In Martial Universe, Signed in at the Start with Yao Lao's Ring

That's right!

Lin Yan's reason for visiting the Xie Family estate and Black Dragon Stockade was to see if he could sign-in at those locations.

Although his system never explicitly told him where he could sign-in or what rewards he would receive, Lin Yan had started noticing a pattern after multiple sign-ins.

The sign-in locations were usually: -Places where significant events occurred in the original story. -Territories belonging to well-known forces.

While the Xie Family estate and Black Dragon Stockade didn't fit the first criterion, they perfectly met the second.

Since he had nothing else to do today, Lin Yan decided to try his luck. After all, if he successfully signed-in, the rewards from the system would definitely be exceptional.

At the gates of Steel Wood Manor, Lin Yan waited briefly.

Before long, he saw Qing Tan approaching, leading his Fire Python Tiger, Little Flame.

The moment she saw him, Qing Tan's eyes lit up with excitement. Especially knowing that she could go out with Lin Yan today, she looked even more cheerful, a big smile stretching across her face.

However, Little Flame, the Fire Python Tiger, was not nearly as excited.

It wasn't that he feared Lin Yan. But ever since he was brutally beaten by the Nine-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, he had developed a deep trauma.

Now, seeing Lin Yan again, Little Flame kept glancing around cautiously, searching to see if Xiao Cai was nearby.

His nervous and timid behavior made Lin Yan find the situation quite amusing.

"Stop looking around, Little Flame. Xiao Cai isn't here. She's asleep right now."

Lin Yan chuckled and reassured the Fire Python Tiger.

Hearing this, Little Flame let out a low growl, then shook his body slightly, signaling for Lin Yan and Qing Tan to get on his back.

Lin Yan and Qing Tan didn't hesitate and climbed onto Little Flame.

With Lin Yan in the front and Qing Tan in the back, they rode off toward the Xie Family estate.

Little Flame was incredibly fast, and the Xie Family's territory wasn't far from Steel Wood Manor. So after riding for just half an hour, they arrived at the former Xie Family estate.

However, this place no longer belonged to the Xie Family—It was now Lin Family territory.

Upon Lin Yan's arrival, the Lin Family disciples guarding the area quickly bowed respectfully.

"Brother Lin Yan, what brings you here?"

The one who spoke was a young Lin Family member, about the same age as Lin Yan, but he deeply admired him.

After all, even though they were peers, Lin Yan's achievements were far beyond his reach. Calling Lin Yan his idol wouldn't even be an exaggeration.

"I'm just here to take a look around. Keep doing what you're doing—no need to mind me."

Lin Yan was never one to put on airs. Even with his increasing strength and status, he didn't become arrogant or dismissive of others.

Instead, he treated his peers with kindness...

"Understood! Brother Lin Yan, take your time!"

The young Lin Family disciple grinned with excitement. Opportunities to speak with Lin Yan were rare, so just having this brief exchange felt like an honor.

After parting ways, Lin Yan and Qing Tan wandered through the former Xie Family estate.

Along the way, they came across some of the surviving members of the Xie Family. After all, the Xie Family was large.

Even though the Lin Family had taken over their estate, they couldn't kill every single member of the Xie Family.

Some of them were still allowed to remain, but they had no real status anymore.

"That's… Xie Yingying?"

As Lin Yan passed by one of the buildings, he suddenly spotted a young girl. She looked somewhat familiar, so he took a few extra glances.

After thinking for a moment, he finally remembered her identity.

"To think we'd meet again under such circumstances. If I recall correctly, she was quite arrogant back then."

Lin Yan sighed thoughtfully but didn't bother paying her any more attention. He simply walked away with Qing Tan.

However, behind them, Xie Yingying had also noticed Lin Yan. Her expression turned extremely complicated.

Winners and losers—her family had lost, and this was the consequence.

She had nothing to say about it. However, as Xie Yingying watched Lin Yan's departing figure, a sudden feeling of regret surfaced in her heart.

If, back then, the Xie Family had chosen to ally with the Lin Family instead of the Lei Family…

Would the person standing beside this young man right now be her instead?

Xie Yingying let out a bitter laugh, then turned and walked away.

Meanwhile, after wandering through most of the Xie Family estate, Lin Yan suddenly heard the system's voice.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully signing in at the Xie Family estate.]

[Reward obtained: Alchemy Cauldron – Netherworld!]

Lin Yan paused for a moment, his eyes flickering with excitement. It seemed… his guess had been correct!

The Xie Family estate was indeed a sign-in location!

If that was the case… then Black Dragon Stockade and the Lei Family estate were highly likely to be sign-in locations as well!

A burning anticipation filled Lin Yan's gaze.

He then turned his attention back to the reward.

However, since it was an alchemy cauldron, he wasn't too knowledgeable about it, so he decided to consult Yao Lao using his spiritual sense.

"Elder Yao, I just received an alchemy cauldron. I think it's called… Netherworld? Do you recognize it?"

Lin Yan asked.

Yao Lao had been resting inside the Black Ring, but the moment he heard Lin Yan's words, he couldn't help but pause in surprise.

"Little Friend, are you sure it's called Netherworld?"

Lin Yan nodded firmly.

"Absolutely certain."

Suddenly, Yao Lao's tone became noticeably more excited.

"Then, Little Friend… you've truly hit the jackpot this time. This Netherworld cauldron is ranked on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking!"

"Just like the Heavenly Flame Ranking, in the Dou Qi Continent, there is also a ranking list for alchemy cauldrons."

"My cauldron, Black Demon, is ranked eighth on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking."

"Your Netherworld cauldron is only one rank below mine, at ninth place, but it is still one of the best cauldrons in existence."

Yao Lao explained carefully to Lin Yan.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yan's excitement soared.

Previously, he had only been using a basic beginner's cauldron for his alchemy. While it was sufficient for refining low-level pills, as his alchemy skills improved, that cauldron had become increasingly inadequate.

Lin Yan had wanted to replace it for a long time.

However, in this world, there were no true alchemists, meaning no one crafted high-quality cauldrons.

As a result, Lin Yan had been forced to make do with his old, inferior cauldron.

But now…

Things had completely changed.

A cauldron ranked on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking—even if it wasn't as high as Yao Lao's Black Demon, it was still one of the top-tier cauldrons in existence.

This would greatly enhance Lin Yan's alchemy capabilities in the future!

Thinking about this, Lin Yan's anticipation burned even hotter.

He was now even more eager to see what kind of sign-in reward he might obtain at Black Dragon Stockade!