CHAPTER 1053: CHAPTER 1050: JUMPING ONTO THE BED OF NAILS

"Sister, don’t..." Xiao Manxuan said worriedly.

Miss Xiao brushed Xiao Manxuan’s hair, recalling the various difficulties the Xiao Family faced over the years, and the killing intent in her heart surged forth.

"I accept the challenge, but I, Xiao Manxue, will remember today’s difficulty and will surely repay it in the future." Miss Xiao agreed coldly, a formidable aura emanating from her body.

Postnatal Perfection Realm Sword Dao Ancient Martial Artist, an aura like ten thousand swords near the abyss, everyone felt a chill on their backs, seemingly unable to even breathe.

Lin Tian gently held Miss Xiao’s hand, and her aura instantly calmed. Lin Tian confidently said with a smile, "Miss Xiao, no matter if it’s a mountain of blades or a sea of flames ahead, I’ll keep you safe."

"Although I am an Ancient Martial Artist, I’m still a flesh and blood body. Do you have any solution?" Miss Xiao asked expectantly.

While she wasn’t afraid of being hurt, she’d surely be happy if there was a way to avoid it.

"It’s a secret for now; just follow my instructions when the time comes," Lin Tian replied with a smile.

"Hmph, so mysterious; if I get hurt, it means you’re a poor bodyguard, and I’ll deduct half a year’s salary from you." Miss Xiao said domineeringly.

Lin Tian’s face turned dark, questioning the heavens silently. I’m not your bodyguard, but your sister’s. Why deduct my salary? Too unreasonable!

"Lin Tian, don’t be afraid. If sister deducts your salary, I’ll take care of you." Xiao Manxuan said proudly.

Lin Tian stared at Xiao Manxuan, mouth agape: "Second Miss, are you trying to keep me?"

The little girl blushed but still raised her head proudly: "Hmph, what’s wrong with keeping you? This Miss is pretty and adorable; you should secretly rejoice."

"Cough, cough..." Miss Xiao feigned a couple of coughs, reminding her to be modest, leaving Lin Tian speechless again.

"The test location is set outside; please move along," Zhao Xuehai said to the crowd. Several elders glanced at the relaxed, joking Lin Tian and his group, and walked out of Ziwei Hall with cold faces.

"Manxue, are you really going to take the test? Even if us Ancient Martial Artists don’t use True Qi to block, we can still be injured by ordinary sharp weapons. You still have time to change your mind." Wang Wanxi walked over and advised solemnly.

Miss Xiao looked at Lin Tian and said, "Don’t worry, Aunt Wang, Lin Tian has a solution."

Wang Wanxi and the others couldn’t help but look at Lin Tian, who merely nodded affirmatively without saying much. Yun Family and Ning Family then said no more and followed the crowd out of the hall.

Everyone arrived at an open area outside; in the center stood a two-meter-high platform. Beneath the platform was a black cloth covering it; there was no need to guess, under the cloth lies the iron bed of nails Zhao Xuehai mentioned, presumably prepared secretly earlier, assuming the Xiao Family would accept the test.

No one could see how the nails on the bed were arranged now, apparently relying on luck.

Of course, that’s just for others; for Lin Tian, a mere black cloth was no obstacle at all. He immediately activated the Eye of Clarity, gazing through the cloth at the nail bed below.

Brand new, sharp iron nails stood upright, nailed onto the wooden board in no order. Anyone seeing such a nail bed would get goosebumps. These oversized steel nails could effortlessly pierce through a person’s foot; who would dare try their luck?

Fortunately, under the public eye, Zhao Xuehai dared not cheat. There were gaps at regular intervals on the bed; as long as one jumped down and landed correctly on a gap, they’d be safe.

Once everyone stood in place, Zhao Xuehai addressed the crowd: "Everyone, to ensure fairness, I invite Mr. Yun to inspect the nail bed to check for sufficient gaps."

Mr. Yun knew the danger of the nail bed; even without Zhao Xuehai’s words, he’d check anyway. If Zhao Xuehai secretly plotted, leaving the bed full of nails, all the luck would be futile.

Yun Hongxi approached the edge of the black cloth, squatted down, lifted a corner, and looked inside. Only he could see from this angle; others couldn’t.

After examining the situation inside, Yun Hongxi stepped back and said, "The nail bed is arranged according to the rules."

"If that’s the case, Miss Xiao, please begin," Zhao Xuehai said expressionlessly.

Everyone immediately looked at Miss Xiao. This was a real nail bed; would such a delicate beauty really sacrifice herself on it? Many slightly shook their heads, feeling uneasy.

Bai Yuze and a few others displayed sinister smirks, seeming to prefer destroying what they couldn’t have, driven by a vengeful mindset toward unattainable women filled with jealousy and revenge.

Xiao Manxuan, Ou Mengmeng, and Yun Xiaotian looked worried; although they knew Lin Tian had a solution, it was a nail bed after all, what could prevent the flesh-and-blood Miss Xiao from being pierced by sharp iron nails?

Miss Xiao glanced at Lin Tian beside her and walked forward, then Lin Tian’s drifting voice came to her ears.

"Miss Xiao, remember what I say next; jump from the center of the platform at a forty-five-degree angle to the right, one and a half meters forward; that’s safe."

Miss Xiao froze, wanting to look back at Lin Tian but restrained herself because Lin Tian’s voice was quiet, unheard by others. Turning back might raise Zhao Xuehai and others’ suspicions; those elders were cunning foxes.

She didn’t know how Lin Tian learned the nail arrangement; most likely he sneakily observed the setup. But if she attracted suspicion now and Zhao Xuehai changed the nail layout, it would be disastrous, unaware that Lin Tian had the Eye of Clarity.

Having received Lin Tian’s hint, Miss Xiao was reassured. Her trust in Lin Tian matched Xiao Manxuan’s trust in him.

Miss Xiao stood atop the two-meter platform; merchants watched from afar, and doctors in white uniforms appeared outside the crowd — Mr. Yun’s precautions, ready to rescue Miss Xiao if she was truly hurt.

Everyone held their breath, afraid their breathing would disturb Miss Xiao far on the high platform. Miss Xiao seemed calmer than all of them; she looked at Lin Tian from afar once, confirmed the position he mentioned, and then leapt without hesitation.

"Ah..." gasps erupted among the crowd; many lady merchants covered their eyes, unwilling to witness a tragic scene, even Mr. Ning and Yun Hongxi wearing solemn expressions, feeling uneasy.

Lin Tian sensed a tight grip on his arm — it was Xiao Manxuan’s nervousness; she clung desperately to his arm as if only in this way could the girl feel somewhat reassured.

A loud "bang" echoed, vibrating everyone’s eardrums; many shuddered as if they were the person jumping onto the nail bed, even the men weren’t exceptions.

Seconds later, everyone returned to their senses, immediately looking at Miss Xiao; the black cloth was pulled, pierced in several places by iron nails. But Miss Xiao stood firmly.