C20 Reverse!

Upon hearing her words, Lin Tian regarded Xiao Waner with newfound respect. He recognized the genuine sincerity in her voice; she harbored no resentment towards him, only self-reproach. Nodding in agreement, Lin Tian channeled a gentle yet fiery stream of Inner Strength into Xiao Waner, reassuring her, "If I say you'll be fine, then you'll be fine. Just trust me."

With the infusion of Lin Tian's power, Xiao Waner's aura steadied significantly, prompting her to nod in gratitude.

The guards nearby exchanged glances, their eyes betraying a hint of scorn. Did Lin Tian really think he could play the hero at a time like this, attempting a daring rescue? To them, it seemed no different from a death wish.

"Vice Pavilion Master Wang, that youngster has breached the heart of our Spiritual Energy Pavilion!"

An irate voice cut through the air as Master Zhang approached with a middle-aged man clad in black. The guards swiftly cleared a path, bowing their heads in deference. Vice Pavilion Master Wang strode past them, barely acknowledging Lin Tian, and made his way directly into the Array Compass chamber of the Spiritual Energy Pavilion.

Upon entering, Vice Pavilion Master Wang was visibly shaken. The Array Compass, though intact, showed signs of significant wear—a clear indication of excessive use.

His earlier estimates had the Array Compass sustaining the Spiritual Energy Pavilion's vital energy for a decade. Now, due to the heavy siphoning of energy, its lifespan was halved to a mere five years.

"Curse it! Elder Zhang! Is this how you guard our Spirit Gathering Array Compass?" he bellowed, chilling the air with his fury.

"Vice Pavilion Master Wang! The fault is indeed mine, and I won't shy away from that responsibility. But primarily, the blame lies with this young man!"

"Can this boy possibly compensate for the Spirit Gathering Array Compass? And what about you, Elder Zhang? Can you?"

Elder Zhang's complexion blanched, and he found himself at a loss for words.

"Enough, I can no longer manage this situation. I've already notified the Pavilion Master, and he will be arriving shortly!"

The Pavilion Master was on his way.

Elder Zhang's body shook violently. Clasping his fists and bowing deeply, he implored, "Vice Pavilion Master Wang... I beg you, consider my years of service to the pavilion and plead with the Pavilion Master for leniency on my behalf..."

"This is beyond the realm of personal sentiment," Vice Pavilion Master Wang replied icily. "The decision rests with the Pavilion Master, especially since this concerns the profits of our Spiritual Energy Pavilion over many decades."

"Elder Zhang, consider carefully how you will justify this to the Pavilion Master," he added.

Elder Zhang shuddered, then protested, "I admit to my negligence, but the true culprits are this young man and the maid! Had she not brought him into the Heaven Level Spiritual Energy Room, and had he not entered the core chamber, none of this would have occurred! Vice Pavilion Master Wang, I trust you will scrutinize the matter closely!"

"Rest assured, the issue has arisen, and those responsible will not be spared," Vice Pavilion Master Wang stated coldly, his gaze shifting to Lin Tian and Xiao Waner, his eyes brimming with a chilling intent, as if he were staring at the condemned.

Lin Tian, who had been silently listening since Vice Pavilion Master Wang's arrival, now understood that the crux of the issue was the damage to the Spirit Gathering Array Compass. He nodded and addressed him, "So you're the Vice Pavilion Master of the Spiritual Energy Pavilion? As such, you ought to be fair. First off, there were no clear markings in the central area of the Heaven Level Spiritual Energy Room to prohibit entry. That's not my fault. Second, if your pavilion's maidservants weren't informed of this, you can't fault them either. Ignorance is not a crime, as they say. And for a business such as yours, shouldn't common sense prevail? Or is it your practice to entrap and exploit your guests for profit?"

His words left everyone in the room dumbfounded.

"How dare you! Insolent boy, spouting such nonsense!" Vice Pavilion Master Wang exploded. "The Spiritual Energy Pavilion is a reputable organization; we would never stoop to cheating our guests! Your accusations are an affront to our pavilion—you're seeking your own demise!"

Elder Zhang let out a roar, his body suddenly erupting with a warrior's killing intent as he charged at Lin Tian!

Yet Lin Tian stood motionless, seemingly unaffected by the murderous aura, and calmly responded, "I'm simply discussing the facts and posing legitimate inquiries. Why the rush? Are you truly contemplating murder to silence me? If that's your intention, go ahead, but do you possess the necessary strength?"

Boom!

As he spoke, a fiery energy burst forth from Lin Tian, causing the guards encircling him to stagger back, and even the elder before him reeled, retreating three steps with a look of astonishment in his eyes.

"You... How is this possible!"

Elder Zhang had not anticipated that Lin Tian, a mere youth, could exude such a robust presence!

Vice Pavilion Master Wang was equally taken aback. He could sense the formidable nature of Lin Tian's energy, a clear indication of a Spirit Body awakening at the Martial Artist Stage.

For a teenager to reach the Martial Artist Stage at fourteen or fifteen was a mark of genius, not to mention the awakening of a Spirit Body. Naturally, Vice Pavilion Master Wang regarded Lin Tian with newfound seriousness.

