Over at the Supreme Hall, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Luo Mountain’s apology instantly made their pressure disappear. It seemed that for the time being, no one would dare to suppress them again.
"Let’s go accept some tasks."
Thus, some of the Supreme Hall’s disciples headed to the Task Hall, while others went to the cultivation tower. Regardless, their worries were gone.
However, the situation quickly changed. When these disciples went to the Task Hall to accept tasks, they found themselves targeted. No matter which task they tried to accept, someone else snatched it away a step ahead of them. After this happened several times, they were humiliated and enraged.
A Supreme Hall disciple named Zhang Yan glared angrily at the tall young man beside him and said through gritted teeth, "Why are you snatching our tasks?"
This tall young man was, of course, Wang Li, who had been ordered to suppress the Supreme Hall.
Wang Li sneered. "What do you mean, snatching your tasks? You’re just too slow. Who can you blame but yourselves?"
"Zhang Yan, let’s go to the other side to accept tasks," several of his companions advised.
But afterward, no matter what task they were interested in, Wang Li snatched it away. They couldn’t accept a single one.
As new students who had just joined the Sacred Institute, the number of tasks they were eligible to accept was already small. Normally, senior disciples wouldn’t bother with these tasks because the rewards were meager. To them, it was a waste of time. But this time, this senior disciple was specifically targeting them and snatching their tasks. It was truly detestable.
When the last task they were eligible for was snatched away, Zhang Yan finally snapped. "You’re doing this on purpose!" With his eyes bloodshot, he charged toward Wang Li.
Wang Li grinned. I snatched their tasks precisely to anger them and provoke them into attacking first. That way, when I retaliate, I won’t be punished by the Sacred Institute.
Thinking of this, Wang Li raised his hand and slapped forward.
Zhang Yan was no match for Wang Li. He was hit instantly and sent flying backward. With a pained cry, Zhang Yan fell to the ground, vomiting large mouthfuls of blood.
"What’s going on? Someone dares to make a move in the Task Hall!"
The people around were shocked, and even the elders were alarmed.
Everyone looked toward Wang Li, but Wang Li just shrugged and said, "Elder, please see the truth. I didn’t start it. This guy attacked me first, and I was just defending myself."
Soon, the elder figured out the situation.
"Get out," he said, staring at Zhang Yan. "You are banned from accepting tasks at the Task Hall for six months."
Zhang Yan was outraged. He roared, "He was the one who provoked us! He snatched our tasks!"
His companions beside him also chimed in with their agreement.
"What ’your tasks’? Tasks belong to whoever accepts them first." The Task Hall elder’s face darkened as he glared fiercely at the new disciples.
Zhang Yan and the others were driven out of the Task Hall, feeling utterly wronged, but the matter didn’t end there. It wasn’t just Zhang Yan’s group. Anyone from the Supreme Hall who came to the Task Hall had their tasks snatched, and several more conflicts broke out.
The outcome was predictable: the Supreme Hall’s side suffered a great loss.
The news quickly reached Zisu and Zhang Shaochu, and their expressions changed dramatically.
Damn it! Someone is targeting our Supreme Hall again. Who could it be? It must be someone from the Star Alliance.
They sent people to investigate and indeed discovered that this Wang Li was a member of the Star Alliance.
They never expected the Star Alliance to move so quickly. No sooner had Luo Mountain left than another, even more ruthless person named Wang Li arrived.
What should we do? Their faces were etched with anxiety.
Zisu said, "First, let’s have everyone return. For now, no one should go out to accept tasks."
But some were not convinced. "Damn it, let’s fight him!" They had been suppressed for over a month and were already simmering with bottled-up anger.
Zisu hurriedly said, "Don’t act rashly! Zhang Yan and the others suffered a great loss because they attacked first. Besides, even if we fight him, we are no match for him. Lin Xuan will be back soon. Once he returns, this problem will be solved."
Hearing this, Zhang Shaochu nodded. He recalled all the disciples of the Supreme Hall, then found Wang Li and said coldly, "Just you wait. When our Hall Master returns, he absolutely will not let you off."
"Your Hall Master... that’s Lin Xuan, right?" Wang Li laughed. "Haha, that piece of trash! He hasn’t dared to show his face for a whole month. There’s no way he’s a match for me."
Wang Li didn’t take Lin Xuan seriously at all. In his view, there was no way Lin Xuan could be his opponent. If that guy dares to show up, I’ll just stomp him into the ground!
Just then, Lin Xuan finally returned to the Sacred Institute.
Lin Xuan’s return caused a huge stir in the Sacred Institute. After all, it was common knowledge that for the past month, the Star Alliance had been unscrupulously suppressing the Supreme Hall in an attempt to draw him out. However, Lin Xuan hadn’t appeared for an entire month. Most people assumed he was scared and didn’t dare to show himself. But to everyone’s surprise, Lin Xuan had genuinely been away from the Sacred Institute.
"Looks like Lin Xuan wasn’t scared. He probably just got back and has no idea what’s been happening."
"But so what? Even if he’s back, he’s still no match for the Star Alliance."
