Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Buddhist/Fire Soul Kind·Liuli Pure Heart Fire (Epic Level)_1
"It’s done! But I wasn’t expecting another Soul Kind?"
Wang Linchi gazed at Rooster Crow Temple, which had just been refurbished. The force field, previously confined within the temple, had swelled in an instant after people came to worship, burn incense, and make wishes.
Wang Linchi wasn’t certain of the field’s reach, but he was sure it had an enormous impact on Black Rain City and the surrounding villages.
At the same time, Wang Linchi’s Secret Realm mission was also completed.
Upon completion, an Epic Level Soul Kind appeared on the Buddha statue—a reward for completing the Rooster Crow Temple event.
However, Wang Linchi felt he had still done a subpar job; it wasn’t perfect.
After all, the Rooster Crow Temple’s problems weren’t truly resolved, and the mastermind behind the scenes had not yet been eliminated.
Wang Linchi suspected that if he had performed flawlessly, he might have received a Legendary Level Soul Kind.
[Buddhist/Fire-type Soul Kind: Liuli Pure Heart Fire (Epic Level)]
[Liuli Divine Light: Inflicts massive Buddhist-type damage and provides area-of-effect health recovery for teammates]
[Annihilating Evil Divine Fire: Manipulates flames with evil-slaying capabilities, dealing an additional 20% damage to all non-human lifeforms]
[Serene Mind Meditation: Each time damage is taken, reduces damage received and recovers from injuries]
[Vajra Body: All negative effects are reduced by 10%, and a self-purification occurs once every hour]
[Arhat Form: Transforms into the Arhat state, comprehensively boosting all attributes and imbuing each attack with an additional purification effect. Consumes 5,000 spiritual power, lasts for 5 minutes, with a 24-hour cooldown.]
"Attack, flame control, damage reduction and recovery, negative effect resistance and purification, plus a transformation."
"An Epic Level is indeed very impressive. This Buddhist-type... it seems to be the first of its kind, right?" Wang Linchi had never heard of a Buddhist-type Soul Kind; it was likely unique to this Gigantic Secret Realm.
"This is a real godsend," Wang Linchi mused. He had been heartbroken when the Soul Kind he left in the Soul Seed Bureau Chief’s office was lost. He hadn’t expected to receive another one so soon.
Even Yi Ning Prefecture had been reduced to ruins, let alone the Soul Seed Bureau Chief’s office.
He considered himself very lucky just to have survived; expecting anything more was a tall order.
"It’s likely because this is a pioneering exploration that the rewards are so high. For any other Gigantic Secret Realm, obtaining an Epic Level Soul Kind from a basic mission would be impossible."
Of course, it was also very dangerous. Wang Linchi had been lucky. Had it been anyone else incapable of dealing with the White Wind Bug, they would have inevitably been the ones eliminated.
With this dual-type Liuli Pure Heart Fire, Wang Linchi’s Soul Kind Evolution Project could begin anew.
He still had some loose ends to manage and was planning to proceed with the evolution after exiting the Secret Realm.
Now, once he cleared Black Rain City and its surroundings of demons and ghosts and gathered enough Soul Kinds, he just needed to find a safe place to hide and cultivate.
Once the mission is complete, everything can be taken out. What could be better than this?
However, he knew things wouldn’t end so simply. The mastermind behind the scenes had yet to be dealt with.
If the mastermind didn’t come for revenge after he had cleared out the demons and ghosts and obtained a large number of Soul Kinds, Soul Devices, and Natural Treasures, then Wang Linchi didn’t plan to fight them to the death. Instead, he would pack his things and run.
Wang Linchi suspected he couldn’t defeat the mastermind; there was no need to engage in a life-or-death struggle with them.
"I remember the new City Lord is supposed to arrive today, right? Shouldn’t I arrange some ’special treatment’ for him?" Wang Linchi pondered whether to ’welcome’ the incoming City Lord with a little something as he entered the city.
"Better not stir up trouble. What if he turns out to be a real Zhang Mazizi? Where would I go to reason then?"
Wang Linchi’s control over Black Rain City was a matter of necessity. It might seem like he held an advantage, but this advantage was limited to this small place, Black Rain City.
In any other place, he would not have this privilege.
Besides, Murong Xuan had already gone to receive the new City Lord, so Wang Linchi didn’t need to concern himself with it.
He then resumed his daily cultivation. Aided by Natural Treasures and Soul Devices, Wang Linchi’s progress was naturally swift, advancing by leaps and bounds.
