Quietly leaving the Quiet Cultivation Zone, Lin Xiao kept a low profile as he headed back to the new disciples’ area.
Along the way, he encountered a few veteran disciples, but they hadn’t seen him before and naturally didn’t recognise him.
Their excited chatter, however, reached Lin Xiao’s ears.
“This batch of new disciples is something else. A Heavenly Martial disciple with a million slaughter points, only to die miserably in the fourth-rank Thunder Array Zone. What a joke.”
“No kidding. That guy was either lucky or cursed. A million slaughter points shook the entire Holy City, making him the talk of the town, only to croak right after. Just a fleeting splash.”
“But I heard he had some guts. He even dared to insult Yu Xiang. That lass is a petty one, stunningly beautiful with plenty of suitors, and she’s tight with Xiahou Jing. Crossing her is asking for trouble.”
“Gutsy, sure. Even I wouldn’t dare cross Yu Xiang. I heard he didn’t even give face to Lai Shufeng and Xia Jianren when he entered the Thunder Array Zone.”
“Guts? Skill? That guy was just an ignorant fool. If he’d known how strong Lai Shufeng and Xia Jianren were, he wouldn’t have dared go in and wouldn’t have died in the fourth-rank Thunder Array Zone. And his death’s one thing, but now he’s dragged his friends into it. The Tianmen disciples are back from their trial, and now they’re about to get mobbed by Yu Xiang and Jia Chao’s crew. You can imagine their fate—every one of them will be beaten to a pulp.”
“Heh, it’s exactly because he’s dead that we get this show. Goes to show, don’t cross a woman. Even after he’s gone, she’s still not satisfied and wants to take it out on his mates.”
Hearing this, Lin Xiao’s brows shot up, a surge of cold anger rising within him.
The new disciples were back from their trial, and Tianmen’s people were about to be ambushed by Yu Xiang and her group?
“You lot, where are Tianmen’s people?” Lin Xiao quickly stepped forward to ask.
“At the new disciples’ area. We’re heading there to watch the fun. Coming along?” one youth replied after a pause, somewhat enthusiastically.
Lin Xiao nodded. After getting a rough idea of the location in the new disciples’ area, he picked up his pace.
The others wondered if Lin Xiao was just impatient, rushing off like that.
…
In the new disciples’ area, inside a courtyard.
Dozens, perhaps a hundred people, were gathered, most just there to watch the spectacle.
At the front of the courtyard stood the Tianmen disciples.
This mission had been brutal for Tianmen. Of the nearly twenty who went, only twelve returned.
But fortunately, all twelve had completed the task, officially becoming disciples of the Holy Origin Academy.
Wang Long had broken through to first-rank Martial King during the trial. Hu Yue advanced from Heavenly Martial sixth-rank to seventh-rank, and Ba Hu reached Heavenly Martial ninth-rank.
Several others had also made gains, their strength improving significantly. The lowest cultivation among the twelve was Heavenly Martial fourth-rank.
After returning to the Holy City, they were assigned to this new disciples’ area. But no sooner had they arrived than trouble came knocking.
The Tianmen disciples banded together, but their numbers were far fewer than their opponents’. The onlookers seemed to heavily favour the team led by Yu Xiang.
Yu Xiang’s group was clearly targeting Tianmen, with members ranging from Heavenly Martial fourth-rank to second-rank Martial King.
It was obvious the lower-cultivation members were there to deal with Tianmen’s disciples. For every rank, they’d brought multiple fighters, clearly intent on ensuring every Tianmen disciple was thoroughly beaten.
Their reasoning was simple: Lin Xiao had provoked them, then died in the fourth-rank Thunder Array Zone, so they were here to make Tianmen atone.
The Tianmen disciples were livid. No matter what, they refused to believe Lin Xiao had died in the fourth-rank Thunder Array Zone.
They had immense faith in Lin Xiao. A mere fourth-rank Thunder Array Zone couldn’t possibly claim his life.
“Listen up, all of you! If you don’t want a beating, kowtow three times. Otherwise, we’ll thrash you so hard you won’t get up for half a month!” Yu Xiang pointed at the group, barking arrogantly.
At her words, the Tianmen disciples seethed with anger.
“Who do you think you are, talking to us like that?” Hu Yue stepped forward, her petite frame bristling as she cursed at Yu Xiang. “If you’ve got the guts, come fight me!”
The crowd was taken aback. Was this little girl too brazen? Yu Xiang wasn’t exactly a powerhouse, but she was Heavenly Martial ninth-rank. Hu Yue, only seventh-rank, dared challenge her directly?
Yu Xiang’s face twisted with rage. A mere Heavenly Martial seventh-rank girl dared insult her like that?
“Fine, very fine. Since you won’t kowtow, it’s too late for regrets.” Yu Xiang pointed at Hu Yue. “As for you, challenging me? You’re not worthy!”
“But since you’re itching for a beating, I’ll indulge you!” Yu Xiang glanced at a Heavenly Martial seventh-rank youth nearby. “Fan that girl down for me!”
“Happy to serve you, Miss Yu Xiang!” A youth stepped out from the crowd, excitement on his face.
This youth was scrawny, with a small nose and crooked mouth, his appearance somewhat off-putting. But his eyes glinted with malice.
In the Holy City, with his cultivation, he barely stood out. Being able to serve Jia Chao and Yu Xiang was a stroke of luck, potentially a chance to hitch himself to their rising stars.
He hadn’t expected to be of use.
“Blame your bad luck!” The scrawny youth snarled, darting forward swiftly, swinging a vicious slap at Hu Yue.
Infused with Heavenly Martial seventh-rank power, the slap stirred a gust of wind. Chosen for this task, the scrawny youth’s strength was formidable among his peers.
His strike was sharp, a full-force slap meant to floor Hu Yue, even causing a whistling sound through the air.
Seeing this, the crowd silently pitied the girl. She was pretty enough, but crossing Yu Xiang meant she’d be humiliated badly. This slap would surely knock her to the ground.
Bang!
But the next moment, a shocking scene unfolded. Hu Yue’s small hand flicked out, and the scrawny youth’s body was sent flying backward.
“What kind of trash dares to take me on?” Hu Yue clapped her hands, cursing.
“…”
The crowd was speechless.
This girl seemed pretty fierce herself!
But sending the scrawny youth flying with one slap was unexpected. They’d seen the power in his strike.
Few at Heavenly Martial seventh-rank could withstand it, yet she’d casually swatted him away.
