Chapter 2704 Acting in Accordance with the Rules

The second round continued. After the tremendous shock of Lin Xun's complete victory over Li Zhongyuan, the following battles, while still intense and exciting, felt somewhat dull.

Several hours passed. The second round had concluded. Of the original twenty-seven participants, sixteen had passed, and eleven had been eliminated. The third round was going to take place a day later.

...

Absolute Sunder Sword Palace.

In the main hall on the first floor, Lin Xun and fifteen other supreme Emperor Ancestors had been housed in separate halls. The Origin Sect Ancestral Court had provided each of them with healing elixirs and cultivation resources. They were all unique treasures rarely found in the outside world.

In one of the halls, Lin Xun let out a long sigh, feeling a sense of relief. The attitude displayed by the Origin Sect Ancestral Court during the second round of the selection had completely reassured him.

At the very least, this meant that as long as he became a successor of the Origin Sect, he no longer had to worry about the external threats posed by the Ten Immortal Giants. However, Lin Xun also knew that many powerful figures from his enemies were present within the sect, and those in those hostile factions were bound to be unable to remain indifferent.

This also meant that his future in the Origin Sect Ancestral Court would undoubtedly be turbulent. However, he didn't care about that. He didn't believe that anyone within the Origin Sect would be so bold as to kill him with their own hands!

Suddenly, Xiao Wenyuan's voice rang out from outside the hall, "Young friend, can we talk privately?"

Lin Xun was startled, then stood up and welcomed Xiao Wenyuan, who was standing outside, into his hall.

"Today, I would like to thank you for your righteous defense. Please accept my greetings." Without asking Xiao Wenyuan's purpose in coming, Lin Xun bowed and expressed his sincere gratitude first.

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Xiao Wenyuan was speechless for a moment, then he smiled and said, "What Deputy Pavilion Master Fang, Elder Li Zhen, and I had defended today were the rules of the Origin Sect Ancestral Court, and not you."

Lin Xun nodded, "I understand."

The two sat down and exchanged pleasantries for a moment. Xiao Wenyuan then said, "If nothing unexpected happens, then all sixteen of the participants who have passed the second round of the selection will be able to successfully pass the third round. That's the reason why Donghuang Qiong and the others had chosen to challenge your results in the second round."

It was an abrupt remark, but after a moment's reflection, Lin Xun realized it wasn't surprising. The third round was called Leaving Your Name in the Azure Clouds. At that time, anyone who could inscribe their name using their willpower in the sky three thousand feet above the ground and next to the Absolute Sunder Sword Palace would be considered someone who had passed the selection process.

Failure to reach at least three thousand feet above the ground would result in elimination. According to Lin Xun's understanding, those who had qualified for the third round, like him, would hardly have to worry about being eliminated.

This also meant that people like Donghuang Qiong, Qi Tingzi, and the others had no chance of challenging him in the third round. So, they could only do so during the second round!

Xiao Wenyuan said, "Originally, since you weren't a true disciple of the Origin Sect, I wouldn’t be able to tell you these things. But now that it's about to happen, there are some things that you should be aware of."

Lin Xun's heart sank, and he said, "Senior, please enlighten me."

Xiao Wenyuan thought for a moment and said, "Three years ago, we at the Origin Sect already knew you would be participating in this selection process. Or perhaps it is more accurate to say that we even knew about it before you did."

Lin Xun was surprised.

Did Third Senior Sister arrange this in advance?

"Just remember, it is precisely because we knew you were coming to attempt the selection process that this matter caused great controversy and turmoil within the sect."

Xiao Wenyuan continued, "A good portion of members wanted to reject you outright, believing you are a calamity who will bring unrest to the sect. Others believe that matters concerning the Origin Sect Ancestral Court should be determined by our own rules and customs. To them, whether you or anyone else takes the test, as long as you become a Origin Sect successor, you are a member of the Origin Sect."

Lin Xun asked, "So, these attitudes have divided the Origin Sect into two camps?"

Xiao Wenyuan laughed. "How could it be that simple? There are others who have been observing this with surface indifference, not expressing their personal opinions. Furthermore, there are some who have long been dissatisfied with some of the Origin Sect's existing problems and hidden issues, so they hope that a so-called troublemaker like you will appear to muddy the waters, thereby providing an opportunity to eliminate some of these problems and unspoken issues."

After a pause, Xiao Wenyuan carefully concluded, "In short, everyone has their own thoughts and considerations regarding your presence."

Lin Xun instantly felt a sense of unease. He had never imagined that his appearance would cause such a stir within the Origin Sect Ancestral Court. After pondering for a moment, he asked, "So, according to Senior, if I truly become a disciple of the Origin Sect what should I do?"

Xiao Wenyuan's answer was simple, "Act in accordance with the rules."

After a moment's reflection, Lin Xun immediately understood his point. No matter what the Origin Sect’s influential figures thought, as long as he stayed within the rules, no one could do anything to him!

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior." Lin Xun bowed.

Xiao Wenyuan waved his hand. "This is what Deputy Pavilion Master Fang asked me to tell you. If you want to thank someone, you should thank him."

Lin Xun probed, "Senior, may I ask what Deputy Pavilion Master Fang thinks about my arrival?"

