Chapter 409 Ulterior Motives of Chu Shanhe

Almost instantaneously, Lin Xun’s words ‘It’s shameful to not get first place’ spread throughout the audience.

Many instructors’ and students’ gazes turned complicated as they looked at him. It had never crossed their minds that Class 9C, who was always ranked at the bottom, would achieve such splendid results. In addition, it astonished them that Lin Xun would still be unsatisfied with their results.

Shameful?

That’s…

That’s a huge blow to the students!

Even Shen Tuo smiled wryly. Lin Xun…I don’t know if I should call him arrogant or ambitious.

“Hahaha, it’s so lively here. Did something big happen here?”

Amid the uproar, a dull, thunder-like voice rang from the hall on the first floor of the Refinement Tower.

Then, a group of people stepped through the door of the examination hall.

An old man with perfectly combed hair and beard headed the group. Dressed in a purple robe adorned with gold details, he exuded a superior and lofty bearing.

Immediately, the commotion ceased, and the hall fell utterly silent. Everyone recognized that the old man was the deputy head of the Rune Department, a renowned intermediate rune grandmaster—Chu Shanhe!

Chu Shanhe had a high and mighty status within the Rune Department, and he was second only to the department head and a few others. He could be said to wield monstrous authority.

He was also a powerful elder of the Chu Clan, one of the three major rune master families in the empire!

“Paying our respects to Deputy Head Chu.”

Shen Tuo and the others stepped forward, greeted him with a smile, and informed him of the assessment results.

Chu Shanhe couldn’t help but marvel, “No wonder it’s so lively here. It is indeed amazing that Class 9C has achieved such a result.”

Liu Hui, Fan Zhiqiu, Yang Jingyao and other Class 9C students all flushed with pride.

“Deputy Head Chu, Little Instructor Lin played a huge role in helping us achieve such a result!”

Liu Hui grinned. “Oh, Little Instructor Lin?”

With a smile on his face, Chu Shanhe locked his eyes on Lin Xun and said, “Many days ago, I heard that Little Instructor Lin’s teaching approach is amazing and unique. It is indeed true.”

“Thank you, you flatter me,” Lin Xun responded calmly.

Chu Shanhe’s appearance made Lin Xun think of Chu Haidong. He cast his mind back to the battle about who was the stupid idiot and how Chu Haidong had spewed out blood in fury.

In the end, everyone in the Forbidden City knew that Chu Haidong had deservedly become the stupid idiot after being utterly crushed by the cries of the nine dragons.

The incident had become a laughing matter for the people in the Forbidden City.

After the incident, Lin Xun had undoubtedly displeased and angered the Chu Family. Knowing that, Lin Xun was subconsciously wary of Chu Shanhe.

This is just an assessment for initiate rune masters from building C. It’s not a grand event, yet he showed up here. This is very unusual.

“Little Instructor Lin, you’re too modest. To be honest, I’m also very curious about your mastery in the art of runes.”

Chu Shanhe said with a smile, “After all, in only one month you were able to improve the grades of Class 9C from the bottom of the ranking to fifth place. This isn’t something that any instructor can do.”

His remark drew agreement from everyone.

Indeed, until now, all the instructors and students only knew that Lin Xun had invoked the cries of the nine dragons, causing a sensation in the Forbidden City and becoming a genius young rune grandmaster.

However, no one knew about Lin Xun’s rune skill level.

Although Chu Shanhe seemed to be complimenting Lin Xun, it only increased Lin Xun’s vigilance towards him.

He has to be up to something.

I have angered the Chu Family. Why would Chu Shanhe be so forgiving and generous to praise me, their enemy?

It’s impossible.

As expected, Chu Shanhe’s following words confirmed Lin Xun’s speculation.

He smiled. “I have a suggestion. Little Instructor Lin, why don’t you take this opportunity to show us your exquisite rune skills, so that I and the other instructors and students can learn from your unparalleled ability?”

”Wonderful idea! Deputy Head Chu’s request is exactly what we wanted to ask!”

“Yes, we have all been wanting to have a taste of Little Instructor Lin’s skills, but unfortunately, we never had the chance. It would be great if you can fulfill our wish.”

”Little Instructor Lin, please show us your skills.”

“Little Instructor Lin…”

Chu Shanhe’s words sparked enthusiastic responses from everyone. Not only the students, but even some of the instructors had also spoken out in excitement.

Only Shen Tuo and a few others realized that something was wrong. A worried frown creased their brows as their gazes hovered between Chu Shanhe and Lin Xun.

They remembered the grudge between Lin Xun and the Chu Family.

They were certain that the motive behind Chu Shanhe’s request wasn’t that simple and pure!

