After dealing with the scene, Lin Yiqing headed straight for Curio Pavilion. This was also his destination upon returning to Yan City.
Originally, he had only wanted to exchange for some cultivation resources at Curio Pavilion. He hadn't expected to get caught up in another fight.
"I can't believe this happened while I was in Yan City."
Lin Yiqing shook his head helplessly. This had been somewhat beyond his expectations. He hadn't thought anyone would be willing to seek revenge over that Duan Wuxin.
After this incident, however, he understood that there had definitely been something fishy about the escort mission that had been ambushed earlier. Otherwise, how could the Sky Wolf Gang have known the details?
Besides, the gray-clothed man had mentioned that Yuan Li said Lin Yiqing had ruined their plans. Both factions were also affiliated with the Blood Wolf Gang.
It wasn't hard to deduce that the Blood Wolf Gang had been the real mastermind.
Without realizing it, he had been dragged into the open struggle between two major factions.
"Looks like I need to leave this place as soon as possible, before someone uses me as a weapon and leaves me to die in their place."
His thoughts churned, and Lin Yiqing quickly pieced together the whole story. Moreover, someone among the surviving caravan guards from that night had been up to something, too.
Otherwise, why would they have come after him? Their opponent didn't dare to wage war directly against Wanjin Chamber of Commerce, so they could only come to him—the one who had stood out most that night—and collect a little interest.
But whether the Blood Wolf Gang had uncovered this information on its own or someone had deliberately leaked it was anyone's guess.
Lin Yiqing had no interest in such underhanded schemes. As long as they didn't interfere with his cultivation, he couldn't care less. But if they came looking for him, they had only themselves to blame if he killed every last one.
Besides, all he'd done was take on an escort mission. He wasn't some beneficiary of the affair. Did he really think a few hundred Yang Yuan Stones were worth carving his way through the gang and wiping out their entire household?
The Wanjin Chamber of Commerce was still their real target. But since it was pretending to turn a deaf ear, it couldn't blame him for showing no loyalty.
Lin Yiqing didn't believe that Wanjin Chamber of Commerce, with its influence, was unaware of the Blood Wolf Gang's little schemes. Yet they hadn't even been willing to give him the simplest warning.
They were simply hoping to fish in troubled waters. If Lin Yiqing could wipe out the Sky Wolf Gang, it would be a windfall for Wanjin Chamber of Commerce.
They would have weakened their rival's forces without lifting a finger and could take over the Sky Wolf Gang's territory. Even if they had to face Lin Yiqing afterward, they could settle the matter with a simple "We didn't know."
They could even offer him a few well-timed compliments. That would bring the two sides closer while making an enemy of the Blood Wolf Gang.
On the other hand, if the Sky Wolf Gang killed Lin Yiqing, Wanjin Chamber of Commerce would suffer no loss either. After all, Lin Yiqing wasn't one of their own.
So no matter the outcome, staying quiet and pretending not to know was the most beneficial course for Wanjin Chamber of Commerce. It was killing two birds with one stone!
"Heh, you want to use me like this? You must think I'm a fool!"
Lin Yiqing couldn't help sneering inwardly. Before he left Yan City, he would make sure they gave him an explanation.
He followed the main road through the city, and soon arrived at Curio Pavilion. A young attendant spotted him from afar and welcomed him inside with a beaming smile.
"What would you like to buy this time, sir?"
Having learned from their last encounter, the attendant led Lin Yiqing straight to the second floor.
"High-grade spirit herbs, divine weapons, or spirit ores, I suppose." Lin Yiqing pondered briefly, then listed the things he needed.
The high-grade spirit herbs went without saying; he could refine them into pills to aid his cultivation. As for divine weapons and spirit ores, he had only thought of those after his fight with Yuan Li.
There was no helping it. The Azure Steel Sword he'd bought before simply couldn't withstand the intensity of his battles!
His Yuan Power was of exceptionally high quality, and after one fight with a cultivator at Small Perfection of the Origin Pellet Realm, the sword had nearly shattered.
He wanted to find a stronger weapon, or perhaps a suitable spirit ore he could refine himself. After all, the knowledge the Heavenly Book had passed on to him included the basics of weapon refining.
The attendant then introduced ten fifth-grade spirit herbs one by one. But when he moved on to the divine weapons, none of them really appealed to Lin Yiqing.
"Looks like I'll have to think of something else about the weapon."
After looking over the entire counter, Lin Yiqing found none of the so-called "divine weapons" to his liking. He couldn't help feeling a little disappointed, though he understood that things couldn't always go his way.
