Chapter 23

The smoke of battle had not yet cleared on the battlefield, and the smell of blood mixed with the strange odor of Youming death energy and black dog blood permeated the air.

The Sihaige caravan stopped not far away. The guards formed a defensive formation with practiced skill, their eyes scanning the chaotic battlefield and the group of bandits who, despite their victory, remained murderous.

Deacon Qian Duoduo, however, did not care. He jumped off the carriage, still shaking his folding fan, and paced toward Lin Lin Xuan, who stood tall in the field, wearing that signature, slightly cynical smile.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, haven't seen you for a few days, and your... business scope has expanded quite quickly, hasn't it?" He pointed his fan at the surrounding corpses and the fleeing backs, "You even take on 'big orders' from the City Guards and the Youming Sect? And you completed it so... uniquely."

Lin Lin Xuan looked at this playboy who had inadvertently helped him out of a tight spot before, quickly calculating his intentions. The Sihaige was well-informed; Deacon Qian Duoduo's appearance now could not possibly be a coincidence.

He smiled slightly and waved his hand, signaling Black Bear to lead the men to clean up the battlefield and collect the wounded, while he himself walked up to meet him.

"Young Master Deacon Qian is joking; it was merely self-defense. When people come knocking on your door, you can't just stretch your neck and wait for death." Lin Lin Xuan's tone was calm, as if he weren't the one who had just smashed a Golden Core to death with a brick, "But Young Master Deacon Qian, what brings you to this remote backwater? I wonder what advice you have?"

Deacon Qian Duoduo walked up close, closed his folding fan, and looked Lin Lin Xuan over carefully. A flash of imperceptible brilliance crossed his eyes: "Golden Core stage? Tsk tsk, Fellow Daoist Lin, your cultivation speed truly makes me feel ashamed. It seems my cousin, Deacon Qian Wanguan, underestimated you."

He mentioned Deacon Qian Wanguan with a natural tone, clearly aware of the cooperative relationship between Lin Lin Xuan and the Sihaige.

"Deacon Deacon Qian is too kind, it was just luck." Lin Lin Xuan was noncommittal.

"Luck can't smash a Golden Core to death." Deacon Qian Duoduo chuckled and lowered his voice, "I won't beat around the bush. I came here this time under a secret order from the headquarters' Elder Council."

The headquarters' Elder Council? Lin Lin Xuan's heart stirred, but his face remained calm: "Oh?"

"Two things." Deacon Qian Duoduo held up two fingers, "First, to confirm your value and the potential of the Black Wind Shanzhai. Now it seems the answer is affirmative." He looked around at the bandits, who were exhausted but fierce-eyed and cleaning the battlefield in an orderly manner, and nodded.

"Second," his gaze turned back to Lin Lin Xuan, becoming a bit more serious, "on behalf of the Sihaige headquarters, I invite you to a... deeper cooperation."

"Deeper cooperation?" Lin Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow, "Similar to the one I discussed with Deacon Deacon Qian?"

"No." Deacon Qian Duoduo shook his head, "Bigger. What we value is not just the high-quality spiritual herbs you provide or your 'unique' security consulting services. What we value is you, and the... 'possibility' you represent."

He paused and continued: "The headquarters is willing to provide resources to help you gain a firm foothold in the imperial capital and fully support you in participating in the Tianbaoge auction three months from now, with the goal being the 'Golden Core Jade Liquid'. Of course, the premise is that after you successfully win the bid, you must become a 'Guest Elder' of my Sihaige and, at certain times in the future, prioritize providing my merchant house with... well, some 'special' help."

Guest Elder! Golden Core Jade Liquid!

Lin Lin Xuan's heart shook. The Sihaige was placing a heavy bet! They were not only providing the path and resources to the imperial capital and the auction but were also directly promising the "Golden Core Jade Liquid," his most urgent goal! The price was merely becoming a relatively free Guest Elder and providing some "special" help in the future.

These terms were unbelievably generous!

"Why me?" Lin Lin Xuan did not agree immediately, asking instead, "I am just a cultivator who has just broken through to the Golden Core stage. Is it worth such an investment from the Sihaige?"

