Liu Yang is very clever!
Though he was angry inside, he did not slander Lin Chen, merely mentioning the matter in conversations with other disciples.
It seemed like casual talk.
But what Liu Yang didn’t expect was that several disciples approached him, also mentioning the challenges by Lin Chen on Martial Arts Mountain.
This stirred other thoughts in Liu Yang.
Lin Chen is a Direct Disciple, while he’s merely an Inner Sect Disciple. If it were just him alone, he wouldn’t dare to say anything, only harbor resentment privately with a few disciples he’s close to.
But now, there are no fewer than ten disciples who have been challenged by Lin Chen on Martial Arts Mountain, this is not a trivial matter.
Choosing opponents on Martial Arts Mountain, ignoring the same sect members, although there is no such rule in the sect, everyone has been doing it for years, and now Lin Chen ignores this camaraderie, if word spreads, it will definitely incite the wrath of the disciples.
So what if they are Direct Disciples?
We Inner Sect Disciples also have our own backing, we’re all from various major forces in Canglan Domain, and have intricate connections with other Direct Disciples.
...
"Senior Brother Qiao, Senior Brother Lin has already broken through to the Innate Realm."
In Qiao Yuan’s courtyard, a few Inner Sect disciples gathered, relaying the news.
"How do you know?" Qiao Yuan frowned and asked.
"Many disciples in the sect are saying this, there can be no mistake."
Receiving confirmation, Qiao Yuan had a hint of mocking smile on his lips.
Lin Chen disappointed him greatly.
Is this because he feels unsure of being his opponent Below Innate, and plans to rely on Realm suppression to win in the duel three months later?
I overestimated him.
A true Celestial Pride requires invincibility at the same Realm, not suppression across Realms.
If he wants to enter Innate, he could do so in a month’s time, but he has already decided to suppress his power for the duel against Lin Chen, breaking through only after.
"Senior Brother Qiao, Lin Chen has already entered the Innate Realm and is challenging those who haven’t, even our sect’s disciples are not spared, which has incited widespread anger, if Senior Brother Qiao..."
"There’s no need."
Qiao Yuan interrupted the disciple’s words. He understood the underlying meaning: if he were to stand out, relying on his prestige among the Inner Sect disciples, he would definitely garner many disciples’ support.
"Senior Brother Qiao, Lin Chen came to the sect and stole..."
"Stole my limelight?"
Qiao Yuan retorted, "So you think my challenge to Lin Chen is because he stole my limelight?"
Faced with Qiao Yuan’s question, the few disciples present became sheepish. In their view, Senior Brother Qiao’s challenge to Lin Chen was because Lin Chen had come to the sect and taken the glory that originally belonged to Senior Brother Qiao.
The title of the first disciple under twenty in the sect was originally on Senior Brother Qiao, but since Lin Chen is also under twenty and has twice caused a stir in the sect, many disciples have started discussing who between Senior Brother Qiao and Lin Chen really is the first disciple under twenty.
Because of the talk, Senior Brother Qiao challenged Lin Chen to prove he is the rightful first disciple, with not just these disciples thinking this way, but most of the sect as well.
Seeing the expressions of the Junior Brothers, Qiao Yuan knew the answer.
These Junior Brothers think this way, and likely other disciples in the sect do too.
However, he doesn’t plan to explain.
His challenge to Lin Chen is indeed to prove he is Canglan Sect’s first disciple under twenty, but not for the title or glory, rather for the pride of a genius.
He wants to be first, the first under twenty.
Once he enters Innate, he still wants to be first.
He’s not targeting Lin Chen, but all opponents who start at the same point as him.
...
Qiao Yuan has no intention of standing out, but at this moment many Inner Sect disciples have gathered in front of the Elder Hall.
Over a hundred Inner Sect disciples stood silently in front of the Elder Hall.
"Senior Brother He, aren’t we going to inform the Stewards?"
"Lin Chen is a Direct Disciple, the Stewards wouldn’t dare offend Lin Chen."
He Wentao shook his head, unless Lin Chen does something against the sect’s rules, the Stewards might think of punishing him, otherwise the Stewards wouldn’t risk upsetting a promising Direct Disciple.
"So we’re just standing here, without asking to meet the Elder?"
"Just standing here is enough."
He Wentao gazed towards the hall doors, their intentions are already known by the Elders inside, no need for them to collectively seek an audience, if the Elder wishes, he will see them.
Besides, he is confident that the Elder will indeed meet them.
Behind him stands a Direct Senior Brother, who explicitly told him to lead the group to the Elder Hall, by then the Elder Council behind that Direct Senior Brother will meet them.
And as the leader, he definitely will face criticism from the Elder, but that Direct Senior Brother promised him many benefits, as long as he can get them, the Elder’s criticism and punishment are insignificant.
As for in the hearts of other disciples, Lin Chen could also establish an image of not fearing the powerful and maintaining justice for the disciples’ interests.
A cup of tea time, a quarter of an hour, half a two-hour period...
Standing in the square of the Elder Hall, He Wentao, from the initial calmness, was now feeling somewhat anxious.
