Chapter 110 - 110 109 Challenging a Core Disciple

110: Chapter 109: Challenging a Core Disciple 110: Chapter 109: Challenging a Core Disciple Lin Xuan’s table was piled high with weapons, elixir pills, and other cultivation resources. He looked at Fan Chong with a strange glint in his eye, barely suppressing the laughter on his face, for he couldn’t have imagined that the once haughty core disciple would now be trying to please him. “Brother Lin, I have offended you in the past, and I hope you won’t take it to heart,” said Fan Chong, rubbing his hands awkwardly. If it weren’t for the Blood-colored Trial, he wouldn’t have said these words even if he were beaten to death. “Since Brother has approached with such sincerity, let bygones be bygones,” Lin Xuan said with a smile. “That’s great!” Fan Chong’s face brightened, “I heard Brother Lin is going to challenge a core disciple, and I wonder…” “So, that’s what this is about!” Lin Xuan saw Fan Chong’s expression and immediately understood—apparently, he feared losing his position as a core disciple. “The person I’m going to challenge has already been decided,” Lin Xuan said, intentionally casting a look at Fan Chong. Seeing Lin Xuan’s gaze, Fan Chong felt his heart hang once more, and with a bitter expression, he asked, “Who is it? It’s not me, is it?” “What a coincidence!” Lin Xuan chuckled, “It’s indeed not you!” Phew! Fan Chong deflated like a balloon, heaving a huge sigh of relief. “I wonder which one Brother Lin wants to challenge. I’ll say this—although I can’t speak for everyone, I do have some understanding of the core disciples,” Fan Chong claimed, thumping his chest. Lin Xuan felt a hint of pleasure internally; he had been looking for someone to gather information from, and Fan Chong couldn’t be more suitable. “What do you know about the fifth and seventh ranked ones?” Lin Xuan asked. Fan Chong looked at Lin Xuan in surprise, unable to fathom why he wanted to challenge two people, as this had never happened before. Suddenly, as if he had understood something, his expression turned even more fearful. “The fifth and seventh—are they not Elder Xue’s disciples? I’ve heard there was a conflict between Lin Xuan and Elder Xue, and now it seems it’s true!” A trace of relief flashed through Fan Chong’s mind, “Good thing I had the foresight to come here and clear the air in advance; otherwise, I might have been the one he challenged.” Thinking that he could have easily lost his status as a core disciple, Fan Chong shivered with fear. Taking a deep breath, Fan Chong said in a grave voice, “The seventh-ranked disciple is called Dong Ying, known for his speed, practicing the Dark-grade advanced martial art Shadowless Step, and he also knows a high-level leg technique, Ghost Lion Continuous Bomb.” “The fifth-ranked disciple is Zhao Zhicheng, a body refining martial artist, who practices the Dark-grade advanced martial art Iron Body Technique; his physical body is incredibly strong, impervious to blades and swords.” “Both of them are at the Peak of the Ninth-grade Condensation and should not be underestimated.” Lin Xuan asked a few more questions about the other core disciples and then sent Fan Chong on his way. With an understanding of the two individuals’ characteristics and cultivation techniques, Lin Xuan felt even more confident. Two days later, Lin Xuan set out. In the Xuantian Sect, among the beautiful mountain peaks where many pavilions and platforms had been built, there sat a dark-skinned young man surrounded by a group of young boys and girls, arrogantly boasting. At that moment, a clear voice rang out, “Are you Dong Ying?” The young man’s face tightened, and his gaze swept rapidly around before he asked in a deep voice, “Who’s there? Show yourself!” “Hmph, quite the temper. I wonder if your strength matches,” the voice floated in like a gentle breeze, echoing around, “Meet me at the Challenge Platform!” As the voice faded, a tree branch flew out and floated into the pavilion. Just before it was about to land, the leaves on the branch suddenly fluttered as if they were countless little fish, swiftly darting out and sticking to the stone pillars. The green leaves formed two words perfectly: Lin Xuan! “Lin Xuan! He’s