"Because you have escaped from Ye Chen and Liaodao multiple times, because you have made the Youming Sect suffer repeatedly, because you could rush from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core in such a short time, and even more because... you can smash a cultivator of the same rank to death with a brick!" Deacon Qian Duoduo's gaze was burning, "Fellow Daoist Lin, you have a quality—a quality that breaks conventions and creates miracles. This is extremely scarce in the methodical Cultivation Realm. We at the Sihaige like to invest in 'scarcity'."

He paused and added meaningfully: "And we have received news that the Youming Sect headquarters has a great 'interest' in you. Losing a Golden Core Elder has already touched their bottom line. The next ones to come will likely not be Golden Cores, but... Nascent Soul monsters. Can you, or this Shanzhai, block them alone?"

Nascent Soul monsters!

Lin Lin Xuan's pupils shrank. This was indeed his biggest concern. He could still handle the Golden Core stage, but if a Nascent Soul cultivator took action personally, even with the system, he would likely be in grave danger.

The Sihaige was offering help in his time of need, but they were also betting big, having accurately assessed his predicament.

Seeing Lin Lin Xuan pondering, Deacon Qian Duoduo did not urge him, just fanned himself and said leisurely: "Fellow Daoist Lin can consider it. However, our caravan will set off for the imperial capital tomorrow. Whether to stay here and wait for unknown risks, or to seize the opportunity and use the power of my merchant house to head to a broader stage and fight for a future—it is all in your one thought."

After saying this, he really stopped talking and turned to signal his men to start setting up camp, as if he were certain Lin Lin Xuan would make the "correct" choice.

Lin Lin Xuan stood in place, watching Deacon Qian Duoduo's retreating back, his heart surging with waves.

The Sihaige's proposal indeed solved his immediate urgent needs. Going to the imperial capital, attending the auction, obtaining the Golden Core Jade Liquid, and at the same time having the merchant house as a backer to temporarily avoid the edge of the Youming Sect.

But what about the cost? The status of Guest Elder seems free, but what is that "special help"? The Sihaige is investing so much; their goal must be significant.

Is it a blessing or a curse?

He looked up toward the direction of Qingyun City, then looked back at the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold, which had won but was severely damaged and needed time to recover.

Staying behind would allow him to guard this small patch of land, but he could face a thunderous strike from a Nascent Soul cultivator at any time; the risk was too great.

Leaving and using the power of the Sihaige was indeed a shortcut, but the road ahead was unknown, no different from seeking skin from a tiger.

"System, deep scan Deacon Qian Duoduo and the guard leader he brought."

【Ding! Consuming 2% energy, deep scanning...】

【Deacon Qian Duoduo: Cultivation Foundation Establishment Peak (disguised), actual cultivation Golden Core early-stage. Technique "Wealth Accumulation Heart Sutra" (special technique, skilled in insight and trading). Status: Expectant, slightly nervous.】

【Guard leader (Deacon Qian Zhong): Cultivation Golden Core mid-stage. Technique "Geng Metal Battle Sutra". Status: Loyal, vigilant.】

Deacon Qian Duoduo is actually early-stage Golden Core? And practices a special technique? The Sihaige is indeed full of hidden talents!

This scan result gave Lin Lin Xuan a more intuitive understanding of the Sihaige's strength and also caused the scales in his heart to begin to tilt.

Risks and opportunities coexist. Rather than sitting and waiting for death, it is better to take the initiative and, in a broader world, use the system and his own "lazy" wisdom to carve out a piece of the sky!

He took a deep breath, his eyes becoming firm.

"Young Master Deacon Qian!" Lin Lin Xuan spoke, calling out to Deacon Qian Duoduo, who was preparing to leave.

Deacon Qian Duoduo turned around with an expectant smile: "Has Fellow Daoist Lin considered it?"

"Cooperation is possible." Lin Lin Xuan walked up to him, looking him in the eye calmly, "But I have three conditions."

"Please speak."

"First, the Black Wind Shanzhai is my foundation; the merchant house must ensure its safety and give it a certain tilt in resources so it can develop normally."

