Soul Emperor Awakening

After tidying up a bit, Lin Xuan and Liu Yue’Er left the Core Hall and prepared to head for the Imperial Palace. A summons from the Great Emperor could not be delayed, so it was best to get this over with. Lin Xue wanted to tag along, but on second thought, she decided against it. After all, the Great Emperor, Xu Qianlong, had summoned him, not her.

As Lin Xue walked them to the door, she took out a Communication Jade and handed it to Lin Xuan. "This is from the Mansion Master. If you crush it, the Elders, including the Mansion Master himself, will personally come to the rescue. So, unless it’s an extreme emergency, you must not crush this Jade. Otherwise, you’ll be troubling the Elders."

Lin Xuan accepted it, marveling at how different his treatment was now. ’Different status, different treatment.’ All he had to do was crush this Communication Jade, and even the Mansion Master would personally come to his aid. It was like having a Core Formation Stage expert on call—a truly terrifying thought.

"Mm, I won’t use it recklessly. This is a life-saving treasure." Lin Xuan tucked the Communication Jade into his Storage Ring. At a critical moment, it could save his life.

"Be careful, then, and don’t push yourself too hard." Lin Xue straightened Lin Xuan’s clothes, an affectionate gesture that made them look just like a young married couple.

"Careful of what?" Lin Xuan chuckled. "Besides those top experts, who would dare to touch me now? My status is different, and I have this Communication Jade." With his current standing, what Clan Leader would dare lay a finger on him?

Unless they wanted to provoke Qingcheng Mansion, no one would dare to make a move against him. Such was the benefit of a good reputation. He only needed to state his name, and no one would dare to act.

As they emerged from the Core Hall, the members of the Genius Sect didn’t dare meet Lin Xuan’s gaze, walking with their heads lowered. The change from before was immense. They had been thoroughly suppressed by the Inner Hall Sect. With even their strongest member, Tong Yulong, having been defeated, what reason did they have to be happy?

"Let’s go. We’ll head to the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion first."

Lin Xuan took the Phoenix from his Storage Ring and released it into the air. He planned to take Liu Yue’Er to the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion first before heading to the Imperial Palace, since it was on the way.

Just as they were flying at high speed over a remote area, a terrifying pressure suddenly descended, enveloping them before they could even react! The speeding Phoenix slammed headfirst into a thick barrier.

BANG! The force of the impact threw them backward. Fortunately, Lin Xuan reacted in time, swiftly grabbing Liu Yue’Er as they tumbled through the air. After a few spins, they landed safely on the ground.

The Phoenix was largely unharmed. It circled around and flew to Lin Xuan’s side.

"A true prodigy, indeed. To think you even use a Phoenix as a mount... this Emperor is truly surprised. I heard a young man in the Demon Cloud Sea rode a Phoenix. That must have been you. To achieve so much at such a young age, you are truly worthy of the Lin Family and its supreme bloodline!" A familiar figure walked out from the forest. It was none other than the man who had summoned him, the Great Emperor, Xu Qianlong!

Xu Qianlong emerged from the forest alone. His usually benevolent expression was now twisted into a savage sneer, and his eyes, fixed on Lin Xuan, were filled with greed.

Lin Xuan’s expression darkened. He whipped the Communication Jade out of his Storage Ring and, without a second thought, prepared to crush it.

Xu Qianlong watched him mockingly. "It’s useless," he said. "Did you really think this Emperor wouldn’t anticipate such a move? This Communication Shield was prepared especially for you. Even if you crush that Jade, the signal won’t get out. And no matter how loud you scream, no one will ever know."

The color drained from Lin Xuan’s face. He knew Xu Qianlong wasn’t bluffing. He accessed the memories of the Demon Evil Monarch and recalled a similar item: the Communication Shield. It was an essential tool for ambushes and assassinations, designed specifically to block these kinds of signals.

’If someone could invent a way to send a distress signal, it was inevitable that someone else would invent a way to block it. And using such a device almost always meant you intended to kill your target and leave no witnesses.’

By that same logic, Xu Qianlong’s actions proved he intended to kill him. It was almost unimaginable that a Core Formation Stage expert would go to such great lengths just to kill someone at the Essence Pill Stage.

"Great Emperor," Lin Xuan said, his face grim, "you summoned me. Why are you doing this? What do you stand to gain?"

Liu Yue’Er remained silent at his side, but her eyes were locked on Xu Qianlong with open hostility. Her aura surged, and she stood ready to fight at a moment’s notice.

"Benefits? Of course, there are benefits. Plenty of them!" Xu Qianlong was in a fine mood and made no move to attack. Instead, he sized Lin Xuan up and down. "Do you think you’ve survived this long and avoided detection by sheer luck? If this Emperor hadn’t been holding back your enemies, you would have been captured as a child. Do you understand?"

Lin Xuan remained silent. He instantly understood the blatant meaning behind the Great Emperor’s words: Xu Qianlong had been the one to stop the Lin Clan’s enemies from finding him. ’So, in a way, he’s my savior. But the crucial part is that he knew all along. He never acted, just... watched me!’

"After so many years, and especially after this recent battle, this Emperor has finally witnessed your growth. Your bloodline has been thoroughly awakened," Xu Qianlong continued, his face twisting into a hideous expression. "My own time is running short, so it’s time to collect the interest on my investment. I’ll give you two choices: become my slave, or I will sever the tendons in your limbs. Choose!"

’So his true nature is finally revealed.’ Lin Xuan realized Xu Qianlong was doing all this for one thing: his blood. ’Why does he want my blood? The answer is simple. He wants to channel the power of the Lin Family bloodline into his own body and steal its innate talents!’

’Simply drinking the blood would be useless. One must first cultivate a certain Demon Technique to absorb its Bloodline Power. A single dose wouldn’t be enough; it requires a continuous, long-term supply to be effective. That’s why Xu Qianlong wants to keep me alive—to farm me for my blood.’

’Becoming a slave is the best-case scenario for him. I’d be obedient, and as my Cultivation increases, my bloodline will grow stronger, providing him with a more potent source. If he just severs my tendons, that’s less ideal. He’d only be able to absorb my blood at its current quality, preventing him from accessing the stronger Bloodline Power that comes with higher Cultivation.’

’Clearly, the first option is the most effective. Either way, I’m completely within his control, for him to do with as he pleases. No wonder he hasn’t attacked yet. Forcing me into slavery is his ideal outcome. If I refuse, he’ll just have to take me by force.’

Either way, Lin Xuan knew he wouldn’t be allowed to leave this place alive. If word of this reached Qing Deyun, the consequences for the Great Emperor would be dire.

Lin Xuan’s face turned ashen. His bloodline was both his greatest strength and his fatal weakness. The existence of a Demon Technique that could absorb Bloodline Power—a technique otherwise useless under normal circumstances—was the very thing that had driven the Lin Family to ruin.

The forces that had besieged the Lin Family were not just their usual rivals, but more so the frenzied madmen who sought to absorb their Bloodline Power and achieve their own breakthroughs!