Cultivation Technique and secret arts collected by True Monarch Xuan Jin.

According to my observation, the flaw of the Illusion Trial is the lamp stand in the northeast corner, the weakness of the Combat Power Trial is the blue crystal on the Puppet's chest, and the Comprehension Ability Trial requires at least 25 points of Comprehension Ability attribute."

"Second, the Alliance Master of Henghe Alliance from the Zongheng Alliance has assembled one hundred and fifty people and is searching for your tracks.

They entered the Secret Realm from another entrance and are currently located in the 'Spirit Beast Garden' area, about three miles away from here. It is expected that they will find this place in two hours."

"Third, the truly precious thing in the Secret Realm is not Spirit Medicine, not Ore, not even the core Legacy, but the 'Mysterious Gold Secret Realm Core'.

It is a center that can control the entire Secret Realm. After mastering it, you can open and close the Secret Realm at any time, and you can also mobilize part of the Formation power within the Secret Realm.

Its location is at the entrance of the 'Dead Zone' on the third floor."

Three pieces of intelligence, each worth a fortune.

Lin Ye kept them in his mind, and asked, "Mysterious Gold Secret Realm Core... are there any Restrictions?"

"Mastering the core requires meeting three conditions." Qin Ruoxue said, "One, metal-attribute affinity reaches 30 or more; two, Divine Sense strength reaches the Dao Palace Fifth Layer level; three, pass the 'Mysterious Gold Trial'.

Currently in the Secret Realm, perhaps only Athena is qualified to try. Her metal-attribute affinity is unknown, but her Divine Sense is definitely up to standard."

Dao Palace Fifth Layer Divine Sense strength... Lin Ye was only at the Dao Palace First Layer now.

Although his Divine Sense was stronger than those of the same level because of the Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body, there was still a big gap from the Fifth Layer.

"However," Qin Ruoxue changed the subject, "If you can get the core first, even if you can't use it temporarily, you can use it as a bargaining chip to trade with Athena or other forces.

A center that can control the Secret Realm is worth no less than an Earth Rank High Grade Magic Treasure."

This reminded Lin Ye. Even if he couldn't use it, he couldn't let Olympus get it.

"Does Miss Qin have any suggestions?"

"Two paths." Qin Ruoxue held up two fingers, "One, rush to the third-floor Dead Zone first and try to obtain the core.

But the risk is extremely high. The Dead Zone is called the Dead Zone because those who enter have a ten-dead-zero-survival rate, and even True Monarch Xuan Jin himself left a warning there: 'Do not enter unless you are fated'."

"Two, wait for the rabbit. After Athena gets the core, intercept and kill her halfway. But then you have to face the entire Olympus elite, and the success rate is lower."

Both choices were not ideal.

Lin Ye pondered for a moment and suddenly asked, "Miss Qin, you just said there are three hidden forces, and one of them might be an awakened NPC. Could they... also be interested in the core?"

Qin Ruoxue's eyes lit up: "You mean, borrow a knife to kill?"

"Or fish in troubled waters." Lin Ye said, "If the news of the core leaks, all forces will go crazy. By then, the situation will be chaotic, and only then will we have a chance."

"Interesting." Qin Ruoxue smiled.

"I can handle the intelligence leak, but it will take time, at least six hours."

"Then six hours it is," Lin Ye decided.

"We will go to the Library Pavilion first to improve our strength. In six hours, the core news will spread throughout the Secret Realm, and we will act based on the situation then."

"A wise choice." Qin Ruoxue nodded. "Then, I will take my leave. After six hours, I will contact you via the messaging Jade Slip to inform you of the latest situation."

She turned to leave, then remembered something and turned back. "Right, the first step to establishing the Heavenly Secret Pavilion is to build an intelligence network. I need you to provide fifty basic messaging points, distributed in the major towns of Yan State and Zhao State. These are the production methods and layout requirements for the messaging Talismans."

She handed over a Jade Slip.

Lin Ye took it and swept it with his Divine Sense. Inside was a detailed plan: the layout method for the messaging Formation, the Talisman production process, the intelligence classification System, confidentiality measures, etc., which was quite professional.

"I will arrange for Zhao Wuji to assist you."

"Then, happy cooperation." Qin Ruoxue's figure gradually faded, as if merging into the shadows, disappearing from sight.

