191: Chapter 191 Unexpected Turmoil in the Hundred Knowledge Pavilion

Inside the Bai Xiao Pavilion, it was far more spacious and bright than it appeared from the outside. The floor was paved with polished green jade, and massive jade pillars, each as thick as a hug, supported the high dome. The pillars were carved with patterns of the sun, moon, stars, mountains, and rivers, with spiritual light faintly flowing on them, clearly indicating the presence of Qi-gathering, protective, and other Formations. The main hall was divided into several areas, including the Medicinal Pill area, Magic Treasure area, Materials area, Cultivation Technique area, information area, and so on. Each area had beautiful maids or shrewd managers to receive guests, maintaining perfect order without losing its luxurious and grand atmosphere.

As soon as Lin Wan entered, a maid dressed in a light green dress, with delicate features and a cultivation level at the Nascent Soul Stage, stepped forward to greet him. With a professional and sweet smile on her face, she bowed gracefully, "Welcome, Senior, to the Bai Xiao Pavilion. May I know what Senior needs? Medicinal Pills, Magic Treasures, Materials, or Cultivation Techniques and secret arts? This Junior can guide Senior."

"I would like to look at some maps, especially a detailed map of the Chaos Ruins—the more detailed, the better. Also, I heard that you sell a type of 'Heart-Clearing Jade Pendant' that can resist the erosion of the gray mist on the Divine Soul?" Lin Wan did not beat around the bush and directly stated his purpose. At the same time, he maintained his Aura at the Late Stage Earth Immortal level, which was neither too ostentatious nor too shabby.

"A map of the Chaos Ruins and a Heart-Clearing Jade Pendant?" A flash of understanding crossed the maid's eyes; clearly, many guests had been asking for these two items recently. Her attitude became even more respectful. "Senior, please follow me. Both the maps and the Heart-Clearing Jade Pendants are in the miscellaneous and information area, managed by a dedicated supervisor. The two items Senior requires are currently in high demand, so the prices might be slightly higher."

"No matter, lead the way," Lin Wan nodded.

The maid led Lin Wan through the bustling hall to a relatively quiet area on the side. Here stood simple and ancient wooden shelves displaying various Jade Slips, beast hide scrolls, strange Magical Artifacts, Talismans, and more, in a vast variety. An elderly man with a goatee, small eyes flashing with sharp light, and a cultivation level at the Earth Immortal Perfection was sitting behind a red sandalwood desk, flipping through an account book.

"Manager Chen, this Senior wishes to purchase a detailed map of the Chaos Ruins and a Heart-Clearing Jade Pendant," the maid stepped forward and reported.

Manager Chen looked up, his small eyes sizing up Lin Wan. Seeing his stable Aura, although only at the Late Stage Earth Immortal level, his extraordinary bearing did not make him look like an ordinary Loose Cultivator. A smile immediately broke out on his face, and he stood up, cupping his hands. "Greetings, Fellow Daoist. I am Island Master Chen Song, in charge of the miscellaneous and information area. This pavilion indeed has the map and jade pendant you require, but the price..."

"Price is not an issue, as long as the items are of good quality," Lin Wan said succinctly.

"Fellow Daoist is indeed straightforward!" Manager Chen's smile widened. He waved his hand to dismiss the maid, then carefully retrieved a yellowed jade box and a palm-sized green jade pendant carved with intricate cloud patterns from the wooden shelf behind him.

Manager Chen first opened the jade box, revealing a dark gold Jade Slip that was neither metal nor jade. "Fellow Daoist, this is the newest 'Detailed Map of the Chaos Ruins Periphery and the Broken Star Abyss Region' drawn by our pavilion. It not only marks known safe routes, dangerous zones, dense spatial rift areas, and common Vicious Beast nests, but also specifically highlights the range and patterns of the recent gray mist accumulation, as well as the approximate locations explored by major forces. This map was drawn by our pavilion at a massive cost, integrating information from dozens of explorers who frequent the Chaos Ruins. It is absolutely worth the price. The selling price is five thousand Low Grade Immortal Crystals."

Five thousand Low Grade Immortal Crystals was an exorbitant price for a map. However, Lin Wan knew that in a place as perilous as the Chaos Ruins, a detailed and reliable map could save a life at a critical moment. Sweeping his Divine Sense over the Jade Slip to confirm that its Restriction was intact and the contents were likely correct, he nodded. "Acceptable."

