"Imperial Bulwark."
This title, personally conferred by order of the O'Brien Empire's emperor and proclaimed throughout the nation, spread across the entire Yulan Continent like a thunderclap in a matter of days. Spreading alongside it were tales of the terrifying power of the "Magic Cannon" and the name Lin Yinuo Baruch.
At such a young age, he had held an isolated fort with a mysterious weapon and outstanding command, dealt the enemy a crushing blow, and turned the tide on that stretch of the battlefield! This was the sort of story found only in legendary tales! The long-dormant name of Baruch burst back into the sight of the continent's major powers with unprecedented brilliance.
The fighting in Chier Prefecture temporarily settled into a stalemate, thanks to the Third Watchfort's tenacity and the deterrent posed by the Magic Cannon. After helping stabilize the frontline defenses and leaving the military a simple operating manual for the Magic Cannon, along with some optimized basic training methods from The Art of War, Lin Yinuo returned to Fenlai City with Linley in grand style, escorted by the Empire's honor guard.
The Ernst Institute held a grand welcoming ceremony for him. Headmaster Harrington attended in person, his face showing barely concealed gratification and an even deeper regard. Talent rated superb in all elements, suspected contact with the laws, and now the military achievements and prestige of the "Imperial Bulwark"... Lin Yinuo's value was already beyond measure.
Yet beneath that great renown, hidden currents surged.
In the days following his return to the institute, Lin Yinuo clearly sensed a change in the gazes around him. Admiration, awe, jealousy, scrutiny... all manner of complicated emotions intertwined. Invitations from various powers flew in like snowflakes, some seeking to recruit him, others sounding him out, and more than a few even hinting at marriage alliances.
Lin Yinuo politely declined them all and rarely ventured out. He knew very well that this glitter was only surface appearance. The true challenges and opportunities lay on a higher level.
Night lay deep, but the small dormitory building remained brightly lit.
Linley was already sound asleep with Bebe in his arms, his face still bearing the excitement of shared pride. In Lin Yinuo's room, however, sat two guests.
One was Elena Polenas. Excitement and a trace of fatigue flickered in her azure eyes, but more than anything, they held the thrill of taking part in history.
"Yinuo, you really... manage to give us both shocks and surprises every time." Ailina looked at Lin Yinuo, whose aura had grown ever deeper and more composed, and spoke with feeling. "'Imperial Bulwark'... the entire noble circle in Fenlai City is talking about you now. Those channels we used to purchase materials in secret have also attracted quite a few prying eyes lately."
Lin Yinuo poured her a cup of soothing flower tea and said calmly, "Even when we want peace, trouble won't leave us alone. We need to be more discreet. Abandon any existing channels that need abandoning without hesitation, and activate the backups. Are things still going smoothly with funds and personnel?"
"We have more than enough funds!" Ailina immediately nodded. "Those 'business forecasts' and strategies you left us multiplied our initial wealth several times over. As for personnel, following your requirements, I selected a group of craftsmen and down-on-their-luck mages with clean backgrounds, family ties, and some skills. I've spread them across several different secret workshops. They know nothing about one another and are responsible only for their own part of the process. All the core magic array inscriptions are made according to the sealed scrolls you left behind. They can't see the full picture."
The commercial and intelligence networks are developing even more smoothly than expected. Ailina's abilities truly exceed anything I imagined.
"Very well done," Lin Yinuo said approvingly. "Next, we need to speed up the development of the intelligence network. Focus on infiltrating the major merchant associations, mercenary groups, and... the major churches. We need eyes and ears in more places."
Ailina nodded solemnly. "Understood."
The other guest was Hogg, who had come in secret. After consuming Dragon Blood Essence, awakening his bloodline, and advancing to an eighth-level warrior, Hogg's bearing had undergone a complete transformation, revealing a sharp edge beneath his steadiness. As he looked at his eldest son now, his eyes were filled with pride and a trace of worry.
"Yinuo, you've drawn far too much attention this time," Hogg said gravely. "The imperial family, the military's leading figures, and even the Radiant Church and the Dark Church are all watching you. Especially that 'Magic Cannon' of yours. Apparently, both churches and the Alchemy Kingdom's 'Craftsman God Mountain' are extremely interested. There's no telling whether this will bring fortune or disaster."
Lin Yinuo's expression did not change; he had long expected this. He looked at Hogg and asked, "Father, how are things with the clan?"
At the mention of the clan, Hogg perked up, a smile appearing on his face. "Very well! With the prestige you've brought us and my current strength, we've taken complete control of Wushan Town and the surrounding area. We've recruited quite a few promising young people to train. Those basic training methods you left behind have been very effective. The clan is steadily recovering!"
"It's still not enough." Lin Yinuo shook his head lightly, his words startling.
Hogg and Ailina both looked at him.
"The Yulan Continent is merely a pond." Lin Yinuo's gaze seemed to pierce the roof and reach the boundless starry sky. "The true stage lies in the High Planes, in countless material planes. Our Baruch Clan's ambitions shouldn't be limited to a single empire, or even to the Yulan Continent."
Hogg drew in a sharp breath, shaken by his eldest son's ambition. The High Planes? To him now, they were still far too distant and intangible.
Ailina's eyes, however, lit up, as though she had glimpsed a wider world.
"We need greater strength, and even more than that... a foundation of our own," Lin Yinuo continued. "A stable rear base that can provide faith power and resources."
The Gebados Planar Prison... countless deity-level powerhouses are imprisoned there. It's a land of chaos, but also a treasure trove that hasn't been fully developed. If I can gain some measure of control and transform it, it will undoubtedly make an excellent base. Once the system upgrades to the High Plane stage, I should be able to access related missions.
"Yinuo, do you mean...?" Hogg vaguely grasped something.
"Father, continue consolidating the clan's influence and training its core members. Ailina, speed up the construction of the intelligence network and the stockpiling of resources, particularly magicite stones and spatial-attribute materials," Lin Yinuo assigned their tasks. "I need some time in seclusion to digest my gains from this war and prepare... to deal with the coming storms. Meanwhile, I'll look for an opportunity to expand the clan's influence outward."
He did not explicitly mention the Planar Prison. It was still too difficult for Hogg and Ailina to comprehend at present.
Hogg and Ailina exchanged a glance, each seeing resolve in the other's eyes. They chose to trust Lin Yinuo's judgment and plans unconditionally.
"All right! You can leave the clan to me!" Hogg nodded firmly.
"Leave outside intelligence and resources to me," Ailina said without hesitation.
After seeing his father and Ailina off, Lin Yinuo stood alone at the window, gazing at the purple Netherworld Moon in the night sky.
Great renown is both a boon and a shackle. Quite a few 'troubles' will probably come knocking next. Still, this is also an excellent opportunity to test my current strength and arrangements. Before heading to the High Planes, I must establish a sufficiently solid foundation on the Yulan Continent.
He sensed the increasingly pure magical power within him and that thread of insight into the Fire Elemental Laws, then thought of the still-unused [Cross-World Communication Magic Array] technology in the system and the vague clues concerning the Planar Prison.
The game had begun, and the pieces in his hands were taking their places one by one.
"Imperial Bulwark" was only the beginning. His goal was the board upon which the gods contended, the far shore beyond the cycle of reincarnation!
Before you continue