（Chapter 44）Holy Beast Crystal

Upon hearing this, the large man immediately rubbed his nose and said, "Well, well, the primary reason for this situation is that our shipment of very important goods is being held back by Lihuo City guards, and we're not allowed to transport it out by any means."

"What's the reason for this?" Lin Chen asked directly. 

Tuntun claimed to have a treasure. Combined with the previous conversation he had with his men, the issue most likely lies with this treasure. 

Lin Chen wasn't the type to snatch treasures wherever he saw them, he preferred to acquire them through legitimate means. 

"I accidentally came across a peculiar item, and the captain of the city guard insisted on buying or trading for it, but I declined his offer," the man explained honestly as he scratched his head. He then produced a piece of jade from his arms. "I have no idea what this is, but it must be something extraordinary, considering how obsessed the captain is with it." 

"That's it! That's it!" Tuntun exclaimed in Lin Chen's ear, "This thing is called the Holy Beast Crystal. According to legend, it can only be found within monsters that have reached the level of a Holy Beast. Consuming this crystal will definitely allow me to unlock more bloodline crystals and greatly enhance my powers." 

The man continued, seemingly oblivious to the unusual nature of the item, "So, I'm looking for someone to help escort this shipment of goods. As a reward, I'm offering this stone. The captain of the city guard is at the sixth level of the Earth Spirit Realm and is quite powerful..." He trailed off, looking embarrassed. 

Indeed, the sixth level of the Earth Spirit Realm was comparable to powerful outer sect disciples. If one advanced to the seventh level, they'd nearly be on par with outer sect elders. It was unsurprising that the man felt helpless in this situation. 

Lin Chen's eyes gleamed as he stated, "I'll take this job." 

The man was taken aback by this response. "You, you're willing to do it?" 

He was well aware of the captain of the city guard's formidable reputation. Though the young man before him was an outer sect disciple of the Lihuo Sect, the man doubted whether he could match the captain's combat prowess. 

"Don't worry, you'll pay me once you deliver your goods safely to the destination. If I fail, I won't charge you anything," Lin Chen assured him. He hadn't been out and about in a while and felt somewhat restless. 

Escorting a shipment and obtaining a Holy Beast Crystal in return? This deal seemed advantageous no matter how one looked at it. 

The man pondered for a moment, weighing the pros and cons. Ultimately, he felt that this deal wasn't bad. With an outer sect disciple of the Lihuo Sect assisting them, the captain of the city guard wouldn't dare go too far. Perhaps, just by relying on his status, they could leave the city. 

"Brother He Mu, what should we address the young master as?" The man gritted his teeth and decided to take the risk. After all, keeping the goods inside the city indefinitely wasn't an option as it would result in financial losses every day they stayed. 

"Lin Chen." Lin Chen asked, "How many people are in your caravan?" 

"Including me, there are eleven brothers in our group," He Mu replied respectfully. 

"Let's go now," Lin Chen said resolutely, eager to resolve this matter swiftly so he could resume his cultivation. 

Although Su Huanxue's recent progress in cultivation hadn't instilled a sense of immediate crisis in him, it did motivate him to train harder. While she was an inner disciple with access to guidance from elders and ample cultivation resources, Lin Chen wasn't lacking either. 

Thanks to the instructions given by his young senior sister, he could request Spirit Jade from the treasure house whenever necessary. As long as he didn't overdo it, everyone was generally accommodating. Given these favorable conditions, it would be a waste if he didn't improve rapidly. 

"Leave now?" He Mu was taken aback. "Without Lin Qi here at night, it's unlikely that the other city guards will let us pass." 

After all, Lin Qi was the captain of the city guard. The primary reason he had sought out Lihuo Sect disciples for protection was to seize this opportunity to negotiate with Lin Qi. Everyone valued their reputation, and it was unlikely anyone would continue causing trouble after a decent discussion. He Mu still hoped to maintain a good relationship with Lin Qi unless absolutely necessary. 

"We'll fight our way out," Lin Chen stated calmly. 

He Mu was stunned, unsure if he had misheard. However, judging by Lin Chen's expression, it didn't seem like he was joking. 

"Brother, let's go. Mr. Lin has decided, so what do we have to fear?" A scar-faced man at the table urged. 

He Mu gritted his teeth and said, "Let's go!" 

With that, he led a group of men to a courtyard in the back street of the restaurant. There, four carriages loaded with goods and a dozen tall, muscular horses awaited them. These horses clearly possessed the bloodline of monster beasts, indicating their strength and endurance for long-distance journeys. 

"Let's move," He Mu commanded. 

Several men guarding the courtyard approached him. "Brother, you're leaving in the middle of the night? The city gates are closed at this hour..." 

"If they don't open the gate, we'll kill them and our way out," Lin Chen stated indifferently. 

The man glanced sideways at Lin Chen, about to retort, when he noticed a faint mark between Lin Chen's eyebrows: the symbol of an outer disciple of the Lihuo Sect. He instantly shut his mouth. 

Even though they were just outer disciples, not everyone was qualified to join the Lihuo Sect. 

Everyone quickly packed up their belongings and proceeded through the streets toward the exit of Lihuo City. Upon reaching the city gate, the guards frowned and stepped forward. "He Mu, the captain has said that if you don't hand over the stone, this shipment of goods will never be transported out of the city!" 

They were all familiar faces, having dealt with each other on previous occasions. 

"Brother, please be accommodating," Lin Chen said as he rode his horse forward with a bright smile. 

The guard's eyes fell on the faint mark on Lin Chen's eyebrows, causing him to frown. "He Mu, you invited an outer disciple from the Lihuo Sect and expect us to let you pass? What a joke! It's either one or the other! Either hand over the stone obediently, or go and invite inner disciples. As for outer disciples... we don't recognize them!" With that, the guard turned around and walked back, while the other guards sneered mockingly. 

Their captain had the backing of an inner disciple. If He Mu had invited inner disciples, they might have hesitated and given way, but what did they have to fear from mere outer disciples? 

"No?" Lin Chen raised an eyebrow. 

"No." The city guards laughed sarcastically. 

A boy with barely any facial hair dared to act pretentious and use his status to oppress others. Who gave him the courage? 

"Very well," Lin Chen sighed as he turned around and winked at He Mu. 

They had communicated beforehand that if the other party refused to compromise, they would fight their way out. Lin Chen would take the lead and be responsible for defeating the guards, while He Mu and the others would open the city gates, protect the goods, and leave the city directly. Once they left the city and transported the goods to their destination, the journey would be complete. 

As for Lihuo City... it was likely that they wouldn't return. 

"Tuntun, come on, save your breath. Don't kill them all," Lin Chen suddenly said as he dismounted his horse, his eyes turning cold. 

His aura surged, filling the air around him. Since Tuntun's bloodline had returned to the third level, Lin Chen's strength had grown significantly. Such was the benefit of having a powerful spirit beast as a partner.