The large group returned to Yan City fully loaded with gains. Due to their significant harvest, the atmosphere was particularly pleasant. On the way back to Yan City, Xia Wanjin also inquired about Lin Dong's background, and there was a hint of recruitment in his words.
As for Xia Wanjin's recruitment, Lin Dong paused briefly after some thought, but did not directly refuse. Currently, helping the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce defeat the Blood Wolf Gang would leave some resentment due to the latter’s style of doing things. At this moment, being able to draw closer relations with the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce, one of the three top forces in Yan City, was undoubtedly a good choice.
Therefore, regarding his origins, he did not overly conceal it either. After all, with the capabilities of the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce, a little investigation would be enough to find out.
"Lin family from Qingyang Town?"
When hearing that Lin Dong came from the Lin family of Qingyang Town, Xia Wanjin remained calm, but Xuan Su was slightly surprised. She then covered her mouth and lightly laughed, saying: "Most of the Yang Yuan Stones recently sold by the Lin family in Yan City have been purchased by our Wanjin Chamber of Commerce. I didn’t expect that Lin Dong friend is actually from the Lin family. After returning, I will instruct them to pay more attention when doing business with the Lin family."
"Ho ho, thank you, Manager Su." Lin Dong smiled and respectfully bowed.
"Lin family... I seem to have heard recently that the Blood Robe Sect in Yan City has some grievances with you. Moreover, more than a month later, the sect leader Wei Tong will have a life-and-death duel with your Lin family at the Yan City Colosseum."
Upon hearing these words, Xuan Su and Xia Zhalan beside him were both stunned as they looked at Lin Dong. Although the Blood Robe Sect in Yan City may not be on par with their Wanjin Chamber of Commerce, it still possessed formidable strength. And Wei Tong was a strong warrior at the Yuan Dan Realm Small Completion stage. Could the Lin family withstand such power?
"Hmm, indeed we have some grievances." Lin Dong smiled faintly at their astonishment and calmly replied: "And the person who will engage Wei Tong in a life-and-death duel is me."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, even Xia Wanjin frowned slightly. Beside him, Xia Zhalan exclaimed loudly: "Young man, are you trying to kill yourself? Wei Tong is a strong warrior at the Yuan Dan Realm Small Completion stage! He's not comparable to today's half-trained Jiang Li!"
"Hmm, what Zhalan said makes sense. Life-and-death duels at the colosseum are no trivial matters. If necessary, I can intervene to mediate..." Xuan Su also nodded and said.
"Fear it might be difficult. The Blood Robe Sect always takes the Blood Wolf Gang as its head. Today, Lin Dong caused them to lose the Danxian Pool; even if our Wanjin Chamber of Commerce intervenes, it would be hard for the Blood Robe Sect to let go," Xia Wanjin pondered deeply and said.
"Hehe, this is not something that can be mediated. Thank you both," Lin Dong smiled faintly.
"How did you offend the Blood Robe Sect?" Xia Zhalan couldn't help but ask.
"I killed their deputy sect leader Gu Ying," Lin Dong casually replied.
After hearing this, he felt the surroundings become quiet. Turning around, he saw Xia Zhalan and others staring at him with extremely astonished eyes.
"Isn't Gu Ying a two-seal talisman master?" Xuan Su was also momentarily stunned, then sighed helplessly: "You young man, killing him explains why mediation is impossible."
"Monster." Xia Zhalan muttered under her breath. A two-seal talisman master, from a certain level, could rival a warrior at the Xiao Yuan Dan Realm stage. Unexpectedly, he was killed by Lin Dong, which explained why Lin Dong didn't appear flustered when dealing with Jiang Li earlier — he had already had confidence.
Lin Dong shrugged his shoulders. There was nothing he could do about it. If he hadn't killed that person, the trouble afterward would have been greater. However, since it was done, there was no point in regretting it. As for Wei Tong, the outcome of the life-and-death duel in a month could not yet be determined.
"Hehe, Lin Dong friend indeed has great courage. That Gu Ying was lewd and wicked; it's better that he's dead," Xia Wanjin laughed and then continued: "I would like to invite Lin Dong friend to take up the title of an honorary elder in our Wanjin Chamber of Commerce. Would Lin Dong friend agree?"
Upon hearing Xia Wanjin's words, Lin Dong was slightly startled. Looking at the smile on Xia Wanjin's face, he suddenly understood. Xia Wanjin wanted to secretly help the Lin family by connecting them with the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce. In the future, the Lin family in Yan City would receive much assistance and wouldn't have to worry too much about retaliation from the Blood Robe Sect and the Blood Wolf Gang.
