Chapter 15 Rules of the Sect

Before Liu Baxian could speak, the system’s voice rang in Lin Hao’s ear: “The Yin-Yang Talisman. It is a devouring spell. When placed on a person, it consumes all cultivation, ceasing only when the victim is entirely stripped of their power. The host has currently fallen victim to the Yin-Yang Talisman.”

Upon hearing the system’s explanation, Lin Hao’s heart lurched in shock.

To lose all his cultivation!

He had only worn it for a short time, yet his level had plummeted straight from Foundation Establishment to the tenth layer of Qi Refining.

Too terrifying!

Lin Hao, startled as he was, didn’t catch Liu Baxian’s words.

Nonetheless, what Liu Baxian said was much the same as the system’s interpretation in Lin Hao’s mind.

Seeing Lin Hao lost in thought, Liu Baxian waved his hand before Lin Hao’s eyes, puzzled.

Lin Hao finally came to himself.

Liu Baxian asked, “Lin Hao, are you all right? The Yin-Yang Talisman is no trifling matter.”

“I’m all right for now. My cultivation isn’t completely destroyed, but it’s terribly unstable. I need to focus on recovery and see how I can address the aftereffects of the Yin-Yang Talisman,” Lin Hao replied.

He turned to Liu Xiaoxi. “Thank you for keeping watch for me just now.”

“Who was keeping watch for you? I just couldn’t stand by and watch them bully you with numbers, that’s all,” Liu Xiaoxi retorted, her face flushing though she tried to sound tough.

Hearing Liu Xiaoxi’s words, Liu Batian frowned and scolded, “Xiaoxi!”

Lin Hao, however, paid it little mind.

All he wanted was to rid himself of the curse of the Yin-Yang Talisman. Since the system had explained the origin of the talisman so clearly, it must have a solution. He itched to question the system further.

But with Liu Baxian and Liu Xiaoxi present, he could hardly consult the system openly.

Fortunately, Liu Baxian was discerning. He said, “Lin Hao, you should rest and heal here. My daughter and I will leave you now. Since your sect master has intervened personally, I doubt anyone will trouble you further. Rest assured, we’ll keep an eye out for you.”

“I am truly grateful,” Lin Hao said, his gratitude sincere.

Liu Batian and Liu Xiaoxi took their leave.

Once they had gone, Lin Hao checked the state of his strength.

His power was in complete turmoil, rising and falling unpredictably, though at worst he retained the tenth layer of Qi Refining. This was a small relief, for at least he wasn’t left utterly powerless.

He immediately called out to the system.

But whether due to a malfunction or some other reason, the system gave no response no matter how he called. It was as if it had simply gone silent, paying him no heed.

Anxiety gnawed at Lin Hao, but he was helpless.

And so, as midnight deepened, the Yin-Yang Talisman’s influence surged, and his cultivation plummeted to the first layer of Qi Refining—on the brink of becoming a cripple.

His face was clouded with gloom.

No matter how he tried to control it, nothing worked.

Just then, as Lin Hao sat at the bedside, eyes closed as he struggled to steady his power, a noise came from the door.

He had no choice but to suppress the talisman’s invasion for now, open his eyes, and slip behind the door.

As it swung open, a figure darted in, spirit blade in hand, and slashed at the bed—fortunately, Lin Hao was not lying there.

Lin Hao shouted from behind, “Infernal Lotus!” A surge of fire rushed at the intruder.

The attacker slipped away nimbly, avoiding the flames with ease.

At this point, Lin Hao’s Infernal Lotus lacked much of its former lethality.

Gritting his teeth, Lin Hao’s eyes flashed. He hurled more flames and, seizing the moment, dashed out of his house, fleeing toward the far side of the mountain.

The pursuer chased him relentlessly, launching attacks now and then.

Wounded and disoriented in the darkness, Lin Hao could only choose a direction and run as fast as he could.

He ran for an unknown time before stumbling into an unusually open area, saturated with spiritual energy.

At last, Lin Hao stopped and looked back. There was no sign of his pursuer.

Breathing a sigh of relief, he leaned against a tree.

The assassin, seeing Lin Hao enter a grand gate, stood outside, eyes filled with frustration. But in the end, he turned and left, pursuing Lin Hao no further.

Lin Hao, unaware, thought he was finally safe and sat down beneath the tree.

