Chapter 68: The Grand Tournament of the Spirit Realm

Jiang Zhengqing didn't know what was so special about Lin Yun, but Gu Xiande, Hong Xiu, and now Li Hong—all of them had placed immense importance on him.

He was just a boy in the Origin Sea Realm. Did the Beast Taming Sect lack such disciples? Of course not.

Li Hong must have considered countless factors before making his decision, yet he remained steadfast in his choice. This was proof enough that Lin Yun himself might be the key to everything. At this moment, a seed of an idea began to grow in Jiang Zhengqing's mind.

No matter what, he had to protect Lin Yun.

"I know you are all against this," he declared, his voice firm. "But this matter is not up for debate. Even if it means making an enemy of the Flowing Cloud Sect, I will keep Lin Yun in the Beast Taming Sect."

The message was crystal clear. Come hell or high water, he, Jiang Zhengqing, would protect Lin Yun.

The elders could only stare at each other in disbelief. They couldn't believe this was a decision Jiang Zhengqing was capable of making.

Seeing that he could not be swayed, Zhao Fa settled for the next best thing. "Since the Sect Master insists on keeping Lin Yun, he must still abide by the rules of our sect. Only by passing our trial can he officially join the Beast Taming Sect."

Unlike other cultivation sects, the Beast Taming Sect's trial focused on a person's innate influence over exotic beasts. The stronger the beast one could tame, and the faster one could do it, the greater their aptitude was judged to be.

Jiang Zhengqing felt a flicker of uncertainty. But suddenly, the Magatama in his hand broke free of his grasp on its own.

In the next moment, the cry of the Chongqing Bird echoed through the Great Hall, a sound so powerful it seemed to resound through the Nine Heavens.

In an instant, every single person in the Beast Taming Sect, from the highest peak to the lowest gate, turned their heads toward the Great Hall. A golden pillar of light had shot into the sky from its roof.

Before anyone in the hall could process what was happening, the Magatama transformed into a stream of liquid light and merged into the palm of Lin Yun's hand.

Lin Yun himself was taken by surprise. When he lifted his right hand, he found a small, intricate Magatama-shaped mark imprinted on his palm, as if it had been tattooed there.

Zhao Fa was speechless.

Wu Boyan and his faction were dumbfounded.

Jiang Zhengqing stared at Lin Yun, his hands trembling. "The Chongqing Bird… has it… acknowledged him as its master?"

Ning Changkong looked at Lin Yun with a complex expression. For centuries, the Chongqing Bird had been the Sect-Guarding Spirit Beast of the Beast Taming Sect, an object of reverence and desire for all. Even the elders hoped that they might one day be worthy of commanding such a creature.

And the result? For so many years, not a single person had earned so much as a second glance from the proud bird.

Yet here was Lin Yun, an ordinary cultivator by all appearances, and the Chongqing Bird had voluntarily acknowledged him.

If anyone still dared to say Lin Yun was unqualified to join the Beast Taming Sect, it would be the most absurd joke under the heavens.

The damn Sect-Guarding Spirit Beast itself has acknowledged him. What bullshit excuse could you possibly have now?

Zhao Fa's face was a grimace. The sting of that rebuttal was swift and brutal.

"The Chongqing Bird has chosen Lin Yun as its new master," Jiang Zhengqing announced, his voice filled with awe. "This is the most significant event to happen in five hundred years. Does anyone else have anything to say?"

The hall fell silent. Wu Boyan and his followers didn't dare to utter a peep.

It was Ning Changkong who finally broke the silence, cupping his hands with a smile. "Congratulations, Sect Master."

Jiang Zhengqing snorted. "In that case, from this day forward, Lin Yun is Li Hong's personal disciple. He will assume Li Hong's position as Acting Elder."

Wu Boyan's eyes went wide with shock.

Acting Elder? That was insane! He was just a boy in the Origin Sea Realm. Was Jiang Zhengqing really going to place him on such a high pedestal? He simply could not comprehend what his Sect Master was thinking.

"Sect Master, this is…"

Jiang Zhengqing waved his hand dismissively. "My mind is made up. Lin Yun's current strength is insufficient for the full title, so he will be an Acting Elder for now. In the future, when you have grown stronger, you will be a true Elder of my Beast Taming Sect."

