Lei River City.
After entering the city, the Xia Clan members finally let out a breath of relief. At least within Lei River City's territory, no robbery would occur—anyone who dared would be openly disrespecting the Wind-Thunder Sect.
And the Xia Clan had plenty of experts stationed inside the city. If anything happened, reinforcements could arrive immediately.
"Thank you for escorting us all the way, Young Master. This is one hundred thousand spirit stones—please accept it."
Xia Wanshan took out a spirit-stone pouch specially used for storing spirit stones.
Lin Ye took it without hesitation.
"No need for thanks. Where are the Ten Thousand Beast Blood Effigies you mentioned?"
From the two of them, Lin Ye had learned that the item was called a Ten Thousand Beast Blood Effigy. He hadn't expected the Shura Blood Sea to be so fond of such objects.
Xia Wanshan hesitated, then offered an alternative.
"How about this—Young Master may go to our Xia Clan auction house. I'll give instructions there."
"The Grand Prosperity Auction House."
"Good." Lin Ye nodded.
So it was the Grand Prosperity Auction House—no wonder. That girl from before had been from there. After going in circles, he had returned to Lei River City once again.
Lin Ye's objective remained clear:
Cultivation.
And if he needed resources, someone capable had to handle the logistics. Lin Ye quickly thought of a person and headed straight toward the Wind-Thunder Sect branch hall.
After all, in the entire city, he didn't know many people with both authority and ability.
When Xia Wanshan and his men watched Lin Ye leave, they felt even more relieved.
Lin Ye's mystery and terrifying strength made them unwilling to offend him—but now they also knew something crucial:
Lin Ye was a wanted criminal of the Wind-Thunder Sect.
Yet he still dared to return to Lei River City.
It was astonishing.
That kind of behavior could only mean one of two things:
He was either a fool…
Or he had absolute confidence.
Xia Wanshan was certain Lin Ye was not the first.
Could a fool slaughter over twenty Earth Transformation experts without suffering a scratch?
Impossible.
Wind-Thunder Sect Branch Hall
Branch Hall Master Lei Yongbiao had received several carrier-pigeon letters in a single day.
The first:
Seal off Lei River City and the surrounding ten miles. Search for the traitor Lin Ye.
The second:
If Lin Ye is encountered—kill on sight.
Just moments ago, Lei Yongbiao received the third:
Monitor Lin Ye closely. Do not let him leave Lei River City. Do not engage him in conflict.
Lin Ye didn't hide his movements, so tracking his direction wasn't difficult. It didn't take long to determine that his destination was Lei River City.
"What is going on…"
Lei Yongbiao had personally witnessed the ruthless nature of Lin Ye.
Even Yu Baiji had died by Lin Ye's hands. Lei Yongbiao had even covered up the matter involving Jiang Fusheng—an offense that could have cost him his life.
But he didn't dare provoke Lin Ye.
"Someone—go check where Lin Ye is now!"
Lei Yongbiao called a subordinate.
At that moment, a guard stumbled into the room, pale and shaking.
"Hall… Hall Master… Lin… Lin Ye… Lin Ye is here!"
"He's here?! Where?"
Lei Yongbiao's face changed.
"At the… at the gate!"
Lei Yongbiao panicked and hurried out of his study.
Sure enough, more than ten branch guards were surrounding Lin Ye in extreme tension.
But not one of them dared to strike.
Lin Ye stepped forward—each of them stepped back.
"Stand down! Stand down!"
Lei Yongbiao roared.
Only then did the guards retreat to the side.
Last night, Lei Yongbiao had issued only one order: Lin Ye had defected—report immediately if seen.
He hadn't expected to run into him this quickly.
But the newest order was simply: don't let Lin Ye leave Lei River City.
That was much easier.
Inside the Hall
Lin Ye sat down calmly in the reception room and looked at Lei Yongbiao.
"You've heard about my situation."
"I've heard a little."
"This has nothing to do with you," Lin Ye said. "As long as you obey, I won't kill you—and I won't put you in a difficult position."
Lei Yongbiao exhaled.
If Lin Ye said he wouldn't kill him, then he believed him.
"Many thanks, Brother Lin. Please give your instructions."
Lei Yongbiao had family above him and family below him. He didn't expect to keep his post forever, and he only wanted stability.
With the Wind-Thunder Sect protecting Lei River City, nothing serious usually happened. And if there was trouble, a Wind Bird could arrive in an hour.
His duties were mostly mediating conflicts between the city's families.
His cultivation talent had already reached its limit. He had barely stepped into Earth Transformation First Layer—enough to hold authority in the city, but far from elite.
Those with true talent had long been sent to the sect headquarters.
Lin Ye spoke directly.
"Prepare a private courtyard for me—quiet and secluded."
"Also, acquire the medicinal ingredients listed here."
"These spirit stones should be enough."
Lin Ye placed down nearly five million spirit stones.
Most of it came from Xu Liang.
Lei Yongbiao glanced at the list. The ingredients were mostly second- and third-grade herbs.
No issue.
Herbs were far cheaper than pills.
A third-grade pill could sell for two to five million spirit stones.
But raw herbs were usually only around a tenth of that cost.
And with Lei Yongbiao's connections, he could even get discounts.
Lei Yongbiao hesitated before cautiously asking:
"Brother Lin… will you be staying in the city for some time?"
Because that was his mission—ensure Lin Ye did not leave Lei River City.
"Yes," Lin Ye replied.
Then he looked Lei Yongbiao straight in the eyes.
"Don't worry. I won't leave Lei River City for now."
"And the Wind-Thunder Sect won't ask you to fight me."
"As long as you cooperate, I guarantee your safety—and I can even help you advance your cultivation."
Lin Ye seemed to see through everything.
With Lei Yongbiao's strength, he could never capture Lin Ye. At most, his role was simply to monitor him.
And at present, if the Wind-Thunder Sect fought Lin Ye one-on-one, Lin Ye feared no one.
As for mobilizing an elder-level kill formation—that likely wouldn't happen so quickly.
If word spread that the Wind-Thunder Sect had deployed elders to hunt a single former core disciple, it would be humiliating.
These sects cared more about face than reality.
It was often their greatest weakness.
Lin Ye didn't share that weakness.
If he couldn't win, he would run. There was nothing shameful about survival.
Lei Yongbiao was shocked by how clearly Lin Ye understood the situation.
His admiration for Lin Ye rose even higher.
This young man…
He would become someone truly terrifying.
Lei Yongbiao moved quickly.
He arranged an extremely quiet courtyard inside the city, and ordered his subordinates to deliver the herbs to Lin Ye immediately.
As for alchemy…
Lei Yongbiao did not believe Lin Ye could refine pills.
Those were third-grade herbs.
If Lin Ye truly could refine third-grade pills, the sect would never abandon such a talent—even if he had committed enormous crimes.
Alchemists were simply too rare.
So Lei Yongbiao assumed Lin Ye would consume the herbs directly, or boil them using some private method, trying to force a final breakthrough.
In Lei Yongbiao's eyes, it was Lin Ye gambling everything for one last chance.
But even so…
He still believed it was futile.
If the Wind-Thunder Sect wanted someone dead, that person would die.
No one could shake an entire sect alone.
That Afternoon
The herbs arrived by late afternoon.
Lin Ye didn't have much spirit stone left.
He also didn't want to rob people unless someone delivered themselves to him.
If someone did…
Then Lin Ye would not show mercy.
Using the entire afternoon, Lin Ye refined two batches of third-grade pills:
Six Instant Qi Pills
Five Earth Spirit Pills