137: Chapter 137 Blood Lotus's Defeat

Blood Lotus Venerable retreated in defeat, and the remnants of the Black Lotus Cult scattered.

On the battlefield, the scent of blood had not yet dissipated as the Cultivators of the Luoxia City War Department began to clean up the battlefield.

Treating the wounded, tallying battle losses, and collecting spoils of war.

Everything was orderly.

Atop the city walls, various factions who had come to observe were taking their leave one after another.

What they had seen today was shocking enough.

Luoxia City not only had a Nascent Soul City Lord presiding over it, but also three thousand battle-ready troops, terrifyingly powerful war Magical Artifacts, and the strength to repel a Mid Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator.

From now on, the title of the number one power in the Southern Territory was thoroughly solidified.

“City Lord Lin, this old man must also take his leave.”

Sect Master Mo of the Qinglan Sect stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said:

“Today's battle was truly eye-opening. The rise of Luoxia City... no, the Luoxia Sect, is now unstoppable.”

“Sect Master Mo overpraises me.”

Lin Yue returned the gesture:

“Without the years of care from the Qinglan Sect, Luoxia City would not have reached this point today.”

“That is your own ability.”

Mo Chen waved his hand and said seriously:

“However, the old demon Blood Lotus will certainly not be satisfied with today's defeat. The Black Lotus Cult is known for seeking revenge for the smallest grievance; I fear another wave of attacks will come soon.”

He paused and lowered his voice:

“As far as I know, although the Black Lotus Cult is not top-tier in the Middle Realm, its power cannot be underestimated. There are at least three Late Nascent Soul Stage powerhouses presiding over the cult, and there might even be a Spirit Transformation Ancestor hidden behind the scenes.”

“You have offended Blood Lotus to the death today. When he returns, he will surely exaggerate the situation to incite the higher-ups to head south. When that time comes... it might not be just one Mid Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator coming.”

“Thank you for the warning, Sect Master Mo.”

Lin Yue's expression grew solemn:

“I have already taken this into account. Since the Luoxia Sect has established itself, it naturally does not fear any challenge.”

“Good! Such spirit!”

A flash of admiration appeared in Mo Chen's eyes:

“If there is a need, the Qinglan Sect can provide assistance at any time. Farewell.”

“Until we meet again.”

After seeing off Mo Chen, Lin Yue looked at Elder Xuan Yangzi nearby:

“Elder Xuan Yangzi, shall we discuss the details of our cooperation now?”

“No rush.”

Elder Xuan Yangzi shook his head, his gaze sweeping over the War Department Cultivators cleaning the battlefield:

“City Lord Lin should handle the post-war matters first. This old man will visit again tomorrow.”

“Very well.”

Lin Yue nodded:

“Then tomorrow, I shall await you at the City Lord's Mansion.”

Elder Xuan Yangzi departed with the Seven Star Alliance investigation team.

On the city wall, only Lin Yue, Star Radiance, and the core members of the Lin family who had just arrived remained.

“City Lord.”

Grand Elder Lin Cang stepped forward, his face solemn:

“The battle damage statistics are out.”

“Speak.”

“Twenty-seven War Department Cultivators were killed, one hundred and thirty-five were heavily injured, and over three hundred sustained light injuries. The High-Grade Spirit Stone consumption for the dragon roar cannons was immense; the fifty batteries consumed a total of five thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones. Three of the cannon barrels were damaged by overheating and need to be reforged.”

Lin Yue was silent for a moment:

“For those killed in action, provide compensation at the highest standard. Their names shall be carved into the Heroic Monument, and their families will be supported by the Sect for life.”

“For the heavily injured, the Alchemy Hall must put forth every effort to treat them. All costs will be borne by the Sect.”

“Repair the damaged dragon roar cannons as quickly as possible. As for the Spirit Stone consumption... allocate them from the treasury.”

“Yes.”

Lin Cang noted it down and continued:

“Regarding the spoils, there are forty-eight corpses of Black Lotus Cult Cultivators, including eight Golden Core Cultivators and forty Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Forty-eight Storage Pouches were collected, containing various Medicinal Pills, Magical Artifacts, and Spirit Stones; the exact amounts are still being tallied.”

“Additionally, we have captured one Golden Core Cultivator from the Black Lotus Cult. He is heavily injured and unconscious, and has been taken to the dungeon.”

“A Golden Core prisoner?”

Lin Yue's eyes lit up:

“Treat him well, do not let him die. This person will be of great use to me.”

“Yes.”

Lin Cang stepped back.

Lin Hu, Lin Shi, Lin De, and the others stepped forward one by one to report.

