Anyone else?
The words had been said very casually without any hint of oppressiveness.
However, this nonchalant attitude made the Dao Martial Department students very angry.
Arrogant, too arrogant!
No matter how angry or sullen they felt, no one dared to step into the arena and face Lin Xun.
They already understood that Lin Xun was not just arrogant as his strength was the real deal.
Shi Yunpeng’s, Xue Yun’s, and Jin Zhuliu’s defeats had already clearly proven this.
Only a fool would continue to underestimate Lin Xun at this juncture.
Many people were also alarmed. The three defeated students were elites of the Dao Martial Academy and were pretty famous on the Spirit Sea Gold Rankings.
Since even they weren’t Lin Xun’s match, it was easy to imagine how strong his current cultivation was. It would be impossible to subdue him without sending a powerhouse.Chi Cangmei, Hua Wuyou, and the others who had grudges against Lin Xun before had complicated feelings. It had only been two months, but Lin Xun seemed to have transformed into a completely different person who was becoming increasingly impossible to measure.
They could still remember that Lin Xun had only possessed intermediate Spirit Sea cultivation when he had defeated the Marquis of Rising Sky during the empress’ birthday celebration.
Now, he was already a proud perfect Spirit Sea expert!
In the distance, Shi Yu sighed, “Sigh, now that everyone has seen through his act, even a fool would know not to jump into his trap.”
This also resonated deeply with Ning Meng, Ye Xiaoqi, and Ming Gong. They were honestly astonished by Lin Xun’s current strength.
He was becoming more and more abnormal. His rapid progress had rocketed him so far ahead of them that it began to feel impossible to catch up.
In the arena, Lin Xun could not help but sigh inwardly. He knew the ruse was up, and he could no longer trick people like earlier.
He suddenly looked toward Li Xiaofei with a playful smile and shouted, “Mister Ugly, it’s your turn.”
Li Xiaofei’s expression immediately turned ugly as he roared, “Lin Xun, don’t be so happy yet. Do you really think the Dao Martial Department has no capable individuals?”
Lin Xun frowned, “Since that’s the case, why don’t you come up and fight?”
“I…”
Li Xiaofei’s expression changed indeterminately. If it was before, he would have already leapt onto the arena by now. However, even the likes of Shi Yunpeng, Xue Yun, and Jin Zhuliu had lost. How could he possibly have the courage to duel Lin Xun?
Lin Xun disdainfully said, “Hehe, is this how a student of the Dao Martial Department acts? How disappointing?”
The students were immediately triggered and began yelling.
“What the hell, Mole? Don’t you even have the balls to accept a single fight?”
“Quickly get up there and destroy him! Didn’t you hear him insult you?”
“Even if you lose, lose like a man. How can you be afraid of even accepting a duel?”
Li Xiaofei was nearly about to cry. God damnit, you guys want me to go up and receive a beating? Didn’t you all see how Jin Zhuliu was brutalized till he was about to cry for his parents?
“Never mind, I’ll let you off since you’re a coward.”
In the arena, Lin Xun let out a soft sigh. His gaze slowly moved across the crowd. Every student he looked at felt uncomfortable as if they were afraid of being selected by him.
In the end, Lin Xun’s gaze stopped on the white-haired youngster, Lan Yu.
“White Hair, I’m sure you’ve been itching to get it on. Come, I’ll give you the chance to fight me now.”
Lin Xun displayed a dazzling smile.
Lan Yu’s expression changed indeterminately as he struggled internally.
Earlier, he had wished he could be the first to face and destroy Lin Xun. However, witnessing the earlier battles made Lan Yu regain his calm and realize that Lin Xun was no ordinary individual. If he were to fight and ultimately lose, it would be a huge loss of face.
Hence, no matter how sullen, frustrated, and angry he felt, he was already thinking about withdrawing and did not wish to come into conflict with Lin Xun.
However, Lan Yu had not expected to be called out by Lin Xun!
White Hair!
Again with that humiliating name-calling. It made Lan Yu almost want to rip his hair out.
“Why? Have you also become a coward as well?”
Lin Xun frowned.
“Since you want to die, I shall grant your wish!”
Lan Yu was completely enraged and dashed into the arena with a roar. He could no longer afford to have any more concerns. If backed down now, he would soon become a laughing stock in the Dao Martial Department.
Cheers immediately sounded all around.
Lan Yu was ranked top five in the Spirit Sea Gold Rankings. With him pitted against Lin Xun, there was surely going to be an exciting battle soon!
However, there was one slight difference from earlier. A good portion of the crowd was now worried about what would follow if even the likes of Lan Yu was defeated.
