Chapter Thirty-One: Seeking One's Own Destruction

Ling Wu and Ling Zhen both felt they had rendered a great service to their family, looking forward to their own bright futures.

Lin Hao had successfully infiltrated the enemy's ranks, his goal simple: to use the Ling Clan's resources to strengthen himself and maximize his cultivation level before the Great Sect Tournament.

Meanwhile, at the Taixuan Sect!

The events that occurred in Danqing City had spread extensively. The Taixuan Sect naturally had channels to receive first-hand information. When Mr. Ximen and Yi Fuyao learned that Lin Hao had entered the Lingyun Pavilion, their expressions changed drastically.

"What has Ren Baichuan been doing, letting Lin Hao act so recklessly?"

Mr. Ximen, usually so kind-hearted, was angry—very angry.

"This is playing with fire. He was only meant to go to the Imperial Capital to gain some experience, yet he has charged into a dragon's den and a tiger's lair."

Yi Fuyao was also speechless. "But then again, I even admire Lin Hao's courage. Only someone like him can achieve great things."

"I never imagined he would be the legendary Innate Alchemy Saint Body. He has become world-renowned the moment he arrived in the capital." Mr. Ximen said, "I heard he has become the Chief of the Alchemy Pavilion. This is good for him, a talisman for survival, and it is also good for the Taixuan Sect. While it cannot influence the Great Sect Tournament, the Taixuan Sect has produced an alchemy prodigy. But he has entered the Ling Clan; once his identity is exposed, it will be a dead end."

"Mr. Ximen, I think we are worrying too much," Yi Fuyao said with a smile. "As long as we don't speak of it, outsiders cannot link Tianbao with Lin Hao. After all, it is hard to connect a genius who cleared the ten-zhang Dragon Gate, breaking the Great Xia record, with an Innate Alchemy Saint Body—these are two extreme types of talent."

"Hmm, a ten-zhang Dragon Gate prodigy and an Innate Alchemy Saint Body; either one would be a miracle. Who would think they are gathered in one person? However, as a precaution, immediately seal the Taixuan Sect. No disciple is permitted to take a single step outside until Lin Hao returns from the Great Sect Tournament. Simultaneously, strengthen security to prevent infiltration by the Ling Clan," Mr. Ximen ordered.

"Very well, I will handle it immediately," Yi Fuyao said. No one knew Tianbao's true identity. As long as the Ling Clan's agents could not infiltrate the Taixuan Sect, they would never be able to uncover Lin Hao's true identity, ensuring his safety within the Ling Clan.

After all, as Mr. Ximen and Yi Fuyao thought, no one would believe that one person could be both an alchemy prodigy and a ten-zhang Dragon Gate genius. It was simply too heaven-defying. Therefore, as long as the Taixuan Sect blocked all sources that could leak Lin Hao's identity, he would be safe—unless he courted death by exposing himself.

Lin Hao waited in the Lingyun Pavilion for a day, relaxed and composed. He was waiting, waiting for the next move from Ling Wu and Ling Zhen, planning to counter them move by move.

That evening, Ling Wu returned from the Ling Clan and personally visited Lin Hao, accompanied by Ling Zhen.

"Master Tianbao, are you getting used to staying in the Lingyun Pavilion?" Ling Wu’s tone was very polite. He looked at Lin Hao not as a person, but as a cash cow.

"It's fine," Lin Hao replied.

"After a day of interaction, I have discovered that although Master Tianbao is young, you are a straightforward person. Since that is the case, I will be direct. After discussing it, we have decided to bring out some of the Lingyun Pavilion’s advanced alchemy recipes and invite Master Tianbao to participate in the refining process." Ling Wu said.

Hearing this, a flash of craftiness passed through Lin Hao's eyes. It was finally here!

"Steward Wu, are you asking me to refine pills for you?" Lin Hao said. "Although I have entered the Lingyun Pavilion, I am not yet a member of your Ling Clan. I am the Chief of the Alchemy Pavilion; we are currently in a partnership. Please make that clear. The fifty promotion pills from last night already expressed my sincerity. If you want me to continue refining advanced pills for you, I require benefits."

"That goes without saying."

Ling Wu and Ling Zhen exchanged glances, both seeing the joy in each other's eyes. Since he was asking for benefits, that was easy. They weren't afraid of giving benefits; they would spare no amount of resources as long as he had the capability to make the Lingyun Pavilion earn more—everything was negotiable. They were most afraid that Tianbao would be the type of youth who, having gained fame early, was arrogant and proud, indifferent to vanity and profit. In that case, it would be difficult to further win him over.

"Master Tianbao, just say what you want. As long as we can provide it, we will never be stingy," Ling Zhen said.

Lin Hao lowered his head, contemplating. What did he want? He wanted all the Ling Clan's resources.

"Let's do this: for every pill I refine for the Lingyun Pavilion hereafter, you will give me an additional sum of Essence Stones based on the pill's value," Lin Hao said.

