A Feint

Headquarters of the Blacksmith Association - Water Wood Duchy.

"Hello, I am Ling Yi." Ling Yi's eyes were gentle, and his lips curled into a smile that was as warm as a spring breeze.

The current president Mu Li, narrowed his eyes. Even though he had prepared himself mentally, he was still somewhat impressed by the aura of the person in front of him when he looked at Ling Yi face to face.

"Ling... Vice President." Mu Li tried to make her voice sound calm to demonstrate her composure.

"May I ask what brings Vice President Ling here so suddenly?"

The voice was very calm, but first her gaze met Ling Yi's and then looked away, glancing at the window to the side. Then she realized that this was somewhat of a sign of weakness, and wanted to look at Ling Yi Ling Yi and meet his eyes. But halfway through, she lowered her eyes and looked at the table in front of her, making a 'ignoring' appearance.

Adding legs to a snake!

Ling Yi saw through it but didn't say anything. His smile remained unchanged as he said gently, "It's been a long time since I've been back. I've only come to get to know President Mu Li. Please forgive my intrusion, President Mu Li."

"Want to get to know him?" Mu Li looked up at the question, meeting Ling Yi's gaze for the second time. Less than three breaths later, she looked away again, saying somewhat stiffly, "Are you sure you're not just here to see what kind of person has replaced the former president, Old Master Jin?"

Faced with Mu Li's resistant attitude, Ling Yi was not angry. Instead, he showed an even brighter smile.

A smile is a form of politeness, but sometimes it can also be a warning.

At this moment, Ling Yi's smile was clearly, unequivocally, and absolutely in Mu Li's eyes the latter.

Under that smile, Mu Li became even more uncomfortable, shifting her posture as if sitting on pins and needles, and making her voice even colder. "What? Now you see? What's wrong...?"

"President Mu Li," Ling Yi spoke, interrupting Mu Li's further remarks, and said calmly, "You seem a little nervous?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Li immediately sat up straight, pointing her index finger at herself. "Nervous? Me?! Ha—!"

"What do I have to be nervous about?!"

"Who am I? Who are you?!"

"I am Mu Li, Earl Mu Li, the younger brother of Grand Duke Mu Feng of the [Water Wood Duchy]! A level 46 Control System Battle Soul Ancestor! President of the [Blacksmith Association - Water Wood Duchy Branch]!"

"And you, Baron Ling Yi, I heard you've broken through to the Three-Ring Soul Elder realm. Congratulations, Vice President Ling Yi!"

The series of words, with particular emphasis on titles, strength, and status, clearly indicated what Mu Li wanted to express at this moment:

He's Mu Li; there's no way he could be nervous! Absolutely not!!!

"Alright~" Ling Yi remained calm and unhurried, saying, "Then, President Mu Li, I apologize for my abruptness. Farewell—"

As he spoke, he gave a slight bow and prepared to turn and leave.

"Wait!" Mu Li subconsciously stood up and stretched out his hand towards Ling Yi.

"Hmm?" Ling Yi stopped, looking at Mu Li with some surprise. "President Mu Li, is there anything else?"

"Uh..." Mu Li momentarily speechless, but after thinking for a moment, she continued, "Well... Vice President Ling Yi hasn't been back for so long, would you like... would you like me to arrange for someone to take you around and show you around?"

"Oh?" Ling Yi raised an eyebrow, a perfectly timed smile appearing on his face. "Ling Yi has no problem with that, but wouldn't it be too much trouble for President Mu Li?"

"No, no—" Mu Li waved his hand and quickly said, "Then that's settled... um, I'll go arrange it..."

As he spoke, he quickly walked out from behind the large desk, nodded to Ling Yi, and headed towards the door.

Just as he reached the door, before even stepping out, Mu Li suddenly stopped, thinking, "Wait a minute, why did I immediately ask someone to show him around?"

"President Mu Li?" Ling Yi's voice rang out from behind him at just the right moment.

"Ah! No... nothing, I... I was just thinking about who would be more suitable to talk to..." Mu Li said without turning her head and walked out of the room.

Inside the room, Ling Yi remained motionless, standing in place, watching Mu Li's figure disappear outside the door, his smile unchanged.

From beginning to end, Ling Yi neither mobilized his spiritual power, which far surpassed that of other Soul Master of the same level, nor did he unleash his Qi and Blood, which was as intense as a furnace. He simply showed his face and gave a greeting.

Mu Li's behavior was entirely due to his own overthinking.

Of course, Ling Yi also subtly guided the conversation through his micro-expressions, tone of voice, and the content of his words. There was absolutely no deliberate element involved; it was purely a matter of going with the flow.

After leaving the Blacksmith Association's headquarters, it was still early, so Ling Yi didn't linger in Wood Plant City. He met up with his three companions, Zhang Mufeng and Dugu Xin, who had just joined them, and headed straight out of the city towards the northern part of the Duchy.

This trip was not only to check on the development of the various seeds buried throughout the principality, but also to make an appearance in front of certain people.

"Wood Plant City", the palace.

Upon receiving news of Ling Yi's entry into and exit from the city, Grand Duke Mu Feng fell silent, secretly wondering about the significance of Ling Yi's actions.

But after learning more about the situation, he found that everything was normal. Ling Yi said nothing and did nothing. There were no changes at the Jin Mansion or the Blacksmith Association. This only made Grand Duke Mu Feng more troubled.

Not only Grand Duke Mu Feng, but as Ling Yi's journey continued, more and more "interested people" began to fall into the same suspicion and frustration.

In about half a month, Ling Yi traveled around the entire [Water Wood Duchy], meeting and exchanging ideas with the blacksmiths of the [Blacksmith Association], members of the caravans, and members of the [Mercenary Guild]. During this time, he also reunited with old friends he hadn't seen in a long time and, through their introductions, made some new friends.

Ignoring the anxiety and restlessness among the people in the duchy caused by his wanderings, Ling Yi calmly returned to the Blue Silver Territory Mountain Sea Estate, once again entering a state of "not leaving the inner quarters."

On the fourth day after returning to Mountain Sea Estate, Li Zhishu told Ling Yi that his Soul Power had reached level forty.

More than twenty days ago, Li Zhishu had already chosen a mutated "Blue Silver Grass" cultivated by Ling Yi as his Fourth Soul Ring.

Seven thousand seven hundred years ago, "Crimson Flame Blue Silver Grass".

Logically speaking, since Li Zhishu's Martial Soul is "Baguette," choosing "Crimson Flame Blue Silver Grass" as her Martial Soul is not the best choice. Whether it's "Agarwood Blue Silver Grass," "Watery Blue Silver Grass," or even the original "Blue Silver Grass," the Soul Ring and Soul Skill that can be obtained would be more suitable for Li Zhishu is pursuing Food System path.

But after Ling Yi gave him the heart of a 49,000-year-old "Duck-Billed Scarlet Flame Beast," Li Zhishu had a new idea.

This idea originated from Zhang Lei.

Or rather, it was Zhang Lei's successful refinement of that battle halberd and integration of it into his original "Hoe" Martial Soul.

I've only managed to write one chapter tonight; the next one will be tomorrow night.

Hmm~ As I always say, it's a happy problem. I spent almost two hours last night compiling a list of all the readers who voted for the book with monthly tickets and those who gave rewards between September 27th and October 5th. Time flew by and it was already past midnight...

My eyes are too tired to keep open anymore, goodnight everyone~