Chapter 1569: Besieged

On this day, it was announced to the entire Great Luo Camp that Jian Qingchen had entered seclusion after having handed all their camp business to Elder Qin Xiaosheng of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Qin Xiaosheng was an age-old supreme Saint and also the most relied upon guardian of Jian Qingchen.

Therefore, there wasn’t a widespread concern over the fact that he was put in charge of the Great Luo Camp.

However, those with insider information were worried!

The bad news might be concealed for a while, but no cat could be kept in the bag forever.

Jian Qingchen was one of the Azure Blue Eight Supremes and the leader of the Great Luo Ancient Domain’s younger generation. Once word of his death spread, the entire Nine Domains Battlefield would be shaken!

Most frighteningly, without Jian Qingchen in command, what did the Great Luo Camp have left to compete with the other domains in the future fight for supremacy?

“Investigate! Find out who the murderer is no matter what!” Qin Xiaosheng’s face was ice-cold, and his eyes were filled with bone-deep hatred.

……

“Jian Qingchen is dead. Do you plan to announce this?” asked Zhao Jingxuan casually while on their way back to the Ancient Wasteland Territory.

Lin Xun thought about it and shook his head. “No one should know yet that it’s me who did it, so it’s better not to make it widely known for the time being.”

“Why is that?” Zhao Jingxuan couldn’t help but say, “Jian Qingchen is the leading figure of the Great Luo Camp, so his death can deal a heavy blow to them, and I bet those other camps will be very happy to see this as well.

“As for the Ancient Wasteland Camp, this likewise can’t be better news and will have immeasurable benefits in establishing your prestige.”

Lin Xun laughed, “The tallest tree attracts the most wind. If those other foreign leaders know that Jian Qingchen died at my hands, how do you think they would react?”

Zhao Jingxuan immediately understood.

As one the Azure Blue Eight Supremes, Jian Qingchen’s death would make Kun Shaoyu, Zhu Yingkong, Lie Qian, Chi Wushu, and the other three feel apprehensive.

And his killer Lin Xun would be unanimously considered the number one dangerous character!

If they set their sights on him, then there was a good possibility that they would team up and use every means possible to deal with Lin Xun.

“Now is not the time for an all-out war; our camp’s foundation is still too weak. It’s difficult to fight for supremacy with the other eight domains with only three supreme Saints.” Lin Xun mused, “We will spread the news of Jian Qingchen’s death when the war is in full swing to make sure it will deal an unexpected blow to their morale.”

Zhao Jingxuan frowned. “But I’m afraid that the Great Luo Camp will learn of Jian Qingchen’s death very quickly.”

Lin Xun asked back, “And do you think they will publicize it?”

Zhao Jingxuan was stunned. Then, it quickly dawned on her, and she laughed, “If I were one of their high-ranking personnel, I’d immediately stop it from spreading and find out who the murderer is as soon as possible. From then on, I’d at least know what to do to best reduce the impact of Jian Qingchen’s death.”

She smiled brightly like a flower, and her limpid eyes were like a pair of sparkling stars. Lin Xun couldn’t help but pinch her cheek and praise, “Clever!”

Zhao Jingxuan clicked her tongue at him as her pretty face flushed red.

……

Two days later.

In the City of Protection of the Ancient Wasteland Territory.

The golden city wall was like an undulating dragon coiling on the ground. Each piece of masonry was as clear as crystal and emitted a blood-red glow. Vaguely, one could see white bones stacked within the bricks.

Around ten thousand feet away from the City of Protection, a group of North Sea Camp cultivators led by five supreme Saints were clamoring for a battle.

“Is there no one from the Ancient Wasteland Territory? Why don’t you dare come out to fight?”

“Humph! Your opponents are right outside the city wall, yet you lot are still cowering. Don’t you think this is embarrassing?”

“Bah! Two-legged sheep are two-legged sheep after all. Cowards!”

Sarcastic curses and mockery resounded through between heaven and earth. They came from a group of longevity kings who were fearless and complacent.

On the city gate tower, Shaohao stood with his hands on his back. Not a ripple of emotion could be seen on his unperturbed expression.

However, the many Ancient Wasteland Domain experts around him were furious and indignant.

“A month ago, foreign forces from the other eight domains started coming in groups and roaming our territory without scruples, but they weren’t satisfied and have run all the way to the city to provoke us these days. This is intolerable!” said a person through gritted teeth.

“They must have heard that Lin Xun wasn’t in the city. That’s why they dared to come here and provoke us without fear!” A cultivator frowned worriedly.

Lin Xun had been gone for several months without a word, which made many people worry if he had met with an accident out there.

“Back then, Lin Xun alone blocked off the City of Protection in the Blood Demon Territory. Now, all the other eight domains have sent their forces to besiege us. They are too much!” Someone looked gloomy.

In fact, everyone knew in their heart that this was happening ultimately because their Ancient Wasteland Camp was still too weak.

