Chapter 4098: The Mastermind
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Upon finding out that w.a.n.g Yun Sheng was from the Lone Primordial Spirit Congregation, Duan Ling Tian completely lost interest in fighting w.a.n.g Yun Sheng. If they fought, even if w.a.n.g Yun Sheng could not defeat him, w.a.n.g Yun Sheng would still be considered to have completed the Dark Net’s task by testing his strength. If w.a.n.g Yun Sheng was able to defeat him or fight to a draw with him, w.a.n.g Yun Sheng’s reward would be even higher.
Initially, Duan Ling Tian had wondered about the person who accepted the task. He also wondered if he could come to an agreement with the other party. If the other party was a decent person, he did not mind pretending to lose the fight to split the rewards. However, he dismissed his thoughts immediately when he found out that the other party was from the Lone Primordial Spirit Congregation. He did not have any goodwill toward the Lone Primordial Spirit Congregation at all since the beginning due to the various things he had learned about the congregation.
Later, when the Lone Primordial Spirit Congregation came to the Pure Yang Sect to recruit him, the representative’s words were laced with threat, causing his impression of them to fall even lower.
For all these reasons, when he learned that w.a.n.g Yun Sheng was from the Lone Primordial Spirit Congregation, he decisively refused w.a.n.g Yun Sheng’s challenge.
As for what w.a.n.g Yun Sheng and other people thought or said, Duan Ling Tian did not care at all. It was not like he would be hurt if people thought he was weaker than w.a.n.g Yun Sheng or if he was a coward.
!!
‘It’s a pity that the other party is from the Lone Primordial Spirit Congregation. If it were someone else, I might be able to get some benefits…’ Duan Ling Tian thought to himself, ‘However, who is so bored that he or she is willing to spend a fortune just to test or defeat me?’
Duan Ling Tian was perplexed. Since his arrival at the Myriad Laws Academy, his acquaintances could be counted on one hand. How could he have offended anyone? Why would anyone target him when he had just arrived?
In the end, Duan Ling Tian sent a Voice Transmission to Yang Yu Chen again.
“Third Senior Brother, you didn’t post that task on the Dark Net, did you?”
Yang Yu Chen was stunned when he heard Duan Ling Tian’s Voice Transmission. Then, he replied, “How’s that possible?! How can you suspect me? Your speculation is baseless.”
Duan Ling Tian replied, “If you can speculate that the Academy Master posted a task for people to a.s.sa.s.sinate himself, it’s not a stretch for me to speculate that you posted that task to test my strength, right? Moreover, Fourth Senior Sister treats me better than she treats you. Perhaps, you’re too embarra.s.sed to make a move so you turned to the Dark Net.”
The more Duan Ling Tian spoke, the more confident he became. Apart from Yang Yu Chen, he really could not think of another person who would spend a fortune just to test his strength. The reward was so good that even w.a.n.g Yun Sheng, whom he offended, accepted the task. As such, the more he thought about it, the more certain he was that Yang Yu Chen was behind the task.
Yang Yu Chen said with a hint of annoyance and helplessness. “You… You really think too much. Do you think I have so much free time? Do you think I’ll pay a fortune just to test your strength? This is such a trivial matter.”
Duan Ling Tian could sense the helplessness in Yang Yu Chen’s voice as well. However, he still said, “If it’s not you, Third Senior Brother, who else would target me? I’ve only just arrived, and the people I know can be counted on one hand. How could I have offended anyone so soon?”
Duan Ling Tian did not hesitate to state the reason for his suspicions. He really could not figure out who would do such a thing.
Upon hearing Duan Ling Tian’s words, realization dawned on Yang Yu Chen. He said, “Junior brother, you seemed to have forgotten something. You didn’t come to the academy alone…”
“What do you mean, Third Senior Brother?” Duan Ling Tian was confused. “Of course, I came alone.”
Duan Ling Tian could not help but wonder if Yang Yu Chen discovered the presence of his complete artifact soul. He did not consider the Five Divine Elements since he was confident Yang Yu Chen would not be able to detect them. After all, his Little World had been sealed. Let alone Supreme G.o.ds, even supreme powerhouses could not probe the inside of his Little World once he sealed it. For this reason, he wondered if Yang Yu Chen had discovered the secret of his Seven Orifices Exquisite Sword.
