Chapter 1542: Another Step

Having retrieved the token from Zhu Honglin, Song Zhen ignored the other's displeased expression and grinned, "Now, Sect Master Zhu should believe me, right?"

Zhu Honglin's expression changed rapidly as he gnashed his teeth. “You are indeed bold! Even though the Spirit Faith World has not recovered as well as hoped, we still have at least 2 high-level True Immortals. You should be suppressed by the World’s Will here too… Aren't you afraid of being detected?"

"Detected?" Song Zhen lifted his gaze, smiling slightly, "How so? I am standing right in front of Sect Master Zhu. If I really was detected, Lan Zhengfeng and Yan Huayi would have appeared by now, wouldn’t they?"

Continuing with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, he added, "Unless… Sect Master Zhu has informed them secretly?"

Zhu Honglin snorted, "I am not so foolish."

Song Zhen chuckled lightly and he reassured the sect master, "Don't worry, Sect Master Zhu. The attention of your world’s True Immortals is currently elsewhere."

That caught Zhu Honglin off guard. He and his Chilin Sect were second only to the Elysium-level powers in the Spirit Faith World. He could enter and leave the heavenly screen as he pleased and he was aware of the merchant fleet being semi-coerced into trading with their world.

"Is that fleet yours?" Zhu Honglin asked in surprise.

Song Zhen neither confirmed nor denied. Instead, he asked, "Isn't Sect Master Zhu curious why I sought you out?"

Zhu Honglin scoffed, "You just want me to do something to harm the Spirit Faith World again. Heh, I’m just at the Martial Dipper Realm. I can’t play a big role in the schemes of you True Immortals.”

Though Zhu Honglin knew he was in a precarious situation, having betrayed the Spirit Faith World once with the other party holding proof of his involvement, he had to lay down his cards with Song Zhen in advance.

Seeing Zhu Honglin's reaction, Song Zhen couldn't help but smile. "Rest assured, Sect Master Zhu. My mission here isn’t meant to put you in a difficult position."

Hearing this, Zhu Honglin felt his heart sinking once again.

Although he couldn’t discern the real cultivation level of the person before him, having seen a True Immortal more than once, he was sure he was talking to one. He was also certain that the person before him wasn’t a weak True Immortal either.

Seeing as the True Immortal who was at least of the second tier had only been sent out as an errand boy, he wondered how strong the person who commanded him was.

Zhu Honglin couldn’t help but recall the familiar figure of the young man who helped him overcome a major crisis and salvaged his martial path years ago.

How strong is that person?!

Upon further reflection, it seemed indeed only such a distinguished figure could grow over 2 decades to command a second tier True Immortal.

The more he thought about it, the more Zhu Honglin felt that it wasn’t such a bad thing to serve such an expert. Since the other party could command experts who were at least in the second tier of the Martial Void Realm, there was no need to question commanding him, a Martial Dipper Realm cultivator.

This realization also eased some of the guilt he felt about potentially harming his Spirit Faith World.

"So, exactly what do you want me to do? How can you ensure that it won’t put me in a difficult spot?” Zhu Honglin carefully probed Song Zhen's intentions.

Song Zhen, cunning as ever, knew Zhu Honglin's thoughts all too well. However, he didn’t mind. Their relationship had never been on equal footing from the very start.

Only then did Song Zhen take out a 3 inch seal and place it on the table before Zhu Honglin. Sliding it forward, he muttered, "Place this seal into the World Origin Source of the Wei Continent or other continents. The deeper the better." 𝘙Á𐌽Ɵ฿Ě𝘴

Zhu Honglin took the seal in his hand, examined it, then looked up at Song Zhen. "It seems to be just a high-grade weapon. However, it seems off as well. Also, the material of this seal…"

Song Zhen smiled. "That is not for Sect Master Zhu to worry about."

Zhu Honglin's gaze dropped slightly as he nodded. Pocketing the seal, he eventually mumbled, “It's not difficult to throw it into the World Origin Source, but it’s hard to get it deep inside. After all, I am only at the Martial Dipper Realm. Achieving that would be difficult. At least, I can’t do it with my current strength.”

Song Zhen wasn't surprised by his reaction. "We will do our best to assist Sect Master Zhu in advancing to the Martial Void Realm."

"Oh, there's no need for that!"

This was the first time Zhu Honglin's response surprised Song Zhen, who then heard him continue, "I prefer to advance my own martial path. I will feel more secure that way. Besides, I already have some plans for my future path, so there's no need for extra effort on your part."

“Oh?” Song Zhen became a little more interested after hearing that. "Then what does Sect Master Zhu want?"

Zhu Honglin looked up, meeting Song Zhen’s gaze for the first time. A light flashed in his eyes as he spoke, "I need the inheritance to construct a Holy Land and the way to make it an Elysium.”

Surprised, Song Zhen stared at him in shock. However, he eventually muttered, “That's quite a high price you're asking for! It's just about throwing this seal into the World Origin Source. If not because I don’t wish to stir up too much trouble, why would I need your help for this?”

"Moreover, as far as I know, Sect Master Zhu’s Chilin Sect already possesses a Holy Land. You have been improving it the whole time. Why ask for another method to construct one?"

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Zhu Honglin remained composed. "Exactly because you cannot affect the World Origin Source yourself that you need me. Anyway, I’m also taking a huge risk by doing this.”

"As for our sect's Holy Land… It's really just a fragment of the former Guyuan Sect’s Elysium that broke apart. Although it currently functions as a Holy Land, it’s not complete. In recent years, it has started showing signs of partial collapse and it even started to shrink.”

Song Zhen thought for a moment before he spoke again, "The work you're doing is only worth the inheritance to create a Holy Land. I can give it to you right now.”

Zhu Honglin was immediately delighted, but then he calmed down and continued to ask, "And the inheritance to make it an Elysium?”

Song Zhen shook his head. "How can I give it to you that easily? Moreover, who’s to say you can keep it safe? I believe I don’t need to explain the crime of harboring a jade ring. If you are really ambitious enough, we can talk again after you enter the Martial Void Realm.”

Zhu Honglin had not really expected to obtain the inheritance to make his Holy Land an Elysium. He was content with the inheritance to make a Holy Land.

Moreover, since Song Zhen hadn't outright refused to discuss the way to turn a Holy Land into an Elysium, there might still be a chance to obtain it in the future from him or the expert backing him.

"So, what exactly should I do?" Zhu Honglin asked in a straightforward manner.

Song Zhen thought for a moment before a smile appeared on his face. "I see that Sect Master Zhu's vitality is really strong. You should be ready to refine your fifth fate dipper, right?”