Chapter Twenty-Four: Kill Lin Qing
At the hour of the tiger, the waning moon hung like a hook in the sky, and the night was still and calm.
Lin Qing tucked away his bundle and stealthily slipped out of the courtyard, then hurried down the mountain. Upon reaching the foot of Solitary Mountain, he gazed up at Solitary Moon City nestled halfway up the mountain, his eyes drawn to the massive sword that loomed above. A mix of reluctance and anger flickered across his face.
"Lin Feng, today you forced me out of Solitary Moon City. I swear I will not rest until I avenge this grudge."
With that, Lin Qing took a step forward, his expression hurried. At this moment, Lin Qing's hands were bound with white bandages, giving him a somewhat disheveled appearance.
"Lin Qing, where are you rushing off to in such a hurry?"
A cold snort pierced the air as a boy clad in rough gray cloth appeared—it was Lin Feng. He blocked Lin Qing's path and said coldly, "Thinking of running away so soon? Do you really think you can escape?"
Lin Qing looked at Lin Feng with fear in his eyes and stammered, "You... how did you know I was trying to escape? The competition has just begun."
"Since I saw you at the Training Ground, my eyes have not left you for a moment. Wherever you go, I follow. The heavens are watching; today's grievances can finally be settled."
After finishing his words, Lin Feng had no intention of wasting more breath. He swung his fist towards Lin Qing.
Immediately, Lin Qing fell to his knees in desperation and pleaded, "Lin Feng, we are of the same clan and grew up together. It was all my fault before; I deserve to die a thousand deaths. I beg you to spare my life this once."
"Since you know you deserve to die a thousand deaths, then there is no need for you to live any longer. The sooner you die, the sooner you'll be reborn. In your next life, be a good person."
Lin Feng's fist carried a powerful wind as it struck towards Lin Qing's head. In terror, Lin Qing unleashed all his cultivation defenses. With a loud bang… Lin Feng's fist collided with Lin Qing's bound hands.
Lin Qing's hands were instantly reduced to a bloody mess, rendering both arms completely disabled.
Lin Feng was filled with a fierce aura as he suddenly lifted his foot and kicked towards Lin Qing's chest. Lin Qing was powerless to resist; after taking the heavy blow, all the bones in his chest shattered, and he flew straight out.
After hitting the ground, Lin Qing saw a dark hole beside him. Without a second thought, he suppressed the intense pain within him and rolled into the cave.
"Lin Feng, even if I become a vengeful spirit, I will not let you go."
Inside the cave, Lin Qing's voice echoed continuously, gradually fading into silence.
Lin Feng quickly walked to the mouth of the cave and looked inside. The entrance was narrow, just enough for one person to fall through. The interior was pitch black, making it impossible to see the bottom. Lin Feng picked up a stone and threw it in.
Clang, clang...
The stone bounced off the walls of the cave but there was no sound of it hitting the bottom. Eventually, the clanging faded into silence.
"This cave is very deep. Lin Qing is severely injured and is already doomed; falling from such a height should guarantee his death. As for me, going down to investigate seems hardly worth it."
After making his decision, Lin Feng turned and left, disappearing into the night. Having avenged himself today, he felt much lighter in spirit.
The Inner Disciple Competition continued. It was unclear whether it was others' good fortune or Miaomiao's luck; she had been fortunate enough to remain unchallenged and had yet to compete.
After another day of matches, Lin Feng entered once more and faced off against a fourth-layer Cultivator, emerging victorious. His win was somewhat impressive but still did not garner much attention. Almost everyone believed he had reached his limit and would surely lose against a fifth-layer Cultivator.
On this day, the top ten were decided. Among the Lin Family disciples who made it into the top ten were Lin Heng, Lin Feng, and Lin Miaomiao. Elder Feize's faction also had three members selected, while the remaining four spots were taken by disciples led by another elder.
Lin Yun's expression was dark and his mood heavy. He looked at the night sky and muttered to himself, "Lin Feng's performance is surprising, but after all, he is only at Dual Realm. If he faces a fifth-layer powerhouse, he will surely lose."
"My greatest rival is Fei Ze. Meng Kuo at Ninth Layer Foundation, along with that disciple named Shen Yumen at Sixfold Realm—Meng Kuo is unbeatable; anyone who encounters him will surely fail. Tomorrow’s draw will determine everything. Aside from those two, everyone else is at Fourth Realm and poses no threat. As long as my three disciples do not face Meng Kuo or Shen Yumen, they are bound to enter the top five. Then it will be three against one; who wins or loses remains uncertain."
After assessing the situation, Lin Yun prayed to the bright moon, hoping for good fortune in the drawing of lots.
The Inner Sect Disciples Competition had entered its final stage. The Training Ground was rearranged, leaving only one arena. Among the ten participants, anyone could become an Inner Sect Disciple, but their final rankings would determine their worth.
As the drawing began, Lin Yun's fingers trembled, and he prayed once more. In contrast, Fei Ze wore a smug expression, as if victory was already assured.
Once the results were revealed, Lin Yun felt a mix of emotions.
Lin Heng was set to face Shen Yumen, which was one of the outcomes Lin Yun dreaded most. However, Lin Feng and Lin Miaomiao both drew fourth-tier disciples, which provided some comfort to Lin Yun.
"At least I didn't draw Meng Kuo. If only Lin Feng and Lin Heng could switch their lots, that would be perfect. Given the current situation, if Lin Heng can't defeat Shen Yumen, then it will be up to Lin Feng and Lin Miaomiao to enter the top five against Meng Kuo and Shen Yumen. The odds are slim," Lin Yun sighed heavily, his mood weighed down.
