Chapter 196

"Count me in." Xu Jianhua raised his hand to adjust his glasses.

"Naturally, I shall go as well." Xiao Chengzhou stroked his graying beard, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

Lin Yu nodded, a surge of warmth rising in his heart: "Good, having you all with me makes me feel much more at ease. However, before we set off, we must do some preparatory work."

Just as he was about to turn and instruct Xuanyuan Qing to stay behind, the little girl had already jumped out, her eyes sparkling: "Lin Shu! I want to go too!"

Lin Yu sighed inwardly; this stubborn girl could not be stopped. He put on a stern face and shook his index finger in front of her: "Fine, but you must remember: once we get there, you listen to my commands. Don't act on your own and run around."

"Leave it to me!" Xuanyuan Qing patted her chest, her voice as crisp as bells clashing together.

In the blink of an eye, it was the night before departure. Xuanyuan Qing sat on her suitcase, her legs swinging back and forth, stealing glances at Lin Yu from time to time.

"Lin Shu... are you really planning to take me?" Her voice was filled with irrepressible excitement, her hands clutching the hem of her shirt, twisting it into a ball.

Lin Yu had wanted to refuse. Even veteran hunters wouldn't dare enter the Kunlun Mountains casually, let alone bring a young girl along. But Xuanyuan Qing not only pestered him relentlessly, she also pulled off a demonstration of locking techniques, her movements clean and agile; she truly had some skill.

"Don't think you can fool me just because you know a few flashy moves." Lin Yu muttered, though his brow relaxed. "Remember, once we get there, stay by my side every step of the way. Do you hear me?"

Xuanyuan Qing's eyes lit up instantly, and she was so excited she nearly slid off the suitcase: "I hear you, I hear you! I guarantee I won't hold Lin Shu back!"

Lin Yu shook his head helplessly as he watched her. This girl really didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth.

Based on the data stolen from the Tongtian Pavilion stronghold and cross-referenced with the clues on the jade pendant, Lin Yu pinpointed an abandoned chemical factory on the outskirts of Huacheng. It was highly likely another secret den of the Tongtian Pavilion, and perhaps more intelligence regarding the Shennong Secret Treasury could be unearthed there.

Night shrouded the earth as the two crept toward their target. The area around the factory was deathly silent, and a few broken streetlights emitted a "buzzing" electrical sound, flickering on and off.

"Don't move around; this place is evil," Lin Yu whispered a warning.

Xuanyuan Qing immediately reined in her excitement, tensing her nerves and advancing almost by stepping in Lin Yu's shadow.

The factory gate was locked tight, but Lin Yu didn't force it. He led Xuanyuan Qing to the side, found a slightly ajar small door, and slipped inside with a light push.

The factory grounds were filled with abandoned buildings and equipment, appearing particularly hideous in the darkness. The air was permeated with a pungent chemical odor that made one frown immediately.

The two carefully wove through the factory buildings, trying their best to avoid the broken glass and metal shards underfoot. Suddenly, a rustling sound came from ahead, as if something were moving.

Lin Yu pressed down on Xuanyuan Qing's shoulder, signaling her to hide behind a pile of old machinery while he silently approached the source of the sound.

By the faint moonlight, he saw several dark shadows moving a pile of wooden crates, which were stamped with strange symbols.

"Tongtian Pavilion lackeys!" Lin Yu cursed inwardly.

Just as he prepared to strike, a cold wind swept in from behind. Relying on instincts honed over many years, Lin Yu dodged to the side, and a cold glint flew past his ear, pinning itself into the wall with a "thud."

A flying knife!

"Who?" Lin Yu barked, his whole body tensing.

In the darkness, a figure slowly paced out, toying with another flying knife in their hand. "Not bad reflexes." The person's voice was hoarse, carrying an indescribable eeriness.

"Lin Shu, watch out!" Xuanyuan Qing poked her head out, her face full of worry.

"Stay crouched and don't move!" Lin Yu roared without looking back, his eyes fixed firmly on the enemy before him.

