Chapter Ten: Seditious Whispers

The Fallen Sword Immortal had not even finished his laugh before it was choked off in his throat.

The outcome he had anticipated did not come to pass; Xiao Lin remained standing there, composed and unruffled.

He had watched with his own eyes as the phantoms—formed from the fusion of malevolent thoughts representing various cultivators—slipped directly into Xiao Lin’s body! Yet, those malicious energies had no impact on him whatsoever, as if a clay ox had plunged into the sea. Xiao Lin even managed to turn his head, the corners of his mouth curling slightly as he looked toward Li Changhe and Tang Qianxue. "See? What did I tell you, Junior Brother?"

"As the saying goes, a barking dog doesn't bite. To a certain extent, this Fallen Sword Immortal is truly quite a..."

"Good dog."

"Junior, how dare you!"

"Senior, why the agitation?" Xiao Lin chuckled. "As the esteemed Fallen Sword Immortal, even my master warned me repeatedly that you are a master of bewitching hearts and spreading heresy, almost reaching the level of a Daoist path yourself. To be this emotional... it really diminishes the demeanor of a great master."

The Fallen Sword Immortal fell silent, though layers of astonishment surged within him. His methods were truly having no effect on this youngster. He had overheard the conversation between Xiao Lin and Shen Wuya before they set out, and at the time, he had found it laughable. Though Shen Wuya had severed his cultivation time and again, he had never been destroyed; instead, his Dao foundation had only grown more indestructible, until there was nothing left to cut. Thus, despite his low cultivation, his Dao realm was worlds apart from Xiao Lin’s.

What "righteous heart" or "steadfast Dao"? It was merely because they had yet to encounter a inner demon like himself. Shen Wuya’s expectations were destined to vanish in an instant. Yet, at this moment, with the facts laid bare, the Fallen Sword Immortal could not help but believe it. The disciple Shen Wuya had found actually possessed a Dao heart so firm that it feared no bewitchment!

"Is he completely dropping the act now?"
"Junior Brother: 'I’m not pretending anymore. I’m just this arrogant. I’m showing my hand!'"
"He’s refined and humble in front of his senior brother and sister, but wild beyond measure in front of the Fallen Sword Immortal... It’s so satisfying to watch."
"Why does he feel more like the villain than the Fallen Sword Immortal?"
"Daddy, scold me."
"??? You over there, something’s wrong with you!"
[Popularity +10...]
[Popularity +10...]

The popularity points that previously required a kowtow to earn were now easily obtained with just a few words. Xiao Lin’s extreme double standards were beginning to show. However, the Fallen Sword Immortal’s gaze remained dim; he chose to remain silent, waiting for an opportunity. Xiao Lin might be able to pass through this barrier of evil, but what about Li Changhe and the other?

The barrier of evil would not dissipate with time. If they truly believed Xiao Lin’s words and thought they could pass through as well... then everything the youngster had done would be meaningless.

Tang Qianxue smiled with ease, skipping over to Xiao Lin’s side to look at the barrier. "I thought this was something formidable. Turns out it’s just a trick of the light."

As she spoke, she was about to mimic Xiao Lin and reach out to touch the barrier, but Xiao Lin stopped her. "Don't be hasty, Senior Sister."

Tang Qianxue tilted her head, looking at him in confusion, but withdrew her hand as instructed. She placed absolute trust in her junior brother.

Xiao Lin’s hand swept gently through the barrier, as if parting the surface of a lake, sending ripples spreading outward. The next moment, countless phantoms seemed to have found a vent, surging madly toward Xiao Lin, only to melt away like melting snow meeting spring.

Xiao Lin spoke a single word, exhaling it softly.

"Break."

Pop.

Tang Qianxue and Li Changhe seemed to hear the sound of a bubble bursting. The barrier of evil truly behaved like a bubble, dissolving into black mist. A breeze blew, and it drifted away like fog.

"This is impossible!" the Fallen Sword Immortal cried out in shock.

"What is impossible about it?" Xiao Lin glanced at the Sword Suppression Box in his hand. "Playing god and acting like a ghost—don't tell me you actually started believing your own act?"

These words were meant for the audience as much as they were for Li Changhe and the others. Since the Fallen Sword Immortal could use heresy to bewitch hearts, why couldn't he use righteous words to steady them? Not giving the Fallen Sword Immortal even a shred of negative emotion was the only foolproof strategy.

"This is impossible..." The Fallen Sword Immortal continued to mutter. He dared to assert that even a Golden Core cultivator, once eroded by so many malicious thoughts, could not keep their Dao heart undamaged. And as long as there was even a tiny crack, though he couldn't take advantage of it immediately, he could feed on the negative emotions to recover his strength, loosen his seal further, and unleash more methods in a positive feedback loop.

But Xiao Lin had stifled it all at the source. This boy’s heart of righteousness was unnaturally firm!

"Junior, what great master have you reincarnated from?!" the Fallen Sword Immortal demanded.

Xiao Lin gestured toward the Sword Suppression Box and looked at Li Changhe and the other. "He’s gone insane."

Li Changhe nodded slightly, deeply in agreement.

"Alright, shut up and save your energy. That way, once you’re put into the Sword Pool, you’ll have the strength to scream," Xiao Lin laughed, flipping his hand to store the Sword Suppression Box into his Qiankun Ring. His goal had been achieved; he no longer needed to carry the box.

"Junior, how dare you!"

This time, the Fallen Sword Immortal’s voice truly carried a hint of bluster. Throughout the journey, the cracks in the Dao hearts of Li Changhe and Tang Qianxue, which he had secretly pried open, had been mended by Xiao Lin’s words. He could no longer absorb even a sliver of negative emotion. Most crucially, even in terms of "presence," he had strangely fallen into a disadvantageous position.

Yes, it was strange. For the Fallen Sword Immortal, he had never been in a weak position regarding "presence." Who could be without evil thoughts? With his words, he could easily stir that faint desire and breed endless malice.

But Xiao Lin? The flickering, fleeting negative emotion he had vaguely sensed from the boy was actually directed at him—it was killing intent! The Fallen Sword Immortal was absolutely certain that if Xiao Lin were to purify him, he would surely lose any chance of rebirth.

In that moment, even the Fallen Sword Immortal felt a shred of unprecedented... fear.

The Fallen Sword Immortal gathered all his strength and let out a cold shout from within the Sword Suppression Box. "What righteousness? In my eyes, you are no different from the demonic path!"

At these words, Li Changhe’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Ridiculous."

Tang Qianxue sneered, "Shameless."

To be accused by a demon and reflexively retort was an almost subconscious behavior for those on the righteous path. Yet, this played exactly into the Fallen Sword Immortal’s hands.

"Heh, killing the innocent—if that isn't the work of the demonic path, then what is?"

"Senior Sister, don't pay him any mind..."

Tang Qianxue’s tone was disdainful. "Killing the innocent? What makes you innocent?"

"Although I have existed for a hundred years, I have never killed a person or harmed a living thing, nor have I tasted meat. If that isn't innocent, what is?" the Fallen Sword Immortal said in a chilling tone. "Do you dare claim you have never touched a bite of meat?"

"Compared to you juniors, I am the most righteous of the righteous."