Samsara Paradise: Dream Weaver of Connections.

On the other side, inside the main hall of Obsidian Manor.

Sphinx remained seated in his comfortable high-backed chair, a freshly poured glass of red wine in his hand, listening to his subordinates report intelligence from various locations.

Suddenly, the screen of his private contact, which was lying next to him, lit up, and a push notification from a public platform caught his attention.

When he opened the message and saw the properties of the two potions and the price Sarah had marked, his composed smile instantly froze.

A shadow crossed his deep eyes, and his fingers tightened slightly around the wine glass.

The reason Sphinx was able to win over and command so many unruly rulebreakers was not only due to his iron-fisted methods and the support of the ancient gods, but more importantly, because he possessed a way to help the rulebreakers improve their strength to a limited extent through the ancient gods.

This is his core bargaining chip for controlling this group; it's the carrot dangling in front of everyone.

Now, Sara's team has actually produced a permanent attribute-boosting potion with no side effects.

This was tantamount to prying open a crack in the foundation of his carefully constructed power.

If this drug were allowed to circulate, the "power temptation" he uses to maintain his rule would be greatly diminished.

This is not just business competition; it is an act that shakes the very foundations of his Sphinx.

His face turned completely gloomy.

Sphinx waved his hand dismissively, sending away the subordinate who had come to report.

Silence returned to the main hall, broken only by the steady ticking of the second hand of the pocket watch.

He needs to think, to reassess the seemingly insignificant therapist and the variables he brought.

"Enchanting".

"leader."

"You're back just in time. Have you found out the source of the medicine that doctor brought out?" Sphinx tapped his fingers lightly on the mahogany table, making a dull sound.

Mei Huan felt a slight chill run down her spine. Find out the source? Easier said than done.

Lin Yi was very vigilant and rarely came into contact with other unrelated people in the camp, spending most of his time in the stone house of Sara's team.

Although she is skilled in stealth tracking, she cannot conjure information out of thin air.

Moreover, the meaning behind Sphinx's words...

She couldn't help but mutter to herself: Here we go again, Sphinx is always like this, always making empty promises.

Undeniably, Sphinx is quite generous when it comes to distributing equipment and items, which is one of the reasons why many rulebreakers are willing to follow him.

However, when it comes to things that can directly and without side effects improve one's own strength, such as high-level permanent attribute potions, rare bloodlines, or inherited skill scrolls, Sphinx becomes extremely stingy.

These things are usually only shared by his core team members—such as Sugar Pill, the burly sniper, and the mage in meditation.

Like her, despite her considerable strength, she is still in the "internship period" and has not yet been truly regarded as a confidante by Sphinx.

She never gets to have the truly good things.

At this moment, she could only suppress her dissatisfaction; when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head.

“Reporting to the leader.” Meihuan composed herself and truthfully reported the intelligence she had gathered from her surveillance and eavesdropping. “I secretly listened to some of his conversations with Bai Su, as well as some snippets of their exchanges within Sara’s team. According to the information they revealed, the doctor claimed that he had some connections with the ‘Holy Flame Pharmacist’ back in the Paradise of Reincarnation and had a stable channel for private communication with him. This batch of potions is said to be a prototype that he obtained from the ‘Holy Flame Pharmacist’ at a considerable cost, with the aim of testing market reaction. He indicated that if sales are ideal, he can obtain more and a wider variety of potions in the future.”

“Holy Flame Pharmacist…” Sphinx repeated the name softly, his face growing even more somber, his brows furrowed as he fell into deep thought.

This wasn't the first time he'd heard the title "Holy Flame Pharmacist."

As Su Xiao travels to various worlds, a small amount of the potions he concocts always leaks out through various channels.

These potions are highly effective and of extremely high quality, especially those that can permanently enhance attributes; they are highly sought-after commodities in any community.

The name "Holy Flame Pharmacist" thus quietly spread within a small circle. Sphinx, with his intelligence network, naturally heard of it and even tried to find him, but to no avail.

He never expected that Lin Yi, a priest who seemed to have no other choice but to join the violators, would actually be able to get in touch with that mysterious "Holy Flame Pharmacist".

If Lin Yi's words are true and he really does have a stable supply channel, then things become extremely complicated.

This not only signifies a surge in Lin Yi's personal value, transforming him from a dispensable therapist into a "strategic resource" that must be won over and even controlled.

This also means that a power beyond his control, capable of safely enhancing the strength of violators, has infiltrated his territory and begun to be openly advertised!

This poses the most direct challenge to his ruling order, which he maintains by relying on "the blessings of the ancient gods" and the allocation of resources.

We must quickly ascertain the true nature of this supply chain and find a way to take control of it.

A fiery glint flashed in Sphinx's eyes. If he could control this potion supply chain, not only would he be able to solidify his rule in the wizarding world, but he would also have enough confidence and leverage to deal with those troublesome Grey Gentlemen in the future.

While Sphinx was having a headache over the potion, Su Xiao, far away in Heru City, was enjoying a rare moment of peace and quiet.

When Lin Yi took out the attribute potion in Aisenla and sold it publicly on a public platform through Sarah, the news was like cold water being poured into boiling oil, instantly causing an uproar in the circle of violators.