All eyes gazed at Lin Xun. It was as though he would disappoint everyone if he didn’t agree.

Lin Xun remained quiet.

The originally buzzing atmosphere turned strange because of his silence.

“Little Instructor Lin…” said a student from Class 9C.

Before he finished his sentence, Liu Hui interrupted with a glare. “Shut your mouth, how can you intervene in Little Instructor Lin’s affairs?”

It was obvious that Liu Hui had keenly sensed that something was wrong.

“What’s the matter? Why does Little Instructor Lin look so troubled?” Chu Shanhe asked patiently with a smile.

Lin Xun smiled and no longer kept quiet. He directly looked at Chu Shanhe and said, “Since Deputy Head Chu enthusiastically requested so, I would be rude to refuse.”

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

As though Chu Shanhe had been waiting for Lin Xun to say that, he laughed heartily. “I knew Little Instructor Lin wouldn’t disappoint us.”

He turned to the gray-robed middle-aged man beside him. “Help Little Instructor Lin arrange a tool refining task that he can fully display his skills with.”

The middle-aged man immediately replied, “Little Instructor Lin is a certified rune grandmaster. There happens to be a tool refining task on the fifth floor of the Refinement Tower that should satisfy Little Instructor Lin’s skills.”

Chu Shanhe nodded with a smile. “Well then, it’s decided.”

The matter was settled within seconds, and Lin Xun hadn’t been consulted at all.

This was clearly pre-planned!

Shen Tuo’s heart sank. He was convinced that Chu Shanhe deliberately came to target Lin Xun.

Besides Shen Tuo, other instructors and students also noticed the change in atmosphere.

“The fifth floor of the Refinement Tower? That’s specially reserved for intermediate rune grandmasters, and the tool refining tasks are all prepared for that level. Deputy Head Chu, isn’t this arrangement a little inappropriate?” an instructor asked aloud.

Chu Shanhe’s face darkened. “You are underestimating Little Instructor Lin. He is the most outstanding rune grandmaster of the younger generation. He even invoked the phenomenon cries of the nine dragons and stirred the Forbidden City. How would a talented person like him not be allowed to enter the fifth floor of the Refinement Tower?” he said vehemently.

He appeared to be standing up for Lin Xun, and it moved many instructors and students.

Yes, Little Instructor Lin isn’t an ordinary rune grandmaster!

Lin Xun’s eyes flashed with coldness. The more Chu Shanhe explained, the more it proved that his arrangement was full of malice!

“Let’s go. Let’s all head to the fifth floor of the Refinement Tower so we can all take this opportunity to have a taste of Little Instructor Lin’s remarkable ability.”

As though afraid that Lin Xun would go back on his words, Chu Shanhe hurriedly urged everyone out of the hall.

“When we get there, if you feel that the situation is not right, just refuse it,” Shen Tuo reminded Lin Xun as he walked past. He could tell that Chu Shanhe had an ulterior motive.

Lin Xun smiled and didn’t say anything.

……

The fifth level of the Refinement Tower was huge like a grand square in the center of the tower.

Rune arrays covered every inch of the tower and filled the entire tower with a terrifying aura.

Only intermediate rune grandmasters or people above that level in the rune department were able to step onto the fifth floor.

Therefore, it was many instructors’ and students’ first time on the fifth floor.

As soon as they entered the hall, they were overwhelmed with shock. The ground, walls, stone pillars, and even the decorations were all shrouded in terrifyingly mysterious and sacred rune arrays.

Lin Xun narrowed his eyes. There are at least one hundred terrifying large-scale rune arrays. Even Heaven Ascension cultivators would be killed if they broke in here!

Does Chu Shanhe want to kill me here?

Suddenly, a strange thought came to Lin Xun’s mind. He shook his head. That would never happen unless Chu Shanhe has gone crazy.

“That—?”

“What terrifying sword bearing!”

“A rune armament?”

“Nine violet glory flowers are engraved on it, suppressing the ridge of the sword. The hilt is wrapped in golden scales. It seems...it seems to be the Sword of Apocalypse!”

A commotion broke out. Lin Xun peered ahead and saw a three-foot sword inserted into the center of the hall, radiating an indescribably grand, ancient, and majestic aura.

It didn’t look like a sword. Instead, it resembled an invincible king who had been standing there since the beginning of time and looking over the world with contempt!

The instructors and students were all staring intently at this sword, their faces filled with excitement, astonishment, and awe.

Four elders were studying the sword at the side. They all looked taken aback and visibly displeased to see Chu Shanhe arrive with so many people.

“Chu Shanhe, how can you bring anyone to such a sacred and important place?” one of the old men asked Chu Shanhe in a reprimanding tone.