Lin Yue handled each matter with clear logic and without any confusion.

Star Radiance watched from the side, her eyes gleaming with admiration.

This man was not only terrifyingly strong in battle, but also so skilled in handling internal affairs.

No wonder Luoxia City could rise in just two short years.

“Star Envoy.”

Lin Yue suddenly looked at her:

“Today was thanks to you presiding over the city and stabilizing the Formation's core.”

“It was my duty.”

Star Radiance shook her head:

“As for you, clashing head-on with the old demon Blood Lotus, your True Essence consumption must have been significant?”

“It was indeed significant.”

Lin Yue did not hide it:

“After all, a Mid Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator is not that easy to deal with. If I didn't possess dual Origins and have the starfall sword and star armor for support, I might have truly suffered today.”

“However...”

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes:

“I also gained much from this battle. Fighting with all my strength against a Mid Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator has deepened my understanding of the Nascent Soul Realm. I have a feeling that within three months, I will surely Breakthrough to the Peak of the Early Nascent Soul Stage.”

“So fast?”

Star Radiance was surprised.

For an ordinary Cultivator to go from the Early Stage to the Peak of the Early Stage, it would take at least ten years of bitter cultivation.

Lin Yue had only just broken through, yet he said he could reach the Peak within three months?

“It's just the advantage of dual Origins.”

Lin Yue explained briefly, then said seriously:

“Star Envoy, I have something I'd like to ask of you.”

“Please, speak.”

“I would like to invite you to officially serve as a ‘Guest Elder’ of the Luoxia Sect.”

Lin Yue said earnestly:

“Not just in name, but a functional position. Responsible for the Sect's Formation layouts, teaching the Star Lord Inheritance, and... communicating with the Star Track Pavilion.”

Star Radiance was stunned.

She hadn't expected Lin Yue to suddenly make such an invitation.

“City Lord Lin, I am a Star Gazing Emissary of the Star Track Pavilion, I have duties to attend to...”

“I know.”

Lin Yue interrupted her:

“That is why I said ‘Guest Elder’ rather than a formal Elder. You will still retain your identity with the Star Track Pavilion and only need to provide assistance when the Luoxia Sect requires it.”

“In return, all the Star Lord Inheritances of the Luoxia Sect will be open to you. You may also freely consult the Formation records in the Star Lords Palace.”

“Additionally...”

He paused and said meaningfully:

“The Star Track Pavilion sent you to the Southern Territory to investigate the star movements and find a way to combat the Spirit Devouring Clan. By staying in the Luoxia Sect, you will have access to the most core intelligence and can participate in the battles on the front lines.”

“Is this not exactly what you want?”

Star Radiance fell silent.

Lin Yue was right.

She had indeed come to the Southern Territory shouldering the mission of the Star Track Pavilion. And Luoxia City, Burial Dragon Abyss, the Star Lord Inheritance... all of this pointed to one possibility—the key to solving the threat of the Spirit Devouring Clan lay here.

Staying in the Luoxia Sect was indeed the best choice.

“I... need to request instructions from the Elders of the Pavilion.”

Star Radiance finally said.

“Very well.”

Lin Yue nodded:

“Until you receive a reply, you shall remain in the Sect as a Guest Elder. Your treatment will be the same as a formal Elder.”

“Thank you.”

Star Radiance gave Lin Yue a deep look:

“City Lord Lin, you are truly a... very calculating person.”

“You flatter me.”

Lin Yue smiled:

“I only know how to let everyone get what they want.”

...Late at night, in the quiet room of the City Lord's Mansion.

Lin Yue sat cross-legged, looking inward at himself.

In his Dantian, the star dragon nascent soul sat cross-legged with its eyes closed, starlight and Dragon Qi circulating endlessly around it.

Although his True Essence consumption was massive, the Nascent Soul's Foundation was not damaged; instead, after today's battle, it had become a bit more solid.

“Master, the Grotto-Heaven has recovered to eighty-five percent.”

Hao Tian's voice sounded:

“The Star Fruits on the World Tree, the earliest batch is expected to ripen in seventy days. Additionally, the production of the dragon soul spirit spring has increased by thirty percent, and a new associated Mineral Vein has been discovered in the dragon vein jade marrow Mineral Vein, doubling the probability of producing ‘dragon vein jade marrow’.”

“Very good.”

Lin Yue nodded with satisfaction:

“Resources are tight after the battle; these outputs come at just the right time.”

“Master, how do you plan to handle that captured Golden Core Cultivator?”

“Let him recover from his injuries first.”

