Shen Tang was truly overjoyed. She could finally trample Lin Xuan underfoot and hold her head high.
However, the disciple beside her shook his head. "It wasn’t Lin Xuan who lost. Lin Xuan didn’t even show up."
"What? Not Lin Xuan? Then what happened?" Shen Tang frowned, her joy vanishing in an instant.
The disciple quickly explained, "It was Luo Mountain. He publicly apologized to the Supreme Hall and even gave them a large, generous compensation gift."
What?
Upon hearing this, Shen Tang jumped to her feet. Her joy didn’t just vanish; it was replaced by a furious rage.
"Are you sure?" Shen Tang demanded.
The disciple hastily replied, "I’m sure. Many people saw it. It’s absolutely true."
Shen Tang’s face turned green.
Damn it! I sent Luo Mountain to target and suppress the Supreme Hall, but that guy actually went and apologized in public! Isn’t that a slap in my face? This is a slap in the Star Alliance’s face too!
"Is Luo Mountain out of his mind? Get him back here immediately!" Shen Tang roared in a frustrated rage.
「On the other side, outside the Supreme Hall」
Luo Mountain was still sincerely apologizing.
Zisu, Zhang Shaochu, and the others exchanged glances. It didn’t seem like the man was faking it.
He probably found out about Lin Xuan’s true strength and got scared. Hmph, if he knew it would be like this, why did he act that way in the first place?
"What should we do? Forgive him?" Zhang Shaochu asked.
Zisu thought for a moment. "Why not forgive him this time? His attitude seems very sincere, and he’s given us quite a bit of compensation. Let’s let him go this once."
After a brief discussion, they decided to forgive Luo Mountain.
Hearing this, Luo Mountain was ecstatic. "Thank you, thank you! Rest assured, I will definitely not cause you any trouble in the future."
However, he then added, "I can only speak for myself. The Star Alliance is full of experts I can’t control. You’d better get Lin Xuan back here quickly to take charge of the situation."
"Thank you for the reminder. We know," Zisu and the others nodded. They had been trying to contact Lin Xuan recently and had finally learned that he would be returning soon, which made them incredibly excited.
After that, Luo Mountain left the Supreme Hall. He was immediately found by members of the Star Alliance and returned to its headquarters to meet Shen Tang.
The moment they met, Shen Tang glared at him furiously, as if she wanted to eat him alive.
"Luo Mountain, are you out of your mind? I told you to suppress the Supreme Hall! Why did you publicly apologize to them? You’re disgracing our Star Alliance!"
Hearing this, Luo Mountain bristled with anger himself.
Shen Tang was obviously setting me up.
But her status was noble, so he didn’t dare challenge her.
He said, "That Lin Xuan is too strong. I’m no match for him. If I hadn’t apologized, I’d probably have been carried back by now. Shen Tang, I advise you not to oppose Lin Xuan either. Offending a genius like him will do you no good."
"Nonsense!" Shen Tang was so angry she could have spat blood. This guy is spouting utter nonsense. Lin Xuan is strong? What a joke!
"You are a late-stage Three-star Grandmaster! How could Lin Xuan possibly be your match? And you’re afraid of him? Ridiculous! Do you take me for an idiot? What benefits did you get from Lin Xuan to be saying things like this?"
"None! I’m telling the truth," Luo Mountain hurriedly defended himself. "Lin Xuan’s strength is immense, far surpassing mine. His power is now equivalent to a Four-star Grandmaster’s. I’m not his opponent at all. If I faced him, I’d be killed in an instant."
What!
His words sent the entire place into an uproar. A Four-star Grandmaster!
Then, people started rolling their eyes.
"Damn, this Luo Mountain can really brag, can’t he?"
"How could Lin Xuan possibly be as strong as a Four-star Grandmaster?"
"Exactly! He only joined the Sacred Institute two or three months ago. How could he have that kind of power?"
"Luo Mountain must be spouting nonsense."
"He must have taken a bribe from Lin Xuan to be hyping him up like this."
The surrounding disciples of the Star Alliance murmured among themselves, none of them believing Luo Mountain.
Shen Tang believed him even less. She knew Lin Xuan was a strong genius, but it was impossible for him to be *that* heaven-defying.
She stared at Luo Mountain and declared, "I am now ordering you to attack the Supreme Hall immediately. Otherwise, I will expel you from the Star Alliance."
Everyone was startled by her words. The Star Alliance was a formidable faction, and joining it came with numerous benefits. Getting expelled would not only mean losing those advantages but would also be a great disgrace. Other major powers would likely refuse to accept such a person. It could be said that being kicked out meant a complete loss of face.
"Luo Mountain, hurry up and apologize to Shen Tang!"
"Luo Mountain, follow Shen Tang’s orders! Go attack the Supreme Hall!"
"Yeah, you don’t want to be expelled from the Star Alliance, do you?"
The surrounding disciples urged him on.
Luo Mountain’s expression turned ugly. He had joined the Star Alliance only after great difficulty, and now he was about to be kicked out. To be honest, he was extremely unwilling.
However, his brother’s warning still rang in his ears. If he made a move now, Lin Xuan would surely come for him first upon his return. At that point, no one would be able to protect him. His brother was only a Four-star Grandmaster; he was no match for Lin Xuan. He didn’t have a powerful backer like Shen Tang. If he attacked, his end would be miserable.
Sigh, it looks like leaving the Star Alliance is my only choice.
Luo Mountain sighed and shook his head. "From now on, I will no longer take action against the Supreme Hall."
What!
The disciples were dumbfounded. Had Luo Mountain lost his mind? He had actually refused Shen Tang’s order. Was he really going to get expelled?
They tried to persuade him again, but Luo Mountain was resolute, stating that he wouldn’t attack the Supreme Hall even if it cost him his life.
This thoroughly enraged Shen Tang. She trembled with anger, pointed at Luo Mountain, and roared, "Get out! Get out of here! From this day forward, you are no longer a member of the Star Alliance!"
Luo Mountain was expelled from the Star Alliance. Besides disappointment, he also felt a hint of relief. From now on, he would no longer have to be Lin Xuan’s enemy.
I suppose I’ve escaped this sea of suffering. We’ll just have to see what the Star Alliance does now. Shen Tang, don’t think you can be arrogant just because your brother is a genius on the Qingyun Rankings. With Lin Xuan’s talent, he’ll be on the Nebula Rankings sooner or later, and his rank will definitely be higher than Shen Xing’s. When that time comes, we’ll see what you do!
Luo Mountain snorted coldly, turned, and walked away from the Star Alliance.
「Meanwhile, within the Star Alliance」
Shen Tang’s face was as dark as a thundercloud. Although she had expelled Luo Mountain, she felt no satisfaction at all, only extreme frustration.
She looked at the remaining disciples. "Who among you is willing to take action against the Supreme Hall? I will reward you heavily."
"I’ll do it."
The words had barely left her mouth when someone stepped forward. Just because Luo Mountain didn’t dare to act didn’t mean they were afraid. In their view, Luo Mountain was talking complete nonsense. How could Lin Xuan possibly be that strong? Thus, they didn’t take him seriously at all.
The one who stepped out this time was also a late-stage Three-star Grandmaster. His name was Wang Li. He specialized in Physique and possessed incredible strength. Even among late-stage Three-star Grandmasters, he was considered an extremely formidable existence.
Shen Tang looked at Wang Li and nodded slightly. "Good. Proceed as soon as possible."
"Don’t worry, leave it to me." Wang Li grinned, then turned and left.