Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Can’t Accelerate After A Click _1
Wang Linchi naturally knew what was to come. Numerous Great Families and Sects began to arrive, along with a large influx of Evil Cult Forces pledging allegiance to the Secret Realm.
Yingzhou fell into chaos.
Of course, the incident in Qinghe City also came to light. But against the backdrop of the impending Gigantic Secret Realm, it was not considered significant.
The Dajing Court’s response strategy became extremely passive. However, there was some good news.
The Dajing Court’s authority was formidable. The Domain Master of the Jing Room Domain, carrying an imperial decree, directly prohibited anyone above the Elite Gold Level from entering Yingzhou.
This spared Yingzhou from utter devastation, though the number of people entering continued to swell.
They had also considered limiting entry to the Black Iron Level, but it proved impossible to enforce.
Constant battles even raged around the Peacock Sword Sect, the epicenter of the turmoil. Fortunately, the lines of conflict were clearly drawn.
While many Great Families and Sects aspired to monopolize this Gigantic Secret Realm, they knew it was mere wishful thinking. They understood they couldn’t achieve this single-handedly; the best course of action was to share it with the Court.
The Evil Cult Forces, controlled by the Secret Realm Alien Tribes, were unequivocally their common enemy. Even if they had engaged in unsavoury transactions with these forces in the past, that was only when there were no conflicting interests.
Wang Linchi had witnessed many battles. Within a mere half-month, Yi Ning Prefecture had been reduced to ruins. The Governor, the sole Morning Star-level Awakener, suffered numerous injuries from the combined assaults of various cult forces.
They knew they couldn’t defeat him outright, but they could injure him by swarming him with sheer numbers.
Moreover, the Governor was hesitant to engage fully, as he had a more critical mission: to ensure the safe arrival of the Gigantic Secret Realm. Thus, he could only retreat to a supporting role.
Furthermore, Wang Linchi received numerous offers: to become a Guest Elder for a Great Family, a Son-in-law, a Tribute for a Sect, or even a Disciple. All he had to do was agree, and a life of ease and comfort would be his.
Although these parties seemingly asked for nothing in return, Wang Linchi was not deceived. He knew they acted this way because they believed he might secure some ’initiative’ within the Gigantic Secret Realm. They would honor their promises, certainly, but they wouldn’t invest heavily in his development.
If Wang Linchi were to agree, it would undoubtedly be a deep pit, one he couldn’t climb out of.
Therefore, he remained unmoved. His steadfastness reassured the Governor, who had worried Wang Linchi might be swayed by temptation. The Governor was pleased to see his mental fortitude.
Wang Linchi wasn’t stubbornly fixated on the Court; it was just that the current position the Court offered him was the most suitable: good pay, ample free time, and bodyguards at his workplace. Could any other faction offer him such guarantees?
"I never expected that once the Peacock Sword Sect’s Formation Soul Device activates its combat mode, the cultivation acceleration would actually fail..." Wang Linchi grumbled. He had initially thought the battles outside had nothing to do with him, but now it seemed they were very much related, and the connection was significant.He had only enjoyed a few days of rocket-like advancement before being forced back to cultivating with the Three Spirits Formation. The disparity was too great for him to accept.
"It was originally designed to protect the Sect. The cultivation acceleration is just an additional function," Xu Shou replied.
As a former academy dean who had transferred departments, he possessed a decent understanding of such Soul Devices.
"Besides, you should be grateful you can still cultivate. Haven’t you heard the commotion at the foot of the mountain? You might even lose your life."
Just as Xu Shou finished speaking, a Dragon Roar erupted, accompanied by a loud explosion.
It was likely a Cult Follower from the Baylong Religion who had just been annihilated.
Only the Baylong Religion’s followers could transform into dragons; few from other Evil Cults possessed such an ability.
"Aren’t you just here drinking tea with me?" Wang Linchi retorted, implying Xu Shou was hardly on the front lines.
"I’m here protecting you. Those traitors, they also covet that ’initiative’ you supposedly have."
"If they truly come, I’ll not only have to fight for my life but also protect you," Xu Shou replied, unfazed by Wang Linchi’s jab.
"The issue is, I don’t possess any ’initiative’. If I did, I wouldn’t be in this sorry state," Wang Linchi sighed helplessly.
"I also believe you don’t have it, but the higher-ups aren’t convinced." Xu Shou knew Wang Linchi fairly well and was aware that there was nothing particularly special about him. Even if there were such an ’initiative’, it likely wouldn’t be a person but rather an object, like a Soul Device or a piece of jewelry.
The Court had already checked everything and found no issues.
As for Wang Linchi’s additional Peach Talisman Storage Treasure, its origins had been thoroughly investigated and subsequently dismissed as a concern. The contents of the Storage Treasure were merely the subsidies he had received from the academy.
Wang Linchi had already safely stashed away the Epic Level Soul Kind, ’Mind Transfer’, intending to retrieve it once things calmed down. He wasn’t worried about it being discovered. He had disguised the sealed, shielded box containing the Soul Kind as an inner panel of the Soul Seed Bureau Head’s desk. If someone actually managed to find it, well, that would be their good luck; Wang Linchi wouldn’t want it anymore. When one’s life was on the line, even Epic Level, Legendary Level, or Mythology-level Soul Kinds became insignificant. He had, in fact, analyzed the Epic Level Soul Kind quite thoroughly. All that remained was deduction and refinement. He hadn’t started this phase yet, as he needed corresponding Soul Kinds as experimental samples. Therefore, even if he had the Epic Level Soul Kind with him now, he couldn’t conduct experiments. It wasn’t a matter of capability but rather that the current environment was unsuitable.
"Compared to the meager resources spent supporting me, this illusory ’initiative’ is far more important to the Court," Wang Linchi remarked with self-deprecation. "After all, to them, these resources are but a drop in the ocean." In the Court’s eyes, he was insignificant. Yi Ning Prefecture was insignificant. Even Yingzhou was insignificant. The combined weight and value of all three paled drastically in comparison to the Gigantic Secret Realm. If they could abandon even Yingzhou, sacrificing him, Wang Linchi, was certainly well within the realm of possibility.
"We’ve recently received intelligence that those Cultists have united and are planning to make a move against you," Xu Shou said, changing the subject rather than continuing Wang Linchi’s line of thought.
Wang Linchi could afford to say such things because his position was dispensable, and the higher-ups wouldn’t care. Xu Shou, however, didn’t want to jeopardize his official career with careless words.
"With less than half a month remaining, it’s normal for them to get antsy," Wang Linchi said, unsurprised. He then asked, "Have you managed to find out the specific timing?"
"No. So, from now on, not only do I need to be on high alert, but you must also be vigilant. Those Evil Cults are backed by Secret Realm forces, and their methods are bizarre and unpredictable," Xu Shou warned.
In truth, even if they had a confirmed time, Xu Shou couldn’t be entirely certain he could protect Wang Linchi.
"That makes sense. By the way, where is the Governor now? Let’s pack our bedding and daily necessities; we’ll stick with the Governor for food, lodging, and everything else," Wang Linchi proposed, a brilliant idea in his mind.
"..." Xu Shou was speechless at Wang Linchi’s suggestion.