Chapter 336: Chapter 38: Seven Seas Hall, Kishu
Just as Lin Jing wanted to continue listening, Lu Youjiu suddenly changed the topic, then continued, saying,
“Of course, this theory of mine is just one of many guesses. As for the actual situation, I’m afraid only the true members of the Lin Family would know.”
Actually.
What Lu Youjiu had said was pretty much the truth.
The Lin Family’s ancestor, carrying the alchemy dao legacy of the Lin Family, fell into Immortal Crossing Island, causing the loss of the Lin Family’s alchemy dao legacy, which indeed was one of the reasons for the Lin Family’s destruction.
However, the situation at the time was rather complex. Even if this hadn’t happened, there was still that inexplicable curse. Without breaking the curse, the Lin Family would still have been doomed.
It was only a matter of time.
As to whether there were other families scheming behind the scenes, that Lin Jing was not sure of.
It would seem…
With the fall of the Lin Family, those forces that harbored grudges against them definitely would not miss the chance to kick them while they were down.
……
Afterward.
The three of them continued forward.
They walked a good distance before coming to a building that stood twelve stories high; this structure was more majestic and domineering than any other building around.
It was also the tallest building Lin Jing had seen since entering Bihai City.
The entire building was black, and unusual formation patterns were carved all over its exterior.
Above the main entrance of the building hovered a stone stele, on which the words ‘Seven Seas Hall’ were inscribed in gilt letters.
When Lin Jing looked at the stele, he immediately felt an immense pressure from heaven and earth trying to invade his sea of consciousness.
This pressure from heaven and earth was even more formidable than the oppressive divine sense of cultivators. Under this force, Lin Jing felt as insignificant as an ant.
Lin Jing immediately gathered his divine sense to resist the pressure burning world.
At this moment, Lu Youjiu noticed Lin Jing’s abnormal state and hurriedly said to him,
“Lin Daoyou, be careful not to look directly at that stele…”
Hearing Lu Youjiu’s words, Lin Jing quickly averted his gaze.
Only when Lin Jing looked away did the oppressive force from the stele dissipate.
However.
Even after Lin Jing shifted his gaze, some residual influence remained in his sea of consciousness.
Lin Jing quickly closed his eyes, gathering his divine sense to erase that residual influence.
Once Lin Jing had completely eliminated the residual influence, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and reopened his eyes.
This Seven Seas Hall was clearly no ordinary power; even the pressure of heaven and earth from its stele was not something just anyone could withstand.
“I forgot to remind you earlier,”
“This Seven Seas Hall is not an ordinary power, especially those gilt letters on the stele, which were inscribed by the Mahayana elders within the hall.”
“It is said that during the inscription of the stele, it received the blessing of the world’s momentum, so the stele naturally carries pressure.”
“Another purpose is to use this stele to demonstrate the strength of the Seven Seas Hall.”
“What kind of force is this Seven Seas Hall, to be so powerful that even its elders are strong cultivators of the Mahayana Realm?”
Lin Jing said, his eyes full of shock as he reassessed the Seven Seas Hall.
Lu Youjiu then explained,
“This Seven Seas Hall is one of the top powers within the Inner Sea of the Demonic Monster Sea, but its influence spreads across the entire Demonic Monster Sea.”
“Aside from the Nanming Domain, it even has some influence in several other domains.”
Hearing this, Lin Jing was even more astounded.
“I had no idea that the Seven Seas Hall was so formidable, to have influence beyond the Demonic Monster Sea and affect other domains.”
After a while, recalling what Lu Youjiu had just said, Lin Jing asked,
“Such a strong force, yet it’s not the strongest in the Demonic Monster Sea?”
Lu Youjiu shook his head and said to Lin Jing,
“In terms of strength, there are two or three other powers within the Inner Sea of the Demonic Monster Sea that are comparable to the Seven Seas Hall.”
“But when it comes to influence, the Seven Seas Hall is truly unparalleled.”
Having said that, Lu Youjiu paused for a moment, and then continued,
“You could think of the Seven Seas Hall as a super trading corporation.”
“Within the Seven Seas Hall, you can obtain anything you want, as long as that thing exists and you pay the right price, they can get it for you, no matter what it is.”
Hearing this, Lin Jing looked at the bustling entrance of the Seven Seas Hall, somewhat skeptical.
“Anything?”
“Isn’t that a bit exaggerated…”
Lu Youjiu then said,
“Actually, it’s not that much of an exaggeration.”
“Apart from normal trading, there is also a Covenant Hall within the Seven Seas Hall. This Covenant Hall is truly the reason why the Seven Seas Hall has such immense influence.”
“Because any cultivator, without any prerequisites, can become a covenant cultivator of the hall.”
“Do you know how many covenant cultivators there are within the Seven Seas Hall?”
Lin Jing shook his head and said, “I don’t know…”
At that moment,
Yan Wanfei, who had been struggling to contain himself, eagerly chimed in,
“Brother Lin, let me tell you.”
“In this entire Demonic Monster Sea, it can be said that over seventy percent of cultivators are covenant cultivators.”
“Seventy percent, how is that possible?”
Stunned, Lin Jing quickly asked,
“Does becoming a covenant cultivator have any benefits? And what exactly does a covenant cultivator do?”
