The North Light Lin Clan members didn’t stay long before they left under the leadership of Lin Huairen. It seemed that they knew it would be meaningless to stay any longer.
Lin Xun didn’t try to persuade them to stay and just watched them leave. “Uncle Zhong, keep an eye on them. If you notice anything unusual, immediately capture them!”
Lin Zhong nodded.
He also knew that Mind Cleansing Peak was in a danger-ridden situation. The consequences could be serious if they couldn’t maintain stability within the clan.
“Lin Xun, what do you plan to do?” Spirit Vulture asked.
“From today onwards, close Mind Cleansing Peak. Can you all stay here for a while and live a period of isolation? As for the outside world, I will deal with it alone.”
Lin Xun’s expression was incredibly calm, indicating that he had given their situation a long thought.
“By yourself?”
Spirit Vulture, Xiaoke, and Lin Zhong were all taken aback. Even Third Old Zhu couldn’t help but stare at Lin Xun in surprise.
They all knew well that Lin Xun intended to deal with the two high clans, the Zuo and Qin Clans, and the three collateral branches of the Lin Clan alone!Could Lin Xun do that by himself?
Spirit Vulture had a suspicion that the matter wasn’t as simple as Lin Xun had said.
In the end, Lin Xun didn’t disclose the reason for his decision because he didn’t want them to worry.
Although Spirit Vulture and the others were puzzled by his decision, they had no choice but to agree when they saw his unyielding determination.
……
On the same day, Lin Xun left Mind Cleansing Peak accompanied by Third Old Zhu and Lin Zhong.
It was also on that day when Mind Cleansing Peak was closed and isolated from the world.
As one of the seventy-two aristocratic peaks, Mind Cleansing Peak was protected by a mysterious defense formation. It would be difficult for even a Life-Death Stage King to break through it.
Therefore, Lin Xun wasn’t worried that the Zuo and Qin Clans would try to break into Mind Cleansing Peak to get revenge.
Furthermore, he had imprisoned Zuo Yang and Qin Xing on Mind Cleansing Peak, so the Zuo and Qin Clans would first have to weigh the consequences before they launched a retaliation attack.
“Young Master, are you going to ask the Qinglu Academy for help?” Lin Zhong anxiously asked on the jeweled carriage.
“It’s better to depend on yourself.”
Lin Xun shook his head and his eyes took on a pensive look as he said indifferently, “Uncle Zhong, would you believe it if I say that it won’t be long before many people will help me on their own initiative?”
Lin Zhong gazed at Lin Xun’s sharp and handsome face for a moment before he said firmly, “I believe it.”
Lin Xun exclaimed in surprise, “Uncle Zhong, you don’t doubt me?”
Lin Zhong smiled. “Young master, you have never made a wrong decision.”
He hesitated for a moment and then he choked, “Young Master, no matter what happens, even if...even if you lose Mind Cleansing Peak, you must live!”
Lin Xun nodded, closed his eyes, and sank into deep thought.
Zhao Tailai, the owner of the Sky Martial Arena, had specifically looked for him to tell him some extremely important secrets back at the empress’ birthday banquet.
Five years!
The mysterious influential figure of the imperial palace had guaranteed that Yun Qingbai from the Omega Sword Sect would not appear in the next five years.
To this day, Lin Xun still clearly remembered Zhao Tailai’s words at the time. Do what you want and create all the disturbance you want. The greater the noise, the better, especially in Qinglu Academy. It’s even better if you cause so much disturbance that the principal takes notice of you. It will only be beneficial to your situation.”
The empire will not ignore real talents. You must have the strength worthy of the empire's attention. The more outstanding you are, the more the empire will value you. When a calamity descends upon you, the empire will provide a path for you!”
Those words were simple and easy to understand. It was the source of Lin Xun’s confidence to face all the crises alone.
However, he wouldn’t pin all his hopes on other people. He had his own plans.
Just as he had told Lin Zhong, it was better to depend on yourself!
When I am strong enough, who would dare to bring trouble to me in this world?
The Ancient Spirit World had been an eye-opening experience for him. He saw a more vast world and understood that the great Ziyao Empire was nothing compared to the Ancient Wasteland Domain.
If he couldn’t solve the troubles in front of him, how could he avenge his family in the Ancient Wasteland Domain?
Suddenly, his eyes sprang open. “Uncle Zhong, remember to send a letter to the three collateral branches West Creek, Cloud Weight and Flying Peak and inform them that the three years I promised them will remain unchanged, but since they have already chosen to betray Mind Cleansing Peak and cooperate with the Zuo and Qin Clans, they will have to pay a high price for it.”
Lin Xun’s dark eyes glinted coldly. “Tell them to sever relationships with the Zuo and Qin Clans within half a year. Otherwise, they will have to pay for the price of betrayal!”
Lin Zhong shuddered and solemnly nodded.
……
Qinglu Academy.
It was noon, and the students had all finished classes. On the peaceful ancient campus were high-spirited teenagers everywhere.
Dressed in the same uniform, they looked especially young and energetic like the rising sun.
