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In a certain small courtyard, the atmosphere was a little heavy.

Lin Xun was seated at a stone table as he quietly listened to Xue Jin. Afterwhich, Lin Xun was silent for a long time.

It turned out that the Dark Night Queen, Liulan Jinian, had already guessed his identity long ago.

However, Lin Xun had not expected that his identity would make one of Black Glory Sacred Hall’s Heaven Ascension experts turn traitor.

This made Lin Xun realize that the enemy who had taken his Origin Aeth Artery all those years ago was more powerful and frightening than he could imagine.

Otherwise, why would the Heaven Ascension expert called Zi Yun risk everything to divulge Lin Xun’s identity?

His enemies would likely be rather surprised that he was still alive, right?

Lin Xun felt unimaginably conflicted, not knowing whether he should rejoice or feel enraged. It felt as if a rock had been shoved into his chest, creating an unbearable discomfort.

Who am I?

Who is the enemy who took my Origin Aeth Artery?

These questions had plagued Lin Xun more than a few times. The only thing he was certain about was that he had not died because he had received Mister Lu’s help.

Unfortunately, Mister Lu had told Lin Xun nothing. Only in their final moments before the mine prison was destroyed did Mister Lu tell Lin Xun that he would be able to find out his origins by going to the Ziyao Empire.

Lin Xun had originally believed that after passing the national exam and enrolling in Qinglu Academy, he would be able to use the academy’s vast resources to uncover the truth.

However, he had now suddenly discovered that someone had known about his identity long ago!

Why did the Dark Night Queen not tell him earlier? Was there some other hidden detail he was unaware of?

Lin Xun did not understand why things were becoming even more complicated than he had imagined when he was about to be one step closer to the truth.

Lin Xun’s long silence made Xue Jin sigh inwardly. “The Lord said that you may choose not to go to the Forbidden City. From what I can tell, that will be the wisest decision. At the very least…you will not be in fatal danger.”

Lin Xun suddenly said, “Old Jin, haven’t I always said that I entered the Ziyao Empire to discover my origins?”

Xue Jin frowned. “I know, but what meaning is there in learning the truth if you lose your life because of it?”

He paused for a moment and took a deep breath before he said, “You don’t understand. Zi Yun’s betrayal is a sign that the people who will try to stop you from reaching the Forbidden City are far more terrifying than you can imagine. If you insist on going, you will face mortal danger!”

Lin Xun replied, “Of course I understand. However, didn’t you say that they will not send anyone that surpasses the Spirit Dipper stage to stop me? That is sufficient.”

Xue Jin’s frown grew into a scowl. “What do you know! So what if you manage to enter the Forbidden City? That’s the capital of the empire! You alone will not be a match for any of those people! Bluntly put, from the power they have shown, killing a small fry like you is easier than crushing an ant!”

Lin Xun immediately chuckled. “You’re wrong, Old Jin, all of this wouldn’t have been necessary if all they wanted to do was kill me. They could have just dispatched people to Haze City to do the deed.”

A strange gleam flashed in Lin Xun’s clear, black pupils. “Moreover, I have a feeling that the reason why they are not going to directly kill me doesn’t have much to do with Black Glory Sacred Hall. They seem to have other intentions.”

Xue Jin was stunned. He had sensed that there was something fishy about this affair but had not expected Lin Xun to pick it up so quickly.

Lin Xun’s expression grew determined. “Old Jin, I must go to the Forbidden City. There is no need for you to talk me out of it.”

The determined look on the young man’s face made Xue Jin hesitate for a long time. In the end, he softly sighed and gave in.

“Come, let us drink. I don’t know when we’ll have a chance to meet again so don’t mention these mood-killing matters anymore today and let us drink till we drop.”

Lin Xun displayed a dazzling smile as he retrieved a jar of liquor.

“Hmph! Drink till we drop? Let’s see if you have the capability to accompany me till the end!”

Xue Jin coldly snorted, slapped open the jar, and began guzzling its contents.

Lin Xun smiled, knowing that Xue Jin had acknowledged his decision.

……

Late at night, the curtains finally fell on the provincial exam and the one hundred passers were finalized.

Although it was over, discussions about the exam did not stop. Instead, they increased in number and intensity.

Every duel of each round was analyzed and the final exam rankings became the hottest topic in the city.

It was no surprise that the battle in the third round where Lin Xun faced five participants alone became the most well-known fight of the entire provincial exam.

Lin Xun also became the most popular contender for the number one spot in the rankings.

All of this was related to Lin Xun, but the person himself could not be bothered with it all.

Early in the morning, Lin Xun woke up with a hangover and headed straight to Golden Jade Hall to meet Gu Liang, who was super busy with the shop when he got there.

