I Was Entangled by the Pathological Protagonists [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

A month passed in the blink of an eye, and the Sect Grand Competition began.

The location was the Main Hall Square on the primary peak. The vast grounds were divided into individual arenas, each set with a boundary by Elders of the Transformation Stage to prevent the battles on stage from affecting the onlookers.

The first round was an elimination match, designed to weed out ninety percent of all disciples. This was followed by the second round, the Elite Match, to select the top ten.

Finally, it would be the duel between the chosen sons of heaven; the final five “talents” remaining on stage would enjoy the full tilt of the sect’s resources for the next five years.

Then, five years later, they would represent the Yaoguang Sect in the Sect Alliance Competition of the cultivation world.

Beyond the massive resources gained, being able to fight until the end and participate in the alliance competition was a matter of infinite glory.

The sect was abuzz with excitement, and discussions about the competition could be heard everywhere, such as:

“Senior Brother Li Mu reached the peak of the Foundation Building stage a few days ago; he should have hoped to take one of the top five spots in the Foundation Building matches, right?”

“Did you forget the six of them, like Senior Brother Qin Peng and Senior Sister Yuan Yao? They entered the peak of the Foundation Building long ago. If Senior Brother Li Mu wants to compete for those five spots, it might be a bit uncertain.”

“Speaking of the Golden Core matches over there, Senior Sister Liu Shuangwan should be the undisputed champion, right?”

“Oh, and there’s also Senior Brother Lin’er—”

Mentioning Senior Brother Lin’er, everyone fell silent in unison, then shifted the topic with awkward smiles.

After all, Yan Lin’s current cultivation was only at the Middle Golden Core stage. While his natural talent was outstanding, it was undeniable that there were many disciples with higher cultivation than his. While challenging Late Golden Core or Peak Golden Core stages might be somewhat possible, securing a top-five spot with a Middle Golden Core cultivation was quite difficult.

Therefore, Yan Lin did not participate in the Sect Grand Competition.

Furthermore, being familiar with the plot, he felt it was entirely unnecessary. Not only was it a hassle, but even if the Yaoguang Sect survived until the start of the alliance competition, it was destined to be destroyed by the protagonist later in the story anyway.

Suddenly, someone uttered a “yi” of surprise, looking at the black-clothed youth stepping onto the arena. After a moment of thought, they spoke out in astonishment.

“Isn’t that the guy who’s always hanging around Senior Brother Lin’er?”

“What was his name again? I remember he was the disciple the Sect Master took in five years ago, right?”

“Don’t even mention him; he’s a jinx who’s always breaking the Elders’ important belongings.”

“I can’t understand why Senior Brother Lin’er would allow him to stay by his side.”

“I don’t think this guy is worthy at all of being the Sect Master’s disciple, nor is he worthy of Senior Brother Lin’er’s protection.”

“Exactly, exactly.”

Everyone chimed in, belittling Yan Li to the extreme with looks of contempt and disdain; not a single person had a good impression of him.

All of this, naturally, was inseparable from the diligent and hardworking efforts of Yan Lin in his role as a villain.

Faced with the ill-intentioned gazes and remarks of the crowd of disciples below, the black-clothed youth standing in the arena seemed to take no notice, his dark eyes deep and heavy.

Only when the Senior Brother serving as the referee gave the order and announced the start of the match did his figure suddenly vanish from the spot. When he reappeared, his opponent had already been knocked off the arena.

A one-hit kill.

The audience fell into an instant silence.

Equally shocked was the refereeing Senior Brother, who froze for several seconds before raising his hand with a trembling voice to announce the result.

“Yan Li wins!”

The crowd immediately erupted in an uproar. This was the exact opposite of the scene they had imagined where Yan Li would be taught a lesson. The fact that he had effortlessly “one-shotted” his opponent undoubtedly shattered everyone’s perception.

And beyond a doubt, from this moment on, the protagonist began to reveal his own brilliance and edge.

Face-slapping counterattack, slap slap slap.

Everything was proceeding exactly as Yan Lin had predicted; he felt very gratified.

In the crowd, Xiao Xiao’er gazed at the black-clothed youth beginning to radiate light on the arena. Suddenly, she bit her lower lip and turned to leave.

Unknowingly, she arrived at Senior Brother Lin’er’s back mountain. Just as she came to her senses and prepared to leave, a particularly pleasant voice successfully stopped her in her tracks.

“Why is Junior Sister Xiao’er wearing such a long face?”

Yan Lin took the little beauty’s soft hand and led her into the same pavilion as before.

For some reason, Xiao Xiao’er felt she had no desire to break free. By the time she regained her senses, she had already entered the pavilion.

Crimson peach blossom petals drifted with the wind, falling onto the clear water and stirring up circles of moving ripples. The scenery here was as beautiful as before the view was good, and the person… was better.

Before the little beauty could develop any resistance, Yan Lin naturally let go of her hand. His long, fair finger lightly tapped the center of her unconsciously furrowed brow, and he gave a gentle smile.

“Did I not once say that I am willing to be the person Junior Sister Xiao’er confides her troubles to?~”

Xiao Xiao’er looked dazed, blankly clutching her forehead as if the cool sensation from a moment ago still lingered, just like the incredibly gentle smile before her eyes.

She suddenly sniffled, her eyes reddening. The grievances buried in her heart surged like a tide, making her want to bury herself in the embrace of the person before her and vent everything out.

