Tang Qingwu’s longsword had already reached Lu Tao’s chest. So terrified he almost pissed his pants, Lu Tao forgot to even react. ’This madwoman actually dares to kill me!’

Just as the tip of the blade was mere centimeters from Lu Tao, two fingers suddenly appeared and pinched Tang Qingwu’s longsword. The blade, moments from piercing Lu Tao’s body, was stopped in its tracks, unable to advance another inch.

"What do you think you’re doing?" The one who stopped Tang Qingwu was, of course, Lin Yun. He couldn’t just stand by and watch Lu Tao be run through with a sword.

Tang Qingwu raged, while Lu Tao was overjoyed. Looking at Lin Yun, Lu Tao said, choked with gratitude, "Brother Lin, thank you so much. I, Lu Tao, will remember this favor for the rest of my life."

At these words, Lin Yun gave a slight, devilish smile. ’He might escape death, but he won’t escape punishment. And if you’re going to put on an act, you have to commit to it.’

He drove a fist right into Lu Tao’s stomach. Lin Yun’s body was already freakishly strong; even without using any Elemental Power, his pure Physical Strength was enough to send Lu Tao rolling on the ground in agony.

"I considered you a friend, and you dared to frame me! I’ll kill you!" Lin Yun roared, putting on a show of anger.

He then turned to Tang Qingwu. "Ninth Princess, this bastard framed me. Besides, killing him would only dirty your hands. Why don’t you leave him to me, Your Highness? I’ll be sure to teach him a proper lesson."

Hearing this, Tang Qingwu mulled it over for a moment before agreeing. Since Lu Tao had framed Lin Yun, it was only right to let Lin Yun be the one to punish him.

’Besides,’ she thought, ’Lu Tao’s status is different now. Even as a member of the Royal Family, if I really killed him, I would completely infuriate Master Wu. The consequences would be severe.’ 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Fine, he’s all yours," she said softly. With a final, vicious glare at Lu Tao, Tang Qingwu turned and left without a backward glance.

The farce came to an end. The Forbidden Guard Army departed, leaving only Lin Yun and Lu Tao behind.

"Brother Lin, you have to believe me! It was an accident, truly an accident!" Not knowing how Lin Yun had unraveled his plot, Lu Tao would rather die than confess, so he explained himself frantically.

"Hmph. Lu Tao, I considered you a friend, and you framed me. Tell me, how should we settle this score?" Lin Yun replied, his face grim.

"This... this..." Knowing he was in the wrong, Lu Tao stammered, unable to get a single word out.

Seeing Lu Tao speechless, Lin Yun continued, "I nearly died at the Ninth Princess’s hands today. If you can’t offer me some satisfactory compensation, I won’t let this matter rest."

’Compensation?’ The moment he heard that word, Lu Tao understood. ’So he wants Primordial Stones!’ Following Master Wu for the past year, Lu Tao had profited handsomely. In just one year, he had earned over two hundred thousand Low Grade Primordial Stones.

If you were to ask who was the wealthiest on the entire Celestial Spirit Continent, the answer, hands down, would be Alchemists and Artifact Refiners. As a mere apprentice, Lu Tao could earn two hundred thousand Low Grade Primordial Stones in a single year—a rate that was simply heaven-defying.

"Alright, Brother Lin, name a price. As long as it’s something I have, I will definitely compensate you," Lu Tao said readily. ’If it’s just money he wants, this is simple.’

Seeing Lu Tao’s confident expression, Lin Yun guessed to himself, ’This guy must be incredibly wealthy now. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be acting so self-assured.’

"Let’s discuss this somewhere else. It’s too public here," Lin Yun said calmly, his expression unchanged.

Lu Tao led Lin Yun to his residence. After they were seated and a maid had withdrawn, Lu Tao, now much calmer, asked unhurriedly, "Brother Lin, why don’t you name your price?"

"Alright. I’m a straightforward man. Since Brother Lu is so sincere, how about two hundred thousand Low Grade Primordial Stones, plus twenty Blood Burning Pills, twenty Life Extending Pills, and ten Spring Breeze Soft Rain Pills? Then we can consider this matter settled," Lin Yun said casually.

Hearing Lin Yun’s demand, Lu Tao spat out a mouthful of tea. ’Is this guy insane? He opens his mouth and asks for two hundred thousand Low Grade Primordial Stones...!’

"Impossible! Brother Lin, this is extortion!" Lu Tao refused flatly.

’Two hundred thousand Low Grade Primordial Stones is my entire fortune! And with the elixirs he’s asking for, the total value is over five hundred thousand Low Grade Primordial Stones!’

In Lu Tao’s mind, a demand of forty or fifty thousand Primordial Stones would have been about right. He never expected Lin Yun to ask for two hundred thousand right from the start...

Despite Lu Tao’s firm refusal, Lin Yun didn’t get angry in the slightest. He took a sip of tea, his eyes holding a confident gleam as he looked at Lu Tao. It was a look that said, ’I’ve got you right where I want you.’

"Fine, then. Forget it," Lin Yun said unhurriedly. "But whether or not the Ninth Princess lets this matter go will be none of my concern. Besides, I’m returning to the Academy tomorrow. When I see Senior Sister Lu, I might just..."

"Wait!" Lu Tao cut in before Lin Yun could finish. His entire expression changed, his eyes narrowing as he adopted an utterly fawning demeanor.

"Brother Lin, come now. We’re brothers! How can we let worldly possessions like Primordial Stones come between us? It’s just... I don’t have that many on me right now. How about I give you a hundred thousand first?"

Lu Tao was terrified of Lu Bingning. And on top of that, there was that madwoman, the Ninth Princess. If Lin Yun were to spread the word...

A faint smile touched Lin Yun’s lips. ’Kid,’ he thought, ’you’re still far too green to play these games with me.’

"One hundred thousand? Brother Lu, are you looking down on me? If you’re going to be so insincere, then forget it. I’ll just head back to the Academy right now," Lin Yun said, feigning anger.

Faced with Lin Yun, all of Lu Tao’s cunning and schemes were rendered useless. He was completely and utterly outmaneuvered.

To be fair, Lu Tao’s growth over the past year had been immense. His tone, his methods, his bearing when dealing with others, his resolve, and even his Martial Arts cultivation—all were worlds apart from what they used to be.

But his only mistake was running into Lin Yun. Compared to the wily and calculating Lin Yun, Lu Tao suddenly seemed so much more naive.

Ultimately, with an expression of extreme reluctance, Lu Tao handed over one hundred fifty thousand Low Grade Primordial Stones, ten Blood Burning Pills, ten Life Extending Pills, and one Spring Breeze Soft Rain Pill.

Tucking away his spoils, Lin Yun was thoroughly satisfied. ’I’m about to head to the Mysterious Forest, and I was completely out of Primordial Stones. If I didn’t properly extort Lu Tao, I’d be doing myself a disservice.’

’And you know,’ he mused, ’there’s a certain satisfaction in extorting an acquaintance. Besides, now that Lu Bingning and I are an item, Lu Tao is practically family. It’s only natural to ask for a little "emergency fund," right?’

After stowing the Primordial Stones and elixirs, it was time to get down to business. There were a few things Lin Yun needed Lu Tao to handle, because he wasn’t one hundred percent confident about his upcoming trip to the Mysterious Forest.