Xiao Wenyuan couldn't help but laugh. "What do you think?"

Lin Xun thought for a moment, quickly understood the hint ,and said, "Senior, on your return, please tell Deputy Pavilion Master Fang that I will thoroughly remember his instructions and will act in accordance with the rules."

Xiao Wenyuan smiled and nodded. As he was leaving, he suddenly remembered something and said, "I also owe you a favor from the first round. If you trust me, then I would recommend you choose to cultivate on the Ninth Peak after the end of the selection process."

"The Ninth Peak?" The look in Lin Xun's eyes was quizzical.

Back in the Mystic Forbidden Realm, Mo Lanshan, the training elder of the Ninth Peak had given him a jade pendant, hoping that he would participate in the Origin Sect's selection and be able to cultivate on the Ninth Peak. However, Lin Xun hadn't expected that even Xiao Wenyuan would recommend the same peak to him.

"Yes, of the Nine Great Peaks, the Ninth Peak's overall strength is the lowest, far inferior to the other eight, but it has the cleanest foundation and isn't plagued by too many chaotic undercurrents." Xiao Wenyuan continued meaningfully, "More importantly, the Ninth Peak will offer you more opportunities for advancement."

As Xiao Wenyuan left, Lin Xun pondered the ‘advancement opportunities’ the older man had mentioned.

His goal in coming to the Origin Sect Ancestral Court was simple: to fulfill Third Senior Sister's instructions and secure the opportunity to become the pavilion master of the Origin Clarity Pavilion within a hundred years!

Becoming a pavilion master, who wielded immense power, was incredibly challenging. This was especially true within the Origin Sect Ancestral Court, where every position was already filled. Those veterans who held significant power were as old as the heavens, and with their cultivation, they could live for countless thousands of years.

Barring any unexpected events, the positions and powers they held were unlikely to change.

If Lin Xun wanted to achieve his goal, he had to start as a true disciple, gradually advancing through the ranks to become a core disciple, then a disciple of the Origin Clarity Pavilion, then deputy deacon, followed by deacon, then elder, to then becoming a deputy pavilion master, and finally qualifying to compete for the position of pavilion master.

If the current pavilion master remained alive and held onto the position, then there would be virtually no chance of advancement.

Several years ago, Origin Clarity Pavilion Master You Beihai had stated that he would step down as pavilion master before attempting to transcend immortality and attain eternity. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity had naturally attracted the attention of countless influential figures within the Origin Sect Ancestral Court.

If the Ninth Peak offers more opportunities for advancement, then I might consider it...

Lin Xun contemplated. Xiao Wenyuan's reminder was timely. Many prominent figures from hostile factions held important positions within the Nine Great Peaks.

For example, the Second Peak Master, Yun Tianming, was the great-grandfather of Yun Muzhe. Entering the Second Peak would be like walking into a tiger's mouth.

With Yun Tianming's methods, it would be absolutely impossible to guard from his tricks as a newly entered successor. On the other hand, there was no guarantee that similar incidents wouldn't occur on other peaks. If the Ninth Peak truly wasn't plagued by such chaos as Xiao Wenyuan claimed, even if it ranked last among the nine peaks, Lin Xun would be willing to go!

...

The next morning, in front of the Absolute Sunder Sword Palace, in the vast arena, Lin Xun and fifteen other cultivators had been waiting patiently.

Today, the third round of the selection was going to begin! Unlike the previous rounds, this one was simpler. It wasn't a battle or a fight, but instead a test of one's cultivation and willpower.

At this point, the formation surrounding the Absolute Sunder Sword Palace had been removed, revealing its true form. This building, resembling a divine sword pointed upward, exuded a chaotic, immortal aura. Without the array restraining it, the oppressive aura it exuded made breathing difficult for many audience members. Even Immortals couldn't help but be affected by it.

Rumor had it that the Absolute Sunder Sword Palace itself had been the personal sword of the Origin Sect's patriarch. Long ago, because the sword was imbued with such a murderous aura, it was sealed here by the founder himself.

There were even rumors that the entire Absolute Sunder City was built specifically to suppress this sword! Gazing up from the arena, the Absolute Sunder Sword Palace towered ten thousand feet into the sky, emanating a dark, chaotic hue that was mysterious and unsettling.

Three thousand feet above the ground, densely packed azure clouds of the great dao floated, but the higher one went, the fewer and fewer they became. Each azure cloud of the great dao had been left behind by every newcomer to the Origin Sect over the years, and they had been imprinted here forever.

The third round was going to take place at least three thousand feet above the ground, next to the Absolute Sunder Sword Palace. With their willpower alone, participants were going to attempt to condense an azure cloud of the great dao and leave their name upon it!

Fang Daoping instructed, "Elder Donghuang Qing, you will preside over this third round."

Donghuang Qing followed his orders and stepped forward. His gaze swept over Lin Xun and the other fifteen participants, and he said with a stern expression, "You should all be familiar with the rules of the selection by now. Remember, everyone has only one chance. Do not be careless. Now, the assessment begins!"

Swish!

Every eye outside the arena turned to Zhou Zhizhi. He had been the first to pass the first round, and the first to compete in the second. Now, he would be the first to take on the third round.