62: Destiny

"Since leaving the Crimson Flame Mountain Range, I have summoned a total of eleven Death Warriors. My physical strength has fully recovered, and the resilience and capacity of my Meridians have increased by about ten percent compared to before the injury."

The System's stacking effect never ceased; this was his Foundation.

With a daily growth of 1.5 times the average person's attributes, accumulating over time and supplemented by the nourishment of True Yuan, his Physical Body was steadily advancing toward a non-human Domain.

"How is the Cultivation Feedback?"

"Of the hundred Death Warriors, seventy have attempted to sense Spiritual Qi using the simplified version of the Basic Qi Cultivation Art. Eleven have initially succeeded, and their feedback has made my perception of Qi more refined.

The remaining thirty continue their martial arts cultivation, providing feedback on True Qi control and Martial Skill experience."

"Next instructions."

Lin Mo's voice was calm. "First, [Four], you will personally take charge. Utilize the Chaos within the city to take a portion of the evidence we have regarding Li Chongshan's collusion with the grasslands, smuggling, and intent to destroy the Seal.

Leak this through anonymous channels to the Governor's Office, the Heavenly Supervision Department, and the Hundred Treasures Pavilion respectively. Be careful with your methods; leave no trace."

"Second, [Two], your people are to suspend all proactive operations and focus entirely on monitoring three locations: the City Lord's Manor, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, and the local branch of the Heavenly Supervision Department.

Focus on recording personnel movements and abnormal energy fluctuations. If you encounter Sect Cultivators, you are strictly forbidden from approaching; focus on long-range observation."

"Third, [Three], attempt to contact that foreign merchant firm and investigate their background.

Simultaneously, use rumors to spread counter-information that the exotic treasure from the Crimson Flame Mountain Range has been taken by a mysterious person and its whereabouts are unknown, to further muddy the waters."

"Fifth, I need to go into secluded cultivation for three days to fully recover from my injuries and study the new items I've obtained. Do not disturb me unless there is an emergency."

"Yes!" [Four] took the order and quickly withdrew to make arrangements.

Lin Mo picked up the Grey-white Spiral Stone and attempted to absorb it.

A wisp of extremely pure Spiritual Qi slowly flowed into his Meridians. Its nourishing effect far surpassed ordinary medicinal herbs, and it had a slight strengthening effect on the Meridians.

He put away the miscellaneous items, swallowed a Medicinal Pill, and closed his eyes to concentrate.

The True Yuan within his body slowly circulated according to the optimized route, and the hidden acupoints nebula rotated, absorbing the pure Spiritual Qi provided by the grey-white stone to repair the last of his internal injuries... The Hundred Treasures Pavilion, top-floor secret room.

Sandalwood smoke curled in the air.

Elder Zhou sat in the main seat, his face lean and elegant, his aura like an ancient well or deep pool. The young Disciple, Green Feather, stood by his side, his eyes filled with a hint of curiosity as he observed the mundane luxury of the room.

Steward Wu stood bowed at the lower position, faint traces of sweat appearing on his forehead.

"Elder Zhou's personal visit brings great honor to our pavilion. May I ask what instructions the Elder has?"

Elder Zhou looked at Steward Wu with a peaceful gaze. "Wu Ming, you have operated in Qinglan City for many years. There has been abnormal movement in the Seal of the Crimson Flame Mountain Range recently. Do you have any definitive news?"

Wu Ming—Steward Wu's heart tightened, knowing they had reached the main topic. "Reporting to the Elder, there has indeed been abnormal movement.

According to Deacon Sikong of the Heavenly Supervision Department, it was a collusion between the grassland barbarians and a local ambitious individual attempting to destroy the Seal nodes and trigger a Devilish Qi leak, which has since been suppressed.

However, there was a variable: a Disciple from the Qinglan Martial Academy named Lin Mo accidentally stumbled into the Seal's core and subsequently escaped unscathed.

This person... seems somewhat unusual."

"Oh? Lin Mo..." Elder Zhou's fingertip tapped lightly on the armrest. "Where is this person now?"

"He has been missing since returning from the Crimson Flame Mountain Range. City Lord Li Chongshan is conducting a massive search, and rumors say it is related to this person."

"Li Chongshan..." Elder Zhou shook his head slightly, seemingly with disdain. "Mundane power struggles, the clamor of ants. What is unusual about this Lin Mo?"

"This person rose extremely quickly, possesses impressive movement techniques and Martial Skills, and seems to have mastered some sort of ancient guiding technique. His Foundation is exceptionally solid.

Furthermore, he is often followed by individuals of unknown identity who are highly disciplined, loyal, and unafraid of death." Wu Ming chose his words carefully.

