At this moment, Xiao Yi Xian tilted her head slightly, looked at Lin Ming with a firm gaze, and continued, "This is the intelligence we compiled based on the arrangements you made when you left, and the information we gathered before and after the Soul Hall's attack, after using all available channels to investigate and verify repeatedly."
As she spoke, Xiao Yi Xian handed the scroll to Lin Ming.
The scroll was made of a peculiar material, neither quite silk nor quite leather, and it felt slightly cool to the touch. The edges were already slightly worn, indicating that it had been repeatedly examined and handled.
On the scroll, there are densely packed tiny characters marked with ink of different colors, as well as carefully drawn simplified route maps and terrain outlines.
"This contains detailed spatial coordinates and access routes to several important Branch Hall of the Soul Hall in the Northern Region of the Central Plains and Western Region of Central China, as well as the edge of the Central Region, which we have already confirmed."
After speaking, Xiao Yi Xian's tone immediately became more serious. "Among them, based on the existing intelligence, we have as much information as possible about the visible and potential defensive forces of each Branch Hall, the approximate personnel configuration, the suspected characteristics of the array formations outside the halls, as well as the specific environment of the surrounding area, and possible hiding and evacuation routes. All of this has been categorized and listed in detail."
Lin Ming accepted the heavy scroll, the icy touch on his fingertips contrasting sharply with the weight of the blood and fire it contained.
Looking at the scroll, Lin Ming took a deep breath before slowly unrolling it on the jade table in front of him. The scroll rolled, making a soft rustling sound that was particularly clear in the quiet hall.
Once the scroll was unrolled, it revealed the intricate details of the mountains, rivers, cities, and territories depicted on it.
This is no ordinary map, but a shadow map of the Middle Continent Plains drawn using a special method of image capture. Light and shadow flow across it, and one can faintly sense the subtle fluctuations of the earth's veins. Against this grand map background, several locations are marked out conspicuously with Cinnabar of different colors, like glaring sores.
Bright red markings indicate important Branch Hall that have been confirmed to be guarded by High-Grade Dou Venerate or even Half Sage; dark purple markings indicate strongholds where intelligence is questionable or whose defensive forces are mysterious and unpredictable; and some gray-black markings are suspected to be nodes where the Soul Hall secretly transfers souls.
Next to each of these marks were tiny, ant-like annotations, each written in a different handwriting, clearly the work of multiple intelligence agents:
" In the Northern Region, at the Underworld City Branch Hall, the person in charge is suspected to be Hall of Souls Six Heavenly Venerates, skilled in Soul Chains... Outside the palace is the 'Myriad Souls Bone Erosion Array,' which can only be countered with Pure Yang Flame or extremely strong Lightning Attribute Dou Qi... There is suspected to be a large Soul Furnace underground, with intense fluctuations..."
" In the Western Region, the Eye of the Desert Branch Hall is hidden beneath the shifting sands, its entrance ever-changing... Most of those stationed there are Heavenly Venerate of the Soul Hall, with the Shadowy Heavenly Venerate already known... The surrounding space is unstable, frequently experiencing Spatial Storm, which is advantageous for concealment and also for setting up ambushes..."
"On the edge of the Central Region, in the Wind Abyss Mountain Range Branch Hall maintains close ties with the Underworld Sect, which may be a disguise... At least three Dou Venerate were detected, one of which is chillingly cold, suspected to Ice Attribute... The weak point may lie at its connection to the earth's veins; on the night of the new moon, the energy fluctuations periodically weaken..."
Lin Ming's gaze swept over these annotations inch by inch. Every word seemed to carry the scent of blood, embodying the hard work and dedication of the Five Elements Sect's intelligence network members who risked their lives, and bearing the heavy price of countless disciples who sacrificed themselves in the attack on the Soul Hall.
At this moment, he seemed to see those nameless spies lurking in the shadows, brushing past death, to deliver these messages back;
He could recall more clearly the desperate yet resentful looks in the eyes of his disciples when the Sect Protecting Array shattered under the impact of the black Black Mist and chains;
Xiong Zhan's massive, mountain-like body stood at the forefront, a deep, bone-revealing wound torn open in his chest, wreathed in black Death Qi, yet he still roared and refused to retreat an inch;
Those elders perished in the energy storm, their final gazes filled with both resolve and longing.
On the plaza, blood flowed like streams, severed limbs and shattered weapons were scattered everywhere, and the once peaceful place of cultivation was instantly transformed into a human battleground...
"Soul Hall..."
Lin Ming's eyes instantly turned icy cold, like Myriad Years Profound Ice, and a condensed, tangible Killing intent uncontrollably emanated from his body.
This Killing intent was not frenzied or violent, but rather extremely cold and silent, yet it seemed to cause the temperature in the entire hall to drop suddenly, and even the light seemed to dim slightly.
Xiao Yi Xian, who was closest to him, couldn't help but shiver slightly. She could feel the overwhelming hatred and murderous intent in Lin Ming's heart.
