Chapter Thirty: The Scandal's Calamity

If any other core disciples had witnessed this scene, they would likely have immediately subjected Lin Xiaobao to harsh interrogation, desperate to find out how he’d managed to subdue this little she-devil—what a satisfying turn of events!

“So, you’re a core disciple now?” Lin Xiaobao was deeply curious about Cen Shuyah’s identity. When he first met her, she was merely a formal disciple in the Mission Hall, yet now she had abruptly ascended to the rank of core disciple.

Cen Shuyah, perhaps fearing that Lin Xiaobao might truly strip her naked, was unexpectedly cooperative at this moment. With a question and an answer, Lin Xiaobao finally understood her true identity, and realized that the core disciples’ presence here was all because of his movement technique.

Never pretend to be something you’re not, or you’ll be struck by lightning! That was a saying from Lin Xiaobao’s previous life, and now, having only just revealed a hint of his talent, he had already found himself in this predicament. He resolved to keep a low profile from now on, at least until he had the strength to protect himself—low profile, always low profile.

“Is there anything else you want to ask?” Cen Shuyah, having never suffered such humiliation, was now eager to leave, yet she was too weak to move. She looked truly pitiful.

“How about we cooperate?” Lin Xiaobao suddenly suggested.

“Cooperate? In what way?” Cen Shuyah asked, confused.

“You tell Elder Lin Tian about my current situation, and I’ll teach you the movement technique I used today. What do you say?” Lin Xiaobao proposed, his eyes glinting.

“You’re so cunning. What if I inform Elder Lin Tian and you don’t teach me the technique?” Cen Shuyah replied seriously.

Lin Xiaobao shook his head. “If I deceive you, with your status, could you not deal with me? Aren’t you already plotting how to get back at me once you recover?”

“No!” Though her tone remained firm, Cen Shuyah herself couldn’t believe her own words. The notorious little witch of the Snowfall Pavilion had always been the one to toy with others, never the other way around. Now, having been so humiliated by Lin Xiaobao, she wouldn’t forgive herself if she didn’t regain her dignity.

“Help me with this, and I’ll teach you the technique. If you still want revenge afterwards, you’re welcome to come at me with everything you’ve got. How does that sound?” Lin Xiaobao asked.

“Is that your word? Deal!” Cen Shuyah agreed readily. Though she didn’t know the exact relationship between Lin Xiaobao and Lin Tian, seeing how confident he was, she guessed that Lin Tian could indeed protect him. That meant only she would acquire this technique, which was a good thing.

With that, Cen Shuyah drew a yellow paper crane from her bosom, its surface covered in cinnabar-drawn symbols and characters. She brought it to her lips and spoke: “Lin Xiaobao is in trouble at the Disciplinary Hall; Elder Lin Tian, come quickly!” She released the crane, which flapped its wings and flew away. “Elder Lin Tian will receive the message soon. Now will you teach me the technique?”

Receiving a confirming nod from Elder Wu, Lin Xiaobao knew that Cen Shuyah had indeed just used a transmission talisman. He said, “I’ll only recite the method once—how much you remember is up to you.”

Regarding his movement technique, Lin Xiaobao had secretly consulted with the two elders. To protect his secret, Elder Mo had provided him with a Dragon Concealment technique as a decoy for Cen Shuyah.

Just as Lin Xiaobao was about to begin reciting the method, the door crashed open with a thunderous bang. Along with Long Xingtian, five other core disciples appeared at Lin Xiaobao’s doorway, all halting in shock at the sight of Cen Shuyah collapsed on the floor, her clothes disheveled.

Three of the disciples even cast admiring glances at Ye Bufan, as if to say, “You’ve got guts, taking down the little witch herself.”

“Lin Xiaobao, how dare you! To commit such indecency against a core disciple in the Disciplinary Hall—do you have any regard for the rules? Do you have any respect for the Snowfall Pavilion?” Long Xingtian’s words immediately condemned Lin Xiaobao, as he surged forward and struck him with his palm.

In that instant, Lin Xiaobao swiftly tucked the slip of paper into his storage pouch, but his vision blurred and a searing pain exploded in his chest. He was sent flying, crashing into the large bed behind him and collapsing to the floor.

“Sister Cen, are you alright?” Long Xingtian hurried to straighten Cen Shuyah’s clothing, his concern evident.

Though this incident had nothing to do with him, any trouble involving Cen Shuyah could easily provoke the Grand Elder’s wrath. Even as a core disciple, he might not escape punishment.

Lin Xiaobao felt as if his entire body had been shattered—he didn’t even have the strength to stand.

“Dreamback Grass?” Long Xingtian frowned, immediately summoning two trusted female disciples to help Cen Shuyah away. The effects of Dreamback Grass would wear off after three hours’ rest. Though Long Xingtian had antidote pills to neutralize the poison instantly, Cen Shuyah was better off absent for what was to follow.

“What do you all think we should do?” Long Xingtian turned to the other five.

“Wake him up, force him to reveal the movement technique, then kill him and deliver his head to the Grand Elder. Otherwise, none of us will escape blame!” one said bluntly.

The others remained silent, clearly concurring. They had seen Cen Shuyah in disarray, and while she would never speak of it, Lin Xiaobao couldn’t be trusted. The only way to ensure their safety was to kill him.

Lying motionless on the ground, Lin Xiaobao was racking his brain for a way out. To become a core disciple of the Snowfall Pavilion, one had to possess the cultivation of an Innate Martial Artist. How powerful that was, he didn’t know, but judging from Long Xingtian’s palm strike, he realized that with his current strength, he wouldn’t stand a chance against any of them.

Footsteps drew closer. Lin Xiaobao placed his hand on his storage pouch. He might be outmatched, but he would never surrender without a fight.

As the six gathered around him, thinking he was unconscious from Long Xingtian’s blow, Lin Xiaobao suddenly sprang up. A chill filled the air as, almost simultaneously, all six reflexively drew their swords from their storage pouches, creating an impenetrable defense.

Dragon Sword Flash!

Lin Xiaobao knew this was his only chance. He held nothing back—the room was instantly filled with dazzling sword-light, enveloping his entire body. With a thunderous shout, the sword-light erupted, clashing against the six swords with a cacophony of metallic ringing.

The entire room collapsed with a mighty crash under the force of the clashing energies. Seizing the moment as the six were still reeling from the shock, Lin Xiaobao unleashed his Enchanting Flight Array and sprinted out at full speed.

With his previous experience in mind, Lin Xiaobao kept his speed in check, wary of collapsing like he had in the Hongwu Hall—better to pace himself than fall before his pursuers could even catch him.

As they watched Lin Xiaobao’s retreating figure, the six exchanged stunned glances, each seeing the shock in the others’ eyes. What was happening to this world? Wasn’t that fellow only at the seventh level of martial cultivation? Yet judging by his attack, he truly was only at the seventh level.

With the boost from the Enchanting Flight Array and the twentyfold gravity array on his body now sealed, wind howled past Lin Xiaobao’s ears as he ran. At this rate, he was likely not much slower than a martial artist at the fourth postnatal stage.