Chapter 2710 Waves of Provocation

The banquet had a warm and friendly atmosphere. Whether they were true disciples or core disciples, all were well aware of Lin Xun’s extraordinary performance in the three rounds of assessments. They felt deep admiration and spoke with both respect and awe.

After all, even someone like Li Zhongyuan was defeated by Lin Xun. In the entire Ninth Peak, even Gu Yu, the top-ranked core disciple, was still inferior to Li Zhongyuan in the overall ranking among the nine peaks.[1]

Given this, they did not dare to treat Lin Xun, the ‘newcomer’, lightly. Perhaps the only regret was that Peak Master Qin Wuyu hadn’t come.

As the banquet neared its end, Elder Zheng Qian, who was in charge of the Ninth Peak’s rules and punishments, suddenly spoke: “Lin Xun, you must know how perilous your position is. I hope from now on you can remain low-key and avoid stirring up any trouble. Otherwise, it will only drag the Ninth Peak into misfortune.”

These words instantly cooled the once warm and lively atmosphere. Lin Xun cupped his fists in salute. “Rest assured, Elder Zheng. Even if I were to make a mistake, I will take full responsibility and ensure the Ninth Peak is never dragged into trouble.”

Zheng Qian nodded. “Then let me be blunt: if you dare make a single misstep in the future, I will be the first to hold you accountable.”

His tone was calm, but the weight behind his words was severe. The sudden words left everyone unsettled, feeling as though Elder Zheng Qian harbored no goodwill toward Lin Xun, and even revealed a faint air of resistance and rejection.

Lin Xun raised an eyebrow and was about to speak when Mo Lanshan chuckled and eased the tension. “Alright now, let’s not spoil the mood.”

Zheng Qian rose to his feet. “I have urgent matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave. Please, continue without me.”

With that, he departed. What had been a lively and harmonious banquet suddenly grew dull because of Zheng Qian, and before long, the crowd gradually dispersed.

“Brother Lin.”

On the way back to his abode, Ye Chunjun caught up with Lin Xun. After some hesitation, he sent a voice transmission, “Elder Zheng Qian is vying for a deacon’s post in the Origin Sky Pavilion. You must be very careful not to give him any leverage over you.”

Lin Xun’s eyes narrowed as he replied in voice transmission, “Brother Ye, are you saying Elder Zheng might try to use me as a stepping stone to earn merit in exchange for that position?”

Ye Chunjun sighed, “Whatever the case, you must tread carefully.”

Lin Xun immediately understood and cupped his fist. “Thank you for the warning, Brother Ye. Rest assured, I’ll repay your kindness when the chance arises.”

Ye Chunjun let out a bitter smile. He said in a serious tone, “I ask for nothing in return. With someone like you joining our Ninth Peak, it is truly a blessing. In time, you’ll surely shine brilliantly and change the fate of the Ninth Peak. I just don’t want to see you plotted against or harmed.”

Lin Xun smiled and patted Ye Chunjun on the shoulder. “I understand.”

After the banquet, he found himself with a rather good impression of the Ninth Peak’s successors. Although the Ninth Peak was ranked at the bottom among the nine peaks, as Xiao Wenyuan had said, it was free of messy conflicts and thus an ideal place for his cultivation.

Even Peak Master Qin Wuyu, who had seemed resistant to him, had already accepted him. As long as Lin Xun acted in accordance with the rules, Qin Wuyu would not give him a hard time.

However, that Zheng Qian...

Upon returning to his own abode, a sharp glint flashed in Lin Xun’s eyes as he recalled Elder Zheng Qian’s words said at the banquet.

If that old fox truly dares to use me as a pawn to climb his way into the Origin Sky Pavilion, then he can’t blame me for being ruthless!

......

Three days later...

Lin Xun received his sect token from Mo Lanshan. Forged from a rare immortal divine jade, the token bore four characters on the front: Origin Sect Ancestral Court, while the back was engraved with ‘Lin Xun, successor of Lotus Peak.’

Upon closer inspection, Lin Xun discovered the token carried an extremely obscure trace of law power! According to Mo Lanshan, the sect token was not just an emblem of identity, but also a treasure infused with law power. If one faced a life-and-death crisis, it could help to resolve the deadly tribulation.

“With this token, you may now collect your cultivation resources from the Origin Emptiness Pavilion.” Mo Lanshan said with a smile.

Lin Xun nodded. Origin Emptiness Pavilion was located upon the Origin Emptiness Mountain. Behind the mountain towered the famous Scripture Mountain of the Origin Sect. At its heart lay the Heavenly Treasure Hall, the place where cultivation resources and supplies were managed and distributed.

𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

All successors of the nine peaks obtained their cultivation necessities from here. In addition, the Heavenly Treasure Hall also distributed the sect’s missions, and disciples seeking to earn merit had to come here to receive them.

When Lin Xun arrived, the Heavenly Treasure Hall was bustling with activity. Figures crowded the hall, some eagerly claiming new missions, others weary and dust-covered, holding the spoils of completed tasks as they exchanged them for merit.

Lin Xun’s appearance immediately stirred commotion among the crowd.

“Look, that’s Lin Xun. He defeated Li Zhongyuan and now he’s cultivating on the Ninth Peak.”

“So that’s him.”

“Hehe, just wait, there’s bound to be a show.”

Whispers spread through the crowd as countless gazes fell on Lin Xun, all with different expressions. Although the assessment for selecting successors had ended three days ago, everyone knew that the one who drew the most attention was none other than this Ninth Peak’s newly accepted true disciple.

