Conspiracy of the Worship Hall

Seeing that Lin Hao remained unmoved, Salas continued:

"From what I know, Young Master Lin's talent seems rather poor. Spirit Hall has a way to help you improve your talent.

And there are absolutely no side effects; the results are extremely obvious.

As long as Heaven and Earth Commerce Association agrees to join Spirit Hall, we will help immediately.

At that time, Young Master Lin can also join Spirit Hall Academy, enjoy resources and treatment at the Holy Son level, and receive personal instruction from numerous Titled Douluo!"

"Thank you, Grand Elder, for your high regard, but Heaven and Earth Commerce Association cannot possibly join any single faction.

So Bishop Salas, please leave for now. This place is rather humble as well, so I will not be entertaining you."

Lin Hao felt no stir in his heart. Not to mention that his talent had already risen to a level comparable to Qian Renxue's.

Even if his talent had not improved, he had no intention of agreeing. Given Qian Daoliu's nature, he would definitely tamper with something!

As for instruction from famous teachers, he needed that even less. Xian Lin'er and Cai Meier were professor-level mentors at Shrek Academy.

With professionals like them here, why would he go to Spirit Hall to seek out amateurs?

Thus, the terms the other party offered might have been dreamlike, irresistible temptations to others.

But to him, they were far too ordinary and held no appeal whatsoever. Besides, he hated empty promises!

If Salas had brought the resources he mentioned today and laid them out before Lin Hao to show some sincerity, Lin Hao might have considered it.

But this was all just talk—nothing but painting a pie in the sky and writing empty checks. He had no interest in entertaining the man!

"Young Master Lin seems to have some misunderstanding about Spirit Hall.

I do not believe any other faction can offer better terms than Spirit Hall."

Salas was rather surprised. Did Lin Hao have no desire to become stronger at all?

"I have no misunderstanding about Spirit Hall. I simply do not want Heaven and Earth Commerce Association to join any faction.

Bishop Salas, please return. I will not see you out!"

Lin Hao smiled and directly showed him out. When words did not align, even half a sentence was too much; he could not be bothered with Salas!

"Then I shall take my leave. Spirit Hall's terms will remain valid at any time.

If Young Master Lin becomes interested, you may contact me at the Heaven Dou City branch hall!"

Salas nodded, gave Lin Hao a deep look, then turned and left the Small Courtyard.

"Hong Hong, follow him and see where Salas goes!"

Lin Hao said to Tu Shan Hong Hong beside him.

"Yes, Young Master!"

Tu Shan Hong Hong nodded. With a flash, she vanished.

After leaving Lin Hao's place, Salas circled around nearby a few times before arriving at an estate.

Tu Shan Hong Hong followed him straight inside and saw Salas bowing to a tall, powerfully built man as he said:

"Your Excellency, just as you predicted, Lin Hao did not agree to our request. He did not seem interested at all!

From this subordinate's observations, Lin Hao's status within Heaven and Earth Commerce Association is far from ordinary.

He directly made the decision to reject the cooperation proposal I put forward, so he should not be a puppet!

There are not many guards in his courtyard, only several serving maids, all Soul Elders and Soul Ancestors!

As for the personal maid following Lin Hao, I estimate that she is most likely a Soul Douluo. I did not sense any threat from her!

Of the three newly appeared maids, one is a Soul Emperor, while the other two should also be Soul Douluos. Their strength is not weak!

As for the old man called Long Xiaoyao, he did not appear. I believe he should be at Heaven and Earth Commerce Association!"

"Very good. Send this information to Water Cloud Sect, and dispatch two more people to keep watch on Lin Hao!

Those people fear that the world is not chaotic enough and are all extremely arrogant. Let them fight like dogs!"

The man nodded, pondered for a moment, and gave his orders.

"Understood, Your Excellency!"

Salas accepted the order, then hesitated before continuing:

"Your Excellency, are we not going to participate in this matter? The profits from Soul Tools are enormous.

If Water Cloud Sect truly obtains them, Spirit Hall will inevitably be constrained by them!"

"Heh. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it. We will indeed participate, but not yet.

We will make Water Cloud Sect deliver the goods to us themselves. This is the Grand Elder's order, so do not meddle!"

The man smiled mysteriously, then turned to Salas and gave him a cold warning. He knew this fellow was not honest!

"This subordinate understands!"

Salas lowered his head, and no one knew what he was thinking beneath that inscrutable face.

Neither the man nor Salas worried that Water Cloud Sect would fail. Clearly, they did not think highly of Heaven and Earth Commerce Association!

After hearing this, Tu Shan Hong Hong returned directly to the Small Courtyard and told Lin Hao everything.

Lin Hao also understood why Yue Guan had given that reminder. It seemed he had noticed something as well.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Hao slowly said:

"Since we know about this, let's strike first and use Water Cloud Sect to warm things up!

Ling Ji, have someone investigate Water Cloud Sect's residence in Heaven Dou City. Then bring back an ear and ask about the situation."

"Understood, Young Master!"

The group responded. They did not underestimate Water Cloud Sect, after all—it was a faction capable of connecting with gods!

The next afternoon, at the estate Water Cloud Sect had purchased in Heaven Dou City, a soul master sent by Salas to keep watch on Lin Hao rushed over in a panic.

He had been controlled by Yan Lingji. The purpose was to lure out someone from Water Cloud Sect with sufficient status!

Upon learning that he had been sent by Salas, the soul master guarding the gate told him to wait a moment and hurried into the estate.

Soon, an elderly man of average build emerged, dressed in a white robe with graying temples.

"Follow me!"

Once the old man came out, he looked the man over and led him to a room.

"This is what Lord Salas asked me to deliver to you. He said the matter is urgent and that you must act immediately after reading the letter!"

Following Yan Lingji's instructions, the man respectfully handed over a letter with both hands.

The old man had been about to ask why Salas had not come himself, but upon hearing this, he had no time to ask.

He immediately took the letter and opened it, seeing its contents.

"Shui Feng, I have just received news that Shen Lingmin has taken a group of people to collect goods. They are in South City!

This is an important opportunity to find their manufacturing site. Quickly send people over to investigate!"

The letter was not long, but its contents mattered greatly to Shui Feng, and a delighted expression appeared on his face.

Yesterday, Salas had sent over information introducing the overall situation of Heaven and Earth Commerce Association.

This was roughly consistent with what they had investigated, but the reason they had not acted earlier was twofold.

First, Lin Hao had not returned, so they could not eliminate the problem at its root!

Second, they had not found the location where Heaven and Earth Commerce Association manufactured Soul Tools.

They were not trying to destroy Heaven and Earth Commerce Association, but to obtain the method of making Soul Tools!

As long as they successfully confirmed the other side's manufacturing location this time and brought the people inside under control,

they could act against Heaven and Earth Commerce Association without any reservations!

"I will send people over to investigate immediately!"

Shui Feng was just about to call for people, but before the words left his mouth, he changed his mind.

Heaven and Earth Commerce Association was not weak and had quite a few Soul Douluos. Sending others over would inevitably be somewhat unreliable.