Chapter Thirty-Nine: What Are You Thinking? [Second Update, Please Recommend]

The members of the royal family of the Jama Empire were utterly stunned. The heads of the various great families, witnessing this scene, were equally bewildered. Even Yun Yun herself could no longer discern what was happening. The course of events had far surpassed everyone’s expectations.

“Greetings, Lord of the Hall!”

“Greetings, Lord of the Hall!”

One after another, Yao Chen, Yun Shan, Nalan Jie, Zhang Qingyuan... all knelt on one knee in succession to pay homage to Lin An.

Everyone present was in a daze—who exactly was this Lin An, and where had he come from, that so many people would willingly submit to him?

Just Yun Shan and Jia Xingtian alone comprised the most formidable powers within the Jama Empire.

“Master, what exactly is going on?” Yun Yun asked in confusion.

Yet Yun Shan did not answer her immediately, as though even responding to Yun Yun required Lin An’s permission.

“This matter can be explained later. There is still one important thing to settle first,” Lin An replied. As he spoke, his gaze settled upon Gu He. “A wager must be honored. From now on, you belong to the Hall of Yama.”

Gu He’s heart was filled with bitterness. He felt as though he had been tricked, as if Lin An had been laying a trap for him all along, just waiting for him to step into it.

However, even a seventh-tier alchemist was willing to serve Lin An—surely, as a sixth-tier alchemist, it was not particularly shameful to do the same.

“Greetings, Lord of the Hall!”

At last, in front of everyone, Gu He set aside his pride and pledged his loyalty to Lin An.

“Very good. Rest assured, you will not regret the decision you made today,” Lin An said.

With this, the forces Lin An now commanded were more than enough to overturn a nation such as the Jama Empire.

But Lin An knew this was still far from sufficient.

There were simply too many true experts upon the Dou Qi Continent, and to those true masters, such strength could be wiped out with a mere wave of the hand.

Only with a genuine Dou Saint presiding could true security be assured.

“The rest is up to you now. I trust you will not disappoint me.”

With these words, Lin An called for Nalan Yanran and Xiao Xun’er to accompany him as he departed the imperial city.

News of Gu He’s defeat in the alchemy contest spread with astonishing speed to the surrounding towns. Yet, compared to this news, what truly shook people was the submission of Gu He, Jia Xingtian, Yun Shan, and the others.

Previously, if someone had said that Jia Xingtian of the Jama Empire and Yun Shan of the Yunlan Sect would both submit to a single youth, everyone would have thought that person insane.

But now, it had actually happened.

Lin An’s name once again spread throughout the Jama Empire.

Lin An himself was unconcerned. Even if his reputation grew within the Jama Empire, it would at most spread locally. Given its remote location, even if the true experts of the continent heard his name, they would hardly give it a second thought.

Moreover, the imperial family of the Jama Empire had issued strict orders forbidding anyone from spreading word of what had happened that day to outsiders.

Though the order came somewhat late, it was still better than nothing.

“Nalan Senior Sister, what’s wrong?”

After returning to the Nalan family from the palace, Nalan Yanran had seemed dejected, as though she had suffered some grievance.

“It’s nothing. I just feel a bit tired,” Nalan Yanran replied listlessly.

“Is it because you think I keep all my secrets from you, and that’s what troubles you?” Lin An could easily guess the reason for her mood.

“We’re only ordinary fellow disciples. You have no obligation to tell me these things. Besides, everyone has their own secrets... I can understand that,” Nalan Yanran continued. Her feelings were complicated—though nothing had happened between them, it still hurt to realize just how many secrets Lin An kept from her.

“Senior Sister, you’re being too distant. Very well, I’ll tell you my secret now.”

With that, Lin An waved his hand gently, bringing Nalan Yanran and Xiao Xun’er with him as he entered the Hall of Yama.

As with everyone’s first time in the Hall, their initial reaction was to wonder—what kind of place was this?

After Lin An’s explanation, Nalan Yanran and Xiao Xun’er finally understood just how wondrous the Hall of Yama truly was.

“Telling this secret to Nalan Yanran is enough. Why are you telling me too?” Xiao Xun’er asked, puzzled.

“Do you think, after keeping you by my side with such effort, I’ll simply let you go back?” Lin An countered.

“What do you mean by that?” Xiao Xun’er’s face was wary, and a simple talisman appeared soundlessly in her hand. Should Lin An make any dangerous move, she needed only to crush the talisman, and she could unleash the strongest blow of a Dou Zun. She was certain that no matter how mysterious Lin An was, he could not withstand that.

For the sake of her own safety, Xiao Xun’er no longer cared about anything else.

Lin An saw all of this but did not stop her.

“It means nothing, except that you will be my chess piece for traveling to Central Continent. Naturally, I must keep you firmly in hand,” Lin An said.

“You know who I am?”

“The eldest daughter of the Gu Clan, one of the Eight Ancient Clans. You’ve already used the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame. If I couldn’t deduce your identity, that would indeed be a joke.”

“So you knew all along, even back then,” Xiao Xun’er said, as if she had expected this. Anyone who could control the Bone Spirit Cold Flame would certainly know about most of the Heavenly Flames. The Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame had always belonged to the Gu Clan; this was no secret among the Eight Clans. For Lin An to deduce her identity was no great feat.

“What do you want, then?” Xiao Xun’er asked warily.

“Nothing much—only that you serve me.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Xun’er felt herself bound by a mysterious force, unable even to crush the talisman in her hand.

For the first time, a look of terror appeared on her face before Lin An.

She could already guess what method Lin An would use to force her submission.

“If you defile my honor, you will pay a price beyond your imagination. I assure you, the Gu Clan has the means to exact vengeance,” Xiao Xun’er said fearfully.

Since Lin An had said he wished to use her, he certainly would not kill her.

But now, with her body immobilized by overwhelming force, and her beauty enough to drive any man mad, how could she not think the worst?

“What are you imagining?” Lin An asked, a trace of exasperation in his voice. “If I wish to conquer someone, do you think I would use such despicable means? Besides, there’s someone else here as well.”

Lin An was at a loss for words—never did he expect Xiao Xun’er’s mind to race so far in but a moment.

Still, perhaps it was not such a bad idea... But after a moment’s thought, Lin An abandoned this notion.