"Your luck is the strongest I've ever seen," Yan Ming King said, studying Wang Linchi.

When he first heard from his subordinates that Wang Linchi wanted to see him, he was stunned. Wang Linchi had actually survived. He had assumed Wang Linchi died long ago in the spatial turbulence when the Secret Realm shattered.

Now, not only was Wang Linchi alive, but he had also traveled far from the Xuan Spirit Heaven of the Jing Room Domain to the Yuling Sky of the Willow Residence Realm. It had been almost two years since the descent of the Tree of Immortality, and Wang Linchi's tenacity was astounding.

"How could I die? We still have an agreement. If I died, wouldn't that make me untrustworthy?" Wang Linchi said with a grin.

Thanks to the protection of the Saint Master clone, he had encountered no danger on his journey. Instead, the Saint Master had grown considerably through Soul Absorption, and even Wang Linchi's spiritual power had reached 2,700 points. However, because he needed to maintain a low profile, his progress in using Natural Treasures and Soul Devices for assistance had been slow.

"It's good that you're alive." Yan Ming King was already a Morning Star-level Awakener, his power having advanced by leaps and bounds.

Combined with the power of the Twelfth Lunar Bone Demon God and the geographical advantages of the Willow Residence Realm, his strength was comparable to the Sunlight Level.

"I completed some things for you during the journey. Take a look and see if you can use them," Wang Linchi said, taking out a large stack of books and handing them to Yan Ming King.

The journey to the Willow Residence Realm had taken him over a year, all of it spent traveling by fire-wheel carriage. Many others, like him, were also heading to Yuling Sky seeking refuge. Faster modes of transport existed, but Wang Linchi couldn't afford them.

"You finished these on your journey?" Yan Ming King looked surprised as he quickly flipped through the pages.

[Soul Skill·Soul Seed Boiling LV10 (MAX): Permanently enhances all Soul Kinds by 100%.]

[Soul Skill·Mythology-level Soul Kind Searing Heat: When possessing Soul Seed Boiling, each level of Soul Seed Boiling allows all Mythology-level Soul Kinds' effects to increase by an additional 5%.]

[Soul Skill·Ordinary-level Soul Kind Chilling Cold: When possessing Soul Seed Boiling, each level of Soul Seed Boiling reduces the cooldown of all Ordinary-level Soul Kinds by 1%.]

[Soul Skill...]

The derivations from the Soul Seed Boiling Series totaled over a thousand, and Yan Ming King could feel his power continually increasing.

"Yes, completed on the way. With the help of the Soul Kinds you gave me, I've managed to develop the entire Soul Seed Boiling Series. It's doubtful there will be any more progress," Wang Linchi said with some regret.

This made Yan Ming King pause, just as he was about to ask Wang Linchi to help him improve further. A year of research had yielded nearly a thousand derivative Soul Skills. Even if almost nine hundred of them were situational and useless to him, it didn't mean the final result was ineffective. For instance, with the recently acquired Mythology-level Soul Kind Searing Heat, he first needed to possess the prerequisite Ordinary-level Soul Kind Searing Heat, then the Excellent Level, and so on, accumulating them level by level. Only then could he learn the Mythology-level Soul Kind Searing Heat; he couldn't just skip the preceding steps after obtaining it.

"So, what are your plans? Will you continue developing Soul Skills related to Soul Kinds?" Yan Ming King naturally wanted Wang Linchi to continue in this line of work. After all, Wang Linchi's current power level was clear: as a Black Iron-level Awakener, he would be an ant anywhere else.

"I plan to find a way to leave the South. On my journey here, even in your Willow Residence Realm, only Yuling Sky was somewhat better; devastation was rampant everywhere else."

"So, I want to ask for your help."

"The additional derivative Soul Skills can be considered payment."

Wang Linchi spoke bluntly. He knew Yan Ming King would feign ignorance if he were more tactful.

"This..." Yan Ming King hesitated. He didn't want Wang Linchi to leave. "It's possible... but if you stay in Yuling Sky, at least you won't have to worry about danger. I can't guarantee your safety if you go to other domains."

This was his tactful way of persuading Wang Linchi to stay.

"I understand, and I don't want to trouble you. I know my value lies in helping you develop Soul Skills. But at this point, I can't research any new ones. I was able to develop so many thanks to the books my parents left behind, but I've used them all up now. I doubt it will be possible in the future."

