That night, Third Old Zhu and Lin Zhong came to Qinglu Academy together.
When Third Old Zhu heard that Lin Xun had obtained permission from the imperial family for him to train in the Cyclic Derivation Tower, he couldn’t help but feel moved. It was very rare to see such a reserved and uncommunicative man’s eyes widen and brim with excitement and gratitude.
“Thank you,” he uttered two words when he regained his composure.
He said it in such a strangely rigid way that it seemed as if he’d never said ‘thank you’ to anyone in his life. Regardless, Lin Xun was gratified.
He had always been very fond of Third Old Zhu. He admired how the older man could give up everything to repay a favor and how he could risk his life to fulfill a promise.
People like him were the most worthy of admiration and becoming friends with.
Not long after that, Zhao Tailai sent someone to pick up Third Old Zhu from Qinglu Academy.
The arrangement had been previously agreed upon between Lin Xun and Zhao Tailai. Lin Xun believed that Third Old Zhu had a high chance of making a breakthrough if he could seize the rare opportunity.
If Third Old Zhu successfully broke through, not only would he solve the problem of reaching the end of his lifespan but his cultivation would also improve by leaps and bounds! He would become a great cultivator of the Cyclic Derivation Stage!
At that time, Third Old Zhu’s presence on Mind Cleansing Peak would be a great deterrent to the three collateral branches of the Lin Clan.“Young Master, I can’t believe you have succeeded in making a rune armament. Everyone on Mind Cleansing Peak can’t wait to celebrate with you!” Lin Zhong exclaimed with excitement.
“There’s no need to celebrate. I’m just curious to know how the three collateral branches of the Lin Clan will act after they learn the news,” Lin Xun said indifferently.
“Them? Hmph, they must be panicking!” Lin Zhong snorted coldly.
During the two months that Lin Xun was in closed-door cultivation, the three collateral branches joined the Zuo Clan and Qin Clan and acted in a much more arrogant and outrageous manner than before. They thought that they found strong supporters and often provoked and humiliated people on Mind Cleansing Peak.
Now, Lin Xun had become a young rune grandmaster able to make rune armaments. His name had shaken the empire, and he had become unrivaled in the world. Additionally, the principal of Qinglu Academy recognized his talent!
Under such circumstances, if the three collateral branches of the Lin Clan were not stupid, they must know that it would be hopeless to continue to target Lin Xun.
Most importantly, Lin Xun’s current power had already threatened the three clans and made them feel uneasy!
“I gave them three years to think about my proposal and almost one year has passed now. If they still won’t repent then I won’t show any mercy when the time limit comes,” Lin Xun said indifferently.
After that, he and Lin Zhong entered a secret room that Shen Tuo had specially prepared.
……
The secret room was densely covered with terrifying rune formations, sealing it from the outside world and preventing anyone from prying into the room. Even Shen Tuo who was waiting outside was unaware of everything happening inside.
However, Shen Tuo already guessed that Lin Xun and Lin Zhong were testing the newly made rune armament!
“I wonder what sort of mysterious powers the spear has...”
Shen Tuo quivered at the thought of the scene of Lin Xun making the rune armament that day. A rune armament that survived a lightning tribulation was unheard of!
However, even if many had witnessed the amazing spectacle, no one knew what sort of grade the spear was or the powers it possessed.
As an experienced rune grandmaster, Shen Tuo was eager to learn more about the rare treasure.
Unfortunately, he knew that Lin Xun wouldn’t allow that.
“Perhaps, I can only find out more at the conference held at Stone Cauldron Alms…” Shen Tuo muttered.
Then, he couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
He remembered that the Forbidden City was going crazy about the upcoming conference. Many powerful forces were doing everything they could to get their hands on a ticket to the conference.
From what Shen Tuo knew, the price of one ticket was being sold for a sky-high price of ten thousand gold coins! Some had even failed to acquire a ticket even with the money.
That was enough to show the huge sensation that Lin Xun’s rune armament had caused.
“Fortunately, I got a ticket from Stone Cauldron Alms because of my relationship with that kid. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have a seat at the conference.”
Shen Tuo laughed at himself. He was a senior rune grandmaster of Qinglu Academy, but he had to get a ticket through his relationship with Lin Xun. How could he not feel embarrassed?
