Chapter 1688: Innate Sword Bone

Some of the big shots shivered as they feared for what could have happened.

Previously, they had coveted Xia Xiaochong’s beauty and bred improper ideas, planning how they should make such a beauty from the Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan their own.

But who would have thought that she had such a close relationship with Lin Xun?!

Lin Xun was not only a Big Saint, but he was also a ruthless character who would not hesitate to kill, which could be seen from the countless bloody storms he had set off.

Plotting against people he was close to was no different from seeking one’s own death!

Meanwhile, the young girls who had come here with their elders no longer looked at Xia Xiaochong with the same mentality of disdain and disregard as before.

Instead, uncontrollable jealousy and envy rose in their hearts.

The attitudes of the cultivators present toward the straw-shod youth also became complicated.

To think that such a poor and foolish young man hit the jackpot of luck and got to tag along with Xia Xiaochong.

It’s inevitable that he would receive some attention from Senior Lin Xun!

Lin Xun laughed, “I’m as delighted by your arrival as it’s brought me out here and let me see Xiaochong again after so long. That’s what I’d call a double blessing. Let’s go, let us talk inside.”

A’hu commented with a smile, “What a beauty; she must be from the Azure Hill Sky Fox Clan. When she steps into the Saint Stage, her charm will sweep the world off its feet.”

“She’s just a clueless little girl.” Lin Xun snickered, then beckoned toward Xia Xiaochong. “What are you standing around for? Come here.”

“Oh,” Xia Xiaochong gave a cute and somewhat clueless response before she remembered something and grabbed the straw-shod youth. “This is my friend. Can he come along as well?”

Lin Xun glanced at the youth.

At this moment, the straw-shod youth was so excited and nervous that he felt dizzy and didn’t know where to put his hands.

How could he not know of Lin Xun’s great name?

A very long time ago, his favorite thing to do was to visit the city and find a tea house with a storyteller, whence he had specifically gathered all the rumors about Lin Xun and his deeds.

To him, Lin Xun was like a god, an unreachable legend!

Never could he have dreamed that he would actually get to see with his own eyes the most powerful, magical, extraordinary person in his heart right after arriving at Star Chess Sea.

When Lin Xun looked over, the straw-shod youth was rooted on the spot in a dumbfounded state, his emotions fluctuating like the tide hitting the shore.

“Together then.” Lin Xun smiled and withdrew his gaze.

With his current experience and knowledge, he could get a lot of details from just a glance, but he didn’t ask anything.

“You’re the best, Big Brother Lin Xun, just like back then! I thought you would change, but it turns out I was worried for nothing after all.” Xia Xiaochong beamed as she led the straw-shod youth over and stood next to Lin Xun.

Lin Xun stroked her head and said, “Everyone changes, and it’s fine as long as their heart doesn’t change. Alright, let’s go.”

Lin Xun was about to lead A’hu, Xia Xiaochong, and the straw-shod youth away when—

“Senior Lin Xun!” shouted Xue Yong. “This humble junior has been waiting here bitterly for many days, and all I ask for is to be able to cultivate under your guidance. Please bestow upon me this favor.”

Saying that, he plopped to the ground and kowtowed.

This proud, conceited teenager who was regarded as the child prodigy of the Xue Saint Clan completely disregarded his ego and dignity at this moment as he kowtowed with a plea.

The scene greatly shook the heart of the straw-shod youth.

Meanwhile, Xia Xiaochong showed a hint of disgust on her face. She wanted to say something but ultimately refrained from it.

If I bother Big Brother Lin Xun with such a trivial matter, then wouldn’t I appear incompetent as I did back then? No, can’t let that happen.

“Did I tell you all to wait here? Stop wasting your time and efforts on me and leave.” Lin Xun waved his hand and disappeared with A’hu and the others.

From beginning to end, he had spared none of the audience any glance.

He wasn’t ignoring them on purpose. He simply didn’t bother paying attention.

Even if he wanted to take in disciples, he would never choose to do so this way.

You waited, you knelt, you came with sincerity, but did I say that I wanted you to wait, to kneel, to come here and ask me to be your teacher?

No.

The mist on Star Chess Sea once again spread into a veil.

The area was silent as the disheartened crowd either sighed, shook their heads, lamented, or felt bitter and sorry for themselves.

But no one dared to speak recklessly.

This outcome was within their expectations. They could only blame that…their children and juniors weren’t destined for such luck.

Xue Yong was the one in the most embarrassing state at this moment.

He was kneeling on the ground. His head had been knocked red and swollen and stained with dust. Yet, Lin Xun had never once cared and just floated away…

As bitterness, chagrin, anger, and jealousy surged up his heart like a tsunami, he couldn’t stop himself from roaring out, “This is not fair! Why can that idiot follow along but I can’t? Just because of that Xia Xiaochong?”

The expressions of everyone present instantly changed. They all turned their backs to Xue Yong and acted as if they had nothing to do with him at all. Inwardly, they all decided to steer clear of the Xue Clan moving forward!

