"Let's go. This place isn't safe to linger."
Jiang Lin put away the Blood Fiend Divine Thunder Halberd. "Let's head back to Heaven Dou City first."
The group left Sunset Forest and arrived in Heaven Dou City at dusk.
The residence Dugu Bo had prepared in advance sat on a quiet lane in the eastern part of the city, just two streets away from Dugu Manor.
It was a three-courtyard estate, with gray-brick walls and dark-tiled roofs. Two old locust trees stood before the entrance, their lush branches covering most of the grounds in deep shade.
Dugu Bo handed Jiang Lin a brass key.
"Young Master, this old man lives at Dugu Manor, just two streets away. Come to me anytime if you need anything."
After a few more words of advice, he left with Dugu Yan.
Once the Dugu grandfather and granddaughter had departed, Jiang Lin sat down in the main hall and took a thick booklet from his Storage Soul Tool. Four large characters were written on the cover: Hundred Explanations of Hidden Weapons.
He pushed it across to Tang Yuan.
"Uncle Tang, take a look at this. It records the methods for making some Hidden Weapons. The highest-priority ones are the Pear Blossom Needle in Rainstorm and the Buddha Wrath Tang Lotus. If you don't have enough materials, go to Dugu Bo."
Now that Jiang Lin had bought the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, he naturally wanted to get the best value for his money.
He didn't plan to cultivate the Mysterious Heaven Skill yet, though. He intended to see if the system had anything better.
After all, he wasn't short of money now.
Tang Yuan took the booklet and flipped through a few pages, his brow lifting slightly. He didn't ask any questions, only said five words:
"It'll 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 see if he could sell Hidden Weapons to the system.
If he could, that would be another sustainable way to earn points.
Speaking of earning points, Jiang Lin suddenly remembered that he hadn't bought up the Whale Rubber in Heaven Dou City yet...
Whale Rubber, Hidden Weapons, and the corpses of certain rare Soul Beasts...
There were lots of things he could exchange for points.
But doing all this by himself would be a waste of time.
And that wasn't all. Who knew how many treasures were hidden across the Douluo Continent?
They all needed to be collected.
Perhaps... he needed to build his own power to help him gather these things.
Then again, he didn't necessarily have to build one. He could simply take over an established power.
Like one of the Seven Great Sects.
As for the Fire Leopard Sect, Elder Chen had never brought it up himself, but there was definitely some kind of connection between him and them.
When the time came, perhaps he could simply bring the Fire Leopard Sect under his command.
Tang Yuan could deal with the Clear Sky Sect. Once he broke through to level 99, he could take it over with ease.
Then he could empty both sects' treasuries, and he wouldn't have to worry about a lack of manpower afterward.
After thinking it over for a while, Jiang Lin finally stopped dreaming about the future.
"Elder Chen, what's your relationship with the Fire Leopard Sect?"
Hearing Jiang Lin's question, Elder Chen paused, hesitating a little.
"What is it?"
"I have some plans that might involve the Fire Leopard Sect. Is there anything you'd rather not discuss, Elder Chen?"
Elder Chen shook his head. "Nothing like that. I don't feel any particular loyalty to the Fire Leopard Sect. If you have a plan, don't worry about my feelings."
Jiang Lin looked at Elder Chen, puzzled.
"Ahem. I am related to the Fire Leopard Sect by blood, but the connection is distant. When this old man became a Titled Douluo, those fellows combed through the family records several times and still couldn't find my name. So you really don't need to worry about it."
As he spoke, Elder Chen picked up his teacup and took a sip.
"Emmm, I want you to bring the Fire Leopard Sect under our command."
"Cough, cough, cough."
Elder Chen coughed twice, unsure if he'd heard Jiang Lin correctly.
"Don't tell me you want me to play some long-lost clan member, come back as a Titled Douluo, and then... well... do some kind of Dragon King Return?"
Jiang Lin nearly lost his composure at that.
He'd only once told Elder Chen that after becoming a Titled Douluo, he'd return to Emperor Soul Village and stage a Dragon King Return.
He hadn't expected Elder Chen to actually remember.
"All right, that's basically what I mean."
Jiang Lin poured himself a cup of tea and continued.
"The Fire Leopard Sect isn't a major power, but it's still one of the Lower Four Sects. If we seize it by force, we'll inevitably end up directly against Spirit Hall."
"With our current strength, we're no match for them."
At this point, the corners of Jiang Lin's mouth lifted slightly.
"But if we take control of the Fire Leopard Sect by exploiting an internal rift, Spirit Hall won't interfere. They might even show you some favors to win you over."
Elder Chen thought it over, then nodded.
"That should work. With the Fire Leopard Sect's strongest member only at level 84, I can easily cut off the head of the snake. Then, if this old man displays his Fire Leopard Martial Soul, everyone will think it's just a change of power within the sect."
"Mm, that's what I thought too."
"Then when should we act?"
"No rush. Come with me to Heaven Dou Royal Academy first. I want to see how much the so-called Mimicry Cultivation Environment actually helps Soul Masters cultivate."
Early the next morning, Jiang Lin went to Dugu Manor.
Dugu Bo was in the courtyard watching Dugu Yan cultivate. When he saw Jiang Lin, he hurried over to greet him.
Jiang Lin didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.
"I want to spend a few days at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, but I don't want to join it for now. I heard you're quite familiar with that vice dean, Xue Xing, so..."
Dugu Bo stroked his beard and smiled when he heard him. "A small matter. I'll have Xue Xing write a letter of recommendation. You can enter as an exchange student."
Dugu Bo told Jiang Lin to wait a moment, then changed into a more formal robe and went out.
"Why are you looking at me? Keep cultivating."
While he waited, Jiang Lin sat right down in Dugu Bo's seat and casually scolded Dugu Yan, who was looking at him.
Dugu Yan: ...
Less than an hour later, Dugu Bo returned with a letter of recommendation bearing Prince Xue Xing's private seal.
Jiang Lin took the letter without asking how Dugu Bo had obtained it. There was no way Prince Xue Xing would refuse a Titled Douluo's request.
"Thank you." Jiang Lin put the letter away.
"What are you thanking this old man for, Young Master?" Dugu Bo waved a hand.
That afternoon, Jiang Lin left with Chen Xuan.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy was located in a small, independent city outside Heaven Dou City. Built against the mountains, it presented a magnificent sight from afar, its tiers of buildings arranged in pleasing harmony amid the green trees.
The academy's main gate had been carved from a single block of white marble. Two rows of guards in armor stood ramrod straight before it, swords hanging at their waists.
Two Soul Masters responsible for checking identities also stood at the gate, their Soul Power giving off a strong aura.
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