Chapter 8: Lin Pingfeng Is Disgraced, Nine Strikes—To Me, Nothing Out of the Ordinary

"Rise, begin now." Luo Qingqiu’s expression soured as she saw the crowd, her displeasure evident as she shook her head repeatedly. Granted an opportunity to handle matters, he had managed to turn this into a spectacle. Truly, he was “intentional.”

The oppressive force lifted from the crowd, allowing everyone to stand. Yet, none dared look directly at Luo Qingqiu—indeed, even if they tried, they would see nothing.

"This is the Sword Bell, the treasured artifact of our Sword Pavilion. It is unrelated to cultivation, instead measuring sword intent. Nine chimes mark the highest realm." Lin Pingfeng, seeing Luo Qingqiu had spoken, swallowed his prepared words. With the emperor herself setting the tone, anything further would be audacious; besides, with her pronouncement, no one wished to hear him speak. Better to be straightforward.

Lin Pingfeng explained the contest: striking the Sword Bell. With Luo Qingqiu’s intervention, it would hardly be easy for her to interfere. At this stage, Ling Tian should enter the stage.

Ling Tian descended from the heavens, clad in tailored robes, his childish roundness yet to fade, lending him an innocent charm. Instantly, all eyes turned upon him, shock rising in their hearts. Who could have guessed that the Chaos Emperor truly kept a child at her side—so young! Surely this was a jest.

"My master has often said that the Pavilion Lord of the Sword Pavilion possesses unmatched talent. In the days of her cultivation, he aided her, and even now, they frequently discuss the Dao together. This friendship, my master often recounts." Ling Tian landed, surveying the scene, utterly unfazed, speaking with youthful clarity. His voice, though soft, was clearly heard by all—cultivators as they were.

As Ling Tian finished, strange expressions appeared on the faces of the crowd; they glanced toward Lin Pingfeng with questioning eyes. He had not described it thus! He claimed his visits to the Chaos Emperor were personal—of a romantic nature. They had afforded Lin Pingfeng a measure of respect on this basis, supposing the Chaos Emperor had some peculiar inclination. Now it seemed the reason was entirely different. How shameless!

Friendship? Having aided the Chaos Emperor before her enlightenment—no wonder he could meet her so easily. The Chaos Emperor, it seemed, was one who valued sentiment.

Luo Changsheng, the Holy Lord of Luo Autumn, heard this and revealed an expression of realization. Damn it, every time he came to find the Elder, he acted high and mighty, disregarding him entirely. Hmph, with the truth now known, any future meeting with the Elder would require his permission.

Ling Tian’s words not only clarified Lin Pingfeng’s reason for seeking Luo Qingqiu, but also revealed the nature of his relationship with her. The master he spoke of was none other than Luo Qingqiu, as everyone could easily deduce. In that moment, sighs echoed—what fortune to be accepted as the Emperor’s disciple!

Luo Changsheng couldn’t help but glance sideways—since when had the Elder accepted a disciple? Wasn’t she supposed to abstain from such matters?

In truth, Ling Tian’s speech was carefully considered. He always needed an identity that made his actions easier. Thus, he did not reveal his true face. The title of Emperor’s Son of the Abyssal Dao Domain was too dazzling and would draw unwanted attention; peace would be impossible thereafter. Moreover, the great powers of the Dao domains all knew that the Emperor’s Son was of average talent—an ideal mask. Playing the fool often yields unexpected gains. Now, it was simply a matter of whether the benefits warranted revealing his true identity.

The status of an Emperor’s disciple was prestigious enough—sufficient for his purposes.

Ling Tian’s words were taken as absolute truth by the crowd. After all, no one believed a child could reason so clearly; it was surely Luo Qingqiu who had taught him. Thus, what the child said was the Emperor’s will, beyond doubt.

Lin Pingfeng’s face turned ashen. The clarity of Ling Tian’s statement left him no room to blur the lines. Yet, if he won this contest, he could maintain his deception. So what if they knew? He could still remain at Luo Qingqiu’s side and retain some influence.

Just as he was about to speak favorably, Ling Tian spoke first:

"I believe, since Pavilion Lord Lin’s talent is so high, he might grant me some leeway in the contest?"

"Of course. Otherwise, even if I win, it would not be a worthy victory." Lin Pingfeng, puzzled by Ling Tian’s words, nonetheless agreed. This would enhance his own image—he must show magnanimity when competing with the young. Yet inwardly, he sneered: Let you win? Not a chance! As long as he didn’t admit to using his full strength, who could say otherwise?

"Then, please, after you." Ling Tian’s gaze fell upon Lin Pingfeng, his tone mild. He feared that if he went first, Lin Pingfeng might refuse the duel.

Lin Pingfeng thought nothing of it, imagining Ling Tian was merely bluffing. The Sword Bell, after all, was shaped like a sword and could be struck—truly extraordinary.