Shi Yu, Ning Meng, and the others chuckled evilly as if they were watching a pig that was about to be slaughtered.
In the arena, a battle erupted once again.
This time, Lin Xun did not hide his strength because there was no longer any need to do so.
Rumble!
His back was straight, and his black hair danced around him as he used the Hornless Ice Dragon Step. It made it seem as if he could walk amidst the mist as a faint azure glow surrounded his body.
The crowd felt a change occur in Lin Xun as an ungraspable and ethereal aura spread from his body. Paired with his deep black eyes and his handsome features, it made him seem like a spring deep in the mountains or a cool breeze from a holy land. It was as if he had transcended his mortal existence.
Even his attacks had become simple, natural, and ethereal, yet also whole, perfect, and harmonious.
It was a sensation akin to being perfect like the full moon, in complete harmony with nature, and returning to the most basic truth!
Someone asked in a trembling voice, “Is this his real strength?”
Numerous Dao Martial Department students were stunned. Lin Xun gave off an indescribable elegance that made them fearful.
It was an invisible pressure that was somehow whole yet ethereal and able to intimidate the soul.
In the distance, the instructors’ hearts stirred at this moment. With their superior cultivation, they could naturally tell that Lin Xun had attained the perfect pinnacle of the Spirit Sea stage. He was akin to a king that could easily overwhelm most cultivators from the same generation.
“How the hell does he cultivate?”
Shi Yu, Ning Meng, and the others’ expressions turned serious, astonished by the brilliance Lin Xun had displayed.
Even the Dao Martial Department students who had viewed Lin Xun with disdain and hatred had no choice but to admit that the strength he displayed was supreme!
Moments later, Lan Yu admitted defeat. There was no longer any anger on his face, only bitterness and a slightly lost look.
Only after exchanging blows did he finally realize Lin Xun’s strength. All of Lan Yu’s techniques and tactics were effortlessly neutralized, making it such that he could not even put up a struggle.
He knew that it wasn’t because he was weak. Instead, his opponent was too strong. Against someone at the pinnacle, it would only be a certain defeat unless you possessed an equal level of cultivation.
Hence, Lan Yu cleanly admitted defeat.
Lin Xun did not make things difficult. In fact, he was a little impressed by Lan Yu’s attitude.
Lan Yu has admitted defeat!
The entire place was silent. Their gazes changed when they looked toward Lin Xun again. Their initial disdain, anger, and hatred had turned into wariness, bewilderment, and astonishment.
No one had expected such a young man to possess such frightening cultivation.
At this point, everyone understood that Shi Yunpeng’s, Xue Yun’s, and Jin Zhuliu’s defeats were not surprising.
Even in the Dao Martial Department, someone like Lin Xun would be hard-pressed to find any worthy rivals.
“He’s incredible. His qi flows perfectly, and his cultivation has reached the peak of the Spirit Sea stage. With every gesture, he seems to shift ever so closer to ascending beyond.”
In the distance, a young man wearing a jade robe softly sighed in admiration. He was not handsome, but he gave off an astonishingly heroic aura. His eyes shone like stars, and his brows were shaped like swords. As he stood there with his hands behind his back, he gave off the sensation that he could exist even without the rest of the world.
He was called Zhao Jingwen and was a descendant of the imperial family. His bloodline was very pure and his grandfather was the current emperor’s brother!
In the Dao Martial Department, Zhao Jingwen was akin to a proud rising sun. His talent stood above everyone else’s like a king, and he occupied the number one spot on the Spirit Sea Gold Rankings!
“I’ll go test him later.”
A voice sounded from his side. It originated from a dignified-looking man with a wide forehead and a thin face. His eyes shone brilliantly as he gave off a dangerous and intimidating aura akin to a peerless sword.
He was Zuo Yujing, a descendant of the Zuo Clan. He was also a famous heaven pride that was ranked third on the Spirit Sea Gold Rankings.
“It’s fine. There aren’t many chances left to suppress him this time, and it will not be appropriate to move against him at this juncture. After all, he has already fought four battles in a row. Even if you defeat him, it will not be a good victory.”
Zhao Jingwen softly sighed.
“We’re going to let this go just like that?”
Zuo Yujing frowned.
“Don’t be too anxious. I merely wanted to test him and figure out his capability. From the looks of it, he does live up to his reputation.”
Zhao Wenjing’s eyes turned deep as he pondered, “Most importantly, it is essentially impossible to kill him in Qinglu Academy, and even I do not dare to act too recklessly here. Since that’s the case, we might as well withdraw for the time being such as not to alert him.”