Lin Xun paid the murmurs no mind. His gaze swept the hall before he headed straight toward the counter where cultivation supplies were distributed. Behind the counter sat a fair-skinned man in a black robe. He leaned lazily back in his chair, sipping tea and reading a scroll leisurely.

“Greetings, Senior Brother, I’m here to collect my monthly allowance.” Lin Xun produced his sect token and handed it over.

The black-robed man was Chao Zonglin, a disciple of the Origin Emptiness Pavilion. His standing was higher than the core successors of the nine peaks.

After all, the Origin Emptiness Pavilion was in charge of imparting teachings and transmitting inheritances, guarded the Scripture Mountain, and managed the Heavenly Treasure Hall, wielding immense authority.

Years ago, Chao Zonglin was an outstanding core disciple of the Second Peak before being recruited into the Origin Emptiness Pavilion. Without even lifting his eyes from the scroll, Chao Zonglin said indifferently, “Junior Brother, you came too late. This month’s allowance is already gone. Come back next month.”

From start to finish, he didn’t so much as glance at Lin Xun. His attitude was dismissive.

Lin Xun asked, “Is it just me, or is it the same for everyone else?”

“Does it make any difference?” Chao Zonglin replied carelessly.

“Yes,” Lin Xun said.

That one word was calm, yet edged with challenge. At that, Chao Zonglin finally closed the scroll, sat upright, and fixed Lin Xun with a cold stare. His voice rang out clearly, “When I say the allowance is gone, it’s gone. Understand?”

Although his tone was calm, his words carried oppressive weight. From across the hall, many turned to watch. Sensing the tension, several faces lit up with excitement, as if delighted at the prospect of seeing Lin Xun humiliated.

However, Lin Xun only smiled faintly, his eyes unreadable, and said, “If I find out you’re singling me out, don’t blame me for being rude.”

An inexplicable chill ran through Chao Zonglin’s chest. Under Lin Xun’s gaze, he felt an oppressive pressure that he could not explain! Despite that, he quickly sneered, “Don’t blame you for being rude? Junior Brother Lin Xun, you’re new here, you probably don’t understand the sect’s rules yet. If you’ve got the guts, go ahead and try.”

His laugh was arrogant, his eyes brimming with provocation and disdain. Lin Xun ignored him and turned to leave. Disappointment flickered across many faces.

Chao Zonglin frowned. Watching Lin Xun walk away, he deliberately raised his voice, “Junior Brother Lin Xun, if you happen to come at the wrong time again next month, you won’t get your allowance then either.”

This was blatant provocation, a clear declaration that no matter how many times Lin Xun came in the future, he would never get his allowance!

Lin Xun paused mid-step. Without turning his head, he said coldly, “If others can claim theirs, then so can I...unless you really are singling me out. If that’s the case, I guarantee you’ll pay a price you can’t imagine!”

Then he strode out.

“You only dare to spout threats, but not act on them. And they call you fearless?” Chao Zonglin chuckled, faintly disappointed.

It seemed Lin Xun neither lost his temper nor lashed out, failing to give him the reaction he wanted.

“It seems Lin Xun isn’t as reckless or overbearing as the rumors claim,” someone in the Heavenly Treasure Hall remarked thoughtfully.

Everyone could tell that Chao Zonglin’s provocation was a deliberate attempt to make things difficult for Lin Xun. However, the person in question endured it and refused to take the bait.

Just then, a group strode into the hall. It was none other than Donghuang Shaowen, Mu Zunwu, Qi Qingshi and several others. They had come for their monthly allowance. Chao Zonglin readily handed over the storage pouches filled with cultivation resources one by one.

Once they had left, Chao Zonglin casually resumed reading his scroll, sipping tea at leisure as he mused to himself.

There’s still Xiang Xiaoyuan. That girl is close to Lin Xun. When she comes, I’ll make things difficult for her too...push her until she loses control and strikes. And when she does, I’ll suppress her in one fell swoop...”

Just then, his vision suddenly darkened. Startled, he looked up, only to see Lin Xun, who had left earlier, now returned and standing before him again.

“Junior Brother Lin Xun, why have you come back again?” Chao Zonglin asked offhandedly.

“Why is it that Donghuang Shaowen and the others can receive their allowance, but I cannot?” Lin Xun’s gaze was cold and unfathomable as he fixed it on Chao Zonglin.

He had never left, but had been waiting just outside the hall, watching the entire process of Donghuang Shaowen and the others collecting their monthly allowance.

Chao Zonglin said unhurriedly, “Junior Brother, our sect’s monthly allowances are limited. Donghuang Shaowen and the others notified me in advance, so I set some aside for them. As for you, you simply came at the wrong time. Naturally, there was nothing left.”

“So what you’re saying is that when I come again in the future, I might just keep coming at the ‘wrong time’?” Lin Xun asked.

Chao Zonglin chuckled smugly. “Junior Brother, who can say for certain about such things?”

Lin Xun’s gaze swept across the Heavenly Treasure Hall as he asked, “Are you the only one distributing the monthly allowance here?”

Chao Zonglin’s smile deepened with amusement. “As it turns out, the elders are all occupied with more important matters, so that leaves me as the only one in charge here.

Lin Xun let out a soft “Oh,” then suddenly reached out and grabbed Chao Zonglin in one move.

Completely caught off guard, Chao Zonglin had no chance to resist before Lin Xun’s large hand clamped around his neck, yanking him up from behind the desk.

1. Different Gu (谷) from the Gu Clan (顾) ☜