Manager Chen was delighted; this was quite a substantial transaction. He placed the Jade Slip back into the jade box and picked up the green jade pendant to introduce it. "This is a 'High Grade Heart-Clearing Jade Pendant' recently crafted by our pavilion's Artifact Refining Great Master. Using Thousand-Year Cold Jade as the base, supplemented by dozens of rare Materials like Heart-Calming Grass and Soul-Soothing Wood, we also had a Heavenly Immortal level Formation Master engrave three layers of Formations: heart-clearing, mind-soothing, and evil-warding. Wearing it can effectively resist the Divine Soul erosion and illusory interference within the gray mist, and it also has a restraining effect on ordinary ghosts and Heart Demons. The price is eight thousand Low Grade Immortal Crystals."

Eight thousand Low Grade Immortal Crystals was also a hefty price, but considering its efficacy and current demand, it was reasonable. Lin Wan took the jade pendant. It felt warm yet cool in his hand, and he could indeed feel a faint, mind-clearing and soul-soothing power emanating from it. He injected a sliver of immortal essence, and the cloud patterns on the pendant lit up slightly, emitting a faint green halo, making the surrounding air seem a bit fresher.

"Not bad, I'll take it," Lin Wan nodded without bargaining. With his current vast wealth, this small amount of Immortal Crystals was nothing.

"Fellow Daoist is indeed a straightforward person!" Manager Chen's face bloomed with joy. With these two items adding up to thirteen thousand Low Grade Immortal Crystals, he would receive a handsome commission. "Besides these two, does Fellow Daoist need anything else? For instance, healing Medicinal Pills, Medicinal Pills to restore immortal essence, defensive Talismans, Escape Talismans, or specially made Miasma-Avoiding Pills and Beast-Repelling Incense? These are all essentials for entering the Chaos Ruins."

Lin Wan thought about it. Although he still had some Medicinal Pills and Talismans on him, when entering a place like the Chaos Ruins, the more the better. Furthermore, he happened to need to purchase some Chaos-attributed Materials or related information. "Manager Chen, do you have any Chaos-attributed Materials or information regarding Chaos Qi and Chaos Crystals for sale here?"

"Chaos-attributed Materials?" Hearing this, Manager Chen narrowed his small eyes slightly, his smile fading a bit as a scrutinizing look appeared. Chaos-attributed Materials were extremely rare in the Immortal Realm, usually associated with dangerous places like the Chaos Ruins or Guixu. They were of immense value and often involved sensitive transactions. "Fellow Daoist is asking about this... could it be that you wish to venture deep into the Chaos Ruins to search for Chaos Crystals?"

"I am merely somewhat interested and wish to learn about it beforehand," Lin Wan said in a flat, noncommittal tone.

Manager Chen took a deep look at Lin Wan, seemingly trying to gauge his intentions and strength. For a Late Stage Earth Immortal Loose Cultivator to inquire about Chaos-attributed Materials, he was either ignorant of the heights of heaven and depths of the earth, or he had something to rely on. Seeing Lin Wan's calm bearing and generous spending, he did not seem to be the former.

Manager Chen lowered his voice, "This pavilion does indeed have some Chaos-attributed Materials, but they are treasures of our shop and are not easily shown to others. Moreover, the price... is extremely high. As for concrete information on Chaos Qi and Chaos Crystals, this pavilion has some vague clues, but they require a corresponding price. If Fellow Daoist is truly interested, we can go to a private room on the third floor to discuss in detail. There, we have more comprehensive information, and we can also avoid unnecessary eyes and ears."

Lin Wan's heart stirred. It seemed this Bai Xiao Pavilion indeed had some deep connections. He nodded, "Very well, thank you for leading the way, Manager Chen."

"Fellow Daoist, please follow me." Manager Chen packed away the jade box and the Heart-Clearing Jade Pendant, then led Lin Wan through the miscellaneous goods area and straight up the side stairs to the third floor.

The third floor was completely different from the clamor of the first and second floors. It was decorated in an antique, elegant, and refined style, divided into individual private rooms. Each private room had a Restriction that blocked Divine Sense probing, ensuring excellent privacy. Clearly, this was a place meant for large-scale or secret transactions.

Manager Chen led Lin Wan to a private room named Tingyu Pavilion, invited Lin Wan to take a seat, and served him fragrant tea brimming with Spiritual Qi. He then said, "Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment. I will go and fetch the relevant items and Materials, and at the same time, invite the Chief Manager in charge of such transactions to come over. Chaos-attributed Materials and information are personally handled by the Chief Manager."

