On the high platform, everyone appeared to be watching the match, but in truth, most eyes were fixed on Yun Jin and Lin Xiao's exchange.
The moment Yun Jin claimed that she had been the one to improve this secret art, countless gazes shifted sharply.
Wen Fu even stood up outright. "That's impossible!"
A challenge?
Yun Jin's spirit lifted instantly. And when she saw that the challenger was Wen Fu, her excitement doubled.
The instant Wen Fu caught her brightened expression, his heart sank. He had once volunteered to face Wushuang Sect in the arena. Who could have guessed that once the matches began, Yun Jin would brazenly seat herself between Liu Hua and Lin Xiao, attracting enmity from even higher up.
Wen Fu had wanted to show off as well, but opportunities slipped past him. After watching Feng Yuan cough blood from being angered by Yun Jin, he decided to lie low instead of poking this lunatic. Yet this time, he lost his temper for just one moment—and managed to draw Yun Jin's eyes.
"Oh?" Yun Jin's smile bloomed brilliantly. "Why, if it isn't Sect Master Wen of Yuehua Sect. Sect Master Wen, it seems your sect was eliminated quite swiftly last round. I won't mention the team battle, but in the individual matches you didn't even manage a single disciple in the top ten. We're old acquaintances, so seeing Yuehua Sect reduced to such a state, this Sect Master truly feels distressed on your behalf."
Wen Fu's expression darkened. Yuehua Sect ranked seventh, with six stronger sects above them. Failing to place in the top ten wasn't strange at all.
But the problem was—Wushuang Sect had taken first place last round. How was he supposed to refute that?
Grinding his teeth, Wen Fu said coldly, "Sect Master Yun, you don't need to twist words. I admit, this Hunyuan Secret Art is formidable. Surely it must have been improved long ago by a senior of your sect. Why insist on seizing the credit?"
Yun Jin smiled faintly. "Sect Master Wen, I'm not upset by your suspicion. After all, the level of my talent does somewhat exceed the limits of your imagination. It's normal that you find it hard to accept. What you think of as impossible difficulty is something I can accomplish with the flick of my wrist."
Wen Fu sneered. "Say what you like. It's not as if the predecessors of Wushuang Sect will rise from the grave to expose your lie."
Yun Jin gave him a sidelong glance. "One cannot speak of ice to a summer insect, nor speak of Dao to a common mortal. Sect Master Wen, your vision is shallow, but that isn't your fault. It is simply your limit."
"You—" Wen Fu's temper flared.
Yun Jin quickly consoled him. "No need to be too upset. After all, you're hardly the only ordinary one here."
Her eyes swept deliberately over the other sect masters.
The hall fell silent.
"… …"
Every sect master present suddenly found their fists itching. If one day they lost control and cut Yun Jin down with a blade, surely no one could call that a crime, right?
"Sect Master Yun!" Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes at her. "Mind your tongue!"
Yun Jin put on a wronged expression. "Pavilion Master Lin, you misunderstand me. You think I'm mocking everyone? I'm not that sort of person, and I'd never waste my time on something so childish."
Not that sort of person?
No reason to do something so childish?
Every sect master present nearly laughed aloud in disbelief.
"I only wished to say this: improving secret arts may be difficult for you, but for me, it's simple." Yun Jin's lips curved into a gentle smile. "And since I possess such a gift, I believe I have a duty to help others. From today onward, if any sect master wishes to improve a technique, they may bring it to me. For just a small fee, I'll help you refine it."
Her words sent ripples of shock through the gathering.
Wen Fu quickly masked his face and sneered, "Sect Master Yun, aren't you simply using this as a pretext to gather other sects' techniques for yourself?"
After all, to improve a technique she would need to see the original. Wasn't this just a scheme to peek into their secrets?
Yun Jin looked at him as though he were pitiable. "Your techniques can't even break the Hunyuan Secret Art I modified casually. What's there for me to covet? Since you doubt me, isn't this the perfect way to prove it?
Here's my promise: I'll ask for only a token fee, and the amount you choose is up to you. But if I fail, I will return one hundredfold. We can even bind it with a Heavenly's Dao Contract. This Sect Master will never go back on her word." Her tone was calm, steady.
The others exchanged startled glances, uncertain.
