Bringing the Scheme to Life

If not for that, given the gap in status, standing, and realm, why would the other party waste so many words on him for no reason?

Who would spare a glance at an ant?

After finishing those words, the old man seemed to suddenly awaken. His heart jolted, and a powerful sense of warning surged within him.

He instinctively turned his head, his uncertain gaze falling on Chen Lin again as though trying to catch something. An incredulous shock flashed across his face.

Chen Lin had long expected this moment. Seeing the other party sense something unusual, he had already put on a thoroughly baffled expression.

The gap between the Divine Treasury Realm and the Core Formation Realm was too great. His little tricks could not fool the other party, though the man would only be startled and had no idea why.

Still, being able to affect a Divine Treasury Realm cultivator while only in the Core Formation Realm, and lure him into revealing so much, was already quite impressive.

If he used it on Little Anzi, that brat would probably turn his guts inside out and confess everything.

"You!" The old man finally could not hold back any longer. He spat out a single word, his voice full of shock and an indescribably complicated emotion.

Even Little Anzi beside him was rather bewildered. He could not understand why this accompanying Divine Treasury Realm old man had said so much to an Elder Lin who was merely at the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Under normal circumstances, let alone speaking with him, the man would probably not even bother giving him a glance.

Chen Lin merely looked utterly confused. "Thank you, Senior, for telling me all this."

That seemingly polite expression of gratitude instead made the old man even more uncertain. That strange intuition grew stronger, as though the harmless-looking old man before him was an abyss of unfathomable depth.

In the end, he said nothing more and simply withdrew his gaze in silence.

No matter how he investigated, he found that the other party was only at Foundation Establishment...

How strange.

Chen Lin had cultivated many techniques. With a sweep of his gaze over the old man, he caught the obscure aura circulating around him.

Martial Skills generally had to be used before one could glimpse their secrets, but the fundamental traits of cultivation techniques were often difficult to conceal completely.

An Earth-tier cultivation technique, and its aura was dim and obscure, leaning toward some sort of darkness attribute.

Chen Lin pondered inwardly. This was quite a good discovery.

As for whether the man had cultivated it to Minor Accomplishment or Great Accomplishment, he could not yet judge precisely. After all, he had never personally cultivated this technique.

However, as he mastered more and more cultivation techniques, this ability to discern them would certainly grow stronger. Perhaps he would even be able to spot their flaws and weaknesses at a glance.

Just as he was deep in thought, heaven-shaking energy fluctuations suddenly came from the direction of the Imperial Capital. It was as though thunder had exploded amid the clouds, followed by several fierce flashes of sword light and chaotic streams of energy. Though blocked by layer upon layer of restrictions, that terrifying battle intent was still clearly discernible.

The accompanying old man's expression changed abruptly. A trace of gravity flashed through his eyes, yet he made no move at all and merely gazed quietly toward the Scripture Repository.

"Looks like something big has happened." After pondering for a moment, the old man actually took the initiative to speak. "The Wang Family, one of the Four Great Families, colluded with the Nine Nether Sect. The evidence is conclusive. His Majesty is furious and has ordered their immediate confiscation."

"The Wang Family..." Chen Lin silently repeated the name in his heart.

A great family with a Dharma Aspect Realm Expert stationed within it sounded quite formidable, but under the overall structure of the Great Yan Imperial Dynasty, especially before imperial authority, it was ultimately no more than a chess piece on the board. One careless move, and it could become a discarded pawn—let alone when the confiscation was taking place at the very heart of the Imperial Capital.

Before his words had faded, outside the Scripture Repository—

A figure approached with graceful steps. The woman's figure was slender and alluring, her face veiled by a light gauze that revealed only a pair of bright eyes. Yet those eyes alone were enough to draw everyone's attention.

"Hm?" Seeing the newcomer, the old man's pupils contracted and his expression changed once more. With a hint of surprise, he said, "King Zhenbei's daughter has actually come."

What was she doing here at this time?

King Zhenbei had guarded the Youzhou border for years, resisting invasions from neighboring Imperial Dynasties. He was a pillar of the Great Yan Imperial Dynasty.

As for his daughter, she had only returned to the Imperial Capital from the distant Youzhou front a few days ago. It was said that her return to the capital this time carried some special purpose.

Qin Tianxian slowly entered the Scripture Repository. Her gaze swept across those present, and a trace of barely perceptible surprise passed through her eyes.

Then her gaze settled on Chen Lin, and her cool voice rang out. "By His Majesty's order, I am to proceed to the Eighth Floor to comprehend cultivation techniques."

