In the fifth month after Death Desert returned, Lin Qin's retreat was interrupted by an urgent message from elder Morris.
It was not a summons, but a dark red jade slip - the highest-level encrypted message of the intelligence department. Only the core elders have the right to access it. Lin Qin's spiritual consciousness penetrated, and there was only one line in it. "Tonight, Azure Dragon Hall secretly discussed. No one should be informed."
Lin Qin put away the jade slip and looked at the sky outside the cave. The sun had just set, and there were still four hours until midnight.
He continued to practice.
Four hours later, he left Azure Rock Valley silently, passed through Dragon Path, and came to the side door of the Azure Dragon Hall. There was no guard at the door, only a vague wave swept across his body - it was Gaia's soul detection.
The door opened silently.
There are only four people in the hall: Gaiseresen, Gaia, Morris, Garvey. All four core elders are present.
Lin Qin takes his seat at the bottom.
"Everyone is here." Morris said with a hoarse voice, "Let's get started."
He raised his hand and waved, and a curtain of light unfolded in the center of the hall.
On the light screen is a local map of Hell Plane, marking the sphere of influence of Eight Great Clans and the location of the Heaven Sacrifice Mountain Range. In the center of the map, a blood-red arrow points to the Azure Dragon Clan from multiple directions.
"Three days ago, the secret line I planted inside the Deen Clan worked hard to spread the information." Morris said slowly, "Barbary Clan patriarch Barbary, Deen Clan leader Chegwen, Ghost Ridge "secret meeting" in the Deen Clan's lair.
He paused. "The meeting lasted for three days. Among the participants were representatives of six other major families."
Gaiseresen frowned slightly. "Eight Great Clans are participating at the same time?"
"Yes." Morris nodded, "This time it is not a local friction, but a comprehensive upgrade. They have officially launched a beheading plan targeting our clan."
Screen switching on the light curtain.
A list emerged.
There are three names at the top, and the reward amount is marked after each name.
First place: Gaiseresen, Azure Dragon Clan leader. Reward: one hundred drops of Sovereign’s Might.
Second place: Gaia, Azure Dragon Clan Great Elder. Reward: Eighty drops of Sovereign’s Might.
Third place: Lin Qin, elder Azure Dragon Clan. Reward: ten drops of Sovereign’s Might.
Lin Qin's eyes stopped at the third position.
Ten drops of Sovereign’s Might.
"The list is confidential, and only the core executives of Eight Great Clans know it." Morris continued, "But the fact that the hidden line has access to this list means that it has been communicated to the Seven-Star Fiend level within the Deen Clan."
"Third place." Gaiseresen looked at Lin Qin, "Your reward is second only to me and Gaia. Behind you are Vladimir and Reynalds, those veteran elders who have been practicing for tens of thousands of years."
Lin Qin said nothing.
"Why?" Garvey frowned, "Although Lin Qin has an amazing record, it is only a mid-level god after all. In terms of threat level, how can it exceed Vladimir?"
"Because of potential." Gaia spoke with a cold voice, "What Eight Great Clans is afraid of is not his current strength, but his future height. Killing Seven-Star Fiend as a mid-level god is like killing a chicken. Once he breaks through Highgod, what level will he be?"
She looked at Lin Qin: "Paragon is invincible, or should you directly touch Paragon?"
There was silence in the palace.
"The information goes beyond that." Morris continued, "The specific content of the beheading plan is: In the next hundred years, we will focus on hunting down the new generation of geniuses of our clan. The one hundred people on the list will be eliminated one by one in order. Each target will have a dedicated hunting team responsible for it."
"What about the configuration of the hunting team?" Gaiseresen asked.
"At least two Seven-Star Fiend will lead the team, equipped with Sovereign’s Might. If necessary, Asura-level experts can be mobilized." Morris said, "It was mentioned in the news from behind the scenes.,Deen Clan has sent three Seven-Star Fiend to keep an eye on Lin Qin. Salon from Death Desert last time is just the first batch."
Lin Qin Think of those gray-white eyes.
"Also," Morris looked at Lin Qin, "The hidden line specifically mentioned that they obtained your whereabouts information from within."
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense.
"The matter of Death Desert last time has been investigated." Garvey said, "Emmanuel's cronies were executed, and Emmanuel was also banned. Is there any fish that slipped through the net?"