Suddenly, a loud voice called from within the courtyard, “Bold intruder! How dare you trespass into our sect’s core area? Identify yourself!”

As the voice drew nearer, Lin Hao felt a gust of wind, and in a blink, a man stood before him.

He wore long whiskers and gray-white robes, a serious expression on his face.

One glance at the emblem on the man’s robe told Lin Hao he was facing the Enforcer Elder of the Affinity Sect, the Clearwind Sect. The realization made him gasp—had he blundered into the inner gate of the Clearwind Sect by mistake?

Lin Hao stared at the elder, at a loss for words. The Clearwind Sect had strict rules: only inner disciples could enter this area. Intruders faced severe punishment.

The elder eyed Lin Hao up and down, frowning at his ragged clothes and bloodied lips. He sensed Lin Hao’s strength.

First layer of Qi Refining—not even fit to sweep the outer courts. How had he gotten in here?

His gaze sharp, he asked, “Boy, how did you get into our inner gate? Who are you?”

“Elder, I am a disciple of the Clearwind Sect,” Lin Hao replied.

“What? You? With your strength, even the cleaning boys are stronger!” the elder scoffed.

Lin Hao felt deeply aggrieved, but he had no choice but to bow his head.

He answered in a respectful tone, “Elder, I really am one of us. My name is Lin Hao. I was injured by a villain in the arena today, which is why my cultivation is so low.”

“Then how did you get into the inner gate? Are you unaware of the sect rules?” the elder pressed, skepticism in his eyes.

“I was driven here, Elder. Please believe me, I had no intention of trespassing. I was fleeing from an assassin and ended up here by chance,” Lin Hao pleaded.

“An assassin? Are you joking? There are no assassins within the Clearwind Sect!” The elder glanced outside, finding no sign of anyone.

Seeing the elder’s disbelief, Lin Hao could only smile bitterly. Even if he had a hundred mouths, he couldn’t explain. The assassin had vanished, leaving only Lin Hao behind.

“I speak the truth, Elder. If you do not believe me, there is nothing I can do,” he said helplessly.

“Enough. True or not, I will verify your story. But you have broken the sect’s rules. Whatever your reason, for now, you must be detained until a decision is made.” The elder, impatient, ordered men to seize Lin Hao.

Given his weakened state, Lin Hao could not resist and was locked in a room.

Thankfully, it was not a dungeon but an ordinary guest room. The elder must have given his words some credence, Lin Hao thought.

Satisfied that Lin Hao had submitted, the elder turned and left.

After the assassin left, he made his report to Elder Zhou and Zhou Yichen.

They greeted the assassin eagerly.

“Well? Was it done?” Zhou Yichen’s face shone with anticipation. They knew Lin Hao was gravely wounded and believed a Foundation Establishment expert would easily crush him.

But the assassin shook his head in shame. “Forgive me, I failed. I could not kill Lin Hao.”

“What! You dare tell me you failed?” Zhou Yichen burst into anger, Elder Zhou frowning in displeasure.

The assassin quickly explained, “However, Lin Hao has fled into the inner gate. I believe the Enforcer Elder inside will surely apprehend him.”

“Are you certain?” Elder Zhou, initially annoyed by the failure, became intrigued.

“Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. That is why I did not pursue him further,” the assassin answered.

“If I’m not mistaken, the Enforcer Elder on duty tonight should be Elder Chen. I have some acquaintance with the old miser. Yichen, take this Ice Dagger,” Elder Zhou said, producing a dagger of pure, radiant ice.

Zhou Yichen took the dagger as his father continued, “Give this to that old fox Chen. He has an affinity for ice spirit energy—this artifact will tempt him. Let him handle Lin Hao for us.”

“But isn’t this a huge loss? This is a mid-tier artifact, and we’re just giving it away?” Zhou Yichen protested.

“You know nothing! The most important thing is to eliminate Lin Hao. Go!” Elder Zhou scolded.

“Yes, father. I’ll see to it at once,” Zhou Yichen replied.

He took the artifact and went to visit Elder Chen.

At that moment, Elder Chen had just returned from confining Lin Hao, instructing his men to investigate the matter.

No sooner had his men left than Zhou Yichen arrived, smiling as he bowed. “Elder Chen, I come on behalf of my father to pay you respects.”

“Oh? Your father?”