Very soon, a knock came at the door. Lin Hao opened it and was slightly taken aback when he saw who it was—Elder Lin Chen.
"Elder Lin Chen? I wonder what you need from me, disciple," Lin Hao's shock quickly faded, and he asked with neither humility nor arrogance.
"Haoran, I've already heard about what happened at the Bai Family Auction House yesterday," Elder Lin Chen smiled gently, his expression kind.
The conflict between Lin Hao and Xingchen Yu at the Bai Family Auction House had spread like wildfire, and no one in the entire Liuyun City, from the major to the minor families, was unaware of it. In the end, it was even said that the two had fought, and the Bai Family had helped Lin Hao scare away Xingchen Yu and his group.
While the story was told this way, few believed it. Xingchen Yu was said to be an inner disciple of the Immortal Sword Sect, likely having opened the fourth Earth Gate, with extraordinary strength. He could probably destroy the entire Lin Family on his own. If he really fought with Lin Hao, one move would be enough to end Lin Hao's life. The Bai Family would have no chance to help Lin Hao.
However, no one doubted that there was a conflict between the two, and in the end, Xingchen Yu backed down. After all, many of Liuyun City's local families were present yesterday, so it couldn't be fake.
Elder Lin Chen naturally heard about yesterday's situation. While he was shocked and fearful, he was also very surprised. Lin Hao could make the Bai Family protect him so much that even Xingchen Yu didn't dare to touch him. Lin Hao must have had a great opportunity.
"Old man has heard about what you did at the Bai Family Auction House yesterday," Elder Lin Chen walked into the room and got straight to the point.
Lin Hao nodded in response. He didn't deny it, or rather, there was no need to deny it. What could those sect disciples do, in the end, they left in frustration and couldn't do anything to him.
"Lin Hao, you have quite a bit of courage. Do you know that a sect disciple like Xingchen Yu, without even using the power of his sect or his own family, could uproot our Lin Family," Elder Lin Chen sat on the bed, staring into Lin Hao's eyes, as if trying to read something from his expression.
However, Lin Hao's eyes were as calm as a well, showing no emotional fluctuation, as if what Elder Lin Chen said had nothing to do with him.
"This boy is a bit strange..." Elder Lin Chen couldn't help but be startled. He deliberately mentioned Xingchen Yu's strength and fear, thinking that at Lin Hao's age, with youthful blood and the courage of a young bull, he would surely be a bit fearful after the incident, especially when said by an elder of the Lin Family. It should have made Lin Hao more cautious.
But to his surprise, Lin Hao seemed to have no concept of the power behind Xingchen Yu's family and sect, or perhaps he was completely unafraid.
"Elder, I know you are worried, but there's no need. Xingchen Yu won't dare to do anything openly to the Lin Family, and he won't dare to touch me openly for now," Lin Hao looked at Elder Lin Chen and said.
Lin Hao, of course, knew that Elder Lin Chen was testing him, but he couldn't be bothered to care.
"Oh..." Elder Lin Chen asked again, "Do you have any basis for saying this? You should know that although our Lin Family is a major power in Liuyun City, we are like ants compared to the major families and sects. The Lin Family pays tribute to the Bai Family every year, as you should know, to prevent being swallowed by other major families, so we spend money to buy protection."
"I know," Lin Hao nodded, "But Elder, don't worry. Since Xingchen Yu is a disciple of the Immortal Sword Sect, he won't dare to make any moves openly. I am also familiar with a high-ranking official of the Immortal Sword Sect."
"High-ranking official of the Immortal Sword Sect?!" Elder Lin Chen was taken aback, "You actually know a high-ranking official of the Immortal Sword Sect?!"
Before Lin Hao could answer, Elder Lin Chen already understood. He didn't doubt what Lin Hao said; rather, this was the only explanation for why a proud disciple like Xingchen Yu, facing Lin Hao's provocation, didn't take action. If it were anyone else, they would have been killed by Xingchen Yu long ago.
Lin Hao didn't go into detail about how he met the high-ranking official of the Immortal Sword Sect, just gave a general explanation to reassure Elder Lin Chen.
"Haoran, you must understand that sects claim to be above the secular world, the true holy lands of martial arts. The disciples of these sects have lofty aspirations, and the high-ranking officials even more so... Perhaps this is your opportunity..." Elder Lin Chen pondered for a moment, "When you found the treasure spirit body in the second Earth Gate, the entire Lin Family was overjoyed, and we even spent a great deal of money to send you to the Holy Sky Sect for evaluation. What happened afterward was a regret."
Lin Hao didn't respond, but Elder Lin Chen could see that this boy didn't care at all.
"I don't know what great fortune you've had, but you have improved a lot. You can join the inner circle of the Lin Family at any time, but I hope you can step into the world of sects again, to see the holy land of martial arts," Elder Lin Chen sighed, thinking back to the distant past when the Lin Family was so powerful, able to control the clouds and the rain. Alas, those days are gone.
