Cause and Effect

After clearing the scene, Lin Yiqing headed straight for the Curio Pavilion, which was his original destination for entering Yan City once again.

Originally, he had only intended to visit the Curio Pavilion to trade for some cultivation resources, never expecting to be dragged into yet another conflict.

I never expected to run into something like this during this trip to Yan City.

Lin Yiqing shook his head helplessly. This matter was somewhat beyond his expectations; he hadn't imagined that anyone would still be willing to seek revenge for the sake of Duan Wuxin.

However, after this incident, he understood that there must have been something fishy about the escort mission where he was ambushed; otherwise, how would the Sky Wolf Gang have known the details?

Furthermore, the gray-clad man had mentioned earlier that Yuan Li claimed Lin Yiqing had ruined their grand plan, and since both factions were vassals of the Blood Wolf Gang, it wasn't hard to deduce that the true mastermind was undoubtedly the Blood Wolf Gang.

Unknowingly, he had been pulled into the open strife and secret struggles between two major powers.

It seems I need to leave this place as soon as possible, lest I be used as a pawn and end up a scapegoat.

As his thoughts churned, Lin Yiqing instantly grasped the cause and effect of the entire situation. Beyond that, there were likely issues with some of the surviving caravan guards from that night as well.

Otherwise, how would the revenge have found its way to him? Since the other party didn't dare to go to war directly with the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce, they had no choice but to extract some interest from him, the one who had stood out the most that night.

However, it was hard to say whether this information had been uncovered by the Blood Wolf Gang themselves or leaked by someone with ulterior motives.

Lin Yiqing had no interest in such sordid affairs; as long as they didn't affect his cultivation, he didn't care. But if they came knocking on his door, he wouldn't blame himself for killing every last one of them.

Moreover, he had only taken on an escort mission; he wasn't some major beneficiary. Was a few hundred Yang Yuan Stones worth him hacking his way up to wipe out an entire family?

The other party's main target remained the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce, but if the Chamber of Commerce chose to play deaf and dumb now, then he wouldn't blame himself for disregarding their moral standing.

Lin Yiqing didn't believe that a power like the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce would be unaware of the Blood Wolf Gang's petty maneuvers, yet they hadn't even been willing to offer him a simple warning.

It was nothing more than wanting to fish in troubled waters. If Lin Yiqing could wipe out the Sky Wolf Gang, it would be a free gain for the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce.

They could strike at an opponent's power without lifting a finger and even seize the Sky Wolf Gang's territory. Even if they had to face Lin Yiqing afterward, they could easily dismiss the matter with a simple "we didn't know."

Better yet, they could offer a few words of praise to bridge the relationship while simultaneously creating an enemy for the Blood Wolf Gang.

Conversely, if Lin Yiqing were killed by the Sky Wolf Gang, it would be no loss to the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce either, as Lin Yiqing wasn't one of their own.

Therefore, regardless of the outcome, staying quiet and feigning ignorance was the most beneficial path for the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce—a true case of killing two birds with one stone!

Heh, you think too highly of yourselves if you want to use me like this!

Lin Yiqing couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Before he left Yan City, he would certainly make them provide an explanation for this.

Walking along the city's main thoroughfare, Lin Yiqing soon arrived at the Curio Pavilion. The attendant at the entrance spotted him from afar and greeted him with a radiant smile, ushering him inside.

"What would the guest like to purchase this time?"

With the experience from his last visit, the attendant led Lin Yiqing directly to the second floor.

"High-grade medicinal herbs, divine weapons, or spirit ores," Lin Yiqing pondered briefly before stating his requirements.

High-grade medicinal herbs went without saying; he could refine them into pills to assist his cultivation. As for divine weapons and spirit ores, he had only thought of them after his battle with Yuan Li.

There was no helping it; the Azure Steel Sword he had previously purchased simply couldn't withstand his high-intensity combat.

Moreover, the quality of his Yuan Power was extremely high; after a single battle with a cultivator at the Small Perfection of the Origin Pellet Realm, the sword was already on the verge of shattering.

He wanted to find a stronger weapon, or perhaps find suitable spirit ores to forge one himself. After all, the knowledge transmitted to him by the Heavenly Book also contained content related to basic artifact forging.

Subsequently, the attendant introduced a total of ten fifth-grade medicinal herbs to Lin Yiqing, but when it came to the divine weapons, none of them satisfied him.

It seems I'll have to find another way regarding the weapon.

After looking through the entire display area, none of these so-called "divine weapons" met Lin Yiqing's standards. He couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed, though he understood that things rarely went perfectly in every aspect.