"Thank you," Lin Wan lifted the teacup and took a light sip. The tea's fragrance was crisp and contained a trace of Spiritual Qi; it was indeed excellent tea. His estimation of the Bai Xiao Pavilion rose slightly; their service was indeed attentive.

Manager Chen withdrew, leaving Lin Wan alone in the private room. He set down his teacup and slightly released his Divine Sense to sense the surrounding Restriction. The Restriction of this private room was quite extraordinary. With his current Divine Sense, he could only vaguely sense the general situation outside but could not clearly 'see' or 'hear' anything, which was clearly designed to protect the guests' privacy. For the Bai Xiao Pavilion to stand tall in Beichen City as the largest information and miscellaneous goods merchant guild, it indeed had its unique strengths.

Not long after, the door to the private room was gently pushed open, and two people walked in. Leading the way was a middle-aged scholar dressed in a moon-white robe, with an elegant temperament, a lean face, and a three-stranded long beard. His cultivation had impressively reached the Early Stage Heavenly Immortal level, and his Aura was solid, indicating a deep Foundation. Following behind him was indeed Manager Chen, who was currently bowing slightly with a respectful attitude.

"Fellow Daoist, sorry to keep you waiting. I am Wen Ruohai, humbly serving as the Chief Manager of the Beichen branch of the Bai Xiao Pavilion, responsible for rare items and high-level information transactions." The middle-aged scholar smiled, cupping his hands in greeting to Lin Wan with a neither humble nor arrogant attitude, exuding a natural and calm demeanor.

"Chief Manager Wen is too polite. I am Senior Lín Fēng, a mere Loose Cultivator." Lin Wan rose to return the greeting, his heart tightening slightly. To have an Early Stage Heavenly Immortal Chief Manager personally receive him meant that these Chaos-attributed Materials and information were indeed of no small consequence.

Both parties took their seats, and Wen Ruohai did not waste time on excessive pleasantries, directly getting to the point. "I heard from Manager Chen that Fellow Daoist Lin is interested in Chaos-attributed Materials and related information? May I know if you wish to purchase Materials, gather information, or... do you have goods to sell?" He looked at Lin Wan with a calm gaze, as if he could see through a person's heart.

"I mainly wish to purchase some Chaos-attributed Materials. If possible, I would also like to learn about news regarding Chaos Qi and Chaos Crystals, especially recent information concerning the Chaos Ruins," Lin Wan said frankly. At the same time, he secretly activated his Chaos Dao Seed, perfectly concealing his Aura and emotions without revealing any flaws. Facing a Heavenly Immortal, he had to be extremely cautious.

"Chaos-attributed Materials..." Wen Ruohai stroked his long beard and pondered. "To be honest with Fellow Daoist, such Materials are extremely rare commodities that are virtually impossible to find, no matter where you look. Although the Chaos Ruins occasionally produce some, the quantity is scarce, and mining them is extremely dangerous. Once they appear, they are immediately snapped up by major forces or high-level Cultivators. Our Bai Xiao Pavilion currently does not have much in stock either—only three items."

As he spoke, he nodded to Manager Chen. Understanding the cue, Manager Chen took out three jade boxes affixed with Seal Talismans, carefully placed them on the table, and then stepped aside.

Wen Ruohai opened the first jade box. Inside was a fist-sized, dusty grey object with a pitted surface, looking like an ordinary stone. However, upon careful sensing, one could detect a faint, heavy, and light-devouring Chaos Aura flowing within it.

"This is a piece of Chaos Ore, an associated mineral occasionally found in the periphery of the Chaos Ruins. It contains a trace of weak Chaos Aura and can be used to refine certain special Magic Treasures or assist in cultivating specific Cultivation Techniques. The price is fifty thousand Low Grade Immortal Crystals," Wen Ruohai introduced.

Lin Wan swept his Divine Sense over it. This piece of Chaos Ore indeed contained a trace of Chaos Aura, but it was extremely weak and impure. For the growth of his Chaos Dao Seed, it was a mere drop in the bucket and of little value. He shook his head slightly.

Wen Ruohai was not surprised and opened the second jade box. Inside was a small pinch of greyish-white powder, sparkling with tiny specks of light like stardust. The Chaos Aura it emitted was significantly purer and more active than that of the Chaos Ore.