The man sneered, his body flickering as he transformed into a black shadow and lunged at Lin Yu.

Lin Yu remained calm, sidestepping the opponent's fierce attack while simultaneously striking out with a palm.

The two were instantly locked in combat. The man was agile and ruthless, every knife strike aimed at Lin Yu's vital points.

Lin Yu responded with composure, blending his Ao Fist and silver needles, at times as fierce as a mountain, at others as agile as the wind.

After several rounds, Lin Yu grasped the opponent's pattern. Seizing an opening, he suddenly exerted force, his right fist slamming into the opponent's chest like a cannonball.

The man groaned, stumbling back several steps, a trace of fresh blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

"Again!" Lin Yu said coldly, preparing to press his advantage.

However, the man pulled a small, pitch-black ball from his bosom and slammed it onto the ground.

With a muffled "bang," thick smoke instantly filled the air, blocking everyone's line of sight.

"Damn it, a smoke bomb!" Lin Yu cursed inwardly, quickly holding his breath.

A chaotic sound of footsteps came from within the smoke; clearly, the Tongtian Pavilion people had taken the opportunity to slip away.

"Lin Shu, are you okay?" Xuanyuan Qing asked loudly from within the smoke.

"I'm fine, how about you?"

"I'm fine too!"

When the smoke cleared, the factory building was already empty, with only a few lonely, empty crates lying on the ground.

"Damn, let them get away!" Lin Yu punched the wall in frustration.

"Lin Shu, look, what is this?" Xuanyuan Qing asked, pointing to a mark on one of the crates.

Lin Yu walked over to take a closer look and discovered a strange pattern on the crate—a snake biting its own tail.

"Ouroboros?" Lin Yu was stunned. He had seen this pattern before! It was on Xu Jianhua's arm, and also on that inexplicable mark on his own left arm!

Could the Tongtian Pavilion be linked to the plane crash in Shennongjia three years ago?

Lin Yu's mind was in a tangle, and he decided to find Xu Jianhua immediately to tell him about the situation here.

The two left the factory, found a secluded spot, and Lin Yu took out his phone to dial Xu Jianhua's number.

"Old Xu, I've discovered some clues that might be related to the plane crash three years ago..."

On the other end of the line, Xu Jianhua's voice was exceptionally serious: "Where are you? I'm coming over immediately."

An hour later, Xu Jianhua arrived in a hurry. He carefully examined the crate Lin Yu had brought back and the Ouroboros pattern on it.

"That's right, this is the Ouroboros mark." Xu Jianhua's brow was tightly locked. "It seems there is a greater secret hidden behind the Tongtian Pavilion."

"Old Xu, have you made any discoveries on your end?" Lin Yu asked.

Xu Jianhua nodded: "Through special channels, I obtained some top-secret information regarding the Tongtian Pavilion. They are planning a project called the 'Kunlun Project,' with the goal of restarting the Kunlun Heavenly Ladder."

"Kunlun Heavenly Ladder?" Lin Yu and Xuanyuan Qing said in unison; the name alone sounded far from simple.

Xu Jianhua explained: "Legend has it that the Kunlun Heavenly Ladder is the passage connecting the mortal world and the Immortal Realm. I'm afraid the Tongtian Pavilion has no good intentions in wanting to restart the ladder."

"What exactly do they want to do?" Xuanyuan Qing couldn't help but ask.

Xu Jianhua shook his head: "That is exactly what I want to figure out. However, one thing is certain: their ultimate goal is definitely not simple."

The night grew deeper, and the group stood on the wilderness outskirts, looking out at the city lights.

Lin Yu gripped the jade pendant in his hand tightly; he knew a greater storm was brewing. And he had to find the Shennong Secret Treasury as soon as possible to stop the Tongtian Pavilion's conspiracy.

It was just that, what exactly did the Tongtian Pavilion want to do? This question was like a giant boulder, weighing heavily on everyone's hearts.