It had been so long, Elder Xu should have appeared by now.
Even if Elder Xu does not appear, the other elders inside the hall, even if displeased with their actions, should have ordered a scolding, it’s impossible to have no movement whatsoever.
Two hours passed...
He Wentao couldn’t stand still anymore, he suddenly felt guilty now, at this moment he would rather an elder come out from the hall and scold them for violating sect rules, even punishing them, than the current situation.
Inside the hall.
Zhao Yulin looked at the old man in the blue robe and said, "Senior Brother Xu, you don’t know Lin Chen’s situation, it’s better not to interfere in this matter."
"Junior Brother Zhao, what do you mean?"
"Since Lin Chen stepped onto the Martial Arts Mountain, up till now, he hasn’t lost once, and he hasn’t skipped any ranking, having won over ninety thousand consecutive battles. The Sect Leader hopes Lin Chen can set a higher winning streak record to promote the name of our Canglan Sect."
Zhao Yulin slowly spoke, it’s not during Senior Brother Xu’s duty period, yet Senior Brother Xu suddenly came to the Elder Hall and even inquired about Lin Chen’s matter, considering the good relationship between him and Senior Brother Xu, and knowing Senior Brother Xu’s character, he decided to explain the inside story.
"Over ninety thousand consecutive wins?"
Elder Xu Zhizhi’s old eyes were filled with surprise: "I was indeed unaware of this."
Back when Lin Chen entered Canglan Sect, Zhao Yulin and several others failed to contest Lin Chen against Du Xiaofeng, and didn’t speak of Lin Chen’s situation to outsiders.
The more detail they shared about Lin Chen, the more it pained their hearts.
"If this is the situation, then it’s not much of an issue, but Lin Chen should have informed us, so the disciples wouldn’t harbor such grievances."
"Words are fearsome, if Lin Chen ultimately stops advancing in rank, people will mock him for not knowing his limits."
Targeting a winning streak but failing to achieve it, those disciples defeated by Lin Chen would also be discontented.
"Junior Brother Zhao is right, it seems I misunderstood."
Elder Xu Zhizhi nodded, instantly understanding the meaning behind Zhao Yulin’s words.
Lin Chen aims for consecutive victories, challenging fellow sect disciples disregarding underlying rules, if he achieves the goal, the disciples will accept it and even take pride in contributing to Lin Chen’s success.
But if Lin Chen exposes his goals and ultimately fails to achieve them, these disciples will surely make sarcastic remarks in private.
Human nature is such, not something that these elders can control.
"Senior Brother Xu, it’s not your duty period now, why did you appear here?"
Zhao Yulin asked meaningfully, as these disciples have stirred up trouble at the Elder Hall, and Senior Brother Xu just happened to appear, even intending to inquire about it, he didn’t believe it was a coincidence.
Elder Xu Zhizhi’s expression slightly changed, he appeared here because he heard a disciple discussing this matter, felt displeased towards Lin Chen, and decided to come to the Elder Hall to uphold justice for the sect’s disciples.
Although his young disciple hadn’t explicitly asked him to uphold justice for the disciples, he knows his own disposition, and his disciple couldn’t possibly be unaware.
"Haha, truly my good disciple."
Elder Xu Zhizhi muttered softly to himself, with a cold smile emerging on his face, realizing he had been schemed by his disciple.
Zhao Yulin deduced some information from Senior Brother Xu’s expression, but this was Senior Brother Xu’s personal affair, and Zhao Yulin was not at liberty to comment further.
If he remembered correctly, the last disciple Senior Brother Xu accepted had broken through to the Innate Realm the year before.
Half a month later, the Canglan Secret Realm will open with only ten slots available, causing many disciples at the Innate Realm to feel restless.
...
...
At the doors of the Elder Hall.
More than a hundred Inner Sect disciples, having stood for over two hours, now exchanged uncertain glances.
Even those who had been defeated by Lin Chen on Martial Arts Mountain, originally filled with rage, were now feeling anxious.
Whoosh, whoosh!
Just as this uneasy atmosphere spread among the many disciples in the square, a figure came soaring through the air, landing in front of everyone.
"The Canglan Sect has never had disciples gather at the Elder Hall like this, is this forcing the sect’s hand?"
Seeing the figure that landed in front, exuding the aura of an Innate Realm expert, many Inner Sect disciples’ faces immediately became grim.
"As a sect steward, should there be disciples violating sect rules, the steward has the authority to administer punishment."
Chai Daoqi wore a cold smile, lacking airs only before his master, second senior brother, and junior disciple, but after all, he was a Second Realm expert, one of the princes of Wang Chao, a member of the Ten Great Dynasties in the Canglan Domain.
Boom!
Chai Daoqi unleashed his aura, the pressure of the Second Realm assailed everyone.
In an instant, over a hundred disciples fell to the ground.
Among these disciples, there were those at the First Grade Realm and those just a step away from the Innate, but none could withstand even a breath under Chai Daoqi’s force.
"Lin Chen is my junior brother, if anyone dares to target Lin Chen, I won’t hesitate to show them what vicious means truly are."