Chapter 150: The Gathering Storm

Lin Xiaobao scanned the entire treasure exchange venue, but he could not find any trace of Lin Tian and his companions.

Gu Yixiang tapped Lin Xiaobao on the shoulder and pointed toward a small hill not far away. There stood three figures—it could be none other than Lin Tian and the others.

Lin Xiaobao was slightly stunned. Now that they had finally managed to enter the treasure exchange conference, why wasn't his master browsing more? Suddenly, it occurred to him that Lin Tian was penniless and would be unable to trade even if he found something he liked. He felt a pang of guilt, wishing he had given Lin Tian some spirit stones earlier.

Accompanied by Gu Yixiang, he rushed toward the small hill. They moved with great speed and reached the summit in a matter of moments.

Lin Tian and Wang Dashua were gazing into the distance with an indescribable expression in their eyes. Qin Feng stood behind them, appearing vaguely anxious.

"What happened?" Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Lin Xiaobao asked.

Lin Tian turned to look at Lin Xiaobao. His rugged face wore a dull, blank expression. "The Wind and Snow Pavilion has been destroyed. They were wiped out overnight—not a single soul survived!"

"What?" Lin Xiaobao was shocked. Although he held no affection for the Wind and Snow Pavilion, those were many lives lost. Furthermore, Cen Shuya had left a very good impression on him.

Lin Tian sighed softly, his gaze drifting back to the horizon, toward the direction of the Wind and Snow Pavilion. Despite the unpleasant encounters he had faced there—mostly due to the Second Elder and his ilk—it did not represent everyone in the sect. Moreover, Hua Zhengchun was a close friend. Hearing this tragic news, he could not help but feel a profound, indescribable sorrow. Unlike Lin Xiaobao, Lin Tian had grown up in the Wind and Snow Pavilion; no matter how they had treated him, he still felt a sense of nostalgia for his homeland.

"I fear the matter is not so simple," Qin Feng paused before adding, "It is not just the Wind and Snow Pavilion. Almost at the same time, the Flowing Cloud Sect met the same fate. They were also completely annihilated, with no survivors!"

What? Lin Xiaobao’s heart skipped a beat again. If the destruction of the Wind and Snow Pavilion was a coincidence, adding the Flowing Cloud Sect meant the situation was far more complex than it appeared.

"Xiaobao, this matter..." Gu Yixiang did not finish her sentence, but Lin Xiaobao already understood what she was implying.

"Fairy Sister, you overestimate me!" Lin Xiaobao shook his head. "I don't have the strength for this. Even if Brother Chen were to stand up for me, he would never resort to such ruthless tactics."

Gu Yixiang nodded. Although she hadn't known Lin Xiaobao for long, she trusted her ability to read people. "If that is the case, then it is highly likely that someone is targeting you. Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that both the Wind and Snow Pavilion and the Flowing Cloud Sect were wiped out shortly after having conflicts with you?"

Lin Xiaobao racked his brain for potential enemies, but after thinking it over, he could not reach a conclusion. "Could it be the Dragon family?"

After narrowing down his list, the only ones with both a grudge against him and the capability to pull this off were the members of the Dragon family, who had been driven out of Bloodwind City by Chen Zhong. Long Wencheng of the Dragon family had reached the realm of the Dao Body Dharma Image, and with the full strength of the Dragon family behind him, they could certainly achieve this if they planned it carefully. But what would be their motive?

"Young Master Lin, Elder Chen requests your presence in the back hall," a disciple of the Profound Sun Palace interrupted, approaching and speaking respectfully.

Lin Xiaobao was startled and immediately realized that Chen Zhong must have received the news as well. As he prepared to leave, he suddenly thought of something and turned to tell Lin Tian and the others, "Don't stay here; go back to the treasure exchange venue."

He then turned to Gu Yixiang and added, "I ask that you please keep an eye on my master and the others, Fairy Sister."

"Rest assured. Even if the perpetrators are arrogant, they wouldn't dare cause trouble within the Profound Sun Palace. There is no power in the Longxiang Continent that strong yet," Gu Yixiang said, comforting him as she sensed his anxiety.

"It is better to be safe than sorry," Lin Xiaobao said with firm resolve. The enemy had dared to strike two sects simultaneously; who knew if they were deranged enough to infiltrate the Profound Sun Palace? The enemy was still lurking in the shadows.

With that, Lin Xiaobao followed the disciple into the inner courtyard of the Profound Sun Palace.

"Brother, don't mind the secrecy; it is not appropriate for me to appear at the treasure exchange conference right now," Chen Zhong said as soon as he saw Lin Xiaobao.

"Brother, why say such things? The value of our brotherhood lies in our mutual trust," Lin Xiaobao said, truly valuing their bond.

"Very well, I will get straight to the point. The Wind and Snow Pavilion has been attacked," Chen Zhong said bluntly.

"I know, and the Flowing Cloud Sect has also been wiped out," Lin Xiaobao nodded.

"It seems someone is targeting you," Chen Zhong did not ask if Lin Xiaobao had done it, for he knew his brother's character.

"Could it be the Dragon family?" Lin Xiaobao voiced his suspicion.

Just then, a communication crane talisman flew into Chen Zhong's hand. He crushed it, and it turned to dust in the blink of an eye. His expression turned unusually grave. "It cannot be the Dragon family."

He flicked his hand, letting the dust scatter in the wind. "I just received word: the Dragon family has also been wiped out within the borders of the Greedy Wolf Kingdom. Not a single soul survived."

Lin Xiaobao’s face also darkened. He felt as if an invisible hand was reaching toward him, yet he could not see who it was, nor could he fathom their purpose.

"If we assume the Dragon family destroyed the Wind and Snow Pavilion and the Flowing Cloud Sect, they would not have had enough time to reach the Greedy Wolf Kingdom to be wiped out themselves," Chen Zhong said, his brows furrowed. "After the treasure exchange conference ends, you should stay at the Profound Sun Palace for a while."

Was this all just a coincidence? Clearly not! Who were these people, and what was their goal? To destroy three sects in such a short time meant the perpetrators possessed significant power within the Profound Sects—at the very least, a second-rate force.

In all his memories, Lin Xiaobao could not recall offending such powerful figures.

With no leads yet, Lin Xiaobao paused and said, "If they are truly targeting me, they will eventually surface. However, I have a favor to ask."

"Do brothers need to speak like this?" Chen Zhong said with a hint of displeasure. "I have already arranged for people to protect the Yun family."

Lin Xiaobao had not expected Chen Zhong to be so thoughtful. Just as he was about to thank him, he saw Chen Zhong’s feigned angry glare and quickly added, "In that case, I will say no more. After the conference, please find an excuse to keep my master and the others here at the Profound Sun Palace."

"And what about you?" Chen Zhong asked, sensing Lin Xiaobao's true intentions.