13: Chapter 13: The much-anticipated face-slapping moment

[You stare with murderous intent at the peerlessly handsome men posturing all around you, raising your wrist several times only to put it down again.]

[You swear to blow up this damned bridge once your cultivation advances in the future, then quicken your pace through the second illusion without looking back.]

["This woman's fortitude is truly rare."]

["Her name is Lin Qingyu, with Metal, Fire, and Water—a low-grade Three-Spiritual-Root."]

["Pity her aptitude is too poor."]

[A few voices of discussion echo in the palace, but due to your spiritual root aptitude, they do not pay much mind.]

[For sword cultivators, fortitude is indeed important, but if talent is too poor, the upper limit is locked; even an unconquerable Foundation Establishment in their eyes remains a Foundation Establishment ant.]

[At this moment, you stare blankly at the massive square that suddenly appears before you, only then realizing you have passed the trial.]

[A long time later...]

["Qingyu?"]

[Lin Bufan's voice comes from behind you, sounding slightly surprised to see you pass ahead of him.]

[After all... he almost stumbled inside, only managing to get through when his master spoke up to remind him.]

["Congratulations, Brother Lin."]

[With a smile on your face, you thoroughly despise him in your heart.]

[As expected, a total lecher.]

["Everyone."]

[An old man dressed in luxurious dark cyan robes hovers in midair. After looking around, he speaks in a calm voice:]

["You have passed the test and may become inner disciples. Go collect your resources on your own. In addition, those with Dual Spiritual Roots may enter the hall."]

[There are about two hundred people in the square, but only three or four can enter the hall.]

[Even though disciples are recruited every year, Xuantian Sword Sect's domain is extremely vast, which goes to show how rare Dual Spiritual Roots are.]

["Qingyu, there's no need to look at them. I will be stronger than all of them in the future."]

[Seeing you stare at the backs of those entering the hall, Lin Bufan becomes subtly jealous.]

["Mm! I believe in you, Brother Lin."]

[You raise your small face, playing along with a look of deep admiration.]

["Heh~"]

[A cold sneer sounds out, making your delicate body tremble.]

[Here it comes, here it comes! The classic protagonist face-slapping and show-off trope might be late, but it never misses.]

["Why don't you take a piss and look at your reflection? Do you think you have a Heavenly Spiritual Root?"]

[A young man in rather gorgeous attire, accompanied by a few lackeys, steps in front of you two, his gaze occasionally drifting to you.]

["..."]

[Though you were mentally prepared, you still feel uncomfortable all over, never expecting yourself to become the object of a petty jealousy feud.]

[Sigh~ Before transmigrating, you had also fantasized about similar scenarios, but you were supposed to be the one showing off in front of everyone!]

[Life is truly unpredictable.]

["That's right, Fairy. Don't be fooled by him."]

["Kid, release this fairy right now! How could a beauty like her belong to someone like you?"]

[A few henchmen begin fiercely attacking Lin Bufan's sore spots.]

[As everyone knows, the women around a protagonist are his exclusive domain; once touched, one has already courted death.]

["Scram!"]

[Sure enough, Lin Bufan doesn't even look at them, forcing them back repeatedly with just his spiritual pressure.]

[But the leading young man remains completely still. He folds his paper fan and sizes up Lin Bufan, his gaze turning even more contemptuous.]

["Just Level 1 Qi Condensation. Do you think you're invincible?"]

[With that, a more powerful aura bursts forth from his body.]

[He is actually an expert at Level 2 Qi Condensation!]

["Heh~"]

[Lin Bufan sneers coldy, then whispers to you:]

["Qingyu, stand further away so you don't get blood splattered on you."]

[Knowing that the son of luck is about to start showing off, you obediently nod and leave the stage to him.]

["Kid, you're court—"]

[Seeing that the other party not only refuses to surrender but even dares to resist, the young man's face darkens instantly.]

[Just as he is about to spout a few more harsh words, he sees the figure before him blur.]

[Stepping with profound footwork, Lin Bufan arrives in front of the youth in the blink of an eye, then unhesitatingly punches him right in the stomach.]