Zuo Yujing still seemed somewhat reluctant, “He’s merely the spawn of a fallen clan who can be killed at whim. Why the need to go through such trouble?”
“You don’t understand. If it was that easy to kill him, he would have long been eliminated when he forced my elder brother Zhao Jingyin to kneel. Let’s go. There will be opportunities in the future. We’ll let him live a little longer.”
Zhao Jingwen turned around and left.
Zuo Yujing was taken aback. He cast an icy glance at Lin Xun before taking a deep breath and following Zhao Jingwen.
Meanwhile, Lin Xun seemed to sense something and looked in their direction. He immediately frowned when he caught sight of Zuo Yujing’s and Zhao Wenjing’s figures.
Two experts!
Much stronger than the likes of Lan Yu.
This was Lin Xun’s evaluation. Despite being at the peak Spirit Sea stage, the two individuals gave him a faint dangerous sensation.
Lin Xun suddenly did not dare to underestimate the Dao Martial Department. As a place where talented individuals gathered in Qinglu Academy, it had frightening foundations and was full of hidden experts.
Lin Xun soon cast away these thoughts. Although he had defeated Lan Yu, he did not plan to stop there and intended to keep fighting in order to discover the mastermind.
After all, Lin Xun had offended the imperial family whom these students did not have much relation to. Despite this, many of them had provoked him aggressively. Even a fool would realize that there was something fishy going on.
Unfortunately, Lin Xun did not get what he wished. A senior instructor of the Dao Martial Department appeared and put a stop to the entire affair. He sternly scolded the students and quickly cleared the area.
Although the Dao Martial Department students were reluctant to accept the current results, they knew that it would be meaningless to continue unless one of their supreme elites appeared because Lin Xun would only continue winning otherwise.
“Lin Xun, you’re a respected instructor of the Rune Department. It is unbecoming of you to come here and clash with the Dao Martial Department students.”
The senior instructor frowned. He was called Wang Qingtian and was an almighty Heaven Ascension cultivator.
Lin Xun shrugged and said, “Senior, would you believe me if I told you that someone set this trap for me? You should have seen earlier that the students wanted to subdue me and force me to apologize to the imperial family.”
Wang Qingtian was taken aback. He seemed to recall something and sighed, “Don’t worry, I can guarantee that in the Qinglu Academy at least, no one will dare to take your life.”
Lin Xun smiled brightly as he responded, “I hope so.”
Although Wang Qingtian had an idea of what was going on, he clearly did not wish to be entangled in the matter and hurriedly left.
“Damn, son, you’re becoming more and more impressive!”
Ning Meng strode over, patted Lin Xun’s shoulder, and heartily laughed.
“Indeed, it will not be long before this news shakes the entire Qinglu Academy. After all, everyone will want to hear more about a rune grandmaster from the Rune Department defeating several Dao Martial Department powerhouses in succession.”
Ye Xiaoqi sighed deeply. Lin Xun would always become famous wherever he went. He had just left his seclusion but had already caused a huge commotion in Qinglu Academy.
“Are you guys praising me or making me the butt of your jokes?”
Lin Xun felt speechless but also happy. When he initially became an instructor of Qinglu Academy, Shi Yu, and the others had been out on a training exercise and they had not had the chance to meet up.
Reuniting with his friends naturally filled him with happiness.
Ever since he entered the Forbidden City, he only had a few friends such as Shi Yu, Ning Meng, Ye Xiaoqi, Gong Ming, and the gang.
Ning Meng fiercely pressed Lin Xun, “Tell me truthfully, did you eat some kind of godly tonic? How did your cultivation grow so rapidly and make you so formidable?”
Lin Xun replied in confusion, “Is my cultivation progress that good? I was under the impression that all of you had long surpassed me in Qinglu Academy.”
The group was speechless. Each step in the cultivation journey was incredibly difficult and only after personally experiencing it would someone understand how tough of a path it was!
“Do you think we’re all freaks like you?” Ye Xiaoqi rolled his eyes.
Gong Ming could not help but speak out as well, “Yeah, you were only at the Heaven Dipper stage when you first arrived in the Forbidden City, but in less than a year, you’ve now reached the perfect Spirit Sea stage. Who can possibly match such outrageous cultivation progress?”
Shi Yu said, “Lin Xun, your current circumstances don’t look good.”
Lin Xun acknowledged his comment and gave his friends a summary of Mind Cleansing Peak’s current situation. There was not much point in hiding anything after all.
Ning Meng cursed, “Damnit, the Zuo Clan and Qin Clan are too much!”