“What I mean is that you arrived at the academy with me. Moreover, when I brought you to complete the admission procedures, everyone heard us addressing each other as ‘junior brother’ and ‘Third Senior Brother’. Like I said not many people know about the Inner Palace faction, but there are people from the Legacy faction who know about our faction. Didn’t I tell you before? Our current Academy Master broke tradition and chose me, someone from the Inner Palace faction, as his successor. As you can imagine, it ruffled quite a few feathers. Moreover, Academy Master has allowed me to remain in the Inner Palace faction even after joining the Legacy faction. It’s only natural that those people, especially those who are qualified to be the successor, are dissatisfied with the matter. I’m like a thorn in their sides. When they found out that I have a junior brother, how could they let go of this chance to act? I’m not inferior to them in the first place. And if you, my junior brother, are superior to the younger generation they cultivated, they’ll feel even more threatened.”
Yang Yu Chen continued to say, “Previously, my advantage was my strength. However, in terms of the younger generation, I have no one under me. As the Vice Academy Master, I can’t simply use my strength and status to act. Fortunately, I have the Academy Master’s support.”
“Now that you came along, the advantage they had is gone. Not only are my strength and status not inferior to theirs, but I have the Academy Master’s support as well. Now, I also have you, who are superior to the young prodigies they cultivated.”
“As such, it’s only normal for them to spend a fortune to test your strength or defeat you. If they think you’re a bigger threat than they’d imagined, it’s not surprising even if they release a task to a.s.sa.s.sinate you.”
Yang Yu Chen’s voice was relatively calm when he spoke, but a hint of fury could be detected under the surface.
“I see…”
Duan Ling Tian was finally enlightened after listening to Yang Yu Chen’s explanation. He felt much relieved after finding out about the mastermind behind the matter. He had felt uneasy when he thought about someone targeting him in the dark.
“Junior brother, try to stay in the academy in the future. It’s even better if you stay in our Inner Palace faction. I’m afraid that they’ll feel cornered once they learn about your strength, and they might sacrifice one of their people just to take you down. In any case, these are the reasons why you’re being targeted.”
Yang Yu Chen sighed and continued to say, “I apologize. I really didn’t expect this. Otherwise, I’d maintain a distance from you in public.”
Duan Ling Tian did not think much about this matter so he said, “There’s no need for that, Third Senior Brother. Even if they want to kill me, they’ll have to see if they have the capability to do so. Moreover, I don’t think they’ll be so bold as to a.s.sa.s.sinate me in the academy, right? It’ll be easy to trace the deed back to them. At that time, the Academy Master definitely won’t let them go, right? At most, I’ll just have to stay in the academy.”
After speaking to Yang Yu Chen, Duan Ling Tian also realized the situation in the academy was rather chaotic and unfavorable to him. Nonetheless, he was not afraid. After all, he did not think he was so easy to kill. From the beginning until now, there was no lack of people who wanted him dead, but in the end, he was still alive.
On the other hand, Yang Yu Chen felt very guilty about implicating Duan Ling Tian. However, he felt much better after listening to Duan Ling Tian’s words. After a while, he insisted that Duan Ling Tian stay in the Inner Palace faction until it was time to enter the Supreme Powerhouse Relic. He did not give Duan Ling Tian room to refuse at all.
“Alright.” Duan Ling Tian agreed to Yang Yu Chen’s proposal even though he did not think it was necessary. He was only worried now that this matter would delay him from entering the Supreme Powerhouse Relic. When he voiced his concerns, he felt at ease after Yang Yu Chen rea.s.sured him that there would be no delays.
…
Following that, under Yang Yu Chen’s secret protection, Duan Ling Tian returned to the independent realm where the Inner Palace faction was located.
As soon as Duan Ling Tian arrived, Lang Chun Yuan asked coldly, “Junior brother, why did you suddenly come? Did someone bully you? Tell me. Your senior sister will take care of it!”