["Ow~!"]

[The youth cries out in pain as he flies backward, dry-heaving several times, unable to speak for a long while.]

["Hmph! Trash with nothing but cultivation level!"]

[Lin Bufan snorts coldly, glances at him contemptuously, and turns around to take your small hand and walk away quickly.]

[The whole process flows like water, smooth and seamless.]

[You secretly praise him in your heart: His showing-off techniques are indeed impressive! Even your blood is boiling a little, making you want to pick a fight with him.]

["Damn it! My brother is a Personal Disciple! Do you dare leave your name?!"]

[The youth's furious curse echoes from behind.]

["Lin Bufan!"]

[The son of luck yields not an inch, stating his full name with utmost directness.]

[You are somewhat speechless; it's only thanks to him being the protagonist, otherwise a normal person would probably kick the bucket tomorrow.]

[You sigh secretly, your tone filled with just the right amount of worry.]

["Brother Lin, his brother is a Personal Disciple. Will he cause trouble for you?"]

["It's fine, I don't fear them."]

[Lin Bufan looks full of confidence.]

[You finally understand why those who follow protagonists always have their lives hanging by a thread: because protagonists are way too good at causing trouble, yet forget what happens to those around them after doing so.]

["Oh~ That's good. Brother Lin, you must stay safe."]

[Seeing the young girl's eyes full of him, Lin Bufan's heart warms. He reaches out to embrace her, but is frozen in place by a voice sounding in his mind.]

["You aren't afraid, but this little girl is still a mortal. What should she do?"]

[Ring Old Man reminds him helplessly; after all, he too lost a confidante back in the day because of something like this.]

[Hearing this, a strong wave of self-reproach arises in Lin Bufan's heart. He really hadn't considered such a thing...]

["Teacher, what should I do?"]

["As matters stand, your only option is to become Dao companions. That way, you can live together in one cave abode."]

["Th-This... isn't good, is it?"]

[Lin Bufan is extremely tempted.]

[Although he has many secrets, looking at the girl's pretty and charming face, he still shamefully swallows his saliva.]

["Tch~"]

[Ring Old Man sneers contemptuously.]

["Then let your Miss Lin be snatched away by someone else."]

[ABSOLUTELY! NOT!]

[Lin Bufan pauses in his tracks, grabs your small hand amidst your confused gaze, and speaks out his worries and thoughts.]

[You are stunned at first, but then your pretty face quickly flushes red. Shying away, you kick a pebble under your foot, your voice so soft it is nearly inaudible.]

["If it's Brother Lin... th-then I'm willing..."]

[Lin Bufan nearly laughs out loud to the sky, immediately pulling you along to collect resources and complete the formalities all over.]

[By the time night falls, the two of you finally arrive in front of a cave abode, and you conveniently get to enjoy a cave abode meant for Grade A spiritual roots.]

["Qingyu, believe me, I will never let you down."]

[Lin Bufan looks solemn, as if proclaiming an oath.]

[You don't believe a single word.]

[You know very well that vows made at times like this carry zero credibility.]

[Furthermore, this kind of son of luck will definitely have no shortage of confidantes. He might not betray you directly, but heaven will always manufacture accidents for them.]

[Someone like you—possessing nothing but beauty, with average talent and no background—is just a discarded first wife.]

[If the plot follows its normal course, you will fade into the background soon, only to be remembered by the protagonist at the grand finale, brought out to receive a cultivation boost, and used to inflate his moral points.]

[A pure tool character.]

[Yet none of this shows on your face, which is brimming with apparent emotion.]

["I... I will listen to whatever Brother Lin says."]

[A woman's blush speaks louder than any confession.]

[Lin Bufan's breathing hitches, unable to hold back any longer.]

[Amidst your gasp, he immediately steps forward, scoops you up in a princess carry, and walks quickly toward the inside of the cave abode.]

[Just as his groper hands are about to untie your belt, you decisively release the suppression on your special physique.]

["Wait!"]

[Lin Bufan, whose eyes are red as he prepares to act like a beast, is shaken dizzy by the sharp shout in his mind.]

[Fuck!]

...