Free Web NovelChapter 367: Chapter 367: Forced by Circumstances (Part 2)
Looking at the Elder’s smile, Lin Yun understood this principle all too well. Although Luo Feng was still quite young, it would be at least several hundred years before he stepped down as Master of Flawless Palace.
’But one mustn’t forget that the current Flawless Palace has no clear successor—no Young Palace Master.’
’Among the Six Great Forces of the Eastern Domain, all but Flawless Palace have clear successors—the Five Great Demon Fiends. In terms of both strength and talent, their reputations are well-deserved.’
’But because Flawless Palace has yet to produce a single Demon Fiend, no one has been able to rise above the rest. As a result, the overt and covert struggles among the Ten Core Disciples are inevitable.’
’Where there is power, there is conflict. None of those who managed to become one of the Ten Core Disciples are to be underestimated. As long as a Demon Fiend has not emerged in Flawless Palace, they will never stand by and watch someone else ascend to the position of Young Palace Master.’
’Based on the current situation, Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing have the greatest chance of becoming Demon Fiends, and thus the greatest chance of becoming the Young Palace Master of Flawless Palace. Of course, that was before my arrival.’
’Now that I’ve come to Flawless Palace... although I’m still very weak, as long as I’m given time to grow, Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing will likely have to step aside.’
’Those two will never let me grow peacefully. They will surely find ways to hinder me, or even eliminate me.’
’Although I have no interest in the position of Master of Flawless Palace—how could a mere Flawless Palace be my ultimate goal?—would others see it that way?’
’Threats must be nipped in the bud. So, just as this Elder said, even without Lu Bingning and Lan Xi, a battle between me and Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing is inevitable—a battle to the death.’
’Because I make them feel threatened.’
"Lin Yun, you’re already caught up in this mess. It’s impossible for you to stay out of it now," the Elder said calmly.
"I understand," Lin Yun replied.
’That’s just how it is in this world; some things are beyond your control. Even when your ambitions lie elsewhere, things go against your wishes, and trouble finds you anyway.’
’If my talent weren’t so high, if Luo Feng hadn’t expressed his intent to take me as his disciple, if... But there are no "ifs" in this world.’
’Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing are both dead set on becoming the Young Palace Master. And as for the other eight Core Disciples, who knows what they’re thinking?’
But judging from the current situation, Lin Yun was certain that when Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing returned, he would be their first target. They would undoubtedly move against him at the first opportunity.
Compared to the threat they posed to each other, Lin Yun was an even greater one. If they could just get rid of him, Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing could go back to their long-running rivalry; after all, they had been fighting for many years.
For so many years, Flawless Palace had not produced a Demon Fiend, and in that time, it had maintained a delicate balance: Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing.
The two had entered Flawless Palace around the same time, and their talent and Cultivation levels were comparable.
All along, both had been geniuses with the potential to become Demon Fiends, yet neither had ever managed to take that final step. They couldn’t become true Demon Fiends and vie for supremacy with the other five from the Eastern Domain.
It was precisely for this reason that the two formed a balance within Flawless Palace. Neither could overcome the other, and neither was stronger. The other Core Disciples were a tier below them, which was why Flawless Palace had appeared so peaceful in recent years.
However, with Lin Yun’s arrival, this balance was on the verge of shattering. Lin Yun also possessed the potential of a Demon Fiend, and his innate talent was even greater than theirs. Given time to grow, his chances of becoming a Demon Fiend were far higher than their own.
Based on this, it was certain that peaceful coexistence between them and Lin Yun was impossible. Even if Lin Yun never provoked them, and even without the issue of Lu Bingning and Lan Xi, they and Lin Yun could only ever be enemies.
Not everyone was like Lin Yun. The position of Master of Flawless Palace was an irresistible temptation to almost anyone.
This was the situation, and there was nothing Lin Yun could do to change it. Unless he left Flawless Palace... but was that really an option? Flawless Palace was his stepping stone; he would never leave.
Glancing at the Elder seated in the main chair, Lin Yun returned to his own seat. He took a sip of tea and sighed softly. "Circumstances force one’s hand. Some things are just so frustrating."
With a slight smile, the Elder chuckled. "Lin Yun, the ways of the world aren’t as simple as you think. Forget about us; even Saints face things that are beyond their control, just like the laws of heaven and earth."
"Indeed," Lin Yun replied, a strange light flickering in his eyes. "A Martial Artist cultivates with the lifelong dream of transcending everything, of even contending with heaven and earth itself. But in the end, many discover just how foolish that notion is."
After speaking, Lin Yun looked at the Elder again and asked abruptly, "The three of you Elders came looking for me today... it wasn’t just about your disciples, was it?"
Hearing this, all three Elders were taken aback, their expressions turning slightly odd.
Seeing their expressions, Lin Yun smiled faintly. He had already guessed it. There was no way they would have said so much to him just for the sake of their three disciples.
’I’m now on the complete opposite side of Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing. It’s a result of the circumstances, and it’s unavoidable.’
’As for why these three Main Seat Elders are so interested in my affairs... I’d probably have to ask the person standing behind them.’
Taking a sip of tea, Lin Yun looked at the three and said calmly, "Since I’m already here, shouldn’t you three Elders ask the person behind you to come out and meet me?"
As he spoke, Lin Yun’s gaze slowly shifted, finally resting on the entrance to the main hall.
Under Lin Yun’s watch, a young man suddenly appeared at the previously empty entrance to the hall. Though the youth was only at the Ninth Layer of Primordial Ocean Realm, even Lin Yun found him somewhat unfathomable.
Dressed in a golden robe, it was clear that this young man was one of the Ten Core Disciples.
"Haha, Brother Lin is truly as talented as they say. You must have discovered my presence long ago, haven’t you?" With a hearty laugh, the youth strode into the main hall.
Upon seeing the youth, the three Main Seat Elders immediately rose, their attitudes clearly respectful.
"It wasn’t that I discovered you; your intentions were just too obvious," Lin Yun said calmly, remaining seated with no intention of rising. "Otherwise, with your level of Cultivation, how could I possibly have detected you?"
Hearing this, the youth stared at Lin Yun for a long moment before breaking into a faint smile. He strode to the main seat, and the Elder who had been sitting there respectfully gave up his position. The Elder then sat below, side-by-side with the other two Main Seat Elders.
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