Chapter 2890 Repaying Kindness

The next morning.

The Ninth Peak.

“That’s...the essence of a ninth grade Heaven Rank law. It’s priceless. You should keep it for yourself.”

Peak Master Qin Wuyu could not believe his eyes. Lin Xun had appeared early in the morning, presenting him with a ninth grade Heaven Rank law as though it was nothing more than a casual gift.

“Peak Master, I gained plenty during my time in the Ten Directions Demon Realm,” Lin Xun said with a faint smile. “I’m not short of treasures like this. Please accept it.”

Before Qin Wuyu could even respond, Lin Xun pressed a bronze box into his arms and turned to leave. “Peak Master, I still need to visit Elder Xiao Wenyuan. I’ll take my leave.”

By the time Qin Wuyu collected himself, Lin Xun had already disappeared. He looked down at the bronze box in his hands, emotions surging in his chest, a warmth spreading quietly through his heart.

This kid...Lin Xun is truly a man of loyalty.

The Origin Clarity Pavilion.

Xiao Wenyuan stared at the treasure before him, speechless for a long moment before he could even believe what he was seeing.

He’s...giving me a ninth grade Heaven Rank law?

After a brief silence, he sighed softly, “Lin Xun, you’re now an elder of the Origin Sky Pavilion, and your achievements in the Immortal Dao Battle have earned you great honor and the sect’s highest regard. I’ll be frank...even if you hadn’t brought me this treasure, when the day comes that you vie for the seat of pavilion master of the Origin Clarity Pavilion, I would still give you my full support.”

Lin Xun smiled. “Elder, this is just a token of gratitude. Whether or not you choose to support me in the future, today I just wish to repay a debt of kindness.”

“Repay me?”

“Yes.” Lin Xun nodded firmly.

He would never forget how Xiao Wenyuan and Li Zhen had stood by him when he first joined the Origin Sect. He would never forget how, in the years that followed, they never once wavered in their support, no matter the storm. That was true kindness!

“Very well, then I’ll accept it.” Xiao Wenyuan said softly, receiving the bronze box with both hands. As he gazed at the young man before him, a deep emotion welled in his heart.

By now, Lin Xun stood as his equal, and in terms of influence and prestige within the sect, Xiao Wenyuan could no longer compare. Despite that, Lin Xun still remembered the kindness of the past, and now repaid it with sincerity. That, more than any priceless treasure, moved Xiao Wenyuan beyond words.

After taking his leave from Xiao Wenyuan, Lin Xun went on to visit the other peak masters: Yu Xiangting of the Fifth Peak, Wen Dongmian of the Sixth Peak, Tian Wucuo of the Seventh Peak, and Cang Chongxue of the Eighth.

To each, he gifted the essence of a ninth grade Heaven Rank law.

The four peak masters were caught between astonishment and disbelief. To them, this gesture felt almost overwhelming. When Lin Xun had first joined the Origin Sect, they had maintained a strictly neutral stance. It was only in recent years that their view of him had changed, and they had begun to quietly support some of his actions.

Never in their wildest thoughts had they imagined that Lin Xun would personally come bearing such priceless treasures. They were taken completely by surprise. Gratitude and quiet emotion welled within their chest.

At the very least, this proved that they had not misjudged him. The young man from Fangchun Mountain truly embodied qualities that commanded respect. One day, when he became the pavilion master of the Origin Clarity Pavilion, none would doubt his right to that seat!

Lin Xun then went to find Tao Leng.

“Deacon Tao Leng pays his respect to Elder Lin.” Tao Leng bowed deeply, his expression solemn.

Lin Xun frowned. “Come now, Old Tao, do we really need to be so formal?”

Tao Leng’s lips curled into a grin. “According to the sect’s rules, Elder Lin’s rank stands above mine, and even above the nine peak masters. How could I not show respect?”

Lin Xun chuckled. “I never thought a cold and rigid man like you could actually joke around.”

As he spoke, he took out a bronze box he had long prepared and pressed it into Tao Leng’s hands. “Old Tao, please accept this. If you dare refuse, that would truly be disrespecting me, Lin Xun.”

Of everyone in the sect, Tao Leng was the one Lin Xun shared the deepest bond with. Over the years, Tao Leng had helped him a lot and stood by him in many crucial moments.

Tao Leng chuckled as he accepted the bronze box. “Let me see what you’ve brought this time. I’ll tell you first...ordinary gifts can’t buy my loyalty...Huh? This is...”

He froze mid-sentence. As the bronze lid lifted, the treasure’s radiance spilled out, reflecting in his widened eyes. For a long moment, he simply stood there, utterly dumbfounded.

“Well?” Lin Xun teased. “Have I managed to buy you off yet?”

Tao Leng muttered in disbelief, “Is my loyalty really worth a ninth grade Heaven Rank law?”

He was shaken to his core.

A treasure like this could establish a top-tier Immortal Imperial Clan, and with enough years, it could even rival the Ten Immortal Giants of the Eighth Heaven Domain. Its worth was so staggering that even those immortal giants would lose their minds over it.

Despite all that, Lin Xun was giving it to him!

Tao Leng drew a deep breath, trying to steady the storm of disbelief surging inside him.

Lin Xun laughed, clapped him on the shoulder and said with a grin, “Remember, I’ve already bought you.”

With that, he turned and left without another word.

It took a long while before Tao Leng came back to his senses. He murmured, “Forget buying me. Even if I sold my life for him, it still wouldn’t be worth a ninth grade Heaven Rank law...”

