Lin Ya wore an aggrieved expression. "You all know my disciple Yun Jin, right? She's always been too flashy for her own good, and now she's even drawn the attention of those powerful figures."
He sighed deeply as he spoke, looking utterly distressed.
The expressions of those around him subtly shifted. Even Zhao Wuji couldn't hide the flicker of excitement in his eyes.
They were all familiar with Yun Jin's style: brash, ostentatious, and never low-profile. People like that—how could these great cultivators possibly approve of her behavior?
Surely not.
Could it be that Yun Jin had somehow offended them, and they were here to demand justice?
But if that were the case, why would they have saved Lin Ya earlier?
Zhao Wuji found himself torn between hope and dread, caught in a tangle of conflicting thoughts.
Lin Ya quietly observed Zhao Wuji's shifting expressions with some amusement, then added, still looking innocent, "Well, they did save me earlier, mostly because they felt a little guilty."
"Oh?" Zhao Wuji's anticipation grew even more intense.
Could it be that they had come to deal with Yun Jin, but out of courtesy, decided to offer Lin Ya some form of compensation?
That... would at least make a little sense.
Lin Ya kept dragging things out, stirring up growing tension in the crowd.
Just as Zhao Wuji was about to grab him by the collar and demand a straight answer, Lin Ya finally said, "What can I say? They all want to take away my precious disciple."
Everyone: "???"
Zhao Wuji: "!!!"
Take away his precious disciple...
What did that mean!?
Could it be... that kind of "take away"?
All eyes turned sharply toward Lin Ya.
One Grand Elder clutched his chest. "Lin Ya! Speak clearly. Explain this properly."
Lin Ya looked entirely blameless. "Well, some of them see Yun Jin as a once-in-a-generation sword cultivator. Others believe her beastmaster potential is exceptional. And then there are those who claim her alchemy talent is unmatched. So now they're all fighting to claim her. What a mess. I only have one disciple like Yun Jin—how could I possibly choose?"
He sighed once more, sounding genuinely troubled.
Everyone: "…"
The urge to beat him senseless was very real.
Why did Lin Ya always have to act so damn smug?
The Grand Elder clutched his chest again. "I've heard of Yun Jin's sword talent before, but…"
But that man shouting earlier—is he truly the Sect Master of Kunlun Sword Sect?
The strongest cultivator in the entire cultivation world?
Was Yun Jin's sword talent truly so incredible that even a Sword Sect Master would personally come to recruit her?
Everyone suddenly remembered something. As one, they turned to look at Elder Jian
Elder Jian was clearly under pressure. He cleared his throat and said, "That is indeed the Sect Master of the Sword Sect. And the other one, standing beside him, is his chief disciple—Cang Li."
After that brief introduction, the entire crowd turned again—this time toward Cang Li.
Normally reserved, Cang Li had made up his mind to boost Yun Jin's reputation. He spoke with calm pride, "Yun Jin's sword talent is extraordinary. Master came here in person with the intention of taking her as a direct disciple. If it happens, I'll be calling her Junior Sister."
A direct disciple of the Kunlun Sword Sect's Master.
The courtyard fell into absolute silence.
Yun Jin hadn't done anything at all, but her [Emotional Value] began to soar. The notifications rang one after another, climbing so fast it startled even her.
She had assumed that she'd already milked Tianxing Sect's emotions to their limit. But apparently, there was still plenty of potential left.
No sooner had Cang Li finished than Shen Yanye broke in, dissatisfied.
"Cang Li, who says Yun Jin will be your Junior Sister? Just because you came here doesn't mean she'll choose your master. Choosing a mentor isn't about whose fists are stronger. Yun Jin's talent is rare, and if she joins the Beastmaster Sect, she might one day form a contract with that slumbering divine beast. That would be far better than just swinging a sword around. She belongs with us. She'll be my Junior Sister."
Another wave of stunned silence swept over the crowd.
What???
The Sword Sect's Master coming in person was already enough of a shock.
Now someone from the Beastmaster Sect had joined the argument too. And judging by how he argued without hesitation, he clearly held a lofty position himself.
And what had he said?
A divine beast?
Yun Jin might one day contract a divine beast?
Wait a minute...
Was this really the kind of disciple Tianxing Sect was supposed to have?
"Heh. Spirit beasts and pills are all external aids," Cang Li said coldly. "Only the sword is truly your own."
"And the sword isn't external?" Shen Yanye shot back immediately. "Without your sword, what do you sword cultivators even have?"
Just like that, the two men began to bicker, just like the trio before them.
Everyone: "…"
Zhao Wuji stood rooted in place, his face pale as ash.
How... how had Yun Jin ended up attracting the attention of cultivators like this?
No matter whom she chose, her status would instantly eclipse his most powerful backer—his own father, who was still in secluded cultivation at Qingxiao Pavilion.
When that happened, one word from Yun Jin would be enough to strip him of his position. He might even lose his life. The image of Li Heng's Nascent Soul melting into black vapor flashed through his mind, sending a chill down his spine.
Zhao Wuji had the sudden urge to flee.
But he couldn't.
Cang Li and Shen Yanye had already locked their gazes onto him.
Even if he wanted to run, there was nowhere to go.
"Wait a second!" one of the Grand Elders suddenly spoke up. "Yun Jin's sword talent, I can believe. Her beastmaster potential... well, she did contract Gun Gun, so that's plausible. But... when did she ever show talent for alchemy?"
After a pause, he added, "Could it be that Senior Qing Yun wants to take her in as a disciple because of her talent in herb cultivation?"
After all, a good herb cultivator was incredibly important to an alchemist.
That must be the reason, right?
"Actually, no," Lin Ya answered honestly.
"Hm?" All eyes turned to him again.
Lin Ya sighed. "My disciple… I don't know what came over her, but she decided to try alchemy. Somehow, she succeeded. Then she figured, why not take the alchemist certification test? And in just a few days, she jumped straight to Grade Two. Before I knew it, news had reached even the faraway Senior Qing Yun, and now he insists she has great talent and must become his disciple. Honestly, it's just a Grade Two alchemist. What's the big deal? Why make such a fuss?"
He sighed again, full of woe.
The Grand Elders could barely contain themselves. Was this man begging to be punched?
But even if they wanted to rough him up, now wasn't the time. Instead, their hearts trembled at the implications.
From Lin Ya's story, it clicked.
That legendary young alchemist everyone had been talking about recently—that genius who caused such a stir...
That had been Yun Jin?
No wonder their styles were so similar.
Both loud.
Both flashy.
Both unbelievably talented.
"So… does Yun Jin have a preference?" a Grand Elder asked, trying to sound casual, though his face was full of gossip-hungry curiosity.
Lin Ya, out of habit, prepared to sigh again.
Before he could, the stunningly beautiful Grand Elder beside him smacked him on the head. "Speak properly."
Lin Ya looked hurt, but still answered, "Yes, Grand Elder. But as for whom Xiao Jin will choose... I truly have no idea. My disciple's thinking has always been... unconventional."
"Why don't we place a few bets?" Yue Zhao slipped in from somewhere, grinning mischievously. "Let's see who Xiao Jin ends up picking."