Huh?
Shen Tuo ceased his chaotic thoughts because he saw the closed door to the secret room being pushed open.
Lin Zhong stepped out first, but his expression was dazed, mixed with astonishment, shock and disbelief. It was as though he had just experienced a devastating storm.
Shen Tuo couldn’t help asking, “What’s the matter?”
Lin Zhong was startled at first and then he exhaled a long breath of turbid air and clapped Shen Tuo on the shoulder. “You will understand at the conference.”
Shen Tuo almost couldn’t bear the suspense, but unfortunately, Lin Zhong clamped his lips together and stopped talking.
There was nothing that Shen Tuo could do.
Without further delay, Lin Zhong left Qinglu Academy in the dark of night with the spear that Lin Xun named the Shattered Tragedy Spear.
A rune armament that was indestructible under a lightning tribulation!
Shen Tuo couldn’t help but ask, “Lin Xun, what sort of secrets does the spear have?”
Lin Xun pondered for a moment and explained, “I can’t say for sure. Although I am the one who made it, it underwent a transformation during the completion that surprised even me.”
Shen Tuo nodded with understanding. He had a wealth of experience in casting weapons, so he was aware that even rune masters might not be able to predict the transformation their treasures would undergo during the moment of completion.
However, the transformation was always good!
“I look forward to the conference even more now.” Shen Tuo sighed.
Lin Xun said with a smile, “Elder, why don’t I give you a copy of the design for the spear?”
Shen Tuo’s eyes lit up. That was precious, invaluable information.
It was the fruit of a rune master’s knowledge and efforts and contained all sorts of rune-related secrets!
“Really?” Shen Tuo’s voice trembled, and he swallowed with difficulty.
Lin Xun nodded, took out a thick scroll, and handed it over. “Elder, you have helped me a lot these days, so this is a little something from me. But elder, can I ask you to burn it after you’ve taken a look at it?”
Shen Tuo nodded repeatedly and immediately vowed not to say a single word to anyone. He looked as excited as a child receiving a new toy.
Rune masters were often obsessed with runes. It was understandable that Shen Tuo was wild with excitement when he had the opportunity to see the design of a rune armament.
Lin Xun smiled. Shen Tuo was both a friend and a teacher to him, and the older man had been taking good care of him ever since he joined Qinglu Academy.
Lin Xun wouldn’t hesitate to give him the rune armament design to repay his kindness.
……
The entire Forbidden City was buzzing like never. Many cultivators would likely be stirred up when they recalled this period in the future.
Stone Cauldron Alms was the largest business in the empire, and their headquarters was one of the top large-scale businesses in the Forbidden City.
Perhaps, only some commercial forces under the wing of the imperial family were slightly stronger than Stone Cauldron Alms. However, they undoubtedly stole the limelight during this period.
It had attracted the attention of the entire Forbidden City and even the entire empire like a magnet!
That all started from an incident a few days ago.
One day, Lin Xun, a young rune grandmaster, created a rune armament that drew upon a lightning tribulation and stirred up a storm.
A rune armament!
It was considered a rare treasure even among aristocratic clans, and its preciousness couldn’t be measured in terms of its monetary value alone.
No other clans possessed a rune armament except for the high clans!
They were incredibly rare, and it was not an exaggeration to say that the possession of a rune armament could change a clan’s power and situation.
In the past, even rune founders would take at least one month to create a rune armament with only a small rate of success.
Moreover, there were only a handful of rune founders in the entire Forbidden City!
If even the making of a rune armament was so difficult, it was imaginably more difficult to own one.
The rune armament that the major clans owned was likely an inherited treasure.
Understandably, the news that Lin Xun made a rune armament by himself in less than one month caused a sensation in the city.
Not only the wealthy and powerful forces but also many rune masters were curious to find out more about the rune armament, such as how Lin Xun achieved such a feat and the astonishing power of the rune armament.
The Stone Cauldron Alms headquarters had become the center of attention.
This was because Lin Xun’s rune armament conference was being held there!
Lin Xun, the Stone Cauldron Alms headquarters, the rune armament conference...those keywords were like a giant hand stirring the Forbidden City and attracting the attention of the entire world. The event had become the hottest topic in other areas of the empire.
Under such a stormy atmosphere, the conference kicked off as scheduled...