Chapter 399 Straight to the Sky

Three days later.

Early in the morning, Yu Beidou, Cheng Jing, and Shen Tuo arrived at Mind Cleansing Peak and were warmly invited by Lin Xun into Mind Cleansing Hall.

After two hours of discussion, the three influential bigwigs were personally sent off by Lin Xun, all wearing smiles as they left.

On that same day, the Rune Master Association HQ, Divine Workshop, and Qinglu Academy announced a series of shocking news to the world.

The Rune Master Association HQ had specially recruited Lin Xun as a resident rune grandmaster. He would receive rune grandmaster level perks!

The Imperial Divine Workshop had specially recruited Lin Xun as a resident rune grandmaster, and he would enjoy the workshop’s highest tier of benefits!

Qinglu Academy’s Rune Department had specially recruited Lin Xun as an advanced instructor, and he would enjoy the academy’s first-class treatment!

These three pieces of news shook the entire Forbidden City and caused huge waves.

No one had expected that Lin Xun would simultaneously take up positions in these three superpower factions and even receive the highest level of treatment from them!

It was outrageous, to say the least.

After all, as titans in the field of runes, these three great factions were essentially competitors.

Despite this, Lin Xun was now formally affiliated with all three. It was an unprecedented honor that likely would not be surpassed by anyone in the future!

At the very least, Lin Xun was the only one in the Ziyao Empire at the moment who enjoyed this special treatment!

“I wonder what Lin Xun offered that made these three factions agree to recruit him together? It’s unimaginable.”

Numerous people found it inconceivable.

No matter how amazing Lin Xun was, he was still a young teenager. It was irrational for him to simultaneously take up positions in three rival factions.

“They must have come to some kind of agreement with Lin Xun. Why else would they have done so given their status, power, and influence?”

Some speculated that Lin Xun must have offered them some kind of deal. Otherwise, it would be impossible to receive such special treatment.

“No matter what it is, anyone who wishes to offend Lin Xun must first think about whether they can afford to offend the Rune Master Association HQ, Imperial Divine Workshop, and Qinglu Academy as well!”

Numerous people felt envious. Lin Xun’s rise was too rapid, and he was practically akin to a dazzling meteor streaking across the sky above the Forbidden City, catching everyone’s attention with his dazzlingness.

“Haha, I wonder what those three Lin Branch Clans will think once they hear the news?”

There would always be no lack of people who reveled in entertainment. Hence, they could not help but gloat at the three Lin Branch Clans after hearing the news.

Of course, there were also wildly jealous people. For example, there was a very experienced rune grandmaster who said, “Lin Xun is still too young. No matter how talented he is, it’s still only talent. He will make a joke of himself when he attempts rune grandmaster level runes for real!”

These words resonated with several rune masters who were already jealous of Lin Xun, causing all of them to also call his skills into question.

“In the path of runes, comprehension is ultimately only comprehension. At the end of the day, a rune master still has to prove their worth through their work. If a rune master is only able to understand the essence of runes but unable to create anything practical, isn’t that the same as being only an armchair strategist?”

“What’s the best way to prove a rune master’s ability? Their work! Only when Lin Xun creates something that shakes the world will he be able to convince everyone of his capabilities. Otherwise, he will just be a monkey wearing a hat and acting as a clown!”

“Preposterous! Letting a young rune grandmaster enjoy honor he has yet to earn is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. How can he convince anyone like that?”

These verbal attacks created quite a commotion. However, Lin Xun also had many supporters that quickly retorted against these arguments.

For a time, countless arguments erupted, creating quite a scene in the city.

This was the way of society. It was forever impossible for someone to only receive praise and not criticism.

For example, there was a young storyteller called Xiao Jinyu from a certain teashop in the city. Some complained that his stories were lousy and were a bad influence to society, but there were also others who liked his stories, praised them for being exciting, and would always support him.

This showed that it was simply impossible to please everyone.

Xiao Jinyu was ultimately still a young person who only loved to be praised and disliked criticism. Hence, whenever he received negative criticism, he would always feel sad and depressed…

……

The ruckus in the outside world did not affect Lin Xun.

After sending off Yu Beidou and the others, his body felt much lighter and his heart was filled with happiness.

The talks had gone very smoothly. All he had made were a few promises in exchange for surprising benefits.

Firstly, Yu Beidou had already agreed to transfer the Haze City Branch Manager, Chu Feng, to the HQ here in the Forbidden City.

This allowed Lin Xun to repay some of his debt to Chu Feng.

Next, Cheng Jing promised that he would take care of Old Mo, who was currently working in Divine Workshop, and would allow Lin Xun to take Old Mo away when the time was right.

With this promise, Lin Xun no longer needed to worry about Old Mo’s situation.

Shen Tuo also agreed to provide special perks to Lin Xun while he worked as an instructor in Qinglu Academy. He would be permitted to learn and practice the academy’s many inheritances.

