Three days later, on the second floor of the Rune Master Association.
Under Chu Feng’s leadership, Lin Xun met the unreasonable old woman.
She was indeed an old woman. Her hair was silver, her face was wrinkly, and her eyes were cloudy. She looked very ordinary as she leaned on her black wooden stick.
However, Lin Xun felt like he saw an erupting volcano when he laid eyes on her. There seemed to be molten lava spewing into the sky, incinerating everything it touched as if to melt the world.
At that moment, a cold current uncontrollably rushed out from Lin Xun’s heart. His nerves tensed up and an indescribable oppressive power almost suffocated him.
His expression abruptly changed.But when he looked at the old woman again, he didn’t feel anything strange. It was as though everything that happened was just an illusion.
However, that only made Lin Xun more afraid. Ever since he had come to the Ziyao Empire, he had met many remarkable people such as Yao Tuohai, a famous great cultivator in the southwest province, the mysterious Queen of Darkness, the mysterious old man who always followed the Queen of Darkness, Xin Rutie of the Imperial Army, Xue Jin, and Xu Sanqi.
Just like them, the old woman exuded an unfathomable and immeasurable aura
The old woman was undoubtedly a top master in the world!
Seeing Lin Xun, the old woman scrunched her brows. “This is Master Xun?”Chu Feng’s expression changed but Lin Xun answered before him, “I am Master Xun’s apprentice.”
The old woman’s face suddenly grew cold. “Master Xun is too arrogant. Could it be that he wants me to go and invite him in person?”
“Elder, please calm down, Master Xun is very odd and he doesn’t like being threatened. But his apprentice can also deal with a lot of matters,” Chu Feng explained humbly. “You may not know but Master Xun highly regards his apprentice. Master Xun has imparted to him with his knowledge and I believe you will be satisfied with his ability.”
The old woman snorted coldly. “What if he can’t solve my problem?”
Before Chu Feng could answer, Lin Xun said with a smile, “Whether or not I can depends on what needs to be repaired. After all, even a rune grandmaster wouldn’t dare to confidently say they can repair anything.”
The old woman couldn’t help but take another look at Lin Xun when she saw him speak so confidently and calmly despite only being in his teens.
“What’s your name?” asked the old woman.
“Elder, junior’s name is Lin Xun,” Lin Xun said with a cupped fist salute.
The old woman was taken aback. “Lin Xun? Your name is a bit offensive to your master’s title.”
However, Lin Xun calmly explained, “Master has once said that he accepted me as his apprentice because of my name. He said it’s fate.”
The old woman sneered, “Your master is indeed odd. The way he accepts an apprentice is also so sloppy.” Her remark was very impolite. She not only mocked Master Xun but also belittled Lin Xun.
Chu Feng’s heart leapt to his throat. He glanced at Lin Xun in worry in case he couldn’t contain his anger.
Surprisingly, Lin Xun beamed. “Elder indeed has sharp eyes. I also felt that my master was too hasty in his decision when he accepted me as his apprentice. But it can’t be helped. Master is that kind of person.”
The old woman took a deeper look at Lin Xun and warned in a chilling voice, “Kid, regardless, if you can’t solve my problem, don't blame me for being rude.”
She again sounded extremely arrogant and unreasonable. Chu Feng trembled all over, but Lin Xun only smiled calmly and didn’t respond.
“Let’s go!” The old woman turned around and left.
……
Jade Leaf Pavilion.
It was a courtyard spanning five acres in the central area of Haze City. The inner courtyard consisted of little bridges, streams, and pavilions. All sorts of rare plants and flowers were grown throughout the courtyards. It was extremely tranquil, like a paradise in the vibrant city.
The courtyard belonged to the Stone Cauldron Alms. Of course, only the wealthy and powerful Stone Cauldron Alms could own such a beautiful courtyard of that scale in the extremely expensive central area of Haze City.
At that moment, Qi Yunxiao, Yuan Shu, Wen Mingxiu and other children from the wealthy and powerful clans in Haze City had congregated in the main hall of the Jade Leaf Pavilion.
However, the usually prideful and arrogant sons of the wealthy and powerful clans kept a low profile and even seemed a little reserved.
This was because they were only guests invited to help entertain the other guests!
On the other side of the hall sat a dozen youngsters, all dressed luxuriously and wearing prideful expressions. Their manner of speech and their movements all showed a reserved sense of superiority.
Compared to those youngsters, Qi Yunxiao and the others were clearly inferior in terms of appearance and bearing.
This was because the dozen youngsters were all from the Forbidden City, the capital of the empire. Behind each of them was a top major force in the Forbidden City!
