Lin Yi was currently at the late Heaven Origin Realm, and once he soaked in the Danxian Pool, he could begin preparing to break through to the Lesser Yuan Dan Stage.
Furthermore, good things were hidden at the very bottom of that Danxian Pool.
Originally, Lin Yi had been pondering how to unobtrusively participate in the Immortal Pool Contest through the Wanjin Merchant Guild, but now he no longer needed to rack his brain.
"You're being far too greedy. The energy in the Danxian Pool is limited, how can we just let anyone soak in it!"
Hearing Lin Yi's terms, before Xuan Su could speak, Xia Zhilan at the side couldn't help chiming in.
"Besides, the Immortal Pool Contest is a best-of-three series, and you might not even need to show up for the final match. With a contribution like that, how can you expect to enter the Danxian Pool as well?"
Lin Yi said with a calm expression, "If I truly don't need to fight, then I can take no reward at all."
"But... if you fail to secure two wins and I have to step in at that point, it will be equivalent to me securing three slots for you, so me claiming only one isn't asking too much, is it?"
Xia Zhilan choked upon hearing this, instantly rendered speechless.
If the people of the Blood Wolf Gang were that easy to deal with, their Wanjin Merchant Guild wouldn't have failed to find a suitable candidate for so long.
"If the situation truly turns out as you say, we naturally won't refuse the reward you asked for," Xuan Su pondered for a moment and slowly said.
"Aunt Su!" Hearing Xuan Su's words, Xia Zhilan hurriedly cried out, still feeling rather unreconciled, but under a glare from Xuan Su, she sullenly shut her mouth.
Lin Yan also wore a smile upon hearing this, "Pleasant cooperation!"
"Hehe, to think you'd be able to make Xuan Su yield, brat, that's truly a rare sight," seeing the two sides reach an agreement, Yan Xuan shook his head and said with a smile.
Lin Yi smiled and ignored Yan Xuan's words, instead looking at Xuan Su to ask, "When does the Immortal Pool Contest begin?"
"In a month," Xuan Su smiled, "If you like, you can stay at my Wanjin Merchant Guild during this period. If you have any needs, you can also bring them up."
"Staying at the merchant guild won't be necessary; I'll arrive three days early when the time comes," Lin Yi shook his head, rejecting Xuan Su's proposal, and then spoke,
"As for needs, I don't really have any others. I plan to purchase a batch of spirit medicines at the Wanjin Merchant Guild, fourth-grade or higher at the very least. I'm mainly looking for those that nourish spiritual energy, though ones that help improve cultivation are naturally fine too."
The reason he was coming three days early was because Lin Yi remembered that three days before the Immortal Pool Contest, there would be an auction featuring a spiritual energy secret technique.
Xuan Su gave a soft, charming smile, "Fourth-grade spirit medicines are no problem, but fifth-grade ones are relatively scarce. As for spirit medicines above the sixth grade, the merchant guild doesn't have any at the moment, but I'll keep an eye out for you."
Lin Yi wasn't too surprised by this, "Then let's start with a batch of fourth and fifth-grade spirit medicines. Sorry for the trouble, Manager Su, helping me arrange it."
"It seems little brother Lin Yi is quite wealthy," hearing this, Xuan Su couldn't help casting a somewhat surprised glance at Lin Yi.
Lin Yi smiled faintly, "I just had a bit of good luck, taking on a great master. These were left behind by my master."
Xuan Su's eyes flashed, "I wonder who your esteemed master is?"
"My master does not allow me to reveal his whereabouts," Lin Yi shook his head slightly, spouting nonsense off the cuff.
Hearing this, Xuan Su didn't pursue the matter further and directly changed the subject, "Hehe, little brother Lin Yi, follow me and pick out the spirit medicines you need."
Lin Yi thereupon stood up, cupping his fists to bid farewell to Yan Xuan, "Master Yan, I'll take my leave first."
"Hehe, go ahead," Yan Xuan waved his hand with a smile.
At that moment, Qing Tan stood up and said, "Brother Lin Yi, I'm going with you."
