Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Pitiful Lin Hu

Niu Thirteen exclaimed, “Fatty, you really are something else!”

Pang Bo grinned, “If you hadn’t spoken up, we’d have thought you’d been mauled by some wild beast…”

Wang Shan teased, “The way you looked before, you truly stunned us all!”

Lin Cheng added, “Those last two beastly roars… Fatty, it’s lucky you came out unharmed. Otherwise, how could I explain it to Little Cui? If she found out you’d been…”

At this, Fatty Lin instantly blew up, leaping to his feet. “You… you bunch of rotten friends, I’m innocent!”

The sight sent the group into peals of laughter, clearly enjoying watching Fatty Lin flustered and at a loss.

Just then, Qi Niu came running at full speed. “Lin Hu, Lin Hu… Elder Sun De is looking for you everywhere…”

Fatty Lin’s face was puzzled. “Sun De’s looking for me? What does that old stick want from me?”

Qi Niu caught his breath. “It seems to be about what happened in the secret realm…”

Lin Cheng asked, “How does he know what happened to Fatty in there?”

Niu Thirteen and the others also looked at Qi Niu in confusion.

Qi Niu replied, “Apparently, at the exit of the Light Gate, two giant apes blocked the way and went berserk at the sight of any disciple. Many who had reached the exit after the trial were wounded…”

Wang Shan exclaimed, “Damn…”

Pang Bo turned to Lin Hu, giving him a thumbs up. “Fatty, you’re famous now.”

Niu Thirteen remarked, “I think he’s in trouble. Don’t forget, Sun De has a deadly feud with Madman—his disciple was killed. Now he’s finally got a chance, it’d be stranger if he didn’t mess with Fatty…”

Lin Cheng declared, “If that old stick dares lay a hand on Fatty, I’ll call Master to finish him!”

In truth, none of them were overly worried. After all, last time, Master Hidden Edge had intervened, and Sun De wouldn’t dare stir up much trouble.

Over the next two days, the group let loose, feasting on meat and wine, occasionally discussing their cultivation insights, all in perfect harmony.

…

When dawn arrived and the bell tolled, everyone opened their eyes from meditation.

Above the bluestone square, five elders of the sect had already arrived, watching the disciples gather below with smiles and strokes of their beards.

“They’re here, they’re here…”

“Who’s here?”

“Who else? Lin Hu and his lot…”

“Oh? Looks like we’re in for a show…”

As Fatty Lin and his companions strode onto the square, whispers rippled among those who knew what had happened that day.

Sun De, seeing them approach, flashed down to stand before Lin Hu and his friends, immediately reaching out to seize Lin Hu. Lin Cheng stepped forward, blocking the way.

“What’s this? Elder Sun, can’t you kick the habit of bullying the younger generation?”

A stir went through the crowd—everyone was shocked that Lin Cheng would speak so boldly to Elder Sun De.

“Lin Cheng, you dare speak to me like that? Didn’t your parents teach you respect for teachers and elders?” Sun De’s eyes widened in fury.

“My parents certainly taught me to respect my elders. However…” Lin Cheng met his gaze unflinchingly. “But for someone who attacks juniors without cause, what is there to respect?”

Sun De laughed bitterly in his rage. “Fine, fine, fine… Today, let’s see how you protect him.”

“Lin Hu, speak for yourself. What good deed did you do in the Azure Sun Secret Realm that riled up the giant apes and caused injuries among our disciples?”

Lin Hu stepped forward, bowed deeply, and cried, “Elder, you wrong me—I don’t even know myself…”

“The day I entered the secret realm, knowing my cultivation was weak, I moved carefully, hoping to find the exit and pass the trial…”

“Who could have guessed, suddenly two giant apes appeared and chased me all the way…”

“They pursued me relentlessly, and somehow I stumbled through the exit. Elder, you saw for yourself how wretched I looked when I came out…”

The crowd listened to Lin Hu’s account, their eyes filled with sympathy. Truly, it seemed a miracle he’d survived.

Sun De was not convinced. “You claim you were hunted by giant apes… If so, why didn’t you forfeit and let the formation send you out?”

Lin Hu replied, “Elder Sun, that’s not right… Though my strength is meager, I, Lin Hu, do not easily retreat.”

“Well said!”

Just then, Master Ox appeared in the square, studying Lin Hu for a moment. His brow arched, his gaze full of appreciation.

Seeing him, everyone bowed deeply.

“Greetings, Master.”

“Greetings, Senior Brother Ox.”

“Greetings, Uncle.”

“Greetings, Head Elder.”

…

Sun De began, “Senior Brother Ox—”

Before he could finish, Master Ox waved his hand. “I already know what happened in the secret realm. Sun De, there’s no need to mention it again. Set your minds at ease and focus on determining the top ten ranks.”

With that, he gave Lin Hu a deep look, then vanished.

Sun De, powerless, could only leave in a huff.

Moments later, an elder on the dueling stage surveyed the crowd and announced, “Will the top ten from this inner sect trial please step forward to draw lots for their rankings.”

Soon enough, Lin Hu and nine others stood atop the dueling stage.

Looking at the bamboo tube in the elder’s hand, Lin Hu saw ten slips inside. He drew one at random, glanced at it, and laughed aloud.

Ouyang Bo! Hah! I’ve been wanting to give him a beating!

While Lin Hu grinned, Ouyang Bo’s heart soared with joy.

He feared nothing more than facing Lin Hu. He knew Lin Hu’s spiritual roots were incomplete, making cultivation impossible. He believed Lin Hu had simply gotten lucky and stumbled through the trial.

He wasn’t to blame for thinking so; nearly everyone present shared the same opinion.

Seeing Ouyang Bo’s opponent was Lin Hu, the crowd was filled with envy.

Ouyang Bo’s luck was incredible—this round was as good as a direct pass to the top five.

The first round featured two men: from the murmurs below, Lin Cheng learned one was Li Long and the other Zhang Bao, both wielding two broadswords.

Blades flashed and clashed, and in the end Zhang Bao emerged victorious.

The second round saw Zhang Qian, a young woman, face Zhao Lin, an outer sect disciple.

Their fierce battle ended with neither gaining the upper hand, lasting for three incense sticks. Zhao Lin finally made a misstep and lost.

Zhang Qian won!

The third round’s victor was Bai Ju, a youth who defeated his opponent in just three moves.

The crowd cheered and applauded.

Fourth round: Gong Xin versus Bai Lu!

Gong Xin launched a ferocious assault, paying no mind that his opponent was a woman.

His aggression drew sighs from the audience—so little gallantry!

Though his attacks were fierce, Bai Lu, now at the fifth level of the True Qi Realm, showed no fear. She dodged gracefully, dissolving Gong Xin’s offense with ease.

After several waves of intense attacks failed, Gong Xin, exhausted, left the stage in resignation.

Bai Lu won!

He admitted defeat so quickly?

The audience sighed.

Fifth round: Ouyang Bo versus Lin Hu!

Oh boy!

“Poor Lin Hu…”

“He should be content—at least he made it into the inner sect…”

“Exactly. Let’s hope Ouyang Bo doesn’t hit him too hard…”

“Poor Lin Hu…”

…