A carriage clattered to a stop in front of Qinglu Academy. Lin Xun got off, waved goodbye to Lin Zhong and Third Old Zhu, took a deep breath and walked into Qinglu Academy. He had been gone for two months.
“Hey, that person looks familiar.”
“Lin Xun! No, Little Instructor Lin. He’s finally back!
Lin Xun was quickly recognized and his appearance caused a commotion.
Soon, the news of his return spread at an incredible speed throughout the Hidden Dragon Department, Dao Martial Department, True Martial Department and the Rune Department.
“What? Lin Xun showed up? Doesn’t he know how many people are looking to defeat him to wash away the humiliation the imperial family suffered?”
“I recall that the Zuo and Qin Clans had besieged Mind Cleansing Peak, and it is in a precarious situation. Why did Lin Xun come back to Qinglu Academy instead, is he here to seek help?”
Lin Xun’s return made Qinglu Academy very lively, and everywhere was filled with discussions.
It was understandable because Lin Xun was too famous. He had become a legendary young genius after he stirred up one sensational incident after another in the Forbidden City. Each one had set off storms and was widely discussed in the empire.
He had the title of Master of Mind Cleansing Peak, leader of the Lin Clan, and the young rune grandmaster of the Qinglu Academy, the Divine Workshop and the headquarters of the Rune Master Association.
Who would have imagined that beneath those glorious halos was only a sixteen-year-old boy?
The number of sensational things he had done was even more incredible.
He successively defeated Hua Wuyou, violently beat up the descendants of the Song Clan, evoked the nine draconic cries and repaired the Sword of Apocalypse, a precious treasure of the empress.
Chu Haidong, who was from one of the three great rune clans, was labelled a stupid idiot because he had offended Lin Xun and became a laughingstock in the Forbidden City.
Chu Haidong’s elder, Chu Shanhe, the vice department head of the Rune Department, tried to take action against Lin Xun but he failed miserably. In the end, he was too ashamed to show his face again.
Even the widely circulated song Heaven Pride was said to be related to Lin Xun!
Lin Xun could be said to be a monster that appeared out of nowhere. He had shaken the Forbidden City too many times.
However, the good times didn’t last long. He had acted without restraint at the express’ birthday banquet. He had defeated Chi Cangfeng and forced the Marquis of Rising Sky to kneel. As a result, he had offended the imperial family and angered the powerful and influential figures of the empire and brought trouble upon himself!
In the end, he had lost the life-changing opportunity to train in the mysterious domain.
This incident had shaken the Forbidden City, and many people believed that Lin Xun was doomed to fall and his fate worried many people.
Many people believed that Lin Xun had gone into closed-door cultivation on Mind Cleansing Peak because he was afraid and that he knew that a calamity was looming.
Now, after two months, Lin Xun suddenly appeared in Qinglu Academy. Naturally, his return attracted all sorts of attention.
“That guy still dared to show up here. This is going to be interesting. I remember that Zuo Yujing, who is ranked third on the Spirit Sea Gold Rankings, vowed that he would make Lin Xun unable to eat or walk around if he showed up.”
“Not only Zuo Yujing, but many genius cultivators from the Martial Dao Department are also waiting to teach Lin Xun a lesson to wash away the humiliation that the imperial family had suffered.”
“It’s a pity. Lin Xun is such an outstanding person, but he stirred up so much trouble.”
Lin Xun’s appearance set off a storm in Qinglu Academy!
Meanwhile, Lin Xun was in a discussion with Shen Tuo.
“Lin Xun, don’t worry, you are at Qinglu Academy. No one would dare come here and cause trouble. Now that you are back, you should concentrate on teaching and not let the storm happening in the outside world affect you,” Shen Tuo said warmly, pleased to see Lin Xun return to the academy.
Lin Xun felt a warm current rushing up his heart. He thought that the rumors circulating in the outside world would change Shen Tuo’s opinion of him.
Clearly, he had overthought.
Even if Shen Tuo knew that Lin Xun had offended the imperial family and other influential and powerful figures, he still guaranteed his safety. This showed how strong the foundation of the Qinglu Academy was.
However, Lin Xun didn’t return to the Qinglu Academy to take refuge.
“Can I borrow the ninth floor of the Refinement Tower for a while?” Lin Xun stated his true purpose.
“Of course.” Shen Tuo agreed without hesitation. But then, he seemed to remember something as his eyes widened and he exclaimed, “What did you say? You want to use the ninth floor of the Refinement Tower?”
Lin Xun nodded.
Shen Tuo stared at Lin Xun with shocked disbelief. “You...you wouldn’t be planning to cast a rune armament, right?”
The ninth floor of the Refinement Tower was specially reserved for creating rune armament!
It was a well-known fact in Qinglu Academy but Lin Xun requested to borrow the ninth floor of the tower. How would Shen Tuo not be shocked?
“Correct.”
Lin Xun had nothing to hide so he nodded calmly.
After receiving confirmation, Shen Tuo, an experienced rune grandmaster, lost his composure. His lips quivered.
If he remembered correctly, Lin Xun was only sixteen years old and had only been at the rune grandmaster level for less than half a year.
However, he wanted to create a rune armament!
It was too unbelievable!