If everything unfolded as the Young Pavilion Master suspected, and Miss Ling was a disciple of the Dean of the Ancient Spirit Academy, then the Ancient Spirit Academy would protect her.
Among those who were on good terms with the Dean of the Ancient Spirit Academy, nearly sixty percent were family heads, elders of major families, and sect leaders or elders of major sects. This group would also protect her out of affection.
As for the other families and sects who knew some secrets and wished to strengthen their families, Miss Ling's attitude today indicated that she didn't mind helping them become stronger or gifting them some good items. Therefore, this group would also protect her.
Those who wished her dead were basically people or families who had grudges against her, those with dark hearts, those who had taken her fortune, and some dark forces.
However, the majority still wished for her to live.
"Miss Ling has made a risky move!"
"Indeed, but this is the best arrangement for the current Ling family." Li Shu took a sip of tea and sighed, "It's just that with this, the Ling family's rise cannot be too slow. Miss Ling, can you do it?"
Without needing to ask Li Shu, Han Li understood.
If the Dean of the Ancient Spirit Academy proved their guess wrong, it would enrage them.
Therefore, the Ling family had to elevate themselves to a level where they could stand on equal footing before they received the Dean's answer, otherwise, their wrath would be quenched with the Ling family's blood.
But could Miss Ling achieve this?
If Ling Luo Yi were present, she would surely applaud Li Shu's guess and roll her eyes at Han Li's inner monologue.
"Young Pavilion Master, do we need to investigate?" Han Li grew more fearful as he thought about it.
"No need. The relationship between Flowing Cloud Pavilion and the Ling family was quite good. If you do this, it might even worsen. Besides, I don't think we can find anything out."
"Then Young Pavilion Master, do we need to do anything? Miss Ling's move today has also pulled Flowing Cloud Pavilion into the fray."
"Since our partners have already made their move, let's stir the waters even more. It will serve as a good build-up for the auction in half a month."
"But Young Pavilion Master, we've never built up hype for an auction before."
"We didn't do it before because there was nothing particularly good. This time is different; top-grade pills are enough to create some hype. You might have to learn how to create hype in the future. Our partners might give us even bigger surprises."
"Yes."
*
On Ling Luo Yi's side, she had already reached a cooperation agreement with the two guild masters and had left the Alchemist Guild, now on her way to the Artifact Craftsman Guild.
She didn't take a carriage but walked alone on the street, taking the opportunity to observe the customs and traditions of Cloud Abyss City. Since she finally had some leisure time, she naturally wanted to enjoy it.
"Master, do you believe what those two guild masters said?" Guan Yue transmitted telepathically.
Ling Luo Yi sighed, recalling what the two guild masters had said, "Perhaps. There's no way to prove it now."
"Then you agreed!"
"Because it benefits me. Besides, isn't it good for humans to become stronger?"
"That's true, but the Ancient Spirit Continent is just one of the weakest small worlds within the human realm, only slightly stronger than mortal continents. Even if the humans here become stronger, it won't have much impact on humanity as a whole, will it?"
"You're right. However, if we can send a few people to the Sacred Domain, even just one, it won't be a wasted effort."
"But Master, the limit in the Ancient Spirit Continent should be at the Spirit Emperor realm. Yet, with the current spiritual energy concentration, it might be difficult to even reach the Spirit King realm. Moreover, Tianwu Kingdom is a border country of the Ancient Spirit Continent, and the spiritual energy is even more sparse. To enter the Sacred Domain, one needs to at least reach the Loose Immortal realm. This is impossible, Master!"
"Precisely because the spiritual energy is sparse, pills, beast cores, and spirit stones become exceptionally important. And because alchemists and spirit stones are scarce, people target beast cores. That's why the beast race is so hostile towards the human race."
"Could it be that Master, you intend to increase the number of alchemists to increase the quantity of pills!"
"After all, the spiritual energy in beast cores is very violent, and the absorption efficiency for humans is very low, with great danger. Pills are different. Pills have gentle spiritual energy, lower danger, and their absorption efficiency is several times better than beast cores. For the same effect, I would also choose pills. Besides, aren't you also using pills to improve yourself?"
Guan Yue rubbed his head and chuckled.
"Perhaps over time, it can alleviate the relationship between the human and beast races."
"Master thinks too much!"
"It's just doing one's duty in one's position."
Guan Yue recalled his master's identity and understood her thoughts.
But Master, you are no longer purely human.
Sensing that Ling Luo Yi was being followed, Guan Yue reminded her, "Master, the first batch has arrived."
"I noticed long ago."
As Ling Luo Yi spoke, she naturally turned into a nearby alley, and those following her also entered.
After the last person stepped in, Guan Yue cast a barrier, enveloping the alley.
Ling Luo Yi stopped, and the followers also halted.
Ling Luo Yi scanned the area and found no one coming out. She said helplessly, "I've discovered you all, why aren't you coming out? I must say, your tracking skills are too weak. They're so obvious, are you afraid people won't notice?"
After waiting for a while longer, the followers emerged one by one.
Ling Luo Yi counted them; there were seventeen in total, not one missing.
The leader sneered, "I heard Miss Ling of the Ling family has countless top-grade pills. I suppose she wouldn't mind giving a few to us brothers, right?"
"Exactly, Miss Ling casually gave away two pills. She must be a generous person. Hahahaha..."
"That's right..."
The people behind him echoed with laughter.
Ling Luo Yi smiled, not taking these people seriously at all. They were merely in the Innate realm; how could they catch her eye?
"Oh, so you followed me all this way because you want my things. What if I refuse to give them?"
"Then don't blame us brothers for being impolite!" the leader threatened.
"Big brother, look at Miss Ling of the Ling family. We've never seen such a beautiful young lady before. How about..."
Listening to the lewd laughter all around, Ling Luo Yi's eyes turned dangerous, though they didn't notice.
Guan Yue, within the Fengxi realm, could no longer bear to watch. This was courting death!
"You're really pushing your luck." Ling Luo Yi stretched lazily. "Alas! Since you all want my things so badly, I'll be benevolent and give you some. Catch!"
With that, Ling Luo Yi threw out a talisman.
The leader, who had heard Ling Luo Yi was willing to give something, stepped forward with his subordinates. Then, he saw a talisman stop not far away, followed by several bolts of lightning shooting out from the talisman, and then... there was no more 'then'.
Ling Luo Yi looked at the thoroughly dead group and said coldly, "Guan Yue, clean it up."
"Understood, Master."
The next moment, only Ling Luo Yi remained there.
Ling Luo Yi sighed and relaxed.
She hadn't intended to kill them. However, these people looked like they had done this kind of killing for treasure before. If they were robbing a man, she wouldn't be so angry. After all, killing for treasure was normal in this world. But if they were robbing a woman, given their behavior just now, their fate would likely not be good.
Even though this was a world that revered strength, a woman's reputation was still very important.
Just because she didn't care about these things didn't mean others didn't. It could be considered avenging those women whose reputations they had ruined.
"Master?" Guan Yue called out weakly.
"I'm fine."
Ling Luo Yi stepped away, and Guan Yue retracted his barrier.