"If so, then I thank President Xia for your kindness."
Lin Dong paused briefly before bowing respectfully. For the current Lin family, the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce was like a big tree. If he were just alone, it might not matter much, but since he had to consider the entire Lin family, accepting this favor was necessary.
Seeing Lin Dong accept, Xia Wanjin burst into laughter. The current strength of Lin Dong might not yet make him extremely important, but Xia Wanjin highly valued Lin Dong's potential. As a businessman, he very well understood the benefits of long-term investment. If he missed this opportunity, once Lin Dong truly revealed his brilliance in the future, perhaps the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce wouldn't have the qualifications to show goodwill anymore...
Seeing this scene, Xuan Su also smiled faintly. She had always been optimistic about Lin Dong. It pleased her greatly to see the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce drawing closer relations with him.
After returning to Yan City, Lin Dong parted ways with Xia Wanjin and others. Without lingering too much, he directly returned to the inn where he was staying.
After entering the room, Lin Dong slumped down. Although today's harvest was considerable, it wasn't exactly easy. Moreover, at the bottom of the pool, he almost exhausted all his Yuan force giving it to Little Squirrel. Then, he managed to maintain his spirit all the way back. Now that his spirit relaxed, naturally, he felt a wave of weakness spread through his body.
In his weakened state, Lin Dong did not immediately start studying the Yin-Yang Pearls he had just obtained. Instead, he endured the fatigue and weakness within his body, sat cross-legged on the bed, and slowly entered a meditative state.
Closing his eyes, it was already midnight when Lin Dong opened them again.
After meditating for half a day, the depleted Yuan force in his Dantian had recovered by more than half, and the feeling of weakness gradually faded away.
Realizing his condition had recovered, Lin Dong took out the three "Yin-Yang Pearls" he had obtained at the bottom of the Danxian Pool earlier from his spatial bag.
Three round beads presenting black and white colors floated in front of Lin Dong, emanating powerful and pure energy fluctuations that spread throughout the room.
Lin Dong stared greedily at the three "Yin-Yang Pearls." He could feel that the energy contained in just one "Yin-Yang Pearl" was equivalent to the total energy absorbed by the four of them from the Danxian Pool!
"This is the real treasure of the Danxian Pool!"
Lin Dong chuckled. Fortunately, the terrain at the bottom of the Danxian Pool was extremely complex, otherwise, treasures like these would never have fallen into his hands. With the personalities of Xia Wanjin and Yue Shan, they would have surely checked the Danxian Pool thoroughly earlier. If it weren't for the numerous forked paths at the bottom, perhaps they would have already been discovered by the two of them.
Ordinary people only knew that the treasure of the Danxian Pool was the energy in the pool water, never expecting that the Danxian Pool could also produce wonders like the "Yin-Yang Pearls."
After quietly rejoicing for a while, Lin Dong carefully stored two Yin-Yang Pearls, leaving one. Placing it between his palms, he closed his eyes again and began to circulate the Qingyuan Gong while simultaneously using his mental power to form the "Qi Refining Essence Spiral" above his Dantian.
"Woo!"
As Lin Dong absorbed, the Yin-Yang Pearl trembled instantly. Following that, a shocking amount of pure energy surged out like a bicolored water column, quickly flowing out from the Yin-Yang Pearl and being entirely absorbed by the suction force emitted from Lin Dong's body!
Surrounded by damp energy mist due to Lin Dong's intense absorption, the process far exceeded the strength of absorbing from the Danxian Pool during the day!
However, this kind of absorption lasted only about half an hour. Lin Dong realized that the Yuan force cluster in his Dantian was already full again. He had to stop this greedy absorption and started circulating Qingyuan Gong, making the Yuan force cluster even more refined.
This refining speed did not satisfy Lin Dong, but there was nothing he could do. Qingyuan Gong was only a third-class secret manual, achieving this was already its limit. To enhance the speed of absorption and refinement of Yuan force, the fundamental problem needed to be addressed — practicing a higher-level secret manual!
Of course, obtaining a high-level secret manual was easier said than done, so Lin Dong could only endure it for now.
In the following few days, Lin Dong enjoyed a relatively peaceful time. Most of his time was spent immersed in cultivation. With the Yin-Yang Pearls in hand, Lin Dong's Yuan force cultivation progressed rapidly. He could feel himself constantly approaching the critical point of advancing to the Yuan Dan Realm. What he needed to do was wait for the right moment when everything would fall into place.