The scene fell silent for a second.
Zhao Gongming sensed that something was off. Chief Disciple Brother's expression looked unusually grim.
A trace of unease crept over him.
Had something gone wrong?
Zhao Gongming had no idea that Duobao was completely shut down at that moment.
He had never imagined that someone else already possessed what he had wanted so badly but had no way of obtaining.
And on top of that...
He had even started teaching it to the others.
He could guarantee that this new junior brother hadn't reported it to their master. Just like when he had secretly brought people into Jade Purity Palace, he had acted entirely on his own authority.
But Duobao couldn't keep reporting on him again and again.
Even if he was feeling a little shut down right now!
At the very least, Lin Chuan was his junior brother.
Still...
He was completely baffled!
It took a long while for him to calm down. If he hadn't managed to settle his emotions, he really might have lost it.
Without comparison, there was no pain.
He was clearly the chief disciple, so why was the gap so enormous? He had no top-tier cultivation method, and he wasn't even allowed to cultivate inside Jade Purity Palace!
And if he dared to bring people into Jade Purity Palace without permission, he would definitely face a severe punishment.
But...
What Lin Chuan had done was utterly outrageous. Anyone else would have been punished without question.
Yet now, look at this...
What kind of punishment was that?
Thinking about their master's punishment, Duobao felt it was far too lenient. Although, for many prodigies, it would indeed be humiliating.
But in his opinion, Lin Chuan probably wouldn't care much.
They hadn't known each other for long.
Yet he had already figured him out completely.
"Junior Brother!"
"Wake up! Your senior brother has something to say!"
Zhao Gongming didn't dare utter a word.
He was only an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple, after all, with no say in anything. His strength was weak, too.
He wouldn't dare speak.
Besides...
He had a vague feeling that Chief Disciple Brother might be in a foul mood. He didn't know why he seemed so irritable, but if he dared provoke him now, things would really go badly.
So...
He stayed obediently to one side.
He didn't dare say a word, looking like he was furious but afraid to speak.
Lin Chuan still didn't wake up.
But the system's notification suddenly rang, making him jolt.
[ Ding! While speaking with Duobao, the host slacked off! ]
[ Reward: one Misfortune Halo! ]
Lin Chuan slowly opened his eyes. The system notification had come so suddenly while he was sleeping soundly.
It had woken him right up.
Still, he wasn't grumpy about being woken. He just thought the rewards were coming in abundance.
Only then did he notice Duobao.
"Chief Disciple Brother?"
"Chief Disciple Brother, what brings you here? Are you here to cultivate, too? Come on, there are plenty of spots here. Cultivating here will double your results!"
"It's much better than anywhere else."
Lin Chuan greeted him enthusiastically.
But the more he spoke, the grimmer Duobao's expression became. Duobao knew perfectly well that he couldn't cultivate here.
He wasn't qualified!
His face darkened like the bottom of a pot.
Lin Chuan acted as if he hadn't noticed.
Zhao Gongming took a deep breath. At that moment, he had a feeling something was about to happen, and he became even more cautious. The atmosphere was clearly strange.
Chief Disciple Brother definitely had something going on!
Otherwise, he wouldn't have shown up out of nowhere. And judging by his expression, it probably wasn't good news!
Zhao Gongming tried to warn Lin Chuan from the side.
He gestured with his eyes.
But he didn't dare speak. In front of someone with higher status than his, he had to be extra careful. Besides, Duobao was the chief disciple. Most people wouldn't dare risk provoking him.
Probably only Lin Chuan didn't seem to care, from beginning to end.
He didn't take it seriously at all!
Duobao didn't take offense.
He simply calmed himself, and his expression gradually returned to normal.
He said softly, "I came here on our master's orders, not to cultivate."
"Our master?"
Lin Chuan perked up at that and sat straight up.
What's that old geezer up to now?
Is he going to expel me?
That'd be great!
Lin Chuan was rather excited. He thought that what he'd done was outrageous enough to get him expelled anywhere.
No one would ever tolerate it!
Besides, Sect Master Tongtian was a Heavenly Dao Sage. Naturally, he wouldn't tolerate even a grain of sand in his eye.
Lin Chuan was practically thrilled.
Unbeknownst to Lin Chuan, Tongtian had begun paying attention to what was happening.
When he sensed Lin Chuan's joy, the corners of his mouth lifted ever so slightly. Anyone who saw him would know that Sect Master Tongtian was in a very good mood.
After all, Lin Chuan had mocked him every time.
Now that he sensed Lin Chuan's delight, he figured that once Lin Chuan heard what was coming, his emotions would be on a roller coaster.
His mood would probably take quite a few twists and turns!
Just imagining the expression Lin Chuan would make had Sect Master Tongtian feeling wonderful.
That would teach the brat to act so arrogant!
That would teach him to disrespect his elders!
All he ever did was think about running away, without bothering to consider how to solve the problem. Day in, day out, all he did was talk behind his master's back in his head.
Utterly rebellious!
He would show the brat what a real emotional roller coaster felt like!
Sect Master Tongtian was already looking forward to it.
Duobao glanced at Lin Chuan, finding him rather strange. He hadn't even said what this was about yet, so why did Lin Chuan look so excited?
Strange!
But he didn't keep him waiting. He announced it right away.
"Your recent actions have had quite an impact. The disciples across Golden Ao Island are in an uproar, and some of them are even trying to stir up trouble."
"Your senior brother suppressed them all. Then our master ordered everyone involved to reflect on their actions in confinement."
"But you'll be punished, too, Junior Brother..."
Duobao glanced at Zhao Gongming, then continued slowly, "Because you brought people into the Rear Hall of Jade Purity Palace to cultivate without permission, our master has ordered you to guard the gate—the gate of Golden Ao Island!"
"That's your punishment!"
Silence!
The scene suddenly fell silent!
Zhao Gongming's jaw dropped. He was completely dumbfounded.
Lin Chuan's expression froze. A moment earlier, he had still been a little hopeful, but now that hope vanished in an instant.
He... had to guard the gate??
Before you continue