“You actually refused? Didn't you care about the Xiao family the most in the past?” Nangong Yin looked at the expressionless Xiao Chen in bewilderment, his tone growing slightly anxious.
A few days ago, Noble Consort Ji Yu had issued a strict order, demanding that he find an opportunity to plant the Death Curse Talisman on Ye Lin.
He had waited so long for Ye Lin to challenge the Dragon Ascent Stage, and finally had a chance to let this fool Xiao Chen die in his place without paying any price himself.
His claims about the Noble Consort sparing the Xiao family were completely made up. To appease the anger of Qi Changqing, Zhao Xiaoyu, Li Xuan, and the other favored children from the Sacred Domain, the Xiao family was absolutely doomed to be annihilated.
The only reason he lied to Xiao Chen like this was to get him to deal with Ye Lin in his stead.
After all, Ye Lin was far too bizarre, with an endless stream of trump cards. Moreover, he was protected by that heavyweight Xiao Jintian of the Demon Suppressing Division. Nangong Yin was merely a mediocre cultivator at the First Layer of the Golden Core Stage; if he targeted Ye Lin himself, he would surely die.
Having worked hard for half his life to climb to his current position, he naturally didn't want to die, which was why he had lied to Xiao Chen.
Yet, he never expected that Xiao Chen, who used to be incredibly dull and willing to compromise everything for the Xiao family, would reject him without the slightest hesitation.
But how could he know that the current Xiao Chen had long been possessed by a mighty figure? He was no longer the simple youth of the past.
“What does the Xiao family even matter? They humiliated me first, and then caused my mother's death. Now that they are all about to die, I couldn't be happier. Why on earth should I save them?”
Looking at the bewildered Nangong Yin, Xiao Chen said with a mocking sneer.
Having possessed this body as a mighty figure, with his vision and experience, how could he not see through Nangong Yin's attempt to use him against Ye Lin?
As for Ye Lin, he was highly interested in the youth's mysterious opportunities. He felt that such heaven-defying fortune was a gift from the heavens meant solely for him.
However, wanting to deal with Ye Lin was one thing; being used as someone else's tool for nothing in return was something he would never agree to.
“No matter what, you are still a member of the Xiao family. Your father and elder brother targeted him so heavily. If Ye Lin finds out about your identity, with his overbearing personality, he will absolutely never let you off.”
“You might as well take this opportunity to plant the Death Curse Talisman on him and let him die silently. When the time comes on the Dragon Ascent Stage, I will interfere from the shadows to give you enough time to escape from him.”
Thinking that Xiao Chen was intimidated by Ye Lin's fearsome reputation, Nangong Yin changed his strategy and began to coax him gently.
“Elder Nangong, you don't need to show off tricks meant for children. It's not impossible for me to take action.”
“But I want thirty thousand low-grade spirit stones right now, as well as a recommendation for entry into the Inner Academy. If you can produce those, I will head to the Dragon Ascent Stage immediately to deal with Ye Lin for you.”
Seeing that Nangong Yin still wanted to pressure him, Xiao Chen sneered and immediately stated his terms.
“Thirty thousand spirit stones plus an Inner Academy recommendation spot? Why don't you just rob me?”
Hearing Xiao Chen's conditions, Nangong Yin nearly lost his composure.
Currently, a single recommendation spot for the Inner Academy cost as much as fifty thousand low-grade spirit stones. Adding thirty thousand to that made it a whopping eighty thousand low-grade spirit stones.
He only received four thousand low-grade spirit stones from the academy each month; it would take him several years of saving to produce eighty thousand.
“Am I not robbing you right now?” Xiao Chen looked at Nangong Yin with a cold expression.
“You...”
“Fine, fine, fine! Isn't it just eighty thousand low-grade spirit stones? This storage ring contains my magic treasures, medicinal pills, cultivation methods, and spells. Their value definitely exceeds eighty thousand. I'll give it all to you now.”
Compared to his own life, Nangong Yin ultimately grit his teeth and agreed to Xiao Chen's terms.
His possessions were not so easily taken. He would placate Xiao Chen for now. Once they reached the Dragon Ascent Stage, if Xiao Chen was lucky enough to survive, he would claim that Xiao Chen had stolen his treasures and simply take them back.
