Contest for the Heir

"Contest for the Heir has always been like this!"

Hearing Lin Jin say this, astonishment once again appeared in Qian Renxue's golden eyes beneath her disguise.

She couldn't see through him. She couldn't see through him at all!

Clearly, he was a living person standing right before her, yet when she looked at Lin Jin, she felt as though he were completely shrouded in layers of mist.

Every time she thought she had touched the boundary, she discovered in the next moment that it was merely an even deeper layer of mist.

"Is this really just a boy who isn't even fifteen?" In the corridor, Qian Renxue gazed at Lin Jin's tall, straight back as he departed and muttered to herself.

She recalled every moment since she had met Lin Jin.

The frail child with a stubborn look in his eyes eight years ago;

The young commander who had first revealed his sharp edge on the Northern Border battlefield;

And the Heavenly Wolf Marquis in the Imperial Court today, decisive and unfathomable...

Every step had been taken with perfect precision, and every move had been accurate, ruthless, and merciless.

This absolutely could not be explained by extraordinary talent alone.

"Pufferfish." Qian Renxue called softly.

A figure appeared silently behind her. "Young Lady."

"Investigate. I want to know everything Lin Jin experienced on the Northern Border, especially whether he came into contact with any unusual people or things."

"Yes."

Only at this moment did she realize that the plan she had meticulously laid out over many years had completely deviated from its course because of the appearance of this young man.

One sentence: "Contest for the Heir has always been like this."

After returning from the Northern Border, he had completed the results of her decade-long schemes in less than a month.

Now that Xue Xing was dead,

Xue Beng had been exiled to the Southern Wasteland. Unless something unexpected happened, the original faction members would certainly flock to Qian Renxue's side.

Ascending to the position of Great Emperor was already a certainty.

All that remained was to see how long the aging Xue Ye could hold on.

When Lin Jin came out, Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi, who had been waiting outside the palace for a long time, came to greet him.

"He finally came out. The Imperial Court isn't a place for humans to stay. It's full of foxes, and even saying one sentence requires going around in circles three times." Dugu Bo complained as he walked. "And you're an even craftier fox who has become a spirit."

Yang Wudi stroked his beard and laughed as well. "Heavenly Wolf Marquis, Commander-in-Chief of the City Defense Force... General Lin, you're a true big shot now."

"However, General, you're now at the center of attention, so you must be careful in everything you do."

His words carried both congratulations and a reminder.

"Rest assured, both of you. I have my own way of protecting myself." Lin Jin's tone was calm yet confident.

Dugu Bo understood and gave a slight nod.

He knew he didn't need to worry about the young man before him. After all, even he couldn't outmaneuver this kid.

"Good." Yang Wudi nodded. "General, I've just thought through the matter of the Breaking Clan's relocation."

"What does Clan Head Yang have in mind?" Lin Jin asked slightly.

"First, I'll return to the clan and dig out our old medicinal formulas and notes. Then I'll bring some of the clan's Core Clan Members here to study alchemy. After all, the matter of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is extremely important, so we shouldn't attract too much attention." Yang Wudi spoke slowly.

Clearly, Yang Wudi was cautious as well. He knew that the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was a treasure of heaven and earth. If word leaked out, it would inevitably attract countless covetous people.

Especially since Spirit Hall's spies were spread throughout the continent.

"Clan Head Yang has considered this very thoroughly." Lin Jin nodded approvingly. "But you can't stay at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well forever. You'll need a base in Heaven Dou City."

"But I'm too prominent right now, so it isn't suitable for me to arrange one for you."

Dugu Bo interjected at this point. "This old man can help a little with that. Back then, Xue Xing secretly gave me a separate residence in an attempt to win me over. It's in the eastern part of the city, not far from Sunset Forest."

Yang Wudi looked at Dugu Bo gratefully. "Thank you, Poison Douluo! I, Yang Mou, will remember this favor."

Dugu Bo waved his hand, his tone unusually sincere. "There's no need to thank me. I should be the one thanking you. Yanyan and I have benefited from your knowledge as well."

"Since that's the case, the matter of the base will be handled with Senior Dugu's assistance. Clan Head Yang, please settle it as soon as possible." Lin Jin made his decision.

"Clan Head Yang, be extremely cautious when selecting the Core Clan Members. Until we have enough strength to protect the secret of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the fewer people who know about it, the better."

"Rest assured, General. Yang Mou understands the importance of this!" Yang Wudi replied solemnly.

He understood the value of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well better than anyone and would never take it lightly.

"All right, it's getting late. Gentlemen, I'll return to the clan and arrange the personnel as soon as possible." With that, Yang Wudi cupped his fists and took his leave.

"Good."

Seeing this, Yang Wudi parted ways with Lin Jin and Dugu Bo in the city before returning to North Ling City, within the territory of the Star Luo Empire.

Lin Jin and Dugu Bo then returned to the residence, where they drank tea and waited for Lin Xue and the others to come back from class.

Before they knew it, it was four in the afternoon.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Dugu Yan pulled Lin Xue and Ye Lingling by the hands and stopped.

This caused both girls to look at her in confusion.

Dugu Yan lowered her voice. "Xiao Xue, Lingling, let's not return to the dormitory yet."

"We just finished training. Why aren't we going back to the dormitory to meditate and recover? Where are we going in such a hurry?" Lin Xue asked with a puzzled expression.

Although Ye Lingling said nothing, the confusion on her face was impossible to hide.

Dugu Yan gave a sly smile. "Isn't it because your Big Brother asked me to give you a message? After class, he told me to bring you and Lingling to your home."

"My brother wants me to go back, and I have to bring you two?" Lin Xue's eyes widened as she looked at the two beautiful girls before her.

Has my big brother finally come to his senses?

"I'm going too!" Ye Lingling couldn't help feeling somewhat surprised. She had hardly ever spoken with Lin Jin, had she? "Is there something you need my help with?"

"Lingling's help? Yanyan, is my brother injured? Is he asking us to go treat him?" Hearing Ye Lingling's words, Lin Xue froze, then realized what it meant. Immediately, endless worry filled her heart.

"Hey, no. Don't make wild guesses." Dugu Yan said helplessly. "I don't know the details either. Your Big Brother only specifically instructed me to make sure we went over together."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Lin Xue grabbed the other two girls by the hands and headed out of the academy.

Worried about her elder brother Lin Jin, Lin Xue walked the fastest, practically jogging ahead to lead the way.

Ye Lingling remained quiet, but her slightly furrowed brows revealed the unrest in her heart.

Looking at her two friends, Dugu Yan found it both amusing and helpless. She truly knew only Lin Jin's instructions and had no idea of the specific reason.

But she could probably guess that it concerned the Immortal Herb. She simply couldn't explain it or tell them the reason.

"Brother! We're back!"

Her voice arrived before she did.

Lin Xue pushed open the residence's main door, her clear voice breaking the courtyard's tranquility.

At the Stone Table in the courtyard, Lin Jin was seated across from Dugu Bo, drinking tea. The atmosphere was leisurely, completely unlike an emergency.

"Brother! Are you all right? Were you injured? Is it serious?" Lin Xue rushed up to Lin Jin and looked him up and down. Her small hands even tried to lift his Outer Robe to inspect him.

Dugu Bo watched from the side, thoroughly amused. "Girl, look at how calm and composed your brother is. Does he look like he's injured?"

Lin Jin gently slapped his sister's hands away and said helplessly, "Stop being so rash. What kind of behavior is that? I'm fine."