Chapter 2830 Avoiding the Fight

Early the next morning.

Origin Clarity Pavilion.

"Ah, Deputy Deacon Lin is going to take the deacon promotion exam?"

The Origin Clarity Pavilion disciple who received Lin Xun was stunned upon learning his intentions.

Lin Xun said, "Yes, please help me call for Deputy Pavilion Master Fang Daoping."

"Please wait a moment." The disciple hurried away.

Soon after, Fang Daoping appeared. He gave Lin Xun an odd look and asked, "You just came back yesterday, and you want to start the exam today?"

Lin Xun smiled and replied, "Elder, is anything wrong with that?"

Fang Daoping responded, "Nope, nothing wrong. Since you possess perfect Heavenly Longevity Stage cultivation, you are naturally qualified for the position."

After a pause, he continued, "After the previous Nine Peaks Dao Contest, the other deputy pavilion masters and I have agreed to omit the sect mission from your deacon assessment. This means that you’ll be facing the challenge part next."

Lin Xun was taken aback. "The sect mission is omitted?"

Fang Daoping chuckled and said, “You contributed greatly in the Nine Peaks Dao Contest by single-handedly suppressing the disciples of the Shaman Sect, Zen Sect, and the Ten Immortal Giants. Such a contribution is already far from comparable to any sect mission.”

“Won’t others talk behind my back?” Lin Xun was somewhat worried.

“Don't worry, even those who hate you can’t say anything about this matter.” Fang Daoping then asked, “So who do you plan on challenging?”

There were twelve deacons in Origin Sky Pavilion. If Lin Xun wanted to become a deacon, he must defeat one of them to take their place.

“Mu Qin,” Lin Xun reported a name.

Fang Daoping narrowed his eyes. "He has initial Nirvana Spirit Stage cultivation and has shown indications of soon reaching the mid stage. Additionally, his combat strength is firmly ranked top five among the twelve deacons. On the other hand, you..."

In his opinion, this was too risky since Lin Xun was only at the perfect Heavenly Longevity Stage. There was a gap of an entire greater cultivation realm between him and Mu Qin.

"Yes, him."

Lin Xun's expression didn’t falter. He had already thought it over carefully on his way here. It wasn't that he had to choose Mu Qin, but only a few of the twelve deacons were from the opposing side. Since Mu Qin was from the Mu Clan of the Eighth Heaven Domain, he was undoubtedly a good option for Lin Xun.

“Alright, I'll send someone to notify Mu Qin.”

Fang Daoping stopped trying to dissuade him and proceeded to arrange the challenge. Less than ten minutes later, an Origin Clarity Pavilion disciple reported, “Deacon Mu Qin is in secluded cultivation and can’t accept the challenge at the moment.”

Fang Daoping raised an eyebrow and sneered, “I recall that he just came out of seclusion recently, why did he go into seclusion again?”

How could he not see that Mu Qin was trying to avoid the fight? However, Fang Daoping couldn't do anything about it. He couldn't possibly force Mu Qin to come out of seclusion.

“Since Deacon Mu Qin is in seclusion, let's get someone else.”

Lin Xun was slightly surprised, but didn’t feel it was a big deal. After all, it wasn’t his reputation that was at stake if the enemy avoided battle.

Fang Daoping asked, "Who?"

"Donghuang Wu."

Upon hearing the name, Fang Daoping nodded. "That’s acceptable."

Donghuang Wu had initial Nirvana Spirit Stage cultivation. In terms of combat power, he was somewhat inferior to Mu Qin.

Fang Daoping immediately sent a disciple to Donghuang Wu's dwelling. However, the disciple soon reported back. Donghuang Wu was in the process of forging a dao weapon and was unable to leave for the time being.

This made Fang Daoping's expression darken. "They must have colluded in advance and are doing this deliberately. Do they not feel ashamed?"

Lin Xun didn't seem to mind much and smilingly said, "If they do have something important to attend to, it won’t matter much if they don’t accept the challenge. However, we can always continue trying if we want to find out if they did collude."

Fang Daoping asked, "Who's next?"

"Chi Linghe," Lin Xun reported a name.

Fang Daoping's pupils shrank. "His cultivation is at the mid Nirvana Spirit Stage, and he’s even more difficult to deal with than Mu Qin."

Lin Xun said, "Don't worry, Elder."

Fang Daoping pondered for a moment, then agreed.

Soon after, an Origin Clarity Pavilion disciple returned and said in a low voice, "Reporting to Deputy Pavilion Master Fang, Deacon Chi Linghe is in the midst of writing a dao scripture, which has greatly taxed him. He didn’t reject the challenge, but requested a year to recover first."

A clouded expression emerged between Fang Daoping's brows. "Having intermediate Nirvana Spirit Stage cultivation, yet avoiding a fight. What kind of example is he setting?!"

He realized that all of them must have collaborated in advance! Even while being an entire greater cultivation realm higher, they didn't intend to give Lin Xun the chance to even challenge them. In this way, he would be unable to take their positions.

Lin Xun's black eyes appeared cold and unreadable as he indifferently said, "Elder, we’ll continue to change targets. If no one from the Origin Sky Pavilion accepts, then we’ll go for the deacons of the Origin Emptiness Pavilion and the Origin Clarity Pavilion. In the end, I’ll show the entire Origin Sect how shameless these people are.”

Fang Daoping's eyes flickered in thought as he said, "There are a few perfect Nirvana Spirit Stage experts among them. Are you sure?"

Lin Xun answered, "Elder, if I use the Blade of Time, will I be able to sever their cultivation?"

