The academy was peaceful, quaint and overflowing with antique charm and character.
It was early in the morning but the academy was already full of students, all in high spirits.
An uproar of cheers erupted when they saw Lin Xun and Shen Tuo coming out together.
“Little Instructor Lin!”
“Little Instructor Lin, we will always support you!”
“Little Instructor Lin, when will you teach us to make rune armaments?”
All the students’ eyes brimmed with heartfelt admiration, excitement and awe.
Some girls even blushed with fanatical gazes. Lin Xun imaginably held a transcendent position in the students’ hearts.
If Shen Tuo wasn’t around, the students would have already surrounded Lin Xun.
“It’s good to be young.” Lin Xun sighed.Shen Tuo grumbled, “How old are you?! I should be the one saying that.”
Lin Xun smiled and didn’t refute.
When they passed the Refinement Tower, Lin Xun was surprised to see a familiar figure.
It was Chu Shanhe!
However, he had a broom in his hand like a servant and was sweeping the area around the Refinement Tower.
When he noticed Lin Xun, his expression dramatically changed. His eyes flashed with a mixture of resentment, anger, fear and frustration.
In the end, he snorted coldly, turned his head and returned to the Refinement Tower.
“That is the principal’s punishment for him. He is stripped of the position of deputy head of the Rune Department and demoted to guard the Refinement Tower for a hundred years,“ Shen Tuo explained.
Lin Xun frowned. “Isn’t the punishment too light?”
Shen Tuo shook his head and explained, “You don’t understand. He is an important figure of the high and mighty Chu Clan, one of the three great rune clans, and also the deputy head of the Rune Department. He enjoyed a glorious status and identity, but is now just an odd-job worker. He lost all his powers and authority. That is worse than death for him.”
Lin Xun contemplated and didn’t say anything else.
That was the principal’s decision, so what right did he have to get upset regarding the justice that had been obtained for him?
Of course, if it was up to Lin Xun, he would cripple Chu Shanhe, if not outright kill him, as a punishment so that he couldn’t retaliate in the future.
……
Reception Hall.
Lin Xun immediately noticed Zhao Tailai. He was dressed like a businessman with his stout figure clothed in luxurious robes and had a natural charisma.
However, Lin Xun knew that he was the perfect example of an old and cunning man. It was impossible to get information out of his mouth.
“Oh, Master Lin Xun finally came to see me. I feel very flattered.” Zhao Tailai rushed over to greet Lin Xun with a wide smile.
“Hahaha, Elder, I am also delighted to see you here.” Lin Xun also beamed.
Shen Tuo was speechless for a while. How fake!
However, Zhao Tailai and Lin Xun didn’t feel the least bit embarrassed. On the contrary, they exchanged warm greetings like old friends who were reuniting after a long time.
Shen Tuo stared, amazed at them. I have to say that I am impressed with their level of fakeness.
“Elder, I wonder what brings you here,” Lin Xun said after a long while.
He inadvertently darted a look at the other side where a purple-clothed youngster was sitting. A feathered hat crowned his head, and a beautiful white belt was strapped around his waist. A pair of azure python boots completed his extraordinary looks. His lips were bright red, his teeth were pearly white, and his eyes were bright and captivating. He was undeniably pretty and handsome.
However, Lin Xun noticed that the young man’s skin was too smooth and flawless like jade, and he exuded unique elegant femininity.
“Well, before we get down to business, let me introduce a person. This is my nephew, Zhao Xuan. He also came to catch a glimpse of Little Master Lin,” Zhao Tailai said with a smile.
“Paying my respects to fellow cultivator Lin Xun.” Zhao Xuan swiftly stood up and greeted Lin Xun with a pure smile, revealing his perfect white teeth.
To Lin Xun’s surprise, he addressed him as “fellow cultivator,” which meant they both followed the same path.
Lin Xun also greeted him with a smile, but he couldn’t help but marvel inwardly at the young man before him. The young man was extraordinary in every way—appearance, behavior and mannerism. He was as flawless as a natural jade and likable in every way.
Shen Tuo consciously took his leave and left the hall to Lin Xun and Zhao Tailai. He had a feeling that they had something important to discuss.
“The reason I came here is, firstly, to congratulate you on your success in casting a rune armament and becoming famous all over the world. Secondly, I am entrusted with the task to ask you for a favor.”
He did not hide this presumptuous request from the purple-clothed youth, which meant that he didn’t mind him overhearing.
Seeing this, Lin Xun grinned and said, “What a coincidence! I happen to have something that I have to trouble you with.”
The corners of Zhao Tailai’s lips twitched imperceptibly. “Oh, little friend, why don’t you speak first then?”
“No, you should go first,” Lin Xun declined with a smile.
The purple-clothed youth smiled speechlessly as he could tell that Zhao Tailai and Lin Xun were probing each other.
Zhao Tailai cleared his throat with a cough and assumed a solemn look. “Well, my request is very simple. I just want to ask you to make a rune armament.”
