Chapter 78: Hitting the Jackpot

Jiang Zhengqing looked at Lin Yun and asked, "Do you have any requests?"

Here it comes! Lin Yun thought, a small thrill of excitement running through him.

In truth, he was already ecstatic about today's outcome. He had managed to take down Wu Boyan and, in the process, build good relationships with several other powerful figures. The victory was so complete, so absolute, it was almost overwhelming. He had hit the jackpot!

"Heh, you're too kind, Sect Master. As a disciple of the Beast Taming Sect, everything I've done was for the good of our sect."

Jiang Zhengqing shook his head. "Rewards and punishments must be distinct. If not for this principle, the entire sect would not be united."

Seizing the opportunity, Lin Yun said, "This disciple intends to participate in the Grand Tournament of the Spirit Realm. However, I wish to forge some treasures before then and am currently lacking certain materials."

Jiang Zhengqing paused for a moment, then waved his hand magnanimously. "Zhou Damao, tomorrow, take Lin Yun to the sect's Treasure Pavilion to find some suitable materials."

The corner of Ning Changkong's mouth twitched. He felt a little sour. The Treasure Pavilion was the most precious vault in the sect; even they, as elders, had never been granted entry. Not only could Lin Yun go inside to pick out treasures, he could pick out some treasures—plural.

The comparison was maddening. They were now certain that Jiang Zhengqing must have also seen something special about Xiao Bai. To have a spirit beast voluntarily acknowledge him as its master, and one so far beyond his own realm at that… this kid's luck was something ordinary people could only dream of.

As if that wasn't enough, Jiang Zhengqing added, "Oh, and take this." He produced a small token. "With this, you will have access to the Library Pavilion. There are some things in there that you may find useful."

The other elders' jaws nearly hit the floor. The Sect Master's personal token! Good heavens, Lin Yun was now the man of the hour.

Lin Yun hadn't expected this either, but since it was offered, he certainly wouldn't refuse. The Flowing Cloud Sect had an extensive library, but even though the Beast Taming Sect was currently weaker, it had once been a hegemon in its own right. Its collection of books was surely nothing to scoff at.

At this thought, Lin Yun bowed deeply. "Many thanks, Sect Master!"

In the end, Lin Yun walked away with a heap of benefits before finally leaving the Great Hall. It wasn't that he was insatiably greedy. It was just that the sheep was walking right up to him, begging to be fleeced. It would be a crime not to shear it!

He was humming a little tune as he crossed the plaza in front of the hall when he felt a cold glare staring at his back. He turned to see Zhang Hongze's sinister gaze, completely undisguised.

Lin Yun walked straight over to him. "Is there a problem?"

Zhang Hongze was stunned. Wasn't this kid afraid? How dare he be so provocative?

"Lin Yun, you framed my master! Do you really think this is over?" he sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "Let me tell you, the people in the beast yard won't let you off the hook!"

Lin Yun nodded calmly. "Mm, they won't let me off the hook. And then what?" He smiled placidly at Zhang Hongze.

Just then, a purple light on his panel caught his attention.

[Name]: Zhang Hongze

[Realm]: Origin Sea - Stage 9

[Destiny Template]: Great Wealth and Honor (Blue)

[Attributes]: A Petty Man Finds Success (White), Bullies the Weak and Fears the Strong (White) [Great Wealth and Honor]: Your luck is quite good. Even a small business venture will make you money.

[Fate]: He frequently bullies others. When he finally encounters true danger, no one is willing to help him, and he is killed by bandits.

[Recent Turning Point]: Discovers a hidden gap in the Beast Taming Sect's Falling Rainbow Valley and finds many divine pills and spirit medicines for feeding spirit beasts.

A flicker of delight crossed Lin Yun's face. Excellent. Is he here to deliver free loot?

"You'd better hope I don't catch you alone," Zhang Hongze spat, glancing back toward the Great Hall. "If I do… I'll make you suffer!" After throwing out one last threat, he stormed off.

Not long after he left, Zhou Damao appeared. He looked at Zhang Hongze's retreating back with concern. "Junior Brother Lin, you must be careful in the future. That Zhang Hongze loves to use vicious and insidious tricks."

Lin Yun waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry, Senior Brother."

No matter how clever his opponent was, could they escape his all-seeing system panel? He didn't give a second thought to such a mere stepping stone.

"Lin Yun."

Xu Miaoyun seemed to have been delayed in the Great Hall. She emerged just in time to see the two of them.

Zhou Damao smiled. "It looks like Senior Xu has business with you. I'll come find you tomorrow."

"Senior Xu."

Xu Miaoyun looked at Lin Yun and nodded with a smile. "Though you and Li Hong were not master and disciple in practice, it was his great fortune to have found someone so worthy of his trust."

Lin Yun had done the sect a great service today. If that Geomancy Map had truly fallen into the hands of the Flowing Cloud Sect, the Beast Taming Sect would have been finished. Never mind the benefits Jiang Zhengqing had given him; no one would have objected even if he had made Lin Yun an elder on the spot. But since Lin Yun intended to participate in the Grand Tournament, the title of elder was not appropriate.

"You're too kind, Senior Xu. I didn't really do much."

Xu Miaoyun's expression grew serious. "Are you certain you want to participate in the Grand Tournament?"

Lin Yun nodded. "My feud with the Flowing Cloud Sect can be settled there."

Xu Miaoyun frowned in thought for a moment. "Very well. Since you've made up your mind, it's not my place to say more. However, if you wish to forge treasures, you can find me at Qi Mountain."

After exchanging a few more words, Xu Miaoyun departed.

Lin Yun, however, was struck by her final words.

Finally! This woman was a genuine Master Smith. She had even forged a divine weapon renowned throughout the Nine Provinces. And he just so happened to have a handful of top-tier materials. Wasn't this the perfect opportunity to put them to use?

His mood brightened even more at the thought. For now, however, he needed to check out Falling Rainbow Valley.

Ever since his birth, Xiao Bai had helped him through countless crises, large and small. The little creature didn't understand cultivation, but he could unleash terrifying power with his brute strength alone. Today, he had even blocked seventy percent of Wu Boyan's power with the golden light from his eyes. Otherwise, Lin Yun would have been severely injured, if not killed.

But as strong as Xiao Bai was, Lin Yun could clearly sense his weakness. It seemed that the consecutive battles without any replenishment were taking their toll. Soon, Xiao Bai would likely fall into a death-like slumber.

Perhaps the pills in Falling Rainbow Valley could help. If they are divine pills and spirit medicines for feeding spirit beasts, they must be something extraordinary, right?

With this thought in mind, Lin Yun quickly made his way to Falling Rainbow Valley. He wandered around the area for a while before he found it: a hidden gap in the cliff face, completely obscured by lush green vegetation. If he hadn't known to look for it, an ordinary person would have walked right past without ever noticing.

Lin Yun slipped through the opening. Following a narrow path, he soon arrived at a small, dilapidated hut. Judging by the thick layer of dust inside, no one had been here for many years.

The owner of the hut seemed to have been an obscure figure in the sect. He was once a disciple, but after his spirit beast was injured beyond repair, he spent the latter half of his life trying every means possible to heal it. In the process, without even realizing it, he had trained himself to become an alchemist. The divine pills and spirit medicines left here were his creations.

The story left Lin Yun utterly speechless, his brain feeling like it had been flash-fried.