"It's not necessarily that there is a mole." Gaia shook his head, "It could also be that they use other means. Deen Clan is good at the soul, and there are some secret methods that can control the soul."
Morris nodded. "The Great Elder is right. Salon was able to track Lin Qin not necessarily by intelligence, but more likely by the secret method of the soul. When Lin Qin fought with him, were there any marks planted on him?"
Lin Qin recalls that battle.
Salon's soul attack was really weird. When those gray-white spears penetrated his soul, he felt that something was left inside. But later, when Vitality started to repair the soul trauma, those things were wiped away.
"There may be," he said, "But I have cleared it."
"That's good." Gaiseresen stood up and walked to the light curtain.
He stared at the Hunting List and was silent for a long time.
"Use the trick." He finally said.
Morris raised his eyes. "What does the patriarch mean?"
"Eight Great Clans Since they want to hunt our geniuses, let them hunt them." Gaiseresen turned around, "But the target they hunt must be fake."
He looked at Lin Qin: "From today on, you are the bait."
Lin Qin's expression remained unchanged. "How to do it?"
"On the surface, you continue to perform tasks, continue to fight, and continue to let Eight Great Clans's people stare at you." Gaiseresen said, "Secretly, the family will arrange people to protect you, and at the same time release false information at the right time to lure them into an ambush."
"Will they be fooled?" Garvey asked.
"Yes." Gaia said, "Lin Qin is now ranked third and is a thorn in Eight Great Clans's side. As long as there is a chance to kill him, they will definitely do it at any cost."
Gaiseresen nodded. "So we set up a bureau. Choose a suitable location, release information they can't refuse, and then wait for them to come."
"Has the location been selected?" Morris asked.
"Selected." Gaiseresen walked back to his seat, "Rock Fortress."
Lin Qin felt something in his heart.
Rock Fortress, the most important stronghold on the northern line, the destination where he escorted supplies last time.
"The terrain around Rock Fortress is complex and suitable for an ambush." Gaiseresen said, "And that is the front line. Eight Great Clans is often active and will not raise suspicion. We will let him go There is news that you will escort a batch of important supplies to Rock Fortress in three months. This batch of supplies includes ten bottles of high-concentration Earth Vein Essence and two High Godhead."
"The bait is big enough." Morris nodded.
"Where is the person to protect?" Garvey asked.
Gaiseresen looked at Gaia.
Gaia said slowly, "I will go there myself."
Lin Qin was startled.
The great elder personally takes action?
"It's not just me." Gaia said, "Elders Vladimir and Reynalds will also participate. The three of us, together with twenty Six-Star Fiend, will sneak into the area around Rock Fortress in advance. When you enter the ambush circle, we will take action as soon as Eight Great Clans's people show up."
Three core elders and twenty Six-Star Fiend.
This battle is enough to surround and kill any Seven-Star Fiend.
"But Lin Qin himself cannot know too much." Gaia continued, "The less he knows, the more real he appears. Eight Great Clans has strong people who are good at soul detection. If you find that he is defensive, the secret may be exposed."
Gaiseresen looked at Lin Qin: "So, only the five of us know about this matter. You continue to practice and continue to perform regular tasks. Three months later, you will receive a notice of the task of escorting supplies. At that time, you can just perform it as usual."
"Understood." Lin Qin said.
"Go down." Gaiseresen waved his hand, "Be prepared. There may be a tough battle in three months."
Lin Qin stood up and left Azure Dragon Hall.
The night is dark.
He walked on Dragon Path, thinking over and over again in his mind the information just now.
Ten drops of Sovereign’s Might's bounty. Three Seven-Star Fiend are specifically watching him. Decapitation plan. Bait. Ambush.
The pressure is unprecedented.
But he is not afraid.
Only when there is pressure can there be motivation. Only when there is danger can there be breakthroughs.
Returning to Azure Rock Valley, he continued to practice.
The fifth mystery "Vitality" has been completed and needs to be consolidated. The sixth mystery is still far away, but you can first familiarize yourself with other branches of Laws of the Earth. The soul defense needs to be strengthened. Hidden Dragon Pendant is broken, and you have to find a way to replace it with a better soul artifact.
Three months is enough time for him to make another upgrade.
In the following days, everything will be business as usual.
Lin Qin practices swordsmanship, understands the rules, and gives guidance to the clan members every day. Occasionally, he takes on some routine tasks, which are patrols and escorts within the family. There is no danger.
