"Your first offer is acceptable in principle, there is no need to involve your father… if you can make the decision." Lin Yi replied, his tone remaining even. "The Yi Pavilion values stable, high-quality sourcing, it doesn't matter who signs the deal. Just send a trusted, high-ranking representative to finalize the security and supply details. Ensure they understand that the terms will emphasize absolute neutrality and mutual non-interference with the Pavilion's current operations."
Zi Yue's composed facade softened slightly, a hint of respect entering her cold eyes. She had expected a demanding arrogance, not this measured, immediate consolidation of power. "Thank you Pavilion Master Yi. I will keep the pavilion terms in mind. That brings me to my second point, and it is a more personal request."
She leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping to a confidential pitch. "It concerns the upcoming Tower Battle. I want to invite your Yi Pavilion to cooperate with the Mayor house in this upcoming event."
Lin Yi raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, a flicker of genuine, but subtle, amusement crossing his expression. "The Tower Battle? The youth tournament hosted by the Symbol Master Guild to determine the region's most talented young Symbol Master?"
"Precisely," Zi Yue confirmed. "You have recently arrived in Yan City and established Yi Pavilion, and your Symbol Master rank… which must be at least the Fourth Seal, considering your apparent age and ability to perfectly contain your cultivation… would guarantee you the victory. Winning the Tower Battle brings three crucial things: first, the official, uncontested title of Yan City's top Symbol Master; second, the immense prestige that accompanies it, granting a significant political boost to your associated faction, if you or let anyone participate in your Yi Pavilion behalf; and third, the ultimate prize… a key to a special spiritual resource cache."
Lin Yi shook his head, a faint, almost dismissive smile playing on his lips. "Miss Zi Yue, I appreciate the offer, and the inherent value of the Symbol Master Guild's resources. However, you are mistaken on one count: my strength exceeded the limit of such competitions. And my Symbol Master rank is not suitable to participate in children's games."
He paused, letting the subtle implication of his statement hang in the air: that his true strength was far beyond the expected Fourth Seal.
"The resources and the prestige offered by a local battle, however great, are beneath the focus of the Yi Pavilion," Lin Yi continued calmly. "I will not be participating in the Tower Battle myself. However," he added, seeing the disappointment flash across her face, "I can agree with the cooperation of Yi pavilion and Mayor house in this competition… Also, I know a perfect candidate who can represent us. A promising young man that caught my eye recently."
Zi Yue's curiosity instantly flared back to life. "Promising young man?"
"Yes. There is a young man you will encounter soon, likely arriving from Qingyang Town. His name is Lin Dong," Lin Yi stated, the name spoken with casual certainty. "He is just beginning his journey as a Symbol Master, but he possesses a truly unique foundation. He will be participating in the Tower Battle. We can extend our support and resources to him, I believe that he is more than capable of securing the victory for the Yi Pavilion. In fact, his rise will be far more beneficial to our long-term position in Yan City than my own ephemeral involvement."
Zi Yue analyzed his words, her mind racing. A young master from a tiny town, possessing a "unique foundation," recommended by a mysterious expert who clearly intended to use the Mayor's House as a proxy to launch this individual. The pieces fit a strategic move.
"Lin Dong…" she murmured, filing the name away. "We will watch for him. Thank you for the advice, Pavilion Master Yi." She rose smoothly, the exchange concluded. "I will take my leave now and inform my father about our cooperation."
Lin Yi simply nodded, remaining seated. "Be well, Miss Zi Yue. And remember the terms of survival for those who challenge the Yi Pavilion's borders."
Zi Yue offered a slight, respectful bow… a gesture she would not give to any Earthly or even Heavenly Yuan master… and quickly exited the room, led by Elder Mu.
Lin Yi listened to the faint sound of her footsteps fading down the corridor. Once the door clicked shut, he finally allowed his gaze to drift to the window, watching the movement of the clouds over the city.
'Lin Dong, well I have set a stage for you… next it depends on your performance.'
He let out a slow, deliberate breath, his internal focus shifting. The Tower Battle was indeed a child's game. His actual stage was far grander.
'The Nirvana Tomb. It should be uncovered within the next few months, following the Tower Battle's conclusion. That is the true gathering point of the region's geniuses, the place where the four great young masters of the Great Yan Empire, including Lin Langtian, will converge.'
Lin Yi's gray eyes narrowed, a profound, chilling light flickering deep within their depths. 'Qi Creation Realm… That tomb exploration will require more than my Form Creation strength as every young master visiting that tomb is a real Qi creation expert in the Yan Empire. I need to ensure my position is secured, and my next breakthrough is imminent, for that is the true arena where the main character will face his greatest rival.'
…
A few days later, sitting cross-legged in his private room atop the Yi Pavilion, Lin Yi was deep in meditation, his Form Creation Peak power perfectly contained. He was reviewing the complex seals of the Wonder Path Seal, ensuring its perfection before the inevitable conflict at the Nirvana Tomb.
Suddenly, a profound, soul-shaking tremor rippled through his consciousness… a vibration that spoke of a major, foundational character breakthrough.
[Target Character, Lin Dong has successfully broken through to the Heavenly Yuan Realm (Using the Crimson Flower)]
[100,000x achievement return Initiated.]
Lin Yi's eyes snapped open, a brilliant, cold light flickering within their gray depths. The notification was expected, yet the multiplier was far beyond his initial estimation for a standard realm breakthrough. He had primarily used the Crimson Flower, a fifth-grade herb, for his Yang refinement, but Lin Dong's use of it, coupled with his Ancestral Stone Talisman's acceleration, had yielded an astonishing result.
The system continued to detail the massive return:
[You have gained massive amount of Yin and Yang Essence]
[You have gained the Nirvana Sun Flower (Eighth Rank Elixir)]
Lin Yi's pupils brightened instantly, a rare flicker of genuine excitement crossing his composed features. The Yin and Yang Essence was a resource of almost high rank, a source of unified, pure Creation Qi, bypassing the need for mundane Yuan Stones or lower-level pills. More astonishing was the Nirvana Sun Flower, an Eighth Rank Elixir. In this small, far-off province, an Eighth Rank Elixir was a resource only rumored to exist in the hands of major sects outside the Great Yan Empire, far exceeding the level of items even the Symbol Master Guild would possess.
...