Mind Cleansing Hall.
Third Old Zhu stood in the hall. His figure was like a majestic mountain and cast a long shadow on the ground.
His beard and hair were messy and ungroomed like weeds, his face was darkly tanned, and his bronze muscles bulged like boulders. His hands were large like palm leaves, his fingers thick and bulky, and veins bulged on the back of his hands. Although he was merely standing there, he gave off a bold and unshakable aura.
Lin Xun’s heart shook when he saw Third Old Zhu for the first time, feeling an indescribable pressure.
It felt as if Third Old Zhu was a war god that had walked out from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. A unique war-like aura had already soaked into his bones, making it impossible to hide.
He’s strong, very strong!
At least the Heaven Ascension stage!
Lin Xun was surprised. He had not expected the large man who claimed he was here to repay his debt would be such a powerful expert.
While Lin Xun was observing Third Old Zhu, he looked up and glanced at the former. The man’s face was expressionless and his gaze was calm, but a single glance still made Lin Xun feel as if something sharp was stabbing him all over!
Fortunately, it only lasted for a split second. Old Third Zhu withdrew his gaze and said in a low, suppressed voice, “I am called Old Third Zhu. Five hundred and seventy-six years ago, on the battlefield of the empire’s 19th attack on the Darkness Races, I was caught in a nearly hopeless situation. Fortunately, I received Duke Daochen’s help, allowing me to live.”His voice echoed in the large, spacious hall. “I made an oath back then that I would repay this debt to Duke Daochen!”
He suddenly stopped speaking and fell silent.
That’s all?
Lin Xun was taken aback. After a long time of observing that Old Third Zhu had no intention of continuing, Lin Xun could not help but say, “My ancestor died long ago. You’ve come too late.”
Third Old Zhu said, “It’s not late. As Duke Daochen’s great-grandson, I will view you as my benefactor to repay the debt.”
Truth be told, voluntary aid from such an expert was undoubtedly something to be happy about for Lin Xun, who was currently sorely lacking manpower at this time.
However, he did not dare to accept it so easily.
“A little over a dozen years ago…a bloody incident occurred in the Lin Clan that claimed the lives of my grandfather, father, and kinsmen. If you wished to repay your debt, why didn’t you appear then?”
Lin Xun’s eyes turned unreadable as he looked straight at Third Old Zhu.
In that brief moment, Lin Xun could sense a nearly unnoticeable ripple flash in Third Old Zhi’s tiger-like eyes that seemed to be a mix of pain and self-blame.
However, Third Old Zhu quickly regained his composure and said, “By the time I rushed back from the battlefield, the culprit had already disappeared.”
He did not elaborate any further.
He was like an emotionless rock that was impossible to read.
However, Lin Xun instantly understood.
After the bloody incident, everyone believed that his bloodline was finished. Moreover, the culprit was from the mysterious Omega Sword Sect. Under these circumstances, it was impossible for Third Old Zhu to take revenge even if he wished to
Lin Xun suddenly asked, “I only returned to Mind Cleansing Peak yesterday. How did you ascertain my identity?”
Third Old Zhu simply said, “I heard it from Fortune God Shi’s son.”
“Shi Yu?”
Lin Xun was taken aback, but most of his suspicions were dispelled. He was already planning to find a time to ask Shi Yu about Third Old Zhu’s background.
Lin Xun asked, “How do you intend to repay your debt?”
Third Old Zhu said, “The only thing I know is battle so you may treat me as a bodyguard. I will leave once I feel the debt has been repaid.”
Lin Xun nodded. “Do you need me to prepare anything for you?”
Third Old Zhu replied, “Food and water. I will not interfere in your life and appear only when you need me.”
Lin Xun was finally certain that Third Old Zhu was indeed here to repay his debt and could not help but sigh.
Although Lin Xun had never met his great-great-grandfather, from how his influence and blessings were still around today, it was easy to imagine how great of a man he must have been!
Third Old Zhu was quite an oddball that refused to forget a mere debt from long ago. Any other cultivator would probably not be as stubborn as him.
This was a true hero!
A man of his words who never took promises lightly!
Lin Zhong escorted Third Old Zhu out of the hall. It was not long before he returned and reported, “Young Master, I’ve arranged his accommodations.”
Lin Xun acknowledged and thoughtfully said, “Uncle Zhong, what do you think about him?”
Lin Zhong pondered for a moment and swiftly answered, “He has advanced Heaven Ascension cultivation and gives off a fierce, war-like aura. From these characteristics, he’s probably a powerful expert that has spent many years on the battlefield. From his words and conduct, he shouldn’t pose any problems.”
Lin Xun suddenly asked, “Can you beat him?”
“This…”
Lin Zhong was taken aback as if he was caught off guard by the question. He embarrassedly said, “Young Master, I’m only an old servant. I can’t possibly match such a powerful expert.”
