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**
Before Xiao Lin arrived at the Blood Sect's headquarters, Grand Elder Su Qian had, naturally, already replied to the letter from the various Dou Huang level faction leaders of the Black-Corner Region.
In the letter, he informed them that Jia Nan Academy would investigate the matter thoroughly!
It was normal for Grand Elder Su Qian to reply this way.
After all, without a god-like perspective, Jia Nan Academy—which usually stayed out of Black-Corner Region affairs—naturally wouldn't know at this moment that someone was splashing dirty water on them.
If the Grand Elder's letter had shown that he already knew about it, it would likely have aroused the suspicion of these faction leaders. One could say that by only stating they would investigate clearly, Su Qian provided a more credible stance!
At the same time, Su Qian's reply acted as a reassuring pill for these Dou Huang level leaders.
After all, as long as Jia Nan Academy was willing to step forward and investigate, their plan was already half successful. Next, they only needed to find out which faction had actually looted their medicinal herb treasuries.
Once the mastermind behind the scenes finally showed themselves, they didn't believe Jia Nan Academy—having been framed—would remain indifferent. As long as Jia Nan Academy stood at the very front, they wouldn't have to face the threat of a Dou Zong expert directly!
Furthermore, with Jia Nan Academy acting as the backbone, they wouldn't fall into internal strife before taking down the mastermind. For the many Dou Huang level faction leaders, this was truly killing several birds with one stone!
While the faction leaders waited, Xiao Lin finally made a show of arriving at the Blood Sect's headquarters. Looking at the base of his and Zi Yan's very first victim, a mysterious smile played on the corners of Xiao Lin's mouth.
"The world truly is unpredictable! Just a few days ago, Zi Yan and I completely looted the Blood Sect's treasury, and who would've thought that a few days later, I'd be an honored guest of the Blood Sect!"
Even Xiao Lin hadn't anticipated such a development early on.
But it had to be said, the feeling was great!
Not only did I steal your things, but you're also paying to invite me here and treating me like a VIP. Who wouldn't love this feeling?
At this moment, if he weren't at the Blood Sect's headquarters, Xiao Lin probably would have been grinning from ear to ear. As Xiao Lin came to a halt in front of the base, two Blood Sect disciples immediately approached with vigilant looks.
However, before they could even speak, Xiao Lin spoke first.
"Lin Xiao of Jia Nan Academy is here to visit. Please inform Sect Master Fan Lao!"
After glancing at the two approaching disciples, Xiao Lin identified himself in a composed manner. Upon hearing his identity, the two Blood Sect disciples instantly put away their suspicious thoughts and bowed respectfully to Xiao Lin.
Simultaneously, one of them immediately ran back inside to report Xiao Lin's arrival to Fan Lao. Clearly, these disciples had been strictly instructed by Fan Lao beforehand.
Xiao Lin didn't have to wait long before the disciple who went to report returned with Fan Lao.
"A distinguished guest from Jia Nan Academy has arrived, and I failed to welcome you from afar. I hope you can forgive me!"
The moment Fan Lao saw Xiao Lin, he immediately cupped his hands in apology.
Xiao Lin waved his hand dismissively.
"Sect Master Fan, there's no need for these empty formalities. I am simply following the Grand Elder's orders to assist you all in uncovering the truth behind the framing of our Jia Nan Academy!"
The moment he met Fan Lao, Xiao Lin put on an act of being completely oblivious to the truth. Simultaneously, he subtly projected a sense of anger at Jia Nan Academy being slandered.
This caused Fan Lao, who was watching everything closely, to feel a secret joy.
"Just as that woman Su Mei said, these high-and-mighty fools from Jia Nan Academy are all idiots who care about nothing but their so-called reputation!"
It could be said that the angrier Xiao Lin appeared, the happier Fan Lao felt.
Little did he know that he had fallen right into Xiao Lin's trap. While Fan Lao was internally mocking Jia Nan Academy, was Xiao Lin not also bursting with joy? Both thought the other was the fool. But who was the real fool? Naturally, it was Fan Lao!
One wondered what kind of expression Fan Lao would have once he eventually learned the whole truth. In the end, the clown was none other than Fan Lao himself!
"Excellency Lin Xiao—"
"I currently hold the position of an Elder in Jia Nan Academy. Sect Master Fan can simply address me as Elder Lin."
"Very well, Elder Lin."
Fan Lao originally wanted to be a bit more formal, but hearing Xiao Lin's words, he naturally followed suit.
"Elder Lin, this isn't the place for a conversation. There are many fellow comrades inside waiting to meet you. Why don't we go inside and discuss the details?"
At this point, Fan Lao extended an invitation.
"...Very well."
Seeing this, Xiao Lin pretended to be silent for a moment before nodding.
"Elder Lin, after you!"
Subsequently, Xiao Lin and Fan Lao walked side-by-side into the interior of the Blood Sect's headquarters. Although this wasn't his first time at the Blood Sect, Xiao Lin's mindset during these two visits was completely different!
Compared to the first time, Xiao Lin was now carrying a playful mood from start to finish. Soon, the two arrived at a large secret room. The moment they entered, every single Dou Huang expert present turned their gaze toward them in unison.
These gazes were varied—some were probing, some were scrutinizing, some were unfriendly, and some were deeply meaningful; in short, they were all different. Xiao Lin chose to ignore all of them.
"No way? Does Jia Nan Academy look down on us that much? Your Grand Elder Su Qian didn't even bother to show up personally?" Xiao Lin chose to ignore them, but someone was bound to pick a fight.
Clearly, among these Dou Huang level factions, there were those who held unfriendly attitudes toward Jia Nan Academy.
Or rather, if it weren't for the fact that they were about to face a Dou Zong level power, they would never have chosen to cooperate with the academy. Therefore, seeing that the person sent by the academy wasn't the well-known Dou Zong expert Su Qian, they naturally wanted to mock Xiao Lin.
Sure enough, shortly after the first person spoke, a second one followed.
"Indeed. You should know that we are about to face a Dou Zong power. Even if the person sent isn't Grand Elder Su Qian, it should at least be one of the two legendary Guardian, right? Without the strength of the Dou Zong realm, we might not be able to go head-to-head with such a faction!"
This Dou Wang expert who chimed in was also mocking Xiao Lin. As for the others, they all put on expressions as if they were watching a play. Even Fan Lao, who had just led Xiao Lin in, pretended not to hear what the others were saying and played dumb.
Clearly, seeing that Xiao Lin was an unfamiliar face, these inherently arrogant Black-Corner Region Dou Huangs intended to give him a show of authority right off the bat. Because Xiao Lin hadn't revealed it, they didn't know he was also a Dou Zong expert!
In the eyes of these faction leaders, since Xiao Lin was a new face, they thought he was a Dou Huang at best. To them, since they were facing a Dou Zong and were already not of one heart, adding just one more Dou Huang wouldn't make much of a difference.
It was no wonder these leaders expressed their dissatisfaction this way. They were expecting Grand Elder Su Qian or one of the two Guardians, not just a Dou Huang rank Elder!
If Jia Nan Academy only sent a Dou Huang, then what was the point of paying such a high price to invite them? The experts present felt that Jia Nan Academy was being too arrogant, leading to this confrontation.
In the face of their sarcasm, Xiao Lin gave a cold laugh in his heart.
"Hmph."
In the next second, following Xiao Lin's light snort, the expressions of every Dou Huang level leader present changed drastically!
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