Chapter 43: Rising to Fame? I Have More Trouble!

The battle at the Heaven-Reaching Tower had an immediate effect.

The name "Mu Xuan" was no longer associated solely with "vast wealth," but was now equated with "unfathomable strength" and "the ability to contend with Ye Chen." Those forces and individuals who had been itching to "manipulate" him through force or background were now forced to reconsider and had temporarily suppressed their intentions.

The Four Seas Firm also attached increasing importance to Lin Xuan, with resource allocation becoming even more pronounced; there was even a subtle air of treating him as an equal to the young leaders of the major powers. Qian Duoduo, following by Lin Xuan's side, stood much straighter, feeling a sense of reflected glory.

However, Lin Xuan himself was very clear-headed. He knew that this temporary calm was merely the lull before the storm. The greater the value he displayed, the deeper the hidden dangers became.

Those true titans, such as the Imperial family, the State-Protecting families, and top-tier sects, might grant him a certain "respect" due to his strength, but they would never give up on probing the secrets he held—the source of his massive spirit stones, his rapidly improving cultivation base, and his strange, powerful supernatural means.

Furthermore, there were forces like the Zhao family and the Nether Sect, with whom he had already formed a blood feud, who would never let things rest. They were like venomous snakes lurking in the dark, becoming only more cautious because of his strength, waiting for a more lethal opportunity.

"I must improve my strength as quickly as possible, and... seize the initiative." Lin Xuan sat quietly in the small building of the Four Seas Pavilion, his gaze falling upon the black token obtained from the Nether Sect deacon.

This token, which could resonate with the "Sacred Object," might be a breakthrough point.

"System, perform a deep analysis of this token, focusing on its internal fluctuation frequency, communication mechanism, and its specific connection to the Nether Blood Core and the Sacred Object statue."

[Ding! Command accepted, initiating deep analysis module, consuming 3% energy...]

An invisible ripple spread from within Lin Xuan, enveloping the black token. The pulsing flame patterns on the token's surface seemed stimulated, flickering unsteadily, and a trace of cold, obscure aura attempted to resist, but before the system's higher-level power, it melted like ice and snow.

[Analyzing...]

[Structural scan complete... breaking restrictions... energy tracing in progress...]

[Ding! Analysis complete!]

A vast amount of information flooded into Lin Xuan's mind:

1. Identity and Communication: This token is indeed an identity credential for a core member of the Nether Sect, containing a special soul imprint. Its communication function is not point-to-point, but relayed through a "Mother Array" with an extremely wide coverage area. The location of the Mother Array is unknown, but by analyzing its fluctuation frequency, corresponding signals can be simulated to perform limited information transmission or disguise.

2. Energy Homology: The energy attributes of the token's core restrictions originate from the same source as the Nether Blood Core and the Sacred Object statue, all containing a power of "Nether Origin," though the purity is far lower than the latter two. A hierarchical relationship exists between the three, with the Sacred Object statue appearing to be at the highest level, possessing a certain degree of command and sensing ability over the lower-level powers.

3. Hidden Coordinates: While breaking the deepest restriction, the system captured an extremely obscure fragment of spatial coordinates, which did not seem to be actively set but rather formed by the natural residue of energy. The coordinates are incomplete but have a clear direction, located deep within the "Black Wind Mountain Range," about three thousand miles northwest of the Imperial Capital.

"Black Wind Mountain Range?" Lin Xuan's brows lifted slightly. That was a famous dangerous area within the Tianyuan Dynasty, filled with miasma and rampant demonic beasts, and even more so with ancient restrictions and spatial rifts; it was fraught with crises, yet accompanied by opportunities, and cultivators often formed teams to explore it.

Coordinates hidden within a core Nether Sect token, pointing to the depths of the Black Wind Mountain Range? This was definitely no coincidence.

"Is it another Nether Sect stronghold? Or ruins related to that 'Sacred Object'?" Lin Xuan speculated inwardly, "It seems necessary to go and investigate."

However, before that, he needed to make full preparations. The Black Wind Mountain Range was not a kind place; going alone was too risky. Moreover, he needed to make arrangements here in the Imperial Capital so that no one could take advantage of his absence.

Just as Lin Xuan was planning his next move, Qian Duoduo brought new information that confirmed his concerns.

"Elder Mu, there are some rumors about you on the market recently, and they sound quite convincing." Qian Duoduo's expression was somewhat serious.

"Oh? What rumors?"

