The clamor in Jia Ma Holy City eased slightly as Lin Chen fell briefly silent.
But beneath the surface, the undercurrents grew ever more turbulent.
Every move Lin Chen made in the imperial capital was watched closely by countless eyes belonging to the various factions.
Through all kinds of channels, news of him spread beyond the empire at astonishing speed.
In a branch hall in a shadowy corner of the Central Plains.
A report about "a mysterious youth, a bizarre blood domain, the purification of Heavenly Flames, and a suspected ancient inheritance" had finally reached the hands of higher-ups.
Only a few clusters of pale, ghostly flames danced in the dim hall.
Their light revealed two figures cloaked in voluminous black robes.
Their auras were as unfathomable as the abyss.
The space around them twisted faintly. They were both Dou Zong powerhouses!
"The Jia Ma Empire... Someone like that appeared in such a remote place?"
A hoarse voice, like bones grinding together, rang out, tinged with surprise.
"Ten years old, yet a Dou Wang. He can overpower or even kill multiple Dou Emperors.
"He possesses a powerful Heavenly Flame that's never been recorded, and his alchemy has reached the level of a sixth-grade grandmaster..."
"Hmph. If the report is true, that boy must be hiding a tremendous secret!"
"It can't be an ordinary inheritance!"
Another voice cut in, cold and sinister, filled with greed and wariness.
"The Hall is very interested in that Heavenly Flame. And we're even more determined to obtain the power that can suppress souls."
"The Venerable ordered us to bring him back, dead or alive," the hoarse voice said.
"But that boy is a strange one."
"So many Dou Emperors have fallen at his hands."
"He may well have other trump cards!"
"The report says his domain is especially effective against our Hall's techniques."
"Though we're Dou Zongs, it wouldn't be wise to confront him head-on. What if some old monster really is backing him..."
The cold voice sounded more cautious.
"Mm... We shouldn't personally test him directly."
"If I recall, Yun Shan, the former sect master of the Misty Cloud Sect in the Jia Ma Empire, is nearly under Protector Wu's complete control, isn't he?"
The hoarse voice mused.
"That's right. Protector Wu has been working on it in secret."
"Most of the Misty Cloud Sect is now under our control. Yun Shan should soon become a docile puppet."
"Perfect. Let him test the waters first."
"Good! Order Protector Wu to speed things up and bring Yun Shan and the Misty Cloud Sect completely under control."
"Then have him work with Yun Shan to find a chance to test Lin Chen!"
"We'll provide support from the shadows. It would be best to capture him alive, but if that's not possible..."
"Then spare no expense to uncover his secrets and seize his Heavenly Flame!"
"Yes!"
An invisible order, accompanied by a chilling ghostly aura, silently shot toward the Jia Ma Empire.
A plot against Lin Chen had begun to take shape.
The Mittel Family manor, imperial capital.
Lin Chen had naturally sensed those prying eyes in the shadows.
But he didn't care in the slightest.
In the face of absolute strength, every scheme and trick was nothing but a joke.
When he returned to the courtyard where he was staying, Xiao Yi Xian was sitting beside the stone table, grinding herbs.
Qing Lin was crouched in a corner of the yard, playing with the little snake she had just subdued.
The moment they saw him return, both girls stood up almost at the same time.
Their eyes lit up, and they hurried over.
"Brother Lin Chen!"
Qing Lin reached him first and naturally hooked her small hand around his arm.
Her jade-green eyes were full of trust.
"You went to the palace today. Are you going to be busy again?"
Xiao Yi Xian came over too, still holding the freshly ground medicinal powder.
Her voice was soft and sweet. "Lin Chen, I brewed some calming herbal tea for you. Would you like a little?"
Lin Chen ruffled their hair, his fingertips brushing their soft strands.
Looking at their affectionate faces, his voice softened a little. "I'll be leaving the Jia Ma Empire for a while."
At his words, the smiles on both girls' faces froze.
The light in their eyes dimmed.
