Chapter 2715 Storm Gathering at the Heaven-Derived Dao Arena

“He just clashed with Chao Zonglin yesterday, and today this news is already spreading? Isn’t Lin Xun making too much noise?”

Many people were stunned, unable to believe what they were hearing. Lin Xun had only been in the Origin Sect for a handful of days, yet in that short time he had already caused one earthshaking incident after another. Chao Zonglin was now punished and locked away in the Prison of Repentance, but clearly, Lin Xun had no intention of stopping there.

“In the past, almost everyone who tried to gain core successor status this way ended in failure. Does Lin Xun really think this assessment will be so easy?”

The true disciples across the nine peaks struggled to remain calm. Some had cultivated for far longer than Lin Xun, with many already training for centuries, yet they were still only true disciples.

Meanwhile, Lin Xun had just arrived and was already striving for core successor status. The contrast was a sharp sting to their pride.

“Granted, he did defeat Senior Brother Li Zhongyuan. He may have a chance. And in the end, it’s just an assessment. Even if he fails, it’s not a devastating loss.”

“Wrong! If it were anyone else with his strength, they might have a chance. But not Lin Xun! Those factions hostile to him will never sit by and let him pass!”

Discussion erupted like wildfire. As for Donghuang Shaowen, Mu Zunwu, and Qi Qingshi, geniuses who entered Origin Sect at the same time as Lin Xun, they couldn’t help but feel complicated emotions.

They had to admit Lin Xun was frighteningly strong. However, never did they expect that so soon after entering, he would already dare to challenge for the position of core successor. This was something they themselves did not even dare to imagine. The comparison left them frustrated and restless.

“In three days, let’s head to the Origin Clarity Pavilion!”

Many disciples made their decision in secret, while even some powerful figures were shaken and decided to watch the event for themselves.

......

On the Ninth Peak, Zheng Qian sneered, “What a show-off.”

His contempt was written all over his face. He was discussing things with Peak Master Qin Wuyu and Elder Mo Lanshan. When the news reached them, he could hardly believe his ears at first.

“Brother Qin, just look at Lin Xun. He’s so brazen and noisy! I’m afraid the whole Origin Sect is waiting for our Ninth Peak to make a laughingstock of itself!” Zheng Qian said bitterly.

Mo Lanshan frowned, pondering. “Given Lin Xun’s foundation and cultivation, he actually has a fair chance of passing the assessment.”

Zheng Qian retorted coldly, “Elder Mo, if he fails, it will disgrace our Ninth Peak!”

“But if he succeeds, it will bring us glory.” Mo Lanshan countered in a deep voice.

Just as the two seemed on the verge of quarreling, Qin Wuyu raised his hand to cut them off. “Enough. It’s already decided. What’s use is there in arguing?”

Even he felt a headache coming on. Lin Xun had only joined the Ninth Peak a few days ago, yet he had already beaten Chao Zonglin and stirred up a storm. That matter had barely settled, and now he was about to participate in the core disciple assessment.

This kid really had a talent for causing trouble!

“Leave it at that.” Qin Wuyu got up and left.

Meanwhile, Qin Ruoling, Huang Muji, Meng Haochen and the other successors of the Ninth Peak were also in heated discussions. Unlike most, they were filled with excitement and anticipation for Lin Xun’s performance.

For countless years, the Ninth Peak had ranked at the very bottom among the nine peaks. As a result, its members couldn’t help but feel inferior when facing those from the other peaks, leaving a bitter taste in their hearts.

Now, with Lin Xun’s arrival, things truly felt different. Chao Zonglin, a successor of the Origin Emptiness Pavilion, had been beaten by Lin Xun and thrown into the Prison of Repentance. How many in the nine peaks could claim such an achievement?

Now, as a newcomer, Lin Xun already dared to challenge for the position of core successor. If he succeeded, it would surely shake the entire Origin Sect once more!

The very thought made Qin Ruoling and the others shiver with excitement. They had already decided to go to Origin Clarity Pavilion in three days‘ time to cheer for Lin Xun!

......

As countless people looked forward to the event, three days passed in the blink of an eye. On this day, the usually quiet Origin Purity Mountain was unprecedentedly lively, packed with people in all directions.

True and core disciples from the nine peaks had gathered, along with many high-ranking figures. Even many successors and powerhouses from the three pavilions had come to watch.

“So many people...”

Qin Ruoling and the others gasped at the sight of the grand spectacle. The Origin World was immense, vast enough to rival a world of its own. The nine peaks were scattered across it. Normally, the successors of the nine peaks trained within their own territories, and it was rare for them to gather together in one place as they did now.

In the memory of Qin Ruoling and the others, only grand occasions such as the Nine Peaks Dao Contest could draw such a gathering.

“See? This is Junior Brother Lin Xun’s influence. Every move he makes shakes the sect. Our Ninth Peak...is finally no longer a place that no one cares about.” Qin Ruoling said proudly.

“Junior Sister, don’t celebrate too soon. For this assessment, Junior Brother Lin Xun must win three duels to qualify as a core disciple. If he fails...the other peaks will surely mock us.” Meng Haochen cautioned softly.