After Emmanuel was banned, Mission Hall's attitude improved significantly. Every time Lin Qin is assigned a task, his opinion will be sought in advance, and the difficulty will be controlled within a reasonable range.
Fulhan did not appear in front of Lin Qin again. But Lei Luo told him privately that Fulhan had kept a low profile recently and rarely spoke even in Council of Elders meetings, as if to avoid suspicion.
"He must be really convinced." Lei Luo said, "The fact that you killed Seven-Star Fiend like killing a chicken has spread throughout the whole family. No matter what his background, he would not dare to provoke a ruthless person like you."
Lin Qin didn't answer the call.
He doesn't care whether Fulhan is convinced or not.
He only cares about the battle three months later.
In the second month, he took on a patrol mission and patrolled the perimeter of the Heaven Sacrifice Mountain Range alone for ten days. During these ten days, he deliberately exposed his whereabouts and let Eight Great Clans's spies see him.
In the third month, the task notification arrived as scheduled.
Escort a batch of important supplies to Rock Fortress, accompanied by eight people, led by him. On the supply list, there are indeed ten bottles of high-concentration Earth Vein Essence and two High Godhead.
Lin Qin accepted the task and began preparations.
The day before departure, the summons from Gaia arrived.
There is only one sentence. "Don't worry and do it. We are here."
Lin Qin Put away the communication talisman and continue practicing the sword.
At Chen time the next day, East Gate.
Eight people have arrived. Shi Yan and Feng Ying are all here, as are Tyron and Azure Luan. The other four are unfamiliar faces, but their auras are not weak, at least Five-Star Fiend.
"Let's go." Lin Qin said.
Nine people escorted five large vehicles and left Heaven Sacrifice Mountain Range.
This time, he did not take the detoured route last time, but Dragon Spine Path - the most direct and easiest route to ambush.
All he wants is to be ambushed.
The first five days were uneventful.
On the sixth day, the team entered the edge of Black Stone Wasteland.
Lin Qin was walking in the front, his consciousness spread fifty miles around. On the surface, he looked as alert as usual, but secretly, he was already sensing the movement underground.
Late at night on the seventh day, the convoy camped at an abandoned outpost.
Lin Qin was sitting cross-legged by the campfire, closing his eyes and relaxing.
Just after midnight, he opened his eyes.
There is movement underground.
It was very weak, but it couldn't hide from his Laws of the Earth perception. There were at least thirty people approaching from three directions, and the distance was thirty miles.
He got up, walked to the edge of the camp as if nothing had happened, and peed.
This is the secret code agreed with Gaia - he walked to the edge of the camp, indicating that the enemy was coming.
Returning to the campfire, he continued to close his eyes.
A quarter of an hour later, Feng Ying suddenly opened his eyes. "There is someone!"
As soon as he finished speaking, countless light spots lit up in the surrounding darkness. At least thirty figures rushed out from all directions, surrounding the camp.
The atmosphere of the first three people is as deep as the ocean.
In the middle is a Black-Robed Elder, holding a bone staff, and the gray-white eyes are exactly "Ghost Eye" Hogan, the one who escaped last time in Misty Swamp.
On the left is a strong man, naked to the waist, with bulging muscles, holding two battle axes. If you look at his breath, he is also Seven-Star Fiend.
On the right is a woman, wearing a black tights, with a charming face, holding a pair of daggers - also Seven-Star Fiend.
Three Seven-Star Fiend, with thirty Six-Star Fiend.
Hogan grinned. "Elder Lin Qin, we meet again. This time, you are not so lucky."
Lin Qin holds the knife, Dragonblood Warrior bloodline is activated, and the transformation is completed instantly.
"I let you escape last time." He said, "This time, you won't be so lucky again."
Hogan's smile froze.
"Do it!"
He roared angrily, waved the bone staff, and soul attacks came like a tide.
At the same moment, a clear roar came from behind the camp.
The figure of Gaia rushed out of the darkness, followed by Vladimir and Reynalds. The three core elders rushed towards the three Seven-Star Fiend.
"There's an ambush!" Hogan's face changed drastically, "Get out!"
But it's too late.
Gaia raised his hand, and a cyan light shield enveloped a ten-mile radius - that was the blocking barrier to defend Sovereign Artifact "Dragon Scale Armor", which could trap everyone for three breaths.
Three breaths is enough.
Lin Qin rushed out and slashed at Hogan.
