Chapter 116: Carriages and Horses
Standing at the city gate, gazing at the bustling city, Lin Yuan suppressed the emotions in his heart and then walked towards the Xuri Martial Academy's branch.
Baiyan City was truly vast, requiring a carriage to travel to the branch. Otherwise, just traversing the outer city would take an ordinary person an hour.
Walking along the road, Lin Yuan's expression was calm, his demeanor deep as an abyss. Regular passersby would consciously avoid him, knowing he was no ordinary man.
In the branch's main hall, people from all over gathered here, arranging for carriages through the martial academy, or traveling outwards or to the academy itself.
Lin Yuan entered and saw several people still in line ahead.
The influx of disciples was overwhelming, compounded by the frequent wars with the Demonic Sect, leaving those waiting for carriages extremely busy.
Not being one to seek attention, he followed the queue, registering in turn.
At that moment, three young men in luxurious robes stepped into the hall.
"Who's that? My Zheguang line's Brother Qu, ranked eighty-third in the academy, needs a carriage urgently, arrange it quickly!" The lanky young man at the front shouted loudly upon entering the hall.
Everyone's attention immediately turned towards the tall and thin youth.
The man arrogantly glared at the disciples ahead: "What are you looking at? If you delay Brother Qu, you'll face consequences."
The disciple in charge of registration hurriedly responded, "Yes, yes, I'll arrange it right away."
There was no helping it, as disciples ranked in the top hundred of the academy typically behaved this way, and they had no choice but to comply.
The others could only watch and, though angry, couldn't voice it, waiting beside them for their turn.
Lin Yuan watched their behavior and slightly frowned, but said nothing. He just hoped they would quickly finish so he could also board his carriage and return.
The tall, thin youth finally scanned the crowd with a cold gaze, stepping past the line to register.
But upon seeing Lin Yuan's calm demeanor, he sneered inwardly, about to throw a couple of provocations for amusement.
However, upon scrutinizing Lin Yuan's face, his heart suddenly jolted.
"That look, so familiar." As he racked his brain, distant memories resurfaced: "Lin Yuan, it's Senior Lin Yuan!"
The tall, thin youth's mind instantly clicked.
Back in Changle Village, when Lin Yuan fought against Jiang Wenxiang and others, he had witnessed it from afar. That terrifying power was something he knew he could never match no matter how hard he trained in this life. He held Lin Yuan in boundless admiration.
The tall, thin youth quickly retreated beside Brother Qu, whispering two sentences into his ear.
Brother Qu, who was already pondering task matters, abruptly lifted his head upon hearing the report, his gaze locking onto Lin Yuan.
Lin Yuan, with his sharp senses, instantly scanned the Qu-named disciple.
Brother Qu's heart jolted in fright as if everything about him had been seen through.
"It must be Brother Lin; this terrifying aura can't be mistaken."
Convinced, he immediately stepped forward, with a sycophantic smile, joining the tall, thin youth as they approached Lin Yuan.
"What happened to these two? Their attitude changed so drastically?" Nearby, others were puzzled by the scene.
Under everyone's attention, the Qu-named disciple softly said, "Brother Lin, are you here too?"
Lin Yuan was mildly shocked, realizing these two seemed to recognize him.
Lin Yuan nodded slightly, replying indifferently, "Indeed!"
"No need to waste your time here." The Qu-named disciple signaled the lanky youth with a glance.
The latter, understanding, immediately shouted angrily at the registrar: "What are you doing? Brother Lin is here, and you failed to arrange it in advance! Are you blind?"
"Brother Lin, which Brother Lin?" The registrar was still dazed, not comprehending.
"Brother Lin, apart from Senior Lin Yuan, who else could be called Brother Lin?" The tall, thin youth yelled angrily, pounding the table loudly.
"Senior Lin, Lin Yuan?"
Once everyone realized, their gazes unanimously fixed on Lin Yuan.
"Brother Lin is back!"
"Brother Lin isn't dead, he didn't fall to the Demonic Sect!"
"Brother Lin personally came to the branch, what a surprise. And he doesn't put on airs. Oh my god, Brother Lin is in line behind me, wow wow wow!"
The crowd erupted into cheers.
Seeing their reaction, Lin Yuan bitterly smiled, gesturing lightly to quiet them: "No need for commotion!"
Once the noise subsided, Lin Yuan softly told the registrar, "Arrange a carriage quickly, I need to return to the academy."
"Yes, yes." The registrar didn't dare delay, swiftly scribbling in the ledger.
In no time, Lin Yuan sat in the carriage heading towards the academy.
He originally thought he'd quietly finish registering and return to the academy unnoticed, but he didn't expect such a stir.
It would be about an hour before reaching the academy.
With thoughts set aside, Lin Yuan resumed his cultivation practice.
After about an incense stick's time in the moving carriage, Lin Yuan, eyes closed in cultivation, suddenly opened them.
"Xi Yuanrong is here?"
Lin Yuan's expression darkened.
Unexpected, she arrived so quickly!
"Ahem ahem!"
Soon, the familiar sound of coughing reached his ears.
"Stop the carriage."
Lin Yuan instructed, and the carriage halted. Lifting the curtain, Xi Yuanrong's sallow face came into view ahead.
"Sister Xi Yuanrong, long time no see!"
Lin Yuan gently greeted her.
"Ahem, follow me." Xi Yuanrong glanced at Lin Yuan and then turned towards the teahouse nearby.
"Did they already know my location?" Lin Yuan frowned.
Evidently, Xi Yuanrong was aware of his whereabouts and had waited here. But feeling constantly monitored wasn't something Lin Yuan liked.
Shaking his head slightly, Lin Yuan hesitated not and followed her into the teahouse.
In the private room.
Xi Yuanrong sat at the head, pouring a cup for Lin Yuan.
"Ahem."
"Brother Lin, it's been almost a month now, and there's still quite a distance to our goal." Xi Yuanrong lifted the teacup, lightly sipping.
"To what level do you want me to reach?"
Lin Yuan frowned, asking directly.
Hearing this, Xi Yuanrong showed no annoyance, continuing to sip tea: "To what level do you think you should rise?"
"To dominate Baiyan City's younger generation? Then what? Break through to Lingyuan Realm, even mid-stage Lingyuan or later? Is that all there is to it?" Lin Yuan coldly remarked, "I know you're someone from Shenyuan Realm, please speak plainly, why make a fool out of someone like me at Qiaomai Realm?"
Understanding Lin Yuan's anger, Xi Yuanrong hesitated for a moment. Considering her actions, she realized he indeed had reasons to be upset.
"I need you to infiltrate the Qu Xiang Sect's higher-ups!"
After a brief pause, Xi Yuanrong stared directly into Lin Yuan's eyes.
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