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

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

Yun Qingmei inquired with a puzzled expression.

She was convinced that Bai Zihan's presence here stemmed from learning about his servant clashing with a senior figure.

Yet his reaction made it evident that this wasn't the reason at all.

Hearing those words, Bai Zihan displayed clear astonishment.

"Lin Xuan... fighting?"

He echoed, his eyebrows furrowing just a touch.

At his side, Kong Zhanhong grew tense as well.

"Fighting?" he repeated. "With whom?"

Bai Zihan's eyes shifted abruptly toward Yun Qingmei.

"Tell me more!"

***

Since the previous Sect Leader had relinquished his role, Lin Xuan had swiftly turned into a major irritation for the incoming leaders.

His history couldn't be overlooked—he had been a prime contender for the upcoming Sect Leader spot, groomed and cherished directly by the old Sect Leader.

That once-honored legacy became a dangerous 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 got subtly blocked.

Next, the perks vanished. Long-held rights were abruptly labeled unfit and stripped away with flimsy excuses.

It ought to have succeeded.

Yet it failed.

Lin Xuan's progress in cultivation remained undeterred, not faltering in the least.

After all, beyond the Heaven Sword Sect's support, the Bai Clan aided him too, even supplying Cultivation pills.

Thus, such measures couldn't truly hinder him much.

That fact alone stirred discomfort among the dominant group. Their tactics intensified, leading them to plot his complete removal in the end.

Yuan Jie, the devoted follower of Han Shenwu, had intentionally mocked and goaded Lin Xuan.

Naturally, having served as a handyman before, he was accustomed to such treatment and stayed calm without rage.

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

Since direct taunts proved useless, he targeted the one person Lin Xuan respected above all.

He started disparaging Bai Zihan, labeling him a powerless invalid he'd handle if he dared appear.

Lin Xuan had quietly borne the resource cuts, the barriers, and the shame. But this slight went beyond what he could stomach.

His anger ignited.

The duel was proposed.

And Yuan Jie agreed instantly.

A wager hung between them as well.

Should Yuan Jie triumph, Lin Xuan would pledge himself as a servant to Han Shenwu; should Lin Xuan prevail, Yuan Jie would kneel, plead, and seek pardon in front of Bai Zihan.

"This is how this fight came to be!"

As Yun Qingmei wrapped up her account, the group arrived at the combat platform and took spots where numerous stares turned their way.

"Tsk! How could you not know about this?"

Fei Ling questioned, somewhat irritated at Bai Zihan.

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

Of course, she dismissed much of Lin Xuan's chatter, given her own knowledge of Bai Zihan's true nature, but she held back since Bai Zihan had aided him prior to his entry as a sect disciple.

Bai Zihan's mind pieced it together at last.

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

The ever-faithful underling hadn't been off on some unrelated errand.

Lin Xuan!

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

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

To Han Shenwu, he posed a greater threat than Lin Xuan, and maybe Lin Xuan's targeting tied back to him.

In any event, Han Shenwu trusted Yuan Jie to defeat Lin Xuan.

On the surface, though, the matchup appeared blatantly lopsided.

Yuan Jie had reached 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 the top.

His experience gave him the edge.

Lin Xuan lingered in the lower stage, at Nascent Soul.

For the watching crowd, the result felt predetermined.

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

Fei Ling showed obvious strain, her arms folded firmly while she fixed her eyes on

the platform. Bai Zihan, in contrast, harbored no such worry.

Not a hint of it.

He reclined a bit, form at ease, gaze serene.

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

A grand public display.

A foe who appeared unbeatable at first glance.

Bai Zihan breathed out steadily.

Where others perceived a hopeless battle.

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

A perfect instant for a figure like Lin Xuan to shatter assumptions—

to reveal his true self to all.

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

And as the show commenced, Bai Zihan knew one certainty—

All present would soon recall precisely who Lin Xuan truly was.

"Young Master Bai, shouldn't you stop the fight?"

Yun Qingmei questioned with concern.

"Why should I?"

"Eh? Wouldn't Lin Xuan be forced to become Han Shenwu's lackey if Yuan Jie

wins?"

Yun Qingmei asked.