"This is Chaos Dust, collected from the edges of the Chaos Ruins' depths. It is formed from the Chaos Aura occasionally carried out by Chaos turbulence, which has settled and condensed over countless years. The Chaos Qi contained in this item is relatively pure, making it an auxiliary material for refining certain high-level Medicinal Pills or setting up special Formations. The quantity is extremely scarce; this small pinch is priced at eighty thousand Low Grade Immortal Crystals," Wen Ruohai said.

Lin Wan's heart stirred slightly. Although the Chaos Qi contained in this Chaos Dust was still sparse, it was far stronger than the Chaos Ore. If there were enough of it, it might be of some benefit to his Chaos Dao Seed. However, the small pinch before him was simply too little, and the price was exorbitant.

"And the final item," Wen Ruohai opened the third jade box. Inside was a three-inch-long piece of dark grey root, its surface covered in natural Dao patterns, looking like the root of some plant. The Chaos Aura it emitted was actually the densest and purest among the three, even carrying a trace of vibrant vitality.

"This is a Chaos Root, said to be the root of a peculiar spiritual plant growing in the depths of the Chaos Ruins where Chaos Qi is dense, making it extremely rare. The Chaos Qi contained in this item is the purest, and it carries a trace of the breath of life's Origin. Whether used in Alchemy, Artifact Refining, or directly refined and absorbed, it has miraculous effects. The price is one hundred and fifty thousand Low Grade Immortal Crystals." Wen Ruohai's voice also took on a trace of solemnity. Clearly, this Chaos Root was a true treasure.

Looking at this piece of Chaos Root, a flash of eagerness crossed Lin Wan's eyes. Although the Chaos Qi contained in this item still could not compare to real Chaos Qi, it was already quite substantial, and it carried a trace of life's Origin breath. It might be beneficial to both his Chaos Dao Seed and his Indestructible Chaos Body. However, the price... one hundred and fifty thousand Low Grade Immortal Crystals was enough to bankrupt many Early Stage Heavenly Immortal Cultivators.

"Chief Manager Wen, these three items are indeed excellent, especially this Chaos Root." Lin Wan suppressed the emotions in his heart and said in a calm tone. "However, isn't the price a bit too high? Put aside the Chaos Ore and Chaos Dust, but although this Chaos Root is good, it is ultimately just a piece of root, so its effectiveness is limited."

A flash of understanding crossed Wen Ruohai's eyes, and he smiled, "Fellow Daoist Lin is an understanding person. To be honest, this price is indeed not low. However, Chaos-attributed Materials have always been like this—something that can only be encountered by luck and not sought. Moreover, with the recent unusual movements in the Chaos Ruins and the spreading gray mist, the prices of such Materials have risen even further. If Fellow Daoist truly wants it, I can make the decision to sell this Chaos Root to Fellow Daoist for one hundred and twenty thousand Low Grade Immortal Crystals; this is the absolute lowest price. As for the Chaos Dust, sixty-five thousand. The Chaos Ore, forty thousand. For all three together, two hundred and twenty-five thousand Low Grade Immortal Crystals. What does Fellow Daoist think?"

Dropping more than twenty thousand Low Grade Immortal Crystals at once was quite a generous discount. However, Lin Wan still felt it was expensive. It was not that he couldn't afford this price—Young Sect Master Yin Wujiu's Storage Ring alone contained a million Immortal Crystals. But he did not want to appear excessively wealthy to avoid attracting unnecessary trouble.

"The price is still too high," Lin Wan shook his head. "Although the Chaos Root is good, it is ultimately just a piece of root; whether it can be cultivated to survive is another matter. The quantity of Chaos Dust is too small. How about this: one hundred thousand for the Chaos Root, fifty thousand for the Chaos Dust, and thirty thousand for the Chaos Ore. All three together for one hundred and eighty thousand. In addition, throw in a copy of the latest information regarding the depths of the Chaos Ruins, especially near the asteroid belt northeast of the Broken Star Abyss, including the movements of major forces and the patterns of the gray mist's changes. If that's acceptable, I will pay the Immortal Crystals right now."

