Yue Shan's Apprehension, the System Triggers Again

In the Quiet Room, sandalwood incense curled through the air.

Yan Xuan and Zi Yue, master and disciple, still maintained their full prostration, their excitement and gratitude plain to see.

Watching this scene, the corners of Liu Yuan's lips lifted in an imperceptible curve.

He did not immediately tell them to rise, instead allowing their grateful emotions to ferment in the air for a moment.

Where in this world was there love without reason, or a gift so pure that it sought no return?

The so-called "casual favor," the so-called "for Lin Dong's sake," were merely grand-sounding fig leaves.

Liu Yuan's true purpose had always been just one—to trigger the judgment mechanism of the All-Map Strongest System within him!

The system's logic was simple, crude, and incomparably domineering: as long as he was not the strongest on the current map, the system would forcibly raise his cultivation until he crushed everyone present.

At present, his attainments in the path of Rune Masters had reached Five-Seal Talisman Master.

In this tiny Flame City, Yan Xuan was merely at the peak of four seals. Naturally, Liu Yuan was the undisputed number one in rune arts.

But precisely because of that, his Rune Master cultivation had been stuck at this realm for quite some time.

If he wanted to break through further, then unless Lin Dong decided to "change maps," he would have to artificially create a stronger opponent on this map!

And Yan Xuan, this old man who had been stuck at the peak of four seals for more than ten years and was only one step away from breaking through, was practically the perfect little experience pack sent by heaven.

As long as the old man used his insights to break through to become a Five-Seal Talisman Master, then given the system's nature, it would certainly raise Liu Yuan's Spiritual Power cultivation once more in order to preserve his status as the strongest on the map!

From Five-Seal Talisman Master, he would directly leap into the legendary realm of a Spirit Talisman Master!

That was an enormous leap straight into the heavens!

Rather than painstakingly cultivating on his own, why not give this old man a little push? He could level up easily while also earning an immense favor. What was not to like?

That was true "mutual benefit."

As his thoughts raced, the smile on Liu Yuan's face deepened, and he perfectly maintained the air of an unfathomable great expert.

"Enough. Rise."

With a sweep of his sleeve, a gentle yet irresistible force emerged from nowhere and steadily lifted the kneeling master and disciple to their feet.

His tone was mild and magnanimous.

"I have never liked such tedious formalities."

"Since you have accepted my things, we can be considered fated. From now on, in Flame City, we are friends. There is no need to be so reserved."

The moment the word "friends" left his mouth, Yan Xuan's aged body gave another Sudden Tremor, and he felt a warm current surge straight into his heart.

"Yes! Yes! Young Master Liu is right!"

Yan Xuan was so excited that his voice trembled as he nodded repeatedly.

"If Young Master ever has need of this old man, just say the word! Even if I must risk these old bones, I will never refuse!"

Liu Yuan nodded in satisfaction. The more free debts of gratitude, the better.

Though he might not need the Symbol Master Association with his current strength, as the saying went—he might not use them, but they had to owe him.

"Then I shall not stay any longer."

His purpose achieved, Liu Yuan did not waste any more words. He rose, straightened his robes, and prepared to leave.

"There are still some trivial matters at home, so I will not disturb President Yan's contemplation of this opportunity."

"If you have the time in the future, feel free to visit my residence. I shall treat you to tea."

With that, Liu Yuan turned away gracefully. Taking a single step, his figure vanished from the entrance of the Quiet Room like a ghost, leaving behind only an exceedingly carefree silhouette.

"Farewell, Young Master Liu!!"

Yan Xuan and Zi Yue hurriedly bowed again. Only after Liu Yuan's aura had completely vanished beyond their perception did they slowly straighten up.

The two exchanged glances and saw relief in each other's eyes, along with boundless expectations for the future.

"Master..."

Zi Yue tightly clutched the Jade Slip in her hand. Her beautiful eyes gleamed with wonder, and her mind was filled with the image of that man in snow-white robes who had bestowed a heaven-shaking opportunity with a casual wave of his hand.

"This Young Master Liu... truly is a rare extraordinary man."

"He is not only powerful, but also so generous and forthright. To make the acquaintance of such a figure is truly a blessing cultivated over several lifetimes!"

Yan Xuan nodded deeply in agreement. Looking at the Jade Slip in his hand, he was filled with emotion.

"Yes... I had thought I would be trapped at the peak of four seals for the rest of my life. Who would have expected that, in my old age, I would encounter such a benefactor?"

"Zi Yue, pass down the order. From today onward, I shall enter seclusion to contemplate! Until I break through, I will not leave seclusion!"

"And from now on, whenever you see Young Master Liu, you must treat him with the respect due a master! Anyone who dares show disrespect will be punished according to the association's rules!"

"Yes, Master!"

After leaving the Symbol Master Association, Liu Yuan returned directly to his residence.

This outing had been utterly perfect.

Not only had he put on quite a show, he had also planted a seed that was about to bear fruit.

Now, all he needed to do was quietly wait for that seed to sprout, bloom, and bring him its bountiful harvest.

