Chapter 2842 Undisguised Provocation

All the Earth Shamans present were led by Zu Wenheng. He was the Earth Shaman of the Martial Division within the Shaman Sect, a figure who had long reached the pinnacle of the Transcendence Stage. He also hailed from the Zu Clan, one of the Ten Immortal Giants of the Eighth Heaven Domain.

When he saw the crowd’s murderous intent surging at the mere mention of Lin Xun, he cleared his throat and said in a deep, commanding voice, “Don’t concern yourselves. Once the Immortal Dao Battle begins, that boy Lin Xun will undoubtedly die.”

Someone sneered from the crowd. “And if, by some miracle, he escapes the Ten Directions Demon Realm alive?”

Zu Wenheng’s eyes turned frosty. “Given the circumstances, if that happens, it would only prove that our Shaman Sect has become utterly incompetent!”

His words made several expressions shift.

Someone else laughed coldly. “Impossible. Given the conditions, even a Nirvana Spirit cultivator at the pinnacle would perish without a doubt, let alone someone at the initial stage like him.”

“That’s right,” someone added indifferently. “And this time, it isn’t only our Shaman Sect who wants Lin Xun dead.”

Suddenly, a thunderous voice boomed across the distance, “Report! The powerhouses from the Origin Sect are here!”

In an instant, all chatter ceased, and heads turned toward the sound. From afar, Fang Daoping and Yuan Xiliu could be seen leading the group, with Lin Xun and the other four Origin Sect participants following close behind.

Zu Wenheng stepped forward with a genial smile. “I am Zu Wenheng. Greetings to our friends from the Origin Sect!”

After brief formalities and polite exchanges, Lin Xun and the others were guided to the seats arranged on one side of the grand hall. The moment they sat down, they became the center of attention.

When the Shaman Sect members looked at Yuan Changtian, their eyes held a trace of restraint. They were clearly aware that he hailed from the Ninth Heaven Domain and possessed a special status. However, when their gazes shifted toward Lin Xun, Li Zhen, Cao Beidou, and Yun Tianming, that restraint vanished, replaced by open hostility and thinly veiled scrutiny.

This was especially obvious when they looked toward Lin Xun. Many of their stares brimmed with naked killing intent, cold and unrestrained.

That was the nature of Shaman Sect: they revered no heaven, feared no gods, and cared nothing for rules and decorum. Thus, when facing an enemy, they never bothered to hide their killing intent.

Lin Xun, however, remained unruffled. Though this was the Shaman Sect’s territory, he was here as one of the Origin Sect’s representatives. No matter how arrogant these Shaman Sect experts were, they wouldn’t dare cross the line.

Suddenly, Yuan Changtian’s voice reached Lin Xun through a voice transmission, “Brother Lin, look...that’s Cang Fufeng.”

Following his gaze, Lin Xun saw five figures seated on the opposite side of the hall. They were five representatives of the Shaman Sect for the Immortal Dao Battle. There were four men and one woman, and each radiated a powerful aura that distorted the air around them.

Cang Fufeng sat in the first seat on the left, clad in a black robe. His long gray hair cascaded down to his waist, his skin was pale as jade, and his handsome features carried a chill as sharp as a blade.

When he sensed Lin Xun’s gaze, he lifted his head slightly and his eyes blazed like flames, as though they could burn through the heavens. Had it been anyone else, their spirit would have faltered beneath that gaze. However, Lin Xun remained calm as ever.

A faint, unreadable smile tugged at the corner of Cang Fufeng’s lips before he finally withdrew his gaze.

Watching this, Yuan Changtian sent another voice transmission, “What do you think, Brother Lin? Are you confident in facing this divine son of the Cang Clan?”

Unmoved, Lin Xun replied evenly, “A formidable figure like him...only someone like Brother Yuan could possibly suppress him.”

Yuan Changtian was taken aback by his response, then chuckled softly and said no more.