Xiao Yi Xian clutched the hem of her clothes, pressing her lips together.
Her eyes quickly reddened.
Qing Lin tightened her grip around his arm.
She rubbed her little head against his arm and asked in a plaintive, nasal voice, "Brother Lin Chen, will you be gone for a long time? Can't you take us with you?"
"The place I'm going next is a mess, and there'll be plenty of danger.
"Your strength isn't enough yet."
Lin Chen crouched down to meet their eyes and gently wiped away the tear at the corner of Xiao Yi Xian's eye.
"Once you're stronger, I'll take you with me wherever I go."
He took two jade bottles from his Storage Ring and handed them to Xiao Yi Xian.
"These contain Poison Fiend Pills, refined with several special poisons."
"They can help you gradually control the poisonous Dou Qi in your body and improve your cultivation, too.
"Remember, take only one a day. Don't rush things."
Xiao Yi Xian accepted the bottles. Their cool surfaces touched her fingertips, but warmth filled her heart.
She knew Lin Chen had refined the pills especially for her. She nodded firmly.
"I understand, Lin Chen. I'll cultivate hard. By the time you come back, I'll definitely be stronger!"
Lin Chen turned to Qing Lin and gently tapped her forehead.
"I'll have someone bring over some snake-type magical beasts for you to form contracts with!"
"Just absorb their power and focus on cultivating."
Qing Lin froze, then threw her arms around Lin Chen's neck.
"Thank you, Brother Lin Chen! I'll study hard. One day, I'll protect you!"
Lin Chen smiled and patted her back, then reminded the two girls about a few things to keep in mind during their daily cultivation.
Only then did he go to find Hai Bodong and Mite Tengshan, asking them to look after the girls:
After all, while he was away, having Dou Emperor powerhouses around would prevent a lot of trouble.
After making arrangements for Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin, Lin Chen didn't leave right away.
Instead, he went back to the palace and found Jia Xingtian.
"Master Lin! What brings you back?"
Jia Xingtian had been stabilizing his Dou Zong cultivation in the palace's training chamber. When Lin Chen entered, he immediately stood to greet him, his manner even more respectful than before.
"I'm taking you somewhere. I've also got a big gift for you."
With that, Lin Chen turned and headed outside.
"Is there a Nether Sea Flood Dragon hidden in the Imperial Family's forbidden grounds?"
Jia Xingtian paused, then understood. He hurried after Lin Chen.
"Are you talking about the Imperial Family's guardian magical beast?"
"It is in the forbidden grounds, but it was badly injured many years ago and has never recovered..."
They made their way through the passageways deep inside the palace.
At last, they reached a secluded forbidden area.
A huge pool lay at its center, its water as black as ink.
A faint chill wafted from it.
Hearing footsteps, a low growl suddenly sounded from deep within the pool.
A massive figure slowly rose beneath the water—a flood dragon more than ten zhang long. Its scales were dark blue, but fine cracks covered them, and its aura seemed weak.
"This is the Nether Sea Flood Dragon, a sixth-tier magical beast.
"It was badly wounded while protecting the Imperial Family. Its source was damaged, and it's been kept alive with spiritual medicines ever since," Jia Xingtian sighed, his voice full of regret.
"We've sought out many alchemists, but none could heal it."
Lin Chen walked to the edge of the pool and took a pill from his Storage Ring.
It was a rich emerald green, its surface covered in fine patterns like leaves and grass.
The moment it appeared, it released a dense aura of vitality.
Even the surrounding air seemed to grow fresher.
Sensing that aura, the Nether Sea Flood Dragon's listless eyes brightened at once.
It let out a series of urgent growls.
"A peak sixth-grade pill, a Life-Generating Blood Pill."
Lin Chen glanced at Jia Xingtian's astonished expression and spoke calmly.
"It can repair the damage to its source."
Jia Xingtian's eyes widened. He could hardly believe his ears.
A Life-Generating Blood Pill! This medicine was practically the stuff of legends throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire. He couldn't believe Lin Chen had actually refined one!
