Chapter Twenty-Five: Clash Before the Palace!

After Liang Si left, Lin Feng covered his mouth in despair, terrified by his own reflexive leap to slap himself. The "Contest Before the Palace" he had just mentioned was, in fact, a reference to an old anecdote. That story originated from the Xuanming Palace, which, devoted to monogamy, had devised this custom in response to the frequent appearance of Casanovas. Specifically, it referred to grand public displays of affection, where one would use their abilities to create towering waves to declare their love—the higher the splash, the deeper the feeling. As one might imagine, the origin of this anecdote was less than noble. Nowadays, the phrase was also used to express utter loyalty to one's superior.

According to the schedule sent by the Fifth Prince, many highly skilled cultivators on board would be assigned today to guide each of them in their training and introduce them to the art of the Grand Freedom Hand.

The Grand Freedom Hand was a classic technique of the Grand Freedom Demon Palace; once mastered, one could project invisible hands formed of inner energy—famous throughout the Azure Skies for their unpredictability and myriad uses.

Because this technique was notoriously difficult to learn, all the ship’s experts would gather on the deck of the Big-Belly Boat that afternoon to ensure each student received proper guidance.

Lin Feng could not help but be both astonished and impressed by this treatment. He had long heard about the magnanimity of the Grand Freedom Demon Sect towards its disciples, but now he could truly feel the difference. This was the bearing of a holy land!

Of course, such privileges were never spoken of outside, but some stories were known throughout the world. For example, in the early stages of learning the Grand Freedom Hand, one would practice by splashing water.

Now that the Big-Belly Boat was flying low above the sea, they would soon be using the Grand Freedom Hand to raise water into the air—the higher the splash, the greater the perceived talent for this art. While this was hardly an accurate measure in the long run, the water-splashing practice was so widely known that even mundane storytellers had woven it into their tales, turning it into a staple joke across the Azure Skies.

Lin Feng had heard about it too. It was said that the most gifted senior brother once sent water soaring thirty meters high on his very first try!

Bear in mind, the Big-Belly Boat was currently flying about fifteen meters above the waves, with another fifteen meters from the deck to the bottom of the hull. Thirty meters—one might actually splash water onto the deck! Any higher, and it could reach the pavilions where the dignitaries resided! What an honor that would be!

In the pavilions above, Zhang Ning had been sleeping soundly when he suddenly felt drenched. He sat up with a start, shouting, "Who’s there?!" But after feeling his face, he realized there were barely any drops of water, and his protective talisman hadn’t activated—so it wasn’t an attack? Was he just being oversensitive? Was it merely the damp weather?

So Zhang Ning lay down again, but minutes later, he felt another splash of water. This time, it couldn’t be an illusion!

I just want to take a nap, for heaven’s sake!

Zhang Ning thought, once, twice—but not a third time! Yet, just in case, he covered his face like a cautious cat and tried to sleep on. Unexpectedly, after a while, another jet of water surged forth—higher and more persistent than before, as if someone were emptying buckets onto his face!

Furious, Zhang Ning summoned Yu Zhong, who was assisting Su Ye with arrangements, and demanded an explanation. Yu Zhong, abashed at the sight of Zhang Ning dripping wet, explained the entire situation. Only then did Zhang Ning realize it was the doing of a group of hormonal youths!

Understandable my foot!

Deliberately splashing water right under your own home—who could tolerate that? Absolutely intolerable!

Zhang Ning retrieved one of the exquisite treasures from the storage pouch given to him by the Palace Administration.

On the deck, Liang Si looked around in disbelief at those around him, then hung his head like a defeated rooster. He had to admit there were always those greater than oneself—he amounted to nothing. His former arrogance ebbed away by degrees.

All around, he could hear the chorus of praise for Lin Feng, who had sent the highest spray of water, and the jeers directed at him.

Tang Dao, who had volunteered to help guide the new disciples, could only feel that everything had gone his way since joining the Fifth Prince. This year's cohort was overflowing with dazzling talent; the previous records seemed laughable in comparison. There was Chen Baishu, blessed by birth and resources; Lady Crimson, mysterious and wise beyond her years; the indomitable, now-blind scion of the Luo family, Luo Suiyuan… and, above all, Lin Feng, whom none could ignore.

Just at that moment, Tang Dao and the other dignitaries—usually so unassailable in the eyes of the disciples—suddenly grew wary, some even drawing their weapons.

Before the disciples could react, it was as if the ocean itself had turned over above their heads—a deluge of splashing water everywhere! Each and every one of them was soaked to the bone.

A moment ago, Lin Feng had been suave and spirited, Lady Crimson’s robes billowed in the breeze, and others stood proud. Now, they resembled nothing more than drenched chicks after a blast from a high-pressure hose, water streaming from their clothes to their feet.

Chen Baishu, standing nearest Tang Dao, saw clearly that this famed Martial Emperor looked somewhat embarrassed—and Chen even thought he saw regret in Tang Dao’s eyes for having blocked some of the water.

Everyone’s gaze focused and, to their astonishment, the Fifth Prince was standing on the deck, no one knew when he had arrived. His expression was one of natural arrogance. “How does it feel to be doused? Isn’t it marvelous? Go on, continue! Weren’t you all so eager to compete just now?!”

Chen Baishu was the first to react, dropping to one knee: “Your Highness!” The others quickly followed suit.

Strictly speaking, this was the second time Zhang Ning had faced these prodigies directly, yet still, none dared meet his gaze. His few words left many visibly ashamed—whether their guilt was genuine or feigned, they had no choice but to act so! Not one dared so much as twitch or utter a word in retort.

So this is what “a silence so deep you could hear a pin drop” truly means, Zhang Ning thought.

As for Liang Si, he truly felt he had erred; his whole body trembled uncontrollably. My God, the Fifth Prince looked at him several times! Could someone as useless as himself truly merit such attention from a person of the Fifth Prince’s stature? Such immense grace… Yes, even if I must compete, I must do so with proper order! Never let outsiders look down on us! The Fifth Prince is right in all things!

Lin Feng, drenched from head to toe, could not help his pupils contracting in shock at the Fifth Prince’s mastery of the Grand Freedom Hand. This prince possessed not only a mind like a finely cut gem, but also astounding strength and insight! What now? With someone like this at the helm, surely the future would mean carving out territories and rising to power! But Lin Feng wanted no more trouble.

There was no other way. Lin Feng made a silent decision in his heart.

He would become a sycophant! Such a precocious and brilliant child surely knew right from wrong. He would have no fondness for those who led him astray! Lin Feng resolved to become a lackey without principle, the sort who specialized in corrupting his master—so that, if he weren’t favored or if he were expelled from the sect, even a sound beating would count as divine mercy.