"Any technique at all?" Liu Hua's eyes narrowed.
"Any technique at all," Yun Jin said indifferently.
She had her Simplification System.
To her, improving techniques was child's play. And not only that—
She could also synthesize.
Ten Yellow-rank manuals merged into one Mystic-rank.
Ten Mystic became one Earth-rank.
Ten Earth became one Heaven-rank.
And if she gathered ten Heaven-rank techniques?
For Yun Jin, the more the better.
Besides, she still remembered the threat of the outer-realm demons.
She had already mastered the Law of Fire and the Law of Wood. To complete the Five Elements, she still needed Metal, Water, and Earth. Her comprehension in those three remained shallow. She had no idea when the demon invasion might strike, but she had to grow stronger as fast as possible.
If she could seize mastery of even one more Law now, she could already slaughter ordinary late Mahayana cultivators with ease. And when she stepped into Tribulation Realm, the added weight of the Law would even allow her to stand against her own Master Ji.
Laws might sound unfathomable, but fragments of them slumbered within every manual.
Her next target was the Metal Law.
With the Simplification System, as long as she collected enough Metal-element techniques and comprehended the varied Intents within them, quantitative accumulation would transform into qualitative change.
For ordinary cultivators, mastering a Law was a lifetime endeavor.
For Yun Jin, it was only a matter of gathering enough manuals. The stronger the manual, the stronger the Law fragments contained within. And the closer she'd come to full mastery.
The Wushuang Sect's library alone was far from enough. It was time to make the world toil for her progress. She knew exactly how terrifying the Simplification System's improvements could be.
Once the first sect tried, others would never resist the temptation. And if anyone feared she was empowering potential enemies, she didn't care. Every technique she improved would contain an invisible backdoor only she could see.
Anyone who used her gifts for evil would only be signing their own death warrant.
"I say this to all sects," Yun Jin announced calmly. "As long as it's a technique I haven't seen, I won't refuse. I'll gladly help refine it."
"Sect Master Yun truly has this much energy to spare?" Lin Xiao frowned, trying to see through her.
Her words sounded absurd. Improving techniques was unimaginably difficult. Even if she really had such skill, it should consume enormous amounts of time. To boldly declare she'd accept every request—wasn't that courting humiliation?
Was this her way of trying to soothe the enmity Wushuang Sect had attracted?
"To serve the people," Yun Jin chuckled. "That's all I stand for: kindness, and selflessness. Take your time to think. My promise will always stand."
Her proclamation dropped like a stone in water, and the ripples spread.
Yun Jin was arrogant, yes. She was audacious, yes. But whenever she spoke, she delivered.
Could it be true this time as well?
Improve all the world's techniques? That wasn't something a human could accomplish.
Involuntarily, many looked to Lin Xiao.
But even Lin Xiao, ruthless and decisive as he'd always been, hesitated before Yun Jin. Too many times she had shattered logic.
Where in the world could someone so casually refine secret arts?
And even if she could, what did she gain from improving the arts of others?
Did she truly want to collect every technique under heaven?
But she couldn't possibly master them all, could she?
No matter how he thought, nothing made sense.
And yet—after suffering defeat at her hands again and again, Lin Xiao had grown cautious.
At last, he spoke. "Hua Ran."
A woman in green robes stepped forward.
Lin Xiao arched a brow. "Your disciples of Bitao Sect cultivated the Canglang Technique in this round, yes?"
Hua Ran inclined her head. "Yes. It is a mid-grade Mystic-rank technique. Not bad at all."
Bitao Sect ranked tenth among the great sects, barely making it into the super tier.
Lin Xiao nodded. "Then hand that technique to Yun Jin. Let her refine it. If she fails, her reputation is ruined and she'll pay dearly. If she succeeds, we'll test it in the next team battle to see the results."
It was clear enough: Bitao Sect would be the guinea pig.
Though Hua Ran bristled inside, she dared not show it. She bowed obediently.
"For now, only Bitao Sect will test her. The rest of you, hold back," Lin Xiao commanded.
Everyone voiced agreement.
Not long later, a jade slip containing the Canglang Technique was delivered to Yun Jin.
She accepted it with a grin.
So, Lin Xiao only meant to probe her?
But some things, once begun, became addictive.
"System," Yun Jin murmured, "scan this jade slip."