Hogan frantically urged his soul to attack, but within the forbidden barrier, his speed was half a beat slower. The blade passed by, and his left arm was broken at shoulder level.
"Ah"
He screamed, crushed a Sovereign’s Might crystal, turned it into a black light, broke through the barrier and escaped.
The other two Seven-Star Fiend also wanted to escape, but were entangled by Vladimir and Reynalds.
Lin Qin turned around and rushed towards the strong man holding two axes.
The strong man was fighting fiercely with Vladimir. When he saw Lin Qin approaching, his expression changed drastically. He roared angrily, slashed wildly with both axes, forced Vladimir back, turned around and ran away.
Lin Qin catches up, Dragon Roar Divine Ability launches.
Time stagnated slightly, and the blade cut into the strong man's back.
The strong man groaned, the wound was so deep that the bone could be seen. But he gritted his teeth, crushed Sovereign’s Might, and turned into a stream of light to escape.
Seeing that the situation was not good, the third woman didn't even wait for Lin Qin to get closer, she crushed Sovereign’s Might directly and disappeared into a streak of smoke.
Three Seven-Star Fiend, all escaped.
But not one of the thirty Six-Star Fiend they brought with them escaped.
When the forbidden barrier dissipated, Gaia, Vladimir, and Reynalds had already killed fifteen of them. Lin Qin, Shi Yan and others surrounded and killed the other fifteen people.
Thirty Six-Star Fiend and Godhead are neatly placed in front of you.
"What a pity, three Seven-Star Fiend ran away." Vladimir frowned.
"It can't run very far." Gaia said, "They used Sovereign’s Might, and their combat power was greatly reduced in a short period of time. I have already notified the patrol team on the northern line to intercept them."
Lin Qin Put away the knife and cancel the transformation.
In this battle, he did not suffer any injuries. After completing the Fifth Mystery, his recovery ability became much stronger. The damage caused by Hogan's soul attack was repaired in a few breaths.
"Well done." Gaia came over and patted him on the shoulder, "The bait was done well, calmly and without revealing any flaws."
Lin Qin nodded.
"You take half of these Godhead." Gaia said, "The rest should be handed over to the family. This is what you deserve."
Lin Qin did not refuse and accepted fifteen Six-Star Fiend Godhead.
For the remaining fifteen, Shi Yan and others helped Space Ring collect them and prepare to take them back to the family.
At dawn, the news came back.
The patrol team on the northern front intercepted Hogan, but he resisted desperately and was eventually killed. The other two Seven-Star Fiend fled deep into Black Stone Wasteland and have not been found yet.
But in this battle, Eight Great Clans suffered heavy losses.
Three Seven-Star Fiend, one died and two were seriously injured. Thirty Six-Star Fiend were all killed. They had been planning the "decapitation plan" for several months, but the first wave of operations failed.
Back to the Heaven Sacrifice Mountain Range, Lin Qin received a hero's welcome.
In front of the Azure Dragon Hall, hundreds of tribesmen gathered, cheering loudly. Lin Qin walked through the crowd and saw excited faces - some he had saved, some he had pointed out, and some he didn't know at all.
But they all know him.
That monster who killed Seven-Star Fiend like a chicken. That ruthless man who came back alive from Death Desert. That genius who was offered a bounty of ten drops of Sovereign’s Might by Eight Great Clans.
Lin Qin walked through the crowd and walked into the Azure Dragon Hall.
Gaiseresen stood on the high platform, watched him come in, and nodded slightly.
"Well done." He said, "Next, you continue to retreat. Once the fifth mystery is stable, you can try to integrate the sixth. If you don't have enough resources, you can apply at any time."
"Yes."
Lin Qin turned around and left Azure Dragon Hall.
Returning to Azure Rock Valley, he entered the cave directly.
Close the door and the world becomes quiet.
He took out the fifteen Six-Star Fiend Godhead and looked at them one by one. These Godhead contained different insights into the laws, which could be used to exchange for Contribution Points or used to comprehend.
But he doesn't need to understand.
He has "Heaven Rewards Diligence".
As long as you work hard, you can continue to grow.
He put Godhead into Space Ring and sat down cross-legged.
In Sea of Soul, Earth Divine Clone is deducing the fusion of the fifth mystery. After Vitality is completed, the power of the four Fusion Profound Mystery has been greatly improved. If the fifth mystery can also be perfectly integrated, his strength will reach a higher level.