As soon as Lin Xun left, the city was left with only two supreme Saints who were Shaohao and Ruowu. Having to protect the others, they couldn’t just go out there and fight the enemies.

On the contrary, supreme Saints in the other eight domains were a dime a dozen as they roamed around in groups. On top of that, they specifically targeted the Ancient Wasteland Camp’s weak spot, which being the fact that the latter only had a city to shelter them and therefore couldn’t leave easily. This was why they dared to act so boldly.

In a heavy voice, Shaohao said, “Their purpose is actually quite simple. The Origin Magnet Secret Realm will emerge in two months. By blocking this city, they are cutting off our chance of entering it!

“Of course, they must have also found out that Lin Xun isn’t around these days. That’s why they are here and taunting us so confidently.”

After a pause, he continued, “If we can’t endure their provocation and go out to fight them, we will also fall into their trap. Once anything untoward happens to either me or Ruowu, they will definitely seize the chance to launch a large-scale invasion!”

Everyone’s expression flickered, knowing that Shaohao was right. However, being locked in while the enemies blocked the gate and taunted them relentlessly filled their hearts with frustration.

The most worrying thing was if they were still trapped in the city when the Origin Magnet Secret Realm descended, then how would they find the opportunity to become supreme Saints?

In fact, Shaohao and Ruowu also felt stifled.

They weren’t afraid to fight, but they had to consider the safety of all the Ancient Wasteland Domain cultivators in the City of Protection.

“It’s been quite many days, but Lin Xun hasn’t shown himself once. It’s clear that our intel is correct; he is certainly out of the city,” said a supreme Saint leisurely at a distance away from the city.

When they had learned that Lin Xun wasn’t in the City of Protection, they initially had still been unsure and therefore were extremely cautious when coming to provoke.

However, after so many days of testing the waters without seeing a trace of Lin Xun despite all the humiliation and provocations they had thrown out, these foreigners had gradually loosened up.

As far as they were concerned, Lin Xun was the only Ancient Wasteland Domain expert they needed to watch out for. And since he wasn’t present, it was undoubtedly the perfect time to invade the Ancient Wasteland Territory.

Therefore, over this period of time, forces from the North Sea, Heavenly Flame, Absolute Yin, Nine Dark, East Mulberry, and the other camps had been pouring into the Ancient Wasteland Territory and wreaking havoc everywhere.

Their ultimate purpose, as Shaohao had speculated, was to prepare for the Origin Magnet Secret Realm that would appear in two months!

“Hmph, even if he returns, he alone won’t be able to stop all of our experts from entering the Origin Magnet Secret Realm.”

“The army of the seven domains was only wiped out last time because no one expected that brat Lin Xun would be able to set up such a terrifying Saint-grade array.”

“It’s going to be different this time as he will be without any means to set up such an array. When the Origin Magnet Secret Realm descends, the moment he rears his head will be the moment he’s faced with the joint attacks of numerous supreme Saints!”

The supreme Saints in the area were all sneering as they discussed things amongst themselves.

The previous annihilation of the seven domains’ coalition army had caused them all to be shocked and appalled.

But after calming down, they had realized that it wasn’t Lin Xun’s battle prowess, though very powerful, that had been able to dominate seventy supreme Saints. Instead, it was the Saint-grade array that had played the key part.

This was why they had recently dared to wreak havoc in the Ancient Wasteland Territory.

It was also because they were afraid of this array protecting the City of Protection that they had been provoking them from afar instead of actually attacking the city.

“Bastards! You wouldn’t dare to be so arrogant if Lin Xun was around!” a furious roar suddenly rang out from the city.

This made the cultivators of the North Sea Ancient Domain burst out laughing.

These poor two-legged sheep can only use Lin Xun to threaten us.

“But it’s a pity that Lin Xun isn’t here,” said a supreme Saint amusedly.

“Even if he shows up, so what? He can’t do anything about us if we don’t enter the city!” laughed another person coldly.

One viciously speculated, “It’s been months without a trace of him. Don’t tell me…he’s already dead?”

Hearing this, Ancient Wasteland Domain cultivators on the city wall grimaced and gnashed their teeth.

At this moment, it became deeply apparent to them that without Lin Xun, they could only cower in the city while the enemies came to the doorsteps to bully them.

Such was the scene Lin Xun and Zhao Jingxuan saw upon their return.

“It seems like the Ancient Wasteland Camp has been quite passive while you were away. The enemy is already at our door, yet all they can do is endure,” lamented Zhao Jingxuan as she glanced at Lin Xun.

Along the way, he had told her about the various things happening over the past year, so she was very clear that the solid City of Protection in the distance would never have been rebuilt without Lin Xun.

“So now you know it all boils down to the fact that our camp has too few supreme Saints. Our current force is far from being able to fight against the other domains.

𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

“However, I believe that it will all change after the opening of the Origin Magnet Secret Realm!”

As Lin Xun said this, he strode forward with a cold glint in his eyes.