Chapter 32

The third squad returned to the temporary camp with a mess and crucial information.

Captain Zhao Lie couldn't care about his own injuries, and immediately went to the central military tent to meet the supreme commander of this clearing operation—a general of the imperial dynasty who was as deep as a pool and not angry, whose strength was actually at the Soul Formation stage!

When Zhao Lie informed the information about discovering the Youming Blood Refining Great Array, Youming Blood Core in Ghost Soul Stream, and encountering a late-stage Golden Core Youming Sect Elder, and inferring their intention to pollute the earth veins and welcome the power of the Holy Object, the atmosphere in the central military tent instantly became grave to the extreme!

"Youming Sect! What a dog's courage!" The Soul Formation general slammed the table, and the hard iron wood table instantly turned into powder! The terrifying spiritual pressure made all the generals in the tent tighten their hearts.

"Pass the order!" The general's voice was icy, carrying an iron-blooded murderous aura, "The first, second, and fifth legions, assemble immediately, target Ghost Soul Stream! Block all entrances and exits, and deploy the 'Nine Heavens Demon-Swinging Array'! Absolutely cannot let the Youming Sect's conspiracy succeed!"

"Also, report this urgently to the imperial capital! Request the Array Master Guild and Alchemist Guild to send experts to support, to deal with possible earth vein pollution and poisonous miasma!"

"Notify all conscripted squads performing missions outside to move closer to the camp immediately, be vigilant, and guard against the Youming Sect jumping over the wall in a hurry!"

Orders were quickly conveyed, and the entire camp operated efficiently and quickly like a huge war machine. The murderous aura soared into the sky, and the oppressive feeling of the coming war shrouded everyone.

And as the key provider of this information, and the "hero" who "heavily injured" the late-stage Golden Core Youming Sect Elder (with some artistic processing when reporting), Lin Xuan's (Mu Xuan) name also entered the vision of the imperial military high-level for the first time.

He was temporarily arranged to rest in a separate camp tent, and military medical officers came to check his injuries (mainly spiritual power consumption and slight shock).

Soon, Zhao Lie, dragging his bandaged wounds, came to Lin Xuan's tent with a document officer.

"Fellow Daoist Mu Xuan, this is Document Officer Liu of the army, who needs to make a detailed record of your actions this time for the purpose of merit and filing." Zhao Lie explained, looking at Lin Xuan with gratitude and admiration.

Lin Xuan nodded, indicating cooperation.

Document Officer Liu was very polite, asking in detail about the whole process of discovering the cave, investigating the array, encountering strong enemies, and using the sword talisman and Thunder Fire Bead to break the rear. Lin Xuan had long had a draft, describing the process as extremely dangerous, highlighting the evil of the Youming Sect and the bravery of his side. As for his specific means, he used "life-saving items given by elders" to cover it up.

After recording, Document Officer Liu bowed and retired respectfully.

Zhao Lie didn't leave immediately. He looked at Lin Xuan, pondered for a moment, and said in a low voice: "Fellow Daoist Mu, you have made great contributions this time. According to military regulations, the rewards will definitely not be small. But... you also need to be prepared."

"Oh? Captain Zhao, why do you say that?" Lin Xuan raised his eyebrows.

"The Youming Sect's conspiracy was exposed this time, and they suffered heavy losses, so they will definitely not let it go. You ruined their good deeds, and... injured their Elder, they are very likely to list you as a key target for revenge." Zhao Lie said seriously, "And, the sword talisman you used, its power is amazing, its origin is afraid to have attracted the curiosity of some people. In the imperial capital, forces are intricate..."

Lin Xuan understood Zhao Lie's meaning. On the one hand, it was the threat of the Youming Sect, and on the other hand, the "value" and "secrets" he showed might also be targeted by other forces.

"Thank you, Captain Zhao, for the reminder, I have a count in my heart." Lin Xuan hugged his fist. He had long expected this, so he had always used aliases and disguises.

"Just understand." Zhao Lie nodded, "Next, the army will act, and we conscripted cultivators may be assigned to auxiliary teams, the danger is still not small, Fellow Daoist Mu needs to be more careful."

After seeing Zhao Lie off, Lin Xuan sat alone in the tent, digesting the information he had just obtained.

The imperial military reacted quickly, mobilizing troops, it seems they are going to move for real. This is a good thing for destroying the Youming Sect's conspiracy, but once a large-scale conflict breaks out, the situation will be more chaotic and dangerous.

