Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Ancient Seal

“Third Elder, your scheming—first making Long Xingtian take the Mandate Pill, now gravely injuring Wang Dashan—it's all just to help Ao Wuchen seize the position of Pavilion Master. Today, I won’t let you succeed!” After settling Wang Dashan, Lin Xiaobao stood up, fixing the Third Elder with a cold gaze and declared sharply, “Now that I am the champion of the direct disciple tournament, I hereby apply, as the champion, to join the selection for the new Pavilion Master!”

Long Xingtian took the Mandate Pill? While everyone was reeling from this revelation, Lin Xiaobao dropped another bombshell by announcing his intention to compete in the selection for the new Pavilion Master. Instantly, the matter of Long Xingtian and the Mandate Pill was overshadowed. Many disciples now looked at Lin Xiaobao with newfound admiration.

Of course, much of this admiration stemmed from Lin Xiaobao’s courage in openly challenging the Third Elder. It was akin to a student in school standing up for what was right and daring to confront a teacher. For disciples long suppressed by the elders, Lin Xiaobao became a rare outlet for their frustrations. Though they dared not openly voice support for him, their eyes said more than words ever could.

To be so brazenly denounced before all the disciples of the Snowwind Pavilion left the Third Elder wishing he could crush Lin Xiaobao on the spot. “Don’t think that winning the championship entitles you to disrespect your elders! You should remember your place!”

“Third Elder, please calm yourself!” Pavilion Master Hua Zhengchun stood up and said, “Since Lin Xiaobao has won the pavilion championship, he indeed qualifies to participate in the selection for the new Pavilion Master. However, there have been certain changes to this selection. Let us discuss this further in the main hall.”

Lin Xiaobao gave Nie Feiyan a few instructions, asking her and Cen Shuya to take Wang Dashan back to Songyan Peak first, then left with Lin Tian for the main hall.

As for Wang Dashan’s injuries, Lin Xiaobao no longer needed Old Mo’s reminders. With his knowledge of alchemy, he knew that within a month, Wang Dashan would recover fully—perhaps even emerge stronger, having unlocked further potential of his mighty body through this ordeal.

With the Pavilion Master, elders, and the principal contestants departing, the pent-up emotions of the pavilion disciples finally erupted within Yongwang Hall. The air buzzed with heated discussion about the new Pavilion Master. Many now placed their hopes in Lin Xiaobao—though this was before they learned the true extent of Hua Xiaotian and Ao Wuchen’s cultivation.

Meanwhile, the Third Elder’s reputation within the Snowwind Pavilion plummeted. Those disciples who had suffered under the Hall of Enforcement now seized the opportunity to malign him relentlessly. In the blink of an eye, the Third Elder became a pariah.

“What? Both of them are not in the Snowwind Pavilion right now?” In the grand hall, upon hearing Hua Zhengchun’s words, Lin Xiaobao fell into deep thought.

Now, standing within the grand hall, Lin Xiaobao finally understood why the Pavilion Master and several elders had been absent from the competition days before.

Everything traced back to Jiuping Mountain.

Jiuping Mountain lay at the southernmost tip of Ningfeng Kingdom, straddling the border with Zongtai Kingdom. Three years prior, Zongtai’s guardian sect, the Flowing Cloud Sect, had detected what they believed to be an ancient seal at the mountain’s summit. Using this as a pretext, they provoked Ningfeng, sparking war between the two nations.

Lin Tian had been gravely injured in that very conflict. The secret of the ancient seal had been known only to the Flowing Cloud Sect—until, days ago, the Third Elder stumbled upon it. Thus, the matter was brought before the Snowwind Pavilion.

No one knew whether the ancient seal concealed danger or opportunity. Yet, driven by greed, humankind could not resist its lure.

The day the Third Elder brought this news, both Hua Xiaotian and Ao Wuchen emerged from seclusion. After discussion among the elders, the contest to determine the new Pavilion Master was changed: the two would vie to be the first to enter the seal at Jiuping Mountain.

Whoever entered the seal first would become the new Pavilion Master. In this way, direct conflict was avoided and precious time saved, since the Flowing Cloud Sect of Zongtai still watched Jiuping Mountain hungrily from the sidelines.

Lin Xiaobao scoffed at the apparent fairness of this arrangement. With his understanding of the Snowwind Pavilion, he knew better.

Most likely, the Second, Third, and Fourth Elders, realizing that both Hua Xiaotian and Ao Wuchen had reached the fifth stage of the Spiritual Path and that neither could guarantee victory, resorted to this tactic. With so many elders allied to them, Ao Wuchen would undoubtedly receive covert assistance, far outstripping anything Hua Xiaotian could hope for.

Lin Xiaobao’s sudden declaration to join the contest had clearly caught them off guard. Never in the pavilion’s history had a disciple dared such audacity.

“So, whoever enters the Jiuping Mountain seal first wins?” Having understood the entire situation, Lin Xiaobao suddenly asked.

“Exactly. And during this process, you may enlist the help of any disciple or elder in the pavilion, provided they are willing to accompany you,” the Third Elder responded loftily, as though certain Lin Xiaobao would find no one to aid him.

As for the Pavilion Master and the five great elders, they had reached an agreement with the Flowing Cloud Sect not to participate in the contest for the seal. With their level of strength, any intervention could flatten Jiuping Mountain itself. Thus, Lin Xiaobao could not count on Lin Tian’s help.

“I will go alone.” With these words, Lin Xiaobao strode out of the grand hall.

On the road back to Songyan Peak, Lin Xiaobao was filled with excitement. He recalled how, during his study of formations, Old Wu had once spoken of ancient seals—opportunities fraught with both peril and promise.

Beneath the seal, there could be vast cultivation resources, advanced techniques, or countless magical artifacts. Of course, there might also be fearsome creatures imprisoned within. Yet, anyone who could lay such a seal would be a grandmaster of formations. Studying another’s ancient seal was itself of immense value to Lin Xiaobao’s own mastery.

Though Old Wu resided within him, Lin Xiaobao understood the value of learning from others. Besides, he trusted his own fortune—the seal surely held opportunities, not just danger.

Hua Xiaotian and Ao Wuchen had already set out two days prior, but Lin Xiaobao felt no anxiety. Who knew if they could even locate the seal? And even if they did, the Flowing Cloud Sect would be there to hinder them. If, by some chance, the sect was absent, could either of them break the seal? Not everyone, after all, had a figure like Old Wu within them.