Not long after Zhao Tailai left, Shen Tuo arrived. Clearly, he had been paying close attention to Lin Xuns movements.

It was a form of respect.

In the past, Lin Xun would never receive that sort of treatment.

Did you succeed?

Shen Tuo knew the reason for Lin Xuns sudden retreat, but he also was aware that the crafting of the Nine Dragons Cauldron was a confidential matter so he didnt ask too much.

Lin Xun nodded and didnt hide it from him.

Although Shen Tuo was already mentally prepared to hear that, he was still dumbfounded. Only after a long moment did he exclaim, Its...a miracle!

Who would have thought that Lin Xun would be able to successfully craft another rune armament after only a few months?!

It was worth mentioning that Rune Founder Luo Feng had claimed that Lin Xun had only successfully made Shattered Tragedy Spear out of sheer luck and that he wouldnt be so lucky to create another rune armament in the future.

His remark caused a dispute at the time!

If Luo Feng learned that Lin Xun had succeeded once again today, would his old face flush with embarrassment?

Shen Tuo sighed emotionally for a long moment before he could recover from the state of astonishment. He didnt come to find Lin Xun to express his emotions as he had actually something serious to discuss with him.

It turned out that during the two months that Lin Xun was gone, many cultivators had come to visit one after another. They each brought different information regarding the antidote for the Demon Tribulation Poison.

Unfortunately, after Shen Tuos verification, he found that almost all were not trustworthy. The only one that was reliable also seemed too vague.

They said that one had to make it into the depths of the Darkness Kingdom to treat the Demon Tribulation Poison because the poison originated from there.

It was correct nonsense. Although the information was true, everyone in the world knew that the empire and the Darkness Kingdom were mortal enemies, and any citizen of the empire would be slaughtered if they neared the Darkness Kingdom.

Lin Xuns face became overcast as he realized that it was much more difficult than he had thought to eliminate the Demon Tribulation Poison.

Lin Xun couldnt help asking, Is there no other way?

Unexpectedly, Shen Tuo said aloud, Yes, I heard that in the depths of the Spirit Burial Sea is a medicinal plant called Dao-Refining Seaspirit Flower. It is said to eliminate all kinds of deadly poisons in the world, but it is just a rumor.

After a pause, he continued, Also the Spirit Burial Sea is extremely dangerous, as dangerous as entering the depths of the Darkness Kingdom. Many natural disasters happen there, and it is full of terrifying sea monsters and demons. Even great cultivators of the Cyclic Derivation Stage wouldnt dare to set foot there.

Lin Xuns face clouded with disappointment. He realized that it was impossible to help Spirit Vulture eliminate the Demon Tribulation Poison from his body any time soon.

However, he kept the name Dao-Refining Seaspirit Flower in mind.

Oh right, a secret letter was sent here a few days ago. I heard it is from an old acquaintance of yours, and it must be handed over to you in person. Shen Tuo brought out a perfectly sealed letter.

Old acquaintance?

Frowning, Lin Xun took the letter, broke the seal, and took out a piece of paper.

Immediately, his eyes narrowed and his countenance grew cold.

It said: The lives of all the old and young of Feiyun Village are in my hands. If you dont want them to die then come to Donglin City in three days where I will be waiting for you.

Remember to come alone. If I find out that you have brought over assistance, you will never see those villagers of Feiyun Village again!

Signed, Lian Fei.

Lian Fei!

He was indeed an old acquaintance. How could Lin Xun forget him?

Lian Fei's father, Lian Rufeng, used to be the Village Guard Leader of Feiyun Village. He was greedy and never satisfied. He wanted to take possession of all the property and wealth of Feiyun Village, which caused public anger and sparked Lin Xun to kill him.

When Lin Xun came to Donglin Village, Lian Fei attempted to assassinate Lin Xun several times by using the power of Yao Susu and Yao Tuohai.

How would Lin Xun forget such an old acquaintance?

However, Lin Xun didnt expect to hear about him in such a way after a few years!

He used the lives of the villagers of Feiyun Village to threaten Lin Xun to meet him alone. Without question, it was a trap!

Moreover, Lin Xun was certain that Lian Fei wouldnt dare to handle such a large operation alone, so he had to have the backing of Yao Tuohai.

However, Lin Xun couldnt understand why Yao Tuohai, a Heaven Ascension cultivator of the southwest province, would dare go against him at such a time.

Did he not know that Lin Xun could easily destroy him and the forces behind him with his current strength?