His voice trembled with excitement.
"Master Lin, this... this is far too precious!"
"Take it."
Lin Chen handed the pill to Jia Xingtian.
"Feed it to the beast yourself. I'll guide the medicinal power."
Jia Xingtian quickly accepted the pill and carefully walked to the pool.
The Nether Sea Flood Dragon seemed to know the pill could save it. It lowered its head docilely and let Jia Xingtian place the pill in its mouth.
The moment the pill entered its stomach, a vast force of vitality erupted inside it.
The Nether Sea Flood Dragon let out a roar of relief and thrashed violently through the water.
Lin Chen raised a hand and pressed it toward the pool. A gentle stream of Dou Qi slowly flowed into the water.
It seeped through the Nether Sea Flood Dragon's scales and into its body, guiding the pill's medicinal power toward its damaged source.
Emerald light coursed through the Nether Sea Flood Dragon's body.
The scales covered in cracks began to mend at a visible pace, and its aura grew stronger by the moment.
Its former listlessness vanished completely.
In its place came the pressure of a high-tier magical beast.
Half an hour later, Lin Chen withdrew his hand.
The Nether Sea Flood Dragon in the pool had fully recovered. Its dark blue scales gleamed, and as its massive body swam through the water, even the surrounding space quivered faintly.
It lowered its head to Lin Chen.
"I will never forget Master Lin's kindness!"
Its deep voice rang out. Jia Xingtian had clearly told it about Lin Chen!
"Thank you, Master Lin! Thank you, Master Lin!"
Seeing that the Nether Sea Flood Dragon had recovered to its peak, Jia Xingtian bowed repeatedly, overcome with excitement.
"With it, the Imperial Family's strength will rise by another great deal!"
"Don't thank me."
Lin Chen waved his hand.
"I need you to do something for me."
"Just say the word, Master! I, Jia Xingtian, won't hesitate, even if I have to climb a mountain of blades or plunge into a sea of flames!"
Jia Xingtian immediately thumped his chest in assurance.
"Go to the Magical Beast Mountain Range and capture some live snake-type magical beasts, from the fourth to sixth tier. Send them to the Mittel Family and hand them over to Qing Lin."
Lin Chen explained.
"Her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils need snake-type magical beasts to help her cultivate. The more, the better."
Jia Xingtian paused, then promptly agreed.
"No problem! I'll go to the Magical Beast Mountain Range myself tomorrow."
"I'll make sure to bring back the best snake-type magical beasts!"
For a newly advanced Dou Zong like him, capturing a few snake-type magical beasts in the Magical Beast Mountain Range was an easy task.
With everything arranged, Lin Chen didn't linger.
He returned to the Mittel Family and spoke with Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin for a while. Only after watching them fall asleep did he quietly leave.
Before departing, he arranged to meet Hai Bodong in the Black-Corner Region.
Afterward, he left Jia Ma Holy City alone and without a sound, careful not to alert anyone.
His first destination was the Black-Corner Region, a byword for chaos and slaughter.
Several days later, at the edge of the Black-Corner Region.
The atmosphere here was utterly different from the Jia Ma Empire.
The air seemed to be thick with a faint tang of blood and restless energy.
The towns were dilapidated, and burly men carrying weapons could be seen everywhere on the streets.
At the slightest disagreement, blades were drawn. Rules had vanished without a trace; only strength was the one and only pass.
A figure appeared on the only road leading to the Black-Corner Region's inner reaches.
He was a boy who looked barely over ten, dressed in luxurious moon-white brocade embroidered with fine cloud patterns. At a glance, it was clear the fabric was worth a fortune.
He had delicate features, black hair, and black eyes.
Yet his gaze held a depth and calmness far beyond his years. Two Storage Rings with archaic patterns adorned his hands, catching the sunlight with a faint gleam.
He walked at an unhurried pace, his steps steady and calm.
As if he were merely strolling through his own courtyard, completely unaware of how he looked.