Hearing this, Wen Ruohai frowned slightly, his fingers gently tapping the tabletop as he seemed to weigh his options. One hundred and eighty thousand Low Grade Immortal Crystals, although forty-five thousand lower than his asking price, was still absolutely a massive sum. Furthermore, the other party wanted the latest information thrown in, and the value of this information was not low either. However, seeing how calm and collected the other party was, not looking like someone who couldn't afford it, and able to produce one hundred and eighty thousand Immortal Crystals all at once, his identity was probably not simple...

"Fellow Daoist Lin, this price indeed puts this old man in a difficult position." Wen Ruohai sighed. "How about this: one hundred and ten thousand for the Chaos Root, sixty thousand for the Chaos Dust, and thirty-five thousand for the Chaos Ore. All three together for two hundred and five thousand. The information can be thrown in. This is the absolute limit of what I can decide. Any lower, and I can only ask Fellow Daoist to look elsewhere."

Lin Wan calculated in his mind. Although two hundred and five thousand was still slightly high, considering the rarity of the Chaos Root and the current situation, it was reasonable. Furthermore, he indeed needed that information.

"Very well, we will go with Chief Manager Wen's offer." Lin Wan stopped bargaining and nodded in agreement.

A smile appeared on Wen Ruohai's face. "Fellow Daoist is indeed straightforward! Manager Chen, go and pack the items, and while you're at it, fetch the Jade Slip containing the latest information regarding the Broken Star Abyss."

[part:gemini-3.1-flash-lite]

"Yes, Great Manager." Manager Chen responded and retreated.

Soon, Manager Chen returned and placed three resealed Jade Boxes, along with a pale blue Jade Slip, in front of Lin Wan. The Jade Boxes were sealed with Talismans, and the Jade Slip flickered with a faint light.

After Lin Wan checked that everything was correct, he took out 205,000 Low Grade immortal essence crystals from his Storage Ring and piled them on the table, forming a small hill that shimmered with rosy light and exuded an overwhelming Spiritual Qi.

Wen Ruohai scanned them with his Divine Sense, confirmed the amount was correct, and his smile widened. He waved his hand to store the immortal essence crystals away: "Fellow Daoist Lin is indeed a man of his word. These are the items you requested, please keep them safe. Additionally, this intelligence Jade Slip records various anomalies and rumors from the Chaos Ruins, especially the Broken Star Abyss region, over the past three months, as well as some internal information mastered by our Bai Xiao Pavilion. I hope it proves helpful to you. However, this intelligence is confidential to our Bai Xiao Pavilion, so I ask that you do not disclose it to others."

"Great Manager Wen, rest assured, I understand." Lin Wan nodded, collected the Jade Boxes and the Jade Slip, and placed them into his Storage Ring.

The transaction was completed, and both host and guest were pleased. Wen Ruohai personally escorted Lin Wan out of the private room with an enthusiastic attitude: "Fellow Daoist Lin, if you need anything else in the future, or have any rare items to sell, feel free to come to our Bai Xiao Pavilion. I will certainly offer you the most favorable price."

"Certainly." Lin Wan cupped his hands in farewell and, accompanied by Manager Chen, went downstairs and left the Bai Xiao Pavilion.

After walking out of the Bai Xiao Pavilion, Lin Wan did not immediately return to the inn. Instead, he visited several smaller but reputable merchant firms in the city, purchasing some Medicinal Pills and Talismans for healing, recovery, detoxification, and concealment. He also replenished some Materials for Formation and daily necessities, ensuring he was fully prepared with all the supplies he might need. He was generous with his spending but stopped appropriately each time, avoiding attracting too much attention.

Just as Lin Wan finished his purchases and prepared to return to the inn to digest his gains and prepare for entering the Chaos Ruins, an unexpected event occurred.

"Stop!"

A shrill shout, filled with anger and urgency, came from the street ahead, accompanied by a sudden rush of wind and the startled cries of the crowd.

Lin Wan frowned slightly and looked up. He saw a commotion in the crowd on the street ahead. A petite, red-clad figure was rushing toward him at an extremely fast speed, looking panicked and disoriented. The figure in red appeared to be a young girl, dressed in a fiery red tight-fitting outfit with her hair tied in twin tails. She wore a silver mask covering half her face, obscuring her full appearance, but her exposed chin and lips appeared delicate and fair. Her cultivation seemed to be only at the Nascent Soul Stage Late Stage, but her movement technique was quite agile and strange, weaving through the crowd like a swimming fish.