"I will go to the Immortal Sword Sect, but it's not the right time yet, after all, I haven't opened the third Earth Gate," Lin Hao said.
Elder Lin Chen thought for a moment. He could guess what Lin Hao was thinking. Sects are holy lands, not easily entered. Even with connections to high-ranking officials and personal recommendations, one must pass the special evaluation of the sect. Only those who pass can enter.
The high-ranking sects, which have been passed down for thousands of years, naturally have a complete set of rules. Otherwise, any martial artist could become a sect disciple, leading to decline and eventual destruction.
These principles won't change with a word from a high-ranking official, not even the sect leader.
"I heard that your current spirit body is of ordinary quality... It won't be easy to pass the sect evaluation, but if you open the third Earth Gate, there's still some hope," Elder Lin Chen nodded after a moment.
Elder Lin Chen quickly shared his thoughts. He planned to let Lin Hao join the inner circle of the Lin Family first, providing him with more resources. Once Lin Hao opened the third Earth Gate, he would send him to the Immortal Sword Sect to see if he could pass the evaluation.
Lin Hao wanted to join the Holy Sky Sect, but that was almost impossible. Moreover, with Lin Hao's current character, he would never return, especially since he was expelled from the Holy Sky Sect after his spirit root was broken. As the saying goes, a good horse doesn't eat the same grass twice, let alone the deep grudges between Lin Hao and the Holy Sky Sect.
Thus, the Immortal Sword Sect became the best choice, especially since Lin Hao was familiar with a high-ranking official of the Immortal Sword Sect. If he could become a disciple of the Immortal Sword Sect, he would receive special treatment.
Elder Lin Chen's only concern was that the Immortal Sword Sect and the Holy Sky Sect had always been at odds, with frequent conflicts between their disciples, leading to casualties.
After a moment, Elder Lin Chen shook his head. This was a sect matter, not related to the Lin Family. As long as Lin Hao could enter the Immortal Sword Sect, everything would be fine.
Elder Lin Chen quickly gathered some disciples, including Lin Fei, Lin Zhen, Lin Tian, Lin Caiyi, and Lin Hao, the five strongest disciples.
Calculating the time, they were ready to head to the Hundred Refinements Manor. If they could defeat the inner circle disciples chosen by the chief steward, they would pass.
The Hundred Refinements Mountains were about sixty to seventy miles from Liuyun City. Even on foot, it would take no more than two hours to reach, not far at all.
As they walked through Liuyun City, many local family disciples saw Lin Hao and changed their attitude, even approaching him to chat. Lin Hao nodded in acknowledgment.
The events of yesterday had already spread throughout Liuyun City, and many families were speculating about the relationships behind the Lin Family's young man, especially since even a martial artist of Xingchen Yu's level didn't dare to touch Lin Hao.
On the way, apart from the occasional greetings from local families to Lin Hao and Elder Lin Chen, it was relatively quiet.
At this moment, Lin Yan'er and Lin Zhen looked at Lin Hao with a hint of fear, while Lin Tian was seething with resentment, his face full of unwillingness.
In the past, Lin Tian wouldn't even give Lin Hao a second glance. To him, Lin Hao was an ant, easily crushed with a finger. But now, it seemed the roles were reversed, even Xingchen Yu didn't dare to touch Lin Hao.
After a moment, Elder Lin Chen led the five disciples out of Liuyun City, heading toward the Hundred Refinements Mountains.
About an hour later, they arrived in a mountainous area. As soon as they entered, the dense spiritual energy hit them, making Lin Caiyi and the others slightly startled.
If they could live here, their cultivation would be much more efficient, far surpassing the outside world.
However, the resources of the inner circle were limited, with a maximum of a hundred people. Otherwise, an increase in disciples could attract terrifying beasts.
Moreover, the spiritual energy in the Hundred Refinements Mountains was not infinite. The four major families had their own complete systems to control the loss of spiritual energy, otherwise, they might have moved their headquarters into the Hundred Refinements Mountains, ignoring the issue of beasts.
...
"The spiritual energy is so dense... It seems no different from last year," Lin Caiyi's face showed surprise. She had followed Elder Lin Chen into the Hundred Refinements Mountains last year, but unfortunately, her inner circle challenge ended in failure.
"Right, I failed the inner circle challenge last year, but this year, I must succeed," Lin Zhen nodded.
The other disciples also spoke, but Lin Hao's gaze swept around, his brows not relaxing.
"Strange... What is this smell...?" Lin Hao had a sense of foreboding, sensing a faint, immature demonic seed aura from somewhere.
"What is it... The smell is not mature... It can't be a heavenly treasure," Lin Hao thought, puzzled.