"Just watch. Even now that he’s back, he probably won’t dare to make a move."
"That’s for sure. He didn’t get first place in the demon-hunting task because of his own strength. He only got the top score because he had help from the new disciples."
"Otherwise, how could he have killed so many late-stage Three-Star experts on his own?"
"I bet his strength is only equivalent to the mid-stage Three-Star realm, a far cry from the late stage."
The crowd buzzed with discussion, none of them optimistic about Lin Xuan’s prospects.
When Lin Xuan returned to the Supreme Hall and learned of the situation, his face immediately darkened. He hadn’t expected the Supreme Hall to suffer so much oppression during his month-long absence.
That Shen Tang and the Star Alliance are truly despicable. I will absolutely not let them off the hook.
A chilling light flashed in Lin Xuan’s eyes. "Who exactly is taking action?" he asked. I need to take care of the one who’s been making the moves first.
Zisu quickly replied, "Before, it was a senior disciple named Luo Mountain. Now, it’s another one named Wang Li."
"So it’s those two?" A cold glint shone in Lin Xuan’s eyes.
However, Zhang Shaochu spoke up from the side. "The situation with Luo Mountain is a little unusual," he said. "He was targeting us before, but he later apologized and even compensated us with a generous gift. He said he wouldn’t make a move against us again."
What happened? Why would he apologize? Lin Xuan was stunned for a moment.
Zisu said, "It seems he got scared. He probably found out about your true strength, Hall Master, and didn’t dare to make an enemy of us anymore. He even warned us that while he was backing off, the Star Alliance definitely wouldn’t let things go, and told us to be careful. I just didn’t expect them to make another move so quickly."
So that’s what happened. Lin Xuan nodded. In that case, I’ll ignore Luo Mountain for now and deal with this Wang Li first. I’m going to teach Wang Li a harsh lesson. I’ll display my power and let everyone know that the Supreme Hall is not to be trifled with.
Just then, a disciple ran over. "Hall Master, bad news! That Wang Li is here again! He’s blocking the entrance to our Supreme Hall, and he’s targeting anyone who dares to go out."
"Let’s go out and have a look."
Lin Xuan strode outside with the others following close behind. A large, imposing group of people walked out of the Supreme Hall.
Sure enough, a tall young man stood outside. He was built like a black bear and exuded a terrifying aura.
"Are you Wang Li?" Lin Xuan said coldly.
"That’s right, it’s me." Wang Li stared at Lin Xuan, his expression growing excited. "Lin Xuan, you’ve finally shown yourself!"
Next, I will target him with everything I have. I’ll crush him until he can’t take it anymore and gets on his knees to beg for mercy.
But unexpectedly, Lin Xuan was even more decisive. He stared at Wang Li and said, "I know Shen Tang sent you here to start a fight. In that case, I’ll oblige you. One day from now, we fight in the arena!"
"What? You want to challenge me to a duel?" Wang Li froze. I originally thought Lin Xuan wouldn’t dare to fight. I was even planning how to target him, like snatching his tasks to provoke him into attacking first. But I never expected him to issue a challenge on his own initiative. This is a pleasant surprise! Looks like this kid has gotten way too arrogant. Does he think getting first place in one task means he can look down on everyone? But this is perfect. In the arena, I can attack him openly and legitimately.
"Fine. But I hope you keep your word. Don’t be a coward and fail to show up for our arena battle."
"Why would I be afraid?" Lin Xuan snorted coldly. "Dealing with you will be as easy as flipping my hand!"
"What a cocky bastard!" Wang Li’s face darkened as well. To think this guy dared to look down on him! Truly detestable!
"Just you wait." He snorted again, then turned and left to report the good news to Shen Tang.
Lin Xuan turned to Zisu and Zhang Shaochu. "Spread this news. Let as many people know as possible. It would be best if everyone from the Sacred Institute comes to watch. Tomorrow, I’m going to put on a proper show of my abilities. After that, let’s see if they still dare to challenge our Supreme Hall."
"Understood." Zisu and the others nodded quickly. They had been bottling up their frustration for a long time. Tomorrow, they could finally hold their heads high.
「Meanwhile...」
Shen Tang of the Star Alliance shot to her feet when she heard the news. "Are you sure?" she asked, her face a mask of astonishment. "That Lin Xuan actively challenged you?"
"I’m sure," Wang Li nodded. "We’ll face off in the arena tomorrow."
"Excellent! This is truly wonderful!" Shen Tang leaped up in excitement. She said to Wang Li, "Tomorrow, you must go all out. Punish that boy severely. It would be best if you beat him until he gets on his knees and begs for mercy."
"Don’t worry, it’ll be no problem," Wang Li said confidently. So what if this Lin Xuan has a Saint Body? His cultivation level is pathetic. I, on the other hand, am a late-stage Three-Star Grandmaster. My Physique is strong enough to sweep through almost anyone in the same realm. Only a Four-Star Grandmaster could guarantee a win against me. There’s no way this Lin Xuan could possibly be my opponent.