Yu Clan's Decision: He Must Die!

After Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo Chen Xin departed, Plant Academy returned to its usual calm.

The Three Major Top Factions had visited one after another, causing upheaval among the academy's upper ranks. The news was deliberately suppressed.

The students did not notice anything unusual. They had only heard that Lin Mo had returned from obtaining a Soul Ring, but why had he not come back to class?

Only a small number of people with access to information, those who knew the truth, understood that Lin Mo had already reached a height the younger generation could scarcely hope to attain.

As long as he wished, he could join a top sect force at any time.

Within the Secluded Villa.

Lin Mo sat upright in the courtyard, his expression calm while his mind was exceptionally clear.

Having consecutively rejected recruitment from Spirit Hall, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he appeared to be basking in boundless glory. In truth, he had already pushed himself into the eye of the storm.

Spirit Hall was boiling a frog in warm water, intending to bind him to their chariot with the title of Honorary Deacon;

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wanted to forge a good relationship and make a long-term investment as they quietly watched his future development;

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan wanted to lure him aboard with the bait of becoming an Outer Sect Disciple.

His strength was still too weak. It was not suitable for him to join a sect force yet.

If things went poorly in a sect, he would not even have a way to leave.

He had to wait until he possessed a certain degree of strength and the ability to make his own choices before considering such matters.

Before that, he still had several things to do.

First, harvest the Immortal Herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

Those Immortal Herb resources were most suitable for early-stage development, improving one's physique and raising one's potential.

More importantly, it was also to cut off Tang San's development.

Second, the Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow hidden beneath a manor in some city of the Northern Territory.

Its effect was equivalent to "spirit stones," capable of accelerating cultivation.

Not only could Soul Masters use it, but it could also benefit Soul Beasts.

After these two trips, if everything went smoothly, his cultivation would rise to at least above the fourth ring.

At that point, he could consider the matter of his broader future development.

For now, Lin Mo still ranked the Northern Territory as the higher priority.

In the Northern Territory, he would not find any place where he could drift around aimlessly, while at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, he might really run into Dugu Bo.

If he was going to the Northern Territory, he needed to prepare in advance.

"Mentor Shen Lin."

Lin Mo called over Shen Lin, who had come to visit, and got straight to the point.

"I plan to leave Heaven Dou City for a while and undergo long-term training elsewhere."

Shen Lin had long expected this, so he was not surprised.

Even the academy's upper ranks had anticipated it. Plant Academy was too small to keep Lin Mo.

The three top factions had come knocking, extending olive branches to Lin Mo.

No matter which one he chose, the resources they could provide would far surpass the improvements Plant Academy could offer.

"Have you decided where you are going? The major forces within Heaven Dou Territory are intertwined. No matter where you go, it will be difficult to avoid being watched." Shen Lin raised his brows slightly.

"The Northern Territory," Lin Mo gave his answer.

"The Northern Territory has vast wilderness, sparse population, weak sect forces, and is far removed from the core disputes." Lin Mo took a sip of hot tea.

Shen Lin nodded in realization, then said gravely,

"The Northern Territory is enormous. Barren Forests, Snow Plains, and Wild Ridges crisscross the region. There are many Soul Master bandits, numerous undeveloped areas, and Soul Beasts passing through along the way. Entering rashly without maps and knowledge of the local forces would be extremely dangerous."

"That is why I need you to help me gather information, Mentor." Lin Mo's gaze remained calm.

"I need complete intelligence on the distribution of the Northern Territory's main cities, its local small and medium sects, Spirit Beast Dense Areas, and Dangerous Forbidden Areas."

"Alright, that will not be a problem. I will organize it for you over the next few days." Shen Lin agreed at once.

The information was extensive and complicated. He would need to consult the academy's collection, training records from past years, and the Heaven Dou Empire Official Geography Archives.

Organizing all of that would take at least three or four days.

"Also... please keep this matter as confidential as possible," Lin Mo said.

"Mm, you can rest assured on that point." Shen Lin nodded.

"Thank you, Teacher Shen." Lin Mo expressed his deep gratitude.

"You are welcome. Focus on cultivating these next few days. There is no need to worry too much," Shen Lin reassured him.

"At Plant Academy, I cannot guarantee much else, but within the academy grounds, your personal safety is assured."