Following closely behind the girl in red were four or five figures. Leading them was a greasy-faced youth in brocade robes with lecherous eyes, whose cultivation was at the Soul Transformation Stage Early Stage. Holding a folding fan, he was chasing after her with a lewd grin, shouting: "Little beauty, don't run! Follow this young master, and I guarantee you'll live a life of luxury! In this Beichen City, there isn't a woman I cannot have!"

Behind the brocade-robed youth were four burly men dressed as guards, all at the Nascent Soul Stage. They were fierce and menacing, roughly shoving aside pedestrians, causing a chorus of angry curses and Chaos.

"It's that playboy Zhou the Skinner!"

"Shh! Keep your voice down! His father is the Deputy Commander of the City Guard, Zhou Xiong, a Heavenly Immortal Early Stage! We can't afford to provoke him!"

"Which unlucky girl has been targeted by this beast now?"

"Looking at her movement technique, she doesn't look like a local. She's likely an outsider Loose Cultivator. This is going to be trouble..."

The surrounding crowd whispered, their faces showing indignation, sympathy, and fear, but they dared not speak out and retreated one after another, fearing they would be implicated.

The girl in red was clearly injured, her Aura somewhat chaotic. Although she was fast, she was no match for the Soul Transformation Stage Early Stage youth behind her. Seeing the distance closing, a look of despair appeared on her face.

Just as the brocade-robed youth's hand was about to grab the girl in red's shoulder, she seemed to run out of strength. Stumbling, she lost her balance and crashed straight toward Lin Wan.

Lin Wan frowned slightly. He originally did not want to meddle in other people's business; Beichen City was a place where all sorts of people gathered, and he preferred to minimize trouble. However, the angle at which the girl in red collided with him perfectly blocked his space to dodge to the side. If he forced himself to move away, she would inevitably fall to the ground and be caught by those behind her.

In a flash, Lin Wan slightly shifted his body, moving out of the direct path of the collision. Simultaneously, he reached out his right hand and seemingly casually gave a light support to the girl's shoulder, sending out a gentle force that helped her stabilize her figure and neutralize the momentum.

The girl in red felt a gentle yet irresistible force, which stabilized her falling body. She looked up in astonishment and, through the mask, saw a plain face with calm and deep eyes.

"Thank you..." she subconsciously thanked him, her voice crisp and trembling with lingering fear.

"Where do you think you're going!" With this delay, the brocade-robed youth caught up. Seeing Lin Wan "blocking" the girl in red, his lewd grin widened. He snapped his folding fan shut, pointed at Lin Wan, and shouted arrogantly: "Kid, well done! Help this young master stop this little beauty, and I will reward you heavily! Now, get lost!"

The four guards behind him also immediately spread out in a fan shape, vaguely surrounding Lin Wan and the girl in red, their faces twisted with sneers.

The surrounding crowd retreated, leaving an empty space. Their gazes toward Lin Wan were filled with sympathy and pity. This "Earth Immortal Late Stage" Loose Cultivator was likely about to have bad luck. Zhou the Skinner was notoriously ruthless and vengeful; few who were targeted by him ended up well.

The girl in red was also anxious. She did not want to implicate this kind-hearted person and hurriedly whispered to Lin Wan: "This Senior, please leave quickly. This has nothing to do with you; they are coming for me..." As she spoke, she tried to break free from Lin Wan's hand to face them alone.

Lin Wan, however, seemed not to have heard the brocade-robed youth's words, nor did he pay attention to the four guards. He simply looked down at the girl in red and asked calmly: "Why are they chasing you?"

"I... I was selling items at the market. He took a liking to my goods and wanted to force a purchase. I refused, so he wanted to... to grab me..." The girl in red's voice was filled with grievance and anger.

"Kid! This young master is talking to you! Are you deaf?!" The brocade-robed youth, seeing Lin Wan ignore him, was instantly enraged. He pointed his folding fan and shouted to the four guards: "Get him! Break this ignorant brat's legs and throw him out! Be careful, don't hurt my little beauty!"

"Yes! Young Master!" The four guards sneered, their Nascent Soul Stage Auras erupting as they brandished their fists and weapons, lunging toward Lin Wan. They could tell Lin Wan was at the "Earth Immortal Late Stage," but with the four of them working together, plus their young master overseeing the situation, dealing with one "Earth Immortal Late Stage" Loose Cultivator should be easy, right?

"Watch out!" the girl in red exclaimed.