Lin Xun pondered for a moment and then he stumbled, “That…that’s not a problem but…I am currently occupied with other matters…so I’m afraid I won’t have the energy to…”
Before he could finish, Zhao Tailai interrupted angrily, “Fine, fine, I know you won’t agree so easily. Say it, tell me what your conditions are.”
Lin Xun grinned. “Hey Elder, you are too blunt! But I do have one thing that I have to trouble you.”
“Say it!”
Zhao Tailai didn’t want to talk nonsense anymore. He could tell that he would only waste time and wouldn’t get any real benefits.
“Elder, since you’re so blunt, I will also be direct with you.” Lin Xun smiled brightly. “I heard that there is a Cyclic Derivation Tower in the depths of the palace. I wonder if my friend can train there for some time.”
Zhao Tailai already twitched when Lin Xun mentioned the Cyclic Derivation Tower, but when he learned about the youth’s true intention, he couldn’t help but exclaim out loud, “Boy, your request...isn’t it too much?”
“Too much?” Lin Xun frowned in puzzlement.
“That’s a forbidden place in the imperial palace. Even important people in the imperial family are not allowed to enter it. Do you think an outsider will be allowed?”
Lin Xun’s frown deepened. “It seems like it’s going to be difficult...”
“What does your friend want to do in the Cyclic Derivation Tower?” the purple-clothed youth suddenly asked aloud.
“He has stagnated at the pinnacle of the Heaven Ascension Stage for years and is on the verge of exhausting his lifespan. He is doomed if he can’t make a breakthrough soon.”
Understanding immediately dawned on the purple-robed youth. “That is indeed a problem. The Spirit Sea Stage gives a lifespan of three hundred years, and Heaven Ascension cultivators have a lifespan of six hundred years. If a cultivator can’t break through within that time, they will eventually become a pile of rotten bones regardless of how strong they are.”
Lin Xun sighed emotionally, “Yes, Brother Zhao has said exactly what I’m thinking, but unfortunately, I can’t think of any other way to help my friend apart from entering the Cyclic Derivation Tower.”
Zhao Tailai snapped, “But your request is too much. That‘s a forbidden place in the imperial palace!”
Lin Xun nodded. “Then I have no choice but to ask other people for help. I believe that I can solve this problem since I can cast rune armaments!”
Zhao Tailai said anxiously, “Hey, boy, what do you mean by that? Are you trying to make things difficult for me?”
Lin Xun sighed. “Elder, of course, I don’t dare to be disrespectful to you, but if I don’t solve this problem, I can’t sleep or eat properly.”
Zhao Tailai rolled his eyes. “Kid, you are doing this deliberately!”
Zhao Xuan interrupted, “Fellow Cultivator Lin Xun, I can help you with your problem.”
Lin Xun’s face lit up. “Really?”
“How can this work?! Absolutely not!“ Zhao Tailai shouted anxiously.
“Ninth Uncle, it’s decided. It’s just an opportunity to enter the Cyclic Derivation Tower to train. If we can help Fellow Cultivator Lin Xun solve his friend’s problems, it will be all worth it.”
Zhao Xuan smiled. His face was as beautiful as jade, and his smile as bright and pure as a clear stream.
At that moment, Lin Xun was certain that Zhao Xuan had an extraordinary identity and status within the imperial family. Otherwise, the youth wouldn’t promise to help him that easily.
“Hmph! Boy, why don’t you hurry and show your gratitude?” Zhao Tailai shot a glare at Lin Xun.
Lin Xun assumed a solemn expression and cupped one hand in the other as he bowed respectfully. “Brother Zhao, I will never forget your favor and I will repay you in the future.”
“You’re welcome.” A smile spread across Zhao Xuan’s lips.
“Isn’t it simple if you want to repay the favor? Just make another rune armament that can survive a lightning tribulation.” Zhao Tailai stared at Lin Xun with narrowed eyes.
“I will do my best.” Lin Xun happily agreed.
Then, he changed the topic. “Can I ask what kind of rune armament you want and whom I am making this rune armament for?”
“A cauldron,” Zhao Xuan answered.
He seemed to have become a different person. Not only did he wear an extremely serious expression, but he also exuded indescribable authority.
“Cauldron?”
“Yes, strictly speaking, it is called the Nine Dragons Cauldron. All the rune materials it requires have been prepared. I hope you can successfully make it. If I have it, I can head to Ancient Wasteland Domain and train without worry.”
Lin Xun was finally certain that Zhao Tailai came to find him for Zhao Xuan!
Lin Xun pondered for a moment and agreed, “Okay.”
Since the other party had agreed to let Third Old Zhu enter the Cyclic Derivation Tower, he had no other reason to refuse his request.
Zhao Tailai breathed a sigh of relief, relaxed, and smiled.
However, while Zhao Tailai thought that the meeting ended in a way that was to everyone’s delight and satisfaction, Zhao Xuan suddenly looked at Lin Xun and said with a smile. “I heard that Fellow Cultivator Lin Xun is a prodigy in cultivation and that you are now ranked first in the Spirit Sea Gold Rankings. Why don’t we take this opportunity to have a friendly match and learn from each other?”