Chapter 789: Greed
During their clan training at Ziniu Mountain, Lin Xun made fun of their group because they had refused to apologize, causing them to nearly vomit blood from anger and frustration.
In the end, they relented because Yue Jianming had acknowledged Lin Xun. How could they possibly dare to take revenge under such circumstances?
Mo Feng never expected that he would run into Lin Xun again in the Flame Capital.
The old man next to him asked, "You recognize him?"
He wore a blue robe, his hair was coiled in a bun, and his skin glowed like an infant’s, making him resemble an immortal from legend.
His name was Han Yanque. He was an Advanced Cyclic Derivation Stage elder from the Spirit Pearl Sect and Mo Feng's mentor.
"Yes.” Mo Feng nodded.
After some thought, he bitterly said, "Master, in the Grand Sect Competition several days ago, it was his disturbance during the training that caused our Spirit Pearl Sect to be ranked last."
Shame flooded Mo Feng's heart as he said, "Frankly speaking, we were the ones who made a mistake and unintentionally offended him, which resulted in the later incident."
"So it was because of his interference. That makes sense."
There was a strange look in Han Yanque’s expression and something indescribable in his voice.
It stunned Mo Feng. He had originally thought that Han Yanque would either reprimand him or be angered and did not expect such a response instead.
The most shocking part was that Han Yanque then patted his shoulder and comforted him in a gentle voice, "It isn’t a shame to lose to him. His combat capability is extremely savage, and it is quite fortunate that he left you guys alive."
Mo Feng was at a loss. What was going on? Since when was his stern master so easy to talk to?
In fact, he could not even recall a single time his master had consoled him before!
Mo Feng fought back his tears. His master had been nothing but stern with him for so many years and had never consoled him like this before.
Han Yanque was also feeling rather complicated at the moment.
He had seen Lin Xun’s overwhelming might at the bottom of the Fallen Star Peak and personally witnessed how almost no one had dared to stop him as he bulldozed his way up the peak!
The most inconceivable part was that even Old Monster Withered Vine had failed to kill the youngster as he had managed to escape using what appeared to be Saint treasure ship!
Under such circumstances, it was naturally understandable that his disciple had been made fun of by Lin Xun. Han Yanque knew that Mo Feng was in no way the youngster’s match.
"Eh?"
Han Yanque suddenly recalled that the ship in the youngster’s possession was an amazing and unfathomable artifact suspected to be a legendary Saint treasure. In fact, it had even avoided the suppression of Fallen Star Peak’s ancient saint array!
Unrestrainable greed surged in Han Yanque’s heart and he immediately instructed, "Stay here and keep a close watch on that youngster. I have urgent business and need to first return to the sect."
He had to go back to discuss with the Spirit Pearl Sect higher-ups if they could make use of this opportunity to obtain a Saint treasure for the sect. It would be no less than acquiring a peerless blessing!
Saint treasures possessed terrifying and overwhelming power. If they were to attain such a divine artifact, it would definitely allow the Spirit Pearl Sect to rise above the others from the four sects and three clans and become the true hegemon of the Fire Spirit Province!
"I must hurry, there’s no time to lose!"
The more he thought about the more his greed grew, almost making him give in to the temptation to take action right there and then.
However, he ultimately restrained himself. He knew that something like this required careful planning to ensure no one found out.
After all, although that youngster was only at the Heaven Ascension stage, he had managed to escape Old Monster Withered Vine. If they failed to capture him in one go, it would be impossible to predict what would happen next.
"Master, what are you planning?"
Mo Feng wasn’t stupid. As one of the Spirit Pearl Sect’s most outstanding younger-generation members, his talent and intelligence were far above the average cultivator.
Hence, he immediately realized that his master’s decision was somehow related to Lin Xun!
"These are matters you do not need to know. You only need to keep a close watch on him and keep track of his movements at all times. Remember, do not alert him!"
Han Yanque sternly instructed before hurriedly leaving.
Mo Feng’s heart thumped loudly as a bad feeling rose in his heart. It seemed that his master was returning to the sect to ask for reinforcements to deal with that youngster.
With a deep breath, he forcibly suppressed his emotions, steeled himself, and walked toward the Pine Smoke Martial Arena.
……
Pine Smoke Martial Arena.
In the rest area, a graceful young lady who gave off an unapproachable aura was quietly seated in a corner. She wore a black dress, and a snow-white mask covered the upper half of her face, revealing only her full red lips and sharp chin.
She sat there, appearing cold and mysterious, her clear, gem-like eyes as tranquil as a lake.
"Miss, there’s no point in hiding here. The elders of the sect are waiting anxiously for your return.” By her side, an old woman in green sighed softly, feeling somewhat helpless.
