Soul Emperor Awakening

After Lin Xuan introduced himself, their attitude softened, but they still didn’t trust him completely. Talk is cheap, after all.

They were partially convinced, at least. To trust him completely, they would need to see his Identity Token.

"So you’re a disciple of Qingcheng Mansion. Might I ask if Young Master Lin has an Identity Token?" Liu Menghua said with a smile. "It’s not that I doubt your identity, but I was hoping to ask for your help. If you truly are a disciple of Qingcheng Mansion, that would be wonderful."

Lin Xuan took out his Identity Token without hesitation. Engraved on the gold-rimmed token was the name "Lin Yunlong." This Identity Token could also function as a storage artifact. The giant bear’s carcass was stored inside, ready to be turned in to complete his mission.

"An Inner Hall Disciple!" one of the guards gasped. Now they truly believed him. Qingcheng Mansion’s tokens were impossible to forge, especially the Identity Token of an Inner Hall Disciple.

If anyone were to forge one and be discovered by Qingcheng Mansion, they would be as good as dead—utterly annihilated! That was why no one dared to use Qingcheng Mansion’s name to throw their weight around. And as members of the Liu Family, they had seen a real token before.

It wasn’t impossible that he’d stolen it from someone else, but they were more inclined to believe he was the genuine article. ’Every Inner Hall Disciple is a genius. How could one of their Identity Tokens be stolen so easily?’

"So, Young Master Lin is an Inner Hall Disciple. I really couldn’t tell... To become one at such a young age is truly unbelievable!" Liu Menghua’s lovely eyes flickered. Lin Xuan’s aura was restrained, but she could still sense that his cultivation was only at the Body Refining Stage.

’An Inner Hall Disciple at the Body Refining Stage dares to come here? He’s either an idiot or genuinely powerful.’

All five people present were at the Spirit Refining Stage, with the strongest among them at the Second Layer. Liu Menghua herself was at the First Layer of Spirit Refining Stage. Lin Xuan could tell from her aura that she had likely broken through very recently. Even with several Spirit Refining Stage experts in their group, they still had to tread carefully in the Mysterious Fragrance Forest.

If an expert at the Fourth or Fifth Layer of the Spirit Refining Stage were to suddenly appear, it would scare the souls right out of them.

"May I ask what Miss Liu is doing here? And what was it you wanted to discuss earlier?" Lin Xuan stared at them, curious to learn their purpose.

’They wouldn’t bring so many people unless it was for something important. Claiming it was for Celestial Cloud Honey is obviously a lie. The Liu Family may not be a major power, but they’re at least a mid-sized family. They can certainly afford to buy Celestial Cloud Honey.’

’As for coming here for training, that’s even more unlikely. Not everyone is as confident as I am. Besides, she’s the young miss of a prominent family. This kind of dangerous expedition isn’t something a woman like her would normally do.’

"It’s quite simple, actually. We want to hire you as a guard. The payment will be more than satisfactory!" Liu Menghua answered frankly.

"Hire me as a guard?"

Lin Xuan was taken aback. ’The Liu Family shouldn’t be this desperate,’ he thought. ’From what I understand, the Lin Family and Liu Family are on pretty good terms, and their strengths aren’t that far apart. They should have been able to arrange for an Essence Pill Stage Level Elder to help. Clearly, the Liu Family is having some kind of problem...’

"I don’t have a problem with that, but what exactly is Miss Liu looking for in the Mysterious Fragrance Forest? I assume you’re not just here for a stroll, are you? If the task is too dangerous, then I’m afraid I’ll have to decline." Lin Xuan wasn’t about to risk his life for no reason. ’I have no connection to Liu Menghua. So what if she’s beautiful? My life is what matters most.’

’Besides, anyone who’d risk their life for a stranger they’ve just met is either an idiot or has an ulterior motive.’

"Mystery Heart Grass. What I’m looking for is Mystery Heart Grass!" Liu Menghua said with determination. "This medicinal herb can only be found here. It’s quite rare, but as long as we’re careful and avoid the giant bears, there shouldn’t be too much danger. Once we succeed, I will present you with a Spirit-Breaking Pill!"

