After Lin Yuan took his leave.
"Teacher, Tian Shu... no... Lin Yuan, can he really be trusted?"
Since the matter concerned the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan was still somewhat worried.
Yao Lao stroked his beard and replied calmly,
"His words match some of the information I already know. Coupled with his identity as a member of Jia Nan Academy, he should be trustworthy. After all, Jia Nan Academy has always enjoyed an excellent reputation throughout the continent."
After a pause, Yao Lao continued,"However, we cannot place everything solely in the hands of his character. We should add one more step to the strategy he proposed."
"Hm? Teacher, what is it?" Xiao Yan asked urgently.
"Once the Xiao Clan members reach the Black-Corner Region, their identities must be erased there. They need to completely disappear from the Hall of Souls' sight."
"Coincidentally, the Black-Corner Region is one of the continent's most famous black markets. There is no better place to accomplish such a thing."
"I'll handle that matter."
Ling Ying spoke up from the side.
"We have some forces there. Completing that step flawlessly will not be a problem."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan immediately cupped his fists toward Ling Ying.
"Thank you, Elder Ling. I'll have to trouble you with everything that follows."
"It's a small matter."
Ling Ying waved his hand before speaking seriously,
"However, just as Lin Yuan said, you should head to Jia Nan Academy as soon as possible. Jia Nan Academy has certain special connections. Once you arrive there, your safety will be guaranteed."
After some thought, Ling Ying's expression became solemn.
"Also, don't forget, little fellow there's someone there who has been waiting for you for a very long time."
Upon hearing that, a graceful figure clad in green flashed through Xiao Yan's mind.
A gentle warmth appeared in his eyes.
"Rest assured, Elder Ling. I understand."
Ling Ying nodded slightly.
"Good."
"Let's go. Time is of the essence now."
Yao Lao looked in the direction of Wu Tan City.
"The longer we delay, the greater the chance that someone from the Hall of Souls will arrive. We must complete our part of the plan before that happens."
"Yes, Teacher."
Soon, two streams of light shot toward Wu Tan City.
Meanwhile.
Several minutes after taking flight, Lin Yuan landed atop a cliff.
Looking at the empty space behind him, he chuckled softly.
"You may come out now, Senior Yao."
As his words fell, a translucent soul avatar appeared before him.
It was none other than Yao Lao's soul clone.
"Is there something else, Senior Yao?"
Lin Yuan looked at him curiously.
"Or perhaps something that couldn't be discussed in front of the others?"
Yao Lao pondered for a moment before speaking seriously.
"This is merely the curiosity of an alchemist. You may answer or refuse as you wish. Everyone has their own secrets."
"However, if you're willing to answer, I will reward you generously."
"Oh?"
Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow, becoming interested.
"Please ask. I'll answer as I see fit."
Yao Lao fixed his gaze upon Lin Yuan and got straight to the point.
"Lin Yuan, the Flame Lotus Dou Technique you used yesterday was anything but ordinary. It requires overcoming the natural repulsion between Heavenly Flames."
"To control a second Heavenly Flame to such a degree, how did you accomplish it?"
"So that's your question."
Lin Yuan smiled calmly.
"I don't mind answering that."
"My true Origin Flame is only the Green Lotus Core Flame. As for the Fallen Heart Flame Seed Flame, I created it personally, and it is connected to the Green Lotus Core Flame in certain ways."
"That is why my control over it is exceptionally strong."
"Created personally rather than separated from the main Heavenly Flame?"
Yao Lao's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"Exactly."
Lin Yuan nodded.
"As for the more detailed process, I'm afraid I cannot reveal it."
"As you said, Senior, everyone has secrets. That happens to be one of mine."
Yao Lao nodded gently.
"In that case, I won't inquire further."
After a pause, he continued,
"Since you possess a Fallen Heart Flame Seed Flame, then it seems the rumors I've heard are true."
"The Fallen Heart Flame, known as the ultimate cultivation cheat, truly resides within Jia Nan Academy."
Lin Yuan sighed and nodded.
"As expected, the existence of the Fallen Heart Flame could not remain hidden from the outside world forever."
Yao Lao gave him a meaningful look.
A hint of probing intent appeared in his voice.
"Lin Yuan, what is Jia Nan Academy's stance regarding the Fallen Heart Flame?"
"Now that its existence has been exposed, it will inevitably attract covetous eyes. When that happens, it will bring considerable trouble."
Lin Yuan smiled confidently.
"The Fallen Heart Flame is Jia Nan Academy's inheritance flame."
"It is one of the foundations and pillars that allow the Academy to stand as the number one academy on the continent."
"It absolutely cannot be touched by outsiders."
"And Jia Nan Academy possesses more than enough strength to protect it."
"Hehe."
"The strength of Jia Nan Academy is not limited to what appears on the surface."