"The first match: Lin Heng versus Shen Yumen."
The Head Elder announced the commencement of today's matches. More people gathered at the Training Ground; the ten disciples about to compete were all Inner Sect Disciples, which made them objects of envy.
Upon hearing their names called, two figures who had long been prepared leaped into the Arena within the Training Ground. They exchanged glances, both eyes filled with a desire for victory. Especially Lin Heng, facing a stronger opponent with slim chances of winning; he cherished this opportunity greatly. Winning against a stronger foe would be far more impressive than defeating someone weaker.
Lin Heng excelled in eagle claw martial arts techniques and held an advantage in agility. Shen Yumen practiced earth-based martial arts techniques and had a calm and reserved demeanor, gaining an edge in Vital Energy cultivation.
From the moment the match began, Lin Heng transformed into a streak of green light, darting around his opponent like a hawk in flight. Utilizing his agility, he aimed his claws at Shen Yumen's vital points. However, while his attacks were fierce, his opponent was no pushover; Shen Yumen even surpassed Lin Heng in cultivation level. He stood firm like a rock in the Arena, relying on his robust Vital Energy and renowned defensive capabilities from earth-based martial arts techniques to withstand the onslaught.
At first glance, it seemed that Shen Yumen was being pushed back step by step. Yet upon closer inspection, one could see that despite appearing to be at a disadvantage, he had managed to evade all of Lin Heng's fierce attacks without sustaining any serious injuries.
The intense battle between offense and defense captivated most of the spectators in the square. This was arguably the most heated match of the Inner Sect Disciples Competition thus far. Cheers and shouts of encouragement echoed around the Arena, eventually resonating like thunder above the Training Ground.
"Is that Shen Yumen at Sixfold Realm? His defensive abilities are exceptional, but why does it seem like he has no power to counterattack?"
"Indeed. That Lin Heng seems more like a Sixfold Realm."
In the Training Ground, Inner Sect Disciples and Outer Disciples were engaged in heated discussions, their voices echoing throughout the area.
Lin Feng and Miaomiao watched the match with serious expressions. Miaomiao turned to Lin Feng and asked, "Lin Feng, who do you think has a better chance of winning?"
Lin Feng observed the situation on stage and pondered, "Lin Heng made a mistake from the very beginning. Although he appears to be attacking fiercely, if this continues for long, his Vital Energy will eventually run out. While he has won previously using this method against opponents of equal or lower cultivation, facing someone with a higher cultivation level makes this approach akin to drinking poison to quench thirst, unless his Martial Arts Technique surpasses Shen Yumen's. On the other hand, Shen Yumen has not moved much since the fight began. Each time they exchanged blows, his feet would subtly shift, absorbing Lin Heng's Vital Energy into the ground. Although this method of deflecting force is somewhat clumsy, it still conserves a lot of unnecessary Vital Energy. Therefore, if Lin Heng's astonishing attacks continue for another thirty rounds or so, his offensive power will gradually weaken until he ultimately faces defeat."
After hearing this, Lin Miaomiao laughed and said, "Lin Feng, your analysis is spot on; you are indeed clever."
"Are you complimenting me?" Lin Feng chuckled and replied, "I'm not like you; my cultivation is inferior. My opponents are all stronger than me in Foundation. If I don't accumulate combat experience, winning will be exceedingly difficult."
As Lin Feng and Miaomiao conversed, the stalemate in the arena finally shifted. Lin Heng had been unable to break through and was running low on Vital Energy. He finally realized the impending trouble. After one last furious assault, he decided to slow down his attack speed. However, it was too late for such a move.
Sure enough, just as Lin Heng reduced his speed, Shen Yumen—who had been as immobile as a turtle—suddenly unleashed a powerful Martial Arts Technique that was starkly different from his earlier defensive style. With one palm strike, he sent Lin Heng staggering back several steps.
After taking a heavy hit, Lin Heng's Vital Energy was completely depleted, leaving him unable to resist. He retreated step by step, each step accompanied by a spurt of blood until he ultimately lost all fighting capability.
"Unmoving like a mountain, striking like thunder; one move defeats the enemy."
Lin Feng marveled inwardly. Shen Yumen was indeed a formidable opponent. Not only did he surpass Lin Heng in cultivation but he also bided his time until he found an opportunity to deliver a decisive blow. Such restraint was something even he might struggle to achieve against an opponent weaker than himself.
"Shen Yumen is quite cunning, Miaomiao; if you face him, be careful," Lin Feng warned.
Miaomiao snorted disdainfully and said, "I can't stand people like him. Clearly capable of winning outright but pretending to be weak just to give others false hope before crushing it. It makes his victory seem extraordinary and deepens his impression in the elders' minds. But Inner Sect Elders have lived long enough; how could they not see through such tricks? Being too clever can backfire. If I encounter him, I won't let him off easily."
After the results were announced in the Arena of the Training Ground, the two exited with vastly different moods. The next round of matches followed closely behind.
"Next match: Lin Miaomiao versus Zhang Lan," the Head Elder announced.
"Who is Lin Miaomiao? I've never heard of her."
"She's the one who has been sitting out, yet somehow made it into the top ten. That's some crazy luck."
"Really? There's such a person? This Inner Sect Disciples Competition is quite a mess."
Lin Feng couldn't help but smile at the discussions around him. He said, "Finally, it's your turn to compete. Just don't go too hard and knock everyone's jaws off."
"Am I really that impressive? I had no idea." Miaomiao replied, her sweet smile lighting up as she flew onto the Arena.
(Our Miaomiao is making her entrance; make sure to write a great next chapter. Please recommend and save!)
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