In what felt like no time, his Golden Core had advanced from the fifth to the sixth revolution. Wang Linchi estimated that at this rate, he could reach the Nine Revolutions Golden Core by next month, thereby completing his White Porcelain level cultivation. After that, only the Soul Secret Technique for the Taoist Fetus stage would remain.
By afternoon, a report came from outside: the City Lord wished to see him.
Wang Linchi had assumed the new City Lord was being tactful and coming to pay his respects, but it turned out to be Murong Xuan.
However, when Murong Xuan arrived, his face was so grim it looked as if water could drip from it.
After hearing Murong Xuan’s account, Wang Linchi understood the situation.
"So, your brother Murong Su is clearly very capable. How did you manage not only to fail to win him over but also to ostracize and suppress him?"
"That’s one thing, but why did you merely drive him away instead of eliminating him completely? Now you’re suffering the backlash, aren’t you?"
Wang Linchi couldn’t comprehend it. They had already become enemies, yet Murong Xuan had shown mercy. Out of brotherly affection? Nonsense. After doing all that, what brotherly affection could possibly be left?
Murong Xuan looked somewhat embarrassed. Naturally, the version he told Wang Linchi was embellished. He had indeed intended to eliminate Murong Su completely, but his brother had escaped. Later, unable to find him and considering the multitude of demons and ghosts in the wilderness, Murong Xuan had assumed him dead. Who would have thought that not only had he survived, but he had also managed to make a name for himself?
"He has the Court’s backing. We simply cannot stand against them," Murong Xuan said, his voice tinged with helplessness.
The ten Heavy Armored Knights he brought are overwhelmingly powerful. Each one is a match for ten ordinary men.
According to Xu Sui, the master of Xiongwei Martial Arts Hall, each Knight might possess the strength to fight a Headless Ghost head-on.
"He has ten such powerful Knights. How could I possibly win?"
"Oh, you’re right," Wang Linchi acknowledged. This was indeed a variable.
However, it didn’t concern Wang Linchi much.
The Heavy Armored Knights were strong, true, but they were different from Headless Ghosts.
As long as they are human, they have weaknesses.
There was still a fighting chance.
"Master, the latest update." As they were conversing, a servant’s voice came from outside. After Wang Linchi permitted him entry, the servant quickly placed a new intelligence report on the table.
"Murong Su is asking about Rooster Crow Temple. What do you think he’s up to?" Wang Linchi passed the intelligence report to Murong Xuan.
Although the two brothers were at odds, it was precisely because of their conflict that they might understand each other’s motives better.
"Nine times out of ten, he has some designs on Rooster Crow Temple." Murong Xuan was inwardly delighted. He had initially thought there would be no clash between them, but Murong Su had walked right into it. He quickly explained, "He has no connection whatsoever with Rooster Crow Temple. Having been away from home for so many years, it’s impossible for him to care about a temple that was wiped out."
"So, Rooster Crow Temple must still hold some treasure that I’m unaware of," Wang Linchi’s thoughts naturally turned to valuables.
"For instance, how he managed to escape successfully and leave safely back then," Murong Xuan added.
"That makes some sense," Wang Linchi thought, then asked, "From the time the news reached the Court until people are dispatched from the Court, that’s about a month, correct?"
Wang Linchi’s idea was simple: if he had a month, he would kill Murong Su first. Then, during that one-month window, he would clear out demons and ghosts while simultaneously searching for the treasure in Rooster Crow Temple. It was true he couldn’t fight the Court, but he could assassinate Murong Su. Although Murong Su possessed Extraordinary Power, his actual strength wasn’t high. Worst case, he could discreetly hit him with a Fanciful and Fickle technique, costing 700 spiritual power, guaranteeing that not even bones would remain of the target. With Murong Su gone, his advisor and the Heavy Armored Knights protecting him would lose their linchpin. If their authority wasn’t legitimate, their words wouldn’t carry weight, unless they planned to resort to violence like Wang Linchi. However, from Wang Linchi’s observation, they seemed to prefer political maneuvers like persuasion and pressure, rather than overt force, which made their hands more tied.
"Correct. If you act now, we’ll have a one-month window. You don’t need to worry about any problems arising," Murong Xuan stated with conviction.
"You can arrange it. Can’t you just poison his food or water?" Wang Linchi asked, somewhat perplexed.
He knew Murong Xuan had been egging him on to kill the new City Lord, and he also understood why.
It was simply that if Wang Linchi committed the murder, he would be the one to bear responsibility. At that point, wouldn’t Murong Xuan become the City Lord again and also escape the Court’s retribution?
And he could also maintain a good reputation.
Hearing this, Murong Xuan felt a bit awkward. He had indeed been too hasty. It was mainly because Murong Su’s return had made him his direct superior, causing him to lose his composure.