Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master, Destined by Heaven

Chen Lin's meticulous questioning was not without purpose.

Since Ling Cangqiong was already preparing to move against the Nine Nether Sect, it meant his own plans had to accelerate as well.

Ling Tian was still Crown Prince for now, but once he lost that position, within six months at most, Ling Cangqiong would likely begin a thorough purge from within.

Chen Lin was not yet fully clear on the Imperial Clan's true foundation, nor was he certain he could single-handedly suppress all opposition. Though in half a year he should be at Cave Reality Realm, who knew how many forces Ling Cangqiong had backing him?

Therefore, ascertaining the actual military strength his disciple Ling Tian held in hand was an urgent priority.

"So many Dharma Aspect Realm Experts..." Chen Lin's thoughts raced. "If I could guide them, elevate their strength another level, what a formidable fighting force that would be!"

And those Dharma Aspect Realm Experts surely cultivated Heaven-tier techniques and Martial Skills...

He even conceived a further plan. "Even so, Zhou Jueshi should be made to reclaim the Divine Guard Army. Though he was transferred away, the trusted men of those years wouldn't scatter so easily. The chance of retaking it is extremely high."

"If Zhou Jueshi's strength advances further, coupled with an elite Divine Guard Army, he might just be able to coalesce Cave Reality Realm combat power."

"As for King Zhenbei," a cold smile curled at the corner of Chen Lin's mouth. "Since his daughter is in the Nine Nether Sect, he'll inevitably have to break with Ling Cangqiong. By then, I can field at least two Cave Reality Realm Experts to finish things off. Hmm, this layout is not bad."

Having reasoned this through, Chen Lin immediately transmitted his voice to Ling Tian: "One month from now, gather the Dharma Aspect Realm Experts under your command who can be moved, to a secluded spot outside Tianyan City."

"Within this month, hand over their techniques and Martial Skills for me to review. I will personally guide them, ensuring your overall strength as my disciple reaches its maximum improvement within half a year."

Upon hearing this, Ling Tian's heart surged with ecstasy, barely containable. "Good! Many thanks, Master!"

As for why half a year, he understood clearly—his Master must also sense that great storms were coming within that timeframe.

"Also," Chen Lin's voice came again, "King Zhenbei's daughter, Qin Tianxian, is a member of the Nine Nether Sect. She wants to cooperate with you. I suspect you didn't agree, did you?"

Ling Tian's heart tightened. He hadn't expected his Master to be so thoroughly informed of even such secret matters.

He had intended to report it when the chance arose, but his Master had already seen through it.

He quickly replied, "I didn't agree."

Chen Lin nodded inwardly and continued transmitting: "The Nine Nether Sect's connections run deep, even involving a certain Prince. If you cooperate with them, you could easily become a pawn on their chessboard, even a sacrifice to be discarded at any time. Do not take this lightly."

Afterward, the master and disciple exchanged another round of secret transmissions.

When Ling Tian left, his steps were noticeably lighter, and his reverence for this unfathomable Master had deepened.

He hadn't even left the Scripture Repository, yet he knew so many hidden secrets—truly far-reaching vision.

Terrifying.

Chen Lin's fingertip brushed over the unremarkable Storage Ring. His Spiritual Sense probed inside, instantly perceiving resources far exceeding his expectations. A satisfied smile involuntarily tugged at his lips.

And at the very depths, an ancient jade slip lay quietly.

His mind stirred, and his Spiritual Sense sank into it. Moments later, a gleam flashed in his eyes: "Great Sun Heavenly Merit?"

It might be an advanced version of the Sun True Scripture!

Of course, this was just his speculation for now.

But even as a guess, the technique's potential was enough to excite him.

After all, it was a Heaven-tier cultivation technique.

If it truly was as he suspected, combined with the resources in the ring, his original plan could be greatly accelerated!

"One month should be enough for me to break through to the Dharma Aspect Realm!" This thought stirred a surge of barely suppressed excitement in Chen Lin's heart.

Thinking of his imminent transformation and further elevation of strength, the smile on his face grew richer.

He stood up, stretched his limbs, then leisurely settled back into the old rocking chair, closed his eyes, and began meticulously organizing his upcoming cultivation plan, savoring the tranquility and anticipation this unexpected fortune brought.

And he waited for nightfall—the battle between the two Great Sect Masters.

Above Tianyan City, the winds and clouds were treacherous, undercurrents surging, as if beneath a calm on the verge of eruption, countless turbulent streams lay hidden.

At that moment, Ling Tian had just stepped out of the Imperial Palace's heavy gates when an old man in a Daoist robe, with crane-white hair and a youthful face, emerged from the shadows as if materializing, appearing silently at his side.

"Old Daoist," Ling Tian's gaze was deep, fixed on the distant city wall, his tone carrying a subtle complexity, "I didn't expect your words from before might actually have come true."

The Daoist-robed elder—the Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master—merely smiled faintly at this, stroking his long beard beneath his chin, saying nothing more.

Not only did he run a Taoist Temple outside the Imperial Capital, styling himself the Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master, but his cultivation was also at the Dharma Aspect Realm, and he was a trusted advisor Ling Tian relied upon in secret.

Though the Imperial Capital Tianyan City was the heart of Yanzhou, Yanzhou was vast, far more than just this one city.

Beyond the five top-tier Forces, Dharma Aspect Realm Experts like him were not uncommon in the wider world; they simply lacked a Cave Reality Realm Expert to anchor them.

The Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master's gaze fell on Ling Tian as he spoke slowly: "This old man observed the stars last night, divining the celestial patterns, and found that Your Highness's thread of heavenly fortune is tied to an ordinary-looking commoner. As it appears now, Your Highness must have found him."

Ling Tian's face showed a complex expression of sudden realization and release.

It was precisely this old Daoist's words that made him all the more certain that his kneeling to take the seemingly "ordinary" Chen Lin as his Master was no coincidence, but a matter of being Destined by Heaven.

"Attaining the Way in a single move, Destined by Heaven—truly an auspicious omen!" Seeing that Ling Tian had already understood, the Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master knew the situation and quickly stepped forward, cupping his hands in congratulations. "Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Highness!"

Upon hearing this, Ling Tian's joy slightly subsided. After a moment of thought, he suddenly recalled something and asked, "By the way, Old Daoist, I heard that the daughter of the Four Directions Merchant Association's president has also arrived in Tianyan City."

His gaze flickered as he continued, "Do you know where she is?"

The Dragon Tiger Heavenly Master's eyes flashed with a sharp light, which then transformed into a mysterious, knowing smile. He nodded slightly. "Such a trivial matter has long been prepared for Your Highness."

He paused to explain: "The Four Directions Merchant Association has deep roots, with branches in all Ten Provinces. It never meddles in power schemes, only does business. If Your Highness can befriend its daughter and thereby establish a deeper connection with the Association, that would add an immeasurable asset beyond the court."

Ling Tian listened, a glint of sharpness flashing in his eyes. He understood clearly.

He nodded slightly, his tone calm but decisive. "In that case, let's meet."