"No problem," Ling Wu and Ling Zhen said in unison. They had thought this young master would make some excessive demands; it turned out he just wanted Essence Stones. He was still young and lacked experience, after all. There were many resources in this world far more precious than Essence Stones.

"Good, then we can start immediately," Lin Hao said.

Over the next few days, Lin Hao stayed in the Lingyun Pavilion, refining pills for them. Ling Wu brought out almost all of the Lingyun Pavilion’s high-level recipes, holding nothing back from Lin Hao. Lin Hao discovered that these recipes were the Ling Clan's closely guarded secrets—such as the Tiger Yang Pill, the Ice Soul Pill, and the Dragon-Elephant Bone-Strengthening Pill—all unique to the Ling Clan. These pills were extremely precious, and anyone wanting to purchase them had to go through the Lingyun Pavilion. In other words, the Lingyun Pavilion had an absolute monopoly on these pills.

This was the first time these pills had been shown to outsiders, which could be considered their sincerity in trying to win over Lin Hao. Poor Ling Clan, they had no idea of Lin Hao's true identity. While they were currently making a fortune relying on Lin Hao to refine nine-striped pills, they did not know that in the near future, they would completely lose their monopoly, causing the colossal business entity that was the Lingyun Pavilion to collapse.

For Lin Hao, the one doing the refining, he was naturally tireless. With a fifty-percent success rate, he would pocket half of the pills for himself during each session, demand extra Essence Stones from the Lingyun Pavilion, and since the pavilion’s medicine storehouse was open to him, he would naturally show no restraint—a thorough plundering was essential.

During these few days, the nine-striped promotion pills that appeared in the Lingyun Pavilion, which could raise a cultivator by two levels, caused a sensation throughout Danqing City and soon spread across the entire Imperial Capital. For a time, demand exceeded supply, making the Lingyun Pavilion wealthy beyond measure.

Lin Hao remained in seclusion in the Lingyun Pavilion, like an alchemy machine, refining pills day and night without stopping.

"We're making a killing! We're making a killing! Hahaha, whoever gains Master Tianbao will surely rule the business world!" Ling Wu laughed heartily.

At the same time, Ling Wu and Ling Zhen's status within the Ling Clan rose significantly. Ling Zhen, in particular, was promoted several ranks to become a high-level elder, enjoying immense glory.

Meanwhile, a figure was still wandering around the Yunchuan area. This person was Ling Yao. He had come on a mission to eliminate Lin Hao. After hitting a wall at the Taixuan Sect and being chased away by Mr. Ximen, he still refused to give up. He arrived at a large canyon and leapt down.

Inside the canyon sat a small village, far from the hustle and bustle of the secular world, filled with the simple atmosphere of daily life.

"This branch of the Yipin Hall is truly hard to find. Luckily, I gathered information in advance." Ling Yao looked at the village ahead and strode forward.

"Who goes there?" At the entrance to the village, an old man sitting on a boulder, chewing on a dry pipe, opened his eyes as he saw the visitor.

The old man's eyes were cloudy, but the moment they opened, they were filled with a piercing, murderous aura.

"As expected of the Yipin Hall, a Heaven-Origin Realm expert guarding the village," Ling Yao praised. He stopped and stated his purpose: "I am a member of the Ling Clan, here to discuss business with the Yipin Hall."

"The Yipin Hall only accepts business regarding killing. Looking across the entire Great Xia, is there anyone the Ling Clan cannot kill?" the old man asked.

"The people the Ling Clan wants to kill must naturally die, but this time, it is inconvenient for us to act. The Yipin Hall is the most secretive assassin organization in Great Xia. I have heard you have never missed a target. I have come to see if it is truly as miraculous as the legends say," Ling Yao said.

"Who do you want to kill?" Before the old man could speak, a graceful, elegant youth walked out of the village.

Seeing the youth, the old man immediately jumped off the boulder and bowed to him.

"And this is?" Ling Yao looked at the youth, his eyes flashing with strange light. The youth looked only about fifteen, but he was already at the Transformation-Origin Realm. Such talent, even in the Ling family, was top-tier.

"Our Young Master," the old man said.

"Ling Clan member, I am asking you, who do you want to kill?" the youth asked, his expression cold.

"The abandoned son of the Hou clan, Lin Hao," Ling Yao said.

"Good, you've come to the right place." The youth chuckled and shot a glance at the old man.

The old man understood and leisurely put away his pipe. The next instant, the old man vanished like a ray of light, appearing right in front of Ling Yao. Ling Yao felt a chill flash before his eyes, followed by a sharp pain in his chest. He slowly looked down and saw a cold sword, which had surely taken many lives, had pierced through his chest.

"You..." Ling Yao was filled with disbelief. He did not understand why an assassin from the Yipin Hall would suddenly turn on him.

Behind him, the youth walked toward Ling Yao with one hand behind his back, saying, "Let me introduce myself. My name is Lin Yang."