Almost everyone's attention, including those spies who had been wandering around the city of Heru tracking Su Xiao, was drawn to this unexpected "treasure."

Compared to hunting down the infamous and extremely risky "Human Paradise Hunter," it is obviously more practical and urgent to obtain attribute potions that can immediately enhance one's own strength.

Su Xiao could clearly sense that the number of "idle people" spying near his temporary base had decreased sharply recently.

Those who remained active in the vicinity were mostly members of the Moen family of the Wizarding Guild.

They were watching Su Xiao for a simple reason—Su Xiao's latest release and sale of several highly effective healing and mana restoration potions, with their excellent cost-effectiveness, had quickly seized the potion market in Heru City and even the surrounding areas, seriously damaging the interests of the Moen family, who had monopolized the potion business in the area for many years.

For the Moen family, this suddenly appearing, highly skilled potion-making wizard presented them with only two options.

He could either be sensible and join the Moen family, becoming one of them and contributing his alchemical skills to the family.

Or, like those other ungrateful fellows who tried to challenge the authority of the Moen family, they would be sunk to the cold, dark seabed of Bone Harbor to feed on the mutated sea monsters.

Having learned that Lin Yi had successfully diverted the pressure from the City of Miracles, Eisenla, and that the city was temporarily preoccupied with other matters, Su Xiao decided not to wait any longer and began to deal with the troubles at hand.

"Woo——"

Bubuwang emerged from the shadows and placed a crystal containing information next to Su Xiao.

Su Xiao picked up the crystal, probed it with his mental energy, and quickly browsed the detailed information about the Moen family's base that Bubuwang had collected, including the distribution of guards, information on key members, and the family's internal defense nodes.

Su Xiao put down the crystal, picked up the Dragon Slayer Blade beside him, and stood up.

The blade was bright, yet it exuded a chilling sharpness.

Without uttering any unnecessary words, he headed straight for the iconic Moen family fortress.

A few minutes later, Su Xiao stood in front of the gate of the Moen family's fortress.

Just as the guards at the gate were about to step forward to question them, a flash of light appeared and disappeared.

Su Xiao didn't even stop; she pushed open the heavy door and went inside.

One minute later.

The once magnificent front hall of the Moen family home had become like a hellish inferno.

The once arrogant family guards and several family members who rushed to the scene were now reduced to dozens of haphazardly piled limbs and remains on the ground, their blood staining the luxurious carpet and filling the air with a strong stench of blood.

Su Xiao stood in the center of the pool of blood, a drop of crimson blood slowly dripping from the tip of his Dragon Slayer Blade. Before him lay only a wizard who had been deliberately left behind.

This guy was "bait" that Su Xiao deliberately let go. "Go and report the news." Su Xiao's voice was flat and devoid of any emotion. "Tell the people in the Moen family who can make decisions that I'm waiting for them here."

Su Xiao stood amidst the mountains of corpses and seas of blood, waiting quietly.

He needs to use this to establish his authority, and at the same time, to test the "rules" of this world.

Sure enough, after he began to kill, he could clearly feel a cold, filthy dark aura, like a living thing, silently climbing onto his arm, trying to erode his soul. It was the "backlash" or "curse" brought about by the world after he caused the killing.

Lin Yi was not by his side at the moment and could not help him purify it.

Su Xiao frowned. She could only go back later and try to find that unpredictable and sorrowful woman to think of a solution. Although she might not have good intentions, she didn't have a better option for the time being.

As Su Xiao had predicted, the Moen family sent wave after wave of reinforcements and assassins in the following period.

However, no matter who came or how many came, the result remained unchanged.

As soon as one came, Su Xiao intercepted and killed it.

He would wipe out every single team that came.

The Dragon Slayer's blade flashed like the Grim Reaper's scythe, repeatedly wielding itself in the front hall of the Moen family's fortress, reaping all lives that dared to step into this place.

The corpses piled up higher and higher, and the blood almost formed a stream, gushing out from under the threshold of the gate.

The entire city of Heru was stunned by this sudden bloody massacre.

The Moen family's fortress seemed to have become a death vortex that only allowed entry and no exit; no one who went in ever came out again.

Gradually, no one dared to approach the place anymore, and even the Moen family was plunged into great panic, with no reinforcements appearing for a long time.

Standing atop the pile of corpses, Su Xiao felt the deathly silence around him and knew that he had achieved his goal of establishing his authority.

He sheathed his Dragon Slayer Blade, turned and left the fortress that had become a giant tomb, without lingering any longer.

The dark aura wrapped around his arm intensified, bringing a chill.

Back at the temporary base, with the help of the Sorrowful Woman's power, Su Xiao dispelled the darkness that clung to his arm.

He immediately sent a message to Lin Yi through the temporary team channel.

"The trouble in Heru City has been temporarily resolved. Find an opportunity to come over, and come up with a good reason so as not to arouse suspicion from others."

Eisen LS team's stone house.

The hall was quite lively at the moment, with four or five leaders or lone strongmen who were somewhat famous among the rule-breakers gathered there.

