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Lin Dahong smiled bitterly. A long time passed before he finally answered, “I’m not sure, but it would be a lie to say I’m unsatisfied.”

Lin Xun thoughtfully said, “What do you intend to do next, Clan-Uncle?”

Lin Dahong confessed, “There is no need to doubt me. You have already gained my approval. There are some matters that I will no longer hide from you.”

After a pause, he continued with a serious expression, “For the time being, the majority of the North Light Lin Clan has refused to acknowledge your authority, and I believe you are also aware of the reason. You are too young and unqualified, making it very difficult for everyone to believe in you.”

Lin Xun nodded. “I understand.”

Lin Dahong’s expression softened substantially. “However, Patriarch North Light has ultimately decided to give you a chance!”

Patriarch North Light!

The ancestor that was said to represent the North Light Clan ― Lin Beiguang. He was the fifth brother of Lin Xun’s grandfather, Lin Feiting, and the fifth uncle to Lin Xun’s father, Lin Wenjing.

Although Lin Beiguang had handed power over to his son, Lin Huaiyuan, and had gone into seclusion, no one dared to object when he spoke out.

Lin Xun could not help but feel surprised by this. He had not expected his fifth granduncle, whom he had never met, to give him an opportunity to prove himself.

This made him realize that not everyone from the four branch clans objected to him succeeding the Lin Clan and becoming the master of Mind Cleansing Peak!

For instance, the attitude displayed by the North Light Lin Clan made them a faction he should value highly and be worth fighting for.

Lin Xun curiously asked, “What kind of chance is he giving me?”

Lin Dahong took a deep breath and answered, “It’s simple. In a month, we will invite you to the North Light Lin Clan to have a duel with your clan-brother, Lin Xuefeng.”

“If you win, Patriarch North Light will meet you.”

“If you lose…”

Lin Dahong hesitated to continue.

Lin Xun’s eyes narrowed and he smiled. “If I’m defeated, I will lose the qualifications to be acknowledged by the North Light Lin Clan, right?”

Lin Dahong forced a smile and nodded. “This is already the best outcome Patriarch North Light can get you. Although he has high status and great authority, he still has to give consideration to the opinions of the other clansmen.”

Lin Xun thoughtfully said, “Although I dislike such tests and do not believe my qualifications as successor needs to be acknowledged by others, since my fifth granduncle has made the arrangements, it will be tactless of me to reject.”

Lin Dahong excitedly said, “In other words, you’ve agreed?”

Lin Xun nodded. “I never wanted to make the branch clans my enemies. I’m naturally glad to use this opportunity to resolve any differences between us.”

At this point, Lin Xun asked, “Who is Lin Xuefeng?”

Lin Dahong immediately introduced Lin Xuefeng.

It turned out that Lin Xuefeng was the son of the current North Light Clan Head, Lin Huaiyuan. According to seniority, he could be considered Lin Xun’s cousin.

Lin Xuefeng was eighteen years of age and possessed great talent and comprehension abilities. He advanced to the Human Dipper stage at sixteen and cultivated a first-grade aeth power reservoir, Misty Rain Mountain. This news shook the entire North Light Lin Clan for a time, and many called him the most dazzling disciple of the clan’s younger generation.

Lin Xuefeng currently possessed Heaven Dipper cultivation, and his strength had grown increasingly unfathomable.

A first-grade aeth power reservoir at sixteen and Heaven Dipper cultivation at eighteen…it seems that Lin Xuefeng is a genius who can rival the graduates of Blood Kill Camp…

Lin Xun fell into thought.

He had originally thought that since the North Light Lin Clan was arranging this ‘chance,’ they would not let him pass so easily.

Hence, he never expected them to send a young expert like Lin Xuefeng.

This made Lin Xun feel more relaxed instead. After all, he had never feared anyone in the Spirit Dipper stage!

However, Lin Dahong said, “I advise you not to be careless. Xuefeng has recently been in secluded cultivation to attack the Spirit Sea stage. From our estimates, he should be able to advance in less than seven days. At that time…”

Lin Xun’s eyes immediately narrowed.

So that’s their trump card!

Letting a new Spirit Sea stage member who was at the top of the younger generation deal with him? That was essential bullying.

The Spirit Sea and Earth Dipper stage was not merely a difference of two stages but an entire greater cultivation stage!

Most importantly, Spirit Sea cultivators could fly and wield the elements, making them capable of attacking from range and using the powers of nature!

An Earth Dipper cultivator would be at a huge disadvantage.

Upon seeing that Lin Xun had fallen silent, Lin Dahong embarrassedly said, “Although the duel does sound quite unreasonable, Patriarch North Light himself said that how could it be possible for you to succeed the clan easily? However, he is not intentionally making things difficult for you. If you survive a hundred moves, he will consider you to have passed.”

Lin Xun made a noise in acknowledgment. No one could tell what he was thinking.