Hearing this, Yao Lao's eyes narrowed slightly.
A sense of unease rose within him.
Troublesome.
Judging from the attitude of this future Grand Elder candidate, Jia Nan Academy's strength and the importance it places on the Fallen Heart Flame are both far greater than I anticipated.
That means obtaining it would be far more difficult and the consequences afterward far more troublesome than expected.
Any plans regarding the Fallen Heart Flame will need to be reconsidered.
After all, with Lin Yuan's assistance in borrowing a Heavenly Flame, I already possess enough flame power to refine a body.
With that thought, Yao Lao changed the subject and revealed another purpose for his visit.
"Lin Yuan, I'm quite interested in that Flame Lotus Dou Technique of yours."
"Would you be willing to trade it to me?"
"Yes."
Lin Yuan agreed immediately, without the slightest hesitation.
"Hm?"
Yao Lao appeared somewhat surprised.
"You agreed so readily."
"That Dou Technique should be your own creation. Are you really that willing to part with it?"
"Hehe."
Lin Yuan smiled knowingly.
"Even if I refused to trade it, Senior Yao would eventually research it on your own, wouldn't you?"
"And with your abilities, you'd sooner or later figure it out."
"In that case, why shouldn't I simply go along with the flow and accept the trade?"
"I gain benefits. You save time."
"A win-win situation."
"And I happen to like win-win situations."
Looking at Yao Lao, Lin Yuan understood the situation perfectly.
This visit was less about the trade itself and more about obtaining his permission openly and honorably.
As the publicly acknowledged number one alchemist on the continent, Yao Lao still cared about his reputation.
Secretly learning the technique of a junior—especially a junior who had fought alongside him in a life-and-death battle only yesterday would be rather undignified.
Furthermore, such behavior would hardly help maintain future cooperation between the two sides.
Hearing Lin Yuan's words, Yao Lao nodded approvingly.
"You've thought this through quite thoroughly."
"Very well. Tell me, what do you want?"
Lin Yuan turned toward Medusa beside him.
"Your Majesty, opportunities like this are rare. Is there anything you want?"
A trace of tenderness flashed deep within Medusa's enchanting eyes.
"There is nothing I currently lack."
"Trade for something useful to yourself instead. After all, what belongs to you will eventually belong to me anyway..."
Lin Yuan scratched his head and laughed.
"Hehe, that's true."
"What is mine belongs to my wife, and what belongs to my wife belongs to me."
Yao Lao looked at the two of them helplessly.
Sighing inwardly, he thought:
These passionate young people. They're truly hard to endure. Interacting with Xiao Yan is much more comfortable.
Lin Yuan did not deliberate for long before stating his request.
"Senior Yao, a single formation will suffice. As for its grade, I'll leave that to your evaluation of my Flame Lotus Dou Technique. I trust your judgment."
"Not only are you throwing the problem back at me, you're putting me on the spot as well?"
Yao Lao could not help but laugh.
This brat really is a cunning fellow.
However, Yao Lao did not mind.
What he lacked the least was this sort of accumulated knowledge. Being able to exchange a mere formation for a Flame Lotus Dou Technique that appeared exceptionally compatible with the Flame Mantra was simply too good a deal.
Thus, the two happily concluded the transaction, each obtaining what they desired.
After the trade was completed, Yao Lao's soul avatar departed as well.
Not long afterward, once Lin Yuan had roughly organized the formation knowledge he had received, he looked in the direction Yao Lao had left. A meaningful glint appeared in his deep eyes.
Senior Yao, Xiao Yan. I have already given more than enough warning regarding the Fallen Heart Flame today. I only hope you do not bring disaster upon yourselves.
At that moment, Queen Medusa's amused voice sounded beside him.
"Little man, I didn't expect you to be so generous today. I was worried you would take advantage of their situation and extort them fiercely."
"Hehe, Your Majesty worries too much."
Lin Yuan chuckled.
"They are exceptionally valuable trading partners. Through them, the vast amount of resources we gather in the future can be converted much more easily into the things we truly need."
"Compared to temporary gains and losses, long-term cooperation is far more beneficial to us."
For Lin Yuan, collecting large quantities of resources was not difficult.
Using alchemy to increase the value of those resources severalfold was not difficult either.
The real challenge was obtaining specific items when they were truly needed that is, having the necessary trading channels.
A prime example was Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva.
Even though Lin Yuan could currently offer things worth more than it, without Xun Er's connections, he simply could not obtain it.
This was also one of the reasons why he was willing to spend effort helping the Xiao Clan and Xiao Yan.
As long as Xiao Yan and the Xiao Clan existed, they helped him maintain two valuable trading channels: Yao Lao and Gu Xun Er.
In Lin Yuan's eyes, the current Xiao Yan and Xiao Clan were essentially external weak points for Yao Lao and Gu Xun Er.