As soon as she finished speaking, a Token engraved with coiling dragon patterns appeared in her hand—the Dragon Token!

Chen Lin's heart stirred slightly. This was a symbol of imperial authority. Those who possessed it often had special identities or missions.

Though somewhat surprised, he did not ask further. He merely nodded faintly. "Please."

Qin Tianxian said nothing more. She turned on her own and walked straight toward the passage leading to the Eighth Floor, her figure soon vanishing into the depths of the pavilion.

At the very instant she stepped into the passage, the great battle that had erupted in the Wang Family of the Imperial Capital seemed to lose all sound at once, completely subsiding.

It was as if that earth-shaking slaughter had merely been a deliberately suppressed clamor to welcome this Dragon Token.

The few of them exchanged looks and saw shock, as well as a trace of reverence for the supreme majesty of imperial authority, in each other's eyes. Before absolute power, even a great family with a Dharma Aspect Realm Expert was nothing more than an ant that could be crushed at will.

The wait that followed seemed rather long. Silence returned to the Scripture Repository, leaving only the occasional sound of breathing.

Just as Chen Lin thought the old man would remain silent, the old man unexpectedly broke the quiet. Turning toward Chen Lin as if he wished to make small talk, he asked, "You've stayed in this Scripture Repository for quite some time. Have you gotten used to it?"

Hearing this, a trace of surprise flashed through Chen Lin's eyes.

The old man had been rather reserved before, yet he was now taking the initiative to start a conversation. This unusual behavior made Chen Lin raise his guard.

Soon, the few of them began chatting idly.

Not long after, Crown Prince Ling Tian finally emerged from the depths of the Scripture Repository.

He walked hurriedly without even looking back. The old man followed closely behind, and the two soon vanished at the end of the corridor.

Chen Lin watched their departing backs, a glint flashing in his eyes.

He weighed matters silently. With his current Core Formation Realm cultivation, compared to the Crown Prince standing at the center of the vortex of power, the disparity in strength was simply too vast.

If he rashly formed too deep a connection with him now, it would be anything but wise.

At the very least, he needed to wait until he broke through to the Divine Treasury Realm, or even advanced further into the Dharma Aspect Realm, gaining enough strength to protect himself and participate in the game on the board, before considering formal contact.

However, he had no intention of completely giving up this opportunity right before his eyes.

A plan gradually became clear. Perhaps through certain inconspicuous channels, he could intentionally or unintentionally pass some carefully selected information toward the Crown Prince, drawing the other party's attention and establishing a preliminary connection that would not arouse suspicion.

On the path of cultivation, if one relied only on slowly absorbing the Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth, advancement was fast in the early stages, but later on...

And do not be fooled by those so-called geniuses, who seemed to advance like rockets while absorbing Spiritual Energy. The phenomena they stirred in heaven and earth were astonishing. If he created such a commotion in a place like the Scripture Repository, it would be no different from seeking his own death.

But other resources, such as spirit stones and medicinal pills, could serve as shortcuts to rely upon!

With that thought, Chen Lin's gaze seemingly casually drifted toward Little Anzi, who stood waiting nearby.

This brat was quick-witted and often moved about outside. Perhaps... he would make a fine chess piece.

First, through him, Chen Lin could continuously and cautiously feed out bits of information, maintaining a connection that was neither too close nor too distant.

Once his wings had grown full and his strength was sufficient, he could reveal himself and make formal contact.

By then, whether it was the Heaven-tier cultivation technique he dreamed of or massive amounts of cultivation resources, would they not all fall into place naturally, within easy reach?

Having made up his mind, Chen Lin wore a gentle smile as he looked at Little Anzi. Then he leisurely lay back down in the Rocking Chair, closed his eyes to rest, and acted as though everything that had happened was merely an unintentional observation.

Little Anzi remained standing where he was, his eyes occasionally darting toward the entrance of the Scripture Repository as he waited for Qin Tianxian to emerge.

At that moment, Chen Lin seemingly absentmindedly brushed his fingers lightly across the armrest, and a wisp of Great Sun aura drifted out.

In an instant, Little Anzi, who was standing close by, shuddered from head to toe. Astonishment filled him, and brilliance flashed repeatedly through his eyes.

He never would have imagined that this seemingly lazy old man concealed such sharpness!

Chen Lin secretly rejoiced. With both Little Anzi and that old man passing things along, this game of chess has truly come alive!

Once the Crown Prince learned that he was no ordinary man, he would probably come often to "seek guidance," wouldn't he?

And the Crown Prince surely knew that he had some connection with him. Otherwise, why would he wear that bracelet for no reason...?