Lin Xiao gave two cold laughs. "Utterly boring."
This Yun Jin was simply ridiculous. All her fussing, and in the end, it was just to sell some snacks? Did she really think he would care about a few cheap seeds and dried plums?
That was what he thought, yet still, Lin Xiao honestly ended up providing Yun Jin with another 500 Emotional Value in a ten-hit combo.
Yun Jin looked at his expression as if she were staring at a treasure trove. She had a strong hunch. Lin Xiao might just break the record set by Old Tree, who once provided 500 Emotional Value in a ninety-nine combo.
Her smile grew brighter. "Pavilion Master Lin, come on, come on, let's chat a bit more."
Lin Xiao had no interest, but Yun Jin carried on anyway, chattering endlessly about whatever nonsense came to mind. His face grew darker and darker until it was nearly black with irritation.
Finally, someone below signaled that preparations were complete. Lin Xiao seized the chance to stand up and move forward to host the lottery draw.
Yun Jin smacked her lips, regret flashing across her face. Only fifteen hits into the combo, and he had fled. Her eyes shifted and landed on the Sect Master of Xinghe Sect, Liu Hua, whose sect was ranked first among the super sects.
"What's so fun about a lottery? Sect Master Liu, come, let's have a chat," Yun Jin said warmly.
Liu Hua ignored her completely.
Yun Jin chuckled.
Not answering? That just gave her an excuse to spread rumors.
"Sect Master Liu, I heard a little rumor," she said with a grin. "That your relationship with Pavilion Master Lin isn't exactly ordinary. They say you once slipped into his chambers under cover of night and stayed there ten days and ten nights without coming out.
And not just that—people even heard strange noises, and the whole room shook, especially the bed." She said it with such solemn seriousness that the surrounding Sect Masters instantly perked their ears.
Gossip was the instinct of all humanity.
And when the gossip involved figures of status, the thrill multiplied a hundredfold.
Oh?
Could it be that Pavilion Master Lin and Sect Master Liu Hua shared… an unspeakable story? No wonder Pavilion Master Lin always treated Xinghe Sect with such favor. A few Sect Masters even showed dawning expressions of "so that's why."
Liu Hua ground his teeth. "Sect Master Yun, what nonsense are you spouting?!"
Yun Jin blinked innocently. "Nonsense? Not at all. You yourself said that Pavilion Master Lin once guided you personally, which is why you managed to cultivate the Xinghe Canon, a Heaven-rank secret art, to the fifth layer. That's a Heaven-rank technique. When he instructed you, how could there not have been some… movement?"
Liu Hua: "???"
That's it?
Yun Jin tilted her head. "Sect Master Liu, what did you think I meant?"
Then, as though realization dawned, she covered her mouth. "I'm still just a child! You mustn't corrupt me like that."
Liu Hua was left speechless, face black with fury, unwilling to exchange another word with her.
But the damage was done.
Not only did Liu Hua deliver a ten-hit combo of Emotional Value, even several other Sect Masters unwillingly contributed some.
Yun Jin beamed.
As expected, gossip truly was a marvelous thing.
She looked past Liu Hua toward the Sect Master of the third-ranked sect, preparing to speak again. But the man surnamed Chen immediately sealed his five senses in full view of everyone.
Yun Jin: "???"
What was that supposed to mean?
Was it really necessary?
She only wanted to chat like an innocent little girl.
Was this how they ought to treat her?
Before she could switch targets, she realized every other Sect Master, one after another, had sealed their senses as well.
Yun Jin was left dumbfounded.
These people… weren't they being a little too dramatic?
Couldn't they take a joke?
While Yun Jin busied herself causing mischief, Lin Xiao completed the lottery draw. This time, there was no tampering, no manipulation—completely fair. Yet when the results came out, his lips curled into a subtle smile. For once, he hadn't done a thing. But Wushuang Sect's luck was abysmal. Their very first match was against the third-ranked super sect—Ziyun Sect!
It had to be said, Yuehua Sect, which had stepped up earlier, was ranked near the bottom of the super sects.
Ziyun Sect, on the other hand, had remained in the top three for generations. Their strength far surpassed Moon Hua Sect's.
Lin Xiao could not wait to declare, "Ziyun Sect versus Wushuang Sect!"
He even turned back deliberately, eager to see Yun Jin's face twist in panic.
But Yun Jin only grinned and waved. A moment later, she pulled out her familiar loudspeaker.
"Wushuang Sect against Ziyun Sect! Sect Masters who think Wushuang Sect will win, please stay seated. Those who think Ziyun Sect will win, please stand up!"
The crowd: "???"
What was this now?
On the stage, all the Sect Masters had already sealed their senses, hearing nothing and thus remaining unmoved.
Yun Jin laughed brightly. "Ah, seems everyone thinks Wushuang Sect will win."
The disciples of the other sects were stunned. Why did their own Sect Masters show no reaction at all? Even if they didn't want to play along with Yun Jin, shouldn't they at least show some response?
But as things stood, it looked almost like tacit agreement.
"Thank you all for your trust. Wushuang Sect will surely prevail!" Yun Jin declared.
Lin Xiao had initially doubted, but quickly realized all the Sect Masters had sealed their senses out of self-defense.
With a cold expression, he waved his hand and forcibly unsealed them.
Yun Jin immediately noticed and cheerfully greeted them. "Good day, Sect Masters! Thank you for supporting our Wushuang Sect. We'll surely claim victory in this match."
The Sect Masters: "???"
What in the world was going on?
Lin Xiao's face darkened further as he returned to his seat.
The Sect Masters felt something was wrong, but for the moment, none could place it. They sat stiffly, acting inscrutable. Not until they secretly checked their communication talismans did they discover Yun Jin's shameless antics. They all turned furious, their eyes brimming with anger. This woman truly could not stand still without stirring up trouble.
Yun Jin just hummed happily, the crisp jingles of Emotional Value chiming in her mind like sweet music. Another wave of profits, and she was quite satisfied.
"The very first round puts you against Ziyun Sect. Sect Master Yun, you don't seem the least bit nervous," Lin Xiao said coldly.
Yun Jin arched a brow. "What's there to be nervous about? Whether it's Ziyun Sect or Xinghe Sect, they're all easy wins. Don't forget, I already told you. Wushuang Sect is invincible among peers."
The first round would be team battles. Fifteen sects in total, with one sect getting a bye. The other fourteen would form seven pairs and fight simultaneously.
The disciples of Wushuang Sect and Ziyun Sect had already stepped onto the same arena.
Ten versus ten, the match was about to begin.
Sect Master Chen of Ziyun Sect glanced at Yun Jin and sneered. "The young are too arrogant. But it's fine. Reality will soon teach you what a true gap in strength looks like."
Yun Jin only smiled lightly. "And old men love to act superior. Don't worry, reality will show you what invincible among peers really means."
Sect Master Chen gave her a mocking laugh.
Mouths could be sharp, but soon, Yun Jin would be the one unable to laugh.