Just as Lin Xun stepped out of Mind Cleansing Peak, he noticed some people waiting for him.
It was Shi Yu, who was dressed in a graceful white robe, and Ning Meng, who looked as imposing and tall as an iron tower. Then, he noticed Gong Ming and Ye Xiaoqi were also among them.
“You guys—?” Lin Xun said in puzzlement.
“Don’t talk nonsense. Your brothers will accompany you there. We can’t let others look down on our brother!” Shi Yu chuckled.
“Yes, the rumors that you have angered the Song and Hua Clan have spread throughout the Forbidden City. You are surrounded by enemies and have no one on your side. Isn’t that a slap to your brothers’ faces?” Ning Meng said scornfully.
Lin Xun felt a warm current burrowing into his heart. It must have taken a lot of courage for Shi Yu and Ning Meng to stand on his side.
“Haha, we’re here to join the fun,” Ye Xiaoqi said aloud.
“Yes.” Gong Ming nodded.
That was the way of communication between men. They seemed to be joking with each other, but it represented their resolute stance.
In truth, Lin Xun was surprised to see them support him at such a time. Moreover, he and Ye Xiaoqi and Gong Ming were at most acquaintances in Blood Kill Camp.Lin Xun chuckled. “You guys...seem to have a lot of free time.”
“Stop talking nonsense! Let’s go, hurry up, and set off to the Sky Martial Arena,” Ning Meng urged impatiently.
Everyone got onto the jeweled carriage and disappeared into the distance.
“Lin Xun, there is something I need to tell you,” whispered Shi Yu on the carriage.
“I, Ning Meng, Gong Ming and Ye Xiaoqi have all decided to secretly help you get rid of some of these hindrances using our respective families’ powers.”
Before Lin Xun could respond, Shi Yu continued, “We all know that you have to first solve some internal problems if you want to sit firmly as the clan head of Mind Cleansing Peak. Those so-called internal problems are basically the West Creek, Cloud Weight, Flying Peak and North Light Lin Clans.
“It may be difficult for us to deal with them openly, but if we secretly give them a taste of some suffering, it will be incredibly easy.”
“For example, the West Creek Lin Clan owns over fifty properties in the Forbidden City. Although it’s not considered a lot, the West Creek Lin Clan depend on them to live. We can use our families’ powers to suppress those properties!
“The same method can be used against the other three collateral branches of the Lin Family.”
Shi Yu smiled. “This is a business battle! We can inflict heavy damage to them without much effort!”
“A cultivator can’t cultivate without a supply of resources. How can a clan survive after losing the wealth that supports them?”
“If successful, this method can deal a heavy blow to them. At that time, you can take advantage of the opportunity to unify them!”
Lin Xun’s emotions turned complicated. He knew the plan had to be Shi Yu’s idea because only he could think of such a ruthless strategy yet achieve an effortless victory.
The joint powers of the families of Shi Yu, Ning Meng, Gong Ming and Ye Xiaoqi were no doubt terrifying!
After all, the four collateral branches of the current Lin Family were at most considered a low-class aristocratic clan. How could they compete with top forces such as Stone Cauldron Alms, the Ning Family, the Gong Family, and the Ye Family?
Even if Shi Yu and the others could only mobilize a small portion of their families’ powers, that was already enough to make the four Lin Clan branches suffer hugely!
“What do you think?” asked Shi Yu.
He first needed to figure out Lin Xun’s opinion on the matter. After all, he, Ning Meng, Gong Ming and Ye Xiaoqi were outsiders and shouldn’t interfere in the Lin Family’s affairs.
Lin Xun responded, “Let's decide after the duel is over.”
“Okay.” Shi Yu nodded.
He would also give the matter a serious thought if he was Lin Xun since it was of great importance.
“By the way, the duel between you and Hua Wuyou has attracted the attention of the entire Forbidden City. Many influential figures are very likely to watch the duel in the Sky Martial Arena,” Shi Yu suddenly reminded him.
Lin Xun nodded and said with a smile, “Hua Wuyou is amazing. Then, if I lose, wouldn’t everyone in the Forbidden City know about it at once? That’s so embarrassing. My reputation would be utterly destroyed.”
Shi Yu smiled. “So, you can’t lose. If you lose, we will also be made fun of.”
“Make fun of you for what?” Lin Xun was baffled.
“Make fun of us for having the wrong friend.”
Lin Xun rolled his eyes and told him to get lost.
……
Rumors had it that Sky Martial Arena was a purgatory battlefield in ancient times. The spirits and corpses of many gods and demons were buried there, and it was only later that the founding emperor of the Ziyao Empire built a huge arena above it.
