The Chu Yun Empire, a High-Rank Soul Envoy, Lord Heavenly Poison!

After entering the cave, only a few breaths had passed.

The four of them arrived at the end of the cave, where a huge stone gate stood before them. The stone gate was yellowish-brown and covered with a thin layer of dust, making it look exceptionally ancient and heavy.

"My lord, it should be an earth-based mechanism. To open it, we need to find the switch, but with your strength, brute force is the fastest way."

Seeing this, Hai Bodong carefully examined the stone gate in front of him and exclaimed in amazement.

"Um."

Lin Chen nodded, and was about to make a move when Zi Yan impatiently stepped forward and shouted, "Get out of the way, let me do it!"

After saying that, Zi Yan threw a punch, and a piercing sound of air being torn apart suddenly rang out. With a crack, the originally solid stone door was instantly covered with cracks, and then it collapsed into countless pieces of stone, revealing a spacious stone chamber.

Seeing this, Lin Chen shook his head helplessly, then waved his sleeve, moved the rubble to the side, and stepped into it.

Inside the stone chamber was a rather empty space. In the center of the chamber was a chair, and in front of the chair stood a stone tablet with the words "Tomb of the Nameless Elder" inscribed on it.

In front of the tombstone, there is a rather large Bluestone Platform, on which are three open stone boxes, all of which are now empty.

In a corner of the stone chamber, there was a small flower bed filled with damp soil, but it contained only some medicinal herb roots, indicating that it had already been picked.

"Oh no, Lin Chen! Someone beat us to it! Our treasure is gone!"

Upon seeing this, Zi Yan's eyes widened instantly. She stomped her feet in anger and couldn't help but shout, "Don't let me find out which bastard it is, or I'll make him pay!"

Seeing this, Lin Chen smiled faintly, walked closer to the tombstone in front of the chair, examined it carefully for a moment, stroked the inscription, and felt a surge of joy in his heart.

"It's Xian'er's handwriting. It seems she's safe and sound. What a stroke of luck amidst misfortune..."

Hai Bodong walked to the flower bed, examined the remaining roots, stroked his beard, and said thoughtfully, "This herb-gathering technique is quite refined. It must be the Alchemist or a physician who frequently gathers herbs. It could never be the work of those crude mercenaries from the outside world."

"My lord, perhaps we could inquire whether any physicians or Alchemist in this area have recently had any extraordinary encounters. We're sure to find something of value in that."

"No need."

Lin Chen waved his hand and said decisively, "That's it then. As a dignified Sixth-Grade Alchemist, I wouldn't stoop to such a small amount of wealth. I only came here to explore because I happened to obtain this treasure map."

Having said that, he looked around, his immense spiritual power spreading out and instantly sweeping through the entire stone chamber. Finally, his gaze fell on the center of the flower bed, and he let out a soft exclamation.

"Huh?"

"What's wrong, sir?"

Seeing this, Hai Bodong looked at Lin Chen with a puzzled expression.

Lin Chen remained silent, walked straight to the flower bed, and with a flick of his sleeve, countless bits of soil flew up, quickly revealing a deep pit, inside which was a black stone box.

Inlaid on the stone box was a small, round brass lock, resembling a spinning wheel. Engraved on the wheel were seven large characters. "Lin Chen, a big idiot!"

"Wow, Lin Chen, someone's insulting you!"

Zi Yan leaned over, her eyes wide, and said in an incredulous tone.

Qing Lin quickly covered her mouth and said, "Sister Zi Yan, say less, or Brother Lin Chen will spank you again."

Upon hearing this, Zi Yan pouted and patted Qing Lin's little hand unhappily, indicating that she was not afraid of him.

Lin Chen picked up the black stone box, a faint smile on his face, and turned the brass lock, twisting it in the order of "Big Idiot is Lin Chen".

Click!

Immediately, with a click, the black stone box suddenly opened, revealing an envelope neatly arranged inside, along with an ancient-looking black Storage Ring.

On the envelope was a line of elegant handwriting. "This letter is poisoned. If you are a stranger, please take the Storage Ring and leave this letter behind. Otherwise, don't say you weren't warned!"

Hai Bodong also curiously leaned over to the side, looking at the handwriting on the envelope. Thinking of Lin Chen's various actions when he came to Qingshan Town, a look of realization flashed in his eyes.

Oh, I see. It was a letter from the adult's old flame!

I knew it! Why did the adults suddenly decide to come to such a remote place?

That makes sense, that makes sense...

Lin Chen ignored the Storage Ring and reached for the envelope.

Qing Lin, who was standing nearby, exclaimed in alarm, "Brother Lin Chen, be careful! The envelope is poisoned!"

As he spoke, he was about to take out a Poison Pill and feed it to Lin Chen.

Lin Chen smiled and stopped her, saying gently, "There's no poison on the letter. She's lying. Qing Lin, I'm Sixth-Grade Alchemist. What poison can't I identify?"

Upon hearing this, Qing Lin stopped in her tracks, a blush creeping onto her cute little face. She said shyly, "That letter-writing sister is so mean! How could she do that!"

Lin Chen smiled, opened the envelope, and saw that the first thing inside was a scribbled symbol resembling a round face, followed by the main text.

" To Lin Chen, personally."

"The wolf's head is gone, and you have left your homeland. My heart is uneasy. I sit quietly for a long time, thinking of your unwavering ambition, and I dare not take my own life."

"Having traveled to four kingdoms, ingested countless poisons, and sought a way to overcome calamities, he recently encountered a mysterious Black-Robed Man who claimed to be Soul Hall Protector."

