C14 Go to the Law Enforcement Hall!

Zhao Hai and Kong Ling were momentarily taken aback before nodding in agreement.

"Exactly."

A sudden thought struck Lin Tian, prompting him to call out to them once more. "I notice you're both at Martial Apprentice Level Four. With your current training regimen, reaching Level Six and awakening your Spirit Body could take upwards of five years. However, I have a technique that could expedite your advancement."

He then proceeded to the dilapidated courtyard room, quickly scribbling on a piece of paper.

Once finished, Lin Tian handed them the note. "The method I'm sharing is used by herbalists to fortify the body. It's not particularly rare, but it is a closely guarded secret, so it must remain confidential."

"Rest assured, Senior Brother Lin! We won't disclose a single detail!"

The gravity in Zhao Hai and Kong Ling's eyes spoke volumes—they understood the significance of Lin Tian's gesture of trust and the gravity of keeping this method under wraps.

Lin Tian nodded, a glint of approval in his eyes.

He had shared this body-nourishing technique for two reasons: to extend his trust and to test their discretion. If they could keep this secret, they would prove themselves invaluable, and Lin Tian would reward them with greater opportunities, ensuring a solid foothold within the Celestial Dragon Sect. Should they fail to maintain secrecy, Lin Tian would not hesitate to cut them loose.

After all, the technique he had given them could not only unlock their potential but also be lethal if misused.

Watching Zhao Hai and Kong Ling depart, Lin Tian made his way back to his humble thatched hut, deep in thought.

"My current state is promising; the initial form of the Divine Dragon Holy Body is complete, and I've awakened the Flame Spirit Body. To advance further, I'll need to seek out rare medicinal pills for nourishment. But such pills are costly, and acquiring them means having sufficient funds. In other words, my next step is to establish a steady stream of income."

Lin Tian knew well that beyond innate talent and potential, the journey of a Martial Cultivator hinged on financial means and resources.

Without money or resources, the greatest natural talent and potential are rendered useless. However, with sufficient resources and wealth, even those with lesser abilities can achieve a formidable Martial Dao Stage.

Thankfully, in his previous life, Lin Tian was a supreme being who had mastered countless professions, all with significant achievements. Therefore, carving out a path to financial success was not too challenging for him.

"Hmm, I should choose a profession that will bring in money right now. After all, whether it's concocting medicine pills, inscribing talismans, or crafting weapons, each requires a certain level of cultivation. Given my current strength, those advanced professions are out of reach. I'll have to start with the basics."

With these thoughts, Lin Tian arrived at his humble thatched hut.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Lin."

Several Outer Sect disciples passing by immediately greeted him with a bow and a fist, their eyes filled with awe.

Lin Tian wasn't surprised by their reverence. His reputation was solidified after he had dealt with the scions of the Ye and Zhang families. Acknowledging their respect with a nod, he was about to step into his hut.

But just then, a whooshing sound pierced the air, and a woman in a white dress appeared abruptly before Lin Tian.

She was tall and strikingly beautiful, yet Lin Tian's discerning gaze recognized her as more of a young girl than a woman.

Despite her mature appearance, she was but sixteen, as revealed by her Bone Root.

"Junior Brother Lin, run!"

The woman in white urgently warned upon seeing Lin Tian, leaving him momentarily taken aback.

Simultaneously, a flood of memories washed over him. Since his parents' demise, he had immersed himself in cultivation, while his sister took care of their daily needs. She once mentioned a kind sister who had looked after her well, but Lin Tian had paid little attention at the time, only remembering the name Yuan Rou.

"You must be Senior Sister Yuan Rou."

Connecting the dots, Lin Tian greeted her with a respectful fist and palm salute, "My sister often spoke of the care Senior Sister Yuan Rou has shown her. I've never had the opportunity to express my gratitude. Today..."

"Drop it, you need to get out of here fast. Ye Feng from the Ye family has headed to the Outer Sect's Law Enforcement Hall, claiming you stole his Absolute Cold Grass and crossed Liu Muer, the Prime Minister's daughter. The Law Enforcement Hall is on the hunt for you, aiming to slap charges on you! The Ye family head and others are already on their way!" Yuan Rou cut off Lin Tian, urgency lacing her voice.

"Oh, they're looking to pin charges on me at the Law Enforcement Hall? Ye Feng is really going out of his way," Lin Tian remarked, his eyebrows arching, but his gaze quickly turned icy. "Where's my sister?"

"Ling's been taken to the Law Enforcement Hall, but don't worry. The Ye family's after you. As long as you stay away, your sister..." Yuan Rou didn't get to finish before a group of young men in black swarmed the area, encircling both Lin Tian and Yuan Rou.

A disciple at the forefront addressed him, "Lin Tian, the Outer Sect's Law Enforcement Hall has summoned you for questioning regarding the theft of medicinal herbs from a fellow disciple. Please come with us."

Yuan Rou's face fell, but she quickly retorted, "Zhou Yi, since when are you so eager to apprehend others? Why the sudden zeal at the Ye family's behest? Have you become their lackey?"

