On the return trip, Lin Ye continuously repaired and refined his Asura Blood Armor.
And finally—
he condensed it into third stage.
Third-stage Asura Blood Armor.
It could withstand attacks below the Moonwheel Realm.
"Still…"
"Ferocious beasts cannot be underestimated."
"It's been too long since I fought them."
"I nearly paid the price."
Lin Ye recalled the Frostmoon Wolf King.
Its speed and offense had surpassed him.
Lin Ye's attacks were powerful—
but landing a real hit on that wolf was extremely difficult.
At dawn, Lin Ye arrived outside Leihe City.
He planned to rest there for half a day.
He would visit the Great Fortune Auction House to see whether any top-tier medicinal materials had surfaced.
He also needed to refine more pills for the Fenglei Mystic Sect.
The stronger the sect became—
the more relaxed Lin Ye's future would be.
Leihe City.
Lin Ye entered riding the Blacksteel Panther.
The city trembled with shock.
Fortunately, it was still early.
Few people were on the streets.
He returned to Bamboo Elegance Court.
"Y-Young Master… you're back?!"
Xue'er had been staying here, taking care of things.
She had little cultivation talent, but she was clever.
Lin Ye had never told her to leave, so Lei Yongbiao let her remain as caretaker.
"Go to the Great Fortune Auction House."
"Have Xia Wei come see me."
"And arrange some meat for it."
Xue'er stared at the Blacksteel Panther's massive frame, terrified.
A ferocious beast…
Seeing one this close was her first time.
"P-please… this way…"
She spoke timidly to the panther.
The panther yawned lazily and followed her.
A fourth-rank beast already possessed intelligence comparable to a human expert.
After settling the beast, Xue'er immediately rushed to deliver the message.
Xia Wei arrived soon after.
The Xia Clan had already received the news—
Lin Ye was now the Sect Master of the Fenglei Mystic Sect.
That alone made them feel like fate had handed them an unimaginable fortune.
They had built a friendly relationship with Lin Ye early—
and now it was paying off.
Even the city forces of Golden Dragon City had been fully absorbed into the Fenglei Mystic Sect.
Both Golden Dragon City and Leihe City were now under the same banner.
That meant less conflict—
more commerce—
and stability.
Families were happy.
Even if taxes were owed to the sect—
the Fenglei Mystic Sect's demands were far more lenient than other overlords.
They did not squeeze people to death.
Xia Wei understood clearly:
Her clan had one major advantage—
access to Lin Ye.
Even if the opportunities were rare—
each one could change the Xia Clan's fate.
Xia Wei carried a prepared intelligence scroll.
She boarded the Xia Clan carriage with Xue'er.
Her heart was pounding the entire way.
Lin Ye's status was too high now.
She had heard even the Azure Thunder Sword Sect had been crushed into submission.
Bamboo Elegance Court.
Lin Ye exited cultivation.
He had been studying Cataclysm-Shattering Claw.
The technique required immense finger strength.
If his five fingers became stronger—
its power would soar.
"If used well…"
"Even the Frostmoon Wolf King would die to a single claw."
Lin Ye's eyes glittered.
It was terrifying.
But mastery required repetition.
"Young Master, Miss Xia Wei has arrived."
Xue'er called from outside the courtyard.
The inner yard was Lin Ye's cultivation space.
No one could enter without permission.
Xia Wei stepped in wearing a long black dress.
It hugged her figure like silk.
Her scent was faint and elegant—
like a proud black lotus.
"Young Master Lin."
"It has been a long time."
She brushed aside a strand of hair.
Her eyes held watery charm.
A man like Lin Ye—
talent, power, appearance, status—
any woman in Leihe City would be willing to offer him everything.
If he chose her…
it would be her honor.
But Lin Ye had no interest.
His heart was filled with blood vengeance.
And to Lin Ye—
no one in this world was worthy of complete trust.
"Any news of high-grade medicinal materials?"
He asked directly.
To refine seventh-grade pills was still difficult for him.
The success rate was low.
The Qi cost was enormous.
Advanced Qi-restoring pills were not enough.
He needed Moonwheel Realm cultivation at minimum.
At Moonwheel Realm, with his experience…
he could refine seventh-grade pills reliably.
Xia Wei replied respectfully.
"Young Master, within the Wind-Thunder Riverlands, most medicinal materials produced are fourth- and fifth-grade."
"Most flow toward the Fire Cauldron Sect."
"Merchants prefer selling to them."
"As for sixth-grade materials…"
"They are extremely rare."
"Most are already held by the Fire Cauldron Sect."
"Our region produces only a small quantity."
She paused.
Then she said:
"Recently, in the Lingshui Riverlands, the Hundred-Spirit Medicine Sect is holding a Medicinal Materials Trade Summit."
"It is said many top-grade herbs will appear."
"And sects will also bring pills to trade and sell."
Lin Ye nodded.
A trade summit.
Like a grand expo.
A perfect place to locate rare materials.
"And when does it start?"
"Do you know the way?"
In this continent, rivers and channels crisscross like a labyrinth.
Take the wrong path—
and you could end up thousands of miles off course.
"Yes."
"Seven days from now."
"I know the route."
"The Xia Clan has had some dealings with the Hundred-Spirit Medicine Sect."
"But to enter, you need a ticket."
"Two fifth-grade herbs."
Lin Ye nodded.
"Acceptable."
All he needed was spirit stones.
Then he could buy in bulk.
"But from Leihe City…"
"it takes nearly five days just to reach the summit."
Xia Wei said carefully.
Lin Ye's eyes narrowed.
"Then today, we go to the Fire Cauldron Sect."
"Tomorrow, we leave for the summit."
Xia Wei froze.
"To the Fire Cauldron Sect…?"
"Yes."
"You said the medicinal resources are in their hands."
"Then I'll take what I need."
His tone was calm.
But the implication was deadly.
He wasn't going to negotiate.
He was going to harvest.
Lin Ye told Xue'er to notify Lei Yongbiao.
The Fenglei Mystic Sect would mobilize and head to the Fire Cauldron Sect first.
Lin Ye wasn't in a hurry.
He would depart later in the afternoon.
His cultivation had surged last night.
And his Ninefold Asura Art had entered the third stage.
He needed time to digest it.
Xia Wei left excitedly.
She prepared funds and resources.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
If she stayed close to Lin Ye—
even if Lin Ye said nothing—
outsiders would fear the Xia Clan.
They would assume the Xia Clan had Lin Ye's favor.
Outside Leihe City.
The two deputy commanders of the Blood-Stele Legion stopped.
The battlefield carried Lin Ye's aura…
and the aura of a ferocious beast.
The fourth-rank Blacksteel Panther.
That made tracking easy.
"We cannot attack recklessly."
"We build a formation here."
"Trap him like a turtle in a jar."
The two deputy commanders decided.
This target was stronger than expected.
The Blood-Stele Legion had never suffered such a humiliating defeat.
They had to kill Lin Ye.
And reclaim the Mystic Vein.