However, Xiao Xiao’er still possessed some reason and couldn’t bring herself to perform such an embarrassing act. Internally, however, she had completely lost her original wariness toward Senior Brother Lin’er.

Moreover, she had gone to the Cliff of Repentance to find those disciples; Senior Brother Lin’er hadn’t instigated them to bully Senior Brother Yan at all. Instead, he had said many good things for Senior Brother Yan, which only made those disciples more jealous; this was not Senior Brother Lin’er’s fault.

Xiao Xiao’er rubbed her reddened eyes, her emotions stabilizing, and she began to speak heart-to-heart with Senior Brother Lin’er.

As Yan Lin listened, his expression became increasingly strange.

Is this… the female lead’s unrequited love?

She confessed and was even rejected?

Yan Lin had a triple-take of questions. Then, he lowered his eyelids, pondered for a moment, and consoled her faintly:

“This is not Junior Sister Xiao’er’s fault. Although I usually see him treating other Junior Sisters quite well, perhaps Junior Brother doesn’t yet understand what feelings are.”

He gazed at Xiao Xiao’er with a gentle expression, like a true “heart-to-heart big sister.”

“Our Junior Sister Xiao’er is not only beautiful but has such a good personality. Junior Brother doesn’t know how to cherish you. It will definitely be the regret of his life.”

Xiao Xiao’er lowered her head slightly, her eyes dodging his as if she didn’t dare look directly into Senior Brother Lin’er’s gentle eyes, but her ears hidden under her hair were undeniably heating up.

She gave a light “mm” and nodded vigorously, as if masking the heartbeat in her chest that was nearly jumping out a feeling she had never experienced, even when facing Senior Brother Yan.

Suddenly, Xiao Xiao’er seemed to remember something, and the shy expression on her face faded.

She looked at Senior Brother Lin’er, who was gazing at her gently, and opened her mouth, but didn’t know how to say it.

She still remembered the look Yan Li gave her that day; thinking back now, it still felt wrong.

At this moment, Xiao Xiao’er had a vague premonition: the reason Senior Brother Yan showed such an expression was very likely because of Senior Brother Lin’er… but as for the specific reason, she didn’t dare think too deeply.

Thinking of this, Xiao Xiao’er’s gaze suddenly became a bit more determined. She looked back at Yan Lin, intending to tell him these things and let Senior Brother Lin’er be the judge—

However, as she opened her mouth, before she could utter half a sentence, a familiar black figure appeared in her field of vision.

“What are you chatting about, Senior Brother?”

Yan Li, stepping into the pavilion, had a gaze as deep as a stagnant pool. He swept a look over Xiao Xiao’er, which caused her to feel a sudden shudder, her mind going blank.

Yan Lin looked at the male and female leads and thought “wow” in his heart, while on the surface he gave a slight smile and said: “We’re saying you’re a blockhead.”

Yan Li’s expression was slightly confused, his dazed look truly living up to the description.

As a villain, the current task was to break up this pair of leads. Although he didn’t know why the female lead’s confession was rejected, Yan Lin naturally couldn’t talk about things like “love” while both of them were present that would just make the male lead realize his feelings prematurely.

Thus, he changed the subject: “Why are you back? Weren’t you in the competition?”

Yan Li answered every question, stating truthfully: “Junior Brother has already qualified for the second Elite Match; it won’t be held until the day after tomorrow.”

“So fast?” Yan Lin didn’t doubt it; he was the protagonist, after all.

“Those people were not a match for Junior Brother.”

As he said this, a trace of sharpness actually appeared in Yan Li’s eyes, which were usually lowered and submissive.

Yan Lin saw it and felt increasingly gratified; this was how a protagonist should look.

The two of them conversed as if no one else were there, which Xiao Xiao’er observed from the side, her slender brows knitting tight.

She recalled once more the look Yan Li had cast over just now it was warning, as if looking at a dead person. Xiao Xiao’er suddenly gave up hope.

At the same time, the girl’s delicate mind seemed to vaguely understand something. The previously incomprehensible problem… Senior Brother Yan toward Senior Brother Lin’er… actually…

Xiao Xiao’er could not think further. Perhaps it was the shock of the discovery, or perhaps she couldn’t take the blow; she suddenly stood up. Without even a thought for the two people who turned their heads at her sudden movement, she ran away without looking back.

Yan Lin: “…” This scene looks familiar.

Soon, Xiao Xiao’er’s figure disappeared on the path leading away from the back mountain.

Yan Li withdrew his dark gaze and asked as if nothing had happened: “Senior Brother, did she come to you for something?”

Yan Lin immediately perked up. Even if the protagonist hadn’t realized his feelings and had rejected the confession, he would still be instinctively attracted to the female lead, which is an ironclad law.

Naturally, what Yan Lin had to do as a villain was to carry out the mission to the end and break them up.

“Oh? You’re talking about Junior Sister Xiao’er?”

Yan Lin’s lips curved slightly, his expression gentle, as if he were longing for something, giving off a sense of wanting to speak but hesitating.

He saw Yan Li purse his lips tight, and following his expression, Yan Li slowly spoke:

“Yes… does your older brother like her?”

Yan Lin immediately distanced himself without hesitation: “Don’t talk nonsense! Junior Sister Xiao’er and I share a simple friendship between fellow disciples!”

Truth and lies, lies and truth; only that slightly raised pitch at the end of his voice made it seem as if he were trying to hide something.

And so, Yan Lin saw the protagonist’s gaze turn gloomy in an instant.

A sight to behold.