"Wang Zhan, what is happening here!"

Simultaneously, a chilly voice echoed from a nearby corridor as a middle-aged man clad in a black robe, a black longsword at his waist, strode into the area.

His steps were large and commanding, his mere walk exuding an overwhelming presence, as if he could move mountains and part seas. His eyes were cold, merciless, with a piercing sharpness that hinted at a readiness to act decisively.

"Wow, the Spiritual Energy Pavilion Master himself has arrived!"

"The Spiritual Energy Pavilion Master is among the elite masters of our Celestial Dragon Country, known for his swift and decisive actions. This young man may have impressive skills, but against the Pavilion Master, I fear he's in for a dire fate!"

The surrounding onlookers exchanged whispers, their eyes filled with awe.

They were well aware of Spiritual Energy Pavilion Master Liu Cheng's formidable reputation. Rumored to have reached Level Nine of the Martial Cultivator Stage, his power was immense, and even the royal family had honored him with the title of Imperial Guest Elder. A man of significant influence throughout the Celestial Dragon Country, his personal intervention meant Lin Tian was in for a serious challenge.

"Peak of the Martial Cultivator Stage Level Nine?"

Upon just one glance, Lin Tian sensed the formidable inner strength and the piercing sword qi within the man's body, prompting him to take the situation more seriously.

"Wang Zhan, tell me exactly what happened!"

Wang Zhan's body jolted as he respectfully reported, "Pavilion Master, Elder Zhang was repairing a crack in the Earth Level Spiritual Energy Room and got careless. That's when someone breached the core room of our Heaven Level Spiritual Energy Room—and that someone is this young man..."

Wang Zhan quickly relayed the events, which immediately sent Liu Cheng into a rage. His gaze snapped to Lin Tian as he bellowed, "You've got some nerve, trespassing into the heart of my Spiritual Energy Pavilion without authorization!"

Whoosh!

With his roar, a fearsome aura of murderous intent burst forth from Liu Cheng, throwing the atmosphere of the entire Heaven Level Spiritual Energy Room into disarray. Sword qi lashed out wildly, leaving countless sword scars on those nearby.

Yet there stood Lin Tian, shielding Xiao Waner, unscathed as the lethal energy and sword qi surged around him.

"Oh!"

Liu Cheng's eyes narrowed, but Lin Tian spoke calmly, "I see no point in rehashing the obvious. As a martial cultivator at the Peak of Level Nine, you ought to have keen eyesight. Why not take a closer look at your Spirit Gathering Array Compass? See what's been added to the wear and tear."

The crowd paused, puzzled by the turn of events, while Liu Cheng's gaze flickered and he re-entered the room housing the Array Compass.

He scrutinized it for a full fifteen minutes.

Emerging with a dark countenance, Liu Cheng's mood had clearly not improved.

The onlookers smirked coldly, assuming Lin Tian was merely bluffing.

Elder Zhang, infuriated, addressed the Pavilion Master, "There's no need to indulge this boy any longer! Just give the command, and I'll incapacitate him—break his limbs and leave him at your mercy! He can afford the Heaven Level spiritual energy room, so he must have connections. We'll demand compensation from his family. If they can't pay up, we'll deal with them all..."

Crack!

Before Elder Zhang could get a word out, a resounding slap cut him off. He was sent flying, crashing through the corridor wall and tumbling into a room brimming with vital energy, blood gushing from his mouth.

Jaws dropped all around.

To their shock, the assailant wasn't Lin Tian, but Pavilion Master Liu Cheng himself!

"You blind fool, silence! Show another ounce of disrespect to this young master, and I'll sever your wretched head!" Liu Cheng's icy rebuke left everyone dumbfounded.

Elder Zhang lay there, bloodied and dazed, utterly clueless about the turn of events.

Vice Pavilion Master Wang Zhan was equally taken aback, his eyes flickering with uncertainty, unsure of his next move.

But this was just the start. Liu Cheng, with a bow and his fists clasped, addressed Lin Tian with a forced smile, "Esteemed young master, my apologies for my subordinate's blindness and offense. I beg your forgiveness. May I inquire about your esteemed family? Should you be inclined to share, please do. Your assistance to our Spiritual Energy Pavilion today cannot go unrecognized; we owe you a significant debt of gratitude."

The crowd, already in a state of shock, was now completely petrified.

Young master? Esteemed? And Liu Cheng was apologizing to Lin Tian?

What in the world was happening?

Vice Pavilion Master Wang Zhan pinched himself, questioning the reality before him.

Lin Tian remained aloof, "Forgiveness is unnecessary. It's common for the inexperienced to fail to recognize true value. As for my family's whereabouts and your offer of compensation, neither is needed. I have pressing matters to attend to, so I must take my leave."

Eyes widened in disbelief.

Just who was this Lin Tian, speaking with such authority? And Liu Cheng, why did he seem to accept it as if it were his due? What exactly was going on?

"Of course, of course. It's only natural for a Young Master of such esteemed lineage to prefer solitude over our company," Liu Cheng agreed with a nod. "But Young Master, regarding the wear and tear on the Spirit Gathering Array Compass..."