Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell

Liu Family Mansion.

Upon learning that Qin Yuan was willing to join the Liu family, Liu Hong was very pleased. "He's a sensible young fellow. Have him come to the mansion in a couple of days. This old man will meet him personally."

As soon as the words fell, before the elders could carry out the order, a commotion was heard from outside the door.

"Old Man of the Yao Family, digging people from the academy, did you ask for my opinion?"

Liu Hong's expression darkened. He was not unfamiliar with the owner of this voice.

"The Old Man of the Yao Family is here!"

At the same time, in Qin Yuan's office.

Yao Zi approached him with an excited expression. "Hehe, Teacher Qin, you'll soon be my Guide."

Qin Yuan raised an eyebrow, guessing what was happening.

His expression remained unchanged as he gently tapped the desk. "Student Yao Zi, it's break time now. Teachers need to rest and have work to do. If it's nothing important, please don't disturb the teacher's lesson preparation."

Yao Zi chuckled and didn't linger, hopping out of the office.

Last night, she had told her father about the matter, and her father had indeed considered recruiting Qin Yuan.

Naturally, Yao Zi was happy to receive a positive reply.

But she was only twelve years old this year, how could she hide her thoughts? She couldn't help but run to Qin Yuan to show off.

Qin Yuan had no choice but to use the inexperienced Yao Zi.

He left a Cultivation Notes on his desk and wrote "Gift for Yao Zi" on the title page as compensation for her.

He then got up, about to leave.

The enthusiastic Teacher Zhang couldn't help but remind him, "Teacher Qin, it's getting cold, aren't you wearing a jacket?"

Qin Yuan smiled and explained, "I'm not going far. I'll be back soon."

After leaving the office, he hung the signal agreed upon with Ye Lingling on a tree within the academy.

Ye Lingling, who was in class, noticed the signal. She left the classroom citing discomfort and swaggered out of the academy using the Leave Request issued by Qin Yuan.

In advance, Qin Yuan had made all the arrangements.

Ye Lingling entered a shop in the city. The Decoy arranged by Qin Yuan was already waiting inside. Ye Lingling quickly changed her clothes and left the shop with Qin Yuan through the back door. They left the city in a very short time.

Thanks to the lack of widespread communication technology, and the fact that Qin Yuan was not a wanted criminal, the Liu family's spies guarding the city gate had never seen a Portrait of Qin Yuan. Naturally, they didn't pay much attention to his departure.

These spies naturally knew who Ye Lingling was, but the spies tailing Ye Lingling had not sent back any news. They wouldn't pay extra attention to a passing woman.

At this moment, the spy guarding Ye Lingling's decoy was very confused by "Ye Lingling's" behavior.

This decoy was temporarily hired by Qin Yuan and had not been trained beforehand. To avoid exposure, Qin Yuan definitely couldn't find a normal person.

The decoy stopped at various snack stalls in the city, spending money without restraint.

The tailing spy couldn't help but curse, "This guy must have been reincarnated from a starved ghost, eating so much?"

Another spy reminded him, "Don't let your guard down, and don't let her out of our sight."

It wasn't until evening that the two spies realized Ye Lingling had "disappeared."

The decoy's behavior was too bizarre. Instead of returning to the academy, she went to the slums.

Finally, one of the spies couldn't stand it anymore and stepped forward to lift the veil. Only then did he realize that this person was not Ye Lingling, but a madwoman living in the slums.

More than half a day had passed since Ye Lingling's disappearance.

Even if the Liu family wanted to search, they didn't know where Ye Lingling had gone.

At the same time, the Yao family also received news of Qin Yuan's disappearance.

Upon seeing the cultivation manual gifted to Yao Zi on the desk, the Yao family patriarch guessed something.

The factions trying to win over Ye Lingling did not include the Yao family, so the Yao family patriarch could analyze the situation from an observer's perspective.

It wasn't that the Yao family was incapable of winning over Ye Lingling, but rather that the Yao family had close ties with the Martial Soul Hall and knew that Ye Tianxin's disappearance was suspicious.

Ye Tianxin was likely not dead, and anyone who made a move against Ye Lingling would surely face retaliation in the future.

Qin Yuan's appearance was likely arranged by Ye Tianxin, or perhaps he was backed by another transcendent faction.

Qin Yuan and Ye Lingling fled at full speed, leaving the Silves Kingdom overnight.

Seeing no pursuers behind them, the two set up camp and rested.

Ye Lingling's Soul Power Level had reached level twenty. Taking advantage of the rest, she asked, "I want to commission you to help me with soul hunting. How much Gold Soul Coins do you think I need to pay?"

[Detected One-Star Mission: Help Ye Lingling obtain her Second Spirit Ring. Reward: Ten Thousand Gold Soul Coins upon completion.]

Since it was a One-Star Mission, there should be no danger during the soul hunt.

After thinking for a moment, Qin Yuan waved his hand, "We can't stop now. We need to reach Heaven Dou City within five days. After that, I'll take you to hunt for your Second Spirit Ring. As for the reward, you can decide."

Ye Lingling had a good relationship with Dugu Yan. Leaving a good impression would make it easier for him to approach Dugu Bo with her help in the future.

Ye Lingling nodded and said no more.

Three Star Commission Missions were destined to be anything but peaceful.

In the early hours of the morning, a powerful Spirit Power aura was rapidly approaching the campsite.

Qin Yuan sighed softly, and his Battle Saber Martial Soul appeared in his hand.

What was coming would come. Even if he turned and fled now, he couldn't escape the pursuit of a Spirit Emperor expert.

The person approaching was none other than Liu Family elder, Liu Chen.

Liu Chen was tracking someone else, and had just stumbled upon the two of them.

"Hah, I didn't expect you two to be working together, daring to toy with my Liu Family!" Liu Chen's face was stiff.

Within the family, his lineage had produced a traitor, which was already vexing enough. He hadn't expected to encounter the missing Ye Lingling and Qin Yuan here.

When Qin Yuan appeared, the Liu Family found it somewhat suspicious, but their spies within the academy had not detected any contact between him and Ye Lingling.

Later, the Liu Family stopped paying attention to him, even entertaining the idea of recruiting him. Qin Yuan had played a trick of hiding in plain sight.

"Are you from the Martial Soul Hall, or from another faction?" Liu Chen was furious, but he didn't dare to act rashly before understanding the situation.

"So what if I'm from the Martial Soul Hall? What if I'm from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?" Qin Yuan's face was as calm as a placid lake, showing no fear. "I advise the Liu Family to know their place. Some things are not for you to meddle with!"

Liu Chen's face contorted, and he roared, "It seems you are from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Heh heh, Silvis City is not the territory of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. As long as you hand over Ye Lingling and the Method of Absorbing Spirit Rings Beyond One's Level, I can spare your life."

Ye Lingling, inside the tent, was awakened by Liu Chen's voice. She rushed out of the tent, her eyes filled with disgust.

Qin Yuan calmly beckoned, signaling Ye Lingling not to run far.

This was a wilderness. Ye Lingling was a Support System Soul Master. If she encountered danger without anyone to protect her, her life would be in peril.

The situation was clear: either Qin Yuan killed Liu Chen and they left together, or they would both be captured and taken back to the Liu Family.