Hearing Zhu Wanning's words, Lin Xiao's mind exploded with a loud BUZZ!
Instantly, his thoughts were in a colossal mess!
Darn! Did this woman even realize what she was saying? Zhu Wanning was one of the most dependable allies in Ye Chen's harem, wasn't she? Did she sincerely want to kill Ye Chen? If the changes in the other junior sisters happened because of me, then what about Zhu Wanning? Whether in the original story or in this timeline, Zhu Wanning hardly had any interaction with him, Lin Xiao. Even when news of Lin Xiao committing suicide on the Cliff of Reflection spread throughout the sect, this icy beauty from Phoenix Caw Peak only remarked, 'Those with impure hearts deserve such an end.' For years, relying on my Master's favoritism, I've slacked off, coasted, and bullied my junior brothers and sisters. My terrible reputation has long since spread throughout the entire Qinglan Sect. Zhu Wanning must have heard of it too. Given her abhorrence of evil, why would she willingly join forces with me? It's not normal! Something's definitely off about this!
Lin Xiao contemplated and weighed his options, his handsome eyes widened as he said coldly, "Junior Sister Zhu! At yesterday's initiation ceremony, indeed, I had a disagreement with the newly initiated Junior Brother Ye. However, I, Lin Xiao, always act uprightly and openly!"
"Since Junior Brother Ye has maligned me in front of the Sect Leader, I will go and clear my name. As for the rest, the Sect Leader and the Elders of the Enforcement Hall will decide. If I interfere secretly, it would be unjust."
"Whether Ye Chen is guilty or not, and the severity of his crime, the ironclad laws of the sect will determine it. I urge Junior Sister Zhu not to entertain such thoughts, lest she compromise her righteous and compassionate Dao heart!"
He spoke with unwavering conviction, his words brimming with righteousness.
Even Lu Yingying, standing by his side, was astonished!
It was her first time seeing such a just and glorious side of her Eldest Senior Brother!
Having said his piece, Lin Xiao didn't so much as glance at Zhu Wanning. He simply led the dazed little junior sister by his side towards Shenxiao Palace, striding away quickly.
More accurately... he was fleeing!
He genuinely felt that if he continued to squabble with Zhu Wanning, the plot would deviate even more wildly!
"I didn't expect... Senior Brother Lin to be so upright and unyielding..."
Watching that snow-white, ethereal figure retreat, Zhu Wanning's beautiful eyes grew pensive. She murmured, "He's quite different from what I imagined."
「Shenxiao Palace, Sect Leader's Grand Hall.」
"Lin Xiao, Eldest Disciple of Divine Phoenix Peak, pays respects to the Sect Leader and the esteemed Elders!"
Lin Xiao stepped forward and bowed towards those seated above.
He swept his gaze around. Apart from his own beautiful Master, all four Chairmen, including Sect Leader True Master Ziyun, were present.
Before the statues of the Three Pure Ones in the center, about ten Guest Elders from Dragon Head Peak itself, along with five Punishment Elders from the Enforcement Hall, levitated in mid-air, their expressions solemn.
Wow, what a grand scene.
Lin Xiao's heart shuddered as he instinctively looked towards the rear hall. Sure enough, he saw a black-clad youth kneeling on the ground, tearfully addressing a short, stout Daoist.
It was, of course, Ye Chen and his villainous Master, Daoist Yuan Yi.
Tsk, tsk. The Son of Destiny, the Divine King Ye from the original story who dominated all ages, defeated every prodigy, and never bowed to any deity in his life, is now weeping and kneeling before a minor boss. How pathetic.
Lin Xiao curled his lip, sighing inwardly.
Actually, on deeper thought, it was quite normal. In the original story, Ye Chen, without his golden finger and immense luck, was just a mediocre, somewhat reckless youth with delusions of grandeur. In these past years, under the guidance of the mysterious old grandpa in the ring, he had smooth sailing, winning every battle, which further fed his innate arrogance and vanity. Presumably, after being defeated by me, a mere mob villain, at the Disciple Acceptance Ceremony, he couldn't accept the reality, and his personality has already become somewhat warped.
Forget it. Whatever happens to this guy isn't important to me. What I need to do now is everything possible to ensure he survives until the Five Branches Martial Tournament, defeats me in public, and helps me complete this major plotline!
Lin Xiao reinforced his goal in his mind.
At the same moment, Ye Chen lifted his head, gnashing his teeth, his eyes bloodshot, glaring fiercely at him!
That look, as if he wished to devour him alive!
Hmph, think glaring at me will help? If you're so tough, come and bite me, idiot. If it weren't for completing the mission, with my current strength, I could cut you down, you piece of trash, with a single strike!
Lin Xiao sneered inwardly, shifting his gaze to the side.
For some reason, he suddenly realized that when their eyes met just now, Ye Chen no longer exuded that powerful, oppressive aura characteristic of a Son of Destiny.
Could this lad's luck... be starting to fade?
