Chapter 268: Chapter 268 Can’t Talk Anymore
The atmosphere in the courtyard gradually quieted.
Chen Pingping was on alert, searching for an escape route, but an Array blocked his way, filling him with immense frustration.
The Headmaster looked at him with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, remaining silent for a long time.
It was not until a figure in the darkness departed that he narrowed his gaze and asked, "What realm are you at now?"
"Divine King!" Chen Pingping replied.
"Tell the truth!"
"Divine King Ninth Heaven."
"There’s no point in talking any further." The Headmaster shook his head. "This is meaningless. You’d better say your last words now!"
That was a threat.
Chen Pingping scowled and said, "Alright! I admit, I’m currently at the Peak State of the Divine King."
The Headmaster stared intently at him.
Considering Chen Pingping’s age, reaching the Peak State of the Divine King wasn’t particularly remarkable. The real question is, can someone at the Peak State of the Divine King traverse the Spatial Barrier?
Clearly not.
Can the Peak State of the Divine King defeat Jin Chan?
The answer was also no.
Even if Chen Pingping achieved the Emperor’s Road now, he probably still wouldn’t be a match for Jin Chan.
After pondering for a moment, the Headmaster had his answer. He said, "For this period, you’ll stay in the academy to cultivate. A year from now, you will fight Jin Chan. Only then can you set off with the little princess."
Chen Pingping’s eyes widened. "On what grounds?"
"On the grounds that I know your identity and origin," the Headmaster said with a smile. "You still intend to target the little princess, and the empire’s Heaven Tao Divine Weapon, the Phoenix Cauldron. If this information were to get out, do you think you could leave this place alive?"
Chen Pingping’s face turned pale. He gritted his teeth, his expression defiant, as if he would rather die than submit.
He had hastily agreed to Jin Chan’s terms merely to dismiss the fellow temporarily, not to actually fight Jin Chan a year later.
Only a fool would fight him.
Besides the matter of Jin Chan, he had far too many other things to handle. The Phoenix Cauldron was one, following his Master’s trail was another, and then there were the system tasks: Emperor’s Pet War Spirit.
So far, there had been no news whatsoever.
Asking him to stay in the academy for a year—what difference was there from simply killing him?
"That is the first condition. The second condition is to become Lin Yuexin’s Tao Companion," the Headmaster said with a smile.
"Impossible!" Chen Pingping immediately jumped up, furious. "Absolutely impossible! Old man, don’t go too far!"
He knew full well what kind of temperament Lin Yuexin had; becoming her Tao Companion would be utter suicide.
He didn’t want to die.
Even though Lin Yuexin couldn’t defeat him, the mental torture might be even more brutal.
The Headmaster pointed in a certain direction and said, "The upper echelons of the Imperial Court have never trusted you; they are constantly spying on your every move. Should they find even the slightest hint of something amiss, you might not live to see another day."
Chen Pingping clenched his teeth, saying nothing, feeling as sick to his stomach as if he had eaten shit.
After decades of cultivation, to be threatened by an old man. Infuriating!
He didn’t want to stay in the academy for a year, nor did he want to become Lin Yuexin’s Tao Companion, but... it seemed he had no choice.
This old man was powerful, unbeatable. Even if he managed to escape by some fluke, the old man could instantly expose his identity and origins, leaving him with no sanctuary in the entire Spirit Realm.
"Staying in the academy to cultivate for one year is acceptable, but I resolutely refuse to be Lin Yuexin’s Tao Companion," Chen Pingping said stubbornly.
"You have no choice."
"Damn it!" Chen Pingping was fuming. "The academy has countless young talents, each stronger and more handsome than the last! Why don’t you just find one of them for her?"
The Headmaster nodded. "You make a good point, but... in the entire Spirit Realm, only you cultivate that specific Tao."
Chen Pingping was shocked.