If the wealthy and powerful forces in the empire were divided into classes, the forces able to establish a tremendous foundation in the Forbidden City were undoubtedly one of the strongest!
Those forces were often referred to as the aristocratic clans.
The top forces in Haze City might be able to rule an area but they couldn’t be compared to the aristocratic clans in the Forbidden City.
Therefore, although they were all sons of wealthy and powerful families, Qi Yunxiao, Wen Mingxiu, and Yuan Shu were only there to entertain the dozen of aristocratic youngsters from the Forbidden City.
They felt very awkward because although they had acted humble, they could still distinctly feel the dozen youngsters treat them coldly and even disregard them.
For the first time in their lives, they tasted what it meant to be ignored. But they didn’t dare to complain or get angry.
“Mingxiu, don’t be upset. Those guys look down on us but do we look up to them? Look at them, they act high and mighty and consider everyone beneath them. If they weren’t born into the aristocracy, they would have been killed already.”
Qi Yunxiao whispered to Wen Mingxiu when he noticed her looking glum.
“I think you are the one who’s very uncomfortable.” Wen Mingxiu gave Qi Yunxiao a sideways glance.
Qi Yunxiao didn’t deny it. “There’s no doubt that I’m uncomfortable, but there’s nothing I can do about it. We’re inferior to them in terms of family and background. We have to admit it.”
Wen Mingxiu said thoughtfully, “The upper-class aristocratic clans also have a very strict hierarchy. For example, among the thirteen youngsters here, seven are from a lower aristocratic family and five from a mid aristocratic family. Only one is from a top aristocratic family.”
“The rich and powerful forces in Haze City can only be regarded as tyrannical powers in one area and are inferior to even the lower aristocratic clans. I heard from Father that the aristocratic families are aristocratic not just because of their wealth and background but because they can influence all aspects of the empire. Their every move can influence the decision of the higher-ups of the empire. This is the most terrifying thing about them.”
Wen Mingxiu inadvertently cast a glance at the youngster sitting on the platform opposite them and continued, “For example, the Xie Family behind Little Sword Lord Xie Yutang is one the seven top aristocratic clans. They can be called a monstrous authority and can heavily influence the imperial court.”
Wen Mingxiu suddenly froze and her expression visibly changed. Xie Yutang had swept a glance over her as if giving her a warning. One glance sent a chill down her spine.
Fortunately, Xie Yutang quickly withdrew his gaze. Wen Mingxiu felt like she had survived a calamity.
Little Sword Lord Xie Yutang was one of the most dazzling figures in the empire in recent years. Rumors had it that he was a cultivation genius and he had grasped the secret sword art of the Xie family. In hundreds of years, Xie Yutang was the only one who had comprehended and grasped the unique art of the Xie Family!
Most terrifyingly, Xie Yutang was only nineteen years old yet he was already at the Spirit Sea Stage.
“I don’t know why the little Sword Lord is here. He is the only one present at the Spirit Sea Stage. Isn’t it a little too flashy?” Qi Yunxiao said sourly.
“Let’s not talk about him.” Xie Yutang’s glance had frightened Wen Mingxiu.
The atmosphere in the hall of Jade Leaf Pavilion was very unusual. Xie Yutang and the other aristocratic clan descendants were conversing with one another and seemed to be having a good time.
Wen Mingxiu, Qi Yunxiao, Yuan Shu and the others were ignored and neglected, but they still sat there humbly and didn’t dare to treat them with disrespect.
However, Xie Yutang, Wen Mingxiu or any other person present was only considered as a guest.
They were all waiting for the owner who was temporarily living in Jade Leaf Pavilion.
Despite the fact that the owner still hadn’t made an appearance, not one person was impatient.
Even Xie Yutang and other young masters of the Forbidden City's aristocratic families seemed very patient.
Before long, the sound of footsteps outside the hall lifted everyone’s spirits. They all turned their heads to the door.
Many people’s faces lit up with anticipation. With their best posture and utmost manners, they were about to get up to greet the owner at the door.
Not long after that, a silver-haired old woman appeared, followed by a young man. Apart from them, there was no one else.
Everyone was surprised.
Of course, they knew who the old woman was. They were only surprised by the youngster following the old woman.
Who is that guy? Why is he with Granny Feng?
Qi Yunxiao, Wen Mingxiu, Yuan Shu and the other youngsters from the wealthy and powerful forces in Haze City couldn’t help but widen their eyes in shock.
Someone even exclaimed out loud, “Lin Xun? Why...Why is this guy here too!?”