"Then, sir, which of these medicinal herbs should I arrange for you?"

The attendant was quite adept at reading expressions. Seeing that the weapons weren't suitable, he immediately changed his tone to ask.

"No rush. Take a look at the value of these items first."

As he spoke, Lin Yiqing took several blood-stained Universe Bags from his robes and tossed them onto the table. The attendant on the other side saw this, his smile instantly stiffening and his eyelids twitching.

Hiss, he looks so young, yet I never expected him to be such a ruthless character. Just how many experts did he have to kill to gather all this?

The attendant complained inwardly, but on the surface, he respectfully took the Universe Bags, opened them, and couldn't help but gasp.

He looked at Lin Yiqing with shock, seemingly unable to make a decision.

After a moment of hesitation, he finally said, "You... please wait a moment. I cannot make the call on these items. I will have my master come out to speak with you."

Having said that, the attendant respectfully placed the Universe Bags back in their original spot with both hands, bowed, and slowly retreated a few steps before turning to hurry toward a hidden room in the corner.

A moment later, an elderly figure appeared in Lin Yiqing's field of vision once again. Upon seeing the man, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and smile.

"I never expected the owner of this Curio Pavilion to be you. We meet again, Master Yan!"

As soon as they met, Lin Yiqing sensed a faint trace of spiritual energy spreading throughout the room. The person who had arrived was none other than Master Yan, who had gifted him the insights on spiritual energy cultivation and the spiritual technique.

Lin Yiqing was filled with gratitude toward Master Yan. If not for the spiritual technique he had gifted—the Spirit-Transforming Needle—his two confrontations with Origin Pellet Realm experts would not have gone so smoothly.

Therefore, the moment he saw him, he immediately stood up, cupped his fists, and bowed to show his respect.

"So it is the little friend visiting. No need for such grand formalities, please, sit!"

Seeing this, Master Yan's face was filled with a kind smile. He invited Lin Yiqing to sit to the side, and only after the attendant served tea did he begin to size him up.

Even with his years of composure, this observation stirred a tempest within him.

"In a mere half-month, I never expected your cultivation to advance to such a degree. You are truly a heaven-sent talent!"

He still remembered the scene when he met Lin Yiqing at the auction half a month ago; at that time, the other party was only at the late Earth Origin Realm, yet now, he was already at the late Heaven Origin Realm!

Such a speed of cultivation could hardly be described by the term "heaven-sent talent" alone.

"Each generation produces its own geniuses, each leading the way for centuries! The youth are truly to be feared!" Master Yan stroked his long beard, saying with an expression of admiration.

According to rumors, the most top-tier prodigy in the entire Great Yan Dynasty, Lin Langtian of the Lin Clan, had only reached the Heaven Origin Realm after two years of cultivation, a feat that had already spread throughout the world. He had not expected that there might be someone even more gifted right here.

It was truly shocking!

"Master, you flatter me. This junior was merely lucky. I must thank you for your gift; this secret technique has saved me from danger many times."

Lin Yiqing also held great admiration for Master Yan's character. As the president of the Yan City Talisman Master Association, he could be described as dutiful and responsible.

Not only did he frequently provide opportunities and assistance to the younger generation, but he also guided the internal atmosphere of the Yan City Talisman Master Association toward a bright and positive direction.

It had to be said, this was a highly respected senior Talisman Master!

"Eh, there is no need for such modesty, little friend. I heard from my assistant that you have a batch of rather troublesome goods to sell. May I ask where they are?"

Waving his hand, Master Yan steered the conversation toward business. Too much praise would seem hypocritical, and given his age and status, he had no need to flatter anyone.

"They are all here. Please, Master, take a look."

After Lin Yiqing finished speaking, he handed over several Universe Bags. The attendant nearby cleverly stepped forward to receive them, then placed them on the counter and opened them one by one.

Duan Wuxin's ferocious blood sword, the martial arts manuals from Yuan Li's Universe Bag, the collection belonging to that so-called Master Liu, and other such items left Master Yan momentarily stunned.

"Good lad, without some background, one would truly not dare to accept these items!"

Clearly, although Master Yan did not participate in the power struggles of Yan City, he was quite familiar with the two factions and recognized the origins of these items at a glance.

"Hehe, nothing escapes your eyes, Master! This junior wishes to exchange these items for some medicinal herbs. Of course, if it is not enough, I will naturally make up the difference."

Lin Yiqing felt a bit embarrassed and could not help but scratch his head as he spoke.

He also knew that these items were somewhat sensitive in the territory of Yan City, and if handled poorly, they could invite trouble; the reputation of the Blood Wolf Gang had always been poor.