"Mm." Lin Mo nodded.

He was not overly worried about that. Even if his Northern Territory itinerary leaked, it would not have much impact.

Training in the Northern Territory was not the main objective. His true purpose was to use a map of the Northern Territory's faction distribution to analyze possible locations for the Ten Thousand Dragon Gate's site ten thousand years later.

Though the chances of encountering it were slim, he could first test the waters in several cities with the greatest likelihood.

Over the following days, Lin Mo completely shut himself away.

Each day, he steadily honed his Soul Power and consolidated his level twenty-three bottleneck.

Outside of cultivation, he further familiarized himself with the characteristics of the Thunder Hell Vine and continued developing the Vine's innate nature.

For example, basic techniques such as Bind, whipping, and sealing did not require dedicated enhancement from a Soul Ring.

He deliberately kept a low profile, almost completely avoiding going out.

However.

While Plant Academy remained peaceful over those days, undercurrents stirred at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's headquarters.

Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Yu Kun, who had been publicly humiliated and failed in his recruitment attempt, had already arrived at the clan headquarters and met with the clan's upper ranks.

Inside the main hall.

Acting clan leader Yu Luomian and several other clan elders sat in a gloomy, heavy atmosphere.

Yu Kun bowed as he reported the situation to the clan elders.

"When we arrived, Lin Mo was chatting happily with Platinum Bishop Salas, and the atmosphere between them was quite harmonious."

"When I questioned him about the Soul Ring, he flatly refused. I swallowed my anger and presented the recruitment terms offered by the clan, yet he treated them with utter disdain. Instead, his attitude toward Spirit Hall was ambiguous."

"In my judgment, this person has most likely secretly sided with Spirit Hall. That is why he has shown such disrespect toward our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."

"He used our clan's resources to obtain a Soul Ring, yet he is doing the work of an ingrate. His character is utterly despicable."

"This boy's talent is exceptional. Though I did not personally see the Thousand-Year Soul Ring, judging from the attitudes of the various factions, the matter is highly likely to be true."

"In my opinion, if this boy is not eliminated, he will surely become a great threat in the future!"

As soon as those words fell, the entire hall went silent.

Yu Luomian sat in the seat of honor, his gaze dark as his fingertips lightly tapped the armrest.

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was one of the Upper Three Sects, and what it feared most was Spirit Hall's growth.

Now, a genius who had shattered convention had emerged and showed signs of leaning toward Spirit Hall. The level of threat was self-evident.

If they waited for him to grow, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan might face utter destruction.

"He took our Soul Beast, yet refused our clan's recruitment. How interesting." A "big figure" hidden in the shadows spoke leisurely, a smile curling across his lips.

"If a genius cannot be used by us, he will become a great threat," someone said.

"Those who refuse to obey can simply be killed," someone proposed.

"What genius? Only those who grow up deserve to be called geniuses." The clan elders spoke one after another.

"How should this matter be decided?" An elderly man hidden in the shadows looked toward Yu Luomian in the main seat.

"Why not vote? I think he should die!"

"Kill him. Give Spirit Hall a warning."

"He should indeed die. He enjoys the benefits of our clan while wanting to smash our pot. We cannot keep such an ungrateful wretch."

"Clan elders, quiet."

Yu Luomian rested both hands beneath his chin. Only after the crowd settled down did he speak.

"Since all of you believe he should die, then—"

"Kill him!" His voice held not the slightest trace of warmth.

"But we cannot act openly." Yu Luomian said in a deep voice.

"Salas just paid a personal visit, and that old fox Ning Fengzhi personally came to the door. If we act now, suspicion will easily fall upon us."

He pondered for a moment before settling on a plan.

"Dispatch Shadow Division death warriors to lie in wait. Once he leaves Plant Academy to train outside and is alone with no one around, kill him."

"Try not to kill anyone within the academy. It would look bad."

"If we act, we must eradicate the roots!" Yu Luomian said.

His gaze turned to Yu Kun.

"Since you are responsible for this matter, I will leave it to you to oversee and handle."

"Understood. I will begin preparations at once!" Upon hearing the order, Elder Yu Kun revealed a mocking look in his eyes.

Kid, you dared to mock me and put me down?

Heh heh, your time of death will come soon!