Qin Feng and Xu Qing also heard about Lin Xuan establishing the Supreme Hall. When they learned that the new disciples who had joined were the same ones who participated in the demon-hunting mission, they finally understood. It turned out that Lin Xuan’s 30,000 points hadn’t been earned by his own strength but through the assistance of these newcomers. It seemed Lin Xuan’s actions were just like Shen Tang’s; they had both amassed so many points by leveraging the strength of others.
"That guy is truly detestable!"
"I thought he was some kind of powerhouse, but it turns out he’s just despicable and shameless. What’s so great about beating us with external help?!"
Gritting their teeth, Qin Feng and Xu Qing felt that the ranking that should have been theirs had been stolen by Lin Xuan through dishonorable means. Their hearts filled with resentment, and they secretly vowed that if they ever got the chance, they would not let him off easily.
「On the other side,」
Lin Xuan headed to the Celestial Treasure Pavilion, planning to exchange for some Treasures to enhance his strength. He had earned 30,000 points from the demon-hunting mission and gained another 10,000 from Shen Tang, giving him a total of 40,000 points. This was undoubtedly a huge sum, certainly enough to exchange for many valuable items.
His Physique had been enhanced not long ago, so it would be difficult to advance it again anytime soon. Therefore, he didn’t select any Treasures to improve his Physique, planning instead to raise his cultivation level. He also intended to choose a powerful Martial Art. The Black Dragon Wave had served him well in battle with its immense power, so he wanted to exchange for another Earth Tier Martial Art.
Lin Xuan spent 10,000 points on some rare Elixirs. With their aid, he could elevate his cultivation to a new level in a short amount of time.
He still had 30,000 points left. Martial Arts weren’t located in the Celestial Treasure Pavilion but in the Holy Heaven Pavilion, so Lin Xuan headed there next.
When he once again met the Guardian Elder of the Holy Heaven Pavilion, the Saint Heaven Elder was particularly enthusiastic to see him. After all, Lin Xuan’s extraordinary talent had earned his high regard.
After Lin Xuan stated his purpose, the Saint Heaven Elder smiled and asked, "What tier of Martial Arts do you wish to exchange for?"
Generally, Saint Academy Disciples cultivated high-level Xuan Tier Martial Arts. A few of the more formidable ones might cultivate Earth Tier Martial Arts, but those were not only difficult to master but also required an enormous number of points. Only top-tier geniuses had the opportunity to learn them.
But for Lin Xuan, this was no great challenge. He was naturally aiming for an Earth Tier Martial Art.
The Saint Heaven Elder led Lin Xuan to the Earth Tier Martial Arts Library Pavilion.
Lin Xuan searched for an Earth Tier Martial Art that suited him. After half a day, he finally chose a Swordsmanship named the "Qinglian Sword Technique." It was a high-level Earth Tier Martial Art, and once mastered, its power would be astonishing.
However, the complete Qinglian Sword Technique required a very high number of points. Fortunately, the Swordsmanship could be practiced in parts. It consisted of twelve levels in total, and Lin Xuan planned to exchange for the first five. That would be enough for him to practice for quite some time.
After spending 20,000 points to exchange for the first five levels, Lin Xuan prepared to leave.
The Saint Heaven Elder held high expectations for Lin Xuan. Seeing how easily he had mastered the Black Dragon Wave, he thought it was possible Lin Xuan could quickly master the Qinglian Sword Technique as well.
He advised, "There is an excellent place for practicing Swordsmanship called Sword Valley. There are some Sword Soul Beasts there. If you capture them and keep them by your side, it can increase the speed of your Sword Dao cultivation. However, the Sword Soul Beasts are quite dangerous. If you go, you must be extremely careful."
Lin Xuan’s eyes lit up when he heard this. This sounds like a great place to practice my Swordsmanship.
After confirming the location of Sword Valley, he bid farewell and departed.
「Soon,」
Lin Xuan found Zi Su and Zhang Shaochu, putting them in charge of the Supreme Hall’s affairs. He then left the Saint Academy and headed for Sword Valley.