Lu Youjiu then spoke up, telling Lin Jing,
“You can think of this Covenant Hall as the foreign affairs hall of a sect, the kind that takes on missions to earn contributions.”
“The Covenant Hall is equivalent to that foreign affairs hall.”
“Joining the Pact Hall doesn’t require any conditions, and there are no constraints whatsoever,”
“Moreover, even after becoming a Pact Cultivator, you do not belong to the Cultivators of Seven Seas Hall, nor will Seven Seas Hall attempt to control the Pact Cultivators to help with anything for Seven Seas Hall,”
“Additionally, if you regularly complete the missions issued by the Pact Hall, you can elevate your level as a Pact Cultivator, which then grants you more rights and benefits at the commerce guild affiliated with Seven Seas Hall,”
“With such conditions, it’s natural that many people join,”
“If you desire any precious Spirit Plants or rare ores and such, you can simply issue a task at the Pact Hall,”
“At that time, the task you issue will be visible to all the Pact Cultivators in the Demonic Monster Sea, and as long as you offer enough compensation, seventy percent of the Cultivators in the Demonic Monster Sea will help you accomplish it,”
“Whether it’s someone you want to kill or a power you wish to eradicate, or even if it’s about finding some rare Spirit Plant or a special relic,”
“As long as the payment is sufficient, there’s almost nothing the Pact Cultivators of the Pact Hall can’t do,”
“With that said…”
“Is there anything that the Pact Hall can’t find?”
Having said all this, Lin Jing suddenly reached an epiphany,
“So that’s how it is…”
Lin Jing then thought of something and quickly asked Lu Youjiu and Yan Wanfei:
“You two…?”
Both of them nodded at the same time:
“Yes, both of us are Pact Cultivators of the Seven Seas Hall,”
“Pact Cultivators are not controlled by the Seven Seas Hall. We can take on missions if we wish, or not take them if we don’t feel like it. We have complete freedom,”
“Besides, by becoming a Pact Cultivator, if you possess any shady Magical Treasures or Cultivation Techniques, you can sell them at the Pact Hall,”
“And you don’t have to worry about being tracked back to you. Why wouldn’t we do it?”
Hearing them say this, Lin Jing felt tempted,
“May I know what conditions are required to become a Pact Cultivator?”
Lu Youjiu started to explain:
“There are no conditions,”
“You can directly enter the Pact Hall and look for the overseer inside. He will give you two Tokens, and all you need to do is to refine them,”
“These Tokens represent your identity within the Pact Hall and are used to record the contribution points from completed tasks,”
“One of them will be kept in the Pact Hall, while the other one will be carried by you,”
“Since you will have refined the Token, if it’s lost, no one else can use it,”
“And if they try to refine it, it would erase the original aura preserved on the Token, rendering it invalid,”
“Therefore, the Token can be said to be absolutely safe,”
Lin Jing nodded his head, indicating his understanding,
Yan Wanfei then spoke up and addressed Lin Jing:
“Brother Lin…”
“Actually, you could first receive a Token at the Pact Hall and become a Pact Cultivator. Even if it’s not immediately necessary, you will definitely need it in the future,”
After pondering for a moment, Lin Jing replied:
“Let’s wait a while. I’ll come to Seven Seas Hall later to learn more about it and then make a decision,”
Lu Youjiu nodded in agreement:
“You can become a Pact Cultivator anytime; there’s no rush for this,”
……
After that, Lin Jing and the others continued to move forward,
They walked along the main street until at last, after quite a while, the three men turned into a small alley,
Traveling further along the alley, Lin Jing and the others arrived in front of a residential compound,
“Bang, bang, bang,”
Yan Wanfei stepped forward and began knocking on the wooden gate with loud bangs,
Before long, a young Cultivator holding a book, deep in thought, opened the door to the compound,
This Cultivator was not particularly tall, and his build was average, but what stood out was the scholarly aura that radiated from him,
Seeing this young man, Lu Youjiu immediately spoke up:
“San He, we’ve arrived,”
The young man known as San He then looked up, first pinching his nose bridge as if to relax before turning his head to gaze at them:
“You’ve come…”
After that, he looked towards Lin Jing and asked:
“This is?”
Lu Youjiu didn’t hesitate:
“This is Lin Jing, Lin Daoyou, who once helped Niu San at a critical moment,”
Having said that, Lu Youjiu then introduced him to Lin Jing:
“This is Holaw Three Rivers; you can just call him San He,”
“San He Daoyou,” Lin Jing greeted with a clasped fist,
Holaw Three Rivers nodded and returned the gesture with a clasped fist,
Then.
Lin Jing followed the others into the compound,
After entering the house, everyone took a seat around the table. The scholarly young man named Holaw Three Rivers took several teacups from the tea tray and placed them in front of them,
Next, he lifted the teapot and filled their cups,
Only then did Yan Wanfei begin to speak and asked Holaw Three Rivers:
“San He, you mentioned earlier that you’ve taken on a mission, what is it?”
San He replied with a slight smile,
“It’s an assassination task Youjiu should like,”
“Assassination? Who’s the target?” Yan Wanfei inquired curiously,
“Thousand Islands Domain, the Demon Cultivator Dai Mao,” Holaw Three Rivers answered,