Time flowed swiftly, like a white steed passing through a crack.

In the blink of an eye, a month quietly passed.

During that month, Flame City still appeared calm and peaceful on the surface, but some subtle changes had taken place in secret.

The first was the Lin Family.

Lin Zhentian had finally made up his mind and relocated the Lin Family's entire base from Qing Yang Town to Flame City.

After all, water flowed downhill, while people sought higher ground. Flame City's resources and prospects were far beyond those of a small Qing Yang Town.

And the arrival of the Lin Family did not result in the exclusion and suppression they had imagined.

On the contrary, both the Myriad Gold Merchant Association, which controlled Flame City's economic lifeline, and the Symbol Master Association, whose status stood above the rest, showed extraordinary warmth and consideration toward this newly arrived small family.

Even Xia Wanjin, who had always held himself in high esteem, personally hosted a banquet for Lin Zhentian and gave him immense face.

All of this was naturally because of Liu Yuan.

Everyone in the Lin Family understood this clearly, and their gratitude and reverence for this "future son-in-law" had reached an indescribable degree.

Lin Zhentian in particular would beam so broadly that the wrinkles on his face resembled a blooming flower whenever Liu Yuan was mentioned, praising his granddaughter's good judgment to everyone he met.

As for Qing Tan, watching her family rapidly gain a foothold in Flame City and even prosper more than before, the affection in her heart for Liu Yuan grew ever deeper and stronger.

Her care for Liu Yuan had already been meticulous beyond measure. But after this incident, whenever the night grew quiet, Qing Tan resolutely began attempting the things she had previously been too shy to do.

Of course, where some rejoiced, others worried.

Just as the Lin Family flourished and the Myriad Gold Merchant Association was full of vigor, the atmosphere within Flame City's other major force—the Blood Wolf Gang—was rather oppressive.

Inside a dim hall at the Blood Wolf Gang headquarters.

Gang Leader Yue Shan wore a grim expression as he held a newly delivered intelligence report, his knuckles turning pale from the force of his grip.

"Form Creation Realm Great Accomplishment... Five-Seal Talisman Master... Grandmaster Alchemist..."

Yue Shan muttered these suffocating words, his eyes filled with deep apprehension and regret.

"Who would have thought... truly, who would have thought!"

"A fearsome dragon crossing the river had arrived in Flame City without a sound!"

As time passed, coupled with Liu Yuan's high-profile actions at the Symbol Master Association, tales about him had long since spread through Flame City's upper circles.

As one of Flame City's local powers, Yue Shan naturally verified the authenticity of this intelligence through his own channels.

The result sent a chill straight through his heart.

"Gang Leader, what should we do?"

Below, a Blood Wolf Gang executive cautiously asked.

"Since Liu Yuan is so close to the Myriad Gold Merchant Association and even helped them refine Pills... then our previous plan..."

"Plan my ass!"

Yue Shan slammed his palm against the table and roared.

"If you want to die, don't drag the entire Blood Wolf Gang down with you!"

"Even Old Ghost Yan Xuan has to kneel and kowtow when he sees him. What do we have to fight him with? Our heads?"

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the rage and unwillingness in his heart before gritting his teeth.

"I only hate... I only hate that I failed to notice this great figure earlier and let that upstart Xia Wanjin get there first!"

"It is too late to say anything now."

Yue Shan slumped back in his chair, helplessness flashing through his eyes.

"Pass down the order! From today onward, any disciple of the Blood Wolf Gang who encounters Young Master Liu Yuan outside had better keep his eyes open!"

"You must be completely respectful and must not offend him in the slightest! Whoever dares offend him because they fail to recognize him, he will not even need to act—I will personally skin them alive!"

"And..."

Yue Shan paused, his tone carrying a profound sense of powerlessness.

"Put a stop to all those little moves against the Myriad Gold Merchant Association for now."

"With that man supporting them from behind, the current Myriad Gold Merchant Association... is not something we can touch."

"However..."

Yue Shan changed tack, a vicious and cunning gleam flashing through his eyes.

"Hmph, a figure of a true dragon's caliber is destined to soar through the nine heavens. He cannot possibly remain cooped up in this tiny Flame City forever."

"As long as we endure for now and wait until he leaves in the future... Flame City will sooner or later still be ours to rule!"

"Yes! Gang Leader is wise!"

The shifting winds and clouds of the outside world had little effect on Liu Yuan, who rarely left his residence.

He had been living quite comfortably during this period.

Each day, aside from guiding Xuan Su and Qing Tan in their cultivation, he drank tea, contemplated the Dao, and quietly waited for the right moment.

One afternoon.

The sun shone brightly, and the breeze was gentle.

Liu Yuan was leisurely reclining in a rattan chair in the courtyard, holding a cup of freshly brewed premium fragrant tea and enjoying a rare moment of tranquility.

However.

Just as he raised the teacup to his lips and prepared to take a small sip.

That mechanical notification sound, which had been silent for so long, suddenly rang out in the depths of his mind without any warning!

[Ding!]