On the edge of the Black-Corner Region, he was like a lamb draped in gold and silver, walking straight into a pack of hungry wolves.
Sure enough, before long, several malicious gazes shot out from the woods on either side of the road.
They fixed firmly on him.
"Boss, that kid looks like a fat sheep!"
A lanky man licked his lips, greedily eyeing the Storage Rings on Lin Chen's hands.
"Those clothes, those Storage Rings—he's definitely some big family's little brat!"
"A little kid dares to come to the Black-Corner Region alone?
He probably wouldn't even know if someone sold him off!"
Another man, his face covered in rolls of fat, scoffed and rolled his wrists. His knuckles cracked.
"Our Black Jackal Squad is about to make a fortune!"
Their leader was a burly man with a scar across his face, whose strength was roughly that of a Five-Star Dou Ling.
He was already somewhat infamous on the outskirts of the Black-Corner Region.
He narrowed his eyes at Lin Chen, a cruel smile curling his lips. "Enough talk. Surround him. Don't let him get away!
Take him alive, squeeze his Storage Rings dry, then ask about his family. We might be able to squeeze another payment out of them!"
Five men darted silently out of the woods.
They spread out in a fan, surrounding Lin Chen.
They released their Dou Qi without holding back.
Their ferocious auras pressed down on Lin Chen, trying to intimidate the child who looked so weak.
"Kid! Stop!"
The scarred man barked, stepping forward as the pressure of a Dou Ling swept over Lin Chen.
"If you know what's good for you, hand over your Storage Rings and come with us quietly. Maybe we'll even let you keep your life!"
He thought the child would tremble with fear, or even burst into tears.
But Lin Chen merely came to a slow halt and raised his head to look at him.
There wasn't the slightest trace of fear in those deep black eyes.
Instead, there was a faint hint of amusement, as though he were looking at a few prey who had walked straight into a trap.
"I've been waiting ages, and all that showed up was a bunch of useless trash?"
Lin Chen's voice was clear, yet carried a chilling edge that pierced through the air and reached every ear.
"Looks like I'll have to wait a little longer if I want to catch a fish worth anything."
At those words, the Black Jackal Squad members' expressions changed at once.
The scarred man was livid. He hadn't expected this seemingly delicate child to dare speak to him like that!
"You little bastard! You're asking for death!"
The scarred man roared and swung his fist at Lin Chen.
A dense layer of Dou Qi wrapped around his fist, which came whistling through the air. He clearly meant to knock the child unconscious with a single blow.
But just as his fist was about to touch Lin Chen—
A dark-red domain suddenly burst forth with Lin Chen at its center!
A thick, bloody stench spread in an instant.
It was as if the entire space had become a blood-red purgatory, and a cold killing intent surged toward the five members of the Black Jackal Squad like a tide!
"What... is this?!"
The scarred man's fist froze in midair, and the fury on his face was instantly replaced by terror.
He could feel it clearly: his Dou Qi had become completely impossible to circulate.
Even his soul trembled violently beneath that intent.
"Dou... Wang?! How is this possible! How could a child be a Dou Wang?!"
The other four were even more terrified, their faces drained of color and their legs gone weak.
They didn't even have the strength to run.
Under the domain's suppression, they were lambs waiting for the slaughter, utterly powerless to fight back.
A flash of dark-red light flickered through the domain.
A few brief screams rang out, and then silence returned.
At the center of the road, Lin Chen still stood where he had been.
His moon-white clothes were spotless, as if nothing had happened.
The five members of the Black Jackal Squad who had surrounded him had vanished without a trace.
Not even a drop of blood remained, as if they had never existed.
Lin Chen brushed off his hem and looked toward the depths of the Black-Corner Region.
The aura there was more chaotic, and more dangerous.
He murmured softly, a trace of coldness in his voice. "Han Feng... I've got dibs on your Sea Heart Flame."
That was one of the purposes of his trip!
With that, he walked on once more!
Before you continue