"This woman... is so mysterious," Chen Hao muttered.

"But very useful." Lin Ye put away the Jade Slip. "Let's go, to the Library Pavilion. We must improve our strength as much as possible in these six hours."

The team moved along the passage.

The passage wound downwards. After walking for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, light appeared ahead. Exiting the passage, before them was a magnificent hall.

The hall was ten zhang high, thirty zhang long and wide, and the four walls were filled with bookshelves, densely packed with Jade Slips, bamboo slips, and animal skin scrolls. In the center of the hall, there were three light gates, colored white, red, and blue, corresponding to three trials.

"According to Qin Ruoxue's intelligence, the flaw in the Illusion Realm trial is at the lamp stand in the northeast corner." Lin Ye looked toward the northeast corner of the hall; there was indeed a bronze lamp, its light burning steadily.

He walked to the lamp stand and observed it carefully. The surface of the lamp stand was engraved with complex patterns, one of which had a path slightly different from the others, forming a subtle gap.

"This is it." Lin Ye reached out and pressed on the gap, injecting his Chaos Divine Power.

"Click."

The lamp stand turned, and the white light gate fluctuated, then stabilized.

"The Illusion Realm trial has been lifted, it is safe to pass," Su Qingyue sensed.

The team passed through the white light gate and entered the second area.

This was a Martial Arts Practice Field. Standing in the field were ten metal Puppets, each with the aura of a Peak Wheel-Sea stage. They held blades and swords, red light flickering in their eyes, appearing as if they could be activated at any moment.

"Combat trial, the blue crystal on the Puppet's chest is the weakness." Lin Ye looked at the Puppets' chests; sure enough, each had a thumb-sized blue crystal embedded in it.

"Chen Hao, Shi Potian, take your men and Move out. Remember, attack the crystals, do not fight head-on."

"Understood!"

The Azure Dragon Hall and White Tiger Hall launched a joint attack. The metal Puppets activated, wielding their weapons to attack; their movements were mechanical but quite powerful. However, the members of the Heavenly Court were well-prepared and focused solely on attacking the crystals on their chests.

"Clang, clang, clang..."

The battle lasted for a quarter of an hour. The crystals of the ten Puppets were shattered one after another, and they lost power and fell to the ground.

[System Prompt: Combat trial passed! Reward obtained: EXP + 200,000, [Puppet Core] × 10]

The Puppet Core is a material for refining Puppets, which is not bad.

The final layer, the blue light gate, the Comprehension Ability trial.

Lin Ye was the first to step in. Inside the light gate was an independent space, void all around, with only a golden scripture floating in the center. The scripture was only three hundred characters long, but every character was profound and contained deep meaning.

[Comprehension Ability trial detected: Comprehend "Xuan Jin Body Tempering Art" Introductory Chapter (Incomplete Manual), reaching 30% comprehension is considered a pass.]

"Xuan Jin Body Tempering Art"! This is True Monarch Xuan Jin's Body Refining Cultivation Technique. Although it is only the introductory chapter and is an Incomplete Manual, it is, after all, the Legacy of an ancient expert, and its value is immense.

Lin Ye sat cross-legged and began to comprehend.

His Comprehension Ability was already high, and with the addition of the bodhi seed, his comprehension speed was extremely fast. The three-hundred-character scripture flowed through his mind, and he gradually understood the Profound Truth within—this is a method to temper the Physical Body with metal-attribute Spiritual Qi. When cultivated to a high level, the Physical Body is comparable to divine metal, invulnerable to blades and spears, and possesses immense strength.

Half an hour later, the comprehension reached 40%.

[System Prompt: Comprehension Ability trial passed! Comprehension level: 40% (Excellent)]

[Reward obtained: EXP + 300,000, "Xuan Jin Body Tempering Art" Introductory Chapter (Complete)!]

The complete version! Much better than the Incomplete Manual required by the assessment!

Lin Ye memorized the contents of the scripture. Although he would not make this his main Cultivation Technique (the Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body is more Advanced), he could refer to the Body Tempering method within it to strengthen his Physical Body. Moreover, he could pass it on to suitable members in the guild.

Others also passed the trial one after another. Although their comprehension levels varied, they all reached the 30% passing line and obtained the Incomplete Manual version of the Cultivation Technique.

