A technologically powerful nation: The national treasure is actually myself.

The news that the ancient, ominous ruins had swallowed up another city shocked Lin Yang, who immediately asked, "Patriarch Zhao, what exactly happened?"

Zhao Xiongshan slowly said, "I don't know the specifics either. I just heard that the Great Ferocious Ancient Ruins suddenly expanded its range without warning, covering the city closest to Baichi City. It is said that the people in the city did not have time to evacuate and were swallowed up by the power of the Great Ferocious Ancient Ruins. Now the territory of the Great Ferocious Ancient Ruins has become two cities."

Lin Yang's eyes flickered.

It's astonishing that the ancient ruins, which had been dormant for so many years, would suddenly expand again.

Because this kind of thing seems to have never happened before.

The ancient ruins that are recorded in history have always maintained the same size of the area they initially occupied, without any secondary expansion.

But the ancient ruins of Blazing City are actually expanding a second time…

After a pause, Lin Yang asked, "Patriarch Zhao, how did the Far East Prefecture respond?"

Zhao Xiongshan shook his head: "Guest Elder Lin, you've stumped me. I don't know the details of the situation in the Far East Prefecture. I only heard from the Second Elder and the others that you came from the Zhengmu Prefecture, which is right next to the Far East Prefecture, so I paid more attention to the situation there. I only got a general idea."

Lin Yang paused slightly.

No wonder Zhao Xiongshan suddenly brought this up earlier; that's why.

"Thank you for your concern, Patriarch Zhao," Lin Yang said, cupping his hands in greeting.

Zhao Xiongshan waved his hand: "I don't really know the specifics, but I heard they're preparing for a major relocation."

"A large-scale relocation?" Lin Yang frowned.

“Yes, it’s a large-scale relocation.” Zhao Xiongshan nodded. “That ancient, ominous ruin can expand twice, and it’s hard to guarantee that it won’t continue to expand. So I heard that the Far East Prefecture is preparing for a large-scale relocation, trying to move the population to other places as much as possible.”

“Oh… that’s not a bad idea.” Lin Yang’s eyes flickered.

The power of the ominous ancient ruins is difficult to resist. Since the ancient ruins cannot be dealt with, moving them away is indeed a good solution.

It's always better to move out in advance than to live in constant fear.

However, the entire Far East Prefecture has a large population, and it would be difficult to relocate everyone. It is a huge project that cannot be completed in a short period of time.

Lin Yang then stopped thinking about it.

He's no longer in the Far East Prefecture, so these things don't concern him much anymore.

He returned to Yunshui Villa.

Zhao Xiongshan and the others went to make arrangements.

Lin Yang was unsure how they would arrange things, how long it would take, or whether they would directly engage in war with the Bai family.

In any case, he was prepared to act at any time.

At the same time, Lin Yang was also quite curious about the suddenly appearing secret realm.

He obtained some relevant intelligence information.

According to the information, the secret cave appeared without any warning. There was no danger inside, and it was very large with abundant resources.

The mineral veins and other resources inside were divided up by the major top families and forces, with only a small portion of the less desirable lands being allocated to second-rate families like the Zhao family.

It's like the top powers are eating the meat, while these second-rate families get a little soup.

However, the Zhao family was clearly unlucky. Their arch-rival, the Bai family, suddenly had a new elder at the Yuanhe Realm who snatched away all three small plots of Grade C treasure land that had been allocated to the Zhao family.

"The Bai family has gained a Yuanhe Realm elder, making them far ahead of other second-rate families in Xiwu City. However, since they don't have any direct conflicts with other families, they can't easily take action against them. So they targeted the Zhao family alone, causing the Zhao family to gain nothing in the Cave Heaven Secret Realm."

Looking at the information, Lin Yang felt a bit tempted to visit that hidden paradise.

Such a wondrous place, so close at hand, it would be a real shame not to go and see it.

He told Zhao Hu his thoughts.

Zhao Hu is now at the mid-stage of the Nirvana Realm.

Hearing that he wanted to go to the Cave Heaven Secret Realm, he said somewhat awkwardly, "Brother Lin Yang, now that my Zhao family has lost the treasure land in the Cave Heaven Secret Realm, we have lost the qualification to enter the Cave Heaven Secret Realm."

Lin Yang was taken aback: "Does that mean that outsiders are not allowed to enter or leave the secret realm?"

“Yes, when the secret realm first appeared, everyone could enter. But after they figured out what was inside, it was taken into custody. Those without assets inside could no longer enter. The entrance to the secret realm is guarded by people.” Zhao Hu explained.

"So, since the Bai family took away your Zhao family's three treasure lands, you also lost the qualification to enter that secret realm?" Lin Yang couldn't help but ask.

“That’s right,” Zhao Hu nodded.

Lin Yang couldn't help but wonder: "If we can't go in, how can we take back this treasure land?"

"Ahem, as long as there's a transfer agreement, that's fine." Zhao Hu blushed. "With a transfer agreement, it proves that you have assets in the Cave Heaven Secret Realm, so you can go back in."

"...So that means you wrote a transfer agreement with the Bai family before? You transferred the ownership of the precious land to the Bai family?" Lin Yang asked.

