Chapter 418 Active provocation

In front of the gate of the palace was a little lake.

An azure ox with violet horns was lying in the lake with its eyes closed while snoring loudly.

Every person slowed down as they passed the lake with a look of fear. They cautiously stepped into the palace, worried of disturbing the beast’s slumber.

Lin Xun’s pupils shrank as he neared the beast. Although the beast didn’t look particularly frightening, it exuded an unparalleled terrifying aura.

It was as though it would become a monster that could stir up a storm when it awakened!

Violet-horned azure rhino!

Lin Xun thought of the rumor that a legendary heaven-grade rune beast watched over the imperial palace. It was called the violet-horned azure rhino and possessed monstrous power. It belonged to the founding emperor and could suppress even Heaven Ascension cultivators!

However, Lin Xun never expected such a powerful rune beast would appear before him.

After a moment of astonishment, Lin Xun looked away and followed Bai Lingxi through the palace gate.

It was another different world.

The ancient buildings were laid out in an orderly fashion, and each one was magnificent and grand. The ground was paved with smooth white jade, and in the center of the area stood a sacrificial cauldron. There was one road specially for the emperor, and another that had been constructed for the court officials. Everywhere was oozing with the majesty of the imperial family.

The deeper they went in, the more splendid and sacred the surroundings and scenery. Many people were awed into silence.

As they passed a clear lake, a chorus of exclamations sounded.

Dazzling golden clouds rushed up from the lake, glowing a dreamy and golden hue under the morning sunlight.

It was a school of fish with golden scales. Each one was several feet long with whiskers hanging from the sides of their lips. Their crystal clear eyes sparkled and their bodies were haloed with golden light and mist, making them look particularly mysterious.

Golden wave dragon fish!

Many people’s eyes widened with astonishment. That’s an extremely rare species in the world, but they appeared in groups in the imperial palace!

“Look at the lakeside, there is a seven-colored sacred lotus flower in full bloom. The leaves are divided into yin and yang! That’s a rare aeth medicine!”

Soon, a colorful lotus flower by the lake caused another commotion. A refreshing, medicinal aroma pervaded the air.

“The palace is breathtakingly beautiful. The outside world can’t be compared to this place!” many people marveled.

The seven-colored sacred lotus flower, an extraordinary aeth medicine, drew envious looks from many great cultivators.

𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

“What do you know? This is just the tip of the iceberg. If you have the chance to take a look at the imperial garden, you will understand what a real treasure house is,” an influential figure in a beautiful and luxurious robe said indifferently. He often traveled in and out of the palace, so he was very familiar with the area.

Even Lin Xun couldn’t help but smack his lips. Every corner of the imperial palace is magnificent. Not only are there all sorts of rare treasures and rune creatures here, but the towering trees are also not ordinary.

“Everyone, it’s fine to take a look, but don’t touch them. Otherwise, you might bring trouble upon yourself,” someone reminded the group.

Immediately, many people snapped out of their astonishment, feeling a chill run down their spine.

The rare treasures were everywhere, but they belonged to the imperial family and not anyone could touch them.

Lin Xun and Bai Lingxi continued forward and soon arrived at a huge square. The central imperial palace was just in front.

The birthday banquet was held in the central imperial palace.

Before the birthday banquet began, guests were already gathered in the square.

The square was already arranged with tables and cushions for the guests to sit and rest.

Many of the gathered figures were high-ranking ministers, powerful nobles, and great cultivators with impressive foundations.

Of course, many descendants of noble families also came with the elders of their clan.

“Please excuse me, I’m going to say hello to a few friends first.”

Bai Lingxi and Lin Xun separated and headed in different directions. She walked towards a group of young men and women who were waving enthusiastically at her.

Lin Xun wandered around by himself. He didn’t know the majority of the guests, and he was too lazy to make small talk and make friends.

However, the exquisite bridges and beautiful statues and ornaments quickly attracted Lin Xun’s attention.

To his surprise, they were all inscribed with ancient rune patterns.

Lin Xun studied them for a long while, falling into contemplation. He could tell that the rune patterns on all the objects, including the bridges, stone statues, sculptures, and ornaments were not independent but connected.

Lin Xun speculated that a large-scale ancient rune array protected the square and even the central palace area!

Suddenly, he overheard a conversation that made him furrow his brows.