All three trials were passed. In the center of the hall, a stone platform rose, with three items placed on it.

The first was a Jade Slip: [Xuan Jin Secret Realm Library Pavilion Catalog (Incomplete)]. Inside was a list of all the collections in the Library Pavilion. Although most had been lost or damaged, the remaining ones included hundreds of Cultivation Techniques, secret arts, and miscellaneous studies, the value of which was immeasurable.

The second was a key: [Library Pavilion Restriction Key (One-time use)]. After use, it could lift the protective Restriction on three rows of bookshelves in the Library Pavilion, allowing one to choose three items to take away.

The third was a token: [Heavenly Secret Token (Special)]. Left by Qin Ruoxue, it seemed she had long calculated that they would pass the trial.

Lin Ye picked up the Heavenly Secret Token first.

[Heavenly Secret Token (Affiliate)]

Quality: Silver (Special)

Effects:

1. Identity proof: Proof of being an affiliated member of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion.

2. Intelligence reception: Can receive intelligence information released by the Heavenly Secret Pavilion (requires consuming contribution points).

3. Emergency messaging: Can send one emergency message for free every month, ignoring distance and most interference.

4. Map sharing: Bound to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master Token, automatically updates the map of explored areas.

Description: A Heavenly Secret Pavilion affiliate token; holders can enjoy basic intelligence services. Higher-level services require increasing authority or consuming contribution points.

The moment the token was activated, a three-dimensional map appeared in Lin Ye's mind—it was exactly the map of the Xuan Jin Secret Realm! It was more detailed than the map he had obtained from the Jade Slip, not only marking the explored areas but also showing the vague outlines of unexplored areas.

More importantly, the map marked the real-time locations of various forces (with a delay, but not exceeding half an hour):

Olympus's three teams were located at the Artifact Refining Room, the core area entrance, and the Central Hall, respectively.

The main force of the Zongheng Alliance was moving in the Spirit Beast Garden, two miles away from the Library Pavilion.

The people from the Green Robe Tower were concentrated in the "Spirit Sound Cave" area, seemingly cracking a sound-based Legacy.

There were also a dozen light spots scattered in various places, which were small and medium-sized forces or rogue Cultivators.

"This is the capability of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion..." Lin Ye was shocked. With this, all movements in the Secret Realm were under his control!

He immediately used the Restriction key to lift the Restriction on three rows of bookshelves.

These three rows of bookshelves contained Cultivation Technique Jade Slips. Lin Ye quickly browsed the catalog and selected three items he needed most:

["Ice Heart Art" Advanced Chapter (Profound Rank Low Grade)]: Suitable for Su Qingyue's Vast Cold Spirit Body, can improve the power and control of ice-type Spells.

["Broken Army Spear Technique" Incomplete Manual (Profound Rank Medium Grade)]: Suitable for Chen Hao's spear technique. Although incomplete, the Moves are fierce, suitable for battlefield charges.

["Breath Concealment Technique" (Yellow Rank High Grade)]: Although it is Yellow Rank, it is highly practical and can conceal one's aura, reducing one's sense of presence, suitable for the assassins of the White Tiger Hall.

With the three items in his pocket, the exploration of the Library Pavilion temporarily came to an end.

"Qin Ruoxue said the core news would spread in six hours, and two hours have passed now." Lin Ye calculated the time. "We still have four hours. We cannot waste this time."

He looked at the map, his gaze falling on the direction of the "Spirit Beast Garden".

The people of the Zongheng Alliance were there, and according to the map markings, there was a special Yao Beast in the Spirit Beast Garden called the "Pangolin", which was good at digging. Perhaps... it could be used to re-open the silver mine vein?

"Change of plans." Lin Ye made his decision. "We will go to the Spirit Beast Garden, catch the Pangolin, and at the same time... cause some trouble for the Zongheng Alliance."

"How to cause it?" Chen Hao perked up.

"The intelligence Qin Ruoxue gave says that Zhao Zheng has offered a reward of fifty thousand Spirit Stones to assassinate me." Lin Ye sneered. "Then we will let him know that some money is earned with life but not lived to spend."

He looked at Shi Potian: "The White Tiger Hall is good at stealth and assassination, right?"

Shi Potian licked his lips: "Brother Ye, you mean..."

