At that very moment, Ling Xian's unique ability to create silence descended once more.
Even the most stone-hearted individuals were rendered speechless by the sight.
Hao Zhen stared in disbelief. Though he had previously mentioned Ling Xian's talent for creating silence, this level of impact was akin to a nuclear blast!
The crowd was clearly too stunned to type.
...
...
Elder Gossip, weathered by countless years, stared with wide, dumbfounded eyes for a full five minutes before finally snapping out of his daze. He frantically typed a reply on the virtual keyboard:
"Student Ling... you must be joking, right?"
"No," Ling Xian replied, his words ringing with unwavering resolve.
"..."
Zhao Ming: "Sigh... I never imagined Ling Xian's family was so impoverished... even his compensation gift was a wooden sword!"
Hao Zhen: "Who could have guessed such a broken soul lay hidden beneath that cold exterior! How can he sleep at night wielding such a weapon? Ling Xian... I'll take good care of you!"
Lianhua: "I'm so sad..."
Xu Yutong: "I need to find Ling Xian a good husband!"
What?! This isn't a BL novel! Stop daydreaming!
Su Xinyi lay in bed, pondering for a moment. She was already planning to launch a crowdfunding campaign through her family's business to buy Ling Xian a pink Immortal Sword—
Ling Xian: "..." Enough!
...
Jujube swords were indeed all the rage back in the day, but as rare treasures flooded the market, its value gradually diminished. Nowadays, only a handful of people can gather the materials to replicate it, and even then, the replicas pale in comparison to the power of Ling Xian's Spirit Sword.
So when Elder Gossip saw that sword on the screen, he was utterly bewildered! This kid must have had a rough childhood...
Normal parents would prioritize choosing their child's first Spirit Sword with great efficiency. He couldn't shake the feeling that these parents simply didn't care!
Even if a child is mischievous and unruly, their education shouldn't be neglected. A suitable sword can make the path of cultivation much smoother.
What era are we living in? Even Holy Swords have evolved to a certain extent! And you're using a sword made from a goddamn lightning-struck tree trunk? Even if you're trying to imitate divine figures and pull off some mystical act, it won't work!
Looking at the photo in the chat, Old Man Gossip sighed. It's about damn time for that home visit!
...
It was Tuesday morning of the third week of the semester, precisely 8:30 AM.
As expected, everyone arrived on time, gathering at the school gate to chat noisily. The school bus they were waiting for arrived just a minute later.
The group traveled light, carrying all their belongings in spatial storage pockets.
The bus pulled up, its doors opened, and the students boarded one by one.
Ling Xian found a seat in the last row.
Hao Zhen and Zhao Ming got on the bus and stared intently at Ling Xian as he sat down. Then, like territorial demons, they each took a seat on either side of him!
Ling Xian: "..."
Ever since Ling Xian revealed his jujube sword, almost all the students who witnessed it had felt pity for him. Even Zhao Ming and Hao Zhen wanted to take care of him!
This terrified Ling Xian. His plan to live a low-profile high school life had completely derailed—after all, the two people now sitting beside him were precisely the ones he should have been wary of.
Only the gods in heaven knew what fate had in store for him...
At this moment, he felt like fate itself was mocking him!
Ling Xian was convinced that his terrible luck meant he had offended the gods.
His gaze fell on Su Xinyi, Xu Yutong, and Lianhua, who were deliberately chatting while holding hands nearby. Even without mind-reading abilities, he was certain Xu Yutong was interpreting Ling Xian and the two boys as a couple!
The sixty-seater bus was now packed like sardines from back to front, with only the front row occupied by the Elder Gossip and the driver. Fortunately, the old man was in a peaceful mood and had brought snacks, so he didn't find the journey boring.
...
Amidst the crowd, Ling Xian habitually remained silent, listening intently to the surrounding chatter and laughter.
Zhao Ming and Hao Zhen's conversation caught his attention.
"Have you heard? They discovered an ancient tomb at the Shanghai Republic Warehouse a few days ago. Experts say it belongs to one of the most thoroughly documented cultivators in history."
The most thoroughly documented cultivators in history...
Ling Xian knew they must be referring to Meng Hao and Su Ming, the legendary pioneers of the Immortal cultivation path.
Before the legendary era that established the Tianxu Kingdom, these two had shaken the very foundations of the cosmos. Ancient records about them dated back to before the Qi Retribution Era—the period following the Qi Clash Era—making them veritable founding ancestors of Immortal cultivation. Now, their glorious past had sunk into the abyss of history.
Recent rumors of their deaths had been swirling, with some calling it a "hoax" and others attributing it to divine will. Both powerhouses had ended their lives in ways that defied easy explanation.
"Right," Zhao Ming nodded. "The news has sparked widespread skepticism among Weibo users. That statement probably originated there, right?"
"Exactly! If true, this would completely overturn our understanding of cultivation!"
Hao Zhen cleared his throat and said mysteriously, "During the excavation of the so-called tomb, one researcher mentioned a golden liquid adhering to the tomb's surface. It's claimed to be a manifestation of Su Ming's 'Berserker Legacy'!"
"But why would it appear in Meng Hao's tomb?" Su Xinyi pressed.
"That's the most baffling part." Hao Zhen shrugged. "Anyway, it's not that complicated. The Meng Family Army claims it's a deliberate fabrication, while the Ming Family Army holds the opposite view. Currently, the two sides haven't reached a consensus."
"If it's a fabrication, why are they even arguing?"
"Exactly! This debate seems utterly pointless..."
Lianhua and Xu Yutong looked equally puzzled.
"You don't get it, do you?" Hao Zhen chuckled. "This situation is like arguing whether feet or thighs are better. Since they can't agree, both armies (fan groups) are simply milking the topic for all its worth, spamming Weibo to stay relevant. They're just chasing emotional engagement, you know? It's a win-win for them, right?"
The group fell silent, their expressions blank.
...