Suddenly, the man seated beside Cang Fufeng rose from his chair and strode straight toward Lin Xun. He was dark-skinned and broad-shouldered, his frame thick and solid. Each step he took made the floor tremble, like a mountain shifting sidewards. His presence alone exuded a fierce, oppressive aura.

Huo Xiao!

He was one of the five experts chosen to represent the Shaman Sect in this Immortal Dao Battle. He was a perfect Nirvana Spirit Immortal and an elder of the Martial Division. As he approached, countless gazes were drawn toward him.

“You’re the one who defeated Xing Jun?” The man stopped before Lin Xun, looking down at him from above as he spoke.

“That’s correct.” Lin Xun lifted his wine gourd and took an unhurried sip.

Huo Xiao grinned, baring a row of gleaming white teeth. “The Immortal Dao Battle hasn’t even begun yet. How about a spar between us first? Don’t worry, I promise not to kill you.”

A low stir rippled through the hall. Cao Beidou and Yun Tianming exchanged glances, smug smiles flickering at the corners of their mouths. Before the battle had even begun, someone was already coming for Lin Xun. This was proof of how much hatred he had drawn.

In the distance, the higher-ranking figures of the Shaman Sect looked on with interest, amusement glinting in their eyes. None made the slightest move to intervene.

Yuan Changtian sat in silence, his gaze flickering thoughtfully. Yuan Xiliu merely lowered his eyes, indifferent. Fang Daoping, however, frowned slightly.

Lin Xun put aside the wine gourd, rose to his feet, and swept his gaze calmly around the hall. Finally, his lips curved in a faint smile as he looked at Huo Xiao. “Alright then, pick a place. I’ll make sure not to let you lose too badly. After all, this is your territory.”

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. No one had expected Lin Xun to agree so readily! Even Yuan Changtian, Cao Beidou, and Yun Tianming were momentarily stunned, unable to believe Lin Xun had accepted the challenge without hesitation.

Fang Daoping opened his mouth to speak, but seeing this, he could only smile wryly. Lin Xun had already agreed. If he tried to stop him now, it would only make the Origin Sect look cowardly.

Even Huo Xiao seemed taken aback for a moment before his grin returned. “Since you’re so eager, we can settle it right here, outside this hall.”

“Wait!” A cold voice rang out from afar. It was Zu Wenheng.

“Huo Xiao, no matter how eager you are to fight, at least give our guests from the Origin Sect some face. The Immortal Dao Battle is about to begin. If you wish to test his strength, then do it at the Ten Directions Demon Realm.”

Huo Xiao’s expression soured. “Lord, it won’t take long to deal with this guy...”

“Withdraw!” Zu Wenheng interrupted. “That’s an order.”

Huo Xiao’s jaw tightened. He jabbed a finger at Lin Xun and growled, “Just you wait!”

With that, he turned and stormed away.

“I agreed to fight, and you’re the one who backed down, then you tell me to wait?” Lin Xun sneered, shaking his head as he sat back down. The mockery in his tone and expression only darkened Huo Xiao’s face further. Murderous intent surged violently in his eyes.

Around them, several Shaman Sect members frowned as well, unable to understand why Zu Wenheng stopped Huo Xiao from giving Lin Xun the beating he deserved. Seeing this, Cao Beidou and Yun Tianming exchanged looks of disappointment. The Shaman Sect was infamous for its arrogance and recklessness, why would they back down now?

“Report! Experts from the Zen Sect have arrived!” A deep voice boomed from outside the hall like rolling thunder.

“Quick, go and receive them.” Zu Wenheng ordered.

Before long, in the distant heavens, auspicious clouds surged and Buddha’s light illuminated the sky. Sanskrit chants rolled through the air as solemn figures appeared amidst the radiance.

These were the experts from the Zen Sect Ancestral Court! At their head was Buddha Venerable Jiaye. Jiaye had appeared at the Origin Sect’s Nine Peaks Dao Contest, so Lin Xun was naturally familiar with him.