Ye Xiaoqi and Gong Ming also frowned. They did not expect Lin Xun to be in such big trouble this time.
“It’s not just the Qin Clan and the Zuo Clan.”
Shi Yu shook his head. He had evidently already done some research. “Like what happened today, there must be someone pulling the strings. Otherwise, things would not have escalated so quickly.”
Shi Yu’s expression turned grave as he continued, “Most importantly, you’re a rune grandmaster, an instructor of the Rune Department, and hold special positions in the Rune Master Association HQ and the Imperial Divine Workshop. Moreover, you helped the empress repair the Sword of Apocalypse. Who would dare to offend you under these circumstances?”
Ning Meng and the others were struck by a sudden realization. It was indeed true that Lin Xun’s current status and his identity as a young rune grandmaster made him someone that ordinary people would not dare to offend.
After all, offending Lin Xun was equivalent to offending the Rune Department, the Rune Master Association HQ, and the Imperial Divine Workshop!
All three of these great factions represented a most unique group — rune masters!
If you offended a rune master, who would help you craft aeth tools in the future?
The higher one’s cultivation, the more stringent their needs. The common goods available in the market were usually unable to satisfy their requirements.
Due to this, they needed to specially request rune masters to help them craft aeth tools.
Hence, it was taboo to offend rune masters!
Of course, real life was never so absolute. Lin Xun was only a single individual and could not represent all rune masters. However, a young rune grandmaster like him was very rare and would only become increasingly influential as he matured.
As such, only someone with a genuine grudge would dare to offend Lin Xun. Anyone else would have to first evaluate the consequences.
Lin Xun asked, “Do you already know something?”
Among his friends, Shi Yu was often the most informed and intelligent.
Shi Yu did not hide anything and said, “If my guess is correct, this matter should be related to Zhao Jingwen.”
Zhao Jingwen!
Ning Meng, Ye Xiaoqi, and Gong Ming gasped in surprise.
He was the top expert in the Dao Martial Department who had been occupying the number one spot on the Spirit Sea Gold Rankings for many years. No one had ever come close to shaking his position even until today.
In addition, he was a descendant of the imperial family, was of noble blood, and had superior status. It made sense if he was the mastermind.
Because everyone knew that Lin Xun had offended the imperial family and, as a member of the imperial family, Zhao Jingwen naturally had a reason to target Lin Xun.
“Zhao Jingwen is no simple character. Although the Marquis of Rising Sky Zhao Jingyin is his elder cousin, his status in the imperial family is far lower than Zhao Jingwen’s.”
Shu Yi’s eyes shone with composed intelligence as he swiftly analyzed, “If Zhao Jingwen is after you, things will become very problematic because you’ll have to add him in addition to the Zuo Clan and Qin Clan to your list of enemies. Although he does not represent the entire imperial family, his influence and power cannot be underestimated.”
Ning Meng interjected, “Then what can he do?”
“No need to worry. It’s enough that I know who the mastermind is.”
Lin Xun’s black eyes shone with an icy light.
Shi Yu suddenly asked, “Do you already have a plan?”
He had realized that Lin Xun was far calmer than expected.
Lin Xun replied, “You guys will know in the future.”
He did not wish to say too much and did not want Shi Yu and the others to be swept up into this affair as well. After all, it was different this time and the enemies were too dangerous.
“Come on, aren’t we brothers?”
Ning Meng was clearly very unhappy.
Lin Xun explained, “I will naturally ask you guys for help when it's needed in the future. I just don’t need it for now.”
Shi Yu asked, “What do you plan on doing?”
Lin Xun peered into the distance where a golden stone tablet had emerged from the mist. It was over a dozen feet tall and majestically stood there in all its glory.
It was the Spirit Sea Gold Rankings!
It recorded the names of Qinglu Academy’s top hundred most outstanding Spirit Sea students.
Lin Xun asked, “I heard that you’ll be awarded points if you manage to leave your name on the Spirit Sea Gold Rankings?”
“That’s right.”
Shi Yu nodded. Soon after, realization dawned upon him, “You’re going to attack the rankings?”
Ning Meng, Ye Xiaoqi, and Gong Ming were also taken aback as they looked toward Lin Xun.
“I have no choice, I’m in urgent need of some points so I’ll just have to give it a try.”
Lin Xun sighed.
The group was speechless. The Spirit Sea Gold Rankings was sacred to the Qinglu Academy students, and it was definitely a huge honor if they could leave their names upon it.
However, Lin Xun viewed it as a point earning tool. That was just…too ridiculous!