Lin Xiao's gaze fell upon Hua Ran, carrying a faint undercurrent of threat.
Hua Ran's heart trembled. Originally, she had been considering whether she could approach Yun Jin in private to request the modification of a few more secret arts. But now, if she denied Lin Xiao in front of everyone, with Yun Jin's notorious vengeful temper, how could she expect Yun Jin to do business with her afterward?
Yet if she refused to support Lin Xiao's lie, the consequences were equally obvious. Hua Ran bit down hard, preparing to speak.
But Yun Jin opened her mouth first.
She arched a brow at Lin Xiao and said, "Pavilion Master Lin, are you questioning me? Are you accusing me of lying, claiming that the improved Canglang Formation was not my work?"
Lin Xiao spoke with calm certainty. "Not questioning, but merely stating fact. To improve a secret art overnight—this is simply impossible. Sect Master Yun, I know you are young and eager to make a name for yourself, always wanting to stir up commotion so the world will remember your name. But all things in this world must follow reason.
This art is something Sect Master Hua mentioned she wished to refine decades ago. She has poured decades of effort into it and now finally succeeded. That is the truth. Otherwise, even if you could truly make modifications instantly, how could Bitao Sect disciples immediately master the altered art and display such astonishing proficiency? The only explanation is that this was a trump card prepared by Bitao Sect long ago, cultivated diligently for many years." Lin Xiao's words were steady, composed, almost convincing.
The spectators below listened and nodded to themselves.
Indeed.
If Yun Jin had truly improved the art, Bitao Sect's disciples could not possibly have grasped it so quickly.
So… had Yun Jin been bluffing all along?
As the crowd's expressions shifted, a faintly satisfied smile flickered in Lin Xiao's eyes.
Yes, that was it. Doubt her.
He, Yun Jin, and the Bitao Sect all knew the real truth.
But so what?
Truth was like a maiden dressed as one pleased. However one chose to clothe it, that was the truth people would accept.
Just as Lin Xiao was confidently spinning his tale, Yun Jin laughed.
Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes.
She could still laugh?
By her temperament, if her chance to shine had been stolen, she should have been furious, not amused.
"Pavilion Master Lin," Yun Jin said solemnly, "I can actually understand you. You're the type who cultivates step by step, methodical and plodding. How could you ever comprehend what true talent looks like? How can a mayfly ever grasp the vastness of heaven and earth?"
"Yun Jin, you are far too arrogant!" Liu Hua could not restrain himself from rebuking her.
Yun Jin, unruffled, replied evenly, "For you, modifying a secret art is as difficult as climbing to the heavens. For me, it is no harder than flipping my palm. Aside from Wushuang Sect, there are fourteen other sect masters here, plus Pavilion Master Lin, making fifteen in total.
Today I issue a challenge. Each of you give me one manual. I will improve all fifteen on the spot! If I fail even once, I will abolish my own cultivation on the spot and never again practice the Dao. But if I succeed in all fifteen…"
She turned her eyes, half-smiling, toward Lin Xiao. "Then I will ask nothing more, save this—Pavilion Master Lin, for your slander, you will apologize to me, and the matter will be settled. How about it?"
Her words fell, leaving the assembly in stunned silence.
???
Was Yun Jin insane?
To attempt the modification of fifteen manuals right here, with the stake being her own cultivation. And if she succeeded, all she demanded was a single apology.
What benefit was there for her in this wager?
All this risk, just for an apology?
Murmurs rose across the arena. To dare such a gamble, Yun Jin must truly possess heaven-defying talent in modifying secret arts. After all, though she was always arrogant, every time she displayed her brilliance, it had substance behind it. She had never once failed.
Such a person, suddenly proposing such a bet—either she had gone mad, or she held absolute certainty.
And now the wager was set.
The stakes were completely unequal.
If Lin Xiao dared not accept, would that not in itself prove Yun Jin's extraordinary genius?
The crowd turned to look at Lin Xiao and the other sect masters.
The pressure now rested with them.
Lin Xiao's expression grew increasingly cold. He had not anticipated Yun Jin would propose such a gamble. He said icily, "Sect Master Yun speaks of modifying secret arts, yet you place no limit on time. What if you take ten years or a hundred years? Are we all supposed to wait here until then?"
Yun Jin shrugged, unbothered. "Ah, then I misspoke. Let us set a time limit—one stick of incense. Within that span, if I cannot complete the modification, I will abolish my own cultivation on the spot. How about that?"
She said it with utter nonchalance.
Lin Xiao's heart jolted, his frown deepening. A single stick of incense—for cultivators, that was scarcely more than a blink of an eye. To complete the refinement of a secret art in such a short time?
Impossible!
Not even the all-knowing Demon God of the Heavenly Demon Realm could accomplish such a feat. Could Yun Jin surpass even that?
It was absurd.
Reason told Lin Xiao she was bound to lose. But recalling the countless times Yun Jin had turned despair into triumph, he wavered. This woman… she was truly unnerving.
"Pavilion Master Lin? You don't even dare to accept this? Surely not, surely not? I'm practically begging to abolish my own cultivation, and you won't even give me the chance?" Yun Jin grinned shamelessly.
Her words stirred the sect masters' hearts.
This troublemaking girl was never meant to stand on equal footing with them. And now she was walking willingly into her own grave. Why should they object?
It was her own bet, her own decision. When she crippled herself, even Ji Wusi could not hold them accountable.
Eyes turned eagerly toward Lin Xiao.
His expression was dark and severe.
At this moment, he realized he had no choice but to agree.
He answered flatly, "Since Sect Master Yun insists, then so be it."
"Good, good, let us establish a Heavenly Dao Contract." A sheet of golden parchment instantly appeared before Yun Jin. She looked at Lin Xiao with expectant glee.
The audience could only stare at her as though she had lost her mind. They had not even demanded a contract, and she herself had rushed to bring it up. Was she afraid she might not die fast enough?
Lin Xiao felt something was off, but with the matter having gone this far, he had no way to refuse.
"Fine," he said coldly.
Before the eyes of all present, Lin Xiao and Yun Jin signed the contract.
The golden sheet dissolved into light, merging into the Heavens. The pact was sealed.
Yun Jin chuckled. "Well then, who among you will go first?"
The sect masters exchanged glances.
They did not truly wish for her modifications—they simply wished to embarrass her. The higher the rank of the manual, the more useless its effect, the better suited it was to trip her up. After a brief discussion, Wen Fu of Yuehua Sect stepped forward as the first.