Fang Daoping's expression turned strange. "It is possible if they are caught by surprise. However, the entire Origin Sect knows that you have defeated natural born Buddha Yu Fengzi of the Zen Sect with the Blade of Time. They will probably be on guard against it."

"It's fine, as long as they can be dealt with." Lin Xun thought to himself.

They can guard against the Blade of Time, but can they guard against the Gate of Exile?

After all, he had yet to reveal that taboo technique.

Fang Daoping muttered, “No way, that's too rash. It's better to choose the less problematic opponents first. If it does somehow end up that no one accepts, we can always revisit this again.”

Lin Xun nodded in agreement.

Soon after, Fang Daoping dispatched Origin Clarity Pavilion disciples to deliver the messages. Replies soon arrived one after another.

“Deacon Yun Poyue is in seclusion and cannot accept the challenge.”

“Deacon Gu Lin is concocting a pot of pills and can’t afford to be distracted...”

“Deacon Qi Qianqiu...”

Each challenge was rejected without surprise. Their reasons were practically the same and without any novelty.

In the end, except for those who had reached the perfect Nirvana Spirit Stage, all of the opposing camp deacons from the Origin Sky, Origin Emptiness, and Origin Clarity Pavilions had unanimously turned down the challenge.

Fang Daoping's face turned completely stormy. Although he already knew that they were colluding, it still made him furious.

Lin Xun thoughtfully said, "It seems that they intend to use every means to stop me, while also using this to create more opportunities for Yuan Changtian."

"Lin Xun, I believe this might be a conspiracy." Fang Daoping realized something and said, "At present, we now know that the mid Nirvana Spirit experts are avoiding battle. However, there are still several perfect Nirvana Spirit Stage powerhouses from the opposing side who have yet to be challenged. I suspect that they will immediately accept the moment you challenge them."

After a pause, he frostily said, "Because only then will they have enough confidence to defeat you! They’re likely prepared for your Blade of Time and have come up with some method to avoid it. If in a direct battle, how can your perfect Heavenly Longevity Stage strength be a match for opponents who have reached the perfect Nirvana Spirit Stage?"

Lin Xun also realized this, but he wasn’t worried. If the Blade of Time didn't work, there was still the Gate of Exile and the five dao bodies...

However, Fang Daoping objected when he tried to push through.

"It's too risky and isn’t worth it." Fang Daoping said, "If you want to become a deacon, you could opt to challenge deacons who aren’t on the opposing side."

Lin Xun smiled bitterly. "But if I do so, how will we suppress their arrogance?"

Fang Daoping asked back, "You won’t be able to kill the other party in the challenge anyways, is there a point in being stubborn?"

Lin Xun was silent for a moment. He sighed softly and said, "Alright then."

After some introspection, he realized he also didn't wish to expose all his cards in the challenge. It wasn’t worthwhile and he would also make it far too easy for his opponents to estimate the extent of his strength.

Lin Xun couldn't help but ask, “Elder, according to the rules of the sect, what will happen if they keep avoiding the challenge?”

Fang Daoping answered, “It's quite simple. If no one accepts the challenge within a month, the challenger can replace any of them!”

Lin Xun nodded. Soon after, something came to mind. “How did Yuan Changtian become an elder?”

Fang Daoping casually said, “Yuan Changtian has mid Nirvana Spirit Stage cultivation, heaven-defying foundations, and astonishing talent. Moreover, he revealed shocking strength when he defeated the perfect Nirvana Spirit Stage Elder Nie Qinghu. At the end of the day, he and Elder Nie Qinghu were only one lesser cultivation realm apart.”

Lin Xun immediately understood. If he were at the mid Nirvana Spirit Stage, defeating such an opponent would not be difficult.

Fang Daoping asked, “So, are you going to challenge the other deacons?”

Lin Xun shook his head. "I'm only interested in the positions occupied by my enemies."

An idea struck him at this moment and he said, "Elder, give me a month. I’ll come back and start the challenge again then."

"A month?" Fang Daoping was puzzled.

"Elder will know then." Lin Xun merely revealed a faint smile.

......

On that day, the news of Lin Xun's participation in the deacon assessment spread throughout the Origin Sect, causing a giant commotion.

"Not a single person from the three pavilions dared to accept Deputy Deacon Lin’s challenge. Aren't they being too timid?"

“That isn’t cowardice, but deliberately denying Deputy Deacon Lin any chances! The deacons who refuse to fight are clearly in cahoots and are doing this on purpose. That’s the most despicable part!”

“Those old codgers are colluding to block Deputy Deacon Lin's promotion. Moreover, they’re doing so with such a vile method.”

“Sigh, the situation in our Origin Sect has become quite delicate since the arrival of Divine Son Yuan Changtian...”

Everyone in the Origin Sect was discussing the matter. When they heard the news, big shots like Xuan Feiling and Dugu Yong frowned deeply. How could they not know that this was arranged by Fu Wenli and the others?

On the other hand, Fu Wenli and the others couldn't help but laugh when they heard the news, feeling pleased with the situation. It was the first time they had seen Lin Xun suffer since he entered the Origin Sect.

Their only regret was that he hadn’t challenged the perfect Nirvana Spirit Stage experts from their camp. Otherwise, there would definitely be a far more exciting show to watch!

“He returned yesterday, yet he is already seeking the deacon position? Could my arrival have provoked him?”

Yuan Changtian was also surprised by the news and couldn’t help but chuckle. The more anxious Lin Xun was, the more it proved that Yuan Changtian had become a huge threat that made him feel pressured! It was also the easiest to lose one’s composure in such circumstances!

"Lin Xun, I thought you were a worthy opponent, but your showing today has disappointed me..."

Yuan Changtian inwardly sighed.