"They claimed to have a way to resolve the Woeful Poison Body, but I dared not believe it lightly. I feigned compliance and toiled for several months to obtain a good remedy. Upon hearing of the Central Plains, I realized how vast the world is and how promising the Great Way is."

"The Chu Yun Empire is teeming with poisonous creatures and teeming with poison masters. The Hall of Souls has Guardian here who intend to instigate a war between the two nations to harvest souls—a calamity they seek. I have no way to resolve this conflict. After much deliberation, I ultimately cannot refuse."

"My old friend is now stained with blood. If you ever return to Chuyun, please do not think of me."

Do not search for it, do not offer sacrifices to it, do not remember it.

"Xiao Yi Xian, my final words."

At the end of the letter, there was a faint tear stain, as if the writer had hesitated and felt reluctant to leave at this point.

Lin Chen frowned, gripping the letter in his hand, and couldn't help but curse inwardly, "Damn Soul Hall Protector, what kind of solution does he have for the Woeful Poison Body? Would he really give it to a little girl?"

"Moreover, how could a mere Guardian possibly have access to such secrets?"

Taking a deep breath and putting away the letter, Lin Chen picked up the black Storage Ring beside him and probed it with his soul power. He found that it was full of medicinal herbs, ranging from grade one to Sixth Grade, although the quantity was not large.

However, for an ordinary Dou Huang expert, this is quite a rich collection.

"Brother Lin Chen..."

Seeing that Lin Chen looked unwell after reading the letter, Qing Lin tugged at his sleeve, looking at him with concern.

Lin Chen shook his head slightly and said, "I'm fine. Next, I need to go to the Chu Yun Empire. Lao Hai, you send Qing Lin and Zi Yan to the Imperial Capital. This time, I'll go alone."

"Grown ups?"

Upon hearing this, Hai Bodong's eyes flashed with a hint of doubt. Although he didn't know what had happened, he still clasped his hands and said, "How about I accompany you there, sir? The Chu Yun Empire is teeming with poison masters, bloodthirsty and extremely dangerous."

"Zi Yan and Qing Lin possess the strength of Dou Wang) and are unlikely to encounter any danger in the Jia Ma Empire."

"No need. You take them to the Imperial Capital first to meet up with Xiao Yan. Tell him I'll be using his Heavenly Flames soon."

"I can handle the matter of the Chu Yun Empire myself."

Lin Chen shook his head slightly, then a cold glint flashed in his eyes. With his current strength, it was almost impossible for him to encounter danger without going out as Dou Zong.

Moreover, with Old Man Hu Gan following behind, they can escape danger even if they encounter Dou Zong. Bringing others along would only be a burden.

"Yes, I will obey."

Upon hearing this, Hai Bodong's face flashed with helplessness, and he had no choice but to agree.

Zi Yan, standing to the side, pouted unhappily, put her hands on her hips, and said, "Lin Chen, you're not being loyal! Are you planning to eat alone? You didn't even let me come along! I'm going to tell Elder Qian when we get back that you're mistreating me!"

"Abuse you?"

Lin Chen glanced at her irritably, picked up Zi Yan, patted her round belly with a crisp sound, like smashing a watermelon, and complained, "You've eaten so much!"

"Zi Yan, if you don't lose weight soon, I'll cut off your elixirs!"

You dare!

Zi Yan was furious. She couldn't help but hug Lin Chen, clinging to him like an octopus, threatening, "If you don't give me the pill today, I won't get down!"

"Fine, whatever you want!"

Lin Chen pinched Zi Yan's chubby cheeks, completely ignoring the little fat dragon's threat.

Qing Lin watched this scene with a helpless expression, and said weakly, "Sister Zi Yan, get down. You're only making things easier for Brother Lin Chen!"

Hai Bodong turned around, examining the writing on the black stone box and memorizing the style. He thought to himself, "These two little girls, one greedy and the other timid, will have a hard time rising to power. The one who left the stone box is clearly not simple; she might just be the mistress."

"I need to learn how to read the mistress's handwriting; that way I can curry favor with her later."

Meanwhile, in the Chu Yun Empire...

The majestic Scorpion Mountain Range is shrouded in mist and clouds, with countless venomous snakes and scorpions scurrying among it, making rustling sounds. At the center of the mountain range stands a towering peak that pierces the clouds.

On the mountain peak, which appeared to have been leveled, stood an enormous sect, surrounded by poisonous creatures, making it particularly eerie.

At this moment, deep within the sect, inside a dark and secluded hall.

Several figures in Black-Robed Man sat upright within, with two figures occupying the main seats.

From the head of the table, a hoarse voice rang out, carrying a hint of sinister intent.

"How's the matter going?"

"Guardian, Heavenly Poison has already led his men there. This time, they should be able to cripple that Jia Xingtian. The entire Jia Ma Imperial Family is relying on that old man to hold things together."

"As long as we cripple him, the other Three Great Families of the Jia Ma Empire are nothing but bones in a tomb. As for the Misty Cloud Sect, hehe... I heard that Gu He recently had a falling out with the Misty Cloud Sect..."

"I have already sent men to assassinate him. The soul of a Sixth-Grade Alchemist will surely satisfy you, sir!"

"Hehehe, not bad, not bad, you're quite shrewd. After this is done, I, the Guardian, will personally recommend you to the higher-ups!"

"Thank you, sir, but..."

"Just what?"

"I've only heard that Heavenly Poison seems to have some reservations about this mission..."

The black-robed Guardian's dark gaze, hidden beneath his hood, suddenly turned cold, and the temperature in the hall seemed to drop several degrees, an oppressive chill instantly spreading out.

"I understand, you may leave."

"You don't need to concern yourself with this matter."

"Yes."