’A Spirit-Breaking Pill again,’ he mused. ’I have to admit, that’s a generous reward.’ He knew a bit about Mystery Heart Grass. It was indeed unique to the Mysterious Fragrance Forest and quite rare, but its main use was to cure Hallucinogenic Poison. It wasn’t considered exceptionally valuable.

’By offering such a reward, Liu Menghua is basically trying to befriend me and build a good relationship. An Inner Hall Disciple of Qingcheng Mansion has limitless future prospects, after all.’

"Accept her offer!" Qing Liuyun’s voice suddenly spoke in his mind. "I was already planning to have you look for Mystery Heart Grass. It will be very helpful for you, especially when you venture deeper into the Cyan Cloud Tower! However, the grass only grows in the deeper parts of the forest, where the giant bears have much higher cultivation, which is why I hadn’t sent you after it yet. Now that there’s a group, it’s better to go together. That said, you would have been fine even if you went alone, as long as you were careful."

An idea instantly formed in Lin Xuan’s mind. He nodded and said, "I can agree to this, but I don’t want the Spirit-Breaking Pill. If you find any extra Mystery Heart Grass, I’d like to have some instead. If there isn’t any to spare, then I’ll take the Spirit-Breaking Pill as my payment."

"No problem! If there’s any extra, it’s yours!" Liu Menghua agreed without the slightest hesitation.

"One more thing," Lin Xuan added. "I will lead the way to the Mystery Heart Grass, and all of you must follow my commands. I’m far more familiar with the Mysterious Fragrance Forest than you are!" ’Qing Liuyun knows this place inside and out,’ he thought. ’It would be a huge pain if they wandered off and stirred up trouble.’

The four guards frowned at his words. Being an Inner Hall Disciple was impressive, but for someone so young to claim such familiarity with the Mysterious Fragrance Forest? That seemed a little far-fetched. They had only dared to venture in because they had a map. Who would be reckless enough to wander around this place without one, unless they were a supreme expert?

"Very well. Please lead the way, Young Master Lin." Liu Menghua didn’t give it a second thought. A faint glint flickered in her almond-shaped eyes, her inner thoughts a mystery.

After a few brief preparations, Lin Xuan set off in the direction Qing Liuyun had indicated. The four guards were clearly displeased, but since their own mistress had agreed, what could they do?

After they had walked for some time, one of the guards whispered to Liu Menghua, "Young Miss, he’s going the wrong way. According to the map, we should be headed over there..."

They had paid a hefty price for that map, which was supposed to guide them to the Mystery Heart Grass. The path Lin Xuan was taking them on now was completely different—practically the opposite direction! This filled them with doubt.

’Could this expensive map really be less reliable than the route this kid has chosen? The map was made by a Hunter who spends all his time in the Mysterious Fragrance Forest!’

Liu Menghua’s delicate brows furrowed, leaving her uncertain who to trust. Should she stick with the map, or continue to follow Lin Xuan?

"If you don’t want to follow me, feel free to follow your map. I don’t mind," Lin Xuan said nonchalantly. "I’ll be fine on my own."

’I don’t expect them to believe me; that’s understandable,’ he thought. ’It’s the same logic as trusting an authority figure. People are more inclined to believe someone with experience, and I look far too young to seem credible.’

Liu Menghua hesitated. She truly wanted to follow Lin Xuan, but her guards kept shooting her looks, urging her to trust the map and abandon his path.

"Young Master Lin, we purchased this map from a Hunter who is an Essence Pill Stage expert. Could we please follow it?" After weighing her options, Liu Menghua decided to trust the map.

"Then there’s nothing more to discuss. Suit yourselves." With a nonchalant expression, Lin Xuan shrugged, turned around, and continued on his way, paying them no further mind.

’Qing Liuyun is a master at the Half-step Core Formation Stage,’ he thought dismissively. ’The paths he’s walked are far beyond anything that so-called Essence Pill Stage Hunter has ever seen. If they don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do. I can’t very well tell them my guide is a Spirit Pill Stage expert, can I? Who would ever believe that!’

He could only wish them good luck.

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