“Yes,” Zhao Hu replied.

Lin Yang frowned: "So, if we want to enter the Cave Heaven Secret Realm now, we either have to go to the Bai family and get them to transfer the treasure land they stole back, or we have to find a way to get some assets from the Cave Heaven Secret Realm from other families."

"That's roughly the idea," Zhao Hu sighed.

Lin Yang nodded slightly, temporarily suppressing his idea of ​​going to observe the secret realm.

Given the Zhao family's strength in Xiwu City and their current situation, it's unlikely they can acquire the assets in the Cave Heaven Secret Realm from other families. They can only try to get them from the Bai family.

However, it will probably not be so easy to wrest ownership of the precious land back from the Bai family.

It looks like things will get complicated.

Of course, he wasn't afraid of taking action; the strongest member of the Bai family at the Yuanhe Realm was only at the mid-stage of the Yuanhe Realm.

The other newly promoted Yuanhe Realm cultivator is only at the initial stage.

If Zhao Yuan, the Supreme Elder of the Zhao family, were to make a move, he and Zhao Yuan could potentially wipe out the two Yuanhe Realm cultivators from the Bai family.

Zhao Yuan is also in the mid-stage of the Yuanhe Realm, so he can stall the Bai family's mid-stage Yuanhe Realm elder for now.

He could directly and swiftly kill the newly promoted Yuanhe Realm elder of the Bai family, and then join forces with Zhao Yuan to deal with the Bai family's mid-Yuanhe Realm elder.

Unless outsiders intervene, the Bai family's Yuanhe Realm cultivators will surely die.

It all depends on whether the Zhao family dares to take a gamble.

Anyway, he had already spoken to Zhao Xiongshan, and he could help out.

Now it depends on what Zhao Xiongshan decides.

Lin Yang wasn't in a hurry.

His agreement to become a guest elder of the Zhao family and to help deal with the Bai family was simply out of consideration for the kindness shown to him by Zhao Chen and the others when they rescued him from unconsciousness outside the city.

If Zhao Xiongshan wasn't in a hurry, he naturally wouldn't urge him.

Anyway, that secret realm isn't going anywhere; we'll be able to go in and take a look sooner or later.

It doesn't even matter if you don't watch it.

He was just a little curious, that's all.

In the days that followed, Lin Yang continued to seek an opportunity to completely break through to the Yuanhe Realm.

Zhao Xiongshan's side has also remained silent.

It seems they want to wait for the outcome of the Zhao family's Grand Elder's seclusion.

Clearly, Zhao Xiongshan wanted to be even more secure, which is why he tolerated the Bai family's constant encroachment on his territory.

Lin Yang naturally didn't say anything about this.

Zhao Xiongshan and the other elders of the Zhao family clearly still had some distrust in his combat capabilities.

There is a huge gap between the Nirvana Realm and the Yuanhe Realm.

Even if you believe he can continue fighting opponents of higher levels, you'd probably still be a little worried.

He naturally couldn't assure Zhao Xiongshan that he could handle a mid-stage Yuanhe Realm cultivator.

Firstly, even if he told Zhao Xiongshan and the others, they might not believe him.

Because it sounds outrageous.

Secondly, his assessment that he could deal with someone in the mid-stage of the Yuanhe Realm was based on his own estimation and had not been actually verified.

Those who can cultivate to the Yuanhe Realm are not weak; there might even be some unexpected events in actual combat.

Therefore, Lin Yang chose to respect Zhao Xiongshan's arrangements.

Anyway, what the Zhao family is losing to the Bai family every day isn't theirs.

Zhao Xiongshan wasn't in a hurry, and neither was he.

time flies.

That day, Lin Yang was cultivating at the Yunshui Villa.

Zhao Hu suddenly came over: "Brother Lin Yang, do you have the time and convenience to go to Bixia City with the trade caravan?"

Lin Yang looked at him: "Is there anything different about this trade? Are there important goods to be transported?"

Normally, sending one elder at the late Nirvana Realm level to oversee trade is sufficient.

Zhao Hu's sudden request for his help clearly indicated a problem. Zhao Hu nodded, then shook his head: "It's not such important cargo, but as you know, Brother Lin Yang, my family is being targeted by the Bai family at every turn. We want to transport a large quantity at once and then suspend trade for a while. In addition, we are afraid that the Bai family will cause trouble on the way, so we would like to ask you to help escort it."

"Oh... if that's the case, then I'll go." Lin Yang agreed.

Although the Zhao family has always been targeted by the Bai family, they have never reduced the treatment they promised him as a guest advisor over the years, and they have never asked him for any help.

Lin Yang naturally wouldn't refuse such a small matter.

"Then thank you very much, Brother Lin Yang," Zhao Hu said gratefully.

"You're welcome. When do we depart?" Lin Yang asked.

"The day after tomorrow," Zhao Hu said.

"You're in quite a hurry, aren't you?" Lin Yang couldn't help but chuckle.

"The sooner it's done, the sooner we can have peace of mind," Zhao Hu sighed.