Zhou Yi managed a wry smile, aware of Yuan Rou's influential connections. He could only bow with his hands clasped and respond, "Senior Sister Yuan Rou, I'm simply following orders. My master personally commanded me to make this arrest. What choice do I have?"

Yuan Rou's cold smile suggested she had more to say, but Lin Tian interjected calmly, "Zhou Yi, is it? We have no bad blood, so I have no issue accompanying you. But first, tell me, how is my sister?"

"Lin Ling is unharmed, currently inside the Law Enforcement Hall," Zhou Yi confirmed earnestly. "However, if you refuse to come, her safety could be compromised."

"Understood, I'll come with you," Lin Tian agreed, nodding, though inside, a storm of murderous intent was brewing.

He was well aware that Ye Feng would seek revenge; however, he hadn't anticipated such swift retribution. But this turn of events was actually perfect for him!

Having awakened his Spirit Body and attained Level Five as a Martial Apprentice, it was the ideal moment to demonstrate his prowess and cement his standing within the Law Enforcement Hall.

The group set off, making their way with urgency toward the eastern part of Celestial Dragon Mountain.

There, standing imposingly on the eastern flank of the mountain range, was a large, imposing black hall.

This hall commanded the utmost reverence from all disciples of the Celestial Dragon Sect—the Law Enforcement Hall.

Inside, hundreds of the hall's disciples and elders had convened, their gazes intermittently shifting to the entrance as if in anticipation of someone's arrival.

Ye Hong, the head of the Ye family, occupied the central seat of power within the hall, his eyes surveying the surroundings with an icy detachment.

Beyond his role as the family patriarch, Ye Hong held a more formidable title—that of the Hall Master of the Outer Sect's Law Enforcement Hall.

As the overseer and enforcer for the entire Outer Sect, the Ye family's influence was unchallenged.

Flanking Ye Hong were two individuals.

One was Ye Dao, the Great Elder of the Outer Sect, and the other, his son, Ye Feng.

While Ye Dao stood stoically, eyes closed in contemplation, Ye Feng's gaze flickered with a dark, murderous intent.

Since the day he was forced to bow before Lin Tian, Ye Feng recognized that the stakes had changed. Lin Tian had unexpectedly become friends with Zhao Danhua!

With such a connection, exacting revenge on Lin Tian was out of the question.

But Ye Feng was cunning. He knew that by keeping silent about the friendship between Lin Tian and Zhao Danhua, he could find opportunities to strike indirectly, such as using the theft of the Absolute Cold Grass as a pretext.

Moreover, Lin Tian's sudden advancement to Martial Apprentice Level Four was shrouded in mystery. Ye Feng was certain that once he informed his father of this development, his father would be compelled to act.

And indeed, everything had unfolded just as he had predicted—his father had made his move.

"Lin Tian... Lin Tian! I will personally witness your torment until death!"

Ye Feng's inner roar was matched by the malevolent glare he cast toward Lin Ling, shackled within the hall.

He had resolved that, upon Lin Tian's conviction, he would first execute Lin Ling before her brother's very eyes. Then, he would proceed to torture Lin Tian at his leisure.

Without such an act, his seething rage would find no release.

Yet Lin Ling, amidst the grandeur of the hall, remained serene despite her bonds, fear nowhere in her demeanor.

Her sole concern was for her brother, Lin Tian.

"Brother, please don't come. Just stay away. If you survive, Ling'er will be content."

Lin Ling whispered to herself. To her, Lin Tian was her entire world, her only kin. She would gladly face peril herself rather than see her brother harmed.

"Hmph! Lin Ling! Better start hoping your brother arrives soon! If he doesn't, you'll be the one facing his punishment!"

In that instant, Ye Feng's cold snort echoed through the hall. "Or are you saying you know where your brother is but refuse to speak? If that's the case, your punishment will be even harsher! Don't expect a peaceful death!"

Lin Ling lifted her head defiantly, "I'm not scared! You think you can hurt my brother? That's a fantasy!"

"What did you say?!"

Ye Feng bellowed, striding toward Lin Ling in a rage!

"Ye Feng! Stop right there!"

The scene was interrupted by a stern command from Ye Hong, seated at the head of the hall. Ye Feng froze, then quickly bowed his head, "Father..."

"Is this the extent of your prowess? Bullying a young girl?"

Ye Hong's voice was icy. "If that's the measure of your strength, then you don't deserve to be my son, nor do you deserve to be part of the Ye family!"

Ye Feng's face drained of color as he knelt and bowed repeatedly, "Father, I realize my error."

"Realize your error? Then get back here, now!"

Ye Hong's rebuke was sharp. "Or do you want to further disgrace us?"

Ye Feng swiftly rose to his feet and, with a single motion, positioned himself beside Ye Hong.

Naturally, this only deepened Ye Feng's resentment towards Lin Tian, his inner fury nearly manifesting into tangible form.