The Prodigies War

The crowd’s faces were filled with shock, bewilderment, and other emotions.

The reason for this was simple: there were too many interesting points worth discussing regarding Lin Xun’s story.

Some were drawn by Lin Xun’s cultivation and battle accomplishments. They believed that his feat of taking first place in the southwest provincial exam at his young age and with the Human Dipper cultivation made him a peerless genius.

Others were drawn in by Lin Xun’s identity. Who could have imagined that he would be a direct descendent of Life Death Stage King Duke Daochen, whose name once shook the empire five hundred years ago?!

The majority, however, was more concerned about Lin Xun’s current predicament.

Although he was the only qualified successor to Mind Cleansing Peak, those who knew of the bloody incident more than ten years ago understood that Lin Xun’s situation was far worse than it looked.

Due to his identity, he was destined to fall into a storm of unfathomable danger!

On the street, Xiaoke frowned and said, “I wonder who spread this. It’s clearly been meticulously prepared. Otherwise, it would not have raised so much discussion.”

Anyone who witnessed the commotion today knew that after tonight, Lin Xun’s story would spread to the entire Forbidden City at an unimaginable speed.

When that happened, it would cause a huge commotion and draw the attention of many.

No one could tell whether this was good or bad for Lin Xun.

“Daily news from the central broadcast screen needs to first go past many layers of strict checking. If someone was trying to stir things up from behind the scenes, this information would not have been publicized in this manner.”

Intelligence surged in Spirit Vulture’s calm eyes as he said, “I suspect that this was voluntarily given by Lin Xun.”

Xiaoke was taken aback. “How can that be?”

Spirit Vulture chuckled. “Do you still remember the first day I met Lin Xun? He confidently guaranteed that he could let the entire Forbidden City hear of his name in less than a month.”

After a slight pause, he continued, “From tonight’s news report, it can be inferred that even if it wasn’t directly from Lin Xun, he definitely had a hand in it.”

A slight change occurred in Xiaoke’s eyes. “If that is true, wouldn’t it mean that Lin Xun still has more trump cards we don’t know about? After all, you mentioned that the daily news reports are strictly controlled. I doubt Lin Xun could have done this through his own capabilities.”

Spirit Vulture nodded. “Xiaoke, I should warn you that Lin Xun’s identity and background are complicated. He is not only a graduate of Blood Kill Camp but also seems to have some connection to Black Glory Sacred Hall.”

“It would be fine if that was all, but he is also the Lin Clan’s only rightful successor. The unfortunate incident that involved his parents and close relatives has yet to be properly investigated by anyone till today, which is already very unusual in itself.”

“What baffles me the most is the royal family’s attitude. Despite being abandoned for more than ten years, Mind Cleansing Peak has not been taken away by them. Don’t you find this strange? That’s one of the seventy-two aristocratic peaks and is not merely a cultivation paradise, but more importantly a symbol of status, influence, and power!”

At this point, Spirit Vulture looked Xiaoke in the eye and said, “Under these circumstances, even I do not dare to say whether it is good or bad to continue helping Lin Xun. You should… mentally prepare yourself.”

Xiaoke pondered in silence for a moment before nodding.

“Of course, this is merely my analysis. Lin Xun has too many secrets and what I’ve sensed might only be the tip of the iceberg. To be frank, I’m quite excited to work with such a mysterious, young chap.”

Spirit Vulture suddenly changed his tone with a slight smile. “He might bring me numerous, unimaginable surprises and maybe even…miracles.”

Xiaoke’s heart shook as her clear eyes lit up. “Lin Xun will definitely be happy if he knows you think so highly of him.”

Spirit Vulture let out a carefree chuckle and waved his hand. “Let’s go. It’s time to return.”

Xiaoke pushed the wheelchair, and the duo began their journey back as their figures soon disappeared from the bustling streets of the Forbidden City.

In front of an old building behind the news broadcast screen.

This was the Forbidden City’s news department that managed the news broadcast.

A gorgeous carriage pulled by four snow-white cloud water beasts was currently parked outside the building.

Before long, a beautiful figure walked out of the news broadcast station.

The dignified and graceful figure with outstanding looks was the newscaster lady who had been on the screen just moments ago.

When she appeared, the carriage curtains were pulled open, revealing Shi Yu’s handsome face.

The lady walked forward and coolly said, “I’ve done what you asked me to. I’ll be heading back if there’s nothing else.”

Shi Yu grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms. He kissed the lady’s glistening lips and grinned. “How can there be nothing else? I’ve prepared a wonderful evening to celebrate your work tonight.”