In other words, although Lin Xun had not passed the national exam, an exception had been made for him to become a ‘student.’ He was allowed to cultivate in Qinglu Academy like the other students while also serving as a rune department instructor who had a higher status than the students.

How could Lin Xun not be satisfied by these successive gifts?

It must be known that the yearly salary Lin Xun received from these three factions totaled three million gold coins!

That was only his salary and did not include the many other benefits he would enjoy.

All of this was thanks to the nine draconic cries. After all, a young rune grandmaster like him was honestly too special, and there was no one else like him in the entire world.

Of course, Lin Xun also had to promise them some things.

For instance, he promised to craft a rune armament within a year to prove his true capability.

For example, besides completing his assigned duties, if the Rune Master Association HQ, Divine Workshop, or Qinglu Academy required any help from Lin Xun, he would cooperate to the best of his abilities.

For example, Lin Xun needed to first consider the three factions whenever he crafted any rune armaments in the future.

There were also a few other agreements that Lin Xun considered minor.

There was always some deal or payment behind any gains. Upon closer inspection, neither Lin Xun nor the three factions had lost out in their deals.

It could be said that it was a win-win situation.

Of course, whether or not this relationship could be maintained would depend on Lin Xun’s abilities.

“I genuinely want to see what else the West Creek, Cloud Weight, and Flying Peak Branch Clans can bring out to face me!”

With a deep breath, Lin Xun returned to his usual cool and collected expression.

……

“Young Master, this is Mind Cleansing Peak’s monthly financial statement.”

“Read it to me.”

“Our total revenue is 1.93 million gold coins. Our total expenditure is 770 thousand gold coins which leaves us with an income of 1.16 million gold coins.”

“Noted.”

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

“Young Master, Mister Spirit Vulture plans to use a sum of money to…”

“No need to get my permission on such matters. I’ll leave Mister Spirit Vulture to handle everything. Is there anything else?”

“Young Master, the North Light Lin Clan has already handed over all of their assets to Mind Cleansing Peak. In other words, we’ll also have to prepare resources to take care of them as well in the future.”

“That’s good news. Uncle Zhong, you shall handle this matter. Remember, do not neglect them, but you also cannot be too indulgent. You should be able to judge what is appropriate.”

“Young Master, there’s also…”

“Young Master…”

In Mind Cleansing Hall, Lin Zhong swiftly reported matters that needed a decision or approval from Lin Xun.

This gave Lin Xun a slight headache.

As Mind Cleansing Peak expanded and grew, there were more and more affairs to deal with, leaving Lin Xun with no free time.

This was even with help from Spirit Vulture, Xiaoke, Lin Zhong, Lin Xuefeng, and the others!

It was evident that Mind Cleansing Peak was growing too quickly, and he was quickly reaching his limits despite having help from Spirit Vulture and the others.

They needed to recruit more talented personnel as soon as possible!

Lin Xun urgently felt that they lacked manpower!

If things continued to develop at this pace, Lin Xun would not even have time to fulfill his duties at the Rune Master Association HQ, Divine Workshop, and Qinglu Academy, let alone cultivate.

Worst of all, Lin Xun’s cultivation had long reached the intermediate Spirit Sea stage, but he had yet to find any time to enter the Omega Secret-Realm to challenge the next trial.

It was as if he had a treasure mountain in front of him, but he could only look at it and did not have any time to climb or excavate it. There were no words to describe how powerless it felt.

Perhaps some greater power heard Lin Xun’s thoughts. On that same afternoon, Lin Xuefeng excitedly brought several middle-aged men over to see Lin Xun.

It turned out that these middle-aged men were Lin Xuefeng’s uncles. They had served in important positions in the North Light Lin Clan long ago and were strong and capable individuals.

They had been sent by North Light Lin Clan Head Lin Huaiyuan to work for Lin Xun.

Lin Xun was overjoyed and hurriedly tasked Lin Zhong to prepare accommodations for these uncles.

Lin Xun then went to find Spirit Vulture and instructed him to let them take over some responsibilities he currently had no time for.

Spirit Vulture naturally had no objections. However, he did display a strange look and smiled. “Lin Huaiyuan is truly a wise and farsighted person. He sent these people to assist you at exactly the right time. His sense of timing is just excellent.”

Lin Xun was taken aback. He thoughtfully said, “In that case, wouldn’t it be better if we could invite Uncle Huaiyuan to Mind Cleansing Peak?”

Spirit Vulture chuckled and shook his head. “Anyone else can come but him because it would be taboo if he came. Mind Cleansing Peak is currently filled with North Light Lin Clan disciples. If he came here to take on some responsibilities, it would be all too easy for his authority to clash with yours and create many misunderstandings and problems. Hence, I predict that your uncle will happily come only after your position is absolutely unshakable.”

Lin Xun’s eyes narrowed. In the end, he could not help but admit that Spirit Vulture’s analysis was spot-on. It was just impossible not to agree.