In another hall.
Yu Beidou was a little irritated, âCheng Jing, do you really want to fight with me? Your Divine Workshop is full of talent. Do you need Chu Haidong?â
Cheng Jing sighed, âOur Divine Workshop indeed has many talents, but most of them are old people. We lack young talent like Chu Haidong, so I wonât give up.â
âYouâ¦â
Yu Beidouâs eyes went wide, and then he said through gritted teeth, âIâll give you three aeth crystals, and you give me that kid!â
Cheng Jing smiled, but didnât say a word.
Yu Beidou was so infuriated that he roared, âAnd a bunch of empty underworld grass! That is my limit! Donât try to push your luck!â
Cheng Jing snorted, âI can give you all those things too! Why donât you give me Chu Haidong?â
Yu Beidouâs expression changed. âWhy?â
Cheng Jing said seriously, âItâs rare to find such talent. I have to do this.â
âYou leave me with no choice! Letâs see who will have the last laugh!â
Cheng Jing smiled, âI have the same thought.â
The other big shots were a little dumbfounded to see the two turning crimson in the face from the quarrel.
But then again, if they could recruit Chu Haidong, it was worth it.
After all, it was rare to see a rune grandmaster of such a young age. There were likely less than a few in the entire Forbidden City.
This was because the art of runes was too demanding and difficult, and not everyone was able to embark on that path.
As a result, there was always an insufficient number of rune masters in the world.
Secondly, Chu Haidong was indeed an outstanding figure among the younger generation. At least, in terms of mastery of runes, very few people could compare to him.
Therefore, it wasnât surprising that Yu Beidou and Cheng Jing, two authority figures, would fight over Chu Haidong.
âShen Tuo, are you not going to fight over Chu Haidong as well?â an influential figure suddenly asked aloud.
His one sentence snapped everyone awake. Yes. It is not only the Rune Master Association and the Divine Workshop of the empire that can recruit Chu Haidong but also the Qinglu Academy!
However, Shen Tuo smiled. âItâs useless to fight. Chu Haidong is from the Chu Family. He has to receive the support of his clan wherever he plans to go. Iâm not confident in convincing him to join Qinglu Academy.â
Understanding dawned on everyone.
Only Feng Qingyou knew very well that Shen Tuo was planning to sit on the sidelines and watch the others fight. He wouldnât give up until the last moment.
This was how Chu Haidong was being treated at the moment. He had passed the tests of the Nine Tablets of the Dragon Gate and became a true rune grandmaster at the age of twenty. His achievements would no doubt cause a sensation once it spread to the Forbidden City.
It was normal that he received such special treatment.
He shone with boundless radiance and received attention from countless people!
At that moment, Chu Haidong proudly straightened his back on the Dragon Gate Stage, enjoying the rare honor.
However, when his gaze inadvertently swept past Lin Xun, the incident that happened between them suddenly flooded his mind again.
Without any hesitation, he strode down the Dragon Gate Stage, looked at Lin Xun and said indifferently, âLin Xun, itâs not too late for you to apologize. As long as you admit your stupidity and ignorance in front of everyone, I wonât take this matter further. I also donât want people to say that I bully juniors like you.â
The buzzing atmosphere suddenly turned strange.
Many people realized that Chu Haidong was about to get revenge on Lin Xun!
Some couldnât help but frown pitifully at Lin Xun.
Lin Xun had previously offended Chu Haidong, and now that Chu Haidong had passed the tests of the Nine Tablets of the Dragon Gate and created a new record, Lin Xun would utterly lose to Chu Haidong if he didnât do anything soon.
Most importantly, what did Lin Xun have to compete with Chu Haidong if he didnât use force?
To everyoneâs astonishment, Lin Xun showed not a tinge of panic as he faced Chu Haidongâs fierce and domineering attitude. Instead, a hint of a smile spread across the corners of his lips.
Then, he spat out two words, âStupid idiot.â
The two words had too much destructive power especially since Chu Haidong was now a true rune grandmaster yet Lin Xun still insulted him in a very disrespectful manner!
Isnât he too arrogant?
The audience was stunned.
Even the authority figures in the other hall couldnât stop their lips from twitching. That kidâ¦how to describe him?
Cheng Jing looked a little displeased as he said, âThat kid Lin Xun is too daring and arrogant. Heâs like a thug! This is outrageous!â
The other authority figures echoed, âThat kid is indeed a bit too much. Given his arrogance, he will destroy Mind Cleansing Peak one day!â
âChu Haidong might be no match for Lin Xun in battle, but Lin Xun is definitely not qualified to criticize a gifted rune grandmaster!â
âItâs inevitable that youngsters have some temper issues. His words mean nothing. Everything depends on true strength,â Shen Tuo suddenly said aloud.
