Seeing Through the Conspiracy

With a light block, Huang Mingyuan's fist could not advance another inch.

The instant their powers collided, a fierce gust exploded outward, sweeping dust across the ground in every direction.

Lin Chen dug at his ear with his left hand, then brought it to his lips and gave a gentle blow.

"Is that all the strength you've got?"

The naked contempt made Huang Mingyuan's face flush crimson.

They were both sixteen, an age when one dared to fight and dared to strive.

Who could endure such provocation?

"Courting death!"

With an angry roar, Huang Mingyuan swung his arms like windmills, his feet treading Seven Stars as he circled Lin Chen and launched a dense barrage of attacks.

Slap slap... bang bang...

Lin Chen remained where he was, not even bothering to dodge, allowing the rain-like barrage of fists to fall upon him.

To outsiders, he looked utterly helpless beneath the beating.

As though he would soon collapse.

Only the elders could see clearly that Huang Mingyuan's attacks had not broken through his defenses at all.

They could even be called nothing more than a scratch.

"This brat!" Elder Liu's expression eased.

The other elders began joking around.

"Elder Liu, giving away Spirit Stones like this for nothing—you must have some other motive, right?"

"Exactly. Five hundred Spirit Stones—that's worth five months of an inner disciple's stipend."

"You're asking a question you already know the answer to. Elder Liu has taken a liking to Lin Chen. That brat is a money-grubber, so Elder Liu is telling him: this elder isn't short on money. Come to my side quickly."

Hahaha...

Everyone chuckled.

Elder Liu looked smug. "What, are you jealous?"

"We aren't jealous, but those old fellows in the Scripture Pavilion might try to snatch him away."

"Right. That kid comprehended Flame Primer in less than half an hour just now, and even cultivated Crimson Flame. That level of comprehension is enough to make those old fellows act."

At those words, Elder Liu's expression shifted slightly. "No matter. There's plenty of time ahead. As long as we keep this kid in the Green Mountain Sect, I'll have my chance."

The battle continued for half an hour, and Huang Mingyuan was panting so hard he could barely catch his breath.

Yet Lin Chen still stood where he was, without moving a single step.

Feeling the other man's strength weakening further and further, he finally stretched lazily. "You're not much either, huh?"

Those casual words were like a sharp sword driven viciously into Huang Mingyuan's heart.

He suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, staggered back several steps, and dropped onto the ground on his backside.

"Trying to scam me?"

Lin Chen stared at Huang Mingyuan in shock. "Everyone saw it. You were the only one moving from start to finish, and now you're trying to pull this on me?"

It would have been better if he had said nothing. The moment he finished speaking, Huang Mingyuan spat blood again.

Lin Chen rushed forward in a few strides and stomped directly on his Third Leg, sending chicken flying and eggs shattering.

Huang Mingyuan let out a miserable scream and curled up like a giant shrimp.

"Brother, I'm saving you. This way, you won't be led around by that woman anymore. You can devote yourself wholeheartedly to the Dao and scale the highest peaks."

Upon hearing those words, Huang Mingyuan gave a strangled hiccup and fainted.

With a hook of his foot, Lin Chen sent Huang Mingyuan rolling away. With a thud, he landed among the crowd.

He happened to roll right to Liu Ruyan's feet.

Lin Chen narrowed his eyes and swept his gaze across the crowd. "Trash like that actually had the nerve to come out and make fools of yourselves? Come on, come on—who else wants to challenge me? Step forward."

Facing several dozen people, Lin Chen did not care in the slightest.

After witnessing how monstrous Lin Chen was, no one dared make a sound.

Stepping forward now would be nothing but asking for a beating.

Seeing that no one answered, he spat on the ground without a shred of decorum. "A bunch of earthen chickens and pottery dogs, and you still dare to bark here? Do you even know what place this is?"

"Senior Brother Lin Chen."

Just as Lin Chen was about to turn and leave, Liu Ruyan suddenly called out to him.

Lin Chen raised his eyes and looked at her with interest. He wanted to see what this woman was planning.

Setting aside her character, this woman truly was beautiful. Her features, figure, and appearance all seemed sculpted to fit humanity's sense of beauty.

Even the slightest gesture, every frown and smile, drew special attention.

No wonder Jin Yuanbao had fallen for her at first sight.

