Chapter 415: The First Guest

Time flies.

On days when no one came, Lin Chuan and Mo Sangyu cultivated in Myriad Symbol Pavilion.

During their day‑by‑day coexistence, Mo Sangyu's attitude gradually changed; on the surface she still seemed cold as usual, but in subtle details one could see many different implications.

Lin Chuan occasionally, in a dream cultivation space, perceived Reincarnation, the Sword of All Beings, and mediated Creation's three paths.

But there was no progress.

It would be more pleasant to chat with Mo Sangyu.

Such days lasted about half a month, and Myriad Symbol Pavilion finally received its first guest.

"Help... help me!"

A blood‑splattered figure staggered in through the door, and behind it was a Tiechu Xiuzhe lugging a Tie Chui, a terrifying brute.

The Tie Chui dragged on the ground, sparking bursts of fire and emitting a harsh sound.

It deepened the fear on the guest's face.

"Within Myriad Symbol Pavilion, private fights are prohibited."

Lin Chuan stepped forward, blocking the Tiechu Xiuzhe.

"Dao... Daoist Friend, please save me."

The blood‑splattered figure crawled at Lin Chuan's feet, its breath feeble, already wounded at the root, likely unable to live much longer.

"Do you intend to block me?"

The Tiechu Xiuzhe was a Chuandao Sijing strongman; daring to storm this Daoist arena and commit open violence, he was certainly not weak.

"This is my territory."

Lin Chuan smiled, "I don't care how you fight me outside, but once you are in my place, you must obey me."

"Because of you? Or because of your Myriad Symbol Pavilion?"

The Tiechu Xiuzhe laughed, disdain filling his eyes, "This is Tianjin Prefecture; in a place like this, you and I discuss rules?"

"Here, strength is the rule."

"I am stronger than you; my rule is the rule."

With that, the Tiechu Xiuzhe exuded an even more terrifying pressure, enveloping Lin Chuan, "Move aside, you!"

"The person behind you, I will definitely kill; no one can protect him."

"If you dare block me again, I'll slaughter you as well!"

The Tiechu Xiuzhe's murderous intent was fully revealed.

Spiritual power rolled over Myriad Symbol Pavilion like an ocean, drawing the attention of many in the Daoist arena.

Lin Chuan remained calmly standing there.

Only this way can it be effective, to spread Myriad Symbol Pavilion's reputation and attract more cultivators.

He could sense that many gazes had already gathered here.

A Chuandao Sijing cultivator, even in the so‑called most chaotic Tianjin Prefecture, could still be considered not weak.

Enough to dominate a region.

Perfect for a cutting strike.

"Wait a moment, I'll ask him a question."

Lin Chuan turned to the pursued cultivator, also his Myriad Symbol Pavilion's first guest since opening.

"This guest, my Myriad Symbol Pavilion can solve any problem, but it requires a price."

"What price?" the cultivator asked.

"Your soul."

Lin Chuan said earnestly.

The guest was stunned by those words.

Mo Sangyu, who was holding the line beside him, was also stunned, and even the pursuing Tiechu Xiuzhe was taken aback.

"Soul?"

The guest asked again uncertainly.

"Yes."

Lin Chuan nodded, "You heard correctly; it's your soul."

The guest blinked, "What difference is there between this and killing me?"

"There is, of course, a difference."

Lin Chuan said, "If he kills you, you die, but I can help you fulfill a lifelong regret."

"Also, I can give you time to settle your affairs."

"..." the guest remained silent.

"Hahaha!"

At that moment, the Tiechu Xiuzhe laughed, "So it's a demon lord after all; I told you, even in chaotic lands, there are still people doing righteous deeds."

"That cracks me up."

"Shangguan Qing, you are on a dead end, at the terminus; you can either be killed by this demon lord's game or die swiftly under my single hammer; choose yourself."

The Tiechu Xiuzhe mockingly looked at the pallid guest, Shangguan Qing.

"Don't speak nonsense; I'm truly not a demon lord."

Lin Chuan explained, "I merely follow the principle of equivalent exchange; you help me, I help you."

"Hahaha!"

The Tiechu Xiuzhe laughed even more merrily, "Demon lords love to claim they're not demon lords, spouting twisted logic; in the hands of someone like you, that's truly worse than death."

Lin Chuan still smiled, looking at the shaken Shangguan Qing, and said, "The words are from others; the path you can walk yourself."

They were willing to stall time.

Within the Daoist hall where Myriad Symbol Pavilion is located, many cultivators have already gathered to watch.

After all, a "mysterious force" suddenly appearing here would pique anyone's curiosity; if it were a soft target, there would be plenty of people wanting to poke it.

Shangguan Qing looked at Lin Chuan's sincere expression, and for a moment could not tell truth from falsehood.

But for them, there truly was no way back.

Either way, it's death.

Leaving Myriad Symbol Pavilion would surely have them smashed into mush by Tie Chui.

If they agreed to Lord of Myriad Symbol Pavilion, what might greet them is endless torment.

"How am I supposed to choose?"

Shangguan Qing was unwilling, with too many tasks still awaiting them; they had promised their sister to bring back the antidote and cure the Heavenly Fragrance Poison afflicting her.

If they died here…

They could hardly imagine how heart‑broken their sister, waiting at home for their return, would be.

Damn Xuanyuan Family!

It was they who first got this herb, and now they have to surrender it; if they don't, they'll be killed?

The Tie Chui pursuing them is a servant of the Xuanyuan Family.

"Shangguan Qing, have you made up your mind?"

Tiechu Xiuzhe laughed wildly, "I don't have the patience to wait for you; either way it's death, so choose quickly."

"Fine! I choose!"

Shangguan Qing gritted their teeth, "Lord of Myriad Symbol Pavilion, didn't you say you could fulfill any of my wishes?"

"Hmm." Lin Chuan nodded.

"Then fine! I want you to kill him! Kill this servant of the Xuanyuan Family!" Shangguan Qing said resentfully.

"Are you sure this is what you most want to do?"

Lin Chuan looked at Shangguan Qing, a subtle ripple flickering in his eyes.

Shangguan Qing paused.

Is this what they most want to do? Naturally…

Even if they longed to kill Tie Chui, their hatred for the Xuanyuan Family was immense, but such negative feelings meant nothing compared to their love for their sister.

They had only one wish: that their sister might live healthily.

That's all.

"I…"

Originally they were unwilling to trust Lord of Myriad Symbol Pavilion, but at this moment they inexplicably felt a glimmer of hope; perhaps this was their sister's only lifeline.

They were no longer angry; their expression became much more serious.

"You… really can…"

"Yes."

Before the words finished, Lin Chuan cut in, "You can trust me, as long as you are willing to exchange of your own accord."

"If you deceive me…"

"The price you pay will be ten million times as much."

The final sentence sent a chill straight to them, making Shangguan Qing shiver and quietly tuck away the small thought in their heart.

"Lord of Myriad Symbol Pavilion, if you can protect my sister, let her grow safely without the Xuanyuan Family's persecution, I am willing to offer my soul."