The young lady indifferently replied, "I have said long ago that I will not see anyone before the battle of the great age arrives. Since they refuse to listen, then they can worry their heads off for all I care."
Her voice was as crisp and cold as snow, and tinkled like the sounds of nature. Although she spoke casually, there was an authority in her voice that did not allow anyone to disobey.
It also gave her an intimidating aura. In addition, although she was just sitting there, she gave off a sensation of solitude that could not be desecrated.
The old woman felt increasingly helpless. However, she was extremely doting toward the girl and ultimately stopped trying to persuade her after a few more tries.
"I'm angry."
The girl suddenly straightened her posture as anger flashed in her bright star-like eyes, "I was so close to uncovering the expert inside the Fallen Star Peak ancient saint array, but he ended up escaping!"
She pursed her lips as a bone-chilling aura spread from her, "This is the first time I’ve failed since I began my cultivation journey. If I find out who the culprit is, I’ll definitely give him a good beating."
The old woman seemed to become somewhat nervous as she hurriedly said, "Miss, Fallen Star Peak has already disappeared. Since the affair is over, you shouldn’t waste any more time over it."
The girl huffed in acknowledgment and rose to her feet.
In that moment, she became akin to a lotus emerging from the water, and her graceful figure was completely revealed. Her legs were long and slim. Her waist was so slender anyone would feel the impulse to grab it, and her black dress could not hide the beautiful contours of her perfect body.
Her face was half-covered by the mask, but her almost translucent glowing skin, raised nose, and full red lips told everyone that she was a breathtaking beauty.
She had a presence that was cold as snow, serene, and transcendent. It was an extremely unique and attention-grabbing aura that made people feel ashamed of themselves in comparison and not dare to show even the slightest disrespect toward her.
"Miss, what are you doing?” The old woman was taken aback.
The girl casually replied, "I’ll of course be going to have some fun in the arena."
"You want to duel with the cultivators here?"
The old woman was dumbstruck and speechless. She was all too aware of how terrifying the girl’s foundations were.
Let alone this tiny martial arena or the Fire Spirit Province, even in the entire West Infinity World, only a handful of younger-generation experts were qualified to be her opponent!
Despite this, she wanted to spar against other cultivators in this barely first-class martial arena. It was a situation where you wouldn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
"I’m only going to play a little. Otherwise, I will feel far too depressed. I have to release a little once in a while," said the girl casually as she drifted away. Her departing figure seemed to give off a sensation of loneliness and transcendence.
The old woman mumbled, "Fine then, if playing a little will allow you to vent away your depression, you might have a change of heart and return to the sect ......"
……
Boom!
In the arena, Lin Xun defeated opponent after opponent. He had reached his nineteenth consecutive victory, and he won calmly from start to end.
Yes, calmy!
From the beginning, he suppressed his strength and focused on tempering his martial dao, no longer caring about victory or defeat.
There was no excitement, only the desire to temper his martial dao.
While waiting for the twentieth match, Lin Xun rested while calculating how many mid-grade Spirit Accumulation Jades he could purchase with the aeth essence he had earned over the past few days.
Hmm?
He suddenly sensed something and raised his head to look at the other side of the arena where a young lady wearing a silver-white mask was approaching.
The tall girl wore a black dress, had a waist akin to a silk bundle, shoulders that looked as if they had been meticulously carved, and a pair of clear eyes that were serene as the stars in the sky.
She arrived in the arena and tied her long black hair into a ponytail with a strip of azure cloth, revealing her fair and slender neck. Although her movements weren’t fast, there was a certain rhythm, beauty, and relaxed confidence to them that was pleasing to watch.
"Is that my opponent for the twentieth match?” Lin Xun's intuition was extremely sharp, and he could immediately tell that the girl wearing a black dress was going to be a pretty good opponent.
It finally made Lin Xun feel a sliver of interest and anticipation as if he was meeting a worthy opponent in chess or a kindred soul he could drink with.
He had found it regretful that he had not encountered a proper opponent for the past few days, but the appearance of this girl would undoubtedly change that!
Lin Xun inwardly muttered, "I hope you won’t disappoint."
"Eh?"
The black-dress girl stepped onto the stage, giving off a transcendent and valiant aura.
She had also noticed Lin Xun. She wasn’t impressed at first, but she soon sensed that he wasn’t an ordinary individual.
His aura felt ordinary, yet it gave off a sensation of completeness and seemed to be on the verge of returning to the origin. It was rare to find such a person among the younger generation and he could be considered a heaven pride.
This surprised the black-dress girl. She had originally intended to have a little catharsis by having some fun in the arena and never imagined that she would meet a pretty decent opponent instead.
"I hope you'll be good enough..."
The corners of her lips raised to form a barely noticeable smile.