Divine Emperor Demon Emperor

Chapter 431: Chapter 431: I’ll Play With You to the End

Chang Jing sneered inwardly at Lin Yun’s words. He had initially thought giving Lin Yun three days was a mistake, but when he heard Lin Yun offer to cripple his own cultivation, Chang Jing decided to take the gamble. This was the best opportunity to ruin Lin Yun, and he wasn’t about to miss it.

However, Lin Yun then continued, "Supreme Elder, as I have said, I suspect that Senior Brother Chang Jing deliberately framed me. If I cannot find evidence to prove my innocence within three days, I am willing to cripple my own cultivation. But if I do find evidence proving that this was his plot to frame me, then I ask, how will the matter be handled then?"

First, he raised the stakes to lure Chang Jing into the gamble; then, Lin Yun turned his sights on Chang Jing. Just as Chang Jing wanted to use this opportunity to ruin Lin Yun, Lin Yun intended to do the very same to him.

Even before coming to the Main Hall, Lin Yun had already made up his mind. Since he had fallen into a trap, he might as well use this as an opportunity to have an all-out confrontation with Chang Jing.

Hearing this, the Elder overseeing the Punishment Hall looked toward Chang Jing. As Lin Yun had pointed out, if he was willing to trade crippling his cultivation for three days’ time, what would Chang Jing offer if Lin Yun managed to prove this was all his scheme?

Seeing the Supreme Elder’s gaze fall upon him, Chang Jing’s expression turned grim. ’Lin Yun’s move is ruthless,’ he thought. ’He’s trying to force a fight to the death with me.’

After a moment of contemplation, Chang Jing’s resolve hardened. Since Lin Yun wanted to fight to the bitter end, then Chang Jing would oblige. He refused to believe he could lose to Lin Yun.

"Supreme Elder, if Junior Brother Lin Yun finds evidence in three days proving I was behind this, I too am willing to cripple my own cultivation," Chang Jing declared to the Supreme Elder.

Since entering the Main Hall, both Luo Feng and Chang Jing’s master had remained silent. As Lin Yun and Chang Jing were their respective disciples, they chose not to speak at this time.

What had started as a scheme by Chang Jing had, thanks to Lin Yun’s all-or-nothing gamble, now escalated into a life-or-death struggle where the loser would be forced to cripple their cultivation.

With the three-day deadline set, it was agreed: if Lin Yun produced evidence, Chang Jing would cripple his cultivation. If Lin Yun failed, he would have to cripple his own.

Once it was settled that the matter would be resolved in the Main Hall in three days, everyone was dismissed. After they had all departed, only Luo Feng, Chang Jing’s master, and the Six Supreme Elders remained in the Main Hall.

At this moment, one of the Supreme Elders spoke up, "To cripple one’s cultivation... isn’t that a bit excessive?"

Hearing this, the Supreme Elder of the Punishment Hall replied, "This affair has already become public knowledge. If we don’t see it to a conclusion, it would be a mockery of the palace’s rules. Since they themselves want to settle this once and for all, then let them."

At his words, the other five Supreme Elders turned to look at Luo Feng and Chang Jing’s master. Seeing this, Luo Feng spoke first. "It has already come to this. I will not interfere. The final outcome rests on those two alone. Even if Lin Yun is the one to cripple his cultivation, I will have nothing to say."

Hearing Luo Feng, Chang Jing’s master also spoke, expressing the same sentiment.

Both masters had decided not to interfere. The final result would depend entirely on their disciples.

Lu Bingning and Lan Xi were waiting outside the Main Hall. When they saw Lin Yun emerge, the two women hurried to his side.

"How did it go? Did the Palace Master and the others punish you?" Lu Bingning asked, concerned.

He shook his head slightly, signaling to them that he was all right. Just then, Chang Jing also emerged. He walked up to Lin Yun and sneered, "Lin Yun, in three days, I will personally watch you cripple your own cultivation."

Lin Yun gave Chang Jing an indifferent glance and replied nonchalantly, "We’ll see who’s crippling their cultivation when the time comes."

With that, Lin Yun turned and left with Lu Bingning and Lan Xi. Watching Lin Yun’s back, a cold smirk spread across Chang Jing’s face. ’As long as I keep him from finding evidence, his fate is sealed in three days. Once he loses his cultivation, I can kill him any way I want.’

Back at the two women’s courtyard, Puzhu was also there. The four of them sat in the main room as Lin Yun briefly explained to the women what had happened in the Main Hall.

When they heard that Lin Yun had actually agreed to the condition of crippling his cultivation, Lan Xi blurted out nervously, "Are you insane? Do you even know what that means?"

Hearing Lan Xi, Lin Yun just smiled and reassured them gently, "I know. Don’t you two worry. Since I was brave enough to agree, I have no intention of losing."

Hearing his words and seeing the confidence in his eyes, both Lu Bingning and Lan Xi, who had been about to say more, ultimately held back.

"Lin Yun, you and Chang Jing are now locked in a struggle to the death," Puzhu said. "In three days, no matter the outcome, one of you will have to cripple your cultivation and leave Flawless Palace."

"Yes, I know," Lin Yun said, nodding lightly. "But given the situation today, I doubt I could have walked away unscathed without doing this. Besides, since Chang Jing wants to get rid of me, why not use this chance to settle things with him for good?"

Hearing this, Puzhu nodded in agreement. "Yes, what you’ve done is force Chang Jing into a decisive battle. It’s incredibly risky, but if you win, you’ll eliminate him for good. The benefits to your future would be immeasurable."

Puzhu had voiced Lin Yun’s exact thoughts. If he hadn’t forced the issue today, he probably would have been punished with a period of confinement at Jingsi Cliff at worst. But that would have meant falling right into Chang Jing’s trap.

That being the case, Lin Yun decided to cut the Gordian knot and force Chang Jing into this decisive confrontation.

Afterward, Lin Yun calmed Lu Bingning and Lan Xi, telling them to proceed with their closed-door cultivation the next day. He insisted he had a way to handle his own affairs and that everything would be fine.

Though still deeply concerned, the two women ultimately nodded in compliance.

They talked for a long time, and by the time Lin Yun left Lu Bingning’s home, the sky was already beginning to lighten. The two women kept reminding him to be careful, watching until his figure completely vanished from sight before they turned back toward the courtyard.

"Alright now, don’t worry about him," Puzhu said gently as the two women returned. "He clearly has his own plan. The best thing you can do for him now is to focus on your closed-door cultivation so you don’t distract him."

They both nodded. Soon after, they followed Puzhu to a secret chamber in the rear courtyard. This was where Puzhu normally entered her own secluded cultivation. It was quiet and secure, making it the perfect place for them.

"During this seclusion, I will guide you through the Purification of Essence and Marrow," Puzhu reminded them sternly before they began. "It may be a painful process. However, my biggest concern is your unease. You must remember: you cannot afford even the slightest distraction during the Purification of Essence and Marrow."

Hearing her words, the two women nodded. Puzhu then began the process of Purification of Essence and Marrow.