"They say you are not an ordinary rogue cultivator, but have obtained the complete inheritance of some ancient great power, which is why your cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds, why you possess vast wealth, and why your supernatural powers are so great. Even... some say you might possess fragments of a 'Heaven-Reaching Magic Treasure' that transcends spirit treasures!"

A cold glint flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes. These rumors were extremely vicious! An ancient inheritance and a Heaven-Reaching Magic Treasure were enough to make Nascent Soul old monsters go crazy! This was practically putting him on a fire to be roasted by the entire cultivation world!

"Have you found the source?"

"It's very vague, but it vaguely points to the Zhao family and some underground intelligence organizations. The remnants of the Nether Sect might also be involved in fanning the flames," Qian Duoduo said in a low voice. "Additionally, we received word that the Zhao family seems to have secretly contacted people from the 'Shadow Pavilion'."

"Shadow Pavilion?" Lin Xuan's gaze sharpened. This was an extremely mysterious assassin organization within the Tianyuan Dynasty, claiming that as long as the price was paid, even a Nascent Soul cultivator could be killed! Their movements were secretive and their methods ruthless, making people tremble at the mere mention of them. The Zhao family was going from overt to covert!

"Also," Qian Duoduo continued, "Although the Ye family hasn't made any moves against you, Ye Chen has gone into seclusion again after the battle at the Heaven-Reaching Tower. It is said that the Ye family ancestor is personally guiding him, and his strength will likely advance further after he emerges. Furthermore, Saintess Yun Yao of the Floating Snow Palace visited Ye Chen privately a few days ago."

Yun Yao visited Ye Chen? Lin Xuan's heart stirred. Was it because the battle at the Heaven-Reaching Tower made her value Ye Chen more? Or was there another reason?

Troubles were indeed increasing. Slanderous rumors, assassin threats, opponents growing stronger, a potential love rival (?) ... Lin Xuan felt an invisible web tightening around him.

"I understand." Lin Xuan's expression was calm. "Young Master Qian, help me keep an eye on recent news about the Black Wind Mountain Range, especially regarding abnormal spatial fluctuations or large-scale movements of cultivators."

"Black Wind Mountain Range? Elder Mu, are you planning to..." Qian Duoduo was startled.

"Some things must be actively understood." Lin Xuan did not say much more. "Also, help me prepare some items..."

He listed a manifest, which included high-grade elixirs for healing, detoxifying, and recovering spiritual power, as well as several sets of decent-grade array flags and talismans, all in preparation for exploring the Black Wind Mountain Range.

After sending Qian Duoduo away, Lin Xuan pondered for a moment and communicated with the system again.

"System, can you simulate the 'identity signal' of a Nether Sect member based on the parsed token fluctuations and conduct a range-based detection to find other Nether Sect dark stakes that might exist within the Imperial Capital?"

[Ding! A disguised signal can be simulated. Range-based active detection will consume a large amount of energy (estimated 10%) and may be blocked by high-level restrictions or special treasures; it can only detect those who have not deeply hidden themselves or who hold homologous tokens. Execute?]

"Execute! Focus the scan on the surroundings of the Four Seas Pavilion, the Zhao family mansion, and several major dark areas of the Imperial Capital," Lin Xuan ordered. He needed to know how many more Nether Sect scumbags were hiding under the water of the Imperial Capital.

[Command confirmed, consuming 10% energy, starting large-scale spiritual resonance detection...]

An invisible detection wave carrying Nether fluctuations spread quietly from Lin Xuan as the center, penetrating walls, sweeping across streets, and passing silently over area after area.

A moment later, the system fed back several faint light-point signals!

They were mainly concentrated in the slums of the Western District of the Imperial Capital, near the underground black market, and... within the grounds of the Zhao family mansion, there was actually an extremely faint, yet definitely existing, reaction!

"Sure enough! The collusion between the Zhao family and the Nether Sect is deeper than I imagined!" Lin Xuan's eyes were cold. This discovery might come in very useful in the future.

He silently memorized these coordinates.

Now, there was attention from various forces in the open, the murderous intent of the Zhao family and the Nether Sect colluding with the Shadow Pavilion in the dark, and the mystery of the Black Wind Mountain Range waiting to be explored in the distance.

The situation seemed chaotic and complex, but Lin Xuan's heart grew increasingly calm.

"Since the wind and rain are coming, then let the storm be even more violent."

He looked toward the northwest, the coordinates of the Black Wind Mountain Range clearly emerging in his mind.

Before heading there, he needed to "tap" these "nails" in the Imperial Capital a little, to let them know that he, Lin Xuan (Mu Xuan), was not so easy to provoke.

Especially... the Shadow Pavilion.

(End of Chapter 43)