When Lin Xun returned to his abode, only two strands of ninth grade Heaven Rank laws remained among his spoils. After some thought, he handed both to Wushuang.

Wushuang was overjoyed, her big eyes sparkling with excitement. She thumped her chest proudly and said, “Master, Shuang’er can now recover at least eighty percent of my peak strength!”

“Eighty percent?” Lin Xun raised a brow in surprise

Over the years, Wushuang had refined countless Earth and Heaven Rank laws, and in the Ten Directions Demon Realm, she had even refined a ninth grade Heaven Rank law.

Even with two more ninth grade Heaven Rank laws, she could only regain eighty percent of her power? Just what kind of terrifying law was she at her full strength?

Wushuang blinked her wide, glimmering eyes and said carefully, “Master, if Shuang’er is allowed to refine the Violet Green Gourds as well, I promise I can return to my peak.”

“Keep dreaming.” Lin Xun gave her an exasperated look.

Wushuang giggled, clearly expecting that response. To her, gaining two more ninth grade Heaven Rank laws was already a gift beyond dreams.

Next, Lin Xun began to consider his next move and how to eradicate his enemies within the Origin Sect in a single, decisive strike!

If he followed the rules, progress would be painfully slow and it would be a waste of precious time. Also, he would never be able to strike down all his enemies at once. Besides, although his current status was lofty, he was still below the nine deputy pavilion masters.

Given such circumstances, following the rules would make it almost impossible to remove deputy pavilion masters like Fu Wenli, Qi Xiaoyun, Chi Wen, and Tang Qiu. However, if he dared to break the rules, he would stir outrage and opposition throughout the Origin Sect.

After all, to every cultivator in the Origin Sect, the rules stood above everything. Years ago, even though Fu Wenli and his allies had wanted him dead, they had been constrained by the sect’s rules and dared not act.

Now, Lin Xun was bound by the same restraint. So, he had to find another way!

......

Yuan Changtian sat in silence within his abode, his expression dark and unreadable. Lin Xun’s safe return was, without doubt, a blow he hadn’t anticipated. Worse still, everyone in the Origin Sect had begun to reject and resent him.

Everywhere he went, he was met with looks of discontent and hatred, and the whispers that followed were dripping with scorn. It was as if he had become a rat crossing the street, reviled and hunted by all!

“Young Master.” Yuan Xiliu entered quietly, his expression grim.

“Did you find out how Lin Xun came back alive?” Yuan Changtian asked.

Yuan Xiliu’s eyes flickered darkly. “According to the message from the clan, Old Ancestor Xukun’s Will Dharma Form was destroyed by a being of equal rank. The one who did it wasn’t an elder of the Origin Sect, but instead Kong Jue, the close friend of the Lord of Fangchun Mountain and martial uncle to the successors of Fangchun Mountain.”

Although Kong Jue destroyed Yuan Xukun’s Will Dharma Form, he failed to stop the Great Spiritfall Sword from escaping. It was through that sword that the Yuan Clan discovered what truly happened in that battle.

“Kong Jue?” Yuan Changtian’s eyes narrowed. “He’s also stepped into the Eternal Stage?”

“Correct.” Yuan Xiliu replied, and began to recount what he knew. “Before attaining the eternal dao, Kong Jue’s mastery of the immortal path was already unparalleled. His strength was so overwhelming that even the giants of the Eighth Heaven Domain feared him. But later, his state of mind collapsed, and he fell into madness. Even his cultivation dissipated. For many years since, he was forgotten by all.”

Yuan Xiliu’s tone then grew solemn. “Who could have imagined that he has now stepped into eternity?!”

Yuan Changtian fell silent, his face turning ashen.

So that was the variable...If not for Kong Jue’s interference, Lin Xun would never have made it back alive.

“Where is Kong Jue now?” he asked after a moment.

“No one knows.” Yuan Xiliu said, shaking his head. “Once one steps into eternity, one stands above all heavens. How could such beings’ whereabouts be traced by ordinary means?”

𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

“What now...” Yuan Changtian frowned deeply. “The situation couldn’t be worse. Those old dogs in the Origin Sect can’t wait to see me dead. How am I supposed to contend for the pavilion master’s seat of the Origin Clarity Pavilion now?”

Yuan Xiliu lowered his voice. “Young Master, the clan has sent word. You must remain here for now...no matter what happens.”

Yuan Changtian’s brow furrowed. “Why?”

Yuan Xiliu spoke gravely, “The clan wants us to secure the Divine Rank law at any cost. You are to seize it and if you succeed, it will count as a supreme merit and the mantle of young patriarch will pass to you immediately!”

Yuan Changtian’s lips curved into a cold sneer. “A Divine Rank law is worth far more than the title of young patriarch. Besides, Lin Xun is now hiding within the Origin Sect, under the protection of those old monsters. Who would dare lay a hand on him?”

Yuan Xiliu said solemnly, “Young Master, this is a death order from the clan. It cannot be defied.”

Yuan Changtian’s eyes narrowed, and he said nothing.

Yuan Xiliu continued, “Rest assured, Young Master. The clan will mobilize all its power to assist you. For instance, here in the Origin Sect, old fellows like Fu Wenli and Qi Xiaoyun will heed your every command. In other words, there’s no need for you to act in person. You simply give the order, and they’ll take care of it for you.”

A sharp gleam flashed through Yuan Changtian’s eyes. “Fine, but tell the clan that once the matter is done, I want to return at once to claim the authority that rightfully belongs to the young patriarch!”

Yuan Xiliu’s lips curved faintly. “Understood.”