"Revenge of the Youming Sect... spying of other forces..." Lin Xuan rubbed his brow, "It seems I need to find a way to improve my strength again, or... find a thicker thigh to hug tightly?"

He thought of the Four Seas Merchant Guild. Qian Duoduo and that Ninth Elder seemed to have invested heavily in him, perhaps he could take this opportunity to deepen the connection?

Just as he was thinking, a report came from outside the tent: "Fellow Daoist Mu Xuan, someone is looking for you outside the camp, claiming to be Qian Duoduo of the Four Seas Merchant Guild."

Speak of the devil, and the devil appears!

Lin Xuan's spirit was lifted: "Please invite him in!"

The tent curtain was lifted, and Qian Duoduo walked in shaking his folding fan as usual, but his eyes were much sharper than usual.

"Tsk tsk, Elder Mu, it's only been a few days, and you've made such a big commotion?" Qian Duoduo sat opposite Lin Xuan and looked him up and down, "Breaking into the Youming Sect stronghold alone, sword-wounding a late-stage Golden Core, leading the squad to retreat completely... your battle record is almost catching up with the protagonist in the storybook!"

Lin Xuan gave a wry smile: "Young Master Qian, don't make fun of me, it was just a fluke to save my life, I almost didn't come back."

"A fluke can't hurt that old ghost Elder You Wang." Qian Duoduo put away his folding fan, his expression became serious, "The main guild has already received the news, Ninth Elder asked me to bring you a word—well done! The guild will not treat those who have made contributions unfairly."

He paused and lowered his voice: "In addition, Ninth Elder asked me to ask you, in that cave, besides the Blood Refining Great Array, did you find anything special? For example... traces related to space, or some kind of ancient sacrifice?"

Lin Xuan's heart stirred, thinking of the "spatial distortion signs" scanned by the system and the "welcome the Holy Object" mentioned by Elder You Wang Elder. The Four Seas Merchant Guild's information network was indeed powerful, and they seemed to be particularly concerned about things related to the "Holy Object."

He pondered for a while and decided to reveal part of the information, after all, the two sides were now in a cooperative relationship.

"There are indeed some abnormalities." Lin Xuan nodded, "The space deep in that cave seems to be unstable, the Youming Sect people mentioned 'welcome the power of the Holy Object,' I suspect they not only want to pollute the earth veins, but may also want to establish a permanent stronghold there, or... summon something."

A sharp light flashed in Qian Duoduo's eyes: "Welcome the Holy Object... spatial abnormality... sure enough!" He looked at Lin Xuan with even more enthusiasm, "Elder Mu, you have made a great contribution this time! This news is more valuable than destroying ten Blood Refining Great Arrays!"

He stood up, paced back and forth twice, and said quickly: "You follow the military action for now, but be sure to be careful. The Youming Sect is vengeful and will definitely not let you go. I have already arranged for people to pay attention in the dark, if there is any movement, I will respond to you as soon as possible. After this matter is over, return to the imperial capital, Ninth Elder wants to see you personally, there will definitely be a heavy reward!"

Lin Xuan nodded: "Thank you, Young Master Qian and Ninth Elder, for your trouble."

Qian Duoduo patted Lin Xuan on the shoulder: "Don't worry, you are now a 'potential stock' of our Four Seas Merchant Guild, and we won't let you fold easily. Alright, I can't stay long, you be careful!"

After speaking, he left the tent silently just like when he came.

After Qian Duoduo left, Lin Xuan's mood stabilized a little. With the Four Seas Merchant Guild supporting him, at least he was not fighting alone.

He sat cross-legged, started to circulate his energy to recover the consumed spiritual power, and at the same time sorted out the current situation.

Imperial military, Youming Sect, Four Seas Merchant Guild, and Ye Chen who hadn't appeared yet, and other forces... the waters of the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range were getting deeper and deeper.

"Strength, strength is still not enough..." Lin Xuan felt his Golden Core Stage 1 cultivation, although he could deal with it by relying on the system and trump cards, but facing Soul Formation or even higher-level existence, he was still like an ant.

"Must get the Condensing Core Jade Liquid as soon as possible, and break through to mid-stage or even late-stage Golden Core!"

He cast his gaze outside the tent, where the imperial army was assembling, and the murderous aura was filled.

The storm is coming.

And he, it seems, has unknowingly stood in the eye of this storm.

(Chapter 32 End)