"You go to the Spirit Beast Garden, and while catching the Pangolin, 'send a gift' to the Zongheng Alliance." Lin Ye's eyes flashed with cold light. "No need to kill, just let them know that we are watching them. Remember, safety first, harassment is the main goal."

"Understood!" Shi Potian took the order and led twenty people from the White Tiger Hall, quietly sneaking into the shadows.

"Then what about us?" Chen Hao asked.

"We are going here." Lin Ye pointed to a location on the map. "'Material Warehouse', according to the catalog, it stores the Artifact Refining Materials collected by True Monarch Xuan Jin. Although most of them may have decayed, there might be some survivors."

The Heavenly Court is currently most lacking in High Grade Artifact Refining Materials. If they could find silver Ore, Xuan Iron, or other metals there, the Artifact Refining workshop could forge better equipment.

"Let's go!"

The team left the Library Pavilion and followed the map's guidance to the Material Warehouse.

Meanwhile, Qin Ruoxue had returned to her temporary stronghold in the Secret Realm—a highly concealed cave.

The cave was simply furnished, with only a stone table and a few stone chairs. But on the stone table were three copper mirrors, on which images of various parts of the Secret Realm were constantly flashing.

She sat at the table, toying with a silver token in her hand. On the front of the token was engraved the word "Heavenly Secret", and on the back was a pattern of the big dipper.

[Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master Token (Unique)]

Quality: Gold (Special)

Effects:

1. Organization Core: The core control token of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion.

2. Intelligence Network: Can connect all affiliated tokens to establish a real-time intelligence network (current coverage: radius of 500 miles).

3. Power of Peering into Heaven: After activation, can briefly peer into a designated area (Cooldown: 12 hours).

4. Deduction and Calculation: Can consume Spirit Stones to deduce the possible development of events (accuracy depends on event complexity and consumption).

5. Map Drawing: Automatically records areas explored by the holder and affiliate tokens, and infers information about unexplored areas.

Current Authority: Level 1 (Highest Level 9)

Number of affiliated tokens: 1 / 100

Intelligence network nodes: 3 / 50

Map exploration degree: Xuan Jin Secret Realm 37% (+ 20%)

Description: The core Legacy token of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, which can only be held by the Pavilion Master. As the organization develops, the token's abilities will be gradually unlocked.

The map exploration degree is 37%, of which 20% was just contributed by the Heavenly Court. This means that the Heavenly Court's team has explored more than one-fifth of the area in the Secret Realm.

"Lin Ye... sure enough, didn't disappoint me." Qin Ruoxue muttered to herself.

She took out five thousand Spirit Stones and began to set up the first official intelligence network node.

On the floor of the cave, she carved complex Formation patterns, then embedded the Spirit Stones at key nodes. After the Formation was activated, it formed a light ring with a diameter of three feet, with a transparent crystal floating in the center of the light ring.

[Messaging Crystal (Heavenly Secret Pavilion Node · 001)]

Quality: Blue (Special)

Effects: Intelligence network relay node, can receive, store, and forward intelligence information.

Coverage: Radius of 50 miles.

Connected affiliate tokens: 0 / 10

Intelligence storage capacity: 1000 items

Current status: Activating

The first node was established.

Qin Ruoxue took out the messaging Jade Slip and began to execute her agreement with Lin Ye—leaking the news of the core of the Xuan Jin Secret Realm.

She did not spread it directly, but used a more ingenious method: "inadvertently" revealing the news to several small forces that were good at spreading rumors, while simultaneously forging several "ancient inscriptions" with vague ancient text recording information about the core.

Six hours was enough for this news to ferment and spread throughout the Secret Realm.

After doing this, she looked at the copper mirror.

On the mirror, Lin Ye led the team to the Material Warehouse; Shi Potian's White Tiger Hall had already sneaked into the Spirit Beast Garden and made contact with the vanguard troops of the Zongheng Alliance; from the direction of Olympus's Central Hall, violent energy fluctuations came, and it was clear that Athena's cracking was at a critical moment.

"The calm before the storm..." Qin Ruoxue's eyes flashed with anticipation.

She was very curious about how far this ally she had chosen could go in this chaotic Secret Realm.

And at this moment, Lin Ye was already standing in front of the gate of the Material Warehouse.

On the door, a rusty copper lock locked away unknown treasures.

Or, perhaps, it could be danger.