"Master Yan, I will also take my leave. There are still many family members waiting for me outside," following Lin Yi and Qing Tan, Lin Xiao also offered his farewells.
Yan Xuan didn't detain them, only inquiring about Lin Dong's cultivation progress before letting Lin Xiao leave.
On the other side, personally hosted by Xuan Su, Lin Yi and Qing Tan quickly purchased twenty fourth-grade spirit medicines and eight fifth-grade spirit medicines. Unfortunately, only a small portion of them nourished spiritual energy.
After buying the spirit medicines, Lin Yi took Qing Tan to rendezvous with Lin Xiao and the others.
With Lin Xiao's consent, Lin Yi took Qing Tan to stroll around Flame City for two hours before regrouping with the party and heading back to Qingyang Town together.
Upon returning to Qingyang Town, Lin Yi once again slipped back into a peaceful cultivation routine.
Every three days, he would go to the deep mine tunnels, to that mysterious cave, to refine the Yang Gang Qi for Lin Xiao to use in his cultivation.
Outside of cultivating, he would occasionally relax and accompany Qing Tan for a walk in town.
Peaceful times always passed quickly.
In the blink of an eye, there were only three days left until the Immortal Pool Contest.
That morning, after bidding farewell to his family, Lin Yi embarked on the road to Flame City alone.
Lin Yi had already been to Flame City a few times and knew the way well, arriving at the Wanjin Merchant Guild without a hitch.
Standing outside the Wanjin Merchant Guild and gazing at the dense crowd flowing like ants, Lin Yi couldn't help but admire the merchant guild's popularity.
Today's foot traffic is much denser than the previous few times. It seems the auction is taking place today, Lin Yi thought to himself as he watched the swarming crowds continuously pour into the Wanjin Merchant Guild.
"Young Master Lin, you're here!"
Just as Lin Yi stepped through the gates of the Wanjin Merchant Guild, a familiar figure greeted him—it was none other than Steward Xia, who had received them previously.
"Ah, it's Steward Xia, hello," Lin Yi cupped his fists at Steward Xia and smiled in response.
Steward Xia smiled, "Manager Su and the eldest miss are waiting for Young Master Lin upstairs. I'll take Young Master Lin up."
"Stop right there!"
At that moment, a somewhat malicious voice suddenly rang out not far behind the two of them.
As the voice fell, a youth wearing blue robes and possessing somewhat delicate, gentle facial features walked over in rapid strides.
"Greetings, Young Master Song!" Seeing the youth, Steward Xia hurriedly offered a polite greeting.
The blue-robed youth, however, ignored Steward Xia, instead looking Lin Yi up and down a few times before speaking in an arrogant tone, "You're Lin Yi?"
"And you are?" Lin Yi glanced at the youth and countered.
"The Song Family, Song Qing!"
Lin Yi furrowed his brows. It seemed no matter who it was, anyone wanting to replace the Wanjin Merchant Guild in the Immortal Pool Contest would have this fellow jump out at them.
Thinking this inwardly, Lin Yi maintained a nonchalant expression on the outside, "I wonder what instruction Young Master Song might have?"
Song Qing stepped forward, lowering his voice, "I don't care where you're from, but this young master kindly advises you to be sensible and know when to quit."
"Go tell Manager Su and the others yourself that you're giving up your slot, and I'll give you a satisfactory reward. Otherwise, when acting in Flame City, you'd better be extra careful!"
"A satisfactory reward? I want the Danxian Pool, can you give it to me?" Lin Yi's lips curled up in a mocking smirk.
Hearing this, Song Qing's expression abruptly turned icy, "You're simply daydreaming! You'll regret this!"
"Lacking the ability, what are you blowing hot air for? I have things to attend to, don't block the way!" Lin Yi casually brushed Song Qing aside and said indifferently.
With that, Lin Yi walked straight toward the interior of the merchant guild.
"Stop right there!" Song Qing's face turned livid as he let out an angry roar. Vigorous Yuan Power suddenly surged violently from within his body, and his right hand formed a claw, darting toward Lin Yi's shoulder with lightning speed.
"Stop!"
Just then, at the staircase inside the merchant guild, an angry female shout suddenly rang out.
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