Was this a joke? This was a man chosen by the Chongqing Bird itself. Was making him an elder really too much? Lin Yun's Origin Sea Realm wasn't even low. Even if he were in the Body Tempering Realm, Jiang Zhengqing wouldn't have hesitated. The golden age of the Beast Taming Sect, when it reigned supreme in the cultivation world, was precisely because its Sect Master at the time was the chosen successor of the Chongqing Bird. Now that another such person had appeared, how could Jiang Zhengqing possibly let the opportunity slip?

Lin Yun saw the sour expression on Wu Boyan's face and asked, "Elders, is there anything else you wish to confront me about? Let's make everything clear here today in the Great Hall. It would save us all the trouble of you seeking me out in private later. I can assure you, I will not be so courteous then."

He smiled placidly at the group.

Wu Boyan felt as if needles were pricking his back. This boy… he was a deeply unsettling presence. It seemed he would have to think of another way.

"With Elder Li's death, there are many matters to attend to," Jiang Zhengqing said, turning to Ning Changkong. "Elder Ning, let's temporarily halt the negotiations with the Flowing Cloud Sect regarding Phoenix Blossom Mountain."

With Li Hong dead, the Flowing Cloud Sect had immediately tried to seize the opportunity to claim the mountain for themselves, and Jiang Zhengqing had been too weak to resist. But now, with Lin Yun's arrival, things were different. Not only could he use this to strike back and damage the Flowing Cloud Sect's reputation, but he now had the full support of the Sect-Guarding Spirit Beast.

Voluntary acknowledgement from a beast and forced subjugation were two completely different concepts. While Lin Yun couldn't yet wield the Chongqing Bird's full power, he could already call upon about ten percent of its strength—more than enough to make a difference.

After everyone had departed from the Great Hall, Jiang Zhengqing brought Lin Yun to his private residence.

"You saw the situation in the hall today. The Beast Taming Sect's circumstances are not optimistic."

"The First and Second Elders are concerned only with their cultivation and do not meddle in worldly affairs. They will not intervene unless the sect faces imminent destruction. The faction led by the Third Elder, Wu Boyan, has always been a thorn in my side."

At this, Jiang Zhengqing heaved a long sigh. A single palm cannot clap. Before, with Li Hong by his side, things were manageable. But now that Li Hong was gone, he was left all alone. The thought was terrifying.

Thankfully, Lin Yun had appeared at this critical juncture. His forceful entry into the sect was enough to make Wu Boyan's faction lie low for a while. More importantly, it had drastically changed how elders like Ning Changkong viewed him.

"Even if Wu Boyan and the others want to cause trouble, they will need a pretext," Jiang Zhengqing said confidently. "For the time being, I can guarantee they will be forced to tread carefully and won't dare to act rashly."

Lin Yun nodded, his expression resolute. "However… I wish to participate in the upcoming Grand Tournament of the Spirit Realm."

Jiang Zhengqing's expression changed instantly.

The Grand Tournament of the Spirit Realm? Is this kid insane?

He stared at Lin Yun and took a deep breath. "Do you have any idea what that means?"

"By keeping you here, the already complicated conflict between my sect and the Flowing Cloud Sect has become irreconcilable. In the Grand Tournament, life and death are decreed by fate. If you participate, the Flowing Cloud Sect will use every means at their disposal to kill you."

"It's far too dangerous."

Lin Yun was a genius, there was no doubt. But right now, he was the target of a thousand arrows. There was no way Jiang Zhengqing would let him march to his death so soon.

This Sect Master is a man of genuine character, Lin Yun thought. He then said aloud, "Sect Master, please rest assured. This… is a decision I have made after deep consideration."

"After how the Flowing Cloud Sect has treated me, even if they don't come looking for trouble with me, I will make sure I find them. And I will make them feel a world of pain."

Jiang Zhengqing looked at Lin Yun, startled by the sheer, billowing killing intent radiating from the young man.

Gu Xiande, oh Gu Xiande, he thought with a shake of his head. You've really grown old.

生成音频概览