Chapter Twenty-One: Dumbstruck Like a Dog...

[Previous chapter: The protagonist's name was entered incorrectly. Got a bit too absorbed in Xiaoxing's book... Thank you all for pointing it out.]

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[Make your choice!]

[1. Rush up to the city wall, publicly remove the City Lord of Black Tortoise City's veil, and kiss her, causing countless admirers of the City Lord to suffer damage to their Dao hearts. 2. Charge in front of everyone and provoke them all! Make them lose face!]

[If the host does not choose within three seconds, the system will randomly force a selection. Countdown begins... 3... 2...]

As expected, the voice of the system echoed in Jiang Lin's mind.

Unlike before, although Jiang Lin's heart was still like thousands of wild horses stampeding, if life has forcibly violated you and you cannot resist, you can only accept it.

Still, Jiang Lin silently cursed in his heart: System! Damn you!

The first option was absolutely out of the question. After all, he'd already been pursued by countless young heroes for forcibly kissing Senior Sister Lin. If he were to publicly desecrate the City Lord of Black Tortoise City, ranked sixth among the beauties, it would not just be her admirers—he'd likely never leave Black Tortoise City alive.

So, only the second option remained!

"Please, enter the realm!"

"Wait!"

Just as the City Lord of Black Tortoise City gave the order, a powerful male voice echoed through the city square!

A man and his sword soared into the air, landing in front of the twisted entrance to the secret realm. Sitting atop his sword, suspended in midair, Jiang Lin took a swig from the gourd at his waist, tossed it casually into the crowd, swept his bangs from his forehead, and belched.

Jiang Lin's unrestrained, fresh, and unconventional demeanor left everyone stunned for a few seconds.

Damn... this is just too much...

"Who are you? Which sect are you from, to be so unruly?"

"How dare you show off in front of Zhao Hao!"

"I, Ye Liangchen, am the first to object!"

"Why are you showing off? Don't think you're special just because you're handsome! Are you as handsome as my senior brother?!"

"Get down here! If you have the guts, duel me!"

After their confusion, the scene erupted in chaos.

Meanwhile, Fang Chaoqun, who was mingling among the other sects, was still bewildered and silently sweating for Jiang Lin.

He knew that beneath this mask was Jiang Lin, but the question was, what was Jiang Lin doing? He said he had something to do—could it be this grandstanding? Handsome as it was, it would come at a price...

At the same time, seeing Jiang Lin blocking the entrance in disguise, Jiang Yuni, who blended in with the Black Tortoise City disciples, looked lovestruck:

"As expected of my little Linlin. No matter what he does, he's so handsome. But why is he drinking? That's bad for his health... but he looks so charming when he drinks."

Standing at the front of the Dragon Gate Sect, Lin Qingwan couldn't help but take a step forward, biting her red lips, her eyes flowing like autumn water, filled with complex emotions.

Even if that boy in the air turned to ashes, she would recognize him. After all, it was just a simple disguise.

Likewise, when she saw the man in the sky, Xiao Xueli's heart trembled.

It was him... the one who saved her that night, but also the shameless rogue who took liberties! Yet, why, when she saw him now—the boy she wished she could beat up—did she feel a trace of joy in her heart?

"Hehehehe..."

In the air, Jiang Lin let out a goblin-like laugh.

"The world laughs at me for being too wild; I laugh at the world for not being open-minded. You ask who I am? Do you even have the qualifications to ask?"

Jiang Lin tossed his long hair.

"Forgive my bluntness—I'm not talking about any one of you in particular. I mean all of you standing here: you're all trash."

"Insolent brat! Come down if you dare! I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget!"

"Such recklessness! Damn you!"

"I haven't lost my temper in ages!"

"!@#￥%"

"*****"

Below the city, curses flew everywhere, but not a single person stepped forward. The reason was simple: Jiang Lin was backed against the entrance to the secret realm. If things went south, he could slip inside at any moment.

If anyone chased him into the secret realm, due to its rules, entering at different times meant arriving in different places. Being separated from one's sect was a grave mistake.

Which made it all the more infuriating.

But Jiang Lin was puzzled. Hadn't he just viciously taunted them? Why hadn't his task been completed?

"Hey, System, what's going on? Haven't I finished the task already?"

[Beep... Reply to host: Your taunting wasn't strong enough. Please try harder.]

"This isn't strong enough? If I go down now, I'll be chopped into mince..."

[Beep... One minute remaining to complete the task. If overdue, the system will take over.]

"..."

"A bunch of garbage, making such a racket!"

Suddenly, Jiang Lin cursed again, his voice amplified by spiritual power across the entire Black Tortoise City square.

"You ask who I am? Hehehehe... I'll tell you!"

Whoosh...

Jiang Lin ripped off his mask.

"I am Jiang Lin!"

The moment Jiang Lin tore off his disguise, the entire crowd fell silent, as if the homeroom teacher had suddenly appeared outside the window. After two seconds, the commotion resumed.

"Infuriating! Jiang Lin, you villain! Return Lin Fairy's innocence!"

"Jiang Lin, you scoundrel! Face my sword!"

"Jiang Lin, you're so handsome! When will you come pick my flowers?"

"I can't hold back any longer! Everyone, I'll deal with this flower thief myself!"

"Traitor! Today, I cleanse the sect for Dragon Gate!"

"Jiang Lin, you're even more handsome than your portrait. Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"Brothers of Pearl Willow Sect! Let's kill this villain together!"

"Jiang Lin, I declare my feelings for you!"

"Jiang Lin, do you like the demon clan? I'm a monkey demon, I want to have little monkeys with you."

"I can't endure it anymore! Senior brother! I'll meet you in the secret realm!"

"Second junior brother, take care of the juniors. I'm going to take his head!"

"Flower thief! Your life is mine!"

"I'll plant a chrysanthemum in your neck for Lin Fairy!"

[Beep... Congratulations, host. Task complete. Reward: 2000 notoriety points. Bonus task triggered.]

[Bonus: Host's cultivation detected to be low. Urging host to quickly advance. Granting host SR secret technique—'Unlimited Sword Creation: I Am Sword Bone.']

['Unlimited Sword Creation: I Am Sword Bone'—Host has entered the basics. With diligent practice, host can pursue mastery!]

"You damn bonehead! Your whole system is full of boneheads!"

Watching the surging crowd and glittering swords, Jiang Lin no longer wanted to run.

Because! This was the perfect moment—to die before everyone, to die once more before Senior Sister Lin, and then vanish without a name.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Lin shouted:

"Senior Sister Lin! I have wronged you! But! Do you know? I declare my love for you!"

Jiang Lin's words echoed across the Black Tortoise City square. Countless girls covered their mouths, moved to tears, as dozens of swords swept through the air.

Jiang Lin spread his arms, slowly closed his eyes, hoping... they'd be swift and merciful...

But...

"Huh? What the..."

Feeling two soft bodies crash into him, he opened his eyes to find himself tackled by two girls, both knocking him into the entrance of the Mysterious Maze secret realm.

Outside the entrance, everyone hovered in confusion, staring at each other in shock...