If not for his sensitivity toward that name, Lin Chen might not have been able to resist either.

Liu Ruyan stepped forward a few paces, her face filled with grievance as she spoke in a tearful voice.

"Senior Brother Lin Chen, you've misunderstood us."

She turned to look at the unconscious Huang Mingyuan and spoke softly.

"Huang Mingyuan relied on his powerful family and strength to force us to falsely accuse you. We had no choice. I hope Senior Brother can understand."

After saying that, she looked at Lin Chen with a pitiful, delicate expression.

She had tossed the blame away clean as a whistle.

She had even painted herself as the victim.

Most importantly, she had pleaded on behalf of everyone behind her as well.

If that was not winning people over, what was?

Lin Chen had to admit that this woman was skilled at playing her schemes.

Huang Mingyuan was truly wronged. While unconscious, he had taken such a massive blame upon himself.

Lin Chen said nothing. Instead, he turned to Elder Liu.

He had already done what he needed to do. The rest should be left to the sect.

Elder Liu nodded slightly at him, then immediately announced, "The match is over. Lin Chen has proven everything with his strength. Do any of you still have objections?"

"Elder, we were all misled. We did not intentionally target Lin Chen," one of the bolder people spoke up in explanation.

The others all nodded in agreement.

"Very good!"

Elder Liu raised his hand and tossed a pouch of Spirit Stones to Lin Chen.

Lin Chen hurriedly caught it, hugged it in his arms, and gave it a fierce kiss.

Heaven and earth may be vast, but Spirit Stones were the greatest.

Hahaha!

Seeing his appearance, Elder Liu felt a faint delight in his heart. Having a hobby was a good thing.

After a slight pause, he looked at the crowd again. "Come, come. Who were the ones who took part in accusing Lin Chen just now? Step forward and let me see whether you are honest or not."

The crowd did not know what Elder Liu meant. Those who had participated in the test thought it was another trial and stepped forward one after another.

Including Liu Ruyan, there were sixty-eight people in total.

Elder Liu's gaze was as sharp as lightning. "Very good. Listen carefully, all of you. Though the Green Mountain Sect is a small sect, we place great importance on cultivating character.

The people in the sect may have a few minor quirks, but the vast majority are open and upright.

Therefore, your qualifications for the test are revoked, and you will never be admitted."

Elder Liu's words struck the gathering like exploding thunder.

Not only those who had accused Lin Chen, but even the other participants in the test were stunned where they stood.

Even the seated elders could no longer remain calm.

Those were two Two-Attribute High Grade Spirit Roots. They were being discarded just like that?

"Elder Liu..."

Someone beside him tried to remind him.

But Elder Liu remained completely unmoved. "Men, escort them down the mountain. Put their names on the Blacklist."

Waaah—

At this moment, these people could no longer hold back. Some burst into loud sobs, while others collapsed onto the ground, their faces white as paper.

"Elder, please, don't drive me away!"

"Elder, we know we were wrong. It was all that woman Liu Ruyan who egged us on."

"Yes, yes! Liu Ruyan even threatened us. She said that if we did not do as she said, she would target us after entering the sect. Because she has a high-grade Spirit Root, her status would definitely be higher than ours..."

The truth was exposed in an instant.

Liu Ruyan's body swayed as she glared furiously at those around her. "Don't spout nonsense..."

"It was you, you damned woman, who ruined my future."

"Beat her to death—"

No one knew who shouted it, but the scene instantly spiraled out of control.

Liu Ruyan was surrounded by the crowd and punched and kicked. Before long, she fell to the ground.

Only then did the Green Mountain Sect disciples rush forward, pull the crowd apart, and send them all down the mountain.

This farce came to an end, and the scene returned to calm.

Those who left might have felt wronged.

But those who remained felt warmth in their hearts.

A sect that protected its own like this made everyone feel at ease.

Especially Lin Chen. He had never expected the sect to handle matters this way.

It suited his wishes perfectly.

That Liu Ruyan was a scourge. Driving her away was the best choice.

"Now I announce that all assessments are over. Everyone who remains here will become disciples of the Green Mountain Sect."

Seizing the moment, Elder Liu loudly announced, "First on the points ranking: Lin Chen. Second: Jin Yuanbao. Third..."