Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 461 The Provocation of Yuan Jie

"Young Master Bai, you didn't know?"

Yun Qingmei questioned with bewilderment.

She had assumed without doubt that Bai Zihan's presence here stemmed from learning his servant was clashing with one of the sect's elders.

Yet, judging by his response, that clearly wasn't the situation at all.

Bai Zihan showed astonishment upon hearing this revelation.

"Lin Xuan... fighting?"

He murmured, his eyebrows furrowing just a bit.

Standing next to him, Kong Zhanhong tensed up abruptly.

"Fighting?" he repeated. "Against who?"

Bai Zihan's eyes quickly turned back to Yun Qingmei.

"Give me the details!"

***

Once the previous Sect Leader had relinquished his role, Lin Xuan's position rapidly turned into a major irritation for the incoming rulers.

His history couldn't be overlooked—he had been a prime contender for the upcoming Sect Leader spot, carefully groomed and highly regarded by the former Sect Leader personally.

That very heritage, previously a symbol of honor, became a burden right when Han Sha seized control.

The fresh Sect Leader along with his allies had always distrusted Lin Xuan. Initially, their moves stayed understated.

His training supplies dwindled gradually—pills grew rarer, and entry to vital cultivation areas was subtly blocked.

Next followed the perks. Long-held entitlements were abruptly labeled unsuitable and stripped away with assorted excuses.

It ought to have succeeded.

Yet it failed.

In spite of the oppression, Lin Xuan's progress in cultivation remained undiminished—not even a tiny bit.

After all, beyond the Heaven Sword Sect, the Bai Clan was lending him substantial aid too, even supplying him with cultivation pills.

Thus, such measures couldn't possibly affect him greatly.

That fact by itself sufficed to stir discomfort among the dominant group. Their tactics intensified, and in the end, they decided to eliminate him for good.

Yuan Jie—Han Shenwu's devoted follower—had intentionally mocked and goaded Lin Xuan.

Naturally, having worked as a handyman before, he was accustomed to such treatment and stayed completely unruffled.

Yuan Jie noticed this too, yet he refused to back down.

Since direct slights proved ineffective, he targeted the one person Lin Xuan respected above all others.

He started slandering Bai Zihan, labeling him a powerless invalid he'd handle easily if he ever appeared.

Lin Xuan had quietly borne the cuts in resources, the limitations, and the degradations. However, that particular slight breached his unbreakable boundary.

His anger ignited.

The duel was proposed.

And Yuan Jie agreed instantly.

A wager existed between them as well.

Should Yuan Jie triumph, Lin Xuan would become Han Shenwu's servant; whereas if Lin Xuan prevailed, Yuan Jie would kneel, plead, and seek pardon in front of Bai Zihan.

"That's the origin of this confrontation!"

When Yun Qingmei wrapped up her account, the group had arrived at the combat platform and taken seats amid numerous stares aimed their way.

"Tsk! How come you were clueless about this?"

Fei Ling demanded, somewhat irritated at Bai Zihan.

As Lin Xuan's senior sister from Misty Moon Peak, she understood deeply his devotion to Bai Zihan and how he praised him constantly.

Of course, she dismissed much of Lin Xuan's praise, since she knew Bai Zihan's true nature firsthand, but she held back from commenting, given how Bai Zihan had aided him prior to his entry as a sect disciple.

Bai Zihan's mind cleared as the details clicked into place.

Ah, so that explained Yuan Jie's absence from Han Shenwu's side before.

Han Shenwu's fiercest underling hadn't been occupied elsewhere by chance.

Lin Xuan!

Bai Zihan's sight darted momentarily to the platform, then turned reflective.

Han Shenwu probably hadn't dwelled on it further himself.

Han Shenwu viewed him as the greater headache compared to Lin Xuan, and maybe Lin Xuan's targeting stemmed from that connection.

Regardless, it appeared he trusted Yuan Jie to defeat Lin Xuan.

On the surface, though, the matchup appeared starkly unfavorable.

Yuan Jie held the Soul Formation Realm—his cultivation firm, aura steady, and base forged from years of sect tasks and fierce battles.

He wasn't some spoiled prodigy, but a battle-hardened disciple who had fought his way to prominence.

His experience gave him the edge.

Meanwhile, Lin Xuan lingered in the Nascent Soul stage.

For the majority of spectators, the result looked inevitable.

Murmurs spread across the viewing areas, gazes brimming with eagerness.

Fei Ling displayed clear anxiety, her arms folded firmly while she fixed her eyes on the platform. In contrast, Bai Zihan experienced no such worry.

Not a single hint.

He reclined a touch, his form at ease, gaze serene.

To him, the unfolding events seemed... recognizable.

A grand spectacle.

A foe who appeared unbeatable at first glance.

Bai Zihan breathed out steadily.

Where others perceived a hopeless battle.

He recognized it as Lin Xuan's chance to shine.

A scenario perfectly suited for a figure like Lin Xuan to shatter assumptions—to reveal his true prowess to all.

This wasn't some snare. It was a stage illuminated for a Heaven Chosen.

And as the show commenced, Bai Zihan knew without question—

All those present would soon recall precisely the kind of person Lin Xuan truly was.

"Young Master Bai, shouldn't you halt this duel?"

Yun Qingmei inquired anxiously.

"Why would I do that?"

"Eh? If Yuan Jie emerges victorious, won't Lin Xuan have to serve as Han Shenwu's lackey?"

Yun Qingmei pressed.

