Countless eyes were fixed on Lin Xuan.
Shen Tang snorted coldly and took out an iron rod from her Storage Ring, her eyes glistening with a sinister gleam. I’ll break both his legs with this rod later, she plotted. I’ll make him lose all face in front of everyone. In her eyes, there was no way a young brat like him could have a better score than her.
Yet, Lin Xuan’s demeanor was calm and composed. He looked up at the elder, his voice clear and resonant, ringing out like a great bell. "I have thirty-two thousand five hundred points!"
The words exploded like a clap of thunder on a clear day, sending the entire crowd into an uproar. Everyone stared in utter shock.
"How is this possible!"
Shen Tang’s face instantly turned as dark as a storm cloud. She shouted sharply, "Lin Xuan, you really don’t know your place! How dare you spout such nonsense in front of the elder? Hurry up and tell the truth!" She was certain his claim was nothing but a boast. How could he possibly have accumulated so many points?
The members of the Star Alliance all shook their heads, their faces full of disbelief. The senior disciples whispered amongst themselves, their eyes filled with suspicion. The new disciples who hadn’t participated in any tasks were even more stunned.
Some of the kind-hearted ones couldn’t help but advise him. "Lin Xuan, stop boasting. If you anger the elder, you’ll be in big trouble."
"That’s right, Lin Xuan. Now is not the time to be stubborn."
One after another, they all voiced their doubt.
But Lin Xuan just gently shook his head, his expression firm. "Every word I said is true. I have thirty-two thousand five hundred points."
Upon hearing this, the new disciples were completely speechless. Is this guy planning to boast his way to the heavens?
However, Zisu, Ning Xue, and a few others stepped forward in support. "We can testify that Lin Xuan is telling the truth."
"That’s right, I can prove it too!" Those who had followed Lin Xuan spoke up, vouching for him.
"You new disciples, don’t be so impudent!" Shen Tang glared, pointing an accusatory finger at them. "Do you have any idea what the consequences are for perjury? Hurry up and stand down! Don’t be a part of this kid’s foolishness!"
"Exactly! It’s one thing for Lin Xuan to act crazy on his own, but why do you have to go along with him?" the senior disciples added, frowning in displeasure.
Even the elders in the Task Hall showed expressions of doubt and secretly shook their heads. To them, the idea of Lin Xuan having over thirty thousand points was simply preposterous.
The Task Elder’s expression hardened. "Lin Xuan, stop talking nonsense and tell me your real score now!" he commanded in a heavy tone.
"Elder, every word I said is true," Lin Xuan replied, his expression open and fearless.
Seeing his persistence, the crowd shook their heads and sighed. "This kid is stubborn even when facing his doom."
The elder’s face grew colder. "To prevent cheating, we secretly dispatched Fourth-Segment Disciples to follow you," he said, his voice like ice. "Your every move was under our watch, so lying is useless. I will give you one last chance to state your true results. If you dare to boast again, you won’t escape unscathed when the Fourth-Segment Disciples arrive!"
All eyes focused on Lin Xuan, knowing this was his final opportunity.
However, his expression remained steadfast. "My score is truly thirty-two thousand five hundred points."
"This kid is beyond saving!" the surrounding disciples lamented, already picturing Lin Xuan’s miserable fate.
He’s still boasting at death’s door; he’s in for it this time, everyone thought. This is no longer about his bet with Shen Tang. This is falsifying results and openly challenging the Task Hall. He’s an absolute fool! Everyone knew the Fourth-Segment Disciples dispatched in secret had already recorded Lin Xuan’s true score, making it impossible for him to bluff his way through.
The Task Elder’s face became completely frigid, as if it could freeze the very air. He shouted, "Where are the Fourth-Segment Disciples? The disciple responsible for recording Lin Xuan’s score, step forward and report!"
"Present." Mo Fan walked over from a distance, his posture upright and his expression composed.
"Here he comes! The Fourth-Segment Disciple is here!"
"The kid’s real score is about to be revealed. He’s completely finished now!"
The crowd buzzed with discussion. Shen Tang sneered; it seemed she wouldn’t even have to lift a finger for Lin Xuan to be severely punished by the elder. The members of the Star Alliance looked on with mockery. "What a foolish, arrogant guy!" The new disciples, on the other hand, looked despairing. "It’s over. Lin Xuan is going to be in so much trouble."
But Lin Xuan himself remained unconcerned, because every word he had spoken was the absolute truth.
Mo Fan reached the center of the hall and cupped his hands in a salute. "Greetings, Elder," he said respectfully.
The elder’s expression was grave. "You were responsible for recording Lin Xuan’s score," he said in a deep voice. "Report truthfully. How many points did he actually earn?"
Mo Fan took a deep breath. With a solemn expression, he slowly stated, "Reporting to the elder, Lin Xuan’s true score is, indeed, thirty-two thousand five hundred points."
"What!"
The announcement struck the crowd like a bolt of lightning, leaving everyone frozen in stunned silence. The Task Elder was speechless. Shen Tang’s eyes went wide with disbelief. The members of the Star Alliance looked as if they’d been turned to stone. The senior disciples stood dumbstruck, while the new disciples’ jaws hung open.
For a moment, the entire hall seemed to be frozen in time. Everyone was so shocked by the news that they couldn’t process it.
"Thirty thousand points! Lin Xuan’s score is actually over thirty thousand points!"
A storm raged in their hearts. Could it be that the kid wasn’t actually bragging? Was he telling the truth?
Madness. At that moment, everyone felt like they were going mad.
"Impossible! That’s absolutely impossible!" Shen Tang seemed to lose her mind, shaking her head frantically. She roared, "How could that brat possibly have over thirty thousand points? Mo Fan, you must be lying!"
The Star Alliance members quickly chimed in. "Yes, I refuse to believe that kid has thirty thousand points!"
"Could he have secretly bribed the Fourth-Segment Disciple?"
"I think that’s very likely!"
"This Mo Fan must be in cahoots with Lin Xuan, trying to deceive the elder!"
A tidal wave of accusations and doubts crashed through the hall.
Even the Task Elder frowned, his gaze as sharp as a blade as he stared at Mo Fan. "Are you sure?" Honestly, none of the elders believed it. For a newcomer, such a score was simply too ridiculous. Could Mo Fan have really colluded with Lin Xuan? At this thought, the Task Elder’s face darkened. Staring at Mo Fan, he asked, "Do you know the consequences of perjury?"
"Every word I have spoken is the truth," Mo Fan stated quickly.
But the others just shook their heads. Someone muttered, "This Mo Fan is a real fool. Just watch. His end is going to be miserable for helping Lin Xuan lie at a time like this."