389: Chapter 389 Using a borrowed knife to kill! I'm not interested in being a perennial runner-up!

Empress Mo Chenxin looked at Lin Ran, who stood tall and straight, her gaze becoming profound as a faint, meaningful smile slowly curled at the corners of her mouth.

She turned her head toward Lin Bai, who was kneeling on one knee, and said, "Elder Lin, you said just now that as long as you are alive, no one would dare touch Lin Ran?"

"If I wanted to touch Lin Ran, would you have to rebel and destroy me as well?"

Seeing such a heavy label being pinned on him, a chill ran down Lin Bai's spine, and he hurriedly gave a flattering smile:

"Uh, hehe, Her Majesty the Empress certainly knows how to joke."

"If Her Majesty the Empress wishes to discipline Lin Ran, then it certainly wouldn't be Her Majesty's fault, but Lin Ran's fault!"

"Her Majesty is naturally right to discipline him!"

Hearing this, Lin Ran's face was written with speechlessness, and he couldn't help but roll his eyes at Lin Bai.

What happened to your backbone?

What happened to being an indomitable man?!

Why did you go completely limp as soon as you stood before Empress Mo Chenxin?!

Lin Bai turned back and winked at Lin Ran, signaling him not to take it to heart.

When one is under another's roof, one must bow one's head; he had no other choice!

Empress Mo Chenxin nodded slightly, clearly satisfied with Lin Bai's words.

She spoke with a wicked smile, "Lin Ran, do you know that you have committed two great crimes?"

Lin Ran's pupils constricted as he shook his head and said, "I do not!"

"Very well, then I shall tell you personally."

"First, you killed Xiang Mo during the Recruitment Ceremony, breaking the iron rule that countless people have silently upheld for ages. This is the first great crime."

"Second, in my presence, not only did you not kneel, but you even spoke such rebellious words of disrespecting heaven, earth, and the gods. This is the second great crime!"

"What punishment do you think you deserve?"

Lin Ran's eyes narrowed slightly, and he did not speak for the moment.

To be honest, he was already considering how to pack up and flee.

If this place won't have me, there's bound to be somewhere else that will!

Since the Empress of the Chenxin Divine Dynasty didn't know how to cherish a treasure like him, he would go to another power that did!

"Whatever crime Her Majesty the Empress wishes to charge me with, so be it. I have nothing to say, and saying anything would be useless."

Lin Ran shook his head slightly and said.

"Very well, I like it when you have nothing to say!"

"But there's no rush. Before sentencing, you should first carefully consider which Elder's tutelage you should join to Cultivate!"

Empress Mo Chenxin said with a half-smile.

Lin Ran was slightly stunned, not understanding what Empress Mo Chenxin meant.

If there's a sentence, then sentence him. He was already thinking of fleeing, so why was she asking him to choose an Elder and enter the Zifu Holy Land to Cultivate?!

Wasn't this clearly a case of wanting to have it both ways?!

But he still fixed his gaze on Lin Bai, then shook his head: "To be honest, I'm not interested in a perpetual second-placer."

As soon as these words were spoken, Lin Bai's face changed, while First Elder Huang Yuanhao's face showed great joy.

Although Her Majesty the Empress had clearly stated she would punish Lin Ran, it would likely be a minor reprimand rather than an actual execution.

After all, it would be a pity to kill a Prodigy like Lin Ran; it could even be said to be cutting off the future of their Zifu Holy Land!

And as long as Lin Ran joined his tutelage, he could train another Disciple who was first on the dragon list. His status would become even more stable, and he would be immensely prestigious wherever he went!

"Oh? So, Lin Ran, do you intend to join my tutelage?"

First Elder Huang Yuanhao said, overjoyed.

"It's fine for me to join Elder Huang's tutelage, but I don't like him. Seeing him makes me very uncomfortable."

"Elder Huang, you should know what to do, right?"

Lin Ran pointed at Little Prince Chen Lian, a hint of playfulness in his eyes.

The kneeling Little Prince Chen Lian's expression changed instantly; he hadn't expected Lin Ran to suddenly point the finger at him.

Furthermore, Lin Ran's words were completely forcing First Elder Huang Yuanhao to make a choice!

It was either him or Lin Ran; there was no room for both.

Lin Ran was forcing First Elder Huang Yuanhao to choose between him and Lin Ran!

"I can do that! As long as you join my tutelage, I can expel Little Prince Chen Lian from the sect!"

First Elder Huang Yuanhao agreed immediately without even thinking.

Although Little Prince Chen Lian was the Little Prince of the Chen Residence and his talent wasn't bad, what was he worth compared to Lin Ran?

Trading Little Prince Chen Lian for Lin Ran was simply the most profitable deal one could make in a lifetime!

Little Prince Chen Lian's face instantly turned ashen. First Elder Huang Yuanhao's ready agreement with Lin Ran showed that he didn't view Little Prince Chen Lian as a human being at all!

This move of Lin Ran's—murder by proxy—ground his dignity into the dirt. It was absolutely detestable!!

"Hahaha..."

Lin Ran suddenly threw his head back and laughed, his laughter filled with mockery.

"I think I'll pass. If Elder Huang can expel Little Prince Chen Lian today for my sake..."

"...then surely he can expel me for someone else's sake in the future."

"If I were to join Elder Huang's tutelage, wouldn't I have to live in fear every day?"

"Her Majesty the Empress, I still wish to join Elder Lin Bai's tutelage to Cultivate. May I?"

Lin Ran said.

First Elder Huang Yuanhao's face was ashen, looking as unsightly as if he had swallowed a dead fly.

How could he not understand by now? From the very beginning, Lin Ran had no intention of joining his tutelage.

From the start, Lin Ran only wanted to use him to disgust Little Prince Chen Lian!

What a clever calculation!

To think he even plotted against me!

Good!

Truly excellent!

Lin Ran is practically courting death!

"You may join whoever's tutelage you wish to Cultivate under."

"But I still have a question. You said earlier that you weren't interested in a perpetual second-placer, so why do you want to join Elder Lin's tutelage now?"

Empress Mo Chenxin lightly stroked her chin with her right hand, showing great interest.

Lin Ran shrugged nonchalantly and said, "I'm indeed not interested in being a perpetual second-placer. After all, if one is to compete, one should compete for first place."

"But what if..."

Lin Ran's tone shifted, a wicked smile curling on his lips.

"...I make Elder Lin the number one Elder on the elder list?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present was shocked.

Make Lin Bai the number one Elder on the elder list?!

Even Lin Bai himself probably wouldn't dare say such a thing, right?!

Lin Ran is completely disregarding First Elder Huang Yuanhao!!

At this moment, everyone felt Lin Ran's spirit and invincible mindset.

Refusing to kneel to the Empress and declaring he'd make Lin Bai the top Elder on the elder list.

Even before fully joining the Zifu Holy Land, this Lin Ran was already enough to stir up a bloodbath!

However, who would have thought that upon hearing Lin Ran's grand words, Lin Bai wouldn't be moved at all, but instead looked slightly embarrassed.

He quietly tugged on Lin Ran's sleeve and whispered:

"Uh... that... actually, being a perpetual second-placer is pretty good too, isn't it?"

Instantly!

Lin Ran gave him a massive eye-roll, his face filled with speechlessness.

"No, I'm already prepared to join your tutelage to Cultivate. Can't you have a little ambition?!"

"The grand words have already been spoken. You will sit in that top Elder spot sooner or later!"

"Even if you don't think of yourself, you have to think of me!"