The Villainous Eldest Senior Brother and His Yandere Junior Sisters

"Thank you, Master, for taking the blame for me!"

At that moment, an unbearable bitterness filled Lin Xiao's heart. Thinking of the woman before him, who had given everything for him over these years, while he, like an ungrateful wretch, had only ever wanted to escape... A wave of guilt he couldn't place washed over him!

"But… Ye Chen isn't dead yet?" It was only then that he belatedly recalled something.

"Neither alive nor dead, merely a shell. I fear he'll struggle to achieve anything more. Your strike, it was truly precise and ruthless." As Xiao Hongling spoke of this, a hint of pleasure touched her red lips.

"By the way, Master," Lin Xiao began hesitantly, "the princess of the Nanzhao Kingdom said she could save Huaizhen. So, under my arrangements, we borrowed the Xuantian Ice Cellar deep within your Blessed Abode…"

"It's fine, use it if you must." Xiao Hongling waved her hand dismissively. "You all know my nature. As long as you need it, you four are always free to enter and leave my Lotus Cave Mansion."

"Wow! Master is the greatest!"

"Master's magnanimity is an example for all the Chairmen of Qinglan!"

The three girls, initially somewhat apprehensive, erupted in excited cheers upon hearing this.

"What's all the excitement about?" Xiao Hongling raised an eyebrow. "I have even greater news for you."

"What is it? Please tell us, Master," Lin Xiao asked, intrigued.

"Xiao'er, your battle with Ye Chen today was observed in its entirety by True Monarch Taiwu through the Extreme Seeing Water Mirror. He was thoroughly impressed with you." Xiao Hongling glided over, her long legs clad in black silk, and patted her beloved disciple's shoulder before continuing, "Furthermore, upon my recommendation, True Monarch Taiwu has personally decreed that this year's Martial Arts Tournament concludes now, with you as the Martial Champion. Tomorrow, you are to go to Mount Taicang to receive his legacy!"

Good heavens! Lin Xiao's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. He knew, of course, what this signified. In the original novel, Ye Chen, after winning the championship, was summoned to Mount Taicang the very next day to meet True Monarch Taiwu! Afterwards, this True Monarch would not only grant him a Sword Intent Baptism but also open his Spiritual Perception Eye, projecting the exact burial location of the Qinglan Sect's ultimate treasure—the Qinglan Sword—and revealing it to him! And yes, it was hidden within the Sword Tomb Secret Realm!

This blasted lousy system already gave me the Qinglan Sword ahead of schedule! Tomorrow is going to be a massive, awkward mess, isn't it? Lin Xiao lamented internally.

However, since he had already resolved to stay, to joyfully cultivate towards immortality alongside his junior martial sisters and Master, and to strive for the pinnacle, then naturally, he would not refuse True Monarch Taiwu's Sword Intent inheritance! From this day forward, Lin Xiao vowed he must seize every opportunity, every fortuitous event that could make him stronger!

"Your disciple understands! I shall certainly journey to Mount Taicang tomorrow as appointed to receive the True Monarch's guidance!" Lin Xiao declared, clasping his hands in a salute.

"Mm-hmm, that's my good boy." Seeing her disciple so readily accept her arrangements for the first time, Xiao Hongling felt a surge of pleasant surprise, her red lips curving upwards, almost breaking into a laugh. She recalled how, when she had first imparted Sword Intent and taught him sword techniques, this boy had been sullen and thoroughly dejected!

Xiao Hongling, now in excellent spirits, continued, "Alright, alright. Now that you are the Martial Champion of this tournament, before you head to Mount Taicang tomorrow, I've decided to follow the example of the other Chairmen. Just for once, let's be conventional and host a celebratory feast tonight at Fairy Cliff. Tonight, we, master and disciples, shall revel and not return until we're thoroughly drunk!

"As for guests... not too many. Just our fifty junior sisters from the inner sect, and you, the Eldest Senior Brother, will suffice! What do you all think?"

"Wonderful, Master!"