challenging Brother Dong!” The group of youths exclaimed, then swiftly turned their gaze towards the dark-faced young man, who now had a deep frown. … Xuantian Sect, Inner Sect Challenge Platform. Lin Xuan, dressed in black, stood quietly on the platform. The news had already been released, and more and more people were arriving, including quite a few Core Disciples. After all, this was a match challenging a Core Disciple, and the outcome would have a significant impact. Among them, the third-ranked Tang Yi and the fourth-ranked Xiang Chen had both arrived at the scene early. As more and more people gathered, eventually all Core Disciples arrived except for the top two. Zhao Zhicheng, who was ranked fifth, was also surrounded by a group of people as he stood to the side. Lin Xuan’s gaze swept towards Zhao Zhicheng, and he said with a light smile, “Since Brother Dong hasn’t arrived yet, why don’t you come up and practice with me? It’s going to happen sooner or later anyway.” His tone was very relaxed, showing no regard for the two of them, but his words set off waves of commotion among the crowd. “What? Did I hear that right? He’s actually provoking Zhao Zhicheng? Isn’t he supposed to be fighting Dong Ying?” “Does he want to challenge them both at the same time?” At this thought, the disciples gasped in disbelief, “That’s just crazy!” It wasn’t that one couldn’t challenge multiple opponents in succession, but in reality, hardly anyone would do this. After a single challenge, one would typically be out of strength, let alone ready for a second match! “Kid, just keep boasting, see if you don’t get your tongue twisted by the wind!” “Suicidal, this is simply suicidal! I can’t take it anymore!” Many disciples who supported Zhao Zhicheng began to curse, most of them ridiculing Lin Xuan. After all, being Core Disciples, they did have quite a few followers of their own. “There’s no need for Senior Brother Zhao to take action, I alone am enough to deal with you!” A figure approached quickly from a distance. Like a purple cloud drifting in the sky, this person advanced without touching the ground, stepping through the air as if flying. However, the crowd knew that this wasn’t flying but rather a demonstration of qinggong mastered to an extremely advanced level. In an instant, that figure landed on the arena, earning a round of applause. “Amazing, so graceful!” “To walk on air, that’s walking on air! It’s so shocking!” exclaimed many disciples. Naturally, the one with such qinggong was Dong Ying. He landed on the arena with a swagger, looking down at Lin Xuan from above, “Boy, you’re dead meat for daring to challenge me!” “Last time you dared to confront my master in public, let’s see how I deal with you!” Dong Ying’s eyes flickered with a cold gleam, like a venomous snake. “Less nonsense, come over here and meet your death!” Lin Xuan stood like an unrivaled king, with his black hair fluttering and eyes shining with sharp gazes, radiating an imposing aura. “Seeking death!” Dong Ying shouted angrily, stamping his foot on the ground, and his figure suddenly vanished. “So fast!” Many Inner Sect Disciples couldn’t see Dong Ying’s movements clearly, only a few disciples with higher cultivation and Core Disciples were able to keep track of the situation in the arena. Lin Xuan’s eyes shimmered, emitting an orange light. His Purple Spirit Eyes, backed by a formidable Soul Power, could see through all illusions and clearly observe Dong Ying’s movements. Under the effect of the Purple Spirit Eyes, every motion in his impression appeared much slower, almost like a slow-motion sequence. Lin Xuan smoothly took three steps backward, his face calm. The next moment, where he had just been standing, a strong gust of wind formed, and Dong Ying’s figure appeared. “Eh, he dodged it?” Dong Ying was slightly stunned, then his figure disappeared once again. “Impossible, he must have guessed! Just guessed!” “Brother Dong, go for it, kick him to death!” Below, a group of followers shouted, as though Dong Ying had already won. The orange glow in Lin Xuan’s eyes flickered, and the corner of his mouth lifted once more. Dong Ying’s movement technique, of which he was so proud, was utterly exposed before his eyes.