Chapter Four: Characterization
A flash of black light streaked by, followed by a pure expanse of white, utterly pristine.
Crack!
Xiao Lin faintly caught the sound of space shattering.
In the next moment, a brilliant white light surged forth, and the illusion shattered.
Xiao Lin opened his eyes and saw the Inquiry Sword Stone standing silently there.
Glancing around, Li Changhe, Gu Jianyao, and the others were all sitting calmly in their original places.
The mountains remained unchanged, the clouds lingered as before, and the wind blew with the same gentle familiarity.
Within moments, Xiao Lin realized everything that had just transpired was but an illusion.
He pondered slightly.
Though throughout he had been clear about what he must do, anyone suddenly faced with a mountain of fallen comrades would find it difficult to remain calm.
If not for his “Righteous Spirit Unyielding,” unaffected even by the collapse of Mount Tai itself, he would never have summoned such resolve to strike at Shen Wuya.
Xiao Lin cast a subtle glance at Shen Wuya, who stood on the Inquiry Sword Stone.
He hadn’t expected the old leader to employ such a tactic...
It was a close call; fortunately, it hadn’t shattered his character setting.
First impressions mattered most.
Thankfully, his debut had been a success.
“???????”
“Why is it that everyone else hesitated, but when it came to him, the sword fell without hesitation?”
“I struck first, one shot, no need for further discussion.”
“Why was it ‘one second to death’ and then suddenly the Asura Art? What’s going on?”
“This young junior disciple’s style is totally different from the others!”
“What’s this about? Is this even still a romance story?”
“Xiao Lin, are you going to ruin this romance story?”
“I get the feeling that the more decisive and ruthless he is now, the greater the contrast will be later. Seems like he might fall hopelessly in love with some woman, losing himself in passion.”
“You’re projecting yourself, aren’t you? This kind of contrast is what makes the story interesting. As long as Xiao Lin stays consistent, I’m all in.”
Reading the barrage of overwhelmingly positive comments, Xiao Lin felt a great relief.
With this scene, his character setting was finally established.
Whether it was thoroughly set aside, that was another matter.
At least for now, it stood as firm as a rock.
【Popularity +1...】
【Popularity +1...】
Popularity surged endlessly.
Within a few breaths, it reached 50,000 and kept climbing.
Seeing this, Xiao Lin said nothing and opened the shop.
He planned to spend these popularity points while Li Changhe and the others were still unconscious.
Only by doing so could he convert them into his own combat power.
Instead of leaving them as a string of cold numbers.
---
Though Xiao Lin now longed to perfect the Asura Heaven-Sealing Art.
Doing so would lift the restrictions that righteous spirit imposed on its enhancement, making it limitless.
With his current righteous spirit, increasing his strength severalfold was not mere fantasy.
But at this moment, he needed something even more important.
【Talent: Embrace the Origin and Guard the One】
【Effect: Your Dao heart remains clear as a mirror, able to maintain your true self even when besieged by demonic sounds.】
【Price: 50,000 popularity points】
The feeling of not even realizing that one is trapped in an illusion, as earlier, was deeply unsettling.
It meant the situation had briefly slipped beyond his control.
This was a hidden danger that had to be eliminated immediately.
With a thought, Xiao Lin said,
“Redeem.”
【You spent 50,000 popularity points and acquired the talent “Embrace the Origin and Guard the One.”】
In the next instant, Xiao Lin felt his mind clear as crystal.
The faint haze left by breaking free from the illusion vanished without a trace.
Soon after, the other seven also gradually awoke.
Xiao Lin closed and reopened his eyes, feigning a sudden awakening midway.
“Seriously? You’re playing dumb to hide your strength now?”
“Is this not suspicious?”
“Suspicious beyond measure.”
Xiao Lin glanced at the comments but remained indifferent.
Everything required contrast.
Occasionally showing confidence among comrades was enough.
For example, just now.
If he always maintained such a state, how could he demonstrate a difference when facing enemies?
A reasonable “double standard” was also part of character development.
Xiao Lin looked to Li Changhe and asked, “Senior Brother, what kind of illusion did you face? Was it the same as ours?”
“I can’t quite remember, only a lingering sword comprehension remains in my heart,” Li Changhe replied, then with surprise in his eyes, “Junior Brother, you still remember the illusion?”
Xiao Lin shook his head calmly, “I don’t remember either; just asking casually.”
Through the comments, he naturally knew what had happened to the others in the illusion.
He hadn’t expected that only he seemed to retain the memory of it.
Was it because only he had passed Shen Wuya’s test?
Xiao Lin turned to the figure in black, Shen Wuya, and waited silently for instructions.
Thus, the sect’s grand competition came to a close.
No one felt it was incomplete.
Even the baffling “Inquiry Sword Stone test” left some puzzled.
But knowing it was arranged by the Sword Mountain Sect Leader, they accepted it.
Surely… it held some profound meaning.
---
With that, all parties departed.
Several venerable elders of the sect personally saw them off.
As for Xiao Lin, Shen Wuya flicked his sleeve and led him to a quiet chamber.
“Sit anywhere you like,” Shen Wuya said.
With a flick of his wrist, he tossed a stick of incense into the brazier, which ignited without flame.
The room instantly filled with swirling smoke, soothing and calming the spirit.
Xiao Lin sat casually on the floor as instructed.
Shen Wuya smiled faintly, speaking concisely, “Ask.”
Xiao Lin was silent for a moment.
He realized that even apart from Li Changhe and Gu Jianyao, he could still see the comments.
The camera was on him.
This meant...
The current scene was a pivotal moment?
His spirit lifted; this was a perfect chance to enrich his character.
The strong remain strong, their aura intact — indeed, impressive.
But that could only be a popular supporting role.
From the start, he wanted the treatment of a protagonist.
That required more personality.
So Xiao Lin looked bewildered: “Ask what?”
Shen Wuya countered, “Then, Lin’er, what do you think I brought you here for?”
“Isn’t it to give the disciple some special guidance?” Xiao Lin blinked, “After all, only the disciple passed the final trial.”
“Indeed,” Shen Wuya nodded slightly, then shifted tone, “But the grand competition only has eight finalists.”
Xiao Lin was not the least embarrassed, instead chuckling, “Master, you’re mistaken. It should be ‘the disciple sparred with the eight finalists.’ This sparring is just part of the competition; only by including the final illusion challenge can you call it the complete competition.”
“Moreover, it seems that in Master’s eyes, breaking the illusion is more valuable than winning this sparring. Otherwise, why bring me here instead of Senior Brother?”
“Doesn’t that show how far-sighted the disciple is?”
Shen Wuya was speechless, then laughed and teased, “Self-praise indeed.”
“Speak then, what do you want?”
Without hesitation, Xiao Lin said, “The Five Luminaries Emperor Scripture.”
Shen Wuya replied slowly, “The Five Luminaries Emperor Scripture? That is the core art of the Five Luminaries Palace, never passed outside.”
“Mm,” Xiao Lin nodded, “The disciple will never pass it on.”
Smack.
Shen Wuya struck Xiao Lin lightly on the forehead with his sleeve, saying lightly, “You’re so glib. Don’t you understand what I mean?”
Xiao Lin covered his head, unoffended, still smiling, “Just joking. ‘Never passed on’ means never passed on. Master, look at you, so eager.”
Seeing Xiao Lin’s playful demeanor, Shen Wuya found it hard to reconcile with the ruthless junior disciple from moments before.
Yet it was precisely this temperament that reassured Shen Wuya.
He smiled again, “Very well, I will teach you. But don’t put on such an act in front of me again.”