Chapter 38: Protecting the Flower

Generally speaking, during each sect-wide competition, it is rare for disciples to take the initiative to challenge female disciples. What’s more, with Nuolan’s beauty, she could easily captivate countless male disciples. Many of them would be eager to become her chivalrous protector rather than her opponent. But Liufeng was an exception.

Last time, in his pursuit of the Little One, Liufeng had been gravely injured by Yin Tianfang because of Nuolan. He had been publicly humiliated before so many in the Xuan Dao Sect—how could he swallow that insult? In his eyes, there must be some connection between Yin Tianfang and Nuolan. Yet today, amidst the crowd, he had not caught sight of Yin Tianfang.

Liufeng fixed his gaze on Nuolan with a cold sneer. In his mind, as long as Nuolan accepted his challenge, he could suppress her entirely and force Yin Tianfang to reveal himself.

“Liufeng, you’re shameless, challenging a defenseless woman! I’ll fight you instead!” From the crowd, a young man leapt onto the stage, glaring at Liufeng and shouting angrily.

“Hmph, you think yourself fit to play the hero?” Liufeng narrowed his eyes and mocked, “Have you looked in a mirror? Do you really think she’d fancy you?”

“You—” The youth on the stage was furious. With a roar, he charged at Liufeng, his fist swinging in anger.

“You really overestimate yourself,” Liufeng scoffed, extending his hand and grasping at the air. A surge of powerful spiritual energy exploded forth, forming an invisible giant hand that seized the oncoming youth. Then, a fireball appeared, hovering before Liufeng.

“Go!” With a flick of his finger, the fireball shot toward the youth, striking him with a bang and sending him flying back, blood spraying from his mouth.

“I’ll take you on!” Another youth leapt onto the stage, rushing at Liufeng without hesitation. Liufeng remained indifferent. He stamped his foot, his entire figure darting forward as his spirit energy-wrapped fist crashed into the charging youth.

Bang!

With a dull thud, the youth was sent flying backward even faster than he’d attacked, barely able to put up a defense.

“Anyone else? Come all at once! Today I’ll show you—if you don’t have the strength, train honestly. If you want to play protector, wait until you’re strong enough!” His sharp eyes swept over the crowd, and every outer-sect disciple caught in Liufeng’s gaze quickly looked away, not daring to meet his eyes. Liufeng’s strength was undeniable. At this moment, it seemed no outer-sect disciple could stand against him.

Up on the high platform, the elders of the Xuan Dao Sect and the heads of the major families watched Liufeng with surprise. Half a month ago, he had already been strong, but not so overwhelmingly so. Clearly, his abilities had greatly improved over the past fortnight, allowing him to dominate the outer disciples so thoroughly today.

Now, it seemed only the inner-sect disciples could challenge Liufeng!

“Master Liu, your son’s talent is truly astonishing.” Several people remarked to the Liu family’s patriarch. He smiled modestly, waving a hand. “Not at all, he’s just a bit hardworking, that’s all.”

Though he spoke with humility, he clearly relished the praise. Seeing his son stand out among so many, especially humiliating the outer disciples in front of such a crowd, made him beam with pride.

“Sister Nuolan, how long do you plan to hide?” With no one else stepping forward, Liufeng turned his attention back to Nuolan. Her face flushed, delicate fists clenched—this was sheer bullying.

Just as Nuolan prepared to step onto the stage, a figure emerged from the crowd, calmly approaching the platform.

“It’s Lin Tian—he’s actually going up!” The onlookers began to murmur, watching Lin Tian’s smiling approach. This promised to be a spectacle.

The Lin and Liu families were evenly matched in strength. Lin Tian and Liufeng had no particular enmity, but everyone knew Lin Tian was deeply enamored with Nuolan, doing everything possible to win her affection, though without success so far.

“I wonder who’s stronger, Lin Tian or Liufeng?”

“Who knows? I think Senior Brother Liufeng is a bit stronger,” someone whispered, watching Liufeng’s steady presence.

“But he’s already fought so many rounds, so it could be dangerous for him now.”

“If Senior Brother Lin Tian can defeat Liufeng, perhaps Nuolan will finally accept him. This is a golden opportunity he surely won't miss—this is bound to be a fierce contest.”

Amid the discussion, Lin Tian strode toward the stage. As he passed Nuolan, he paused and smiled, “Don’t worry, as long as I’m here, no one will harm you.”

Nuolan opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Lin Tian continued, “No need to worry, I’ll be fine.” Without waiting for her reply, he vaulted onto the stage.

“Sister, that guy is so full of himself,” Qingluo wrinkled her nose, clearly displeased as she watched Lin Tian’s back. Nuolan, too, could only shake her head helplessly.

Several female disciples regarded Nuolan with barely concealed hostility. Which young girl doesn’t dream of love? In the Xuan Dao Sect, many outer disciples secretly admired Lin Tian. Yet, while the falling petals were willing, the flowing stream was indifferent—Lin Tian’s heart was set solely on Nuolan.

“Hmph, little vixen—so what if she’s pretty? She’s just a vase, nothing special,” some girls muttered enviously. Though their voices were low, Qingluo and Nuolan heard them. Nuolan remained calm, but Qingluo was visibly agitated.

“Sister, did you hear what they’re saying…”

“They can say whatever they like—it’s their mouths, after all,” Nuolan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, helplessly. She glanced at Liufeng on the stage and frowned.

“Lin Tian, you’re not my match. Save yourself the embarrassment,” Liufeng said coldly.

“Hmph, it’s not up to words to decide strength. Whether I’m your match or not, we’ll see after the fight!” Lin Tian retorted. With Nuolan watching, he could not afford to lose, or he’d never have the face to pursue her again.

On the high platform, the Liu family patriarch glanced at Lin Tian, then at the Lin patriarch beside him, and chuckled, “Your son’s cultivation isn’t bad, but a little inferior to mine.”

“So what? My Tian’er is younger than your son,” Lin’s patriarch replied with a hint of displeasure.

“Haha, that’s true,” the Liu patriarch laughed, then fell silent, his gaze fixed on Liufeng with growing pride.

On the stage, as soon as Lin Tian finished speaking, he stamped his foot and shot forward, charging straight at Liufeng…