Chapter 6: Don’t Be Afraid, Your Teacher Will Protect You

Bai Linghan stood among the crowd, his brows slightly furrowed. He occasionally coughed softly a couple of times, appearing exceptionally frail.

The senior brothers beside him all knew he had a weak constitution and wouldn’t speak loudly around him, except for one tall man who was not only incredibly noisy but would also forcefully slap him on the back a few times after just a few words.

The tall man was Xu Quanfeng from Spirit Wind Peak. The reason Bai Linghan was able to attend this trip was entirely thanks to this Senior Brother Xu procuring a spot for him.

However, this Senior Brother Xu’s looks could only be considered regular, and his personality was particularly rough and brash. Bai Linghan detested this kind of person the most, yet he had to endure it for the sake of the spot.

Thinking of this, a flicker of dissatisfaction crossed Bai Linghan’s heart.

If it weren’t for that Lin Chuyun inexplicably dropping off the radar, why would he need to degrade himself by standing next to someone like this? Thinking about how the sole spot available on Spirit Cloud Peak had just been given to that Feng Xixing, Bai Linghan’s heart grew increasingly resentful.

To distract himself, Bai Linghan’s gaze drifted outside the crowd and happened to land on a disciple who had just rushed over.

Because he was far away and there were too many people in between, Bai Linghan couldn’t make out the man’s face. He only noticed the clothes the man was wearing looked somewhat familiar, so he couldn’t help glancing a few more times.

As if sensing his stare, the man turned around, and his gaze, devoid of any emotion, landed directly on Bai Linghan.

Feng Xixing?!

Bai Linghan’s pupils constricted, and he couldn’t help but frown.

He didn’t like Feng Xixing.

Because his body had been weak since childhood, and his looks were delicate and frail, everyone around him would make concessions for Bai Linghan. Only Feng Xixing not only ignored his requests but even frostbit his hands!

He himself had to stay beside a person he loathed for the sake of a spot, while Feng Xixing could simply receive the spot and even had new clothes! The more Bai Linghan thought about it, the more wronged he felt. He turned away, lowering his head and coughing twice.

Wang Jianbai was a disciple of Spirit Fire Peak and one of Bai Linghan’s admirers. In order to exchange a few more words with Bai Linghan, he had been paying close attention to him. The moment his crush’s expression changed, he noticed, and following Bai Linghan’s gaze, he saw Feng Xixing.

Wang Jianbai’s face darkened as he said furiously, “That Feng guy actually still has the nerve to show up?!”

Bai Linghan clutched his chest and softly advised, “Senior Brother Wang, don’t be angry. Senior Brother Feng didn’t mean it back then. It’s Linghan who was too spoiled and willful…”

“It’s just that the brat has no proper upbringing,” Wang Jianbai was still indignant. “He was a beggar to begin with, and even after becoming a disciple, no one bothers to properly discipline him.”

Bai Linghan sighed faintly, “Immortal Lord Lin is busy with many affairs, so he can’t attend to everything. I’m sure Senior Brother Feng’s true nature isn’t bad.” After speaking, he murmured quietly as if to himself, “If only someone could share Immortal Lord Lin’s burdens.”

The speaker was not without intent, and the listener took it to heart.

Wang Jianbai narrowed his eyes at Feng Xixing, then pushed aside a few people, strode directly up to him, and raised an eyebrow. “Junior Brother Feng, it’s been a while.”

Lin Chuyun was sleeping soundly in Feng Xixing’s arms when he was suddenly awakened by the noise. Somewhat displeased, he pressed his paw against his ear tip and buried his little head further in.

So noisy!

Feng Xixing saw the little black cat had been woken up and looked displeased. He glanced up once and asked indifferently, “Is there something you need?”

Wang Jianbai had never been treated so dismissively before. The rage in his heart burned hotter and hotter, and he said coldly, “Has no one taught you, Junior Brother, to salute when you see a senior brother?”

This was a fabricated accusation.

Feng Xixing narrowed his eyes. His calm gaze swept past and indeed saw Bai Linghan standing in the direction Wang Jianbai had come from.

