Chapter Nineteen: Fortunately
“Senior, I’ve heard that Fairy Lin was wounded by love, unable to overcome her feelings, her state of mind damaged, and her cultivation plummeted by two realms. Is this true?”
As the cultivator from Penguin News amplified his voice with spiritual power, the question echoed across the entire square. For a moment, the nearly ten thousand people present fell silent, but soon a wave of murmurs and indignant voices erupted.
“Since ancient times, even heroes can’t resist a beauty’s charm.”
This was all the more true for cultivators—emotional wounds were hard to heal. If Lin Qingwan truly had fallen two realms, even if it wasn’t because of heartbreak, people would still speculate and write about it; at that point, regardless of the truth, the rumor would be taken as fact by many.
The problem was, other sects couldn’t really do anything about these people. If they responded publicly, it would only serve as confirmation.
“Kid! Why should my Senior Sister’s cultivation be explained to you?”
“We’ve already been more than patient, and now you push further—what business is it of yours what happens to my Senior Sister?”
“Does Penguin News have any sense of decency left?”
“Yeah! Where are your elders? Since when did gossip reporters get so brazen?”
“Support for Fairy Lin!”
“Apologize and make amends!”
“Yes, apologize!”
Suddenly, many in the square rose to defend Lin Qingwan, while she herself remained poised, standing with her sword, her expression utterly serene and untouched.
As for the female elder of Longmen Sect, if one looked closely, they might notice the faintest hint of a smile at the corner of her lips.
What is news? True news is about seeking facts. What is gossip? It’s embellishing the news, but the two are intertwined—there’s gossip in news, and news in gossip.
This elder understood well the importance of news and rumors, and was keenly aware of her disciple’s fame—both for strength and beauty—throughout Wutong Prefecture.
If no one asked this question, would it never be asked in the future? Of course it would. Even if unspoken, wouldn’t people still privately suspect that “Lin Qingwan was heartbroken over Jiang Lin”? Certainly they would.
Since that was the case, she might as well take the initiative! Take hold of the one who asked the question, and thereby control the narrative herself!
Just as that fellow Jiang Lin once told her: the art of gossip and news is a profound study.
Muddling the truth is indeed crucial—what a pity that clever disciple turned out to be from the Demonic Sect.
What a pity.
Looking at the Penguin News cultivator she had hired for five mid-grade spirit stones—her own plant in the crowd—
“My young friend, since you question it, do you have a Spirit-Testing Stone?”
“Of course!” The man put on a “serious” expression and produced a jade-green stone. “This stone can test any realm below Jade-Purity. May Fairy Lin please use it as proof!”
“Very well, this will do!” the elder answered “solemnly.” In fact, the stone had already been tampered with; no matter how strong the strike, it would display only the Longmen Realm...
The elder sent a mental message:
[Qingwan, don’t worry. Just give it any strike you like—I’ve already made some adjustments.]
Hearing the elder’s inner voice, the girl beside her was startled, then smiled and shook her head. Though the curve of her lips was less than five degrees, those lucky enough to witness it felt their hearts leap.
Seeing Lin Qingwan’s relaxed expression, the elder breathed a sigh of relief. She’d feared the girl might be too stubborn to cooperate.
Patting Lin Qingwan gently, the elder spoke loudly:
“Qingwan, someone questions your realm. Please demonstrate a sword strike.”
Lin Qingwan nodded. The man from the news agency tossed the Spirit-Testing Stone high into the air.
Lin Qingwan gripped her jade-green sword, gave a delicate wave, and a faint fragrance rose on the breeze.
Bang!
A flash of sword light; the Spirit-Testing Stone was pulverized midair, pure sword intent drifting across the square.
“Nascent Soul Realm... First Floor...”
The voice from the Spirit-Testing Stone echoed across the square.
“What! Nascent Soul First Floor! This...”
“That’s not a fall of two realms at all! She’s advanced two realms instead!”
“So the rumor of heartbreak was nonsense!”
“Of course it was! Our goddess is still our goddess—how could she ever fancy someone else!”
“Doesn’t this mean Fairy Lin could rank in the top five among the younger generation of Wutong Prefecture?”
“I’m certain the next Rising Stars list will be shaken up!”
Instantly, the square was thrown into uproar, and all the news cultivators were left speechless.
[How is this Nascent Soul? Wasn’t it supposed to be Longmen? I’m not paying extra for this!]
The elder hastily sent a mental message to her plant.
[I have no idea! I definitely set it for Longmen Realm!]
[You didn’t change it?]
[Of course not! Fake Nascent Soul stones are super expensive—I’d never splurge on one.]
[So that means...]
The elder looked at the beautiful young woman, who had already sheathed her sword but whose sword intent still lingered, her face calm as ever.
No wonder she’s a natural-born saintess! Such terrifying talent!
...
“Sword Spirit Elder Sister, this Lin Elder Sister...”
Elsewhere at the edge of the square, a veiled girl asked.
“Not yet twenty and already at Nascent Soul First Floor—a genius among geniuses. But fortunately, she’s not our enemy. And Xueli, you needn’t feel inferior. You were born with the Supreme Bone, and you’re only sixteen. You’re no less than her, but you must work hard and never slacken.”
“Yes, Sword Spirit Elder Sister!”
...
In a pavilion overlooking the square, two women of peerless grace stood together.
“So this is the ‘fox spirit’ you mentioned, Yuni? Unless I’m mistaken, the future top ten of the world will surely have a place for this Lin girl.” The woman in palace robes smiled, glancing at her alluring companion, only to find her gaze fixed on Lin Qingwan. “Hey, Yuni, are you listening? Yuni!”
After a long moment, Jiang Yuni finally withdrew her gaze and patted her chest in relief. “Thank goodness—her chest isn’t bigger than mine, her legs are as long as mine, and she’s not prettier than me. Clearly, Little Lin will still prefer my type.”
“...”
...
On the other side of the square, Jiang Lin and Fang Chaoxun stood together, the former wearing a false mask. Feeling the lingering sword intent, Jiang Lin wiped his face deeply.
“Brother Jiang... Why is it that after you kissed Fairy Lin, she managed a breakthrough?” Fang Chaoxun swallowed nervously. “Maybe you should kiss me too...”
“Screw you!”
Jiang Lin shoved Fang Chaoxun away.
He hadn’t expected Senior Sister Lin’s heart knot would dissolve—and she’d even advanced two realms!
Originally, he should be happy for her—after all, she’d always looked after him and was a wonderful girl.
But... why were there tears at the corners of his own eyes...?
Years from now, would he really end up scattered to the winds...?