"Okay, you go ahead and get busy. I'll go with the caravan the day after tomorrow," Lin Yang said.

Zhao Hu cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and quickly left.

Two days passed in a blink of an eye.

Lin Yang arrived in the caravan right on time.

This time, the Zhao family's caravan was small, with only a few clansmen accompanying Zhao Hu.

It was clearly because Lin Yang was personally overseeing things.

The group walked out of Xiwu City, and then the warship took off and sped towards Bixia City.

On the way, perhaps knowing that Lin Yang was interested in the secret cave, Zhao Hu deliberately took a detour and passed by the location of the secret cave.

Lin Yang glanced at it casually.

The entrance to that hidden paradise was similar to the entrance to the ancient ruins.

Several teams of guards were stationed at the entrance, and the security was very tight.

"Fortunately, the entrance to the Cave Heaven Secret Realm is within the territory of Xiwu City. If it were slightly off, it would appear in the area bordering Bixia City. In that case, Bixia City would probably get involved as well."

Seeing Lin Yang gazing at the secret realm, Zhao Hu couldn't help but say something from the side.

Lin Yang nodded: "That's right. We can only say that Xiwu City got lucky this time and got a great deal."

"Haha, yes." Zhao Hu laughed, but his eyes held a complicated expression.

Originally, the Zhao family should also have had a share of this good fortune.

unfortunately
……

Bixia City.

After decades of travel.

The Zhao family caravan arrived smoothly.

Nothing unexpected happened on the way, which relieved Zhao Hu and the others.

Then they checked into the same restaurant as before.

Then Zhao Hu immediately led those Zhao family members on a trading trip.

Lin Yang did not participate.

This is, after all, the Zhao family's own business.

As an outsider, it's inconvenient for him to get involved.

He waited inside the restaurant.

The Zhao family was clearly in a hurry this time, and Zhao Hu and his group completed the trade in just half a month.

Unlike when Lin Yang first came and it took him more than half a year, it was significantly faster.

So the caravan immediately turned back.

On the way back, however, we encountered an unexpected person.

"Yu Qing?"

Not long after the Zhao family's warships flew out of Bixia City, an even faster warship appeared nearby.

Lin Yang immediately recognized the person on the warship as Yu Qing.

Yu Qing was clearly surprised to run into him again, and was immediately taken aback. After noticing that Lin Yang was also looking at him, he paused for a moment and then spoke up:

"What a coincidence, we've run into each other again."

Lin Yang was speechless: "Fellow Daoist Yu Qing, it's quite a coincidence. I've only been on two trade trips with the Zhao family, and both times I encountered you on your return journey."

Yu Qing didn't speak immediately, but clearly thought for a while before saying, "Since we are so destined, why don't we travel together? That way we can look after each other if we encounter robbers."

Lin Yang was somewhat surprised, not expecting Yu Qing to take the initiative to ask to accompany him.

However, he didn't mind. Last time, when the Zhao family encountered bandits on their return from trade, Yu Qing helped them. Now that they had met again, it was reasonable for Yu Qing to want to travel together.

If you unfortunately encounter robbers again, you can indeed help each other.

He then glanced at Zhao Hu before replying, "Alright."

Zhao Hu and his family were quite pleased that Yu Qing would be traveling with them on their return journey.

The two warships then tried to maintain the same speed and flew side by side.

Yu Qing remained mostly silent.

The two sides barely communicated, treating each other as just having a companion on the return journey.

time flies.

Before we knew it, half the journey had already passed.

On this day, the warship suddenly shuddered and its speed abruptly decreased.

Lin Yang immediately appeared at the bow of the ship.

He initially thought he had encountered robbers again, but his expression quickly changed.

Not robbers, but...

fog!
A thin mist rose from nowhere and enveloped the surroundings.

Immediately afterward, even though they were on the warship, Zhao Hu and the others had just been beside him.

But in that blink of an eye, Lin Yang found that everything around him had changed.

Zhao Hu and the others have disappeared.

Even the warships that had been built were gone.

He was suspended in mid-air.

There was nothing beneath my feet!
He couldn't help but turn his head, and sure enough, he could no longer see Yu Qing's warship.

"Brother Zhao Hu!"

"Fellow Daoist Yu Qing!"

Lin Yang tried to call out, but received no response.

call.

A breeze blew by.

The thin mist dissipated in an instant.

The surrounding scenery became clear again.

However, Zhao Hu and his men were still nowhere to be seen, nor were any warships.

The surrounding environment was no longer the road used for trade.

Instead, it was a spacious room with an antique charm.

"Junior brother, junior brother, what are you daydreaming about? If you don't learn the spirit communication array soon, be careful that Master will punish you!"

Lin Yang was still in a daze when he suddenly heard a voice coming from beside him.

He turned his head instinctively.

A young man dressed in a Taoist robe with a handsome face was smiling and speaking to him, but there was a hint of worry between his brows.

"Junior brother? Me?"

Lin Yang was a little confused.

What's happening here?
He was clearly on his way back to Xiwu City, so how did he suddenly appear here and be called "Junior Brother" by this strange young man in front of him?

Was he hallucinating? (End of Chapter)