"Of course I’m certain!" Mo Fan’s expression was resolute, showing no hesitation. He took a scroll from his robes and handed it to the elder with both hands. "Every one of Lin Xuan’s mission results is meticulously recorded. Moreover, I wasn’t the only witness; several other fourth-level disciples can also testify. If the elder does not believe me, you can summon them for questioning."
The Task Elder took the scroll and examined it carefully. The more he read, the more shocked he became.
Subsequently, he summoned Zhan Hu, Ning Yu, and others for questioning. After multiple verifications, the Task Elder finally confirmed that Lin Xuan’s score was indeed 30,000 points.
He nodded slowly and announced solemnly, "Lin Xuan’s results are genuine."
As soon as these words were spoken, another uproar ensued.
"Heavens, Lin Xuan actually has thirty thousand points!"
"This is simply unbelievable!"
"He wasn’t lying!"
"Such strength is truly heaven-defying!"
The freshmen were all in a state of shock, as if they were dreaming. The older students were dumbfounded, their hearts deeply shaken. As for the members of the Star Alliance, they were utterly dejected, frozen on the spot.
Shen Tang’s face turned an unsightly, livid color. She had been thoroughly humiliated! After paying a huge price for the Star Alliance to help her acquire 20,000 points, she thought she had secured first place. She never expected to be so thoroughly surpassed by Lin Xuan. A gap of 10,000 points was a chasm she could not cross.
She had been defeated by Lin Xuan once again. How could she possibly accept this?
CLANG!
The iron rod in Shen Tang’s hand fell to the ground. She seemed to have lost all her strength, tottering on the verge of collapse.
Lin Xuan looked at Shen Tang, his lips curving into a faint smile. "You’ve lost. Kneel and kowtow to me ten times!"
Upon hearing this, everyone turned their eyes toward Shen Tang, silently wondering if she would honor the bet.
Shen Tang’s face instantly turned ashen, her expression as disgusted as if she’d swallowed a fly.
Kowtow? This was an absolute joke! How could she do something so humiliating in public? She had only dared to make such a bet because she was certain of victory. She never imagined she would lose so completely. Being forced to kowtow in public was worse than death.
Steeling her heart, Shen Tang turned to flee. However, Lin Xuan’s figure flashed like a ghost, instantly blocking her path. His eyes were so cold they could freeze a person solid.
"Trying to leave? It won’t be that easy," he said. "Today, you will honor the bet and kowtow in apology!"
"What do you think you’re doing? You dare lay a hand on me?" Shen Tang shrieked, her voice sharp and piercing as it echoed through the air.
Behind her, the members of the Star Alliance quickly closed in, surrounding them with hostile expressions as they glared at Lin Xuan. The atmosphere grew thick with tension, a battle ready to erupt at any moment.
Just as the situation reached a breaking point, the elders let out a cold snort and shouted, "Stop!"
The sound, like the tolling of a great bell, was filled with an endless authority that made everyone’s heart tremble.
Lin Xuan stood coldly with his hands behind his back. Although he made no rash move, the chill in his eyes filled Shen Tang with fear.
"In this Task Hall, I will give the elders face and refrain from harming you," Lin Xuan said coldly. "But since you lost the bet, you must pay the price. Hand over ten thousand points, and we’ll call this matter even. Otherwise, you can still kowtow."
Upon hearing this, Shen Tang’s face flushed with anger. She felt so utterly miserable that she nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. She remembered losing 5,000 points to Lin Xuan in the arena last time, and now she was about to lose another 10,000. How could she possibly endure such a shameful disgrace? But if she refused, would she really have to kowtow in public? If she did, how could she ever show her face in the Sacred Institute again?
"You just wait, kid! I, Shen Tang, swear I will have my revenge, or I’m not worthy of being human!" Shen Tang snarled through gritted teeth. Then, filled with reluctance and resentment, she transferred 10,000 points to Lin Xuan.
"Let’s go," she ordered, leading the Star Alliance away in utter disgrace.
The onlookers cried out in astonishment.
"To think Shen Tang was humiliated by Lin Xuan again! It’s incredible!"
The crowd’s gaze on Lin Xuan was now filled with awe and respect. A faint smile touched his lips. With another 10,000 points in hand, he could exchange them for many rare treasures, providing a significant boost to his cultivation path.
Next, the disciples went forward one by one to report their scores to the recording elder. After a busy period, the elder cleared his throat and proclaimed loudly, "The first place in this assessment is Lin Xuan!"
Instantly, disciples like Zisu and Ning Xue cheered with joy, their voices filled with exhilaration. The other freshmen also began to applaud, and the thunderous ovation continued for a long time. Even the older students couldn’t help but look at Lin Xuan with admiration.
Lin Xuan had earned 30,000 points and a bottle of precious Body Refinement Liquid. Clutching his new treasure, he eagerly returned to his courtyard, ready to enter seclusion and push for a higher realm.
