Free Web NovelChapter 59: Chapter 59: Rumor of the Broken Seal Ruin
The rumor appeared three days later.
It did not come from Zhao Lan.
It did not come from Blood Sun Hall.
It came through the academy mission market, carried by several unrelated students who had heard it from merchant channels.
That made it more dangerous.
A direct message could be rejected. A rumor spread through neutral mouths felt less like bait.
The content was simple.
A low-level ruin fragment had been discovered near the outer region of Heavenly Gate City. It was not a true Tower floor, but a real-world ruin zone influenced by ancient Tower energy. Such places existed across the world—fragments of old battlefields, collapsed inheritance sites, broken seal grounds, or failed dungeon manifestations.
This one was called the Broken Seal Ruin.
The rumor said it contained low-to-mid grade seal materials, old formation stones, and possibly a damaged seal altar.
The academy soon posted a cautious mission notice.
[Exploration Notice]
Location: Broken Seal Ruin, outer eastern region.
Status: Low-to-mid danger real-world ruin.
Recommended participants: Academy students Floor 5 and above, or approved teams with high evaluation records.
Known resources:
Seal-Stabilizing Stone Fragments
Old Formation Plates
Broken Seal Dust
Low-grade Spirit Cores
Warning:
Unstable seal zones may affect talents and mana circulation.
Qin Yuheng read the notice in silence.
Qin Mo stood beside him.
"This is bait."
"Yes."
"Are we going?"
"Not immediately."
Qin Mo looked surprised.
"Good. Growth."
Qin Yuheng smiled faintly.
"First, we investigate who benefits from us going."
Lin Xian’er approached not long after.
"You saw the notice."
"Yes."
"You know it is suspicious."
"Yes."
"Good. That saves time." She handed him a folded information sheet. "This one costs."
"What price?"
"Future priority access to any non-dangerous Floor 4 lake-defense information you are willing to sell."
Qin Yuheng considered.
"Limited information. No hidden mission route."
"Accepted."
The sheet contained merchant route details, first rumor sources, and suspected Zhao-linked intermediaries. It did not prove Blood Sun Hall involvement, but it showed the rumor had been deliberately amplified.
Qin Yuheng asked, "Why help?"
Lin Xian’er smiled.
"Because whoever is pushing this rumor is using the academy market without paying the Lin family. That is rude."
Qin Mo muttered, "Merchants have strange morality."
Qin Yuheng read the sheet again.
The ruin was real.
The resources were likely real. freewebnoveℓ.com
The danger was also real.
The bait was not fake. It was valuable enough to attract him.
That was the most effective kind.
That evening, he brought the information to Qin Wanshan.
The family meeting was small: Qin Wanshan, Qin Zhengyuan, Mu Qinglan, Gu Tianhe, and Qin Yuheng.
Qin Wanshan read the mission notice.
"Broken Seal Ruin."
Qin Zhengyuan’s eyes darkened.
"Blood Sun likes places like this."
Mu Qinglan said softly, "If they want Yuheng there, they may prepare observation, not assassination."
Gu Tianhe nodded.
"Inside academy and near city region, direct killing would be difficult. But they could test bloodline reaction, talent suppression, or resource interest."
Qin Yuheng listened.
"Should I avoid it?"
Qin Wanshan looked at him.
"If you avoid every bait, the enemy controls your path by placing bait everywhere."
Qin Zhengyuan added, "If you chase every bait, they lead you by the nose."
Qin Yuheng nodded slowly.
"So we choose when the bait is worth biting."
"Correct," Qin Wanshan said.
Mu Qinglan looked at him.
"Are you strong enough?"
Qin Yuheng thought before answering.
"For a controlled academy-approved exploration, with preparation and retreat cards, yes. For Blood Sun Hall’s deeper scheme, no."
Qin Wanshan smiled faintly.
"At least you know the difference."
They decided not to enter immediately. Instead, Qin Yuheng would continue with Floor 5 first. The Broken Seal Ruin would remain under observation. If the academy organized a larger group mission, they might participate under safer conditions.
Floor 5 was next.
Blood Moon Wolf Den.
A combat-heavy floor involving wolf nests, blood moon energy, and likely a Blood Moon Alpha Wolf boss. According to academy files, the main mission usually required destroying three wolf nests within a limited time.
This floor suited Qin Yuheng’s team better than the ruin.
It would strengthen combat power.
It might provide blood-strengthening resources.
It could also produce beast-related materials useful for Qin Feng, Qin Yuze’s future path, and possibly talent-fruit evolution.
Qin Yuheng prepared accordingly.
He enhanced several blood-stabilizing pills.
[D Grade Blood-Calming Pill]
↓
[B Grade Clear Blood Stabilizing Pill]
He purchased wolf-repellent powder and multiplied it.
He prepared anti-berserk talismans for Blood Moon influence.
He gave Qin Lian additional stealth tools and Qin Yuchen a new sharpening paste for his Iron Blood Thread Sword.
On the morning of Floor 5 entry, Han Shuren looked at Qin Yuheng’s team with a resigned expression.
"Blood Moon Wolf Den is straightforward. Destroy nests. Do not get surrounded. Do not let Blood Moon energy make you reckless."
Qin Mo looked at Qin Yuheng.
"That last part is for you."
Qin Yuheng ignored him.
Yu Qingmei was not present this time, but she had sent a note.
Floor 5 contains several optional nest variations.
Not all red lights are rewards.
Some are bait.
Qin Yuheng smiled faintly.
Bait again.
The Tower and Blood Sun Hall seemed to share one habit.
They both tested desire.
The gate opened.
[Entering Floor 5: Blood Moon Wolf Den.]
Red light filled his vision.
When Qin Yuheng opened his eyes, the sky was dark.
Above them hung a crimson moon.
The forest ahead was filled with howls.
A mission panel appeared.
[Floor 5: Blood Moon Wolf Den]
[Main Mission]
Destroy 3 Blood Moon Wolf Nests within 18 hours.
[Side Missions]
1. Defeat 30 Blood Moon Wolves.
2. Collect 10 Blood Moon Cores.
3. Prevent Blood Moon corruption from exceeding 30%.
[Warning]
The Blood Moon increases aggression, pain tolerance, and mutation chance of wolf-type creatures.
[Current Blood Moon Corruption: 0%]
Qin Yuheng drew his sword.
Unlike Silent Lake, this floor did not begin with silence.
It began with howls.
And the first pack was already coming.
