Like Spirit Vulture and Xiaoke predicted, the news story about Lin Xun sprouted wings and took off that night. It spread to the entire Forbidden City, creating countless discussions and uproars.
Some jokingly called Lin Xun the youngest noble clan leader in the Forbidden City.
Of course, there was another more mocking title: the loneliest noble clan leader among the aristocratic peaks.
Although these were jokes, they did reveal a certain truth: Lin Xun was too young.
He was only a young teenager, and there was currently no other clan in his situation among the numerous noble clans in the Forbidden City.
Moreover, his circumstances as the Lin Clan successor were far too pitiful. He was all alone with no money and no manpower. All he had was an empty title and danger lurking around every corner.
Basically, the entire Forbidden City knew who Lin Xun was within a single night. His reputation was neither bad nor good but it had many points that fascinated the people.
……
Meanwhile, Lin Xun was completely unaware of these developments.
Time passed. Seven days had elapsed since Lin Xun went into secluded cultivation.Nothing out of the ordinary happened on Mind Cleansing Peak during these seven days. All of the affairs and chores were tidily resolved under Spirit Vulture’s management.
On the seventh evening, Lin Zhong made his routine trip to the third floor of Mind Cleansing Hall.
There were many things he had to report, but he did not dare to disturb Lin Xun before he emerged.
The bronze doors were tightly shut as usual. Lin Zhong was prepared to leave when he saw this.
However, he suddenly heard a muffled buzzing sound, and the tightly shut bronze doors slowly opened.
Lin Zhong jerked to attention. The Young Master is finally out!
He turned his head right in time to see Lin Xun walk out.
However, Lin Zhong was baffled to find that his Young Master’s aura had become increasingly ethereal and otherworldly. Lin Xun’s black eyes looked shockingly deep and clear. Each movement he made gave off a solid air of confidence.
Lin Zhong quickly returned to his senses as happiness bloomed on his face. “Congratulations Young Master for successfully advancing to the Heaven Dipper stage!”
Lin Xun smiled. “Uncle Zhong, how long have I been holed up in there?”
“Seven days.”
Lin Xun was taken aback, feeling a little stunned.
He had not expected that his cultivation would smoothly advance like water overspilling from a full cup after consuming the Snow Infant Jade Ginseng root strand.
Moreover, this cultivation advancement was different than before. Lin Xun could sense that his physical and spiritual power had also undergone a transformation!
Due to all this, he had lost track of time and only now realized that his cultivation advancement had taken seven days.
However, the rewards were also enormous. The earth dipper power in his body had perfectly transformed into heaven dipper power, which was more than twice as powerful.
Lin Xun’s body had also become much tougher and stronger. He had done some testing earlier and found that ordinary weapons could not even leave a scratch on him!
More than ten spirit stars had been lit in his mind-sea, bringing the total to seventy-two. Seventy-two spirit stars twinkled in the sky of his mind-sea, sprinkling clear light that nourished his spirit.
This greatly improved Lin Xun’s spirit sense, allowing him to detect even a slight breeze blowing through the grass within a thirty-thousand-foot radius!
This was the Heaven Dipper stage.
From earth to heaven, the comprehension and appreciation of nature’s grandness and power were no less than a life-changing transformation for cultivators.
Moreover, the transformation in cultivation, spirit, and body was also an accumulation of power in preparation to attack the Spirit Sea stage!
The stronger the accumulated foundation, the bigger the benefits after advancing to the Spirit Sea stage.
“Young Master.”
Lin Zhong said, “Several things have happened while you were in closed cultivation that I need to inform you about.”
“Oh, go ahead Uncle Zhong.”
Lin Xun began walking down from the third floor.
“Seven days ago, I contacted Stone Cauldron Alms Third Young Master Shi Yu according to your instructions and he has done what you asked.”
Lin Zhong followed behind Lin Xun.
“Already?”
Lin Xun was surprised.
Lin Zhong explained, “Correct. Young Master Shi Yu used the Forbidden City news broadcast screen to spread your name. Now, everyone in the city is talking about you.”
Lin Xun chuckled. “I did not expect Shi Yu to be so resourceful. To think he could even borrow the news broadcast screen. This debt is going to be rather big.”
Lin Zhong continued, “Young Master Shi Yu also told me to inform you that he will be holding an auction in ten days, and most of the Forbidden City’s first-class factions will be participating. If you are interested, you may also come to have a look.”
Lin Xun nodded. “I understand. Is there anything else?”
Lin Zhong said, “Mister Spirit Vulture has already returned and has recruited three experts for Mind Cleansing Peak. Mister Spirit Vulture said that you should personally have a look once you’re out.”
Lin Xun was stunned. “Only three?”
A strange look appeared on Lin Zhong’s face. “Yes, only three. But from my observation, none of them are ordinary people.”
