Yuan Jianxin, a disciple of the Laoshan Sword Sect, was here to congratulate Lin Zitong?!
At this moment, the sect leaders of those smaller factions all felt their scalps tingle.
Just moments ago, they were mocking Lin Zitong for her lack of connections with prominent sects, and the refutation came so quickly.
After all, even a senior disciple of the Laoshan Sword Sect held a higher status than elders from other branches of Laoshan.
In contrast, Elder Yuan Hong of the Laoshan Talisman Sect, who was seated in the inner hall, seemed insignificant!
The young sect leader swallowed, staring at Yuan Jianxin for a long time.
Suddenly, that young sect leader burst into laughter, "Lin Zitong, I see it now. You just know an ordinary disciple from the Laoshan Sword Sect and invited him here to support you, right?"
Everyone suddenly woke up and realized that things might not be as serious as they imagined.
While disciples of the Laoshan Sword Sect indeed held special status, they were still disciples and couldn't represent their sects.
And although the elders of the Laoshan Talisman Sect might have a lower status than senior disciples of the Sword Sect, they could speak for their sects because they held official positions and were part of the true management.
It was akin to a brick-moving company; a worker who could move a thousand bricks a day was respected, but the true decision-makers were still the management staff sitting in the air-conditioned offices.
This Lin Zitong must have merely had a personal connection with Yuan Jianxin, inviting him to put on a show.
True powerful connections were like those of Lu Xin, who invited the elders of the sect!
For a moment, the previously suppressed sect leaders of the smaller factions regained their confidence, displaying smug expressions once more.
"These people are really something, to conjure up such a narrative," Luo Ning shook his head helplessly, thinking these fellows were the most optimistic people in the world.
Yuan Jianxin, not being good at socializing, didn't know what to do or say after his appearance.
This ironically made Yuan Jianxin seem lacking in confidence, playing right into the hands of the small sect leaders.
Lu Xin's expression softened slightly, as if even she considered Yuan Jianxin to be a minor player.
But then...
Elder Yuan Hong of the Laoshan Talisman Sect rushed out of the inner hall in a hurry!
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Yuan Hong approached Yuan Jianxin and happily grasped his hand, "Jianxin, long time no see. Do you remember me? I am Elder Yuan Hong of the Talisman Sect. I visited your master last time at the Mountain Assembly."
Although Yuan Hong was Yuan Jianxin's elder in terms of status, he spoke to Yuan Jianxin as an equal, even with a hint of subservient ingratiation.
Everyone present, being experienced individuals, immediately sensed something was amiss.
The young sect leader's smile froze on his face again.
"Elder Yuan Hong... I'm sorry, I don't quite remember," Yuan Jianxin replied honestly, a hint of embarrassment on his face.
He genuinely didn't remember. Laoshan had eight branches, each with over a dozen elders, totaling more than a hundred.
He was also a sword-obsessed individual who wasn't good at socializing, so only those like Yan Shouyi, whom he considered rivals, were firmly etched in his memory.
As for an Elder Yuan Hong of the Talisman Sect... he simply couldn't recall.
Yuan Hong coughed awkwardly but showed no anger, instead comforting him,
"It's alright, it's alright. The first time is strange, the second time is familiar!"
He wasn't angry at all?!
Let alone the sect leaders of the smaller factions, even Lu Xin's expression had stiffened.
She didn't know who this Yuan Jianxin was, that even Yuan Hong regarded him with such importance... perhaps even reverence.
Yuan Hong turned back and looked at Lu Xin, introducing, "This is Yuan Jianxin, a once-in-a-millennium genius of our Laoshan Sword Sect, and a direct disciple of the Sect Master!"
A direct disciple of the Sect Master?!
Everyone's faces suddenly darkened.
If Yuan Jianxin was the Sect Master's direct disciple, then their earlier statement that "Sword Sect disciples couldn't represent the sect" was a complete joke!
Ordinary disciples couldn't represent the sect, but the Sect Master's direct disciple could! A genius rarely seen in a millennium!
Yuan Jianxin's stance held far more weight than Yuan Hong's. Yuan Jianxin's presence here, supporting Lin Zitong, meant the Laoshan Sword Sect supported Lin Zitong.
It meant that the entirety of Laoshan would ultimately support Lin Zitong!
At this moment, even Lu Xin's expression turned stiff. She had begun to perceive a shift, realizing that the situation had changed.
Yuan Hong cast an apologetic glance at Lu Xin and said, "Fellow Daoist Lu, I apologize, but the Sword Sect's intention is Laoshan's intention."
He didn't elaborate, but his meaning was clear – sorry, sis, I'm switching sides!
Yuan Hong, shamelessly standing beside Yuan Jianxin, engaged in hushed conversation and tried to curry favor, clearly aligning himself with Yan Shouyi's faction.
Everyone was caught off guard by this turn of events. The old timers sitting in the inner hall were stunned, cursing Yuan Hong as a shameless wretch!
To run away without a word, it was as if they weren't friends at all!
The remaining sect representatives felt the chairs beneath them burning hot, unable to sit still, yet unable to find a reason to leave.
Lu Xin had decent relationships with their sects; leaving now would damage their reputations.
For the sake of maintaining appearances, they could only grit their teeth and remain seated.
The sect leaders of the smaller factions all turned their gazes towards Lu Xin.
Their looks seemed to convey: Sect Leader Lu Xin, please show some presence, don't always let us small fry speak!
Yuan Jianxin's appearance had indeed thrown Lu Xin into disarray.
But she quickly regained her composure, steadied herself, and resumed her previously aloof demeanor.
"A mere Laoshan Sect," she stated indifferently, "the Laoshan Sect does not represent the Xuanmen, nor can it dictate our Luoshan Sect's internal affairs."
The leaders of the smaller factions breathed a sigh of relief, satisfied with Lu Xin's response.
That's right, even with the backing of the Laoshan Sect, so what? We have more sects behind us!
Does the world revolve around the Laoshan Sect's decree!
Hmph!
Lin Zitong said calmly:
"Lu Xin, I can see that you have never taken me seriously from the beginning."
"That's why you couldn't be bothered to investigate me. You don't know the depth of my strength, which is why you sent that embroidery-shoe ghost to harm my child."
"You don't know my connections, which is why you dared to humiliate me like this, thinking I had no power to resist."
"I don't know where you get your confidence from, is it merely because you are the granddaughter of Sect Master Lu Jing Sheng!"
Being directly challenged by Lin Zitong like this, a flicker of anger flashed in Lu Xin's eyes, "Silence!"
But Lin Zitong had no intention of stopping:
"If you like comparing connections, then we will compare them to our heart's content today. I want to teach you a lesson – in the world of Xuanmen, heroes are not judged by their age!"
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone suddenly noticed two more figures appearing outside the courtyard gate...