This made Lin Dahong feel increasingly anxious.

He did feel that the test was rather unreasonable. However, there was nothing he could do. This was the North Light Lin Clan’s stance.

Lin Xun suddenly smiled faintly and said, “I roughly understand the situation. However, I have one final question.”

Lin Dahong inwardly breathed a sigh of relief and hastily said, “Fire away.”

Lin Xun asked, “Why are we waiting a month to begin the duel?”

Lin Dahong patiently explained, “In twenty days, Xue Feng will be participating in the national exam. That’s why we are delaying it to a month later.”

The national exam!

Lin Xun’s heart shook as he suddenly recalled that there was such an event. Due to how busy his life had been, he had completely forgotten that there were only twenty days left until the national exam…

After sending Lin Dahong off, Lin Xun sat alone as he thought about the national exam.

His initial plan had been to leave Haze City and head for the Forbidden City to participate in the national exam.

After reaching the Forbidden City, however, he discovered that his plans could not keep up with the rapid developments. From the moment he stepped onto Mind Cleansing Peak, he had nearly no free time to cultivate or rest, let alone think about the national exam.

Lin Zhong soon returned, rousing Lin Xun from his thoughts.

Lin Xun said, “Uncle Zhong, there is a matter I need you to personally attend to.”

Lin Zhong replied, “Young Master, please go ahead.”

Lin Xun took out a brush and paper and wrote something before passing it to Lin Zhong. “Give this to Stone Cauldron Alms’ Third Young Master Shi Yu. Tell him to spread the contents through any means possible.”

Lin Zhong casually glanced at the paper, only to be stunned.

It did not contain any astonishing secrets. Instead, it held some information about Lin Xun.

The most attention-grabbing line was ‘obtaining first place in the southwest provincial exam with Human Dipper cultivation.’

This was no secret in the southwest province, but it was like a bolt of thunder to Lin Zhong and shook his heart greatly.

Only now did he find out that his young master had obtained such a dazzling accomplishment.

First place in the provincial exam!

There were only thirty-four first places in the empire’s thirty-four provinces and his young master was one of them!

The most shocking part was that his young master was only at the Human Dipper stage when he achieved this…

As Lin Zhong continued to read, his astonishment was quickly replaced by bewilderment. A brief recount of some of Lin Xun’s current circumstances was also written on the paper.

When Lin Zhong read the words ‘due to difficulties, I have no choice but to give up on the national exam this year,’ his body turned rigid and his expression turned anxious.

He could not help but ask, “Young Master, you…are you really going to miss the national exam?”

Lin Xun casually replied, “I’ve been facing many struggles recently, and I don’t have the energy nor time to think about such matters. Might as well not participate.”

Lin Zhong seemed unresigned, “Young Master, it’s the national exam! You…maybe you can reconsider?”

However, Lin Xun’s attitude was firm. “Uncle Zhong, I’m only fifteen this year. Missing a national exam once is no big deal. It won’t be too late for me to participate later after settling Mind Cleansing Peak’s affairs.”

There was unspeakable disappointment on Lin Zhong’s face. He tried saying something more, but ultimately sighed and turned around to leave.

Lin Xun could not help but sigh as he watched Lin Zhong leave. How could he not wish to participate?

However, the reality was too cruel, leaving him no choice but to give up!

“Third Old Zhu, you’ve been a huge help this time. Thank you. I have nothing more for you. You may return to rest.”

Lin Xun suddenly said as he looked toward the giant statue-like man, who was still standing at the very same spot.

Third Old Zhu nodded and walked towards the exit without saying a word.

When he stepped out of the hall, however, he suddenly said, “Persevering might not be a good thing, and giving up might not be bad.”

His deep voice echoed in the spacious hall as his figure disappeared.

Lin Xun was taken aback before he suddenly laughed. So Third Old Zhu wasn’t just a mute rock.

Lin Xun did a few quick stretches before he turned around and walked up to the third level.

Dealing with these daily affairs took up a huge amount of his time and energy. As a result, Lin Xun had to use any free time he had to train.

The opponent he was facing a month later was someone who had the qualifications to participate in the national exam and was called the most dazzling genius of the North Light Lin Clan’s younger generation!

Most importantly, he would definitely possess Spirit Sea cultivation by then!

Hence, Lin Xun did not dare to be negligent.

He plucked another root strand from the Snow Infant Jade Lotus, swallowed it, and sat down to meditate.

His figure was soon enveloped by wisps of seemingly boiling white mist, making it look as if he was in the dream world.

Meanwhile, at the West Creek Lin Clan.

There was an austere atmosphere in the clan discussion hall, making the two guards stationed outside shiver in fear as they struggled to breathe.

The three crippled Guest Stewards, Xiao Fengru, Shi Zhan, and Chang Ziheng, were trembling as they kneeled on the ground with gloomy expressions.