Sky Martial Arena was already packed with people. All one hundred thousand seats were filled for the duel! The box seats on the second and third floors around the arena had long been occupied by famous figures in the Forbidden City. The duel between Lin Xun and Hua Wuyou had captured the attention of the entire city before it even started!
This wasn’t because they were big shots. Instead, it was because they both had special identities.
One was a descendant of one of the seven high clans and was well-known in Qinglu Academy’s Dao Martial Department. She was strong enough to be ranked in the top one hundred among the aristocratic clan descendants of the younger generation.
The other was a descendant of the Lin Family. Although the Lin Family had deteriorated over the years, it has had glorious days. Moreover, Lin Daochen was a legendary figure known all over the empire.
Lin Xun was a direct descendant of Lin Daochen and was only fifteen years old, but he had dared to offend the descendants of two high clans. It was hard to not draw notice.
Moreover, to some influential figures who knew about the situation of the Lin Family, Lin Xun’s appearance was worth paying attention to for many different reasons.
His background was unusual, and the bloody tragedy more than ten years ago involved many shocking secrets. He had just returned to the Forbidden City, but dared to anger the Song and Hua Clans, two top high clans in the empire. It was very abnormal.
The Chi Family had launched encirclement operations against Lin Xun in the past, so they were also paying close attention to this duel. They couldn’t understand why Lin Xun would be so fearless.
How many colossi were standing behind him in the dark?
Everyone had different perspectives and different attitudes towards the matter.
Many of the cultivators in the audience hadn’t considered such problems. They were only interested in the duel between Lin Xun and Hua Wuyou.
“What a marvelous situation. Who would have thought Sky Martial Arena would become so lively because of a duel between Hua Wuyou and Lin Xun?”
“Yes, Lin Xun has stirred up a tremendous storm. He dared to anger two top clans! He is fearless.”
“Ah, if Lin Xun doesn’t show up, it will be very disappointing.”
“Impossible! I heard that Lin Xun will definitely appear. Let’s just look forward to the battle.”
“Hey, then Lin Xun is really not afraid of death! Hua Wuyou is known as the Demoness. She will likely beat Lin Xun to death in this duel.”
“Indeed. Hua Wuyou is incredibly strong. Lin Xun’s chances of winning against her are very slim.”
There were clamors of discussions all around the huge arena. The waves of voices reverberated across the world like the rumble of thunder.
Most people weren’t optimistic about Lin Xun’s situation. They felt that he was doomed to lose because, no matter how talented he was, he was just an initial Spirit Sea cultivator and an entire cultivation level below Hua Wuyou.
Some people disagreed, thinking that Lin Xun must have some tricks up his sleeve since he had accepted the duel. However, very few cultivators held that view.
“Hahaha, do you see? Many people in the audience aren’t optimistic about Lin Xun. I admire his courage to come to the duel.”
Lin Tianlong, the clan head of West Creek Lin Clan, laughed loudly in a box seat.
“If he doesn’t come, he will be ridiculed by the entire Forbidden City and become a laughing stock. He can’t lift his head in the future. So, even if he knows he will lose, he has to come.”
Lin Nianshan said leisurely, “I’m just very curious as to whether Hua Wuyou will instantly kill Lin Xun.”
“I hope not. If Lin Xun is dead, it will be difficult for us to regain control of Mind Cleansing Peak.” Lin Pingdu frowned.
“Indeed, I hope she only cripples him. If Lin Xun dies, it won’t be good for us. I just hope that Hua Wuyou will have mercy and let Lin Xun live,” Lin Tianlong said aloud.
At that moment, the audience erupted in cheers and all gazes shifted in a certain direction.
A beautiful fire-like figure floated up to the center of the arena.
She was stunning and elegant, but wore an expression as cold as frost. As she walked forward, she exuded a powerful and calm bearing like a proud phoenix patrolling the mountains and rivers.
Hua Wuyou!
Her appearance caused a sensation. All eyes gathered on Hua Wuyou, filled with amazement, fear, envy and admiration.
Hua Wuyou didn’t seem to notice those gazes. She stood tall in the arena, her red dress fluttering like flames, and her silky hair swaying in the breeze. She radiated an unparalleled charm.
Some people were clearly extraordinary from one glance, just like Hua Wuyou. She could be said to be the pride of heaven. She had abilities to be proud of and a terrifying background. It was difficult for someone like her to not draw any attention.
The arena grew more and more lively following Hua Wuyou’s arrival. Many people couldn’t help but discuss when Lin Xun would appear.
It was then that a handsome but lonely-looking figure emerged on the other side of the arena and headed up the platform.