Suspecting Lin Zhitong's connections within the Xuanmen?
After the leader of a minor sect spoke with mockery, everyone suddenly noticed that Yan Shouyi and his entourage, who had been aggressively posturing, had gone remarkably quiet.
It wasn't out of anger, nor fear.
They saw a surprisingly uniform smile on Yan Shouyi and the others' faces.
Their smiles held mockery, disdain, and a subtle air of smugness.
The leader of the minor sect, upon seeing this, was taken aback.
Wh-what did this mean?
Had he said something wrong to make them find it so amusing?
Among those present, only Cao Gaochi sighed silently.
"Old Cao, why the sigh again? What are Lin Zhitong and the others laughing about?" a bystander asked.
Cao Gaochi shook his head. "I'm sighing because we came here today to support Sect Leader Lü Xin, but judging by how things are developing, we're likely to make fools of ourselves."
"Why?"
"Think about it. Yan Shouyi is the possessor of the Dragon-Tiger Secret Script, and he nearly obtained the position of Heavenly Master. Lin Zhitong also made a spectacular showing at the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony, even reaching the top four. Would anyone really ostracize a couple like that?"
Qian Kangping of Wudang Mountain said in a low voice, "According to you, Old Cao, they have extensive connections?"
"Extensive is an understatement," Cao Gaochi replied. "As far as I know, after the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony, Yan Shouyi and Yu Luming became so close they were like sworn brothers. Liu Yiren, the last disciple of the Grand Elder of the Heavenly Master's Mansion, also has a close relationship with him. Furthermore, disciples from various sects and factions are on intimate terms with Yan Shouyi and Lin Zhitong! Their existing relationships are far more reliable than the ties we old folks have with Lü Xin."
Prompted by Cao Gaochi's reminder, Yuan Hong, an elder from the Laoshan Talisman Sect, also recalled. He slapped his forehead and said, "I remember now. Yuan Jianxin, that genius disciple from our Laoshan Sword Sect, seems to be on good terms with Yan Shouyi as well!"
After he spoke, everyone exchanged glances.
They had only come today to lend support to Lü Xin and boost her prestige. They never imagined it would escalate into such a significant affair.
At this very moment, they all felt like they were sitting on pins and needles, their eyes occasionally darting back, as if seeking any opportunity to slip out through the back door and avoid being humiliated later.
The misfortune was that they lacked the qualifications to attend the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony and failed to recognize Yan Shouyi and Lin Zhitong's backgrounds early on.
...
"You want to compete with us in terms of connections?"
Lin Zhitong narrowed her eyes slightly, staring at the small sect leader who had spoken so recklessly.
The leader of the minor sect hadn't realized the issue with his words. Although he felt uneasy, he still chose to confront Lin Zhitong:
"Isn't that right? Look around you. Which of them comes from a renowned major sect? They are all disciples of folk cults, unworthy of the stage!"
The other supporters of Lü Xin were also stirred up, accusing Lin Zhitong of forgetting her roots.
As a disciple of the Lü Shan Sect, she didn't associate with the sect but instead "hung out" with disciples of folk cults all day.
It was as if they had finally found a handle, and they attacked Lin Zhitong relentlessly.
Faced with these accusations, though Lin Zhitong remained composed, to the others, she appeared to be at a loss for words and at a disadvantage.
Sun Tangzhi felt a knot of tension in his stomach. His decision to support Lin Zhitong this time was a gamble for the Tianhai Association.
If Lin Zhitong was defeated, an abyss of despair awaited the Tianhai Association.
Sun Tangzhi had already experienced Lü Xin's methods; Sun Liuying was the best example!
A sect leader quietly asked Lin Zhitong, "Sect Leader Lin, could you at least respond? Otherwise, our position will truly be without legitimacy..."
"Don't worry," Lin Zhitong said softly to reassure him.
Seeing Lin Zhitong's continued silence, Lü Xin lost interest.
She waved her whisk and said indifferently, "Lin Zhitong, regardless of identity, experience, connections, or strength, you are no match for me. Don't harbor any more thoughts about this sect leader position. Before my mood sours further, I advise you to leave now and spare yourselves the embarrassment at our Lü Shan Sect."
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone echoed her sentiment, adopting an air of driving Lin Zhitong out of the Lü Shan Sect.
The dignitaries and influential figures all smiled, their spirits lifted, as if they could already see the dawn of victory.
However, at that very moment.
A voice echoed from outside the Lü Shan Sect's courtyard:
"Disciples of the Laoshan Sword Sect have arrived by order of our master to congratulate the ascension of the new Sect Leader of the Lü Shan Sect!"
Everyone immediately turned their gaze towards the courtyard entrance.
There, a young man in coarse cloth clothes, with a sword case strapped to his back, slowly appeared at the doorway.
He had sharp eyes and sword-like eyebrows, appearing very upright, yet his gaze lacked a certain liveliness, giving him a somewhat simple and honest air.
The first impression people had upon seeing him was an involuntary thought of two words: sword-obsessed.
This person was undoubtedly a sword-obsessed individual.
The representatives of several sects seated in the inner hall looked towards Yuan Hong of the Laoshan Talisman Sect in unison.
In reality, the Laoshan Sect was divided into numerous smaller sects, with the Talisman Sect being just one of them.
The most formidable was the Sword Sect.
Outstanding disciples of the Sword Sect held a status even higher than his own as an elder of the Talisman Sect.
They noticed Yuan Hong's stunned silence and couldn't help but remind him, "Elder Yuan Hong, a disciple from your Laoshan Sect has arrived. Why weren't you informed in advance?"
Yuan Hong snapped back to reality, his expression peculiar. "The Sword Sect is the Sword Sect, and the Talisman Sect is the Talisman Sect. Only our Talisman Sect came to support Lü Xin; the Sword Sect did not."
Everyone was surprised.
When had Lü Xin managed to gain the support of the Laoshan Sword Sect?
Suddenly, everyone recalled something else, and their expressions became even more peculiar.
Yuan Hong looked outwards, and upon clearly seeing the newcomer's appearance, he froze.
"Yuan Jianxin... It's Yuan Jianxin! That genius disciple from our Laoshan Sword Sect, Yuan Jianxin, hailed as the Sword Obsessed!" Yuan Hong exclaimed excitedly. "His status in Laoshan far surpasses mine... No, I must go out to greet him personally! Greet him personally!"
With that, Yuan Hong hurried outwards.
In the courtyard, the leaders of the minor sects supporting Lü Xin burst into laughter.
He, too, had heard about the power structure within Laoshan, knowing that the Laoshan Sword Sect was the strongest!
Now that the Laoshan Sword Sect had sent someone to congratulate their Sect Leader Lü Xin, what else could these little brats say?!
Hmph, utterly shameful!
Lü Xin remained silent, fixing her gaze on the arrival.
Yuan Jianxin slowly walked into the courtyard of the Lü Shan Sect, and under everyone's watchful eyes, he bowed in greeting to Lin Zhitong.
"I am Yuan Jianxin. Entrusted by my sect, I have specifically come to congratulate fellow cultivator Lin on her assumption of the position of Sect Leader of the Lü Shan Sect. I also hope that the Lü Shan Sect will have more exchanges and sincere cooperation with our Laoshan Sword Sect in the future."
Lin Zhitong looked at Yuan Jianxin with a smile and nodded. "Thank you, fellow cultivator. Please also convey my thanks to your sect."
Everyone understood the unspoken sentiment; they were old acquaintances, yet they spoke with pleasantries.
However, the others present were now completely speechless.
The leader of the minor sect who had just mocked Lin Zhitong for lacking connections couldn't speak; they couldn't even manage a smile.