"Ancient guiding technique... loyal Death Warriors..." A flash of realization crossed Elder Zhou's eyes. "It seems he may have obtained some peripheral Legacy of the Seven Profound Sect, or perhaps even come into contact with the the key."

Green Feather couldn't help but interject, "Revered Master, since he might have contacted the the key, why not just find him directly?"

Elder Zhou glanced at his Disciple. "Green Feather, although our Xuan Yun Sect is responsible for monitoring the Seal on this island, we are not bandits.

The the key has its own karmic affinity; forcing it might instead trigger a backlash from the Seal. Furthermore..."

He paused and looked at Wu Ming. "Wu Ming, what is the purpose of your Hundred Treasures Pavilion operating in this realm?"

Wu Ming replied solemnly, "To seek out variables, preserve the sparks of heritage, observe changes quietly, and refrain from interference."

"That is it."

Elder Zhou nodded. "If Lin Mo truly is a variable, he will naturally appear at the right time. My primary purpose in coming here is to confirm the status of the Seal and assess the extent of the demonic taint penetration.

As for the the key, let it follow its affinity. However, since you mentioned this boy, keep a closer eye on him. If he comes looking for us of his own accord, we can meet him."

"Yes." Wu Ming bowed.

"Additionally," Elder Zhou's tone turned slightly serious, "when the two of us were coming here, we sensed a strange aura on a deserted island in the East Sea, which vanished in an instant.

It seemed subtly different from the aura of the Seal core, more like it had been in contact with the Chaos outside the realm? Do you know of any anomalies in the East Sea recently?"

Wu Ming was deeply shocked but remained calm on the surface. "The East Sea has always been dangerous, and abnormal celestial phenomena often occur near the Sea Eye, but I have not heard of any specific unusual changes. Perhaps it was a Senior living in seclusion overseas?"

Elder Zhou remained noncommittal. "Perhaps. Tomorrow, I must personally go to the Seal nodes of the Crimson Flame Mountain Range to investigate. Green Feather, you follow Wu Ming and walk around the city; listen more and see more, but do not cause trouble."

"Yes, Revered Master." Green Feather respectfully complied, though a look of eagerness flashed in his eyes... Three days later.

In the "Nest" secret room.

Lin Mo opened his eyes, a sharp light contained within. His injuries were fully healed, his True Yuan was overflowing, and he had subtly reached a higher level.

Less than half of the Grey-white Spiral Stone had been consumed, and he had gained a bit more insight into the mysterious patterns on the dark gold foil.

[Four] had long been waiting outside.

"Young Master, after receiving the anonymous letter, Li Chongshan was furious and has suspended the purge, seemingly having misgivings. The Governor's Office

and the Heavenly Supervision Department's reactions to the letter's contents are unclear, but they have increased surveillance on the City Lord's Manor.

Elder Zhou of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion went to the Crimson Flame Mountain Range yesterday. His Disciple, Green Feather, accompanied by Steward Wu, has been wandering the city with no unusual actions for now.

Our preliminary investigation into the foreign merchant firm reveals the shadow of the Blood Fiend Sect's periphery behind it. This Sect has a poor reputation and seems to have ties to the Demonic Path."

"Blood Fiend Sect..." Lin Mo noted the name. "What movement is there from the secret envoy of the Heavenly Supervision Department?"

"The secret envoy left yesterday. Sikong Xuan subsequently strengthened monitoring of various forces in the city, especially the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and the City Lord's Manor, maintaining a tough stance."

A three-way stalemate had initially formed.

Li Chongshan was temporarily restrained, the Sect remained aloof with an ambiguous attitude, and the Heavenly Supervision Department faced increasing pressure to maintain order.

"The timing is about right." Lin Mo stood up. "Prepare yourselves. I am going to meet that Green Feather from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion."

"Young Master, the risk..."

"It's fine. Since they talk about karmic affinity, I will provide them with one. Some information is more powerful when spread through them than by ourselves.

Besides..." Lin Mo looked at the Grey-white Spiral Stone in his hand, which had become much warmer and more translucent, "I also need some high-end appraisal and consultation."

He needed to understand the Sect's knowledge of void rifts and Items from Outside the Realm.

He also needed to use the Sect's voice to solidify the information that "the the key is no longer in Qinglan City and its whereabouts are a mystery," thereby shifting the focus.

"Additionally, have [Two] prepare. If Li Chongshan still doesn't know his place... I don't mind adding more fuel to the fire to ensure he is completely preoccupied."

Lin Mo changed into an ordinary scholar's green robe, restrained his aura to the Muscle level, and walked out of the secret room while fiddling with the Grey-white Spiral Stone.

The sunlight was dazzling, and the streets were crowded with people. In the seemingly peaceful Qinglan City, the undercurrents beneath the surface were already surging.