Planning for Future Forces (Extra Update)

"Let's go, this place is not suitable for a long stay."

Jiang Lin put away the Blood Fiend Divine Thunder Halberd, "Let's return to Heaven Dou City first."

The group left the Sunset Forest and arrived at Heaven Dou City by dusk.

The residence Dugu Bo had prepared in advance was located in a quiet alley in the east of the city, just two streets away from Dugu Manor.

It was a three-courtyard compound with blue bricks and dark tiles; two old locust trees in front of the gate were lush with foliage, casting dense shade over most of the residence.

Dugu Bo handed the copper key to Jiang Lin:

"Young Master, this old man lives at Dugu Manor two streets away. If you need anything, just come find me at any time."

After giving a few more instructions, he took Dugu Yan and took his leave.

After seeing off the Dugu grandfather and granddaughter, Jiang Lin sat down in the main hall and took a thick booklet from his storage Soul Tool, with four large characters written on it—Hundred Explanations of Hidden Weapons.

He pushed the booklet toward Tang Yuan.

"Uncle Tang, take a look at this. It records the manufacturing methods for some hidden weapons. The highest priority is the Pear Blossom Needle in Rainstorm and the Buddha Wrath Tang Lotus. If the materials are insufficient, go find Dugu Bo."

Since Jiang Lin had already purchased the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, he naturally wanted to maximize its cost-effectiveness.

However, he didn't intend to practice the Mysterious Heaven Skill just yet; he planned to check if there was anything better in the system.

After all, he wasn't short on money right now.

Tang Yuan took the booklet and flipped through a few pages, his brows slightly raised. He didn't ask any questions, only saying five words:

"It will take some time."

"No rush."

Tang Yuan nodded and went straight out to make arrangements.

Jiang Lin wasn't in a hurry; it was just a casual move anyway.

He wanted to test whether hidden weapons could be sold to the system.

If they could, it would undoubtedly be another sustainable channel for earning points.

Speaking of earning points, Jiang Lin suddenly remembered that he hadn't acquired the Whale Shark in Heaven Dou City yet...

Whale Shark, hidden weapons, and some special soul beast corpses...

There were many things that could be used to buy points.

And if he were to do all these things by himself, it would be too much of a waste of time.

Furthermore, it wasn't just these; who knew how many treasures were hidden on the Douluo Continent?

These all needed to be collected.

Perhaps... he needed to establish his own force to help him collect these things.

However, it didn't necessarily have to be established from scratch; he could also directly take over an already formed force.

For example, the Seven Great Sects.

Regarding the Fire Leopard Sect, although Elder Chen had never taken the initiative to speak of it, he definitely had some connection with them.

When the time came, he might be able to directly make the Fire Leopard Sect his subordinate force.

As for the Clear Sky Sect, there was Tang Yuan. Once Tang Yuan broke through to level 99, he would definitely be able to take down the Clear Sky Sect with ease.

By then, not only could the treasuries of both families be looted clean, but he also wouldn't have to worry about manpower issues in the future.

After thinking for a while longer, Jiang Lin stopped his indulgence in the future.

"Elder Chen, what is your relationship with the Fire Leopard Sect?"

Hearing Jiang Lin's inquiry, Elder Chen was slightly stunned and said with some hesitation:

"Why?"

"I have some plans that might involve the Fire Leopard Sect. Does Elder Chen have any unspeakable difficulties?"

Hearing this, Elder Chen shook his head, "Not at all. I don't have any sense of belonging to the Fire Leopard Sect. You don't need to care about my feelings if you have a plan."

Hearing this, Jiang Lin looked at Elder Chen with some curiosity.

"Ahem, I do have some blood ties to the Fire Leopard Sect, but the relationship is very distant. Back when this old man achieved the Title, those guys flipped through the genealogy several times and couldn't find my name, so you really don't need to care."

When Elder Chen said this, he picked up his teacup and took a sip of tea.

"Emmm, I want you to go and bring the Fire Leopard Sect under our command."

"Cough, cough, cough."

Elder Chen coughed twice, somewhat unsure of what Jiang Lin was talking about.

"You don't want me to play the role of some long-lost clansman or something, then return with a Title, and then do some... Dragon King Return thing, right?"

When Jiang Lin heard this, he almost couldn't keep a straight face.

He had once mentioned to Elder Chen that after becoming a Title Douluo, he would return to Emperor Soul Village to perform a Dragon King Return.

He hadn't expected him to actually remember it.

"Fine, that's pretty much the gist of it."

Jiang Lin poured himself a cup of tea from the side and continued:

"Although the Fire Leopard Sect isn't a major power, they are at least one of the Lower Four Sects. If we were to seize them by force, we would inevitably clash directly with the Martial Soul Hall."

"With our current strength, we are no match for them yet."

At this point, the corners of Jiang Lin's mouth curled upward.

"However, if we take control of the Fire Leopard Sect by inciting internal discord, the Martial Soul Hall won't interfere. In fact, they might even offer some benefits to win you over."

Elder Chen pondered this for a moment before finally nodding.

"That is feasible. With the Fire Leopard Sect's highest-level member being only level 84, I can easily decapitate their leadership. Once I reveal my Fire Leopard martial soul, the world will simply assume it was a change of power within the sect."

"Mm, that's what I thought as well."

"Then when shall we act?"

"No rush. First, accompany me to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. I want to see just how much their so-called simulated cultivation environments actually help a soul master's training."

Early the next morning, Jiang Lin went to Dugu Manor.

Dugu Bo was in the courtyard watching Dugu Yan practice. Seeing Jiang Lin arrive, he hurried over to greet him.

Jiang Lin didn't beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly.

"I want to spend a few days at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, but I don't want to officially join them yet. I heard you're quite close with that Vice Dean Xue Xing, so..."

After listening, Dugu Bo stroked his beard and smiled. "A small matter. I'll have Xue Xing write a letter of recommendation, and the Young Master can enter as an exchange student."

Dugu Bo asked Jiang Lin to wait a moment, then changed into more formal robes and headed out.

"What are you looking at me for? Keep practicing."

While waiting, Jiang Lin sat in the chair Dugu Bo had previously occupied and casually scolded Dugu Yan, who was staring at him.

Dugu Yan: ...

Less than an hour later, Dugu Bo returned, holding a letter of recommendation stamped with Prince Xue Xing's private seal.

Jiang Lin took the letter without asking how Dugu Bo had obtained it—Prince Xue Xing could hardly refuse to give face to a Title Douluo.

"Many thanks." Jiang Lin tucked the letter away.

"Why is the Young Master being so polite with me?" Dugu Bo waved his hand dismissively.

That afternoon, Jiang Lin set out with Chen Xuan.

The Heaven Dou Royal Academy was located in a small, independent town outside of Heaven Dou City. Built against a mountain, the sprawling complex of buildings could be seen from afar, nestled among lush trees in a well-ordered, magnificent, and elegant display.

The academy's main gate was carved from a single piece of white marble. In front of the gate, two rows of armored guards stood straight, long swords hanging at their waists.

At the entrance, two soul masters were responsible for verifying identities, their bodies radiating significant fluctuations of soul power.