"Then, which of these spirit herbs would you like me to prepare for you?"
The attendant was quite observant. Seeing that the weapons didn't suit him, he immediately changed tack and asked about the herbs.
"Not so fast. Take a look at these and tell me what they're worth."
As he spoke, Lin Yiqing took several bloodstained Universe Bags from his robes and tossed them onto the table. The attendant beside him saw them and instantly lost his smile, his eyelids twitching.
Tsk. He looks so young, but who would've thought he was such a ruthless one? How many strongmen did he kill to get all this?
The attendant grumbled inwardly, but respectfully picked up the Universe Bags and opened them. The next moment, he couldn't help drawing in a sharp breath.
He stared at Lin Yiqing in shock, seeming unsure what to do.
After hesitating for a moment, he finally said, "You... please wait a moment. I can't make a decision about these items. I'll ask our pavilion master to come speak with you."
With that, the attendant respectfully returned the Universe Bags to their original place with both hands. He bowed and backed away several steps before hurrying toward a concealed room in the corner.
A moment later, an elderly figure appeared in Lin Yiqing's line of sight. When he recognized the newcomer, Lin Yiqing raised his brows and smiled.
"I never expected you to be the owner of Curio Pavilion, Master Yan. We meet again!"
The moment they met, Lin Yiqing sensed a faint trace of mental energy spreading through the room. The newcomer was none other than Master Yan, who had given him his mental cultivation insights and Mental Secret Technique.
Lin Yiqing felt deeply grateful to Master Yan. If it weren't for the Mental Secret Technique—Spirit-Transforming Needle—he wouldn't have fared so well in his two clashes with Origin Pellet Realm powerhouses.
So the instant he saw the man, he rose and cupped his hands, bowing to show his respect.
"So it is my young friend. There's no need for such a grand gesture. Please, sit!"
Master Yan's face lit up with a kindly smile. He invited Lin Yiqing to sit nearby, and only after the attendant served tea did he begin to examine him.
That single look stirred a storm in his heart, despite his many years of composure.
"I can't believe your cultivation has advanced so much in half a month, my young friend. You're truly a heaven-blessed genius!"
He still remembered meeting Lin Yiqing at the auction half a month earlier. Back then, Lin Yiqing had only been at the Late Earth Yuan Stage. Now, he had already reached the late stage of the Heaven Origin Realm!
His cultivation speed was so astonishing that even calling him a heaven-blessed genius seemed inadequate.
"Great talents arise in every age, each holding sway for centuries! The younger generation is truly formidable!" Master Yan stroked his long beard and praised him.
According to rumor, the greatest prodigy in the entire Great Yan Dynasty, Lin Langtian of the Lin Clan, had reached the Heaven Origin Realm in just two years. His name had already spread throughout the land. Yet here, there seemed to be someone even more gifted.
It was truly astonishing!
"You flatter me, Master. I've only been lucky. I also have you to thank for your gift. This secret technique has saved me from danger many times."
Lin Yiqing greatly admired Master Yan's character as well. As the head of the Yan City Talisman Master Association, he was truly dedicated to his duties.
He had not only given opportunities and assistance to young people many times, but had also fostered a bright, uplifting atmosphere within the Yan City Talisman Master Association.
There was no denying it—he was a respected elder among the talisman masters!
"Come now, my young friend. No need to be modest. My attendant tells me you have a batch of rather troublesome goods to sell. Where are they?"
Master Yan waved his hand and steered the conversation back to business. Too much praise would sound insincere, and at his age and standing, he had no need to flatter anyone.
"They're all here. Please have a look, Master."
After speaking, Lin Yiqing handed over the Universe Bags again. The clever attendant stepped forward and took them, then laid them out on the counter one by one.
Duan Wuxin's vicious blood-red sword, the martial arts manuals from Yuan Li's Universe Bag, some of that so-called Master Liu's belongings, and other items left Master Yan momentarily stunned.
"Young man, you'd need some serious backing to dare accept these items!"
Clearly, though Master Yan had never taken part in Yan City's power struggles, he knew the two factions well enough to recognize the origins of these things at a glance.
"Heh, nothing gets past you, Master! I was hoping to exchange these items for some spirit herbs. Of course, I'll make up the difference if they're not worth enough."
Lin Yiqing scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.
He knew these things were sensitive in Yan City. They might bring trouble, and the Blood Wolf Gang had never had a good reputation.
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