Yanyun carefully observed Chen Baiqing, noticing she showed no signs of embarrassment. Her imitation of a cat’s meow sounded quite adorable—not laughable, but rather the kind that made one want to reach out and pet her.
Indeed, if the person themselves didn’t mind, then those actions and the content of the shouts weren’t really a big deal. After all, nothing had truly crossed the boundaries of decency.
Her gaze shifted to her master, only to find him relaxed and thoroughly enjoying himself, participating with great interest.
Putting aside everything else, this lively game and the meticulously designed special effects clearly indicated it was a carefully crafted experience. If one didn’t overthink it, it was undeniably fun.
As Chen Baiqing completed her penalty, Zhou Ping tossed the dice representing Bai Xuanling.
Two dice rolled across the board.
One landed on three, while the other tumbled twice before stopping on two under Lv Xuan’s wide-eyed stare.
As the dice settled, Chu Xingchen, impartial as ever, moved Bai Xuanling’s icon forward step by step.
Lv Xuan’s eyes remained fixed as the icon landed squarely on a penalty square.
No way…?
Seriously?
Was this game truly fair? Wasn’t Bai Xuanling just using it as an excuse to mess with him?
Was it really impartial?
Was this even the same Bai Xuanling? Since when had he changed his temperament?
Lv Xuan looked up at Bai Xuanling in surprise, only to see him frown slightly before calmly drawing a penalty card with a flick of spiritual energy.
[Penalty Card: Hold your head high with confidence, raise your sword, and shout loudly—"If Heaven does not birth me, xxx, the path of immortality shall remain shrouded in eternal night!"]
As Bai Xuanling revealed the card, Chu Xingchen animated Bai Xuanling’s chibi avatar to perform the action.
Just as Lv Xuan suppressed a smirk, expecting Bai Xuanling to show at least a hint of embarrassment—
Bai Xuanling summoned his spiritual sword with a wave, standing tall with an unshakable aura. His white robes fluttered in the wind, exuding an air of effortless grace. He even amplified his voice with spiritual energy, declaring:
"If Heaven does not birth me, Bai Xuanling, the path of immortality shall remain shrouded in eternal night!"
His voice echoed from Zhuji Peak, spreading clearly to the surrounding peaks.
Many Tianyan Sect disciples, busy with their tasks, paused at the overwhelmingly domineering proclamation, their eyes instinctively turning toward Zhuji Peak.
Nearby disciples began murmuring among themselves.
"That’s Elder Bai’s voice, right?"
"Who else but Elder Bai could say something like that?"
"Only Elder Bai could deliver such a line—bold, yet utterly convincing."
"Naturally. This is the same Elder Bai who refined the Tenfold Elixir of Restoration."
"But why would Elder Bai suddenly say something like that? Is he planning to… overthrow the Sect Master and take over?"
"Don’t be ridiculous. Do you think Elder Bai would even want to be Sect Master? It’s not exactly a cushy job. Rumor has it that the Punishment Elder is already scheming something against the Sect Master."
"Well… you’ve got a point."
Lv Xuan pressed his lips together. How was this even a penalty? It sounded downright cool.
Bai Xuanling dismissed his sword with a flick of his wrist and glanced at the others.
"If you’re going to shout, shout properly. We’re all cultivators—are we really so afraid of losing face? It’s just a game. No need to mumble like cowards."
Chu Xingchen met Bai Xuanling’s gaze, then smiled.
"In that case, from now on, any penalty involving shouting should follow Elder Bai’s example. It’s just a game, after all—no harm in making it entertaining."
Lv Xuan’s expression twisted. If he drew some ridiculous line and had to shout it like that, whatever little dignity he had left as Sect Master would be obliterated.
Just as he was about to come up with an excuse to refuse—
Yanyun spoke up first. "No problem!"
Lv Xuan stared at his beloved disciple in shock. The first betrayal had come from his own faction?
Yanyun met her master’s gaze calmly.
"My master isn’t one to back down from a challenge."
Her face had already been lost earlier—at least she’d had a gradual descent. But as far as she was concerned, her master’s dignity was beyond saving today.
Bai Xuanling arched a brow, looking at Lv Xuan with mockery in his eyes.
"Well, Great Sect Master? Are you game?"
"Of course I am!" Lv Xuan shot back, unwilling to be outdone. "But the others might not—"
Chen Baiqing raised a small hand, cutting him off decisively.
"I’m in!"
Li Yingling swiftly followed up, adding, "If Little Baiqing isn’t afraid, then as her senior sister, I agree too."
Xie Lingyu gave a slight nod.
"Agreed."
The tide had turned in an instant. Lv Xuan scanned the room, meeting Bai Xuanling’s taunting gaze before gritting his teeth.
"Fine! If it’s for the sake of fun, then so be it!"
Bai Xuanling smiled in satisfaction. "Good. Zhou Ping, roll the dice for our ever-game Sect Master."
Zhou Ping tossed the dice with practiced ease.
After a few tumbles, they landed—much to Lv Xuan’s disbelief—perfectly on another penalty square.
Chu Xingchen wasted no time, sliding Lv Xuan’s avatar straight into the penalty pool.
A sudden sense of impending doom washed over Lv Xuan. He turned to Yanyun, only to find her watching him with barely concealed amusement.
Since when?!
His beloved disciple, the one he’d poured his heart and soul into nurturing, was now gleefully betraying him?
Chu Xingchen gestured politely. "Elder Lv Xuan, please draw your penalty card."
Lv Xuan took a deep breath and pulled a card, sneaking a cautious glance—then nearly fainted on the spot.
[Penalty Card: Shout with furious indignation—"What bald monk dares to steal this Taoist’s nun?!"]
Thankfully, he remembered the rule allowing him a redraw. He quickly interjected,
"Wait! At the start, it was agreed I could draw twice and choose one."
Chu Xingchen nodded. "Then please draw another, Elder."
Under Bai Xuanling’s disdainful gaze, Lv Xuan hastily drew again. If he had to shout that first line, he wouldn’t just be disgraced in the Tianyan Sect—he’d never show his face in the Central Continent again!
He took another deep breath and looked at the new card.
[Penalty Card: Shout in a heartbroken wail—"Just like this, you’ve conquered me, cutting off all escape."]
Lv Xuan’s vision darkened further.
He was certain now—this was an ambush.
Either of these lines would humiliate him beyond redemption across the entire Central Continent.
Chu Xingchen conjured an illusion: two miniature Lv Xuans appeared before him.
One was red-faced, shaking a fist at the sky in outrage.
The other was on his knees, weeping in despair.
Lv Xuan glanced at them—and felt the world grow even darker.