"Second, the Guest Elder agreement is tentatively set for ten years. Within ten years, I will prioritize providing help within my power to the merchant house, but if the merchant house asks for something that violates my principles, I have the right to refuse."

"Third, and most importantly," Lin Lin Xuan stared into Deacon Qian Duoduo's eyes, "I need to know what your so-called 'special help' actually refers to? I must know what I will be facing."

Deacon Qian Duoduo heard this, put away his cynical attitude, and looked at Lin Lin Xuan seriously. After a moment, he nodded: "I can represent the headquarters and agree to the first two. As for the third..."

He pondered for a moment and transmitted his voice: "The specific content involves core secrets of the merchant house; my authority is insufficient to elaborate here. But I can tell you that it is related to 'luck' and... countering certain 'predestined fates'. This is also the fundamental reason we sought you out. Once you reach the imperial capital, the headquarters' Elders will discuss it with you in detail."

Luck? Countering predestined fate?

Lin Lin Xuan's heart shook violently! Could it be that the Sihaige also noticed the peculiarity of his luck, or even... knew of the existence of Ye Chen, the "Son of Destiny"? They want to invest in him to counter the "Heavenly Destiny" represented by Ye Chen?

This speculation made Lin Lin Xuan feel an inexplicable excitement and pressure.

"Good! I'll trust Young Master Deacon Qian once!" Lin Lin Xuan no longer hesitated and reached out his hand, "Happy cooperation!"

Deacon Qian Duoduo also smiled and reached out to shake Lin Lin Xuan's hand firmly: "Happy cooperation! Lin Zhanglao!"

【Ding! Detected deep cooperation with the important force "Sihaige," fate trajectory has shifted! Gained Luck Points +100!】

【Ding! Detected Deacon Qian Duoduo's appreciation and expectation, Emotion Points +1888!】

"In that case, Lin Zhanglao should arrange the affairs in the Shanzhai as soon as possible. We will depart on time at the hour of the dragon tomorrow." Deacon Qian Duoduo said.

Lin Lin Xuan nodded.

That night, the Black Wind Shanzhai was brightly lit.

Lin Lin Xuan gathered Black Bear and several core leaders, announced his decision to head to the imperial capital, and entrusted the Shanzhai affairs entirely to Black Bear.

"Advisor, go with peace of mind! With us here, we will definitely guard the Shanzhai well for you!" Black Bear promised, patting his chest. Although reluctant, he knew that Advisor Lin's stage should not be limited to this small Shanzhai.

Lin Lin Xuan left behind a large amount of cultivation resources, spirit stones, various talismans he had drawn, and a simplified version of the "Spiritual Plant Catalysis Technique" to ensure the Black Wind Shanzhai could continue to develop.

He also specifically handed the "meritorious brick" that had smashed a Golden Core to death to Black Bear, instructing: "This brick... has a spiritual connection with me; I leave it to you to guard the house."

Black Bear and the others were filled with awe, receiving the brick with both hands as if they were receiving a peerless divine artifact.

After arranging everything, the horizon was already slightly white.

Lin Lin Xuan stood on the Shanzhai wall, looking at the foundation he had built with his own hands, his heart filled with emotion.

From the desperate situation of his transmigration to now forming a Golden Core, repelling strong enemies, and cooperating with a behemoth like the Sihaige, it had only been a few months.

All of this stemmed from that seemingly unreliable "lazy" system, and his... "lazy" heart that never accepted fate.

"Imperial capital, Tianbaoge, Golden Core Jade Liquid, the battle of luck..."

A new journey was about to begin.

He looked into the distance, where the Sihaige caravan was already prepared to set off.

Deacon Qian Duoduo stood on the carriage shaft, waving at him from afar.

Lin Lin Xuan took a deep breath of the crisp morning air, a smile appearing on his face—his signature smile, with a bit of rogue charm and infinite fighting spirit.

"Imperial capital, I'm coming!"

"Ye Chen, we... will meet again very soon."

With a flicker of his figure, he appeared in front of the caravan.

The morning sun leaped over the horizon, golden light spilling over the mountains and forests, also illuminating the road ahead.

(End of Chapter 23)