Along the way, Baili He asked Lin Xiao about the vein incident. Lin Xiao reported truthfully, giving a rough location, prompting Baili He to assign a task to the Eight Directions Tower to investigate.
Baili He also inquired about Junzang. Lin Xiao recounted the events and his experiences, omitting details about the Immortal Emperor and Yaoguang Emperor.
As for the Void Phoenix Wings, Baili He didn’t mention them, so Lin Xiao stayed silent. Surely, an elder of Shengyuan Academy wouldn’t covet a disciple’s fortune.
But after Lin Xiao described Junzang, Baili He fell into deep thought, then showed thick regret.
He’d heard of the disturbance and gone there, only to find the stone gate sealed, returning empty-handed.
Before parting, Baili He casually advised Lin Xiao that the corpse puppet was extraordinary. With yin-cold energy or materials, its strength could grow.
Lin Xiao’s heart leapt—if the puppet could reach Martial Venerable, he’d have a Venerable-level bodyguard.
Before leaving, Baili He gave Lin Xiao a contribution point card and an identity badge.
The card, array-based, could transfer points.
The badge resembled the outer courtyard’s but replaced the “Yuan” with “Saint,” and the star-level disciple status was erased.
Star levels were merely an outer courtyard incentive. In the inner courtyard, contribution points ruled, rendering them obsolete.
After Baili He left, Lin Xiao stood alone in a courtyard in the new disciple area, gazing at the artificial hills and lake, sighing, “Saint City’s truly a unique place!”
The academy and external factions intertwined, effectively controlling countless outside forces, all serving the academy.
It also gave disciples real-world tempering, not coddled in a sealed greenhouse.
The entire Saint City was like Shengyuan Academy’s living quarters. Lin Xiao couldn’t help but marvel at the academy’s ingenuity.
“The ranking tournament in three months—Gu Juejin, Hong Feng, Yu Long, Bu Xi, Wu Ke, Shura Butcher, Duan Cangsheng—all formidable foes, all Martial Kings. My current cultivation’s far behind, let alone against the academy’s veteran disciples.”
Lin Xiao mulled it over. The tournament would draw all eyes. He didn’t care for fame, but he craved Shengyuan Academy’s resources.
The inner courtyard teemed with Martial King geniuses, including mid-tier ones.
Such strength required vast resources only a power like Shengyuan Academy could provide.
New disciples needed to shine in the tournament to secure more resources.
With just the outer courtyards’ geniuses—especially the top-ranked ones—each a standout among thousands, the competition would be fierce.
Add disciples who’d sneaked in with badges, Saint City’s youths, and the academy’s veterans, and the tournament would be packed with powerhouses.
Plus, he’d made enemies: the You Tian Demon Palace outside, along with the Guan, Yuan, Ji families, and Jade Fan Sect coveting him. Leaving Saint City could mean danger everywhere.
Within, Mo Jiutian loomed, ready to strike at any time.
And back in the Lanlan Empire, a Martial Monarch foe awaited.
He had to boost his strength fast, truly rising in the shortest time.
At Heavenly Martial eighth tier for so long, his foundation was solid—now was the time to advance.
“These three months, I’ll focus on cultivation!”
Lin Xiao decided, touching his contribution card, his eyes gleaming.
“Let’s see what ten thousand points can get!”
His heart raced, but as he looked out, two unfamiliar faces appeared before him.
Five youths and an elder, the latter exuding a high-tier Martial King aura.
“Little Brother Lin Xiao!” The six approached, the elder wearing a kindly smile.
“What’s this about?” Lin Xiao asked, puzzled by the youths’ forced smiles.
“We’re from the Eagle Sect. Our sect master sees your extraordinary talent and sent me to invite you. If you join, he’ll fully support your growth,” the elder said politely, cupping his hands.
“Our sect master’s a sixth-tier Martial Venerable,” a youth interjected, his tone tinged with discontent.
Though Lin Xiao had a million kill points, they figured it was due to external means. The youth wasn’t impressed by Lin Xiao’s talent.
At nineteen, he was Heavenly Martial eighth tier. Lin Xiao, two years younger, reaching the same wasn’t remarkable to him.
If Lin Xiao joined, their resources would be split, so he harboured selfish resistance.
Though subtle, Lin Xiao caught the youth’s tone but didn’t dwell on it.
A sixth-tier Martial Venerable’s sect? It didn’t catch his interest.
In the outside world, it’d be decent, but in Saint City, it was lacklustre.
Besides, Lin Xiao had no plans to join any faction.
Smiling faintly at the elder, he replied courteously, “Thank you for the invitation, but I’m not planning to join any factions for now.”
The elder’s expression didn’t shift, as if expected, but he pressed, “Though our sect master’s only a sixth-tier Martial Venerable, we have four Venerables. We’re not weak in Saint City, with strong resource-gathering. Please reconsider, Little Brother Lin Xiao.”
Lin Xiao’s heart stirred. A random Eagle Sect, with a sixth-tier leader, had four Martial Venerables.
In the Chaos Lands, Venerables were top-tier. Four in one sect was impressive.
Outside, it’d be a major force, nearly untouchable.
Four Venerables meant robust resource collection.
No wonder they dared invite him—they had confidence.
Still, he wasn’t swayed. More Venerables didn’t mean they’d benefit him. He declined again, “Your sect’s strength is impressive, and I’m flattered, but I truly have no plans to join any faction. My apologies.”
The elder sighed, “Alas, if you’re set, so be it. If you change your mind, our doors are always open.”
“Thank you, Senior!” Lin Xiao cupped his hands.
The other youths grew displeased, glaring at Lin Xiao with irritation.
“Hmph, what an ingrate. Does he think topping the kill points makes him the best new disciple?” one youth muttered coldly.
“Right, acting high and mighty. Our Eagle Sect’s already top-tier in Saint City. Does he think the elite factions will come begging? Dream on—they’ve already scouted others!” another snapped angrily.
“Enough rudeness—let’s go!” The elder waved them off, scolding.
“Heh, Elder, since we’re here, why leave empty-handed?” The Heavenly Martial eighth-tier youth smirked, a glint of greed in his eyes.
