At that moment, Qin Xiyan looked at Lin Yun, her eyes exceptionally gentle. This man, every time he appeared, he would always protect her in such an overbearing way.
Zhan Ningyue was rebuked into silence. What she didn't know was that Lin Yun had also learned quite a bit about Baiye Peak before coming. Combined with the life panels, he had seen right through Zhan Ningyue and her lackeys. As someone who had been bullied his whole life, Lin Yun certainly knew what kind of days Qin Xiyan had been living.
But that was about to end. From this day forward, Qin Xiyan would truly change her own life.
"Junior Sister, let's go."
Watching Lin Yun lead Qin Xiyan away, Zhan Ningyue was green with envy and full of hate, but all she and her group of lackeys could do was watch helplessly as the two departed.
Lin Yun held Qin Xiyan's small hand and walked all the way toward Qingxia Peak.
"S-Senior Brother, you can let go of me now."
Only then did Lin Yun realize he had been holding Qin Xiyan's hand the entire time. Seeing her crimson face and shy expression, he let go as if he'd received an electric shock. He scratched his head awkwardly. "Junior Sister Qin, I..."
Seeing Lin Yun's own shy and awkward look, Qin Xiyan changed the subject. "Senior Brother, what did you need me for?"
Lin Yun didn't answer right away, but instead looked at Qin Xiyan. Her life panel slowly materialized.
[Name]: Qin Xiyan [Realm]: Seventh Level of Body Tempering [Destiny]: Reincarnated Empress (Gold) [Fate]: Celestial Phoenix Saintly Body (Gold), Love as Deep as the Sea (Blue), Kingdom-Toppling Beauty (Purple), Wishes Come True (Green) [Celestial Phoenix Saintly Body]: Inheritor of the ancient Divine Phoenix bloodline, born with an extremely strong ability to control fire. One of the four great Saintly Bodies of antiquity. [Love as Deep as the Sea]: One life, one love. When you fall in love with someone, you will be devoted for a lifetime, steadfast and unwavering. [Kingdom-Toppling Beauty]: As your cultivation realm increases, your beauty will startle the entire world. [Wishes Come True]: Good luck has been plentiful recently. Things you wish to happen will come to pass as expected. [Outcome]: After nine reincarnations, she finally breaks through the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, only to perish under the Nine Heavens' Lightning Tribulation during her ascension! [Recent Turning Point]: The Divine Phoenix bloodline awakens, the Imperial Physique is reforged, and fortune returns. Accepts a jade pendant from Duan Heng and has a chance encounter with Ancestor Liuyun on Qingxia Peak, who takes her in as a personal disciple.
In just a few days, Qin Xiyan had broken through three consecutive realms. And just as Lin Yun had thought, her Saintly Body had also awakened. This was a wonderful surprise for him. All he had to do was give the jade pendant to Qin Xiyan, then have the two of them meet, and she could smoothly become Ancestor Liuyun's disciple.
"Junior Sister Qin, you should know about me rejecting Elder Hongxiu at the Inner Sect Grand Competition, right?"
Qin Xiyan stared at Lin Yun and nodded, her small face full of seriousness.
"So now I've offended her, and Elder Hongxiu has tasked me with choosing a person for her to take as a disciple. If I can't find one, I'll be in big trouble."
Qin Xiyan listened intently. But when she heard that Lin Yun actually wanted her to become Elder Hongxiu's disciple, she was completely stunned. That was Hongxiu! The master of Qingxia Peak, even more formidable than Shangguan Wan. Some even rumored that she had a connection to the sect's founding ancestor!
"Senior Brother, I... I don't think I'm good enough, am I?" At that thought, Qin Xiyan grew flustered.
Lin Yun shook his head. "Just think of it as doing Senior Brother a favor. If it doesn't work out, at least it shows I tried. Otherwise, I don't know any other female disciples in this sect, and who else would be willing to go along with such a crazy idea?"
Qin Xiyan was still nervous, but then she thought, if she wasn't willing, Lin Yun definitely wouldn't be able to find anyone. If Elder Hongxiu's anger fell on him, his entire life would be ruined.
"Alright, then I will go with Senior Brother."
After persuading Qin Xiyan, Lin Yun gave her the jade pendant. "When you see Elder Hongxiu later, give this to her. I picked it up. Elder Hongxiu lost it a long time ago and should be looking for it."
Qin Xiyan accepted it with a blush, following behind Lin Yun like a little wife.
The two of them arrived at Qingxia Peak. Before they could even start up the mountain, they were stopped by two female disciples dressed in white robes with their faces veiled.
"Halt!"
"Qingxia Peak has its rules. Male disciples are not allowed to enter. Who are you?" The leading female disciple stepped forward, her beautiful eyes scrutinizing Lin Yun.
"I am inner-sect disciple Lin Yun. I have come to request an audience with Elder Hongxiu. I have brought her a great opportunity!"
The two female disciples were stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. "So you're that Lin Yun who can't recognize greatness? Our Ancestor came out of seclusion this time precisely to find a successor for her legacy, and you were so ungrateful."
"And now you've run over here, shamelessly claiming to have brought some great opportunity for our Ancestor? Lin Yun, who do you think you are?"
As they spoke, they both drew their swords. The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Lin Yun looked at the two of them and said, "I have no intention of arguing with you. You just need to report this matter to your elders. As for whether it's true or false, someone will naturally decide."
Unexpectedly, the two female disciples were completely dismissive. "Lin Yun, you look down on our Ancestor, and now you come to provoke our Qingxia Peak. Today, we will vent our Ancestor's anger for her!"
After speaking, the two of them attacked Lin Yun from the left and right.
"Senior Brother, be careful!" Qin Xiyan cried out.
Lin Yun sighed. "Why won't you just listen?"
These two were only at the first level of the Nascent Spirit Realm. How could they possibly be Lin Yun's opponents? In less than two moves, both of them were defeated.
"In any case, I am the winner of the Inner Sect Grand Competition. If I really lost to you here today, wouldn't I become a laughingstock?" Lin Yun looked at the two and shook his head. He then prepared to continue up the mountain with Qin Xiyan.
Just then, a chilling aura enveloped Lin Yun.
"What a fine winner of the Inner Sect Grand Competition."
"Bullying others, and you dare to bully them right at my Qingxia Peak. Do you really think I, Shangguan Wan, don't exist?"
The moment her voice fell, Lin Yun felt a terrifying pressure wash over him. He took several steps back before he could stabilize himself.
He looked up. A stunningly beautiful woman in a blue, hundred-flower dress was slowly walking down the mountain path. Her long, black hair fluttered, and her bright eyes were like a pool of autumn water. From a distance, she looked like a celestial fairy descending to the mortal world.
Shangguan Wan looked down at Lin Yun and said, "Just because you won the Inner Sect Grand Competition, you think you're a cut above the rest here on Qingxia Peak?"
Lin Yun explained, "Elder Shangguan, this disciple has no intention of offending Qingxia Peak. I came here because I upset Elder Hongxiu before and wanted to make amends."
Hearing Lin Yun's explanation, Shangguan Wan's expression, far from softening, grew even uglier. "Make amends?"
"You brought a Body Tempering female disciple here. Do you think our Qingxia Peak is short on handymen? Or do you think she is qualified to become a disciple of Qingxia Peak?"
Lin Yun's brow furrowed. This woman's words were truly harsh, though it wasn't much of a contrast to her cold and icy appearance.