They surrounded Sarah, their words earnest and urgent, as they bargained for the limited supply of the [Life of the Tree] potion.

"Captain Sarah, our 'Black Bone' team is willing to offer 53 Soul Coins! Just one!"

"Hmph, 53? I'll offer 56! Sarah, prioritize selling to our 'Snow Mountain' team. From now on, in Eisenla, we'll follow your lead!"

“Price isn’t the issue, the key is the supply! Captain Sarah, could that doctor really not provide a little more?”

Sarah sat in the main seat, her face calm, but her mind was quickly calculating how to use this batch of scarce supplies to maximize her and her team's benefits and favors.

Bei Si and Bai Su stood behind her, watching warily the leaders of these rule-breakers who were usually arrogant but now seemed somewhat "humble".

Muddy squatted in the corner, happily playing with the newly acquired [Active Source of Power], considering whether to use it now or save it to exchange for something else.

Just then, with a creak, the door to Lin Yi's room was pushed open.

In an instant, all the noise in the hall stopped abruptly.

All eyes, whether filled with envy, jealousy, flattery, or curiosity, were focused on Lin Yi, who appeared at the door.

No one dared to show the slightest malice at this time, let alone take action.

Lin Yi is now seen as a golden goose in their eyes, a shortcut to power enhancement. They are too busy protecting him to care. Anyone who dares to touch him is making an enemy of everyone present, and even all the rule-breakers in Eisenla who are eager to become stronger.

Under everyone's gaze, Lin Yi's face showed a serious expression at the right moment. He coughed lightly and looked directly at Bai Su: "Sister Bai, get ready, come with me."

Sarah immediately asked, her tone filled with concern, "Doctor, what happened?"

Lin Yi's gaze swept over the leaders of the rulebreakers in the hall who had pricked up their ears, and he thought to himself, "I'll use you guys to spread the news."

His face displayed just the right amount of "caution" and "worry," and he lowered his voice slightly, but made sure everyone present could hear him clearly: "I just received news that a new batch of goods from 'Holy Flame' is ready. However, the rendezvous point this time is in Heru City. You probably know the situation there; it's been quite turbulent lately. It seems something major has happened to the Moen family, and the entire city is under martial law. The atmosphere is very tense. I'm going alone, and I don't know anyone there. I'm worried about the safety of the journey, and it would be bad if something went wrong. So I'd like to ask Sister Bai to accompany me, just to be on the safe side."

"Herru City? To pick up goods?"

The combination of these two keywords was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing a violent reaction in the hall.

"Go to Heru City to get new goods?" A leader of the violators suddenly stood up, his eyes wide open.

The next second, almost all the leaders of the rulebreakers present stood up at the same time, looked at each other, and saw the same burning passion and determination in each other's eyes.

Almost in unison, everyone spoke up: "Doctor! How can you leave Miss Bai Su to accompany you on such an important mission? It's too dangerous! Heru City is now a den of dragons and tigers! Our 'Black Bone' team is willing to send our most elite members to escort you the entire way! We guarantee that not even a fly will get close to you!"

"That's right! We know Hru City well! Our 'Snow Mountain' team is duty-bound to help!"

"Doctor, please take us with you! We guarantee a safe journey and will ensure that no villains disturb your meeting with the 'Holy Flame' representative!"

"Count me in! I, Ah Qi, will never fall behind when it comes to things that benefit the collective!"

Their thinking was very realistic. Right now, Lin Yi was the only person who could contact the "Holy Flame Pharmacist" and obtain the potion. He was their benefactor and their hope for improving their strength.

Protecting him is protecting your own interests. If you build a good relationship with him and establish trust, will you still have trouble buying good medicine in the future?
As for Sphinx's possible thoughts and orders? Faced with tangible benefits, who cares about such things! Sphinx didn't give them any potions to boost their attributes!

Sarah was taken aback when she saw the group of passionate violators, but then she understood Lin Yi's intention.

She gave Lin Yi a deep look, and her opinion of him rose even higher.

This guy is not only capable, but also incredibly quick-witted.

She rose to her feet and, as the team leader, said, "Since everyone shares this sentiment, that's wonderful. The doctor's safety and the success of this transaction are in our collective interest. Therefore, Bai Su and Bei Si from our team will be primarily responsible for close protection, while each of you will send a trusted core member to form a joint escort team to escort the doctor to Heru City. We must ensure absolute safety!"

"it is good!"

"no problem!"

"Captain Sarah's arrangements are perfect!"

Everyone responded enthusiastically, without any objection.

Lin Yi looked at the scene before him with a calm expression.

His plan was simple: to use shared interests to temporarily bring these violators to his side.

He wanted to make it clear to everyone that he was going to meet the representative of "Holy Flame," and that he would be escorted there by a formidable "alliance" in full view of everyone.

In this way, even if Sphinx had some suspicions, without any solid evidence and facing public outrage, he would never dare to take action against him easily.

This is the shield provided by self-interest, more direct and effective than any disguise or covert operation.

He successfully placed himself in the spotlight, but that spotlight has now become his best camouflage.

The road to Heru City has been paved. (End of Chapter)