For two consecutive days, Lin Hao wandered around the outskirts of the manor. The aura of the demonic creature grew stronger, and even the number of ferocious beasts around increased significantly. If it weren't for the protective array of the Lin Family Manor, ferocious beasts would have already invaded.
Not only did the Lin Family notice something was amiss, but the Wang Family, Luo Family, and Yu Family also found something strange about their respective manors.
Logically, within a hundred miles, it was rare to have so many ferocious beasts gather. On a normal day, it would be unusual for just a few to intrude. Recently, dozens of them were seen loitering in the distance, causing unease.
Currently, the strongest of these ferocious beasts were only mid-level ordinary beasts. However, as time passed, who knew if mid-level king beasts or even high-level beasts might intrude?!
Within the Hundred Refinements Mountain Range, not to mention high-level beasts, there were many demonic beasts. Deeper in, some powerful demonic beasts could even swallow an entire city in one bite!
The high-ranking members of the four major families began to frequently patrol and investigate around the manors. Many disciples were also assigned to investigate to find the cause.
Some high-ranking members of the four major families believed that a supreme treasure might have appeared, which was why so many ferocious beasts had gathered. This theory was widely accepted, as there was evidence to support it. In the past, the Hundred Refinements Mountain Range had naturally produced supreme treasures, which had alarmed the sects. Over a decade ago, a sect appeared in the Hundred Refinements Mountain Range and fought with the demonic beasts for several months before finally seizing the naturally produced treasure.
Naturally produced treasures can indeed attract ferocious beasts and demonic beasts, especially demonic beasts, which would guard the treasure until it matured and then take it away.
The Hundred Refinements Mountain Range, with its dense spiritual energy, several times that of the outside world, could reasonably produce a supreme treasure, and there was nothing impossible about it.
After this theory was proposed, the high-ranking members of the four major families were extremely excited. If there was indeed a naturally produced treasure nearby, obtaining it would be a great opportunity and fortune. It might even lead to the emergence of a 'Heavenly Spirit' realm expert in the family, directly elevating the family to a first-tier power.
Soon, the four major families reached an agreement to keep this information confidential, ensuring that no one outside the four families would know.
The four major families were unaware, but Lin Hao was clear in his mind. This was not about the emergence of a supreme treasure; it was more likely that a demonic plant was growing nearby, and the gathering of ferocious beasts was related to the demonic plant.
Even if the Heavenly Swinging Mountain Range had produced a supreme treasure, it would have already attracted the attention of many demonic beasts long before. But now, the strongest beasts were still only mid-level, and not even mid-level king beasts had appeared.
Naturally, Lin Hao did not tell anyone. It was good that the four major families were paying attention, as it might help find the source. If it was indeed a demonic plant, it needed to be eliminated as soon as possible, or the consequences would be dire, potentially even affecting the Flowing Cloud City.
"The spiritual energy in the Hundred Refinements Mountain Range is several times stronger than the outside world... but it's almost impossible for a demonic plant to grow here..." Lin Hao mused, his brows furrowed.
After all, this was just the outer layer. If it were the innermost part with the densest spiritual energy, it might be possible for a supreme treasure or a demonic plant to grow.
Not long after, Lin Hao received a notification that there was a task for the inner disciples to complete tonight.
After preparing, Lin Hao rushed to the inner hall of the manor. The grand steward and some elite inner disciples were already there.
As soon as Lin Hao appeared, everyone's gaze fell on him. Since the day he used the realm of intent to crush Lin Xurui, Lin Hao had become the undisputed strongest young master of the Lin Family. Even the strongest young disciples of the Luo, Wang, and Yu families were no match for him.
At the very least, those three strongest disciples could not use the realm of intent to crush Lin Xurui, which clearly showed the difference in strength.
"Brother Lin Hao, it's been a while. It seems you haven't been moving around much in the inner sect recently?" Lin Fei walked up to Lin Hao and said with a light laugh.
He and Lin Hao had entered the inner sect together, so they were relatively familiar.
Lin Hao nodded, as he had a good impression of Lin Fei, especially his strong willpower, which had led him to challenge Lin Tian by name.
"I've been training these past few days," Lin Hao replied.
Upon hearing this, everyone was speechless. Lin Hao was already the first in the Lin Family and the strongest young disciple of the four major families in Flowing Cloud City, yet he still focused on training. Lin Hao had not been seen in the inner sect for several days.
"Ha ha, Brother Lin Hao, your achievements and status today are not due to luck. If our disciples could be as diligent as Brother Lin Hao, our overall strength would surely improve," an elite inner disciple said, looking at Lin Hao and smiling respectfully.
Everyone could see Lin Hao's strength, and who wouldn't want to befriend a strong person, especially the strongest young disciple?
"Ha ha, Lin San, what you said makes no sense. We martial artists don't just rely on effort. If that were the case, wouldn't the legendary supreme experts be everywhere, and we would all be supreme experts?" Another elite inner disciple mocked.
"Right, Brother Lin Hao didn't get to where he is today just through effort. What did he rely on? Talent. I've never heard of anyone reaching such a terrifying level of intent through mere effort. Just think, one thought can make the former first person of the Lin Family, Lin Xurui, kneel. What kind of power is that!"
A body-refinement disciple said with a laugh. He bore some resemblance to Lin Nan Gong and had a shiny bald head.
In the Lin Family's inner sect, there were many elite disciples who did not get along with Lin Xurui's lineage, and they often had disputes. Lin Hao's appearance, first defeating Lin Wuxin with one move and then severely injuring Lin Xurui with a thought, brought great joy to these disciples, increasing their fondness for Lin Hao and even making them subconsciously align with him.
The disciples of Lin Xurui's lineage did not look good, especially Lin Wuxin and others, who were sullen but dared not do anything to Lin Hao, as they lacked the strength.
Not long after, the grand steward slowly walked in, passing through the crowd and taking his seat at the head of the hall.
"The area around the manor has not been peaceful recently, as you all have probably heard," the grand steward said, scanning the crowd.
Some disciples nodded, as many ferocious beasts had gathered nearby, and some said it was due to the emergence of a supreme treasure. The high-ranking members had even forbidden anyone from leaking the information, threatening severe punishment.