Lin Xuns face grew overcast and troubled. He couldnt understand what sort of motive or plot Lian Fei and Yao Tuohai had to suddenly attack the villagers of Feiyun Village. Although there was enmity between them, the matter wouldnt be as simple as an act of revenge!

Given Yao Tuohais shrewdness, he must know what sort of consequences there would be to become his enemies at such a time!

Therefore, he must be scheming something!

Could Lian Fei and the others have some sort of secret support from the three high clans, the Chi, Zuo and Qin Clans? Lin Xun couldnt compose himself.

Feiyun Village!

That was Lin Xuns first home in the empire. The villagers had treated him like family and regarded him as one of them.

However, their lives were being threatened because of him! How could he remain calm?

Lian Fei...Yao Tuohai...It seems like we should put an end to everything! Lin Xun took a deep breath, and his dark eyes flashed intense murderous intent.

Lin Xun, whats the matter? Shen Tuo asked as he sensed Lin Xuns changing expression.

Its nothing.

Lin Xun put away the letter, forcibly maintained a calm expression, and said, Elder, I may have to leave for a while. During that period, I hope you can help me keep it a secret and not let others know that I have left.

He planned to act alone because he didnt want to take the risk and put the lives of the villagers in danger!

Lin Xuns serious expression made Shen Tuo realize that Lin Xun wasnt joking and that he didnt want others to intervene in the tricky matter that he had to deal with.

He nodded. Okay, leave it to me. But be sure to let me know if you have any trouble you cant solve.

Lin Xun nodded with a smile.

On the same day, Lin Xun quietly left Qinglu Academy with Xia Zhi and returned to Mind Cleansing Peak. He briefly informed Lin Zhong and Spirit Vulture of the matter and resolutely told them that he would set off alone.

No one could dissuade him, including Spirit Vulture and Lin Zhong. They could only make secret preparations and immediately take action if they noticed something unusual.

Xia Zhi remained at Mind Cleansing Peak.

She had just undergone an obliteration transformation, and it wasnt suitable for her to act with Lin Xun. She had to restart her training again.

In the evening, Lin Xun left the Forbidden City by himself.

It was also the first time he had left in the past year.

Only very few people knew that the young rune founder had suddenly left.

However, Lin Xun knew that someone was watching him and paying close attention to everything about him in the shadows of the Forbidden City.

The enemy would notice any abnormality whether it was in Mind Cleansing Peak, Qinglu Academy, Stone Cauldron Alms, the Ning Family or the Ye Family and report back to Lian Fei in Donglin City.

Although Lin Xun didnt know who the enemies hiding in the dark were, he didnt want to take the risk of alerting them.

Two days later.

Donglin City, a city in the southwest of the empire.

At noon, a rune shuttle departed Haze City, the capital city of the southwest province. It pierced the clouds, roared through the sky, and slowly landed on the periphery of Donglin City.

An ordinary-looking youngster in a moon-white robe walked out of the rune shuttle.

Naturally, it was Lin Xun dressed up in disguise.

He couldnt help but feel emotional and complicated after returning to Donglin City after almost three years.

The first city he came to after leaving Feiyun Village was Donglin City.

There, Lin Xun lived in the slums, which were always covered in a foul atmosphere. He also founded Golden Jade Hall and met Gu Yanping and Gu Liang, the father and son.

There, he was caught in one bloody battle after another with the Wu Clan, Lian Fei and the Black Tiger Gang.

It was also there that he suffered unfair treatment in the annual district examination and was deliberately targeted and suppressed by Yao Tuohai. If the mysterious Queen of the Dark Night hadnt arrived in time, he and Xia Zhi would have died at the hands of Yao Tuohai!

At the time, Lin Xun was only at the True Martial Stage and only had Xia Zhi on his side.

Now, he came to Donglin City as a completely different person.

The grudges in Donglin City must be resolved... Lin Xun stood at the gate in deep thought.

Then, he no longer wavered and stepped into Donglin City.

Donglin Restaurant.

It was the largest restaurant in Donglin City and specialized in all sorts of delicacies of the Great Three Thousand Mountains. It was very popular among cultivators, and so the business had always been very good.

It was exactly noon, and Donglin Restaurant was as lively and busy as ever. Many cultivators had gathered inside, drinking and talking about the hottest topics in the city.

Lin Xun sat down by the window on the second floor of the restaurant. He ordered some dishes and ate and drank by himself.

Lian Fei said that he would meet him in Donglin City in three days, but he didnt specify the meeting place.

Naturally, Lin Xun wouldnt let him lead him by the nose, so he arrived one day earlier to make some preparations.