Not long after Lin Xuan left, a figure flashed into the new disciple area. He was a burly young man dressed in black Battle Armor, his black hair whipping wildly in the wind. A terrifying aura emanated from him, making him seem like a peerless beast.
"Lin Xuan, get out here!" the young man’s cold shout echoed like thunder, shaking the entire area.
Many of the new disciples were startled and turned their heads to look. Zi Su and Zhang Shaochu were also alarmed and walked out from their courtyard.
"Who are you? Why are you looking for Lin Xuan?" Zi Su asked, frowning at the young man.
The young man’s name was Luo Mountain, a member of the Star Alliance. He had come on Shen Tang’s orders to suppress Lin Xuan.
He said coldly, "I heard that Lin Xuan killed many late-stage three-star Grandmasters during the demon-hunting mission and became famous. I came specially to challenge him. I want to see if he really has the ability to kill a late-stage three-star expert!"
The surrounding new disciples looked surprised. Another senior disciple had come to issue a challenge.
Zi Su’s expression darkened. "I’m sorry, Lin Xuan isn’t here. Please leave."
"Not here?" Luo Mountain sneered. "I think he’s too scared to show his face! A guy who only became number one by leeching off others’ points, how could he dare to fight me? Him? Beat a late-stage three-star expert? What a joke. He’s just a fraud with an undeserved reputation! A waste like that is worthy of founding the Supreme Hall? In my opinion, he should disband it and crawl back to wherever he came from!"
"What did you say?" Zhang Shaochu flew into a rage and started to rush forward, but Zi Su held him back.
"Calm down," she whispered. "He’s deliberately trying to provoke us. If we attack, he’ll strike back without mercy, and we’ll be the ones to suffer."
"Damn it!" Zhang Shaochu gritted his teeth. "What’s a senior like you got to be so arrogant about? You’re just bullying us newcomers! If you have the guts, go challenge other senior disciples! And you’ve picked a fight with the wrong person by challenging our Hall Master. It’s just too bad our Hall Master isn’t here. If he were, he could take you out in a single move!"
Zhang Shaochu and the others had personally witnessed Lin Xuan defeat a late-stage three-star Grandmaster. They knew how strong he was and that defeating this Luo Mountain would be child’s play for him.
Luo Mountain, however, didn’t believe it. He scoffed, "What a load of hot air! Take me out instantly? I’m standing right here. I’d like to see who can take me out instantly! If that Lin Xuan has any guts, tell him to come out!"
Luo Mountain remained as arrogant as ever. But no matter what he said, Lin Xuan never appeared. This made him frown. That kid really knows how to hide in his shell!
But so what? If once doesn’t work, I’ll come back again. I’ll definitely teach that kid a lesson!
For the next several days, Luo Mountain came to the new disciple area every day to provoke Lin Xuan, but Lin Xuan never showed up.
「For a time,」
Everyone was discussing the matter.
"What’s going on? Why won’t Lin Xuan come out and fight?"
"I heard he left the Saint Academy to go cultivate, so he can’t fight."
"Left? I think he’s just too scared! Do you all know how Lin Xuan got those 30,000 points? It wasn’t by killing a bunch of Demon Sect experts, but with the help of other new disciples."
"They say that in Lion Moon City, Lin Xuan gathered all those newcomers and used their combined strength to rack up points. His own strength might be decent, but he’s a far cry from a late-stage three-star expert. How could he possibly kill a late-stage three-star Grandmaster? His results from the demon-hunting mission were probably fake!"
"The results are real, but it wasn’t his work alone. It was the achievement of a group of newcomers."
"I see!"
Everyone had a sudden realization.
"It seems this Lin Xuan isn’t as legendary as they say!"
"Alas, I really overestimated him. To think he would fake his results by passing off the team’s achievements as his own. No wonder he doesn’t dare to come out and fight Luo Mountain now."
As the discussions spread, everyone became deeply disappointed in Lin Xuan.