Xue Yong had offended both the straw-shod youth and Xia Xiaochong. And while these two weren’t enough to make people apprehensive, it would be a different story if they developed some close relationship with Lin Xun after this!

What if…Lin Xun learned about what Xue Yong had done later? Would he also have a negative view of the Xue Clan?

And what if…that straw-shod youth soared to prominence in the future and went after the Xue Clan for revenge? Would the latter be able to withstand his wrath?

Therefore, it was best to draw a line with the Xue Clan!

Such was the cruelty of the world.

During his appearance, Lin Xue hadn’t said anything about it at all, but no one dared to laugh it off!

“Shut up!” The old Saint next to Xue Yong was livid as he grabbed him and hurriedly left.

There was shock and anger in his heart, as well as disappointment and worry.

Xue Yong’s act of kneeling down and begging to be taken in was out of the ordinary. When a person tried to force his wish, there were only two outcomes: they either hit heavenly luck and succeeded…

Or invoked disgust.

Xue Yong clearly belonged to the latter, which wouldn’t have been a problem since a person of Lin Xun’s status and prestige wouldn’t bother with a child.

But after being rejected, he behaved in a taboo way!

Although there was no denigration of Lin Xun in his words, the dissatisfaction and resentment could be heard clearly, which made the old Saint feel angry and disappointed.

This was especially true when he noticed the change in the attitude of the other cultivators around. A chill ran through his heart.

He didn’t even need to use his brain to know that Xue Yong’s remarks would become a huge hurdle to cross for the Xue Clan!

After all, everything that had happened today was bound to spread very quickly. After the world learned about Xue Yong’s angry rant after being rejected by Lin Xun, who would still dare to socialize with the Xue Clan?

This was Lin Xun’s might!

Even if he hadn’t said a word, with his prestige in the Ancient Wasteland Domain, who would dare not to care?

Thinking about this, sorrow and dread filled the old Saint’s heart, and he even had a flickering thought to slap the clan’s child prodigy, Xue Yong, to death.

Perhaps, this was Xue Yong’s just deserts. If he hadn’t provoked Xia Xiaochong and the straw-shod youth and acted so recklessly, how could things have gotten to this point?

……

On a particular island on Star Chess Sea.

Waterfalls cascaded into springs, green bamboo covered the ground, and rich aeth qi filled the air in the form of mist. It was like a blessed land where immortals resided.

This place has long been regarded by Lin Xun as his dwelling in the Ancient Wasteland Domain. Therefore, he had plowed out an herb garden and aeth springs, and planted a lot of rare plants.

With his current means and wealth, he could turn a stone into gold with a flip of his hand and a barren island into a top-class paradise.

At this moment, Lin Xun was preparing a sumptuous banquet for A’hu, Xia Xiaochong, and the straw-shod youth who had come from afar to visit.

The wine was an aged one that could make even Saints salivate.

The fruits and delicacies were also rarities that were difficult to find in this world.

The carefree Xia Xiaochong wolfed the food down until her lips were greasy. And since she loved alcohol, she soon became drunk and blacked out the table.

The straw-shod youth wasn’t much better. His manners were restrained and apprehensive. He constantly looked like he was in a trance.

And since his cultivation was shallow, the energy in one cup of wine and a fruit was all it took for his body to start burning and become red.

Seeing this, Lin Xun secretly felt guilty for having forgotten that the straw-shod youth couldn’t withstand the power in this kind of wine and food at all.

He gently patted on the youth’s back, sending a wave of power into the latter to suppress the energy that was running amok.

Only after watching the youth fall asleep like Xia Xiaochong did Lin Xun turn to A’hu who sat across the table.

A’hu smiled as she twirled her cup and gazed at Xia Xiaochong with her beautiful, limpid eyes. “This little girl is from the fox clan just like me, but her bloodline is that of the Azure Hill Sky Fox, extraordinary with a powerful heritage, while I’m…just the most common white fox.”

This was the first time A’hu had revealed her origins.

In Lin Xun’s impression, this woman, who was as holy as a goddess and as seductive as a devil, was an extremely mysterious character.

Who would have thought that she was actually of the most ordinary white fox origin?

“You definitely won’t believe it, but the explanation would be too complicated and lengthy a story. In a nutshell, the reason why I could get to where I am today was because of, well, let’s call it a great opportunity I had chanced upon,” said A’hu, who wouldn’t elaborate further.

But Lin Xun knew very well that for a normal white fox to grow to her level of power, that opportunity was bound to have been exceptional!

“As for this boy, his case is quite an interesting one.”

A’hu looked towards that straw-shod youth with a strange gleam in her eyes.

“There is a broken sword bone in him. He probably sustained an injury at a very young age that damaged his foundation.

“Otherwise, having such an innate sword bone, he would have long displayed his talent, and all the major sects would have scrambled to make him their disciple.”

An innate sword bone!

Lin Xun’s hand that was lifting his wine cup shook abruptly, and an intimidating light flashed through his deep eyes.

He was reminded of a certain someone.

A peerless sword cultivator who had also come from a poor background but possessed an innate sword bone—

Yun Qingbai!