Soul Emperor Awakening

Just when he thought the matter was over, Zhang Bin came up with another method of identification, which thoroughly infuriated Lin Xuan. ’If it weren’t for so many people here, I’d bash his skull in with a club. His relentless hounding is disgusting.’

"It seems you’re dead set on accusing me of obtaining the Yulan Pearl," Lin Xuan said, looking coldly at Zhang Bin. "It’s common knowledge that those with Low Cultivation can’t absorb it—they’d die just from touching it. So, let me ask you, what if you search me and don’t find the Yulan Pearl? What will you have to say for yourself then?"

’The best way to get out of this is to divert everyone’s attention. I just need to shift the focus onto Zhang Bin.’

"If we can’t find it, then that just proves you don’t have it, right?" Zhang Bin said shamelessly. "Besides, it’s not like you’re losing anything. I’m doing this for everyone’s sake! If someone obtains a Secret Treasure of the Demon Fox Race, they should hand it over. That’s how we’ll make Unity City stronger and able to resist the Demon Race’s invasion!"

He spoke with such self-righteousness, as if he would actually hand over the Demon Fox Race’s Secret Treasure if he’d been the one to find it. ’What a hypocrite. It’s easy for him to say since he has nothing to lose. If he really got his hands on the Secret Treasure, he would never give it up. Only a fool would hand it over for no personal gain.’

Lin Xuan’s expression darkened. ’This Zhang Bin is truly shameless. He doesn’t even have to think to spew such nonsense.’

Vice City Lord Ye Feng nodded, looking quite satisfied with Zhang Bin’s words. ’For the safety of Unity City, valuable items should indeed be turned over. How else can we ensure peace?’

"There’s no harm in trying. It will be more convincing for everyone," Ye Feng said, his eyes narrowing. "Do you have any objections?"

"No objections," Lin Xuan said calmly. Noticing Wei Song’s worried gaze, he gave him a slight nod to signal that he shouldn’t worry.

’Besides, what choice do I have? With so many people staring, if I refuse the test, they’ll be convinced I have the Yulan Pearl. The accusation would be set in stone.’

Then, a Demon Fox was brought forward. Lin Xuan saw that she was covered in wounds, and his gaze hardened. Her eyes were vacant, a clear sign of the prolonged abuse she had suffered to end up in such a state.

Lin Xuan’s heart clenched. ’If she recognizes me, I’m truly trapped. I can only hope this Demon Fox doesn’t identify what’s on me.’

"Go on, sense if he has the aura of the Yulan Pearl!" her master ordered, shoving her. She collapsed to the ground, intense pain bringing tears to her eyes. They burned with endless fury, but she could not resist.

She looked up at Lin Xuan, her delicate nose twitching as she sniffed the air. Her beautiful eyes filled with shock. Pointing at Lin Xuan, she exclaimed, "You! How do you have the aura of the Yulan Sacred Fire? No, wait... this really is the aura of the Yulan Pearl! How can a human like you possess the aura of my race’s treasure?!"

She cried out in shock, her eyes filled with disbelief. It was clear she wasn’t lying for Lin Xuan; she had no reason to. She didn’t know him and loathed all humans, so no one suspected her of deceit. She didn’t look like she was lying in the slightest—she was telling the absolute truth!

"He... he really controls the Yulan Pearl? That’s impossible, he’s only at the Essence Pill Stage!"

"You idiot, weren’t you listening to Zhang Bin? He probably knows how to control the Yulan Pearl, and he must know the exact location where the Secret Treasure was hidden!"

"He’s finished this time. After trying so hard to hide it, the Vice City Lord definitely won’t let him off easy."

...

The crowd of onlookers erupted, the discussion quickly reaching a fever pitch. The supreme treasure of the Demon Fox Race was actually controlled by a human—a fact that shocked them all.

"Haha! I told you the Yulan Pearl was on him! Vice City Lord, this is a great merit, is it not? He must have a way to control the Yulan Pearl; otherwise, it would be impossible with his Low Cultivation. If you could control the Yulan Pearl, Vice City Lord, your strength would soar!" Zhang Bin was ecstatic. ’Even though I’m not the one getting the Yulan Pearl, I’ll at least be rewarded for snitching. Ye Feng will definitely reward me handsomely.’

"And how will you explain yourself this time?" Ye Feng’s voice was deep. A flicker of greed flashed in his eyes, though he concealed it so well it vanished in an instant. He began to walk forward slowly, closing in on Lin Xuan with every step.

"Vice City Lord, are you really going to believe the words of a Demon Fox? Couldn’t she just be slandering me?" Lin Xuan asked in a low voice. ’I can’t believe it. The worst-case scenario actually happened.’

"That’s simple enough. Let me inspect your body internally, and we’ll know for sure." Ye Feng’s gaze swept up and down Lin Xuan. This "inspection" was no simple matter; it was a forcible probe that would cause physical harm, the only way to search someone so thoroughly.

"I’ll give you one more chance," Ye Feng said, dangling a tempting offer. "Hand over the Yulan Pearl, along with the method to control it, and I won’t hold you responsible for anything. In fact, I’ll even give you a generous reward! The Yulan Pearl is wasted on you; you can’t unleash its true power. If the Demon Fox Race finds out you have it, you’ll be in grave danger. If they manage to take it back, it would be a great loss for all of humankind!"

"And if I say no?" Lin Xuan’s gaze grew cold. ’Such high-sounding words. He just wants to steal my treasure, but he dresses it up as if he’s doing me a favor.’

In this world fraught with danger, such considerations were meaningless. The only thing that mattered was one’s own power! The moment a tempting treasure appeared, people would reveal their true, greedy nature.

"If you refuse, then you will suffer the most severe punishment!" Ye Feng sneered.

He didn’t believe for a second that Lin Xuan could escape. ’The thought of controlling the Yulan Pearl is thrilling! This would be a huge boost for me. It might even let me break through to the Void Spirit Stage in one fell swoop!’

Just as Wei Song was about to say something, he was dragged back by Wei Jun, who whispered urgently, "Don’t move! If you interfere, not even I can protect you! I know it’s wrong, but this is the reality of our world... You can’t protect anything without power. Look closely and never forget: if you aren’t strong enough, never reveal the treasures you possess!"

Wei Song threw off his father’s hand and said angrily, "I have to help him—"

Wei Jun struck his son hard on the back of the neck, knocking him unconscious. Wei Song’s body went limp, and he collapsed into his father’s arms. Wei Jun could only sigh, powerless to do anything to help.

"I always thought the name ’Unity City’ had a nice ring to it, but now I see it’s just an empty title. Some of the people here are no better than bandits! Using your strength to forcibly rob others of their belongings, all while spouting such high-and-mighty justifications... I’m truly witnessing it firsthand. I’d rather keep company with a dog than stand here with the likes of you!"

Lin Xuan spoke with cold and fearless defiance.