A hint of coldness flashed in Lin Yue's eyes:

“Once his condition is stable, I will personally interrogate him. We must obtain internal intelligence on the Black Lotus Cult, especially their specific plans for their main force to move south.”

“Additionally...”

He paused:

“For tomorrow's negotiations with Xuan Yangzi, I need you to help me deduce several possibilities.”

“Please give your orders, Master.”

“First, the specific cooperation terms the Seven Star Alliance might propose, and our bottom line.”

“Second, the changes in the Qinglan Sect's attitude and their possible future needs.”

“Third... the Star Track Pavilion's reaction to Star Radiance staying here, and what we can gain from it.”

“Understood.”

Hao Tian complied and began the deductions.

Lin Yue closed his eyes and began to regulate his breathing to recover.

Although they won today's battle, it also exposed many problems.

The cooperation of the War Department Cultivators was not yet tacit enough, the consumption of the dragon roar cannons was too high, and high-end combat power was still insufficient... these problems must be resolved before the main force of the Black Lotus Cult moves south.

“Strength... is still not enough.”

Lin Yue murmured to himself.

The Early Nascent Soul Stage might be enough for the Southern Territory.

But facing a Middle Realm power like the Black Lotus Cult, which has a Spirit Transformation Ancestor presiding over it, it was still too weak.

“I must improve as quickly as possible.”

He clenched his fist.

The inheritance in the Star Lords Palace, the resources in the Grotto-Heaven, the manpower of Luoxia City... all of this must be converted into solid combat power as soon as possible.

While he was thinking, a knock came from the door.

“City Lord, Lin Hu requests an audience.”

“Come in.”

Lin Hu pushed the door open and entered, still carrying the Killing Intent that had not yet dissipated.

“City Lord, the prisoner is awake.”

“Oh?”

Lin Yue opened his eyes:

“What is his state?”

“His injuries have stabilized, but he is emotionally agitated and has been clamoring to see you.”

“To see me?”

Lin Yue smiled:

“Bring him here.”

“Yes.”

Before long, a black-robed Cultivator was brought into the quiet room.

This person appeared to be in his thirties, with a sinister face and a pale complexion. There was a bone-deep sword wound on his chest, which had been inflicted by Lin Yue's Sword Qi.

His cultivation had been sealed, but his gaze was still fierce as he stared fixedly at Lin Yue:

“Lin Yue! You'd better release me! Otherwise, when our Black Lotus Cult army moves south, we will definitely leave you without a place to be buried!”

“Heh.”

Lin Yue smiled:

“You're already a prisoner, yet you still have such a big mouth?”

He walked up to the other man and leaned over to stare into his eyes:

“Tell me your name, your position in the Black Lotus Cult, and... your specific plans for the main force moving south.”

“In your dreams!”

The black-robed Cultivator spat:

“I won't say anything! Kill me if you have the ability!”

“Kill you?”

Lin Yue shook his head:

“That would be too easy for you.”

He reached out his right hand and pressed it onto the top of the other's head.

In his palm, Power of the Stars and Dragon Qi intertwined.

“You... what are you going to do?!”

The black-robed Cultivator struggled in terror but could not move.

“Soul Search.”

Lin Yue said indifferently:

“Although it will damage your Divine Soul and might even turn you into an idiot, well... who told you not to cooperate?”

“Wait! I'll talk! I'll talk!”

The black-robed Cultivator completely panicked.

The technique of Soul Search was one of the most cruel methods in the cultivation world. The victim's Divine Soul would be damaged at best, and their Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering at worst. Even if they luckily survived, they would lose all sanity and live a life worse than death.

“Too late.”

Lin Yue's eyes were icy:

“I gave you a chance.”

Power of the Stars and Dragon Qi poured into the other's Sea of Consciousness.

The black-robed Cultivator screamed shrilly, his whole body twitching.

A moment later, Lin Yue withdrew his hand.

The black-robed Cultivator collapsed to the ground, his eyes empty and saliva dripping from the corner of his mouth; he had already become a ruined person.

“Take him away and lock him up.”

Lin Yue waved his hand.

Lin Hu complied and dragged the man away.

In the quiet room, Lin Yue's face was grim.

Based on the information obtained from the Soul Search, the situation... was even worse than he had imagined.

The time for the main force of the Black Lotus Cult to move south was not months away.

But... within a month!

Moreover, Blood Lotus Venerable was not the only one leading the team.

There was also another Late Nascent Soul Stage powerhouse—

“White Bone Demon Venerable...”

Lin Yue murmured to himself.

A trace of solemnity flashed in his eyes.

The true test was about to begin.