The Prodigies War

Lin Xun was about to leave!

Recently, news about his departure stirred the Forbidden City, and it became the most widely discussed topic among all major clans, sects and cultivators.

“Ah, I knew that a young genius like Young Master Lin is not destined to remain in the empire forever.”

“Young Master Lin is unparalleled, and his brilliance fills the capital. Once he leaves, no one else will likely be qualified to hold his title.”

“When the fish leaps out of the sea, flowers bloom on the other side of the shore. I believe that Young Master Lin will not be a nobody even if he goes to the mysterious Ancient Wasteland Domain!”

Many cultivators sighed with pity or sent their blessings.

The majority of cultivators had nothing but respect and admiration for Lin Xun. A teenager from beyond the southwestern border had advanced triumphantly through all the obstacles and rose to fame in the capital, becoming the young genius who captured the attention of the entire world.

Who could compare with him?

Furthermore, he had achieved countless legendary feats, many of which still were circulating in the city and discussed with great interest.

How would the cultivators not be amazed by a youngster like him?

Many people couldn’t help but miss him if he left the empire to seek the great dao in the Ancient Wasteland Domain. They had no idea when the talented young man would return, and the Forbidden City would have one less genius in the future!

“Hahaha, thank heavens! The ruthless demon-like guy is finally leaving!”

“I’m going to suffer psychological trauma if he doesn’t leave soon. As long as he is around, how will our generation of people be able to shine?”

“I’m glad he’s gone! I just hope that he will never come back. Ever since he has come to the Forbidden City, he has caused endless trouble and killed constantly like a demon. He has given many people headaches.”

Many clans and cultivators who had grudges against Lin Xun cheered with joy and celebrated upon hearing the news. They even wished to drink to their heart’s content to release their happiness and excitement.

A joyous festival-like atmosphere also enveloped the high clans including the Chi Clan, the Zuo Clan, and the Qin Clan.

It was understandable. The presence of Lin Xun made them unable to sleep or rest peacefully.

How would they not be pleased that Lin Xun was about to leave? It was as though they had gotten rid of the plague.

Many enemy forces almost wept tears of joy.

Someone who neither had grudges against Lin Xun nor admired him couldn’t help exclaiming, “The news of his departure to the Ancient Wasteland Domain has already caused such a stir and has drawn the attention of the entire Forbidden City. In the entire empire, only Lin Xun would have such a strong influencing power.”

Indeed, ordinary cultivators would never attract the attention of anyone even if they left or died.

Lin Xun was different.

He was world famous. He had outshone everyone else in the empire. His every move or action affected and influenced many cultivators.

……

Bang! Bang! Bang!

In a restaurant, a group of cultivators were brawling, smashing the tables and chairs and causing disturbances for the rest of the customers.

“Damn it, how dare you talk bad about Young Master Lin?!”

“Tsk, Lin Xun is a little devil in the world. So what if we celebrate him leaving? Are we not allowed to talk about him?”

Evidently, one side admired and respected Lin Xun, while the other wanted Lin Xun to leave the Forbidden City as soon as possible, which led to the dispute and brawl.

Lin Xun happened to be drinking with Gu Liang in the same place, but when he saw the fight, he helplessly got up and left.

“Haha, I didn’t realize that you are so influential now,” Gu Liang chuckled as they walked out of the restaurant.

Lin Xun scowled at him. He planned to leave quietly, but it seemed impossible now.

Carrying bottles of wine, they drank while strolling along the street.

However, they ran into disturbance after disturbance. Frequently, the disputes escalated and cultivators ended up fighting on the streets, inns, teahouses and brothels.

The disputes all started for the same reason. It was a dispute between those who supported Lin Xun and those who wanted Lin Xun to leave.

It not only ruined Lin Xun’s mood to drink, but he also felt a headache coming on.

He had a feeling that the capital would become a mess if he stayed any longer

“Xiaohua, don’t look down on me. When I grow up, I will become a man like Young Master Lin Xun!”

On the way, they came across a group of little kids playing around. One of the kids said to a little girl in a serious tone as snot ran down his nose, “If you agree to play with me, I will make you my woman when I become a peerless genius in the future.”

The little girl wore a flowery dress with her hair tied up in high pigtails. She put her hand on her waist and rolled her eyes. “Zhang Xiaofan, just give up. I heard that Big Brother Lin Xun is not married. When I grow up, I’m going to marry Big Brother Lin Xun. And you…hmph, wipe your snot first before you bluff!”

Gu Liang’s expression turned strange. Even kids are fighting over Lin Xun?

The younger generation will surpass us one day!

“Amazing, my brother! I didn’t realize you currently have a girlfriend,” Gu Liang teased and winked at Lin Xun.

Lin Xun only responded with two words, “Get lost!”