She felt sure Bai Zihan would end this foolish bout the instant he learned of it.

"Well, assuming he does win. But I doubt that'll happen."

Bai Zihan replied evenly.

Kong Zhanhong agreed with a nod at his side.

"Qingmei, what can you hope for from this cold-hearted guy? He'd likely ditch Lin Xuan the moment defeat strikes!"

Fei Ling sneered.

***

A subtle buzz coursed through the arena.

Soon enough, two silhouettes advanced onto the battle stage from either side.

Lin Xuan appeared ahead.

No murderous aura seeped from his being, no obvious unrest—just a serene composure, akin to a blade sheathed peacefully.

Bai Zihan breathed out steadily.

Where others perceived a hopeless battle.

He recognized it as Lin Xuan's chance to shine.

A scenario perfectly suited for a figure like Lin Xuan to shatter assumptions—to reveal his true prowess to all.

This wasn't some snare. It was a stage illuminated for a Heaven Chosen.

And as the show commenced, Bai Zihan knew without question— All those present would soon recall precisely the kind of person Lin Xuan truly was.

"Young Master Bai, shouldn't you halt this duel?"

Yun Qingmei inquired anxiously.

"Why would I do that?" "Eh? If Yuan Jie emerges victorious, won't Lin Xuan have to serve as Han Shenwu's lackey?"

Yun Qingmei pressed.

She felt sure Bai Zihan would end this foolish bout the instant he learned of it.

"Well, assuming he does win. But I doubt that'll happen."

Bai Zihan replied evenly.

Kong Zhanhong agreed with a nod at his side.

"Qingmei, what can you hope for from this cold-hearted guy? He'd likely ditch Lin Xuan the moment defeat strikes!"

Fei Ling sneered.

***

A subtle buzz coursed through the arena.

Soon enough, two silhouettes advanced onto the battle stage from either side.

Lin Xuan appeared ahead.

No murderous aura seeped from his being, no obvious unrest—just a serene composure, akin to a blade sheathed peacefully.

Opposite him, Yuan Jie marched into the arena with forceful strides.

His aura pressed down heavily right away.

Soul Formation Realm.

His Qi surged out in powerful pulses, intentionally unchecked, weighing upon the stage like a threat.

Scars marked his hands and arms—traces from endless sect assignments and savage clashes.

The difference between the pair was glaring.

One seemed ordinary.

The other radiated command.

An Elder floated down to the battle stage, his garments billowing as he settled midway between them.

He scanned both contenders before announcing, his tone boosted by spiritual Qi and resounding across the venue.

"This constitutes a formal sect duel. The conditions are confirmed and documented."

"Should Yuan Jie prevail, Lin Xuan shall join Han Shenwu's service as a direct underling."

A wave of reaction passed through the audience.

The Elder pressed on seamlessly.

"Should Lin Xuan prevail, Yuan Jie must kneel, bow low, and plead for mercy in front of Bai Zihan—openly."

This time, the uproar grew stronger.

A few jeered. Others grinned slyly. Some looked naturally toward Bai Zihan's viewing spot.

The Elder's expression toughened.

"Any external meddling is forbidden. The bout concludes at surrender or disablement."

Lin Xuan's palm lay steady on his sword's grip at his side.

Yuan Jie's mouth twisted into a vicious smile.

He tilted his head a fraction, gaze shifting to Lin Xuan with blatant scorn.

"So you actually showed up," Yuan Jie declared, his words projecting clearly over the stage. "I figured you'd wise up and hide away for good." Lin Xuan stayed silent.

This only entertained Yuan Jie further.

"Don't glare at me that way," Yuan Jie went on. "You ought to thank me. After this ends, you'll get a superior who can actually put your skills to use."

His smile broadened.

"I'm helping you out!"

A soft clink echoed as Yuan Jie gradually unsheathed his blade.

Lin Xuan acted at last.

In a fluid, deliberate draw, he pulled his sword free.

The atmosphere near Lin Xuan grew keen.

The Elder retreated.

"Commence!"

Yuan Jie struck first.

He lunged ahead explosively, Soul Formation Qi erupting fiercely as he brought his sword down in a mighty overhead sweep.

The edge whistled through the wind, bearing immense pressure designed to smash more than slice.

Lin Xuan shifted aside.

The blade missed his head by an instant, crashing into the platform's surface and gouging a wide gash in the rock.

Before Yuan Jie regained balance, Lin Xuan's weapon darted forward.

A sharp, accurate cut.

Metal clashed against metal.

Clang!

Flashes sparked as the swords met.

Yuan Jie's gaze tightened a touch.

"Oh?"

Lin Xuan glided back one pace, channeling the force smoothly via his footing.

The follow-up clash arrived right then.

Yuan Jie advanced aggressively, his blows weighty and unyielding, each sword motion infused with raw power and seasoned skill.

Every assault held sufficient might to overpower a Nascent Soul practitioner completely.

Still, Lin Xuan countered them all.

At times he blocked. At times he deflected.

At times he evaded completely, his actions concise, effective—nearly nonchalant.

From the spectators' seats, bewilderment started overtaking assurance.

This didn't match the expected display.

High in the stands, Bai Zihan observed quietly.

His bearing stayed loose, gaze steady, though a subtle spark of delight hid in their depths.

As the blades rang out repeatedly, a basic reality emerged—one that only sharp observers spotted soon.

Lin Xuan wasn't faltering.

He was probing.

And when he finished—

The true battle would ignite!