She felt sure that Bai Zihan would halt this foolish bout once aware of it.

"Well that is if he wins. I don't think that is possible though."

Bai Zihan replied steadily.

Kong Zhanhong agreed with a nod nearby.

"Qingmei, what do you expect from this heartless man? He probably would

abandon Lin Xuan as soon as he loses!"

Fei Ling snorted.

***

A soft buzz coursed through the arena.

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

Lin Xuan appeared first.

No murderous aura seeped from him, no sign of unrest—merely a serene composure, akin to a blade sheathed at rest.

Bai Zihan breathed out steadily.

Where others perceived a hopeless battle.

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

A perfect instant for a figure like Lin Xuan to shatter assumptions—

to reveal his true self to all.

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

And as the show commenced, Bai Zihan knew one certainty— All present would soon recall precisely who Lin Xuan truly was.

"Young Master Bai, shouldn't you stop the fight?"

Yun Qingmei questioned with concern.

"Why should I?" "Eh? Wouldn't Lin Xuan be forced to become Han Shenwu's lackey if Yuan Jie

wins?"

Yun Qingmei asked.

She felt sure that Bai Zihan would halt this foolish bout once aware of it.

"Well that is if he wins. I don't think that is possible though."

Bai Zihan replied steadily.

Kong Zhanhong agreed with a nod nearby.

"Qingmei, what do you expect from this heartless man? He probably would

abandon Lin Xuan as soon as he loses!"

Fei Ling snorted.

***

A soft buzz coursed through the arena.

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

Lin Xuan appeared first.

No murderous aura seeped from him, no sign of unrest—merely a serene composure, akin to a blade sheathed at rest.

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 bursts, intentionally unchecked, bearing down on the

stage like a threat.

Scars marked his hands and arms—souvenirs from endless sect duties and savage clashes.

The difference between the pair stood out sharply.

One seemed ordinary.

The other radiated command.

An Elder floated down to the battle stage, his garments billowing as he settled

between the combatants.

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

"This is an official sect duel. The terms have been verified and recorded."

"If Yuan Jie wins, Lin Xuan will enter the service of Han Shenwu as a personal

subordinate."

A wave of stir passed through the audience.

The Elder pressed on seamlessly.

"If Lin Xuan wins, Yuan Jie will kneel, grovel, and beg forgiveness before Bai

Zihan—publicly."

This time, the uproar grew stronger.

A few sneered. Others grinned slyly. Some peered naturally toward Bai Zihan's

viewing spot.

The Elder's look intensified.

"No outside interference will be tolerated. The duel will end upon concession

or incapacitation."

Lin Xuan's palm lay steady on his waist hilt.

Yuan Jie's mouth twisted into a vicious smile.

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

"So you really came," Yuan Jie declared, his words traveling clearly over the stage. "I

thought you might finally learn to stay in your hole." Lin Xuan offered no reply.

That merely entertained Yuan Jie further.

"Don't look at me like that," Yuan Jie went on. "You should be grateful. Once

this is over, you'll finally have a master who knows how to use you properly."

His smile broadened.

"I'm doing you a favor!"

A subtle clang echoed as Yuan Jie gradually unsheathed his blade.

Lin Xuan acted at last.

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

The atmosphere near Lin Xuan grew keen.

The Elder retreated.

"Begin!"

Yuan Jie struck first.

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

The edge whistled through the sky, laden with crushing might intended to smash

more than slice.

Lin Xuan dodged aside.

The blade missed his head by an instant, crashing into the platform stone and gouging a wide furrow.

Ere Yuan Jie regained balance, Lin Xuan's sword lashed forward.

A sharp, exact cut.

Metal clashed against metal.

Clang!

Sparks erupted from the blade impact.

Yuan Jie's eyes tightened a smidge.

"Oh?"

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

The next clash followed right away.

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

Every assault held force sufficient 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 fully, his actions sparing, effective—nearly detached.

Among the viewers, doubt started overtaking assurance.

This didn't match the expected display.

From his vantage, Bai Zihan observed quietly.

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

As the blades rang out repeatedly, a basic reality emerged—one spotted early by only keen observers.

Lin Xuan wasn't straining.

He was probing.

And when finished—

The true battle would ignite!