Then, carrying the wine bottle under his arm, he quickly fled the area. The kids spoke without restraint so he was worried about hearing more nonsense.

“When you get to the Ancient Wasteland Domain, you should make more friends so you won’t be as lonely as you are now...” Gu Liang sighed as he watched Lin Xun stream through the busy crowd.

In this world, there might be countless people who knew about Lin Xun’s reputation, but only very few truly understood him.

He had navigated hundreds of miles from the southwestern border. He had traveled the world alone. He had passed through Donglin City, Haze City, Blood Kill Camp, and the Forbidden City. He had survived the Spirit Burial Sea and the Blood Kill Battlefield. But every time, he was alone.

The world only saw his glorious side and his brilliance and heard his reputation, but how many knew how lonely he was?

Lonely!

That was the impression that Lin Xun left on Gu Liang.

Perhaps, that is what they mean by it being lonely at the top.

Even as a friend, Gu Liang didn’t know what Lin Xun was thinking or how much pressure he was under.

In the distance, Lin Xun was walking alone. He looked especially dashing as he was dressed in a moon-white robe that perfectly fitted his tall and handsome figure and with his black hair swaying side to side as he walked through the vast crowd.

However, Gu Liang felt that the lonely figure of Lin Xun in the distance didn’t match the hustle and bustle.

What was cultivation?

Perhaps, what he pursued had already transcended the world of mortals.

Gu Liang shook his head and quickly caught up with him.

……

Two days later.

At the break of dawn.

After heavy snowfall last night, the entire Forbidden City was blanketed in snow like a vast expanse of whiteness. The glimmering blanket of snow brought a sense of sacredness and pureness to the world.

When Lin Xun stepped out of the mountain gate of Mind Cleansing Peak, Zhao Tailai was already waiting for him.

After exchanging greetings, Lin Xun couldn’t help but turn around and glance one last time at Mind Cleansing Peak before he boarded the prepared carriage.

“It’s snowing all over the capital, what a beautiful sight!” Zhao Tailai laughed as he steered the carriage through the snow.

“Take care!”

In front of the mountain gate of Mind Cleansing Peak stood a group of figures, including Lin Zhong, Spirit Vulture, Xiaoke, Third Old Zhu and Lin Huaiyuan. They quietly watched the carriage disappear into the beautiful snow and mist.

They didn’t know when they would see Lin Xun again so, as members of the Lin Clan, it was understandable that they felt melancholic and concerned.

“Chirp chirp…”

Jiujiu was sitting in Xiaoke’s arms, his huge, round eyes glistening with tears that rolled down his face like diamond-like teardrops.

The little guy also seemed to know that he wouldn’t see Lin Xun again for a long, long time.

PA!

Xiaoke slapped Jiujiu’s soft head. “Why are you crying? You’re not going to part forever. So dramatic.”

Everyone laughed, easing the sad atmosphere.

“The Ancient Wasteland Domain is vast, ancient and magnificent. Thousands of clans and ancient sects have been standing there since ancient times, and there are even true saints wandering unhindered there...” Spirit Vulture’s voice sounded emotional. “Given Lin Xun’s aptitude and background, he will no doubt continue to rise and display his brilliance, competing with the geniuses of the millions of clans and races!”

Everyone’s blood pulsed around their bodies. They looked forward to hearing about Lin Xun, and they silently wished him well.

……

The Imperial Palace.

Under the morning rays, the snow-covered palace looked especially grand and magnificent.

A carriage crunched in the snow as it steered into the palace. From the beginning to the end, it encountered no obstacles, and it eventually came to a stop before an ancient altar in the depths of the palace.

The nine-foot-tall altar was constructed from five-colored soil, and the center was engraved with a grid-like pattern. It had a sacred and majestic aura and seemed to link the sky with the earth.

When Lin Xun stepped out of the carriage, Zhao Tailai patted him on the shoulder. “It’s time to leave, take care. We will meet again if fate allows it.”

Lin Xun stared speechlessly at him and almost rolled his eyes. Isn’t this old fox too nonchalant?

Zhao Tailai had already boarded the carriage and vanished into the distance in a cloud of smoke and dust. At the same time, his loud laughter echoed with the wind, “You are just making a trip to the Ancient Wasteland Domain. It’s not a big deal. Why make the farewell so sad? Also, I can’t wait to hear news about you causing damage and chaos to the Ancient Wasteland Domain! Hahaha—”

Cause damage and chaos to the Ancient Wasteland Domain… A frown creased Lin Xun’s brow. Does that old fox think I am just a troublemaker?

The brilliant white snow failed to cover the mysterious and ancient altar in front of him.

It had a very special and unique aura around it that blurred Lin Xun’s vision and made him feel a fit of dizziness as though he was lost in time and space.

“You’ve come,” a gentle voice suddenly sounded.