Chapter 139: The Master Arrives

"Greetings, Master!" As soon as Chen Zhong withdrew his spiritual energy, Lin Xiaobao immediately stepped forward to pay his respects to Lin Tianxing.

"Xiaobao..." Seeing Lin Xiaobao again, Lin Tian was visibly moved.

"Everything is in the past now. Please, Master, stay here for the time being. I have something important to report to you shortly." Seeing Lin Tian and Wang Dashu appear, Lin Xiaobao had already surmised the situation. Clearly, the Wind and Snow Pavilion was wary of him—or perhaps wary of Chen Zhong—and had consciously sent them both over.

Lin Xiaobao had been eager to disclose the truth about Si Mengling’s origins, but as he turned to look for her, he found she was nowhere to be found.

"Stay here?" Although the Wind and Snow Pavilion had brought Lin Tian to this place, they had not revealed much about Lin Xiaobao. As an elder of the Wind and Snow Pavilion, Lin Tian was naturally familiar with the Yun family.

"If Senior Lin does not mind, please stay at the Yun estate for now," Yun Keke said in a soft voice, fearing that Lin Tian might refuse.

"How could I possibly mind? I shall follow your arrangements, young lady!" Although Lin Tian did not yet know Yun Keke’s identity, the fact that she could speak on behalf of the Yun family was clear enough. He immediately returned the gesture, adding, "As for calling me 'Senior,' I am truly unworthy of such an honor!"

"There is no need to be so modest. She is my sworn brother’s fiancée, and you are his master; it is only logical that she calls you senior," Chen Zhong said, feeling relieved that Lin Tian had arrived safely, which lifted a heavy weight off his mind.

"Xiaobao..." Lin Tian looked at Lin Xiaobao with a hint of shock. He had never imagined that Lin Xiaobao would have such connections with the Yun family, and he finally understood why the Wind and Snow Pavilion had suddenly let him go.

"It’s a long story," Lin Xiaobao said, finding it difficult to explain everything at once. He smiled and said, "Let me formally introduce everyone. This is my master, Lin Tian!"

"Greetings, Senior Lin!" Among those present, Yun Keke was bound to Lin Xiaobao by a master-servant oath, Qin Feng had become Lin Xiaobao’s medicine boy for three years due to a lost bet, and Chen Zhong and He Xinran felt compelled to address Lin Tian as a senior out of respect for Lin Xiaobao.

Seeing Chen Zhong’s somewhat awkward expression, Lin Xiaobao chuckled mischievously and pointed to Wang Dashu, saying, "And this is my brother, Wang Dashu!"

"Brother Wang!" Everyone offered a polite cupped-fist salute to Wang Dashu, though it lacked the reverence they had shown Lin Tian.

Wang Dashu, however, walked straight up to Chen Zhong and clapped him on the shoulder, saying, "You’re Big Brother Xiaobao’s older brother, so that makes you my older brother too! If anyone bullies you, just tell me, and I, Wang Dashu, will stand up for you!"

Watching Wang Dashu treat Chen Zhong in such a manner, everyone present—except for Lin Tian—struggled to hold back their laughter.

"Dashu, come back! Don't be rude!" Lin Tian had seen Chen Zhong’s extraordinary strength earlier and knew that the only reason these powerful figures were treating him with such courtesy was because of Lin Xiaobao.

Wang Dashu seemed somewhat afraid of Lin Tian and returned to his side upon being scolded.

"My disciple is ignorant; please... please do not take offense!" Lin Tian wanted to address Chen Zhong as a senior, given his profound cultivation level, but since Chen Zhong had just referred to him as a senior out of respect for Lin Xiaobao, he was at a loss for words and opted for a vague apology.

When Wang Dashu patted his shoulder and claimed he would protect him, the corners of Chen Zhong’s mouth twitched noticeably. Seeing Lin Tian’s apologetic tone, he felt unsure how to respond and decided to change the subject. "Brother Wang has a truly genuine nature, which is a rare and excellent trait for a cultivator. Even more impressive is his 'God of Strength' physique; his future achievements will be limitless!"

Chen Zhong had seen through Wang Dashu’s physique at a glance. As Lin Tian nodded and smiled in agreement, he held Chen Zhong in even higher regard.

Observing Chen Zhong’s predicament, He Xinran stepped in to smooth things over. "Xiaobao, you had better introduce your 'big brother’s' identity, or else he might beat you up later, and I certainly won't help you!"

Lin Xiaobao hadn't originally cared about formal identities—friendship, to him, was about sincerity, much like how he hadn't known Chen Zhong’s true identity when he refined the Yin Pill for him. However, seeing the awkward atmosphere, he felt it was time to make the introductions.

"Master, let me introduce you," Lin Xiaobao said, walking in front of Chen Zhong. "This is Chen Zhong of the Xuanyang Palace!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Tian’s expression changed drastically. "The Chen Zhong of the Xuanyang Palace, the greatest array master in the world today?"

Chen Zhong, finally relieved of being treated as a junior, nodded lightly with a sense of liberation.

"Xiaobao, you are being reckless!" Lin Tian’s face darkened as he scolded him. "How could you presume to call Senior Chen your brother? Apologize to him at once!"

"Please don't take offense, Senior!" Lin Tian hurriedly bowed to Chen Zhong. "My disciple is naturally mischievous and doesn't know his place. Please, I beg you not to take his actions to heart!"

Who was Chen Zhong? He was recognized as the supreme master of both array techniques and cultivation. For Lin Xiaobao to have acted so familiarly... if he had displeased such a figure, there would be no room for regret.

Although Lin Tian was reprimanding Lin Xiaobao, everyone present could see the deep concern he held for his disciple, which made them understand why Lin Xiaobao had been willing to risk his life to avenge him.

"Senior Lin, please don't take it to heart. Brother Lin and I—" Chen Zhong was interrupted by Lin Tian before he could finish.

It was no joke; before he knew Chen Zhong’s true identity, Lin Tian could barely accept him calling him 'Senior' while calling Lin Xiaobao 'Brother.' Now that he knew who he was, how could he possibly allow Chen Zhong to address him as a senior?

"I beg you, Senior Chen, do not mention that word again. I truly cannot bear it!" Lin Tian bowed low, his hands clasped tightly. In this world, how many people were qualified to be called 'Senior' by Chen Zhong?

Seeing that this would lead nowhere, Chen Zhong said, "How about this? We shall each maintain our own standing. I will call you Brother Lin; how does that sound?"

"I dare not, I dare not!" Lin Tian bowed even lower.

"If you continue like this, Brother Lin, you are looking down on me," Chen Zhong said, pretending to be displeased.

Seeing Chen Zhong’s insistence, Lin Tian realized that the relationship between Chen Zhong and Lin Xiaobao was not as simple as the titles suggested. He dared not be overly modest anymore. "Very well, everything shall be as Brother Chen says!"

"Little fellow, do you still intend to protect this 'Big Brother Chen' of yours?" He Xinran teased Wang Dashu, now that Lin Tian’s issue was settled.

"Of course I do! He’s Big Brother Xiaobao’s brother, so he’s my brother too. Whoever beats him, I’ll beat them!" Wang Dashu clearly had no idea what the name 'Chen Zhong' truly represented.

His naive comment made everyone burst into laughter, and the tension in the room dissipated significantly.