The lady’s originally cool and dignified expression suddenly turned mischievous and flirtatious as she seductively said, “Oh? How wonderful will it be?”

With a swish, Shi Yu pulled down the curtains, tenderly stared at the lady in his arms, and said in a low voice, “You’ll find out soon.”

He lowered his head again and kissed the lady.

The Stone Cauldron Alms’ Third Young Master was sighing inwardly as he did all this.

Lin Xun, ah, Lin Xun, I’ve even sold my body in order to help you. You’d better remember this debt!

Evidently, Shi Yu was the mastermind behind the news report about Lin Xun.

……

On that same night.

Chi Cangmei withdrew her gaze from the broadcast screen and fell into thought.

Lin Xun!

So he’s Mind Cleansing Peak Lin Clan’s sole rightful successor and his great-grandfather is the famous Life Death Stage King, Lin Daochen!

No wonder the clan forbade her from dispatching experts above the Spirit Dipper stage. Someone must have objected to doing so.

Those that objected were likely factions that had some relation to the Lin Clan!

Chi Cangmei was almost certain that it was due to Lin Daochen’s influence. After all, five hundred years ago, he was honestly far too famous. He had single-handedly saved the empire from a crisis and had once tussled with the Darkness Kingdom’s Life Death Kings on the battlefield.

Although he died in the end, he had successfully saved the empire from a great disaster!

Due to how much the empire owed Lin Daochen, anyone who dared to touch his descendants would encounter substantial resistance.

The Chi Clan’s operation had amply proved this. For example, they had not been allowed to send cultivators above the Spirit Dipper stage.

Another example was how Chi Cangfeng had been stopped by that elder from Black Glory Sacred Hall and was forced to serve a three-year confinement as punishment.

Chi Cangmei pondered for a long time before she suddenly said, “When we return, kill that useless trash Chi Ze.”

The servant at her side was taken aback but quickly nodded. He heard that Chi Ze had tried to forcibly take a woman and had his hands crippled by Lin Xun as a result. In fact, Chi Ze was still recovering from his injuries in the clan.

Although Chi Ze’s surname was Chi, he was ultimately not a true member of the clan and his life meant nothing to them.

Chi Cangmei added, “Warn all the clansmen with relations with Chi Ze that anyone who dares to try and avenge him by going after Lin Xun will bear the consequences!”

The servant immediately became a little flustered. He hesitated for a while before he asked, “Milady, are we being a little too cautious? Others might misunderstand that the Chi Clan is afraid of Lin Xun.”

Chi Cangmei indifferently said, “Just follow my instructions.”

She was doing this not out of fear, but because her father had already given her directions to stop targeting Lin Xun for the time being.

Chi Cangmei could roughly guess the reason. They wished to observe the internal battle between Lin Xun and the branch clans.

Regardless of the outcome, the Chi Clan would not carelessly step into such deep waters.

It wasn’t just the Chi Clan. Numerous noble factions in the Forbidden City also shared the same attitude.

However, Chi Cangmei had a feeling that the matter would not be so simple.

It felt like there was an even more terrifying power behind Lin Xun that deterred numerous factions, including the Chi Clan, from moving recklessly!

Of course, this was only a hypothesis. No matter what, there were too many mysterious things surrounding Lin Xun that only made Chi Cangmei grow increasingly interested in him.

Her failure in the previous operation had been tough to swallow, and she would not miss out on any future opportunities for revenge.

……

Castle of Darkness.

“Milady, the Heavenly Seer has been silent since Lin Xun entered the Forbidden City. This has deterred several factions, including the Chi Clan, from acting recklessly, and they’ve opted to watch and observe for now.”

“That’s normal. No one will dare to move before the situation is clear.”

“Speaking of which, I had not expected a bigwig from the royal family to secretly stand up for Lin Xun. I wonder who it is.”

“Continue looking into it.”

“Understood.”

“How is Lin Xun’s current situation?”

“It is not optimistic.”

“It’s no easy feat to rule over Mind Cleansing Peak. This might be an opportunity for him to temper himself.”

“I am also of the same opinion.”

“Right then, have you investigated the relationship between Lu Boya and the Lin Clan?”

“There are no results yet.”

“This matter is very important. Lu Boya is not from the empire, and his identity is a huge mystery. Despite this, he willingly saved Lin Xun and hid in the Violet Abyss Prison for so many years. There must be something more to it.”

“I will not neglect this matter.”

“Mm, you may leave.”

In the dark hall, the elder turned around and left to carry out the queen’s orders.

On the tall bone throne, the Dark Night Queen placed a hand on her chin and fell into thought.