In just a few short days, Lin Qian's name had already spread like wildfire throughout Ten Thousand Medicines and Spiritwood Valley.
Inside the Boundary Tree, Lin Di's injuries had largely healed, and he continued to hide there with Yun Yunyan, staying close to the tree's entrance.
They often overheard passersby as they rested near the entrance of the Boundary Tree, picking up on news and gossip circulating throughout the valley.
At this moment, Lin Di sensed two soul warriors resting against the tree's trunk just outside. They began to chat, their conversation initially of no interest, as it didn't pertain to the pursuit of Lin Di and Yun Yunyan.
But just as Lin Di was about to turn away, one of the soul warriors mentioned something that made him freeze in place.
"Hey, did you also get robbed by that Lin Qian? Is it true?" one of them asked his companion.
"Yeah, it's true. At first, I thought I was dead for sure—thought he was going to kill me and steal my things. But all he did was make me remember his face and name and then spread the word," the other soul warrior said, still sounding shaken. "Funny thing is, I ended up making a profit. He gave me a Thousand Spirit Grass, and that's worth a million top-grade soul crystals outside."
"Now that Lin Qian, he's like a walking treasure chest in Ten Thousand Medicines and Spiritwood Valley. Everyone's hoping he'll rob them once. If you get lucky and he gives you a treasure, don't forget to share with me."
"Of course. But I heard the Yun Clan has already moved into the Extreme Cold Zone, planning to corner him," the man who was previously robbed by Lin Qian said. "I don't get it. If he's Lin Di and Yun Yunyan's son, why wouldn't he lay low? Why is he making a spectacle of himself, drawing the Yun Clan's attention?"
"Who knows? I've heard that two of the Yun Clan members have already died by his hands."
"The Yun Clan's soul power is primarily water and ice. If they really corner him in the Extreme Cold Zone, things might not end well for him."
Hearing the content of the conversation, Lin Di's body trembled. He quickly turned and headed deeper into the Boundary Tree, finding Yun Yunyan to relay everything he had just overheard.
"Our son, Lin Qian… he's in Ten Thousand Medicines and Spiritwood Valley? How is this possible…?" Yun Yunyan covered her mouth in shock as she listened.
"There's something strange about all of this," Lin Di said, his brows furrowed deeply. "How did Lin Qian even get to the Central Domain? And why would he draw so much attention to himself, openly declaring he's our son, instead of keeping a low profile? Is this a ploy by the Yun Clan to lure us out?"
"That's possible… but Lin Di, what if it's true?" Yun Yunyan's voice trembled as she looked at her husband, fear in her eyes.
Lin Di was silent for a moment, then said, "Some time ago, my blood essence stirred for no reason. Could it be that our son entered Ten Thousand Medicines and Spiritwood Valley and is now in danger, causing this reaction?"
He fell quiet, realizing he couldn't afford to take chances. If this was a trap and they took the bait, both he and Yun Yunyan would die, and their mission to save Yun Yunyan's father with the Clearing Spirit Grass would fail, leaving him to perish as well.
What Lin Di didn't know was that the Clearing Spirit Grass couldn't cure Yun Fan's condition, and that Lin Qian had already healed him.
"If it's true that our son is in danger and we, his parents, remain hiding like cowards, what kind of parents are we?" Lin Di's eyes sharpened as he looked at Yun Yunyan. "Yun Yan, are you ready to take a risk with me?"
"For our son, I'll do anything. Lin Di, even if we die together, I'll have no regrets," Yun Yunyan said, stepping forward to grasp Lin Di's hand tightly. "I'll follow you wherever you go."
Lin Di embraced his wife, holding her close for a long moment before they separated. Hand in hand, they made their way to the entrance of the Boundary Tree.
The two soul warriors resting outside suddenly noticed a bright green glow emanating from behind them. Turning around, they saw a man and woman stepping out of the tree trunk itself. Above them, a swirling emerald-green vortex appeared on the tree's surface, as if it were a portal.
The man was strikingly handsome, and the woman beside him was graceful and dignified. However, their clothes were tattered, stained with blood.
When the two soul warriors got a clear look at the man's face, they were filled with shock. The Yun Clan had been spreading wanted posters of Lin Di everywhere in exchange for a reward.
It only took one glance for the soul warriors to recognize him as the infamous Lin Di, father of Lin Qian, whose name had stirred up so much trouble in Ten Thousand Medicines and Spiritwood Valley.
"It's him… he really does look like him," one of the soul warriors muttered to himself in disbelief as he stared at Lin Di.
Seeing their stunned expressions, Lin Di's eyes narrowed. In a flash, he was in front of the man, grabbing him by the collar. "You… you've seen my son?"
"Yes... yes, I have. He looks just like you," the man stammered, his legs trembling in fear as Lin Di's intimidating aura pressed down on him.
Releasing his grip, Lin Di fixed his gaze on the man for a long moment before waving his hand dismissively. "Leave."
The two soul warriors scurried away in fear.
"They weren't lying. It seems our son really is in the Central Domain, and he came to Ten Thousand Medicines and Spiritwood Valley looking for us," Lin Di said, rubbing his temples in frustration. "This kid must've been searching for us for a long time and decided to lure us out with this tactic."
"This is reckless. He's deliberately provoking the Yun Clan, who have been hunting us relentlessly, hoping to wipe us out completely. What is he thinking?" Lin Di shook his head, sighing.
Yun Yunyan's face was also filled with worry. "What's going on in his mind?"
At that moment, the sound of footsteps broke the silence. Several figures dressed in green suddenly appeared from the distance, swiftly surrounding Lin Di and Yun Yunyan.
At the same time, shadowy figures in tight-fitting armor, their faces concealed by black hoods, emerged silently from the surrounding darkness like ghosts.
Lin Di and Yun Yunyan tensed, warily watching the figures closing in on them.
Then, to their astonishment, all the figures dropped to one knee and bowed.
"Greetings, Emperor Emeritus. Greetings, Empress Dowager."