Bai Linghan met his eyes, lowered his head timidly, as if frightened by Feng Xixing.

Receiving no response, Wang Jianbai’s expression turned gloomy. “Since Junior Brother is so lacking in manners, then I, as your senior brother, will properly teach you a lesson on behalf of Immortal Lord Lin.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the spiritual pressure belonging to a Golden Core stage cultivator was unceremoniously forced down upon Feng Xixing. Even if Feng Xixing was only one step away from Core Formation, and even if he were already at the Golden Core stage, he might still be caught off guard and suffer a loss.

Unfortunately, the current Feng Xixing was no longer an ordinary cultivator. The moment Wang Jianbai’s spirit power began to fluctuate, he was already on guard.

Then—

Nothing else happened.

The light on the Ice Void Robe flickered faintly. Wang Jianbai’s spiritual pressure landed on it and was completely swallowed, Feng Xixing didn’t feel a thing.

Wang Jianbai refused to believe it and increased his spiritual pressure. Instead, the other disciples started to struggle, retreating one after another. Instantly, an empty circle formed around the two of them.

“Stop right now!” An angry shout came from behind them.

Wang Jianbai instinctively retracted his spiritual pressure and turned to see the Peak Master of Spirit Fire Peak striding over with a furious expression. This Peak Master Zhu was the most hot-tempered among the several Peak Masters, and Wang Jianbai cowered the moment he saw him.

Zhu Yan looked at the few of them sternly. “Speak! What is the meaning of this?!”

Feng Xixing had no intention of opening his mouth. He took two steps back, subtly shielding the spirit sword in front of his body.

Seeing Zhu Yan’s gaze land on him, Wang Jianbai’s voice trembled three times. “N-nothing, Disciple just wanted to say a few words to Junior Brother Feng.”

Zhu Yan was in charge of leading this expedition to Thunder Echo Grotto. He already hated troublesome matters. Seeing that the two were sensible enough not to cause more trouble, the severity on Zhu Yan’s face eased slightly. His eyes swept over the two men but suddenly stopped on Feng Xixing.

Zhu Yan took two more careful looks, confirming he wasn’t mistaken, and exclaimed in surprise, “Ice Void Robe?”

His voice was always quite loud, and coupled with the utter silence around them, everyone in the entire square heard him.

A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd.

Everyone knew Immortal Lord Lin possessed a Heaven-grade magic treasure called the Ice Void Robe, but very few had actually seen it. With Zhu Yan’s words, the envious gazes of the crowd all converged on Feng Xixing, wanting to see what a Heaven-grade magic treasure looked like.

Beside him, Wang Jianbai’s face turned ugly. He clenched his fists, his gaze at Feng Xixing tinged with jealousy and hatred.

Feng Xixing kept his eyes on the ground, ignoring the stares around him.

“Did that Lin kid give it to you?” Zhu Yan asked.

Didn’t that bastard Lin Chuyun personally say he hated this disciple the most? Why would he suddenly give such a precious magic treasure to Feng Xixing?

Could it be a trap?

Zhu Yan’s biggest impression of Lin Chuyun was that he was cunning and treacherous.

Some time ago, he had finally managed to find a Fire Spirit Bead. Before he could even warm his hands on it, Lin Chuyun managed to swindle it from him with just a few words. When they returned to the sect, he complained to the Eldest Senior Brother, but Lin Chuyun talked circles around him until he was completely speechless, and ended up having to pay out quite a few more spirit stones.

From then on, Zhu Yan never believed a single word out of Lin Chuyun’s mouth.

Hearing this, Wang Jianbai abruptly raised his head, his eyes staring fixedly at Feng Xixing. “That can’t be right! Why would Immortal Lord Lin give such a precious magic treasure to you? Even if he gave it away, it would be to Junior Brother Bai. It must be that you stole Immortal Lord Lin’s treasure without permission! Confess this instant!”

Zhu Yan frowned, turning his head to cast a warning glance at Wang Jianbai.

