"I hope the sect leader and the others don't jump out of their skins when they see the letter I left behind. Otherwise, Ye Fan will have to suffer for it."
At this moment, the warm spring sunlight drifted gently over the bustling capital of Yan Kingdom like a veil of golden gauze.
A leisurely breeze swept through the lively clamor of the streets and drifted straight into a private room of Joyful Fragrance Tower.
Inside, Lin Yu sat at a carved pearwood table, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe. He radiated an innate air of exceptional distinction.
His features were exceedingly handsome. His brows seemed meticulously painted in dark ink, firm yet gentle in their lines; his eyes were bright as lacquered dots, deep and spirited. Every gesture he made exuded nobility.
The table was covered in a dazzling array of delicacies. Every dish resembled a carefully crafted work of art, plated so exquisitely that one could hardly bear to touch it with chopsticks.
The fragrance of the dishes filled the air, blending into a uniquely tantalizing aroma that permeated the entire private room.
At the side, seven or eight beautiful maidservants wore colorful silk dresses, their skirts swaying gently in the breeze like flowers blooming in spring.
Their hair buns were adorned with glittering jeweled flowers that reflected rainbow-colored light beneath the sun. Their lovely faces brimmed with tenderness and shy charm whenever their eyes shifted.
They moved with graceful, lotus-like steps as they carefully poured wine and served dishes for Lin Yu. From time to time, they asked softly whether the young master was satisfied, their voices as melodious as orioles leaving the valley, as gentle as a spring breeze brushing over the heart.
Holding a jade cup, Lin Yu took small sips of wine. Its rich aroma spread across his mouth, and he could not help narrowing his eyes as he leisurely enjoyed this pleasant, wonderful moment.
"Cultivating immortality is carefree, and the mortal world is full of charm. This is what life is supposed to be like. Back when I was in Spirit Void Cave Heaven, what the hell was I even eating?" Lin Yu shook his head slightly, filled with emotion.
"I heard that the Holy City not only has spiritual mountain delicacies made from ferocious beasts, but also goddesses and fairy maidens dancing in accompaniment. Hmph, I'll definitely go there someday and give it a proper 'critique'!"
After saying that, the corners of Lin Yu's lips curled upward in a confident, faintly teasing smile.
This land ruled by the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land was home to a country called Yan. It stretched two thousand li from north to south and three thousand li from east to west, yet such territory was merely a drop in the ocean within the Eastern Wasteland. Countries like it were countless.
Ever since leaving Spirit Void Cave Heaven, Lin Yu had traveled through the mortal world of Yan Kingdom. With the Wings of the Demon, he could cross a thousand li in an instant, so distance meant nothing to him. He had thoroughly taken in every famous sight in Yan Kingdom.
He had recently arrived in the capital of Yan Kingdom and settled down at Joyful Fragrance Tower, taking the opportunity to enjoy the wickedly luxurious life of a feudal landlord.
"Did you hear? That Heart-Stealing Fiend has recently appeared in Yan Capital. Three immortals have already fallen victim to him, and all their hearts were taken!"
A young man's voice came from the private room next door.
"I knew that long ago. My second uncle serves in the Five Cities Military Division. I heard that this vicious fiend wandered here from another country." The other person clearly knew some inside information.
"Why do you think this Heart-Stealing Fiend does this? He specifically attacks immortals. Could it be that he has a grudge against them?" The young man was clearly enjoying the spectacle.
"Who knows? Luckily, he doesn't target mortals like us. Otherwise, Yan Kingdom would be thrown into utter chaos!"
"Forget about him. Drink, drink. So where are we going to have fun later? How about polo?" The conversation quickly went off track.
"Stealing the hearts of cultivators specifically? Interesting." A playful smile appeared on Lin Yu's face.
"No wonder the atmosphere in Yan Capital has been a little tense these past two days."
He had recently made progress in his cultivation and was looking for someone to measure his strength against. Battle was the best test.
However, this matter could wait until the heretical cultivator made another move. For now, he should enjoy himself properly first.
"Shaoyao, Lühe, Mudan, Qiangwei, Baihe, Jinju, it's your turn to dance. Yuegui, Shuixian, Yulan, come pour wine for me."
The private room immediately filled with cheer.
Night fell.
Yan Capital was quiet, with every household shut tight. The Heart-Stealing Fiend's deterrence was clearly considerable. Although no one had heard of him attacking mortals, what if he did? It was better not to be careless when one's life was at stake.
High above Yan Capital, Lin Yu lightly beat the Wings of the Demon, allowing him to ride the wind without relying on a Divine Rainbow. Strands of black airflow wrapped around him, concealing every trace of his aura.
As for how he would capture this heretical cultivator, Lin Yu was not worried in the slightest. After all, he cultivated the Supreme Divine Technique of the Gods Suppressing Hell. His perception of evil auras was beyond ordinary imagination.
As long as this heretical cultivator revealed the slightest clue, Lin Yu would lock onto him.
"Speak of the devil."
A faint evil ripple emerged from within a residence, then headed toward the city outskirts. A cultivator from some household had likely met with misfortune. The ripple was so faint that none of the other cultivators reacted at all.
"He really doesn't think much of the local cultivators, does he?"
Lin Yu silently grumbled as he followed behind.
The heretical cultivator sped onward. After more than half the night had passed, he arrived in a mountain range and opened a hidden cave dwelling.
Having returned home, he visibly relaxed. He casually tossed the unlucky person he had captured onto the ground and muttered to himself,
"If I weren't afraid of being discovered by the Dao Palace cultivators of the Six Great Cave Heavens, why would I need to go through so much trouble to deal with these little brats at the Life Spring stage of the Sea of Bitterness?"
"Oh, so that's why you never left behind much of a reputation?"
A young voice rang out.
The heretical cultivator was instantly startled. Someone had actually slipped into his home without his noticing.
"Who is it?" The heretical cultivator backed away while drawing a weapon in vigilance.
He was an old man with a cold, gloomy face, graying hair, and a black robe embroidered with blood-red patterns. A decayed aura clung to him; he clearly did not have many days left to live.
Standing at the cave entrance, Lin Yu looked inside and spotted a large cauldron. Medicinal fragrance wafted from within. Among the herbs he recognized were Trumpet Creeper Flower and Heart-Nourishing Fruit, both Spirit Medicines used to nourish the five organs.
"Just as I thought. You must have obtained a demonic inheritance and want to refine cultivators' hearts into pills, helping you break through to the Dao Palace Secret Realm and extend your lifespan by a hundred years."
The old man's expression changed, becoming even gloomier.
"Boy, I don't care who you are. Since you dared deliver yourself to my door, I'll graciously accept your heart."
Not daring to be careless, he swiftly brought out a small seal that emitted a cyan glow as it shot toward Lin Yu.
"A trifling trick." Lin Yu smiled disdainfully. Underworld God's Protection circulated around him like a black eggshell. Divine energy flowed like a vortex, and the old man's small seal struck it before immediately flying off at an angle.
"Come out. Let me see what you're capable of."
With a flap of the wings behind his back, Lin Yu flew out of the valley. Divine energy gathered in his hand and formed into an ancient, chilling stone battle spear. The aura of Hell Yellow Springs spread forth.
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