Zombie Bodyguard-Chapter 1554 - 1551: Martial Grandmaster Aunt

The eyes of the martial artists present lit up when they heard Lin Tian's words. Drawing a sword seemed simple, practically a free gift, yet seeing Lin Tian's confident expression, they were hesitant.

Lin Tian glanced at them and said with a slight smile, "You can come up and try too. Whoever can draw it can keep the Heavenly Tribulation Sword."

"There's really such a good offer?"

"Could there be a trap?"

"I believe the Divine Sword belongs to Brother Lin Tian; the theft is surely nonsense. I wouldn't take such advantage," said one martial artist who trusted Lin Tian, a sentiment shared by many present.

Situ Ming's eyes flickered as he said righteously, "These are your words, don't regret it later."

Lin Tian looked at him as if he were an idiot, without speaking; if the Heavenly Tribulation Sword were so easy to control, he wouldn't have spent so much effort chasing it and signing a master-servant contract.

Situ Ming was unaware of the cunning Sword Spirit within the Heavenly Tribulation Sword. He pretended to salute the crowd, then walked to the sword and gripped its hilt with both hands.

To prevent Lin Tian from playing tricks, Situ Ming suddenly channeled all his True Qi through his arms, pulling upwards forcefully, aiming to catch everyone off guard. As long as he got the Heavenly Tribulation Sword, it would be his.

Yet as he exerted force, the Heavenly Tribulation Sword moved too, vibrating violently in an instant. The rapid vibration emitted a clear metallic humming from the sword's body.

Situ Ming's expression changed as he tried to grip the hilt tightly to prevent losing it, but his grip caused his tiger's mouth to suddenly split, with blood spurting out and staining the ground.

In great pain, Situ Ming had no choice but to let go, retreating over a dozen steps. When everyone saw his hands' injuries, they gasped audibly.

The tiger's mouth of his hands was completely torn, exposing tendons and bones. Red and white, flesh was mangled, bones cracked, and blood flowed like an open faucet, dripping to the ground.

Situ Yufeng hurried up, gripping Situ Ming's arms. A layer of thin ice appeared on Situ Ming's hands, quickly vanishing, stopping the blood. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

He took out a bottle and sprinkled powder onto the wounds. Situ Ming's hands trembled the whole time, evidently in great pain, yet he did not cry out in front of the juniors, only enduring silently.

"Who else wants to try?" Lin Tian asked loudly as if he hadn't seen Situ Ming's wounds.

The crowd looked at each other; none dared step forward. Those like Tang Ziqing, with high skill, couldn't lower themselves to draw it, while those of average skill lacked the courage. Even Situ Ming in Great Perfection couldn't withstand the Heavenly Tribulation Sword's might.

"Xuanxuan, help me draw the sword," Lin Tian said.

Xiao Manxuan hesitated for a moment but walked up without delay. Her fair, slender hands gripped the hilt, alarming the martial artists. If an ordinary person got shocked, their hands would be ruined.

But as Xiao Manxuan exerted force, with a clang, she successfully drew the Heavenly Tribulation Sword, saying, "Such a heavy sword, not easy to use at all."

After casting, the weight of the Heavenly Tribulation Sword had reduced significantly but still weighed several dozens of pounds. That a little girl could draw it showed her strength was no trifling matter.

Seeing Xiao Manxuan unharmed, Situ Ming's face flushed red with indignation: "Lin Tian, you must be up to something. How else would she be fine?"

"Who dares play tricks before me?"

Before Lin Tian could speak, a rebuke came from outside the crowd. Everyone turned to see an old woman.

An ordinary-looking old woman, yet upon seeing her, several leaders of the ancient martial families paid their respects. Among them were Tang Muling and Tang Ziqing, with even Master Tang showing deference.

"Old Tang, you're here?" Situ Ming endured his pain and greeted respectfully.

The newcomer was Tang Banqing. Seeing the reactions from several Qingshuang Pavilion high-level women, Lin Tian was mildly surprised; this old woman held a significant position in Qingshuang Pavilion.

"Martial Uncle..." Master Tang, Tang Ziqing, and Tang Muling called her.

"Grand Martial Aunt..." other female disciples addressed her.

Xiao Manxue opened her mouth but didn't call out, her disappointment noticed by Lin Tian since she'd just been expelled from her sect.

Lin Tian walked over to divert her attention deliberately, saying, "Tang Banqing has a high status, huh?"

Xiao Manxue, understanding his intention, gratefully glanced at him and explained, "Old Tang and Master Tang's master are martial sisters. Originally, our Grandmaster intended to pass the Sect Leader position to Old Tang, but since she's devoted to sword casting and uninterested in leading, it passed to Master Tang's master."

"Now the position belongs to Master Tang, but hierarchy-wise, she still calls Old Tang 'Martial Uncle.' As a Swordsmith, Old Tang has greatly contributed to Qingshuang Pavilion and is highly respected within the inner pavilion. Old Tang is low-key, so many external disciples have never seen her," Xiao Manxue elaborated.

"I see..." Lin Tian nodded, curious why Tang Banqing could freely use the Sword Furnace but realizing something was amiss: "I heard Tang Ziqing also calls Old Tang 'Martial Uncle.' Does that mean she's of the same generation as the Sect Leader? Why would the next Sect Leader pass to Tang Ziqing then?"

Hearing Lin Tian call the Sect Leader by title awkwardly, Xiao Manxue rolled her eyes at him. "They're the same generation but differ by more than a decade in age. Their master is only in their twenties. Besides, who's to say a leader can't pass to the same generation?"

"More than a decade apart? But they both look equally young!" Lin Tian exclaimed, though he disliked Master Tang and Tang Ziqing, he couldn't deny their youthful appearances.

"Master Tang is already in the Mid Innate realm, constantly cultivating her mind and qi, naturally showing none of an ordinary person's aging," Xiao Manxue responded logically.

"Boy, what are you mumbling about? And why is your attire so revealing? Don't you know Qingshuang Pavilion is all female disciples?" Tang Banqing approached, interrupting their conversation.

Lin Tian felt speechless, helplessly saying, "Old Tang, it's a long story, but all thanks to Master Tang and the Situ family."

"Hmm, I roughly know some things before coming," Tang Banqing didn't pursue the matter but looked at the Situ family: "Situ Ming, regardless of your intentions, let me tell you clearly, the Heavenly Tribulation Sword was cast by me and Lin Tian. The materials were provided by Lin Tian, so the sword has belonged to Lin Tian from the start—don't covet it!"

"Wow..." the martial artists gasped.

"So it's crafted personally by Lin Tian and Old Tang."

"Could Lin Tian have inherited Old Tang's legacy?" The gossipy martial artists speculated anew.