Chapter 1248: First Encounter
Just as she was about to intervene, someone arrived at the scene first.
"Cheng!!"
The white sharp sword slashed by Lin Yifan was effortlessly caught between two fingers, unable to move an inch.
Everyone had witnessed Lin Yifan's prowess; anyone who could take Lin Yifan's powerful strike so easily must be at least at the True Master Realm.
But among the True Master Realm experts present, apart from the third senior sister, there was no one else.
This raised the question, since the third senior sister was still in place and hadn't moved, who was the person who intervened?
Everyone was puzzled and thus shifted their attention to the person who intervened.
When they saw the person's face, they realized it was the eldest senior brother, Bai Chu.
Bai Chu was Qiu Yi's "boss", so it wasn't surprising he stepped in to save Qiu Yi; it's just that he had been in seclusion for cultivation recently, so why did he suddenly come out?
Looking at this unfamiliar face, Lin Yifan felt a deep sense of hostility.
He didn't know who the person was, but the identity must be significant, judging by the reverent gazes of the people around.
Not many could command the respect of those proud disciples from the Medicinal Saint Valley; besides having a higher realm than them, it's usually those with senior status, so he vaguely guessed who the person was.
It's either the second senior brother or the eldest senior brother, and given Qiu Yi's previous actions were directed at Xiaofang, he felt the likelihood of the eldest senior brother was higher.
"Who are you?" Lin Yifan asked.
Everything was conjecture, so he wanted to clarify.
"Yifan! He is the eldest senior brother, quickly put your sword down."
Xiaofang answered first, revealing the intervening man's identity.
Regarding Bai Chu, she had a strange feeling of debt, possibly stemming from the surrounding disciples' gossip.
"Eldest senior brother? So you are Bai Chu?"
Lin Yifan wasn't overly surprised since it matched his speculation.
"That's right!"
Bai Chu released his two fingers and replied with a smile, changing from his previous sternness.
In public, he had to put on an act, especially with the young junior sister present. If there were no others around, perhaps his attitude towards Lin Yifan wouldn't be so amicable.
"I've heard of the eldest senior brother's exceptional martial arts skills; seeing it today, it truly lives up to its reputation."
Lin Yifan praised insincerely, giving Bai Chu some face, as a form of reciprocation.
If he didn't show humility, it would make him seem unfriendly, arrogant, and rude.
Moreover, the other's strength was indeed formidable, he had no choice but to concede.
"You're too kind, junior brother. I've heard you're quite strong yourself."
"Everything is just rumors; eldest senior brother shouldn't take them seriously."
"Hehe, rumors sometimes can be grounded in truth!"
Bai Chu replied with a smile, seemingly implying more than he said.
Lin Yifan caught the underlying meaning.
Bai Chu appeared to be talking about Lin Yifan's strength, but he was actually referring to the rumors of him vying for the position of the Young Valley Master.
He truly had no interest in the Young Valley Master position, so he laid it out for Bai Chu: "If the eldest senior brother is serious, then he is mistaken."
If the other party insisted, he would have no choice but to teach a lesson to the fool with his strength.
"Haha, of course I don't believe it's true." Bai Chu responded with laughter, though inwardly he remained skeptical.
Many disciples were puzzled by the eldest senior brother's words.
The eldest senior brother didn't think the rumors were true, meaning he didn't internally acknowledge Lin Yifan as a young hero, publicly belittling him!
"The eldest senior brother's words have a provocative tone."
"There's a strong sense of gunpowder."
"Could this lead to another big clash?"
...
The third senior sister, Mao Yingnan, couldn't bear it anymore, came over and angrily rebuked: "Hey! Bai Chu, this junior brother is very strong, alright? In the same realm, I'm not his match."
"Haha! Really? Then I misspoke earlier, I take back what I said then."
Bai Chu shook his head silently, realizing only he and Lin Yifan understood the conversation earlier.
Actually, Xiaofang also understood; she didn't expect the eldest senior brother really cared about Lin Yifan competing for his seat. Luckily, Lin Yifan had no desire to be involved in this dispute, otherwise, she wouldn't know whom to side with.
"Originally, it was wrong, as an elder, you didn't reflect on your behavior, who will respect you in the future?" Mao Yingnan was furious, truly too angry.
"Yes, yes, I should reflect, I should reflect!"
Bai Chu shook his head bitterly, helpless with this straightforward junior sister.
The topic ran off track for a bit. Lin Yifan wanted to teach Qiu Yi a lesson, so he asked: "Eldest senior brother, I want to discipline the wicked dog, don't stop me."
The sudden angry phrase broke the atmosphere and brought the matter back to the original point.
Bai Chu instantly withdrew his smile and responded: "This... I'm afraid that's not possible."
His attitude was firm, making his intention very clear, today he was going to protect Qiu Yi.
As a leader, if he couldn't even protect his underlings, then no one would follow him in the future, so he needed to establish authority.
"Why? Is this wicked dog one of the eldest senior brother's?"
Lin Yifan feigned curiosity, inquired with curiosity, his words full of mockery.
"Pfft!"
The disciples from the Medicinal Saint Valley couldn't help but laugh, Lin Yifan really dared to say anything, even daring to mock the eldest senior brother publicly.
"Yifan, don't be so disrespectful."
Xiaofang was anxious, the last thing she wanted to see was Lin Yifan falling out with the eldest senior brother.
If the two clashed, she truly wouldn't know which side to support.
"Where was I disrespectful? This wicked dog was barking at you just now, ruining your mood, isn't it reasonable for me to discipline it?" Lin Yifan questioned righteously.
This made Bai Chu opposite feel quite embarrassed.
Everyone knows that Junior Sister Xiaofang and him were childhood friends, and now he's helping the wicked dog that offended Junior Sister Xiaofang. If word got out, they would say he was heartless and unfit to be Junior Sister Xiaofang's eldest senior brother.
After thinking it over, he suddenly opened his mouth in a furious reprimand: "Bastard! Who told you to insult Junior Sister Xiaofang? Do you have any regard for seniority?"
"Eldest senior brother... I..."
Qiu Yi wanted to explain, but Bai Chu cut him off: "No need to explain, quickly apologize to your Senior Sister Xiaofang, then slap yourself ten times in front of everyone, and say 'I am a beast'."
"Eldest senior brother, why do you..."
"Do I need to make it any clearer?"
Bai Chu gave Qiu Yi a furious look, letting him weigh his options.
Qiu Yi swallowed his words, then obediently did as Bai Chu instructed.
He dared not offend the eldest senior brother, or there would be no good days ahead.
Moreover, the punishment from the eldest senior brother was light; if he let Lin Yifan punish him, it would be worse, so he might as well follow through.
He bent over in front of Xiaofang and apologized: "Senior Sister Xiaofang, I'm sorry, my mouth was foul earlier, if I brought any trouble to you, please forgive me."
After saying that, he publicly slapped himself and insulted himself.