There was no way Wang Linchi would stay. He had been around Yan Ming King before; when had it ever been safe? Misfortune had struck every single time. Yan Ming King indeed possessed power comparable to the Sunlight Level now. But this wasn't the end of it; Wang Linchi was sure he would stir up more trouble. How else could Yan Ming King have grown stronger so quickly? From the peak of the Secret Silver Level to the Morning Star Level in just two short years—a leap of two entire levels. Wang Linchi could see the inherent dangers in such rapid advancement, even if others couldn't. Even a genius couldn't achieve such speed by following conventional methods.

"Alright, I'll contact my master and ask him to arrange it for you," Yan Ming King said.

His master was, naturally, the former Domain Master of the Jing Room Domain. Although Bright Moon Level strength was inferior to the Sunlight Level, he had managed to escape under dire circumstances, so he wouldn't face severe blame. The punishment had been largely for show—severe in appearance but light in practice—at most involving some maneuvering by the factions supporting him.

"If possible, I could use some more resources and Soul Devices; Black Iron Level would suffice. As you know, when I left, it was like escaping a disaster. I lost everything," Wang Linchi said, a hint of embarrassment on his face.

Yan Ming King smiled. "You've always been this straightforward. I still remember when you first came to curry favor with me."

"Being straightforward is better. Being secretive would make it seem like I have some ulterior motive," Wang Linchi replied.

Black Iron Level resources were worthless in the current Yan Ming King's eyes, so giving them away was no burden at all.

"You've had a tough journey. I'll arrange for someone to take you to rest. You'll have news about leaving the South within three days at most."

"Is your position in the Soul Seed Bureau still active?" Yan Ming King asked again.

"If someone revoked it after Yi State was destroyed, then I suppose it's gone," Wang Linchi joked back.

"That'll do." Yan Ming King naturally understood Wang Linchi's jest. Could there really be any survivors left in Yi State?

He then arranged for someone to escort Wang Linchi to a guest room and had a sumptuous meal served, with all ingredients being Natural Treasures.

It just went to show that the upper echelons and the common folk lived in entirely different worlds. The dire situation in the Southern Seven Realms barely affected Yan Ming King in Yuling Sky. As a Governor, Yan Ming King's entitlements had not only not decreased but had, in fact, improved significantly.

Through his observations, Wang Linchi deduced that Yan Ming King was likely affiliated with the Dajing Court, not an independent power. His master was still serving under the Court; otherwise, how would he have the channels to send Wang Linchi out of the South? Furthermore, Yuling Sky's ability to maintain its prosperity post-disaster was largely due to the Court's assistance. Otherwise, where would Yan Ming King and the Ming King Palace get the resources to sustain their 'normal' way of life? The Court couldn't possibly support all Seven Realms, but providing for one Ming King Palace and letting some scraps trickle down to Yuling Sky as supplies was certainly feasible.

After eating and drinking his fill and freshening up, Wang Linchi went straight to sleep. For over a year, he hadn't dared to sleep soundly. Even with the protection of the Saint Master clone, his vigilance had never waned; if anything, it had sharpened. Here, he could finally, truly relax.

「Later」

"Sending someone over? At this critical juncture, it might not be easy."

An elderly voice emanated from Yan Ming King's more powerful crystal; it was his master.

"Who is this person that has caused you to go to such lengths, even seeking my help?" The other person didn't refuse immediately but began to probe.

"He's someone I have a slight connection with from the past. You don't need to arrange a high-ranking position for him, not even in a Territory Mansion. A Prefecture will suffice. He already holds a position in the Soul Seed Bureau—a quiet, clerical logistics role," Yan Ming King explained.

His master initially assumed Yan Ming King wanted to place someone in a significant post. After all, since his disciple was asking, it surely couldn't be for a trivial position; he was leveraging their relationship, so to speak.

"If that's all, then there's no problem." After hearing the explanation, the master agreed without hesitation.

"Please arrange a stable Prefecture for him. He prefers peace and quiet and isn't one for competition. Just reinstate him in his original position. Once that's arranged, you won't need to concern yourself with him further," Yan Ming King added.

"You came to me for such a trivial matter?" The master on the other end seemed to have pulled up Wang Linchi's information. Since they were networked, even if the information was scarce, Wang Linchi's employment status could be seen. He was left speechless, especially when Yan Ming King mentioned restoring the original position. To a Domain Master, such a post was smaller than a sesame seed.

Fortunately for the master, this was good news, as he wouldn't have to worry about Wang Linchi causing trouble and implicating him.

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