161: Lin Chuan's Troubles

Lin Chuan looked at the temporary quest given by the System. The more he looked at it, the more his head throbbed; this was the first time a penalty for failing a quest had appeared.

He was still counting on reaping a massive reward after the tournament to properly boost his strength.

Looking at the description of the temporary quest, he fell into deep thought.

The Southern Territory Royal City was easy to handle; he could find the Second Prince to take care of it when the time came, and he likely wouldn't refuse.

Aside from Yi Jianwu, he didn't seem to know anyone else in the Eastern Territory. He would ask the senior Yi Jianwu later to see what the situation was like there.

Although many Cultivators from the Central Province had come to participate in the Secret Realm, the one with the most authority currently was likely only Martial Wuling True Person. However, whether Martial Wuling True Person could persuade the Central Province Imperial Clan was still a question.

What gave Lin Chuan the biggest headache was the Northern Territory. They had always disliked meddling in the affairs of other regions. News of his Secret Realm had definitely reached the Northern Territory, yet not a single Cultivator had come, which spoke volumes.

No one coming meant he couldn't find a single connection in the Northern Territory. Furthermore, he heard that the Northern Territory Imperial Family and the Southern Territory Royal Family had a poor relationship. If the Central Province weren't wedged between the two regions, wars between the two imperial families would probably break out several times a year.

Thinking of this, Lin Chuan really didn't know what to do.

Meanwhile, inside the Secret Realm, the four who had accepted the quest to find specimens were about to head to the First Spine when they were stopped by Jian Wuxie.

Jian Wuxie pulled out a key and said, "It seems we've forgotten about this treasure vault key, haven't we?"

Xiao Hongyuan also just remembered and simply asked Kelli about it.

Kelli looked at the key in their hands, pulled out a piece of paper, and handed it to them, saying, "See for yourselves."

Xiao Hongyuan took the paper and saw that it was a Wanted Poster.

The Wanted Poster said: Wanted: Treasure Hunter Jakaruta for stealing the treasure vault key. Below was a portrait, and it stated that anyone with information could go to Boken to claim a reward.

Jian Wuxie looked at the portrait and said, "Isn't this that woman? She's wearing so little!"

Xiao Hongyuan laughed and said, "Indeed, it's her. I didn't expect an unexpected gain. Let's go to Boken's place and claim the reward."

The four arrived at Boken's location, only to be stunned by the sea of people before them.

After asking around, they learned that these people were all here to establish Guilds in order to participate in the World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament in five days.

Jian Wuxie said, "Should we also establish a Guild?"

Quan Wudi said, "Our respective Schools will definitely establish them. They won't let us establish a Guild individually. We'll just wait to join our respective Sects' Guilds!"

Xiao Hongyuan also nodded. "That's right. The Sect Master will likely establish the Divine Sword Sect's Guild himself."

Jian Wuxie nodded helplessly and gave up on the idea.

However, none of the three noticed the flash of disappointment on A Fei's Face.

The four squeezed through the crowd and arrived before Boken.

At this moment, Boken was busy to the point of madness. He held a book, recording the names of the Guilds being registered while collecting processing fees. He shouted, "One at a time! There are too many for me to remember!"

Xiao Hongyuan took out the Wanted Poster and handed it to Boken, saying, "We're here to return the kingdom's treasure vault key!"

Seeing the key and the Wanted Poster in her hand, Boken immediately put away the Guild registration book. He beamed and took the key to inspect it, laughing, "Excellent! Thank you, Adventurers. You deserve the kingdom's praise."

After speaking, Boken pulled out several bags of gold coins and handed them to the group. "This is the reward you deserve!"

The four took the gold coins and peeked into the bags. Seeing there were only 1,400 coins, they all curled their lips in unison. They thought there would be a massive reward, but it turned out to be a pittance.

Boken said enthusiastically, "How about it? Do you want to establish a Guild? I'll let you skip the line."

Xiao Hongyuan shook her head and said, "Forget it, no need!" After saying that, she turned and left.

Once out of the crowd, Quan Wudi complained, "Is this the kingdom's bounty? Giving each person so few gold coins?"

Jian Wuxie chimed in, "Yeah, the four of us combined don't even have 10,000 gold coins."

Quan Wudi asked, "Do you think that old fellow pocketed part of our reward? Looking at his shifty eyes, it's very likely!"

Jian Wuxie nodded. "Very likely. A steward like him definitely skims a lot of profit! If only we knew where the kingdom's treasure vault was, we would've just gone in and taken it ourselves!"

Xiao Hongyuan said helplessly, "Forget it, better than nothing. Let's head to the First Spine first!"

Meanwhile, Lin Chuan found the Second Prince inside the Secret Realm and asked him about broadcasting the tournament in the Imperial City. As expected, the Second Prince happily agreed.

The Second Prince said, "This is a good thing. It's the perfect chance for Father to see me sweeping through all opposition."

Beside him, Elder Shen thought to himself, 'I hope you don't fail to even make the top 64. Wouldn't that be even more embarrassing, you silly boy!'

Lin Chuan and the Second Prince left the Secret Realm. He handed the Projection Stone given by the System to the Second Prince and explained how to use it, then left satisfied.

The Second Prince handed the stone to Commander Ma and said, "I'll write a memorial in a moment. Have someone rush my memorial and the stone back to the Imperial City and hand them to my Father!"

Commander Ma nodded and went to make the arrangements.

After finding the Second Prince, Lin Chuan asked the Sect Head to invite Yi Jianwu to his residence. Yi Jianwu entered with an anxious look and asked, "Lin Kid, if you have something to say, say it quickly. I still need to go to the training ground to practice!"

Lin Chuan smiled. As expected of someone whose weapon had shattered; his motivation was truly immense.

Lin Chuan smilingly asked if it was possible to broadcast the tournament in the Eastern Territory Imperial City.

After hearing this, Yi Jianwu frowned and thought for a moment. "I have some friendship with the Eastern Territory Emperor, Zhao Tianfeng. Take this!"

As he spoke, Yi Jianwu pulled out a token and handed it to Lin Chuan. "Take this token and make a trip to the Eastern Territory Imperial City. Seeing as it's for my sake, Zhao Tianfeng shouldn't refuse!"

Lin Chuan hurriedly thanked him and took the token.

Seeing that Lin Chuan had nothing else, Yi Jianwu left in a rush.

Lin Chuan thought for a bit and then went to find Martial Wuling True Person.

Upon hearing Lin Chuan's question, Martial Wuling True Person frowned deeply. "The situation in the Central Province is a bit different. Sects and the Imperial Clan are basically separate. The Imperial Clan doesn't interfere with the Sects, and the Sects don't interact with the Imperial Clan."

Hearing this, Lin Chuan felt a surge of despair.

Martial Wuling True Person said, "Let alone me, even if the Sect Master of the Central Province's number one immortal Sect, the Myriad Immortals Pavilion, were to come, the Imperial City might not necessarily give them Face."

Lin Chuan, feeling helpless and disappointed, thanked him and waddled back to his residence.

Lying on the lounge chair, Lin Chuan scratched his head frantically. He hadn't expected the third Imperial City to be so difficult. Coupled with the completely unknown Northern Territory, he might really fail this time.