If utilized properly, he could create trading demands for both of them, allowing himself to profit through their transactions.
For example, helping relocate the Xiao Clan, a trivial matter from his perspective had already allowed him to obtain an exceedingly precious Earth-Class Soul Technique from Yao Lao through trade.
Moreover, while Yao Lao and the others believed this matter carried enormous risks, the actual risk was quite low.
That was because Protector Wu, whom they believed to be dead, was in fact still alive.
As a result, the Hall of Souls would not notice the changes in the Jia Ma Empire anytime soon, nor would they dispatch investigators in the short term.
As long as everything was done quickly, by the time the Hall of Souls discovered the anomaly and sent people to investigate, Lin Yuan would have already settled all affairs within the Jia Ma Empire and departed.
Thinking of this, as well as today's many gains, Lin Yuan's mood became exceptionally pleasant.
"Let's go, Your Majesty. We'll head back."
"Once we've wrapped up everything here and thoroughly sweep through the Jia Ma Empire one last time, we can leave this troublesome place behind."
"Sweep through the Jia Ma Empire?"
Medusa raised an eyebrow.
"Does that mean you're planning to accept the meeting request that Hai Bodong conveyed from that old fellow of the Imperial Family?"
"Why not?"
Lin Yuan smiled.
"I already know why Jia Xing Tian wishes to meet me. It's a good opportunity."
"I imagine the century-long accumulation of the Jia Ma Imperial Family should enrich my collection quite a bit."
"Oh?"
Medusa looked at him with amusement.
"And how do you intend to do that?"
"Hehe!"
A mysterious smile appeared on Lin Yuan's face.
"My approach is naturally the same old one."
"Invite them to the table, eliminate those who resist, and make the rest submit."
Hearing this, Medusa's brows rose slightly.
"Lin Yuan, you are a candidate for the position of Grand Elder of Jia Nan Academy. Such methods are inappropriate, right?"
Lin Yuan smoothly finished her sentence.
"I admit that. I know my own nature."
"So whenever I do things like this while traveling outside, I'm usually wearing a disguise and operating under an alternate identity."
As he spoke, he patted Medusa's shoulder reassuringly.
"Don't worry. I won't let any of this be connected to Lin Yuan, candidate Grand Elder of Jia Nan Academy."
"Since you know what you're doing, I won't say any more."
Medusa nodded slightly before changing the subject.
"There are no powerful enemies left here that require my intervention, so I'll return to the Snake-People Tribe."
"The Grand Migration Ceremony is approaching, and there are still many matters within the tribe that require my supervision."
"You're that busy?"
Lin Yuan looked somewhat surprised.
"Hmph."
Medusa shot him a glance.
"Do you think relocating an entire race is as simple as moving from one place to another?"
"No matter what, the Snake-People Tribe is a race with a long and ancient heritage. For an event of this magnitude, numerous rituals and ceremonies are naturally unavoidable."
"Besides that, there is the handling of the old territory, the division of the new territory, the distribution of various interests, and many other important matters."
"As Queen, only I have the authority to make the final decisions."
Just mentioning those matters gave Medusa a headache.
They sounded trivial, but they were crucial affairs concerning the future of an entire race.
And only she, as Queen, could make the final judgment.
Handling all of them felt more exhausting than fighting a Dou Ancestor expert in a life-and-death battle.
Ordinarily, these matters could have been dealt with gradually.
However, after learning of the Hall of Souls' involvement within the Jia Ma Empire, Medusa decided to accelerate everything for safety's sake and lead the Snake-People Tribe away from this dangerous region as soon as possible.
As a result, her recent days had been spent constantly alternating between travel, state affairs, ceremonies, major battles, and other kinds of battles.
"Enough. I won't complain about these troublesome matters any further."
Medusa waved her hand.
"I'll be leaving first. After being away for several days, there's probably a mountain of work waiting for me back in the tribe."
"Take good care of Xiao Cai and the others."
"I'll return now."
"Remember to come back in half a month for the final ceremony. After all, you are also the Fifth Elder of the Snake-People Tribe."
Then, after a brief hesitation, Medusa turned her face slightly away.
Her emotions seemed somewhat complicated.
"The elders have returned. They possess secret techniques and already know that I am no longer a virgin."
"Find a way to tell them about us."
As soon as she finished speaking, she transformed into a rainbow-colored streak of light and vanished into the distant horizon before Lin Yuan could respond.
"Half a month, huh?"
Watching Medusa's departure, Lin Yuan calculated the time and thought to himself:
That's enough.
More than enough time to settle all matters within the Jia Ma Empire.
Soon afterward, a streak of azure light shot into the sky and sped toward the Holy City of Jia Ma.
----
For additional chapter's
Join pateron.com/Translaterappu