Luo Qingqiu could clearly sense that as Lin Pingfeng approached the Sword Bell, his sword intent was activated.

"Dong..." The Sword Bell chimed once.

Lin Pingfeng smirked. Ridiculous—a child dared to challenge him in this? Did they think his years of cultivation amounted to nothing?

With this thought, Lin Pingfeng released a greater surge of sword intent.

"Dong, dong, dong..." The Sword Bell rang seven times in succession, then ceased. Only then did Lin Pingfeng remove his hand.

Eight chimes! It was his highest record. The crowd, seeing Lin Pingfeng so triumphant, could only purse their lips—he was indeed unreserved.

Few present could strike the Sword Bell eight times.

"Young friend, it is your turn. Please." Lin Pingfeng approached Ling Tian, assuming a refined demeanor, as if the outcome were already decided.

"Pavilion Lord Lin, I am truly looking forward to this..." Ling Tian’s youthful face showed a smile as he walked toward the Sword Bell.

Lin Pingfeng frowned—what was Ling Tian anticipating? Why not finish his sentence? Half-spoken words left him restless.

"What are you expecting?" Lin Pingfeng couldn’t help but ask.

"Have you considered that you might lose? I am eager to see the expression on your face when you realize it..." Ling Tian crouched, his voice calm, but it stirred a storm within Lin Pingfeng.

Lose? Losing?!

Lin Pingfeng’s eyes narrowed. He had instinctively assumed victory, but if he truly lost, everything he had orchestrated would plunge him into an abyss.

At that moment, Lin Pingfeng realized he had become attached. He had left himself no retreat—if he lost...

No, on what basis?!

Ling Tian paid no mind to Lin Pingfeng’s internal turmoil, striding directly to the Sword Bell. From today onward, the Emperor’s Son of Chaos, Tian Ling, would make his name resound throughout the Dao domain!

"Dong, dong, dong..." The Sword Bell rang three times.

The crowd hurriedly raised their memory stones—if this child proved capable, it would be explosive news. The Chaos Emperor’s disciple, a prodigy of swordsmanship! That was hardly surprising.

Lin Pingfeng grew tense—three chimes, a sign of talent.

"Dong, dong, dong, dong, dong..." The Sword Bell rang eight times!

The crowd gasped—a peerless talent!

Lin Pingfeng felt numb. He truly wondered if his years of cultivation had amounted to nothing.

"Pavilion Lord Lin, tell me, do you think I could make the Sword Bell chime nine times?" Ling Tian smiled innocently at Lin Pingfeng.

Lin Pingfeng’s feet went cold. He now realized his mistake! Luo Qingqiu had agreed to this, knowing the child’s talent. He had been deceived by both!

"Deceit! What vile methods are you using?!" Lin Pingfeng gathered his sword intent, launching it straight at Ling Tian.

It was not surprising—he had forgotten that it was he who insisted on this contest, now believing he had been set up by the two. Facing imminent defeat and the loss of advancement, he resorted to violence—a classic case of losing control.

No wonder he could never reach the highest realm of swordsmanship.

"Presumptuous!" Luo Qingqiu’s tone was icy; with a wave of her hand, Lin Pingfeng was sent flying, then dragged back and bound, his cultivation destroyed.

The two elders of the Sword Pavilion turned green.

"Old Xu, what did I say? Lin Pingfeng is utterly unfit to be Pavilion Lord—his temperament is frivolous. With him, it is Sword Pavilion’s misfortune..."

Elder Xu’s eyes widened like eggs at Elder Qiao’s words. Shameless old man—he had not said so before! Just moments ago, he was stroking his beard and praising Lin Pingfeng, and now he said this!

"Hmph, I think you misheard, Elder Qiao!" Elder Xu waved his sleeve and turned away, unwilling to be blamed, his gaze landing on Ling Tian.

"I meant, this young fellow is truly exceptional—we ought to befriend him..."

"I thought so as well..." Elder Qiao stroked his beard, his eyes shining. Knowing it was impossible to win Ling Tian over, befriending him would bring only benefits.

"Luo Qingqiu, I truly misjudged you. I saved you, and you repay kindness with betrayal! I..." Lin Pingfeng, feeling his cultivation destroyed, showed a twisted face—he had nothing left to lose.

Luo Qingqiu frowned, shaking her head. She had known Lin Pingfeng’s temperament was poor, but not to this extent. As the Emperor, she felt she had given Lin Pingfeng ample fortune: rare treasures, countless opportunities. He had shown no gratitude, only endless greed.

Now, his true nature was revealed.

"Silence! Helping you is a grace, not helping is my duty. To use such matters to threaten the Emperor—you are nothing!" Ling Tian’s youthful face darkened, unable to contain his anger. When Lin Pingfeng finally quieted, Ling Tian continued:

"Now, let me show you—nine chimes, for me, are nothing extraordinary!"