If Xiao Chen died, he could likewise claim that his storage ring had been stolen by the boy, and demand it back directly from Ye Lin.
As an Outer Academy Elder, he believed that no matter how overbearing Ye Lin was, the youth wouldn't keep his storage ring in front of everyone.
Having reached an agreement, Xiao Chen and Nangong Yin rushed toward the Outer Academy's Dragon Ascent Stage one after the other.
Meanwhile, at the Outer Academy's Dragon Ascent Stage, a circular white jade plaza capable of holding nearly ten thousand people was split into two areas: the spectator stands and the Dragon Ascent Stage itself.
The spectator stands surrounded the perimeter, while the Dragon Ascent Stage sat in the center of the plaza, resembling a massive arena. Upon the stage stood four stone pillars several dozen meters tall, each carved with murals of dragons soaring through the heavens and earth.
Atop the murals were rows of dazzling names.
Defeating an opponent on this stage earned one the right to carve their name upon the Dragon Ascent Pillars. Carving one's name symbolized a carp leaping through the dragon gate—gaining entry into the Inner Academy and soaring to greatness.
At this moment, the spectator stands were already packed to the brim. Everyone was engaged in heated discussion while watching the calm, black-robed youth standing on the stage, making the atmosphere incredibly lively.
With his hands cradling the back of his head, Ye Lin leaned gently against a Dragon Ascent Pillar. He paid little mind to the curious and burning gazes directed at him from the stands.
In truth, his original plan had been to come to the Dragon Ascent Stage, knock his opponent unconscious with a single slap, and head straight into the Inner Academy.
He had not expected so many people to gather in the stands in such a short amount of time.
However, back on the Blue Planet, he had been the most pampered young master of Yun City's Ye family. Having long grown accustomed to such grand scenes, his heart remained perfectly calm.
Buzz!
Just as the atmosphere reached its peak, a black-clothed youth flew in from the distance, handsomely riding a flying sword.
Following closely beside him were a middle-aged man with a goatee and a white-haired elder.
“Holy crap, the one fighting Ye Lin is actually Xiao Chen, the Tyrant Blade who ranks first among our Outer Academy's older disciples?”
“I heard that last month, he single-handedly killed an injured evil Venerable with just his blade and his own strength. With that kind of combat power, he's probably unrivaled in the Foundation Establishment Stage.”
“The Tyrant Blade is just one of Xiao Chen's combat styles. Don't forget that he's also a high-grade Formation Master. During the last Outer Academy tournament, he became the number one figure of the Outer Academy precisely by relying on his bizarre formations.”
“One is a rising fierce talent, and the other is an established ruthless figure. I'm really looking forward to the battle between him and Ye Lin.”
Seeing that the challenger was indeed the top figure of the Outer Academy, Xiao Chen, everyone in the spectator stands grew incredibly excited.
A clash between tigers and dragons like this was exactly what everyone wanted to see to satisfy their excitement and glean some insights.
Midst the expectant cheers of the crowd, Xiao Chen landed upon the arena.
“The rules of the Dragon Ascent Stage are as follows: no items exceeding one's own level by a major realm may be used. Violators will be disqualified immediately.”
“Both the challenger and the challenged are in position. I hereby declare the battle officially started!”
Seeing Xiao Chen land on the stage, the white-haired elder recited the rules before directly announcing the start of the match.
“I know you're very strong, but unfortunately for you, you've met me this time.” Hearing the elder's announcement, Xiao Chen walked toward Ye Lin step by step, his face filled with confidence.
Boom!
But before his confident words could fully leave his mouth, a terrifying force suddenly descended.
He had absolutely no time to react before he was sent flying backward, coughing up blood.
“You've got great spirit, but I'm in a hurry.”
Looking at Xiao Chen, who was twitching on the ground, Ye Lin remarked casually.
The crowd in the stands was utterly dumbfounded, and the entire arena fell so silent that a dropping pin could be heard.
This wasn't right, was it? Where was the promised clash between tigers and dragons? Why did it feel like Xiao Chen had been kicked aside by Ye Lin like a stray dog on the street?
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