Wang Jianbai shrank back, not daring to speak recklessly anymore. However, his previous words had already been heard by everyone around. The entire Star Point Sect knew that, compared to this disciple, Immortal Lord Lin preferred Bai Linghan from Spirit Water Peak. Indeed, there was no reason to give such a powerful magic treasure to Feng Xixing.

The gazes on Feng Xixing slowly shifted from envy to suspicion.

Standing amidst the crowd, Bai Linghan seemed to suddenly recall something. He lowered his voice, “Immortal Lord Lin did mention before that he wanted to give the Ice Void Robe to me. But Linghan felt the item was too precious and refused… I never thought…”

He didn’t finish the last part.

Now, the surrounding looks grew even more disdainful, as if they had already concluded that Feng Xixing had stolen the item.

Inside Feng Xixing’s embrace, Lin Chuyun was absolutely fuming. He hadn’t been able to fall back asleep after Wang Jianbai woke him up, but afraid of being discovered, he could only lie quietly hidden in Feng Xixing’s arms.

He then had to listen to this whole group slandering his little disciple.

No, he couldn’t let these people bully Feng Xixing like this. Lin Chuyun began rifling through the original host’s memories. He remembered there was a spell in the original host’s memory that only required a bit of spirit power to transmit sound…

Very soon, the cat pupils lit up.

Thousand Li Sound Transmission, a spell capable of transmitting sound across a thousand li. However, he didn’t need to go that far; he only needed to open his mouth and say a few words.

Lin Chuyun closed his eyes and, following the incantation from the original host’s memory, silently recited it in his heart. A profound and wondrous sensation slowly emerged. He could feel as if he was seeing the square, seeing the other disciples’ suspicion towards Feng Xixing.

He also saw that novel’s protagonist “shou”.

He doesn’t seem that good-looking either… Lin Chuyun swept his gaze a couple more times before retracting it.

Seeing the situation developing unfavorably, Zhu Yan was about to speak and dismiss the crowd when he sensed a strand of spiritual consciousness land on the square. He froze momentarily, then his brows locked tightly, a flicker of disgust passing through his eyes.

It was Lin Chuyun’s spiritual consciousness. Could it be he discovered his magic treasure was lost and specifically came looking for it?

Feng Xixing also sensed that strand of spiritual consciousness, and even felt Lin Chuyun’s extra two glances at Bai Linghan. He narrowed his eyes slightly, his fingertips hidden in his wide sleeves curling inward.

“Ahem.” A cool, clear voice suddenly appeared in the sky above the square. The disciples were startled at first, then realized it was an Immortal Lord using Sound Transmission.

Lin Chuyun first tested it out, making absolutely sure he was transmitting words and not “meow meow meow” before continuing.

“Feng Xixing is the only disciple of This Lord. If This Lord gives his disciple a few things, must he still report to you all?” Lin Chuyun’s tone was icy and merciless. “And you, Martial Nephew Bai, This Immortal Lord has never once said he would give you the Ice Void Robe. You should think carefully before you speak.”

The original host did indeed like Bai Linghan very much, but that was a gradual process. At this point, the original host was still at the stage of gifting spirit stones, nowhere near the point of giving away a Heaven-grade magic treasure!

Bai Linghan’s face turned pale, as if he had heard something unbelievable. A shimmer of dampness appeared in his eyes. He suddenly raised his head towards the sky, his lips moved slightly, and finally, with a dimmed expression, he lowered his head and spoke dejectedly, “Yes, Disciple… was wrong.”

Truly, a sight to break hearts, words to bring tears.

Lin Chuyun watched this performance, speechless for a long moment. He had to admit, Bai Linghan fully lived up to the name the author gave him—truly a pure, innocent white lotus flower.

Too lazy to deal with this person further, Lin Chuyun continued, “Furthermore, Feng Xixing is This Lord’s direct disciple. If anyone bullies him, it is the same as making an enemy of This Lord.”

“This Lord… is very protective of his own.”

The last sentence, very soft, scattered into the air and then there was no more sound.

Silence swept across the square. Only Feng Xixing lowered his head and, while no one was paying attention, gently poked the little black cat in his arms. The little black cat hooked its tail around his fingertip. Soft and gentle.

Don’t be afraid. Your Teacher will protect you.