The many disciples of the Interception Sect looked on expectantly. They already knew how this contest would turn out.
Lin Chuan?
He was nothing but a nobody.
How could he compare to Zhao Gongming!
And yet...
Even though they were already certain of the outcome, they still held Lin Chuan in considerable contempt.
Feeling the hostility all around him, Lin Chuan couldn't help but curl his lip.
[Hmph! If it weren't for Tongtian This Old Scoundrel, would I have become this damn Personal Disciple?]
[This place is a den of trouble. Who knows what awful things will happen next? Every last one of them is a traitor in the making. Tongtian This Old Scoundrel must be blind to have taken these people as his disciples.]
[Being a damn Personal Disciple here is just asking to die sooner, isn't it?]
Lin Chuan vented every complaint in his heart.
He'd been slacking off from the start. After all, he'd only been an Outer Sect Disciple.
If he quietly disappeared, perhaps no one would even notice.
Especially with the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods approaching.
He'd already planned his escape route, but he'd never expected Sect Master Tongtian to make him a Personal Disciple—and now it was as though he'd announced it to the whole world.
Just look...
Everyone around him was an enemy.
Clearly, they were all mediocre Outer Sect Disciples. Zhao Gongming had simply been a little unlucky; the rest weren't worth mentioning.
Though Sect Master Tongtian hadn't appeared,
he was watching every moment, and could even hear Lin Chuan's thoughts.
He nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Rebellious disciple! Rebellious disciple!"
Calling him an old scoundrel every other word was one thing.
But now Lin Chuan was slandering him, saying that every disciple he'd taken was a traitor in the making, and even secretly mocking him for being blind!
Sect Master Tongtian was absolutely furious.
He wanted nothing more than to appear on the spot and give the rebellious disciple a slap.
However, considering that this rebellious disciple seemed to have some unknown secrets, he really did need to think things over carefully.
"Phew~"
"Let's wait and see who's really blind!"
"I've never believed that choosing disciples would mean taking on traitors. If there's a rebel here, it can only be you!"
Sect Master Tongtian was in an extremely foul mood. Whenever he heard Lin Chuan's thoughts, they were never anything good.
He was a Heavenly Dao Sage, after all. Though he wouldn't be influenced by them, they kept popping into his head from time to time, like brainwashing.
His impression of Duobao and the others had already soured somewhat.
For the moment, Sect Master Tongtian didn't fully trust Lin Chuan. After all, every matter he'd mentioned was extremely serious; the slightest misstep could lead to disaster.
He couldn't afford to disbelieve him, yet he couldn't help but doubt him.
That was the contradiction Sect Master Tongtian faced now.
"Let's first see what he does. Since he says this place is full of trouble, then if I bind him here completely..."
"Let's see what you come up with."
Lin Chuan had no idea Sect Master Tongtian had already made up his mind.
He wasn't going to let him leave!
Whether or not Lin Chuan was telling the truth, someone with such an active mind might really have some way to get out of this.
Hmm~
Better to believe it than risk dismissing it!
Zhao Gongming raised an eyebrow, a hint of ferocity showing in his eyes. In an instant, he formed a hand seal, then gave a casual wave.
A golden whip appeared in his hand.
"Outer Sect Disciple Zhao Gongming requests your guidance!"
Oh?
Lin Chuan looked at the Golden Whip in Zhao Gongming's hand, and his expression changed slightly.
A Supreme Grade Magic Treasure?
Now that was something!
He wasn't the only one. The onlookers around them were also in an uproar.
"A Supreme Grade Magic Treasure? Zhao Gongming's actually serious!"
"This is getting interesting..."
"Doesn't that mean Lin Chuan's in danger?"
"Heh! Lin Chuan's a Personal Disciple, after all. How could he be defeated so easily?"
"Personal Disciple?"
"Hahahahaha... He's just a fraud, a nobody. Who knows how he became a Personal Disciple? We naturally can't dispute our master's choice."
"But a man like that doesn't deserve it!"
"He must have used some demonic technique to cloud our master's judgment. Otherwise, how could he have made him a Personal Disciple?"
The many Outer Sect Disciples were clearly indignant. They showed Lin Chuan little respect, and their every word dripped with contempt.
Most people were on Zhao Gongming's side in this contest.
That much was obvious.
Zhao Gongming was well known, and his strength was considerable. Among the Outer Sect Disciples, his contributions were second to none.
He'd just been a little unlucky.
Compared to Lin Chuan's inexplicable rise to the status of Personal Disciple, Zhao Gongming was someone the many Outer Sect Disciples could accept.
Seeing Lin Chuan remain unmoved, Zhao Gongming furrowed his brow slightly.
"Outer Sect Disciple Zhao Gongming requests your guidance!"
He repeated himself once more.
The Golden Whip in Zhao Gongming's hand radiated power, glimmers of light flashing across it. Yet Lin Chuan had only looked surprised at first; afterward, he'd shown no reaction at all.
This...
Why was that?
"Please take this seriously. So many of our fellow disciples are watching this contest."
"Do you not realize that?"
Lin Chuan rolled his eyes. How could he not know?
Just look around. There were people everywhere. Who knew who else might be hiding nearby?
[Good grief! Does he think I'm blind? I'm not that old scoundrel Tongtian.]
[Of course I know there are all these people watching. Do you really have to tell me?]
Lin Chuan felt utterly helpless, silently complaining to himself.
In the shadows,
Sect Master Tongtian raised an eyebrow. He'd noticed that Lin Chuan seemed to have a serious grudge against him, bringing him up every so often.
And somehow, in Lin Chuan's mind, he seemed to be getting worse and worse.
"Fine! You little brat. I'll show you who's really blind!"
Sect Master Tongtian decided that if he didn't butt heads with this brat, there'd be no excuse for it!
If anyone knew what was happening, they'd have been stunned.
A Heavenly Dao Sage!
Sect Master Tongtian!
He was secretly locking horns with a nobody, even competing against him. It was an absolutely shocking affair.
Unfortunately, no one knew!
Lin Chuan took a step back, then swayed unsteadily. He promptly flopped down on his side, looking for all the world as if he were lying down to sleep.
Everyone was stunned!
They all turned to look. Zhao Gongming even stepped back, as though he felt he'd been tricked and was afraid of some unexpected misunderstanding.
But...
He found Lin Chuan lying right there in front of him.
And this contest was taking place in front of the entire Interception Sect.
But...
He'd actually just lain down on the spot. What was he trying to pull?
Zhao Gongming was dumbfounded. His head buzzed, and he was completely at a loss.
The many disciples around them burst into an uproar.
Every one of them stared in disbelief.
This contest concerned Lin Chuan's status as a Personal Disciple. He should have taken it seriously, yet instead he'd adopted such a dismissive attitude. It was... like desecrating the goddess he worshipped above all else.
Before you continue