Qin Ruoling rolled her eyes. “Stop being so defeatist. Everyone else may be hoping for Junior Brother Lin Xun to fail, but we must not think like that.”

As they spoke, they found themselves standing before a colossal arena. The Heaven-Derived Dao Arena!

This was the grandest ancient arena of Origin Purity Mountain, normally reserved only for the most important evaluation assessments. Because Lin Xun’s assessment had drawn unprecedented attention, the Origin Clarity Pavilion made an exception and opened the Heaven-Derived Dao Arena.

By now, a sea of figures had already gathered around it. The nine peaks each formed their own camps, standing part in different areas. The disciples of the Origin Sky Pavilion and the Origin Emptiness Pavilion also stood together at another side, watching intently.

When Qin Ruoling and the others arrived, they quickly spotted Qin Wuyu, Zheng Qian and others, and immediately moved over.

“Father, why did you come as well?” Qin Ruoling couldn’t help but ask. She knew her father Qin Wuyu had been resistant to Lin Xun, so she had not expected him to attend.

“Lin Xun is still a successor of the Ninth Peak. With so many people from the other peaks here, if I didn’t show up, wouldn’t others think I, the peak master, despise him?” Qin Wuyu replied casually.

Qin Ruoling and the others exchanged glances and smiled knowingly. At this moment, Lin Xun stood in the Heaven-Derived Dao Arena. His tall, upright figure seemed at ease yet unshakable, calm and transcendent, naturally drawing the eyes of the entire audience.

For most of the Origin Sect’s disciples, although they had long heard of Lin Xun, this was their first time seeing him in person. Their gazes carried both scrutiny and curiosity.

In the Origin Sect, there was no shortage of heaven-defying talents. Even the most ordinary true disciple, if placed in the outside world, could crush old monsters of the same cultivation stage, and would have the confidence to stand against Immortals!

As for the core disciples, their power was even more overwhelming. It was no exaggeration to say that the Origin Sect was a nest of monstrous geniuses, each more powerful and terrifying than the last.

However, in recent days, the one who had undoubtedly become the center of attention was Lin Xun, the ‘newcomer’ of the Ninth Peak. The sheer number of figures gathered around the Heaven-Derived Dao Arena was proof of how much attention he had drawn.

Naturally, this provoked discontent from many, especially fellow true disciples like him, and even certain core disciples.

“That guy is Lin Xun? I want to see for myself how strong he really is.”

“The Ninth Peak has finally produced someone half-decent. Whether he wins or loses, the courage he’s shown in daring to take this assessment as a newcomer is already remarkable.”

“Hmph, it’s just for attention. He has nothing to lose even if he fails.”

“Don’t underestimate Junior Brother Lin Xun. His performance in the three rounds of the entrance examination was nothing short of world-shaking. Unless one’s cultivation surpasses Senior Brother Li Zhongyuan, defeating him won’t be easy.”

“It’s precisely because Lin Xun is so strong that he’s drawn so many spectators today. If he were just ordinary, who would care to come watch in person?”

Whispers rippled across the arena. Lin Xun paid them no mind. He stood alone in the arena, eyes lowered like an old monk in meditation, serene and composed. On the assessment platform, Zhuang Shiliu, who oversaw this assessment, wore a stern expression. From time to time, when his gaze fell upon Lin Xun, a faint chill flickered in his eyes.

That boy probably still has no idea who he’s about to face. In just a moment, you’re going to suffer!

Clang!

Before long, a deep, majestic bell tolled. At once, the arena fell into absolute silence, the atmosphere steeped in solemnity. The assessment was about to begin!

All conversations ceased as countless gazes turned toward the Heaven-Derived Dao Arena. In this assessment, Lin Xun had to fight three battles. In other words, three opponents in succession. A single defeat, and his chance of becoming a core disciple would vanish.

His opponents would be drawn from the core disciples of the other peaks. Yet even now, most present still had no idea which three had been chosen by the Origin Clarity Pavilion to face him.

At this moment, Zhuang Shiliu’s deep voice resounded. “The assessment begins. Please invite Shen Zaidao, core successor of the First Peak, to step forward and face the challenger!”

The moment his words fell, the audience erupted in exclamations.

“Shen Zaidao! A peerless sword genius! His talent is unmatched across the ages. All these years, he has ranked among the top five of the Nine Peaks!”

“I never imagined the Origin Clarity Pavilion would actually send him. They clearly have no intention of letting Lin Xun pass smoothly...”

“He’s an existence even stronger than Senior Brother Li Zhongyuan. Lin Xun probably never imagined that his very first match would be against such a tricky opponent!”

The uproar was laced with shock and astonishment. Under the countless gazes, a slender figure suddenly appeared in the Heaven-Derived Dao Arena.

He was clad in ancient black robes, his features chiseled and stern, and his eyes gleamed like sword light. His figure resembled a sword thrusting into the heavens, and the instant he appeared, a terrifyingly sharp aura swept across the arena.

From afar, he seemed like a sovereign of swords, his sharpness making even heaven and earth pale before him!

Shen Zaidao was a supreme Emperor Ancestor, a legendary figure among the Nine Peaks, and a towering giant of the sword dao, admired and revered by countless!