Lin Ming's fingers slowly traced the Cinnabar marks on the map, his movements light yet carrying immense force, as if his fingertips were touching not the map, but the necks of the Soul Hall disciples. His voice was deep and resonant, as if it came from the Nine Nether abyss, each word imbued with a chilling coldness:
"You must pay back in full, with interest, the Blood debt you owe!"
Although Lin Ming's voice was not loud, it resonated like thunder in the silent hall, striking the hearts of everyone present.
Upon hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Elder Yao's eyes Qing Lin gripped the hem of her clothes tightly. Although Xiong Zhan's injuries had not yet healed, his chest rose and fell slightly, his heavy breathing carrying suppressed anger. Even the usually sullen Hei Qing raised his eyelids, a barely perceptible fluctuation flashing in his copper bell-like eyes.
However, after a moment, he forcibly suppressed the surging Killing Intent in his heart, and his icy gaze gradually subsided, returning to its usual depth and calmness.
Then, he carefully rolled up the scroll again, his movements as solemn as if he were collecting the remains of a martyr, and then carefully put it into his Storage Ring. After doing all this, he raised his head, his gaze sweeping over all the core members in the hall, a deep sense of guilt and self-reproach appearing on his face.
"Gentlemen." Lin Ming's voice was slightly hoarse, but it clearly echoed throughout the hall.
"When the sect faced life and death, I was not there. When powerful enemies attacked, you were left to face them alone, fighting bloody battles, resulting in many fellow disciples being brutally murdered, and the sect's foundation nearly being destroyed... All of this is due to my Lin Ming of duty as the Sect Master!"
After speaking, he paused, his gaze sweeping across each face, taking in their exhaustion, wounds, and the lingering grief in their eyes. Only then did he take a deep breath, his tone becoming incredibly firm, carrying an undeniable promise:
"Here, I, Lin Ming, in the name of the Sect Master and in my personal capacity, swear to you! Every drop of blood you shed today will not be in vain! The pain and humiliation inflicted upon us by the Soul Hall will be repaid tenfold, a hundredfold!"
Looking at the crowd, his voice suddenly rose, carrying a resolute force. "For those disciples and elders who bravely sacrificed themselves to protect the sect, their compensation will be doubled! Immediately verify the list, and personally deliver the compensation to each of their relatives to ensure their future well-being. Inform them that the Five Elements Sect will forever remember their sacrifice! Their names will be forever engraved on the sect's Monument of Heroic Souls!"
Then, he turned his gaze to those survivors who were wounded but still held their ground. "As for all the disciples and elders who survived this battle, they will all be rewarded according to their contributions! Pills, Dou Technique, Cultivation Method, and weapons will be readily available from the sect's treasury! Merit must be rewarded, and wrongdoing must be punished—this is the sect's ironclad rule! The sect will never forget your achievements!"
Lin Ming's resounding words dispelled some of the chill and sorrow in the hall, like a warm current.
More than a month has passed. Although the grief in everyone's hearts is still hard to let go, the return of the Sect Master, his clear promise, and his firm determination to take revenge have undoubtedly given this team, which has just suffered a heavy blow, a shot in the arm.
As a result, many faces that were originally filled with confusion and sadness now shone with renewed radiance, and their eyes became firm.
Seeing this, Lin Ming explained the arrangements for comforting and encouraging the elders in charge in detail, then waved his subordinates, telling them to go about their business.
With mixed feelings, most of the core members bowed respectfully and then left the main hall one by one. The heavy hall doors slowly closed, shutting out the noise from the outside world.
Suddenly, only a handful of people remained in the vast main hall.
Besides Lin Ming, there were only four core members closest to him: Elder Yao, Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, and Xiong Zhan, who insisted on staying despite his injuries. In addition, Elder Zhu Li Hei Qing from East Dragon Island and Hei Qing, whose aura remained heavy. At this moment, there were only seven people in the entire hall.
The atmosphere was more somber and private than before. With no outsiders around, deeper plans and topics could be discussed.
At this moment, Lin Ming turned his gaze to Xiao Yi Xian, his tone much calmer, but a hint of urgency remained on Lin Ming face as he said, "Xiao Yi Xian, before I left, I asked you to pay special attention and gather information about the Ancient Clan's upcoming coming-of-age ceremony. Do you have any definite information now?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian nodded; she always took Lin Ming's instructions very seriously. Then, she stepped forward, her clear, cold voice ringing out:
"Lin Ming, based on the information we have gathered after verifying with several friendly forces such as Pill Tower, Flower Sect, and Blazing Flame Valley, and after multiple inquiries, the Ancient Clan's coming-of-age ceremony is still about two and a half months away."
The location is within the Ancient Realm. We don't know the specific list of invitees, but the Ancient Eight Clans and other top forces will definitely be among those invited.
"Only two and a half months left..." Upon hearing Xiao Yi Xian's words, Lin Ming immediately murmured to himself, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the armrest of the jade throne, his eyes flashing with a calculating light.