Lin Xun acknowledged and smiled. “Uncle Zhong, even I can’t discern Third Old Zhu’s strength. However, you were not only able to tell but could also precisely identify him to be an advanced Heaven Ascension expert. This is rather odd, don’t you think?”
Lin Zhong forced a smile. “Young Master, you must have misunderstood. This old servant has followed the old clan leader for many years and has seen many Heaven Ascension cultivators. The exposure has naturally taught me how to easily identify these experts.”
Lin Xun sighed. “Never mind, I will not probe any further. You may leave.”
Lin Zhong looked like he had something to say but ultimately held back, turned around, and left.
White Casanova Shen Jinglun was a ladies man from the national exam sixty years ago that even Spirit Vulture has heard of. It’s easy to imagine how dazzling of a genius he must have been. If Uncle Zhong truly is Shen Jinglun, how did he end up like this?
Lin Xun was lost in thought as he walked up to the third level of the hall.
The third floor of Mind Cleansing Hall was designed to be a private cultivation room for the Lin Clan Leader. In the past, it was a restricted area that only the clan leader could use.
As the current owner of Mind Cleansing Jade Seal, Lin Xun was naturally able to enter.
When he arrived, he found an old bronze door that was covered in numerous, ancient runes.
This was the first time Lin Xun had come here since he stepped foot into Mind Cleansing Peak.
Omm~
With a deep breath, Lin Xun took out the Mind Cleansing Jade Seal and began circulating his Spirit Dipper Power. A ray of purple light suddenly shot out from the seal and flowed into the bronze door.
Cryptic and hazy undulations rippled on the door’s surface as if it was awakening from a deep slumber.
Soon after, it silently opened in front of Lin Xun.
Outside the hall, Lin Zhong was clearing the weeds by the mountain path. When the bronze door opened, his hunched body suddenly turned slightly rigid as he abruptly jerked his head and looked at the hall.
There was a hint of expectation, hesitation, and an unexplainable conflict in his expression.
After a long time, Lin Zhong sighed and withdrew his gaze.
……
Rather than a private cultivation room, it was honestly more akin to a grand residence.
When the bronze door opened, a magnificent, spacious hall appeared in front of him.
As he walked into the empty hall, Lin Xun felt a sensation of smallness.
Behind him, the door soundlessly closed again, seemingly sealing the room off from the rest of the world.
“Is this the private cultivation room only the clan leader can enter?”
Lin Xun looked around but could not find any decorations or furniture. There was only a single prayer mat at the center of the giant hall.
He could not help but suspect that even this private room had been robbed clean after the bloody incident a dozen years ago.
Why else would it appear so simple?
Lin Xun could not help but sigh. What use is there in thinking about such things?
He walked to the prayer mat at the center of the hall and sat down.
Although there were many things he had to do, Lin Xun did not dare to neglect his training. He had already decided to use any free time he had to cultivate.
In fact, he had made ample preparations to raise his cultivation as quickly as possible!
With a deep breath, Lin Xun retrieved a snow-white ginseng with many fine roots.
It measured half a foot in length and was as thick as a candle. It somehow resembled a sleeping baby and gave off a thick, heart-palpitating, medicinal fragrance. A mere whiff of the fragrance made Lin Xun feel invigorated and relaxed.
It was a Snow Infant Jade Ginseng!
It was a sacred cultivation herb that would make cultivators go crazy. It did wonders for a cultivator’s cultivation and was worth a fortune.
Normally speaking, such an unparalleled herb would only be used by experts with high cultivation.
After all, an ordinary cultivator was incapable of withstanding its tremendous medicinal power.
Lin Xun knew this. However, he did not intend to consume the entire Snow Infant Jade Ginseng in one go.
He first prepared a jade bottle, and carefully pulled off one of the Snow Infant Jade Ginseng’s roots, before immediately storing the ginseng in the bottle and securely sealing it.
This was to minimize any loss of the ginseng’s medicinal power.
In the end, Lin Xun shoved the root strand into his mouth.
Although he was already extremely cautious, he still underestimated the terrifying medicinal power of the Snow Infant Jade Ginseng.
When the root strand entered his stomach, Lin Xun felt as if countless volcanoes were erupting in his body!
In an instant, searing hot medicinal power rushed through his channels like wild horses that had been released, making him feel an unbearable burning pain.
Lin Xun’s skin immediately flushed red and steam began rising from his body as if he had swallowed a stove and was about to catch fire.
The medicinal power was too frightening!
A single root strand made Lin Xun feel as if his body was about to explode.
It must be known that his Earth Dipper foundations were incomparably solid and could easily crush Heaven Dipper experts!
However, even those foundations were being pushed to their limits!
It was too late to regret his decision. Lin Xun stifled a groan and gritted his teeth as he circulated the Mystery Grotto Devour Wilderness Scripture.
Meanwhile, Storm Grinder frantically revolved in his body…