As the largest commerce guild on the Nine Nether Continent, Linlang Pavilion controls nearly one-third of the continent's key resources.

Its representative status and position are self-evident.

There's a saying that goes around among the people:

If any empire could fully control Linlang Pavilion, it could potentially become the first empire in the history of the Nine Nether Continent to achieve unification.

This statement might carry some exaggeration.

But it also speaks to people's recognition of Linlang Pavilion.

Similarly,

The reason Linlang Pavilion's business can reach every corner of the Nine Nether Continent is partly due to its long-standing declaration of neutrality.

In the early days of its establishment, it was precisely this unique position that secured Linlang Pavilion's foothold among the Three Great Empires.

Through millennia of steady development, Linlang Pavilion has now become an entity that even the Three Great Empires regard with apprehension.

This apprehension has also changed over the course of time.

In truth, many people are very clear in their hearts.

If there is a suitable opportunity,

The Three Great Empires would probably not hesitate to take a bite out of the lucrative Linlang Pavilion.

Especially over the past century, Linlang Pavilion's establishment of the Intelligence Pavilion has become a flashpoint that the Three Great Empires are desperate to eliminate.

Even though this so-called Intelligence Pavilion does not target any empire's forces,

Anyone can obtain a wealth of information from there as long as they pay, making the Three Great Empires frequent visitors of this pavilion.

Yet, one cannot tolerate others sleeping soundly at one's bedside.

For the upper echelons of the Three Great Empires, Linlang Pavilion is a ticking time bomb.

If their opponents somehow gain control over it, it would spell disaster for them.

No one wishes for their domain to suddenly find a new master.

Thus, one could say,

Linlang Pavilion now appears to be a behemoth that no one dares to provoke.

But in fact,

The Three Great Empires taking action against Linlang Pavilion is merely a matter of time.

As for the current precarious and delicate situation of Linlang Pavilion, Grand Pavilion Master Ling Yudao understands it all too well.

In a reception room of Linlang Pavilion's headquarters in the Jialan Imperial Capital, the tightly closed doors were suddenly opened, and Ling Yuwei walked in saying:

"Father, when did you arrive?"

As Ling Yuwei entered, the gray-robed old man behind her helped close the door, standing solemnly outside.

Ling Yudao appeared to be a middle-aged man around the age of fifty.

Yet, his determined face bore the marks of time.

However, the eyes that seemed to hold many stories flashed with warmth and affection when they saw Ling Yuwei.

But soon, these emotions were replaced with a feigned anger:

"If I hadn't come, I fear that tomorrow our Linlang Pavilion's assets in the Ao Sheng Empire would be overturned, wouldn't they?"

"My daughter has grown up to the point where even the Eldest Prince of the Ao Sheng Empire is of no concern."

"Hmph!"

Seeing Ling Yudao's 'angry' face, Ling Yuwei was slightly taken aback:

"Father, you already know?"

Ling Yuwei then looked slightly guilty:

"I'm sorry, it's all my fault."

Ling Yudao replied in exasperation:

"Such a big matter is hard for me to remain unaware of, even if I wanted to."

"If apologies could solve everything, do you think the Dragon Rider Corps assembled by the Ao Sheng Empire is just for show?"

Watching Ling Yuwei about to bury her head in her chest, Ling Yudao, who initially intended to be more severe this time, softened immediately.

In the end, Ling Yudao couldn't bring himself to say harsh words to Ling Yuwei and could only sigh:

"Tell me what you're thinking."

Ling Yudao knew his daughter's character very well.

This time, Ling Yuwei's actions over a man even startled Ling Yudao at first.

But after calming down, Ling Yudao understood that if Ling Yuwei acted this way, there had to be a reason.

"I also want to know what kind of person could make my sweet daughter go so far as to offend the Eldest Prince of the Ao Sheng Empire for him."

"Furthermore, I already know about what happened in Celestial Feather City."

"Even if that boy has a Divine Venerable behind him,"

"Without understanding his character and background, I don't think your actions were the best decision."

Ling Yudao looked curiously at his daughter:

"Can you give me a reasonable explanation?"

Sitting on a nearby chair, Ling Yuwei removed the light veil from her face, revealing her stunningly beautiful visage.

Then, under Ling Yudao's curious gaze, Ling Yuwei took out the broken ring she kept and looked at it in a daze. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Even Ling Yuwei herself didn't quite understand why she had acted the way she did back then.

Staring at the ring in Ling Yuwei's hand, Ling Yudao suddenly furrowed his brow:

"Is this the Spiritual Artifact that boy insisted on buying, even at the cost of offending the Prince Charles?"

Ling Yuwei nodded:

"He said this Magic Equipment is very important to me."

"Oh, he bought it for you?"

"But even as a gift for my daughter, this thing is a bit too shabby, isn't it?"

Ling Yudao suddenly stretched out his hand:

"Let me take a look."

With that, the ring in Ling Yuwei's hand suddenly floated towards Ling Yudao.

Ling Yudao grasped it and examined it carefully, then mused aloud:

"It's evident."

"The Artifact Refiner who crafted this equipment meticulously chose the materials."

"However, despite the good materials, the refiner's technique evidently lacks a bit of refinement."

"Otherwise, the tier of this Magic Equipment could be raised to a Five or even Tier Six Spiritual Artifact."

"But even in its perfect state, it would just be a decent Tier Four Spiritual Artifact."

"Moreover, its core array is damaged, and the Magic Attributes it contains are likely less than twenty percent of the original."

Ling Yudao then released the ring, allowing it to float freely in the air.

With a gentle wave of Ling Yudao's hand, the ring floated back towards Ling Yuwei.

Ling Yudao at that moment was truly unable to comprehend:

"All this just to offend the Eldest Prince of the Ao Sheng Empire."

Suddenly a cold glint flashed in Ling Yudao's eyes:

"That boy dared to deceive the young lady of Linlang Pavilion!"

Saying this, he prepared to get up:

"Let's go, we need to settle things with that boy."

However, at this moment, Ling Yuwei suddenly said:

"Wait a moment!"

Ling Yudao was taken aback:

"What's the matter?"

"Could it be that I've wronged him?"

Ling Yuwei recalled every little detail she noticed about Lin Yi over the past couple of days, as well as Lin Yi's every word and action.

Then she remembered the expression on his face when he handed her this ring, an expression that didn't seem feigned.

Even though Ling Yuwei found it hard to understand,

Perhaps it was a woman's intuition,

But she steadfastly believed he wouldn't deceive her.

Under Ling Yudao's incredulous gaze, Ling Yuwei said with determination:

"I trust him."

"What?!"