Lin Xiao suddenly grew curious.
"Lin Xiao, why isn't your Junior Sister, Chu Youwei, present?" In the center of the grand hall, True Master Ziyun, the Sect Leader of the Qinglan Sect, a middle-aged man with an otherworldly, sagely demeanor, spoke in a clear voice. "Could it be that the disciple I sent failed to notify her properly?"
"Replying to the Sect Leader, my Third Junior Sister overexerted herself practicing the zither last night and injured her heart meridians. My Master strictly ordered her to rest in her quarters and forbid her from going out," Lin Xiao replied, neither servile nor overbearing.
Of course, he had deliberately ensured Chu Youwei's absence.
That girl blushes whenever she tells a lie; how could she handle such a grand occasion? As for the reason for her absence, it's best to just push it onto my wine-loving Master! Who would dare make trouble for that domineering, unrestrained, and willful Fairy Hongling, who resorts to force at the slightest disagreement? It's well known that back when several Chairmen, including Sect Leader True Master Ziyun, were still fellow disciples, Xiao Hongling, their youngest junior sister, flew into a rage when they tried to stop her from drinking. She beat her senior brothers until they surrendered and meekly returned the confiscated fine wine. Arguably, in the entire Qinglan Sect, aside from True Monarch Taiwu, head of the Qinglan Six Sages, who is destined for a 'death by plot,' the only one who could truly be called the pinnacle of combat strength is Xiao Hongling!
As expected, once Lin Xiao finished speaking, True Master Ziyun's expression turned awkward for a second. He then exchanged a glance with several Enforcement Elders, cleared his throat, and said, "Never mind. Since your Master isn't here, and you, as the Eldest Disciple of your branch, are the primary target of the accusation by Disciple Ye Chen of Tiandang Peak..."
"Today, you will explain everything yourself!"
At this, True Master Ziyun's gaunt face suddenly turned grave. "Lin Xiao, last night, did you instruct your Junior Sister Chu Youwei to visit Ye Chen at Tiandang Peak and lure him to the Fairy Pool on Phoenix Caw Peak?"
"Tell the truth!"
His tone wasn't heavy, yet it carried an inherent authority that made the atmosphere in the hall instantly turn cold and solemn!
Under the immense pressure emanating from this Divinity Transformation Stage Sect Leader, even Lin Xiao, who had appeared nonchalant throughout, felt his heart grow heavy.
Damn it, I have to think carefully. How can I phrase this to clear my name without getting Ye Chen killed? This is a delicate task.
Meanwhile, at the rear of the grand hall, the kind-faced Daoist Yuan Yi gently patted the black-clad youth's hand and chuckled, "Ye Chen, my good disciple, rest assured."
"His Master isn't present today. If he can't prove his innocence later, I have ten thousand ways to make the Enforcement Hall sentence him to death, thus quelling the hatred in your heart!"
"Re...Really? Master, are you serious?" Ye Chen's eyes instantly brightened upon hearing this.
"Heh, you probably don't know your Master's capabilities yet," Daoist Yuan Yi said, squinting with a smile.
"When it comes to fighting, this Master naturally wouldn't compare himself to his Master, Xiao Hongling. But when it comes to navigating social connections and worldly wisdom, hehe..."
He paused, a hint of smugness appearing on his otherwise peaceful and kindly chubby face.
"Let this Master be frank. Over the years, this Master has nurtured connections throughout the sect. My network spans all the various peaks and factions of the Qinglan Sect. Almost all the Elders will show me some deference."
"In other words, at today's public trial by the Enforcement Hall, with no one to speak up for him, Lin Xiao, this inner sect disciple, is like a fish egg—easily crushed to dust!"
"And once his guilt is established, even if his Master comes looking for trouble afterward, it will be too late!"
Just as his words fell, a melodious yet dignified female voice drifted from the platform:
"Oh my, since Junior Sister Hongling isn't here today, this One shall take the liberty of speaking for her and supporting this Martial Nephew Lin. Allow this One to personally question him."
Her words stunned everyone present!
Even Lin Xiao, the one in question, was completely bewildered!
He stared blankly in the direction of the voice.
He saw a stunningly beautiful, mature woman clad in a crimson Daoist robe adorned with phoenix patterns, wearing a phoenix coronet. Her figure was voluptuous, and her features exquisite.
It was precisely the Chairman of Phoenix Caw Peak, Zhu Wanning's Master—Su Mei!
This married beauty, whose youthful allure had rivaled his own Master's and whose figure was even more magnificent than Junior Sister Yurong's, gazed at him with a smile in her phoenix eyes. Her full, enticing vermilion lips curved slightly upward, carrying a hint of... teasing?
Damn it, what's with that look in Martial Aunt Su's eyes? What is she planning to do... in front of all these people?
Lin Xiao's heart skipped a beat. I can't help but recall certain passages about Su Mei from the original story...
Instantly, his already robust Formless Sword Body grew even more... firm.