Behind Jiaye stood five figures: four monks and a man clad in blue. The four monks were Buddha Masters Ku Xuan, Ku Ji, Jue Wen, and Jue Zhen. The title of Buddha Master in the Zen Sect was equivalent to that of an elder in the three pavilions of the Origin Sect, or an elder in the three divisions of the Shaman Sect.

The man in blue was tall and slender, his long black hair tied up in a simple bun. His bearing was calm and elegant, his features handsome as jade. At his appearance, a ripple of commotion swept through the hall.

Wen Qiushui! He was the divine son of the Divine Wen Clan, his temperament as deep as a mountain and his heart as steady as stone.

Yuan Changtian and Cang Fufeng both took note of him. Wen Qiaoshui’s expression was calm, unruffled, without the faintest ripple of emotion. Neither could tell what thoughts lay behind that stillness.

After the Zen Sect experts arrived, they were seated beside the Origin Sect’s representatives. Whether by coincidence or deliberately, no one could say.

“Fellow Daoist Fang, it’s good to see you again.” Buddha Venerable Jiaye spoke with a serene smile.

Fang Daoping nodded in response, offering no further words.

“Little Friend Lin Xun, it’s good to see you too. Your bearing seems even finer than before.” Jiaye’s gaze shifted toward Lin Xun.

“You flatter me, Elder.” Lin Xun cupped his fists in greeting.

Jiaye smiled faintly and said to those around him, “Everyone, this is Lin Xun, successor of the Origin Sect. Back at the Nine Peaks Dao Contest, Yu Fengzi was defeated at his hands.” His tone was so casual that it revealed no trace of emotion.

“Greetings, Fellow Daoist.” Ku Xuan and the others saluted Lin Xun one after another.

There was a saying: one does not strike a smiling face, so Lin Xun naturally returned the gesture in kind. Only Wen Qiaoshui merely inclined his head in a slight nod.

The atmosphere subtly shifted. Anyone could tell that the Zen Sect experts were deliberately targeting Lin Xun, yet their composure remained serene and unshaken, and not a trace of emotion showed on their faces. Of course, no one was foolish enough to expose it.

Cao Beidou and Yun Tianming, who had been watching from the side, were certain of one thing: Once inside the Ten Directions Demon Realm, those serene monks of the Zen Sect would shed their calm smiles and reveal their true faces, striking like wrathful Bodhisattvas.

After all, Yu Fengzi, a disciple of the Zen Sect was killed by Lin Xun! That blood feud could never be undone!

Before long, another thunderous voice rang across heaven and earth,“Report! Experts from the Spirit Sect have arrived!”

In an instant, the gathered figures of the three ancestral courts fell silent, their conversations cut short as every gaze turned toward the distant horizon.

It wasn’t that the Spirit Sect Ancestral Court inspired fear. Instead, it was because among the five participants they had sent this time was a divine maiden from the Ninth Heaven Domain!

Lin Xun keenly noticed that even the ever-composed Yuan Changtian seemed stirred. In his eyes flickered both anticipation and a trace of unease.

A moment later, a dazzling divine rainbow split the sky. At its head was a familiar face, Spirit Venerable Qing Yun!

In the Spirit Sect, the title of Spirit Venerable was equal in rank to the deputy pavilion masters of the Origin Sect, the Buddha Venerables of the Zen Sect, and the Earth Shamans of the Shaman Sect.

Following behind Spirit Venerable Qing Yun were five figures: four men and one woman. However, as they drew near, every gaze in the hall converged upon the woman alone.

She was tall and slender, her figure graceful and perfectly proportioned. A loose, simple black gown draped elegantly over her frame. Her long, ink-black hair was gathered to the side and pinned with a turquoise hairpin, revealing a face of ethereal beauty.

Her beauty was like a solitary orchid blooming in a secluded valley, tranquil, transcendent, and beyond the world.

Ji Shanhai! She was renowned as peerless among all, pure and untouched in this world, and she was cherished as the precious pearl of the Divine Ji Clan. Even in the Ninth Heaven Domain, countless Eternal figures had heard her name!