Nine Nether Continent, Jialan Imperial Capital Linglang Pavilion Headquarters

After being led to the room by the maid, Lin Yi looked at the luxurious bed and decorations inside, suddenly feeling an urge to fall asleep and wake up naturally.

Since arriving on the Nine Nether Continent, Lin Yi hadn't had a chance to truly rest.

However, remembering that he had to register for the Divine Son election at the church later, he dismissed the thought.

Originally, Lin Yi wanted to return to the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts to see if the little elf had woken up, but he was suddenly drawn by a massive wave of magic.

Lin Yi suddenly opened the door, and from the direction of the magical fluctuation, he faintly felt that this energy might be related to Ling Yuwei.

"Could she be breaking through?"

Seeing this, Lin Yi thought, 'Such commotion is only caused by a native's breakthrough.'

At first, Lin Yi didn't pay much attention and turned back into the house.

Not long after, a servant brought in a lavish meal, which made Lin Yi feel 'starved.'

Actually, Lin Yi knew that this 'hunger' was just a state simulated by the system, and even if he ate, it would automatically be digested by the system.

Lin Yi's real body was inside the gaming cabin, and Zhang Xinying and others would surely help replace the nutrient solution to maintain Lin Yi's daily bodily consumption.

Even if he didn't eat, it wouldn't actually harm the body.

But it would have a certain psychological impact.

Therefore, even if not truly hungry, Lin Yi needed to eat real food in this otherworld to replenish energy and eliminate the system-generated hunger.

While Lin Yi was halfway through his meal, he suddenly felt a powerful presence approaching.

As Lin Yi's strength improved, his five senses became increasingly sharp.

Beside this powerful presence was the newly-broken Tier Six aura, Ling Yuwei!

Lin Yi abruptly looked up just as the door was suddenly pushed open.

A tall middle-aged man stood solemnly at the doorway, and his eyes met Lin Yi's.

"Hmm?"

Lin Yi frowned at the man, puzzled by the faint animosity in this stranger's gaze.

At that moment, Ling Yuwei suddenly spoke:

"Father, this is the Lin Yi I told you about."

Then Ling Yuwei came to Lin Yi's side:

"Sorry, Lord Lin Yi."

She then pointed to the middle-aged man in front of her:

"This is my father, Ling Yudao."

"He's also the Grand Pavilion Master of our Linglang Pavilion."

With Ling Yuwei's introduction, a prompt suddenly appeared in Lin Yi's eyes:

[Ling Yudao] unlocked

Profession: Tier Nine Divine King (Sword God)/Lv85

Attributes: None

Life Value: 950,000/950,000

Fighting Qi Value: 450,000/450,000

Skills:

───Not Unlocked───

Equipment:

───Not Unlocked───

Contracted Beast:

───Not Unlocked───

...

"So this is the Grand BOSS of the Linglang Pavilion!"

Lin Yi had a knowing expression, put down his knife and fork, picked up the towel prepared nearby to wipe his mouth, and then pointed to the chair across the table:

"Has the Grand Pavilion Master eaten? Why not sit down and have some with me?"

Ling Yuwei anxiously pushed Lin Yi's shoulder beside him.

As familiar as she was with her father's temper, she knew that even as a top-tier expert, Lin Yi, being a junior, might seem rude and provoke her father's displeasure.

Surprisingly, Ling Yudao glanced at Ling Yuwei and said:

"Everyone, leave."

"I want to have a one-on-one chat with Lord Lin Yi."

"Father!"

Ling Yuwei exclaimed anxiously:

"Is there something I cannot hear?"

She knew Ling Yudao likely wanted Lin Yi to examine her mother's only relic, the black jade hairpin.

With it, they hoped to uncover the mystery behind her mother's disappearance.

However, Ling Yudao seemed determined not to let Ling Yuwei be involved, turning to the elder in a gray robe:

"Mr. Fu, take the young lady away."

"Also, ensure this area is sealed, and no one is to approach."

The elderly man in the gray robe glanced at the somber-faced Ling Yudao, and with a helpless sigh, came over to Ling Yuwei:

"Miss, please don't make it difficult for this old servant."

Seeing her father's resolved expression, Ling Yuwei felt overwhelming reluctance but had to relent, saying:

"Let's go."

Before leaving, Ling Yuwei didn't forget to 'warn' Ling Yudao:

"Lord Lin Yi is my guest, Father, you better handle this well."

"Clang~"

Once the door closed after both of them left, Ling Yudao refocused his gaze on Lin Yi and said with interest:

"Aren't you afraid of me?"

Lin Yi poured himself a glass of fruit wine, then filled Ling Yudao's glass before saying:

"We have no grudge against each other—why should I be afraid of you?"

"Moreover, given your strength as the Grand Pavilion Master, if you intended harm to me, why go through so much trouble?"

Then Lin Yi gestured for Ling Yudao to sit and said:

"Does the Grand Pavilion Master intend to converse while standing?"

Ling Yudao observed the seemingly unperturbed Lin Yi, curious about whether his confidence came from that mysterious Divine Venerable.

But one thing was certain.

Lin Yi's composed demeanor in danger left a favorable impression on Ling Yudao.

After Ling Yudao sat down, Lin Yi continued to ask:

"Tell me, Grand Pavilion Master, what is it you wish to discuss with an unknown person like me?"

"Unknown person?"

Ling Yudao sneered:

"To this day, there's yet to be any unknown person who dared act like this before me."

Then Ling Yudao suddenly placed the black jade hairpin on the table, his eyes locked onto Lin Yi:

"I want you to help me examine the attributes of this magic equipment."

"Equipment attributes?"

Hearing this, Lin Yi's mind was stirred; had he been sought out to appraise the equipment?

Then Lin Yi thought: Isn't this what your Linglang Pavilion specializes in?

At first, Lin Yi didn't think it was significant and turned to look at the hairpin on the table.

But upon picking up the hairpin and noticing its attributes, his face suddenly changed:

"This is..."

What Lin Yi couldn't voice was: 'Why would equipment from the Rafam Continent appear here.'

The momentary change in Lin Yi's expression was closely observed by Ling Yudao.

Seeing Lin Yi's reaction, relief flickered in Ling Yudao's eyes as he steadied himself:

"This equipment is of great importance to me; please tell me everything you know, Lord Lin Yi."

"In return, the Linglang Pavilion will strive to fulfill any of your requests."

Unconsciously, Ling Yudao's eyes turned red, and then he uttered something that shocked even Lin Yi:

"Even if you desire to replace Ao Sheng, the Eldest Prince, and ascend the throne."