A trace of coldness flashed in Lin Wan's eyes. He originally did not want to cause trouble, but since trouble had come knocking, he didn't mind resolving it along the way. He had never had any fondness for such bullies who used their influence to oppress others and forcibly seize women.

Facing the four lunging guards, Lin Wan did not move his feet; he simply raised his hand slightly and pressed it toward the void in front of him.

There was no earth-shattering Aura, no brilliant technique. But the moment his palm pressed down, the four guards, who had been charging ferociously, felt as if they had collided with an invisible wall of air. Their forward momentum halted abruptly, and the sneers on their faces instantly turned into terror. Then, in the incredulous eyes of the surrounding crowd, the four guards flew backward like kites with broken strings, moving faster than they had come. They slammed heavily into the walls and stalls on both sides of the street, emitting a series of muffled thuds. They then slid limply to the ground, vomiting blood, and fell into a coma, their lives hanging in the balance.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye. From Lin Wan raising his hand to the four guards flying backward and falling unconscious, it was but an instant. The street fell into absolute silence. Everyone widened their eyes, looking at the figure in green clothes who still stood in the same spot, seemingly having never moved, their faces filled with shock and bewilderment.

What had happened? How did those four menacing guards suddenly fly away? What did this "Earth Immortal Late Stage" Loose Cultivator do?

The lewd grin on the brocade-robed youth's face stiffened, and a hint of suspicion flashed in his eyes. Although his cultivation was not high, he still had some discernment. He hadn't seen how Lin Wan made his move at all; he only felt an invisible, immense force that instantly blasted his four Nascent Soul Stage guards away. This method was definitely not something an ordinary Earth Immortal Late Stage could achieve!

"You... who are you? How dare you meddle in this young master's business and hurt my people? Do you know who this young master is?!" The brocade-robed youth shouted with a fierce expression, though he involuntarily took a step back.

The girl in red was also stunned, her cherry lips slightly parted, staring blankly at Lin Wan's calm profile, her eyes filled with disbelief. She had originally thought that this "Earth Immortal Late Stage" Senior helping her stabilize her figure was already quite good, but she hadn't expected him to be so deeply hidden, resolving four Nascent Soul Stage guards with a wave of his hand! Is... is this really an Earth Immortal Late Stage?

Lin Wan turned around slowly, his gaze calmly fixed on the brocade-robed youth, his tone indifferent: "Who you are has nothing to do with me. Now, get lost. Or, I will help you get lost."

His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable coldness, making the brocade-robed youth tremble all over, as if falling into an icy cavern. He felt that the way the other person looked at him was like looking at an ant.

"You... you..." The brocade-robed youth was both terrified and furious. He had grown up bullying others in Beichen City, and no one had ever dared to speak to him like this! But the other person's unfathomable methods made him feel fearful.

"Fine! Fine! Fine! Kid, you've got guts! Just you wait for this young master!" The brocade-robed youth knew he had kicked an iron plate today, and if he continued to entangle himself, he would definitely be the one to suffer. He glared fiercely at Lin Wan, took another greedy look at the girl in red, and after dropping a few harsh words, turned to run.

"Did I say you could leave?" Lin Wan's faint voice sounded again.

The brocade-robed youth's body stiffened. He turned around and forced a smile that looked uglier than crying: "Se... Senior, what other instructions do you have?"

"Injuring your people was your own doing. But you frightened my friend and disturbed the peace here. Leaving just like that doesn't seem right, does it?" Lin Wan's tone was flat, but the coldness in his eyes made the brocade-robed youth feel a chill in his heart.

"Se... Senior is right." The brocade-robed youth hurriedly took out a bulging bag from his Storage Pouch and offered it with both hands, "This is one thousand Low Grade immortal essence crystals, as an apology to this young lady and Senior. Please forgive the disturbance."

Lin Wan didn't even look at the bag of immortal essence crystals, merely saying indifferently: "One thousand? Are you trying to get rid of a beggar?"

The brocade-robed youth's face turned pale. Gritting his teeth, he took out two more bags: "He... here is a total of three thousand Low Grade immortal essence crystals, all of this Junior's belongings. Please accept it, Senior."

Only then did Lin Wan reach out and summon the three bags into his hand. A scan with his Divine Sense confirmed there were indeed three thousand Low Grade immortal essence crystals. He stopped looking at the brocade-robed youth and waved his hand: "Get out. If I see you doing evil again, it won't be resolved with just immortal essence crystals."

"Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, Senior! This Junior will never dare again!" The brocade-robed youth acted as if he had been granted amnesty, scrambling away and not even bothering with the four unconscious guards on the ground.

The surrounding crowd finally burst into discussion with a roar, their gazes toward Lin Wan filled with awe and curiosity. Being able to casually blast away four Nascent Soul guards and force Zhou the Skinner to pay up and concede, this "Earth Immortal Late Stage" Senior was definitely not a simple character! He was likely an expert who had hidden his true cultivation!

The girl in red also came back to her senses and hurriedly bowed to Lin Wan, her voice crisp, filled with gratitude and lingering fear: "Thank you, Senior, for saving my life! This Junior, Huo Ling'er, is eternally grateful!"

"Huo Ling'er?" Lin Wan looked at her. The name was quite fitting; she was dressed in fiery red and her personality seemed quite fiery as well. "It was just a small effort, no need to be polite. This place is not a good place to stay; that playboy will not let this go easily. You should leave first."

"Yes, Senior." Huo Ling'er also knew the danger of this place; after suffering a loss, Zhou the Skinner would definitely return to fetch reinforcements. She hesitated for a moment, then took a palm-sized object wrapped in fiery red silk from her bosom and shoved it into Lin Wan's hand, quickly whispering: "Senior's great kindness, Ling'er has no way to repay. This item is a family heirloom, said to be related to a secret location in the Chaos Ruins. Perhaps it will be useful to you. Senior, take care, we shall meet again!"

After speaking, without waiting for Lin Wan to react, Huo Ling'er's figure flickered, turning into a streak of fiery red light that instantly darted into a nearby alley and disappeared. The speed of her movement was not inferior to an average Earth Immortal Early Stage Cultivator.

Lin Wan held the still-warm fiery red package in his hand, his eyebrows raised slightly. This Huo Ling'er was indeed not simple. With a cultivation of Nascent Soul Late Stage, she possessed such high-level movement techniques, and then there was this so-called "family heirloom"...

He looked at the pointing and gossiping crowd around him and decided not to linger. His figure flickered, blending into the crowd like a phantom, and with a few flashes, he disappeared at the end of the street, leaving behind only a scene of Chaos, four unconscious guards, and the bewildered, gossiping onlookers.

A moment later, a team of City Guards dressed in black armor and exuding a fierce Aura arrived, led by a captain at the Earth Immortal Middle Stage. Seeing the unconscious guards on the ground and the discussions of the crowd, the captain's face darkened. After asking a few questions, he looked toward the direction where Lin Wan had disappeared, a hint of gravity flashing in his eyes.

"Being able to easily defeat four Nascent Soul guards and force Young Master Zhou to pay up and concede... it's likely a Heavenly Immortal Senior playing in the mundane world... This matter must be reported to the Commander." The captain whispered a few words to his deputy, then ordered his men to carry away the unconscious guards and clear the scene, without making a big fuss about the investigation. In Beichen City, strength was respected, and as long as no major Chaos occurred, the City Guard usually turned a blind eye, especially when it involved high-level Cultivators.

At this moment, Lin Wan had already returned to his room at the "Ping'an Inn," setting up a Restriction to isolate the interior from the exterior. He sat at the table, looking at the fiery red silk package in his hand, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes.

"A family heirloom related to a secret location in the Chaos Ruins?" Lin Wan gently unwrapped the package.

Inside was a palm-sized, entirely crimson, flame-shaped strange token that felt warm as jade to the touch and was covered with natural fire patterns on the surface. On the front of the token was carved an ancient, twisted rune that seemed like a burning flame, and on the back was a rough star map pointing to a location deep within the Chaos Ruins.

When Lin Wan's gaze fell on the flame rune on the front of the token, the Chaos Dao Seed within his body actually vibrated slightly, seemingly producing some kind of faint resonance! At the same time, a scorching, ancient Aura that seemed capable of burning everything under the heavens wafted faintly from the token.

"This is..." Lin Wan's pupils constricted. He could feel that this token was by no means ordinary; it contained a trace of extremely pure, ancient Fire Origin Aura, and it seemed to have some special connection with the depths of the Chaos Ruins.

"Huo Ling'er... family heirloom... secret location in the Chaos Ruins..." Lin Wan rubbed the token, lost in thought. It seemed that this trip to the Chaos Ruins would be even more interesting than he had anticipated.