"After five years, Eldest Senior Brother has once again won the championship for our Divine Phoenix Peak! This truly calls for a grand celebration!"

The thought of drinking freely with their Eldest Senior Brother tonight filled the three girls with eager anticipation, and they readily agreed, each harboring her own fancies.

Lin Xiao, however, felt his lower body tighten, a sense of unease creeping in. He had a distinct feeling that tonight... something was going to happen! Something major!

"Alright, alright, you three may withdraw for now," Xiao Hongling suddenly said, clearing her throat. "Your Master has private matters to discuss with your Eldest Senior Brother."

"Yes, Master!"

At that moment, the image of their Master and Eldest Senior Brother holding hands during the mobilization meeting flashed through the minds of all three girls. Despite the lingering resentment in their hearts, they could only clench their teeth and withdraw.

In an instant, atop the mist-wreathed precipice, only the master and disciple remained, facing each other—a picturesque scene, like a pair of celestial lovers.

"Master, I…" Sensing the awkwardness in the air, Lin Xiao was about to speak when she interrupted him.

"Xiao'er, tell your Master the truth. In today's battle with Ye Chen, before Huaizhen even entered the arena, were you… deliberately seeking defeat?!" As she uttered these last three words, Xiao Hongling's expression turned solemn, her tone icy—a stark contrast to her demeanor just moments before.

Lin Xiao's heart sank as well, leaving him somewhat at a loss.

"Xiao'er, ah, do you have any idea how much heart and soul your Master has poured into you over these years? I believe, if you truly knew, you wouldn't have the heart to disappoint your Master so…" Xiao Hongling sighed softly, her tone considerably gentler, seemingly devoid of accusation.

Lin Xiao's gaze slowly drifted from those black silk-clad legs up to her exquisitely beautiful face. Only then did he notice that his Master's eyes were somewhat reddened and glistening with unshed tears!

Seeing her like this, Lin Xiao was instantly overcome with emotion. Indeed. Whether she knew the future plot or not, she had done so much, all to help him alter his fated path! And what of him? Instead of actively trying to change, he had been constantly slacking off, disappointing her repeatedly!

After silently berating himself for a while, Lin Xiao, his expression earnest, bowed deeply to the beautiful woman before him—the one to whom he owed a debt of upbringing and care.

"Master, I was wrong!"

"To borrow your words from today, from this day forth… you will witness your disciple's most formidable presence in this world!"

"I, Lin Xiao, hereby vow! As long as I draw breath, I will ensure Divine Phoenix Peak stands secure for ten thousand generations, and all its members shall achieve ascension!" Lin Xiao proclaimed, each word deliberate.

This wasn't entirely empty boasting. After all, as someone privy to the two million words of plot spanning the first eight volumes, he possessed the confidence to protect those around him!

"Xiao'er, you, you mustn't…"

"Heavens! You foolish boy! Your Master didn't mean to blame you!" Seeing her disciple's eyes welling with tears, his face etched with sorrow, Xiao Hongling's heart instantly melted, and she quickly moved towards him.

Yet, no matter how she tried to console him, the young man before her remained steeped in his painful expression.

Could it be… my words earlier were too severe?

I never imagined this child, who usually appears so carefree and nonchalant, is actually so introverted and sensitive underneath.

Sigh, but how should I comfort him now?

Could it be… I have to cuddle and soothe him like when he was little?

Seeing her disciple's expression grow increasingly sorrowful, as if trapped in some irresolvable emotion, Xiao Hongling felt utterly conflicted! At this, she suddenly recalled the scene in the Blessed Abode that day, and a crimson blush spread across her cheeks.

So be it. This once! Just this once… after all, this boy… seems to like it.

Xiao Hongling gently bit her lip. Her tall, exquisitely sculpted figure bent slightly as she took her disciple's hand… Then, she guided it to gently rest upon her own black silk-clad thigh!

My heavens!

What is she doing!?

My dearest Master, no higher! Please, no higher! My Formless Sword Body can't withstand this! My True Yuan is about to irreverently erupt upon your leg! AAAHH!!!