Chapter 522 - 314: The Final Candidate
Lin Chen raised the question for a simple reason, as pies don’t fall from the sky for no reason.
If this thing is so good, why isn’t Gu Ning going?
Gu Ning said it’s because of a lack of talent, but Lin Chen expressed skepticism.
When Gu Ning heard this, his brow furrowed tightly.
He was acting, but he was genuinely displeased.
This opportunity originally belonged to him, Gu Ning, but now he couldn’t accept it.
"There is absolutely no danger," Li Hai said grandly. "The Eight Trigram Nine Cities Plan was left by the previous National Preceptor Zhong Nan, and the National Master’s Institute still retains the related documents, as well as those reported to the Dubhe Pavilion."
"I’ve brought them all here, with Zhong Nan’s signature, the Institute’s seal, and date-sealing technique...."
"If you want to investigate, you can do so with confidence."
After speaking, Li Hai clapped, and someone immediately brought three sealed documents, handing them to the Great Elder.
The other party’s straightforwardness left the Great Elder a bit stunned.
Li Hai continued, "We are not here to coerce Bai Ling, the final choice is still in her hands."
"As Bai Ling’s mentors and elders, we hope you can encourage her as well."
"After all, this disaster is not just a personal matter but concerns the country."
After speaking, Li Hai cupped his hands, and the others also cupped their hands and took their leave.
After they all left, Lin Chen and his group remained silent, refraining from speaking for a long time.
....
Entering the hall, matters of the Spirit Academy naturally had to be set aside for now. The Great Elder spoke first, "The Gu Family admitted that they abducted Bai Ling, but they captured her just to test her talent."
"Ultimately, it was proven that her talent indeed surpassed Gu Ning’s."
Lin Chen and Liu Gu said nothing, but Bai Ling widened her eyes and said, "But why did they deceive me?"
"Their explanation is that they didn’t want you to hold a grudge against them," the Great Elder said.
Lin Chen didn’t respond but continued flipping through the documents while saying, "I’m more skeptical about whether Gu Ning’s talent is truly lacking."
"I’m also doubtful of this," the Great Elder nodded, saying, "but as you said, Gu Ning obtaining this formidable power might lead him down Zhong Nan’s path, shedding blood on the Celestial Capital forces, and reshaping the layout."
"This is a situation neither Dubhe Pavilion nor the Celestial Capital Power want to see."
When Lin Chen heard this explanation, he found it very reasonable.
"Rest assured, I’ll have someone investigate the Yin Family," the Great Elder added.
Liu Gu asked Lin Chen, "Are these documents legitimate?"
"Inside is indeed the proposal for the Eight Trigram Nine Cities Plan, the function...."
Though Lin Chen’s words were calm, he was actually shocked beyond words.
The Eight Trigram Nine Cities Plan proposed by Zhong Nan was indeed a grand project.
Its purpose was:
To link all the dragon veins within the Cangling Ancient Country, ultimately for the use of one person.
For this, nine people are needed.
Eight stand at the border of the Eight Trigrams City, with the main core person standing atop the central Eight Trigrams City, and together the nine people perform the Dragon Fighting Skill or Dragon Transformation Skill, thereby mobilizing all the dragon veins within the Cangling Ancient Country.
The power of the successful person increases greatly.
When Lin Chen first saw the Eight Trigrams City, he suspected the city’s role wouldn’t be that simple.
Now it seems, it truly is as imagined.
If the Eight Trigrams City comes to fruition, it could truly create a power capable of rivaling the Nine Netherworld Snake.
Could it be that Zhong Nan had foreseen this again?
Thinking about this, Lin Chen felt a bit lost.
As the saying goes, destiny is predetermined.
But Lin Chen didn’t believe in this saying. He didn’t think humans could conquer heaven, but he believed that destiny was in the hands of each individual.
However, what Zhong Nan gave Lin Chen felt distinctly like destiny was predetermined.
Bai Ling getting attacked, the Eight Trigram Nine Cities Plan, the dangers Lin Chen faced, and Bai Ling being chosen as his direct disciple.
At first, Zhong Nan was so decisive about Bai Ling, but later Zhong Nan still submitted to the Celestial Capital forces and chose Gu Ning.
Regarding Bai Ling’s subsequent arrangements, Zhong Nan didn’t mention a word.
Perhaps he truly foresaw that one day Bai Ling would appear in such a manner to fulfill Zhong Nan’s initial choice.
Thinking about this, Lin Chen’s eyes seemed to hold an answer.
But he was precisely afraid of this answer.
He looked at Bai Ling, and deep down, he hoped Bai Ling would say no.
If that were so, perhaps destiny wasn’t really predetermined....
But in reality, Bai Ling was most likely to agree with the plan.
Not to mention Zhong Nan or the Cangling Ancient Country, Bai Ling herself would agree with this plan.
After reviewing the entire plan, the Great Elder and Liu Gu also looked back at Bai Ling, inquiringly.
Bai Ling also pondered for a long time during this period and finally spoke up:
"If this truly is Teacher Zhong Nan’s last wish, then I... am willing."
When she spoke, the other three weren’t surprised. Instead, the Great Elder said, "Alright, since you’re willing to try, I won’t say anything more. But first, don’t agree to them just yet; I’ll first go investigate."
....
In the next two days, the Great Elder sent people everywhere to gather information, and indeed received a unified response.
First, Bai Ling’s destined nature was indeed better than Gu Ning’s.
This was common knowledge in the National Master’s Institute, and not a secret at the higher levels of the Celestial Capital.
It was just that the Celestial Capital didn’t want Bai Ling to rise to power because Bai Ling was difficult to control.
Second, the fundamental reason Gu Ning couldn’t execute this plan was the fear from the Celestial Capital Power; otherwise, the entire plan would have started long ago.
Third, this plan poses no danger; instead, it offers great benefits.
If Bai Ling successfully masters this power, she could even possess it permanently.
When the three messages reached Lin Chen, he had questions, but unexpectedly the Great Elder spoke again:
"The Yin Family said...."
"After assessing her for a long time, Bai Ling herself has no ambition for domination, and she is more pure-hearted."
"So they prefer to trust Bai Ling over Gu Ning."
"Is the Yin Family trustworthy?" Lin Chen asked.
"The Yin Family is trustworthy," said the Great Elder. "I have known the old ancestor of the Yin Family for many years; he won’t deceive me, and he’s not that kind of person."
"This old ancestor was once saved by our dean, owing us a great favor."
"Then there’s no problem."
Lin Chen nodded, a smile appearing as he said, "If there truly is such power, it’s a good thing for Bai Ling as well."
The Great Elder also nodded.
After they finished their discussion, they went to find Bai Ling, who at that moment was clasping her hands towards the sky in prayer, for what they didn’t know.
Feeling Lin Chen and the others approaching, Bai Ling opened her eyes. This time her gaze was not filled with confusion, but determination:
"I am ready!"