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

Faced with Lin Dong's inquiry, Lin Yan naturally couldn't give him an explanation.

After all, there was too much involved, making it difficult to explain clearly, and saying too much wouldn't benefit Lin Dong at this stage.

Thus, Lin Yan simply smiled at him.

Then, he reached out and patted Lin Dong's shoulder, saying: "As long as you trust me, that's all that matters. I wouldn't harm you."

Lin Dong could only sigh helplessly before agreeing, "Alright."

Although he still found it strange, in Lin Dong's heart, Lin Yan was someone he could trust completely.

So, if Lin Yan didn't want to elaborate, there had to be a good reason.

Since he didn't want to say more, Lin Dong didn't press the issue and dropped the topic altogether.

Meanwhile, within the mysterious space of the stone talisman, Little Marten had been carefully observing their conversation.

When he saw Lin Dong openly revealing his existence, Little Marten was so furious that he scratched at the air in frustration: "This brat really doesn't trust Grandfather Marten, huh?!"

"Does he think Grandfather Marten would lie to him?"

"Grandfather Marten is a legendary Heavenly Demon Marten!"

"This is infuriating!"

However, when he later heard Lin Yan's response, Little Marten stroked his whiskers in satisfaction, nodding to himself:

"This Lin Yan kid isn't bad at all. I like him!"

"But… this kid doesn't seem simple either."

"I don't know him, yet he seems to know a few things about me."

"And most importantly, he seems to be quite familiar with this stone talisman. Even Grandfather Marten still hasn't fully figured it out!"

"What a mysterious fellow."

The more Little Marten thought about it, the more intrigued he became by Lin Yan. He decided to investigate further.

However, as soon as he extended his mental energy toward Lin Yan's black ring, an overwhelming aura surged forth, immediately drenching him in cold sweat.

Little Marten quickly retracted his spiritual sense, no longer daring to pry any further. His eyes were now filled with deep apprehension.

"Dammit, what was that?!"

"Grandfather Marten nearly had a heart attack!"

"Profound Life Stage? No… Profound Death Stage? Or maybe even stronger?"

"It almost feels like it could rival my peak strength!"

"Not only that, but the aura felt strange—different from that of ordinary cultivators, yet terrifying nonetheless!"

Little Marten wiped the sweat from his brow, his thoughts racing.

"This Lin Yan is really abnormal."

"No, when Lin Dong gets back, I have to talk to him! That fool better not let himself be tricked—Grandfather Marten is in the same boat as him now!"

Lin Dong, meanwhile, remained completely unaware that within the mysterious space of the stone talisman, Little Marten had just scared himself half to death while probing Lin Yan's Storage Ring.

Back at Lin Yan's residence, the two continued chatting over tea. When Lin Dong mentioned the toll the Mind Millstone took on his mental energy, Lin Yan raised an eyebrow.

"Using that for training puts a heavy strain on your mental energy?"

"Well, that makes sense."

"After all, everything has its trade-offs. If you're gaining immense benefits from it, naturally, there must be a corresponding price to pay."

Lin Yan chuckled and took another sip of tea before speaking again.

"But that's not a big deal."

"I'll refine some pills for you to restore your mental energy. Then you won't have to worry about it."

Hearing this, Lin Dong was overjoyed. If such a pill existed, he could train his mental energy without any concerns!

He quickly expressed his gratitude.

"Thank you, Lin Yan!"

Lin Yan simply waved a hand dismissively, saying, "It's nothing, don't worry about it."

After chatting a little longer over tea, Lin Dong finally left.

Returning home, he planned to rest and recover his mental energy.

However, just as he lay down, Little Marten's voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

"Brat! Get in here!"

Lin Dong raised an eyebrow at the sudden summons.

But after recalling what Lin Yan had said earlier, Lin Dong decided to enter the mysterious space within the stone talisman.

He looked at Little Marten and asked, "What's wrong?"

Little Marten seemed annoyed as he said, "What's wrong? You went and spilled everything about your grandpa Marten!"

"Good thing your Lin Yan brother doesn't seem like a bad guy. If the ones who harmed me before had learned about this, we'd both be dead by now!"

Lin Dong was stunned upon hearing this.

"You can sense what happens outside?"

Little Marten rolled his eyes. "Of course, I can!"

Then he seriously warned Lin Dong, "From now on, do exactly what your Lin Yan brother said!"

"Don't let anyone else know about the stone talisman. Otherwise, both of our lives will be in danger."

"Our enemies are far beyond what you can handle right now."

Lin Dong nodded in agreement.

Then he asked, "What level are they at?"

Little Marten let out a proud humph and said, "One fart from them could blow up hundreds or thousands of you!"

"Believe it or not, I don't care."

Lin Dong gave Little Marten a helpless look.

However, after recalling Lin Yan's words, he decided to get along with Little Marten.

Little Marten didn't dwell on the topic either, as he understood Lin Dong's mindset. Seeing so many strange things at once, wanting to discuss them with the most trusted person was only natural.

But Little Marten still felt the need to remind Lin Dong.

After a brief silence, Little Marten spoke again.

"Kid."

Lin Dong responded, "Hmm?"

Little Marten continued, "Grandpa Marten wants to remind you of something, and this is not to sow discord."

"I'm just saying—your Lin Yan brother is not simple. I'm sure I don't know him, but he seems to know some things about me. And most importantly, he seems to understand this stone talisman even better than I do."

Little Marten paused for a moment, and Lin Dong motioned for him to continue.

Little Marten then said, "Also, on your Lin Yan brother, I sensed the presence of an incredibly powerful soul."

"That soul is in a similar state to me right now—no physical body, unable to exert its full strength. But I can confirm one thing—if that soul regains its strength, it won't be any weaker than me at my peak."

"So, your Lin Yan brother has far more secrets than you. You'd best be careful around him."

With that, Little Marten stopped talking.

As for Lin Dong, he completely ignored that last sentence.

He would never guard himself against Lin Yan—there was no need to.

However, he did believe Little Marten's words.

Especially when he mentioned a soul that wasn't weaker than Little Marten, because Lin Dong had always heard Little Marten boasting about his own strength.

But now, Little Marten was saying that Lin Yan had a soul with power comparable to his peak?

That surprised Lin Dong quite a bit.

Thinking about it, he couldn't help but open his mouth in shock, murmuring in amazement, "So, Lin Yan has such a powerful existence by his side?"