âIsnât Lin Xun also here to be verified as a rune grandmaster? We can see whoâs better between him and Chu Haidong based on his assessment result.â
Everyone nodded in agreement.
âI somehow feel that Lin Xun dared to say that because heâs confident in himself.â Feng Qingyou suddenly spoke out.
Everyone shook their heads in disagreement. How old is Lin Xun? He is only an initiate rune master! How can he pass the verification assessment of rune grandmaster?
Even in the unlikely situation that he passed the assessment, how can he possibly be able to beat Chu Haidong who has set a new record?
Simply speaking, the majority of people didnât believe that Lin Xun could pass the tests of the Nine Tablets of the Dragon Gate.
Meanwhile, Chu Haidong couldnât believe that Lin Xun insulted him by calling him a stupid idiot again.
Is that kid blind?
Did he not see that I had just passed the assessment and became a true rune grandmaster? Did he not see that I have set a new record?
Does he...not know what fear is? Or what is admitting defeat?
All of a sudden, Chu Haidongâs face turned livid and cold. If he hadnât forcibly suppressed his anger, he would have snapped at Lin Xun already.
However, Lin Xun suddenly got up and glanced around. âIs there anyone who wants to take the assessment next?â
The hall fell silent.
Another two rune masters were waiting to take the assessment but how would they dare get involved after witnessing everything?
Moreover, Chu Haidong was glaring at them with blade-like gazes as if he was saying, âwhoever of you dares to go next is going against our Chu family!â
Under such a threatening gaze, the two rune masters unhesitatingly shook their heads, indicating that Lin Xun could go first.
âHurry up, no one wants to go before you!â
Chu Haidongâs voice seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.
âOh, I didnât think you would be able to stand being called a stupid idiot. As expected of the Chu Family descendants, your anger-suppressing skills are amazing,â Lin Xun remarked with a smile.
âLittle trash, are you done yet?â
Chu Yunkong seethed as he stood up, his hair standing up in anger.
âOld man, I can let you go first, do you dare to take it?â asked Lin Xun.
âYouââ
Chu Yunkong was completely enraged. His eyes almost popped out. He hated the fact that he couldnât skin Lin Xun alive and crush his bones into ashes.
In the end, Chu Haidong stopped him and did not let him speak again.
Chu Haidong knew that Lin Xun would take advantage of the situation if he continued to talk. This guy is so shameless. How can our Chu Family be as shameless as him?
If so, whatâs the difference between us and women hysterically shouting on the street?
Lin Xun grinned, seemingly satisfied. He didnât say anything else and strode up the stage.
All rune masters were stunned. That kidâ¦really dares to accept the challenge? Isnât he afraid of failing? Isnât he afraid of humiliation?
Even the big shots sitting in the other hall had to admit that Lin Xun was very courageous despite his vicious tongue.
He didnât bow his head in the unfavorable situation and got up on the stage to take the assessment.
However, everyone knew that Lin Xunâs reputation would be tarnished if he failed. His quarrel with Chu Haidong would spread throughout the Forbidden City and he would become a laughingstock. He wouldnât be able to lift his head again!
When Lin Xun walked past Chu Haidong, he heard him whisper coldly, âLin Xun, I canât wait to see your good show. Donât disappoint me.â
His voice was full of threat.
Lin Xun smiled slightly and headed straight up to the Dragon Gate Stage.
âYoung man, are you ready?â Linghu Xiu asked, looking ruminatively at Lin Xun.
âYes.â
Lin Xun nodded and sat cross-legged in front of the nine ancient stone tablets.
His back was straight as a spear and the moment he sat down, the calmest expression replaced the smile on his lips. There wasnât a ripple of expression on his face.
âHaha, I canât wait to see how that vicious little trash will fail miserably!â Chu Yunkongâs voice was filled with malice.
âIf that kid can pass the assessment, I will kneel and repent!â
âHmph, heâs just a trash who knows how to play around. How can he possibly pass? He only knows how to entertain the crowd like a clown!â
The Chu Clan members shouted one after another.
The other rune masters looked at each other in dismay. Although they did not have any prejudice against Lin Xun, they were also not optimistic about his result.
Lin Xun was too young and he was only an initiate rune master, how could he possibly pass the tests of the Nine Tablets of the Dragon Gate?
The rune masters sighed inwardly. They didnât know how the Chu Family would treat Lin Xun if he failed...
Soon, the familiar cryptic undulation again swept across the hall and the splendid brilliance enveloped the stage, drowning Lin Xunâs figure.