“Hey, hey, Lin Xun is in trouble now. He will no doubt suffer a calamity after angering the Marquis of Rising Sky!”

“That kid has been so arrogant. It’s time that someone teaches him a lesson. Otherwise, how can the Forbidden City tolerate him?”

“That kid has angered so many people. He will suffer one day.”

The rude criticisms and verbal attacks surprised Lin Xun a little. He lifted his eyes and noticed some men and women pointing at him.

Among them were Hua Wuyou and Hua Wuhen.

It turns out that I ran into some old friends.

The corners of his lips curled upwards in a sneer as he strode towards them. “Miss Hua and Young Master Hua, it’s been a while, but I see you two are still living a leisurely life.”

Hua Wuyou’s face suddenly darkened. She had almost died at Lin Xun’s hands in the Sky Martial Arena a few months ago. How would she not be enraged to hear Lin Xun’s sarcastic remark?

“What do you want?” Hua Wuyou asked coldly.

The nearby people looked displeased. Lin Xun is so arrogant. He deliberately went over there to humiliate people!

“What do I want?”

Lin Xun smiled. “I just want to ask when will we have another life-and-death showdown?”

“How dare you?!” Hua Wuhen fumed.

“The Marquis of Rising Sky just said I am not daring enough, but you said I’m too daring. Why don’t you come and see if I have guts or not?”

Lin Xun cast a contemptuous look over Hua Wuhen.

“Let’s go.”

Hua Wuyou grabbed Hua Wuhen and stormed away. She was afraid that she would lose her temper. The consequences would be serious if she lost control of her anger in the palace.

The others glared at Lin Xun and turned away.

“When did those guys become so cowardly?” Lin Xun stood in the same spot, looking disappointed.

In truth, he was disappointed. First, the Marquis of Rising Sky had provoked him and then Hua Wuyou and the others had criticized and mocked him. How could he remain calm?

Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of many people looking gloatingly at him. Among them, he noticed two acquaintances, Song Chonghe and Song Zhe from the Song Clan.

Is it a coincidence?

Not exactly. After all, Hua Wuyou and Song Chonghe were both descendants of aristocratic clans and had come to the palace with the elders of their clans.

Lin Xun stepped forward and said to Song Zhe with a smile, “Brother, do you remember what Shi Yu told you when you were in the Precious Laugher House? Your fiancée had an affair with your cousin. How can you still travel around with him?”

Those words felt like a direct slap to Song Zhe’s face. Not only did Song Zhe’s face darken but Song Chonghe’s face also turned livid.

“You…don’t go too far!” Song Zhe gritted his teeth.

“I’m just reminding you out of kindness, but you don’t appreciate it. Ah, what a pitiful man! Someone stole your wife, and you didn’t realize.” Lin Xun was smiling but his words were vicious.

Seeing that Song Zhe and Song Chonghe were about to go berserk, he turned around and left.

After the venting, his anger had subsided tremendously. But he still wasn’t satisfied. He glanced around, trying to spot some acquaintances.

His behavior made him seem very arrogant like he was looking to get revenge.

He was in the imperial palace, a forbidden area where even the powerful influential figures dared not create trouble, but he didn’t seem to care that it was a solemn place. Hua Wuyou, Song Zhe, and the others also didn’t dare to use violence even though they were itching to skin Lin Xun alive to curb his arrogance.

In truth, Lin Xun only acted arrogantly because he felt injustice that so many people were targeting him without even being provoked.

He believed the emperor and empress would take into account the fact that he had repaired the Sword of Apocalypse and not punish him for his behavior in the palace.

Of course, that wasn’t important.

The most important thing was that when he arrived at the central imperial palace, he realized a problem. He wondered whether the influential figure who said he could turn the Forbidden City upside down would also attend the banquet.

Lin Xun still remembered the Ancient Twisted Plum Blossom Sword that had suddenly emerged and stopped the battle between Third Old Zhu and Hua Qinglin in the Sky Martial Arena.

The Ancient Twisted Plum Blossom Sword was a powerful weapon of the imperial family and not even ordinary members of the imperial family could mobilize it.

After repeated considerations, Lin Xun wanted to cause a scene to see if he could force the influential figure to come out!

After scanning around, he noticed another acquaintance.

However, the acquaintance’s appearance on the square surprised Lin Xun. Why would she be here too?

Many people crowded around a graceful and slender figure in the distance.