Chapter Nineteen: Thankfully, Thankfully

"Senior, we've heard that Fairy Lin was wounded by love, that her heart chasm was too hard to cross, her mind damaged, and her realm dropped straight by two levels—is this true?"

Likewise, when this cultivator from the Penguin News Department amplified his voice with spiritual power and threw out the question, it spread across the entire square.

For a moment, the nearly ten-thousand-person square fell silent, then quickly erupted into murmurs, along with quite a few indignant voices.

"Since ancient times, heroes have always struggled to pass the beauty's test."

For cultivators, this was even more true—love wounds were hard to heal. If Lin Qingwan really had dropped two realms, even if it wasn't actually caused by heartbreak, these people could still freely speculate and write their stories. By then, even if it wasn't true, some would probably believe it was.

The problem was that other sects couldn't do much to these people. If they fought back over public opinion, wouldn't that just confirm the rumors?

"Kid! What business is it of yours why my Senior Sister dropped realms?"

"We've already tolerated you plenty, and now you're pushing it! What does my Senior Sister's matter have to do with you?"

"Do you people from the Penguin News Department have no morals?"

"Right! Where are your elders! Are gossip reporters this brazen and arrogant now?"

"Support Fairy Lin!"

"Apologize!"

"Yeah! Apologize!"

In an instant, many in the square stood up for Lin Qingwan, while she herself still stood with her sword, her calm face showing not the slightest ripple.

Look closer at the female elder of the Dragon Gate Sect, and you could even spot a faint smile curling at the corner of her mouth.

What is news? True news is seeking truth from facts. What is gossip? It's adding spice to the news. But news and gossip are intertwined, each containing the other.

This female elder of the Dragon Gate Sect deeply understood the importance of news and gossip, and she knew well the fame of this disciple—who combined strength and beauty—throughout Wutong Province.

If this person hadn't asked, would no one ask in the future? Of course they would. And even if they didn't voice it, wouldn't others still suspect in their hearts that "Lin Qingwan was heartbroken over Jiang Lin"? Of course they would.

Since that was the case, she would take the initiative to bring it into the open! Take control of the person asking the question! Control the news herself!

This was just like what that fellow Jiang Lin had told her back then—news and gossip were a vast subject.

Muddling the truth was indeed crucial. What a pity that clever disciple had been from the demonic sect.

What a pity.

Looking at this cultivator from Penguin News she had hired for five Mid-Grade Spirit Stones—her own plant—

"This young friend, since you're the one questioning, do you have a Spirit Testing Stone?"

"Of course!" The guy put on a "serious" expression and pulled out a green stone. "This stone can test any realm below the Jade Purity Realm. Please, Fairy Lin, test with this stele!"

"Fine! This one it is!" The female elder "solemnly" agreed. In truth, the stone had been tampered with; even a full-force strike from the Cave Mansion Realm would show as the Dragon Gate Realm...

The female elder transmitted via Mind-Lake:

[Qingwan, relax, just casually use a sword strike, no problem. Your elder has already done some tampering.]

Upon hearing the female elder's Heart-Lake Transmission, the girl beside her froze for a moment before shaking her head with a smile. Although the upward curve of her lips was less than 5 degrees, those fortunate enough to witness it collectively turned A'wei's graveyard into a chaotic mess.

Seeing Lin Qingwan's relaxed expression, the female elder also breathed a sigh of relief. She had really been afraid this little lass would be too stubborn and refuse to fake it.

Gently patting Lin Qingwan beside her, the female elder spoke loudly:

"Qingwan, someone doubts your realm. Please, use a sword strike."

Lin Qingwan nodded. The news agency guy tossed the Spirit Testing Stone high into the air.

Lin Qingwan gripped her green longsword, her slender hand waving lightly, stirring a fragrant breeze.

Boom!

A flash of sword light passed, and the Spirit Testing Stone turned to powder in midair. A pure, clear sword intent drifted across the square.

"Nascent Soul Realm... First Stage..."

The voice drifting from the Spirit Testing Stone spread throughout the square.

"What! Nascent Soul Realm First Stage! This..."

"This isn't dropping two realms at all—it's clearly rising two realms!"

"Looks like the rumor about being heartbroken was indeed false!"

"Of course it's false! The Goddess is still the Goddess, how could she like someone else?"

"Then doesn't that mean Fairy Lin can enter the top five of Wutong Province's younger generation?"

"I'm certain the next Rising Tides List will be refreshed!"

In an instant, the square erupted into uproar, and all the news cultivators were stunned.

[How is it Nascent Soul Realm? Wasn't it supposed to be Dragon Gate Realm? I'm not paying extra for this.]

The female elder quickly transmitted to the plant.

[I don't know either, I really did set it to Dragon Gate Realm...]

[You didn't arrange this?]

[Of course not. A fake Spirit Testing Stone for Nascent Soul Realm is super expensive, I wouldn't waste it.]

[That is to say...]

The female elder looked toward the beautiful woman who had already sheathed her sword, yet whose sword intent still remained sharp and whose expression stayed calm and indifferent.

Truly worthy of being a born Saintess Body! So terrifyingly formidable!

"Elder Sister Sword Spirit, this Elder Sister Lin..."

At another corner of the square, the woman wearing a bamboo hat asked.

"Nascent Soul Realm First Stage before the age of twenty, a genius among geniuses. Fortunately, she is not our enemy. And Xueli, do not be disheartened. You were born with a Supreme Bone, and you are only sixteen. You will not fall behind her. But you must also cultivate diligently and not slack off."

"Yes, Elder Sister Sword Spirit!"

Within the pavilion above Black Tortoise City Square, two women of peerless grace stood together.

"So this is the Fox Spirit you spoke of, Yuni? Barring any accidents, this Lin Meimei will surely secure a place among the future top ten in the world." The woman in palace attire said with a smile, then glanced at the Alluring Woman beside her, only to find her staring fixedly at Lin Qingwan. "Hey, Yuni, are you listening to me? Yuni!"

After a long moment, Jiang Yuni withdrew her gaze, patted her chest, and let out a sigh of relief: "Good, good. Her chest isn't as big as mine, her legs are as long as mine, and she isn't prettier than me. As expected, Little Lin will still prefer my type."

"..."

On the other side of the square, Jiang Lin, wearing a Mask, stood together with Fang Chaoqun. Feeling the sharp sword intent, Jiang Lin deeply wiped his face.

"Brother Jiang... why is it that after you wildly kissed Fairy Lin, Fairy Lin actually broke through her bottleneck?" Fang Chaoqun beside him swallowed his saliva. "How about Brother Jiang kiss me too..."

"Get lost!"

Jiang Lin shoved the approaching Fang Chaoqun away.

He hadn't expected Senior Sister Lin's heart knot to actually be untied! And she had even broken through two realms in a row!

Originally, Jiang Lin should have been happy about Senior Sister Lin's breakthrough, after all, Senior Sister Lin had always taken good care of him and was a very kind girl.

But... why were tears welling up in the corners of my own eyes...

Years from now, would he really not have his ashes scattered to the winds...