The City Lord’s Mansion would not take risks by using underhanded methods, leading to the current situation.
Originally, although the Lin family had Lin Qiyuan, the number one expert of Qingyu City, he rarely showed himself. The other factions could still contend with the Lin family, maintaining a balance. In the short term, it was manageable. But now, because of Lin Xuan, that balance had been broken. The scales began to tip in the Lin family’s favor.
The high-ranking members of the three major factions couldn’t help but glance at Lin Xuan, sighing inwardly. They were utterly helpless against this. Lin Xuan’s talent had been displayed before everyone’s eyes. After entering Flowing Cloud Sect, he would likely soar to heights far beyond what any faction in Qingyu City could match. They could only lament their bad luck, not daring to direct their anger at Lin Xuan. At the same time, they were quietly pondering their retreat. The Lin family’s rise in power and influence was unstoppable. With Lin Xuan, a prodigious genius, in their ranks, the other factions would have to find another path if they wanted to avoid being swallowed up.
On the Lin family’s side, cheers erupted, filled with excitement. After today, the Lin family’s prestige would surge dramatically. Dominating Qingyu City was within reach. Naturally, they were overjoyed.
In the stands, Lin Xuan wore a smile. He didn’t care much about the situation in Qingyu City. Still, seeing so many energy points earned made him quite pleased.
On the platform, Zhao Quxin continued in a clear voice: “The competition is over. Zhang He is removed from the top ten, and the eleventh-place contestant takes his place. Now, the top ten, come up to the platform!”
As the words fell, Lin Xuan, Lin Shiyun, Chen Yu, and the other top ten stood up and walked toward the platform. A glint of joy flashed in Lin Xuan’s eyes. The opportunity had come.
Soon, the ten of them reached the platform. Lin Xuan’s gaze swept over them.
Swish!
“Name: Zhao Quxin.” “Cultivation: Condensing Vortex Realm, Third Layer.” “Talents: Supreme Cultivation Talent, Mid-Grade Strength Talent, Mid-Grade Speed Talent, Low-Grade Sharp Metal Attribute Talent, Low-Grade Gale Attribute Talent, Inferior Blade Dao Talent.” “Martial Arts: Wind Origin Art (Fifth-Grade Mid-Rank, Minor Mastery), Wind-Splitting Blade Technique (Fifth-Grade Mid-Rank, Minor Mastery), Mountain-Splitting Fist (Fifth-Grade Low-Rank, Grand Mastery), Barbaric Elephant Art (Fifth-Grade Mid-Rank, Minor Mastery), Phantom Step (Fifth-Grade Low-Rank, Grand Mastery)...” “Carried Treasures: None.”
Lin Xuan stared at Zhao Quxin’s attribute panel, his eyes flickering with light. As expected of an envoy from the sect, this attribute panel was impressive, even surpassing Lin Qiyuan’s by a bit.
Immediately, Lin Xuan focused his mind.
“Ding, consumed 10,000 energy points, replication successful. Obtained [Supreme Cultivation Talent].” “Ding, consumed 3,000 energy points, replication successful. Obtained [Mid-Grade Speed Talent].” “...”
With Lin Qiyuan’s many fifth-grade martial arts already in his possession, he still couldn’t fully unleash their true power, so there was no need to replicate more. Over these past days, he had also come to appreciate the importance of talents, so he copied all of Zhao Quxin’s talents. He would use them once he returned.
All of this happened in an instant, unnoticed by anyone.
Zhao Quxin scanned the top ten, paying extra attention to Lin Xuan with a smile, and said: “Congratulations on earning the qualification to go to Flowing Cloud Sect. These are the Flowing Cloud Tokens. Tomorrow morning, before eight o’clock, bring your tokens and wait for me outside the City Lord’s Mansion. I’ll take you to Flowing Cloud Sect.”
With that, he waved his hand, and ten black tokens flew precisely into the hands of Lin Xuan and the others. Lin Xuan examined the token in his hand. It was made of some unknown material, with a metallic feel, and his name was engraved on the back.
Then, Zhao Quxin turned to Zhang Wenyong beside him: “City Lord Zhang, distribute the rewards.”
“Yes, Envoy.” Zhang Wenyong bowed respectfully, a bitter smile on his face. Two members of the Zhang family had made it into the top ten, but the most talented one, Zhang He, had been kicked out, and the Zhang family had been severely punished. Yet he had to personally hand out the rewards—how ironic.
“First place in the competition, Lin Xuan, reward: one Condensing Qi Pill.” With that, he handed a jade bottle to Lin Xuan.
“Second place, Chen Yu...”
After Zhao Quxin’s harsh punishment of the Zhang family and Zhang He earlier, the crowd felt little stir over the reward distribution. Soon, the top ten’s rewards were smoothly handed out. Zhao Quxin then told Lin Xuan and the others to return to the stands and declared the competition over.
Amid a mix of sighs and reflections, everyone dispersed. Too many unexpected events had occurred during today’s competition. Their emotions were complicated.
Soon, they returned to the Lin family estate and went their separate ways.
“Lin Xuan-ge, this is our last day in Qingyu City. Let’s go out and have some fun, okay?” Lin Shiyun’s sparkling, watery eyes shimmered as she coaxed Lin Xuan.
“Sure.” Lin Xuan ruffled Lin Shiyun’s hair, his face full of smiles as he nodded. He rarely refused Lin Shiyun’s requests.
Afterward, the two left the Lin family estate and roamed around Qingyu City, enjoying themselves.
As the competition ended and the high-ranking members of the major factions and spectators departed, everything that had happened spread through Qingyu City like a gale. The city was shaken once again. In particular, the fact that Zhang He had used underhanded methods to reach the late stage of the Aperture Opening Realm but was still sent flying with a single punch by Lin Xuan stunned everyone with Lin Xuan’s terrifying talent. Lin Xuan’s reputation in Qingyu City rose to another level, even surpassing City Lord Zhang Wenyong’s by a notch.
Similarly, news of the Zhang family’s severe punishment spread, and all factions knew that the Lin family’s rise was unstoppable. Many smaller and larger forces began secretly contacting and currying favor with the Lin family, ignoring the City Lord’s Mansion.
Lin Xuan and Lin Shiyun wandered around Qingyu City, playing until the sun set and night fell before heading back.
That evening.
In the bedroom of the chief’s courtyard.
Lin Xuan and Lin Shiyun sat by the bed, with Lin Shiyun nestled in Lin Xuan’s arms.
“Yun’er, it’s so late. Won’t your father worry if you don’t go back?” Lin Xuan said softly. Though he wanted to spend more time with her, this was still an ancient feudal society, and they weren’t married yet. A young woman like Lin Shiyun staying at a man’s home at night probably wasn’t appropriate.
“Lin Xuan-ge, I’m not going back tonight. Let’s sleep together, okay?” As she spoke, Lin Shiyun’s face flushed red, and she shyly pushed Lin Xuan down. The bed curtains on both sides fell automatically, concealing the scene within.
With the lady taking the initiative, Lin Xuan naturally wouldn’t refuse. Before long, a cry of pain rang out.
A wonderful night passed quickly.
Morning.
A ray of sunlight streamed in through the window.
Lin Xuan got up and dressed. Gazing at the bloodstain on the bed, his eyes softened into infinite tenderness. He stored the bedsheet in his personal space.
“Hmm? Where’s Yun’er?” Lin Xuan murmured as he stepped out of the bedroom. In the courtyard, he saw a tall figure seated there.