Damn Sect Master Tongtian!

Zhao Gongming felt deeply aggrieved.

He had served in the Interception Sect for millions of years, remaining utterly loyal and hoping that one day he might become an Inner Sect Disciple.

Among the countless Outer Sect Disciples, who could compare with him?

And yet, some nobody had quietly become a Personal Disciple, skipping right over the Inner Sect Disciples.

As soon as word of this got out, it caused an uproar.

The disciples on Golden Ao Island were all dissatisfied.

Only Zhao Gongming had stepped forward.

Facing Zhao Gongming, Duobao silently shook his head.

This kid really is despicable. He wants to act first and establish a fait accompli.

That way, no one will be able to shake his position.

How pitiful! How lamentable!

He has no idea that this will only make the Interception Sect's disciples even more dissatisfied!

Duobao had already decided that Lin Chuan had to be the one who spread the news.

What a despicable fellow!

"Sigh."

"Since you insist on this, Junior Brother, I'll take you to see Master."

"The whole story will be made public."

Duobao led Zhao Gongming straight toward Jade Purity Palace.

He was going to sound out their master.

When they arrived at Jade Purity Palace, Zhao Gongming still wore an expression of indignation.

"Master, your disciple has many questions. Why, after working hard for millions of years, am I still an Outer Sect Disciple?"

"Lin Chuan is nothing but an insignificant nobody, and he has contributed absolutely nothing to the Interception Sect. Why was he able to become a Personal Disciple?"

"Your disciple is confused..."

"Would Master be willing to explain?"

Zhao Gongming was exceptionally talented, a standout among the Outer Sect Disciples.

If anyone was capable of becoming an Inner Sect Disciple, it was him.

And yet.

Now, some nobody had already become a Personal Disciple.

This was beyond what the Interception Sect's disciples had expected.

They were all seething with indignation.

If it had been Zhao Gongming, they could at least have understood.

But Lin Chuan's rapid rise left the disciples utterly baffled. Even though the Outer Sect Disciples were furious, none of them dared confront Sect Master Tongtian directly.

Zhao Gongming did!

As Zhao Gongming voiced his doubts,

Duobao fell into deep thought. He shared those same doubts.

Given Master's temper, anyone who dared stir up trouble here would be provoking him, wouldn't they?

Duobao had plenty of questions. What had Lin Chuan done to deserve this? He was just an Outer Sect Disciple who had been coasting along, yet he had somehow been promoted straight to Personal Disciple.

What had he done to deserve it?

Sect Master Tongtian did not appear, but watched the two of them from the shadows, somewhat surprised. There were very few people who dared face him directly.

Lin Chuan was an exception!

Sect Master Tongtian knew better than anyone about the uproar on Golden Ao Island.

Because he had been the one to spread the news.

A little trick.

And now everyone knew that Lin Chuan had somehow been promoted to Personal Disciple.

He knew that this would naturally cause an uproar, and even make many Outer Sect Disciples unhappy.

But their resentment wasn't directed at him.

It was directed at Lin Chuan.

Now that Zhao Gongming had come, he understood the situation perfectly.

He did not show himself, but quietly watched from the side.

Lin Chuan had many secrets. How had he learned about the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods?

And how had he determined that this place was full of danger?

Sect Master Tongtian had always suspected that Lin Chuan had some secret no one knew about, or perhaps the ability to foresee the future. Otherwise, how could he know things that no one else did?

Even Duobao was unaware.

But he knew everything. If he hadn't been able to read Lin Chuan's mind, he wouldn't have had the faintest idea!

In response to Zhao Gongming's questions,

Sect Master Tongtian had no intention of saying much.

Seeing that Sect Master Tongtian still hadn't appeared, Duobao recalled what his master had said earlier and spoke.

"Lin Chuan became a Personal Disciple for Master's own reasons. But I imagine the other disciples must be very dissatisfied."

"After all, he has no honors or reputation to his name. What has he done to deserve it?"

"That's what you all think, isn't it?"

Zhao Gongming nodded. He glanced around, hoping to see whether their master was there, but, as an Outer Sect Disciple, he found it nearly impossible to meet him.

Even with Senior Brother Duobao leading the way.

In his indignation,

"Yes, that's what your disciple thinks!"

"Even if I wasn't chosen, there are so many Outer Sect Disciples, and so many of our fellow disciples have achieved great things. How could it possibly be the turn of some nobody?"

"Your disciple refuses to accept this!"

"I want to face Senior Brother Lin Chuan in person, either to confront him or to test my skills against his!"

Zhao Gongming gritted his teeth, his tone firm.

He believed that if he showed how exceptional he was, Master would certainly take notice of him.

If he won the contest, Master would see for himself who had greater talent. And on top of that, he had so many achievements to his name!

How far off could becoming an Inner Sect Disciple be?

Unbeknownst to him, as Zhao Gongming finished speaking, Sect Master Tongtian's eyes flashed with a glimmer no one could detect.

"Fine!"

"Since you're hiding secrets, I'll have Zhao Gongming test you properly."

Sect Master Tongtian was rather pleased with himself, but for now, he did not interfere.

Duobao said, "In that case, let's have Lin Chuan come here."

At that, a hint of delight crossed Zhao Gongming's face. If they could compete in public, with so many fellow disciples watching,

he could find out just how capable that nobody was. As for how Lin Chuan had become a Personal Disciple, that was naturally Master's decision. But if he could expose Lin Chuan's despicable side—

his weak side—

then Master might naturally reconsider.

Well, that was what Zhao Gongming thought.

Duobao had plenty of questions, but he did not let them show. He looked around Jade Purity Palace and saw that their master was nowhere to be found.

He figured Master simply didn't want to show himself.

As for how things would unfold, Master didn't seem to care.

So he hurriedly summoned Lin Chuan.

Inside Jade Purity Palace.

When Lin Chuan heard the summons, he froze. And when he learned that he was expected to compete against Zhao Gongming, he immediately understood, without needing to be told:

Someone was definitely out to get him!

"Damn Sect Master Tongtian!"

"Only three people knew I was a Personal Disciple, and there was no way I would go around telling everyone. If I did, I'd be dead for sure."

"Duobao Tathagata probably wouldn't go around spreading the news either. He doesn't have the nerve."

"That leaves only one possibility: Sect Master Tongtian!"

"You bastard!"

"Making me cultivate so many techniques at once wasn't enough for you? Now you're forcing me into this too. What are you trying to do?"

Lin Chuan cursed inwardly. If Duobao Tathagata weren't there, he would have let loose with a torrent of abuse. But he knew better than to give anyone something to use against him.

Still, he had already been cursing up a storm in his head.

He followed Duobao Tathagata.

All the while, he cursed Sect Master Tongtian from head to toe.

He cursed him in every direction, leaving no angle untouched. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to soothe his anger!