Although the provincial exam had ended, Golden Jade Hall’s popularity had exploded instead of falling and huge numbers of cultivators would come to visit every day.

Lin Xun’s publicity stunts had naturally played a big part in this success.

In the private room, Gu Liang excitedly described the changes that happened to Golden Jade Hall over the past few days. It was not all sunshine and rainbows, but hints of happiness were visible in his occasional frustrated lamentations and sighs.

As Lin Xun silently listened, he found out that Gu Liang had already started preparations for introducing the seven new aeth tools and had even dubbed them the golden scale series.

Before these aeth tools were sold, they would first be marked with a unique golden scale symbol and would become a specialty product that marked the rise of Golden Jade Hall.

Golden represented Golden Jade Hall while scale sounded similar to Lin and naturally represented Lin Xun.

Golden scale also sounded auspicious and was related to riches. It could signify an ordinary person receiving a golden scale and turning into a dragon.

Much thought had clearly been invested in the name which was also proof of Gu Liang’s commitment to this matter.

At this point, neither Lin Xun nor Gu Liang could have foreseen how huge of a commotion the golden scale series would cause in the empire in the future. It would be like a dazzling shooting star that appeared out of nowhere and be highly sought after by countless cultivators.

Lin Xun smiled. Although he was only listening, he could hear the ambition in Gu Liang’s voice. This made Lin Xun rather envious of his friend who could pour all of his drive and focus into a path he loved.

“Right, is there something you need?”

Toward the end, Gu Liang suddenly returned to his senses. He had been talking all about himself and had forgotten to ask Lin Xun why he had come.

Lin Xun casually said, “Once the provincial results are out and I’ve collected my certificate, I plan to leave Haze City and head to the Forbidden City. I came here to let you know.”

“So quickly?”

Gu Liang was taken aback and clearly somewhat reluctant. “We’ve yet to even have a drink together and you’re leaving?”

Lin Xun smiled. “I’d love to as well but look at Golden Jade Hall. If you’re drunk, who’s going to oversee everything?”

Gu Liang smiled bitterly. Indeed, he did not have any time to spare during this period. Let alone drinking, even his rest time had been compressed to the max.

“Sigh, I can’t compete with you. After passing the provincial exam, you’re immediately going to the grand Forbidden City to make a name for yourself. How envious.”

Gu Liang sighed.

Lin Xun was too lazy to retort. He rose to his feet and bid farewell. “Go back to your work. I still have to make trips to Stone Cauldron Alms and the Rune Master Association.”

Gu Liang rose to send Lin Xun off. He suddenly frowned as he watched Lin Xun disappear into the street, feeling that he seemed to be somewhat different from usual as if he was hiding something important.

However, Gu Liang soon cast the thought aside. New VIPs had arrived and he needed to receive them personally…

……

Stone Cauldron Alms.

Mu Wansu was not around when Lin Xun arrived. He heard that she had gone to a mine to inspect the goods and would only be back half a month later at the quickest.

Lin Xun shook his head and turned around to leave. Mu Wansu was one of the few people he knew in Haze City.

Since she wasn’t around, he could only wait for the next time they would meet.

Of course, that was only if he was still alive.

Lin Xun soon arrived at the Rune Master Association. After receiving a warm welcome from Chu Feng, the two had a casual chat for a long time before Lin Xun finally revealed his motive for coming.

Chu Feng knew that his day would eventually come. After all, Lin Xun had passed the provincial exam, and the combat power he possessed definitely qualified him for the national exam.

“What a pity. If not for my duties, I would definitely accompany you to the Forbidden City.”

Chu Feng sighed. “It’s been many years since I last returned…”

“Big Brother, I’ve roughly heard of your circumstances. When there’s an opportunity in the future, I will help you return to the Forbidden City and demand they return what originally belonged to you.”

Lin Xun’s tone was serious. After what happened at the Stone Cauldron Alms celebrations, Mu Wansu had told him some of Chu Feng’s past. It was then that Lin Xun finally found out that Chu Feng had been chased out of his clan and had no choice but to hide in Haze City.

“Brother, you…”

Chu Feng was immediately taken aback as emotions began churning within him. He never imagined that Lin Xun would make such a promise. Chu Feng felt deeply touched, grateful, and surprised, and was unable to speak for a time.

Lin Xun rose to his feet and grinned. “There’s no need to say anything, Big Brother. It won’t be too late to thank me when I get the chance to resolve this matter in the future.”

He then bid his goodbyes and left.

He had seen everyone he needed to and said everything that needed to be said. Next, it was time to prepare for his journey to the Forbidden City!