The Headmaster continued, "Lin Yuexin possesses a Reincarnation Body, though it has not yet awakened. I have attempted to guide her awakening before, but all attempts failed. You, however, cultivate the Six Tao of Reincarnation Skill. If you two become Tao Companions, perhaps you might be able to awaken the Reincarnation within her. Of course... you wouldn’t lose out either."
That was well said.
Chen Pingping’s eyes were wide, ready to object, but upon careful thought, he indeed wouldn’t lose out.
Lin Yuexin was, after all, ranked the third greatest genius among the younger generation. She had the figure, the looks, and considerable strength with formidable combat abilities.
Aside from her rather fiery temper, she was excellent in all other respects.
Indeed, becoming her Tao Companion wouldn’t be a loss. But... he was busy!
After dealing with the Phoenix Cauldron affair, he still had to prevent the three great dynasties from searching for the Undying Furnace. Next, there was the issue with his Master. Lastly, he had to find the Emperor’s Pet War Spirit from the system tasks.
Sigh. Chen Pingping exhaled a breath of turbid air and said, "Can I sleep with her?"
"Heh?" The Headmaster smiled. "If you can conquer her, then do as you please."
Chen Pingping was speechless.
Got it! Pretend to be Tao Companions, and then use him to awaken the Reincarnation within Lin Yuexin’s body. This old man is cunning! But where in the world is there such a cheap deal?
Chen Pingping snorted coldly and said, "Staying in the academy to cultivate for a year is fine, and becoming Lin Yuexin’s Tao Companion is also fine, but I have conditions."
"Speak!"
"I want the academy to help me find the exact location of the Undying Furnace. Secondly... investigate the Emperor’s Pet War Spirit," he said.
"Oh?" The Headmaster frowned, looking puzzled.
Investigating the Undying Furnace was understandable. Chen Pingping was originally from the Heaven Martial continent, and he had entered the Spirit Realm to prevent the three great dynasties from invading Heaven Martial.
But what did he mean by Emperor’s Pet War Spirit?
Seeing his expression, Chen Pingping explained, "It’s a Spiritual Beast. As for its species, bloodline rank, or appearance, I’m not very clear myself."
The Headmaster nodded. "That can be done!"
"The third condition is, if you dare expose my secrets, you are a puppy," Chen Pingping said angrily.
"Deal!" The Headmaster smiled.
「Above the ruins.」
Lin Yuexin slowly opened her eyes. She saw a large group of people gathered around, animatedly discussing something, their expressions peculiar. She furrowed her brows, swept her gaze over the scene, and asked, "Where is Chen Pingping?"
"He went with the Headmaster!" someone answered.
The Headmaster? That damn bastard!
Lin Yuexin’s face darkened as she charged straight towards the depths of the academy.
By that time, the two had already reached an agreement. Just as Chen Pingping walked out of the small courtyard, preparing to retrieve Lin Yuexin’s "corpse," Lin Yuexin drew her sword.
The latter cried out, "Old man, save me!"
The Headmaster waved his large sleeve, blocking the sword strike, and said, "No recklessness. Both of you, come in!"
"Master, that Chen Pingping is a scoundrel! At the Holy Pool, he..."
Before she could finish, the Headmaster interrupted, "I know."
Lin Yuexin stared with wide eyes. You knew? You knew and you still didn’t kill that bastard?
The Headmaster spoke with deep significance, "Yuexin, my dear, there is something I want to tell you." He paused, then added, "First, put down your sword."
Hearing those words, Lin Yuexin instantly became wary. Every time the Headmaster called her ’Yuexin’ in that tone, it was sure to be bad news.
As expected...
The first thing the Headmaster said was, "You two shall become Tao Companions!"
"Impossible!" Lin Yuexin exclaimed, her eyes nearly popping out of their sockets as she glared murderously at Chen Pingping.
Chen Pingping rolled his eyes. You find it impossible? I, Chen Pingping, am even less keen!
"Put down your sword. What are you doing?" the Headmaster asked, displeased. "Are you not listening to me anymore?"
Lin Yuexin was furious. "Master, I will never become his Tao Companion!"