Lin Xun immediately became more interested. “Come then, let us have a look.”
Lin Zhong advised instead, “Young Master, we should find Mister Spirit Vulture first. The three experts have rather eccentric tempers.”
Lin Xun nodded.
It did not take long for Lin Xun to find Spirit Vulture, who was currently leisurely enjoying the scenery on his wheelchair.
Xiaoke was not around. She had been leaving early and returning late for the past few days to help Lin Xun investigate the four branch clans.
“I heard that you’ve agreed to a duel with a youngster called Lin Xuefeng from the North Light Lin Clan.”
Spirit Vulture was the first to speak when he saw Lin Xun.
“That’s right.”
Lin Xun nodded.
Spirit Vulture said, “The Spirit Sea stage isn’t so easy to deal with and it will be very difficult for you to win. Hence, I feel that your decision was risky.”
Lin Xun smiled and said, “I understand. However, I only need to last a hundred moves without losing.”
Spirit Vulture gave some words of caution, “There is nothing more I can say since you’ve already agreed. However, I do have some advice: haste makes waste in the path of cultivation. You should never rush to advance your cultivation stage because of a duel as it will instead harm yourself.”
Lin Xun naturally also understood this and nodded in agreement.
Spirit Vulture used to be a Heaven Ascension expert. Although he had been poisoned by the Demon Tribulation Poison and was currently in a state that was no different from having his cultivation crippled, his experience was still there and it was naturally impossible to go wrong from listening to him.
A sudden realization dawned upon Lin Xun at this moment. He had been so lost in his training that he had forgotten that there were several formidable individuals on Mind Cleansing Peak.
Xiaoke, Spirit Vulture, Third Old Zhu, and even Lin Zhong were all cultivators that were far ahead of Lin Xun. Their guidance would definitely save him much trial and error.
“Let’s go and meet my three old friends.”
Spirit Vulture began pushing himself down the mountain.
This was what he was always like. He could make many accurate guesses without asking much and was a very intelligent and wise person.
……
The martial practice field.
It was built on a large area of flat ground roughly halfway up the mountain and originally provided a venue for the clansmen to practice their martial arts.
However, it had been neglected for more than ten years and had become an empty land filled with weeds.
There were currently three figures in the martial practice field.
One was a skinny man in shabby clothes. His body was sloppily sprawled across a boulder as he drunkenly drank alcohol.
Beside him, a tall and beefy fatty was fast asleep against a giant hammer.
Nearby, a sinister-looking elder with white hair was silently seated with his eyes shut. His face was covered in vicious blade scars.
When Lin Xun arrived and saw this, he could not help but be a little taken aback. These are the three experts Spirit Vulture invited?
Spirit Vulture smiled faintly and said, “The drunk is called Blood Thorn, the sleeping one is called Yang Ling, and the meditating one is called Old Diao. They are retired soldiers, and it took me quite a lot to invite them here.”
Retired soldiers?
Lin Xun thought for a while before walking forward and cupping his hands together. “I am Lin Xun, greetings to everyone.”
However, no one responded. The drunk continued to drink, the sleeping giant continued to sleep, and the meditating old man continued to meditate as if none of them had heard Lin Xun.
Either that or they were ignoring him.
Lin Zhong’s heart thumped in his chest as he worriedly looked at Lin Xun, afraid he would be mad.
However, Lin Xun merely chuckled and said to Spirit Vulture, “It seems that it will not be easy to obtain their acknowledgment.”
Spirit Vulture also chuckled. “Indeed. These three are very eccentric and even I could only invite them back. Whether or not they’ll stay will depend on you.”
Lin Xun replied, “I understand. Those who are proud of their abilities are all like this. How else can they show their worth?”
There was a strong provocation in his words.
However, Blood Thorn, Yang Ling, and Old Diao continued to ignore Lin Xun as if no amount of scolding or cursing could incite any reaction from them.
Spirit Vulture laughed heartily. “Right, right, right, that’s how they are. Do you have the confidence to convince them?”
Lin Xun asked, “How should I convince them?”
Spirit Vulture said, “Simple. Use any method you wish. As long as you obtain their acknowledgment, they will definitely bring you unimaginable surprises in the future.”
Lin Xun immediately grinned. “Any method at all?”
Spirit Vulture was stunned. He quickly guessed Lin Xun’s plan, causing the corners of his mouth to twitch slightly. “Uh…just don’t go too overboard.”
Lin Xun’s smile grew increasingly dazzling. “Relax, these are the experts you’ve painstakingly invited back. How can I possibly make things too difficult for them?”
A sliver of unease rose in Spirit Vulture’s heart as he worriedly glanced at the trio. If you guys are too stubborn, there might be a painful price to pay…