「Three days passed in the blink of an eye.」
Lin Xuan slowly opened his tightly shut eyes, a spiritual brilliance like starlight flickering within them. From deep inside his body, low and powerful dragon roars echoed, as if an ancient dragon was awakening, its might shaking the world.
His Myriad Dragon Body had broken through once again, advancing from 33% of the second realm to 42% and greatly enhancing his power. If he were to face enemies like Blood Blade or Blood Shadow now, he could defeat them with ease.
"Advancing the Myriad Dragon Body is incredibly difficult now. Each step requires vast resources," Lin Xuan contemplated. "But I have time. I will eventually reach the peak." His eyes revealed a firm and unyielding determination.
After his power increased, Lin Xuan decided to head to the Celestial Treasure Pavilion to exchange his points for some treasures and further strengthen his foundation.
As soon as he stepped out of his courtyard, he heard Zisu and others calling to him from a distance.
"Lin Xuan, you’re finally out!" Zisu exclaimed joyfully, running over quickly. A large contingent of disciples, led by Zhang Shao, followed in her wake.
"Brother Lin, we came to thank you for saving our lives that day," Zhang Shao said sincerely, his eyes full of gratitude.
Lin Xuan waved his hand with a smile. "It was a small matter, not worth mentioning. We are all disciples of the Sacred Institute; supporting each other is our duty."
Zisu blinked and said with a smile, "Lin Xuan, we have another idea, though we’re not sure if we should bring it up."
"Oh? Feel free to speak," Lin Xuan replied, looking at them with interest.
Zhang Shao stepped forward, his expression slightly excited. "Brother Lin, you could form your own faction, just like Shen Tang’s Star Alliance. We are willing to follow you and join your group. We freshmen haven’t joined any of the other factions yet, so why don’t we carve out a piece of the world for ourselves?"
Lin Xuan was slightly taken aback by his words. Form a faction? He’d never considered it before. But thinking about it, there were some benefits... Still, he didn’t have much time to manage one.
"Brother Lin, you don’t need to worry about that," Zisu quickly added when she saw him hesitate. "We will handle the daily affairs ourselves. Besides, with our own faction, we can take on more missions and protect ourselves from being bullied."
Lin Xuan pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly. "If that’s the case, then let’s do as you suggest."
"Excellent!" the crowd cheered enthusiastically.
Lin Xuan established his own faction, naming it "Supreme Hall." Zisu, Zhang Shao, and other disciples eagerly joined. The freshmen who had fought alongside him in Lion Moon City also followed without a second thought. In no time, Supreme Hall was brimming with talent, its numbers swelling to over a hundred people.
"Come on! Today, we celebrate!" Lin Xuan declared, his spirit soaring. With a grand wave of his hand, he led the group straight to a tavern.
After three rounds of drinks, Lin Xuan rose with his cup, looked around at everyone, and said loudly, "I am grateful for the trust you have all placed in me by joining my Supreme Hall. I, Lin Xuan, hereby swear that I will lead you all to become the pride of this Sacred Institute! We will make the name of Supreme Hall renowned throughout the world, and everyone will look upon us with admiration!"
Hearing this, everyone’s blood boiled with excitement as they raised their cups in response. The atmosphere was incredibly lively.
The news of Supreme Hall’s establishment swept through the Sacred Institute like a hurricane. Disciples from all factions were shocked to hear it. The Sacred Institute had many factions, but never before had a group of freshmen dared to form their own. Lin Xuan’s action had undoubtedly broken with tradition and set a new precedent.
"This Lin Xuan is truly something else, so bold in his actions!" one person exclaimed in amazement.
"Hmph, a faction of freshmen? How strong can they be?" another sneered, his eyes full of ridicule. "I’d like to see how long they last!"
When Shen Tang heard the news, she was beside herself with fury. To think that brat has such prestige among the freshmen! How infuriating!
Suddenly, she slapped her forehead and exclaimed, "I know what happened!"
A member of the Star Alliance next to her asked, "Know what?"
"I know how that Lin Xuan got thirty thousand points," Shen Tang said through gritted teeth. "He must have allied with those freshmen back in Lion Moon City. The reason he has so many points is because they helped him! Those freshmen must have given him most of their points; that’s the only way he could have thirty thousand! Yes, that must be it. Otherwise, how could he possibly have so many points based on his strength alone?"
Shen Tang had needed the help of the Star Alliance to get her 20,000 points, so she assumed Lin Xuan must have done the same.
If that’s the case, then there’s nothing to be afraid of. This Lin Xuan’s strength is just average. He’s definitely no match for a late-stage Three-Star expert.
"Go find me a late-stage Three-Star expert," Shen Tang ordered the Star Alliance members, a vicious glint in her eye. "Teach that Lin Xuan a good lesson for me."