Chapter 136: Chapter 131: Dual Battle (Part 1)

Elder Gold Stone slapped his forehead and gave a wry laugh. "You’re right, we do have that rule. We haven’t had a suitable disciple for it in the past two years. I’d nearly forgotten if you hadn’t brought it up."

"I agree. You can’t have order without rules," Fire Jade said, deliberately glancing at Water Mirror.

Water Mirror’s face darkened, but he said nothing.

’He actually remembered the rule. He’d just deliberately chosen not to mention it.’

’For Zhao Lin to reach the First Layer of the Qi Realm at seventeen was already a remarkable achievement; it was only natural that he couldn’t have invested much time in practical combat skills.’

’Pitting him against a Xingyun Sect disciple who was several years older and two layers higher in cultivation gave him no chance of victory.’

Fire Jade toyed with the jade ring on his thumb, a leisurely look on his face. "For the outer-court disciples, let’s pick Shi Jiangyong and Li Ying. What do you think, Brother Water Mirror?"

Water Mirror ignored him, his expression growing even darker.

’There were thousands of disciples in the outer court; it was impossible to know them all. But these two had just performed brilliantly in the quarterly competition, leaving a deep impression on him.’

’Shi Jiangyong, who practiced "Qilin Force," was known for his strength. Li Ying was skilled in the "Spiritual Snake Leg," his Body Technique agile and unpredictable.’

’When low-realm martial artists fought, it was sometimes possible for one style of Fist Skill or Cultivation Technique to counter another. By choosing one opponent focused on strength and another on speed, Fire Jade had essentially eliminated any chance of an upset.’

Seeing no objections, Elder Gold Stone said, "Then it’s settled! Kong Cang and Han Yang have passed. Zhao Lin will have to go through another round of tests."

"Ask him his thoughts. If he doesn’t want to accept the challenge, he can join the others and enter the outer court. Xuancheng, go inform him."

"Yes."

Hu Xuancheng acknowledged the order and walked out of the main hall.

When the crowd in the courtyard saw Hu Xuancheng emerge, they immediately stopped talking and stared at him with rapt attention.

Hu Xuancheng smiled and cupped his fist. "Kong Cang, Han Yang, congratulations to you both."

Kong Cang and Han Yang both sighed in relief, smiles breaking out on their faces.

Except for Zhao Lin, the rest of the candidates looked crestfallen.

"The rest of you need not be discouraged. Although you cannot enter the Wuxiang Institute, the gates of the outer court are still open to you."

Hu Xuancheng looked at the others and said earnestly, "The path of martial cultivation is a long one. As long as you train diligently, you’ll still have the chance to enter the inner court directly from the outer court. There have been many such examples."

"Zhao Lin, you stay behind as well."

"Alright," Zhao Lin replied calmly.

Though the hall doors had been tightly shut, his hearing was sharp enough to have caught every word of the elders’ conversation inside. He already knew the result, which was why he was so calm.

"Why does he get to stay?"

The five failed candidates turned to look at Zhao Lin in unison, their disappointment instantly turning to indignation.

Zhang Zhiyuan said resentfully, "Senior Brother Hu, we have no complaints about Kong Cang and Han Yang, but how can someone who is merely at the First Layer of the Qi Realm get to stay?"

Yao Lirong sneered. "If I’m not mistaken, he was using Six Harmonies Fist just now. He must have some connection to the outer sect. You’re just showing favoritism to one of your own!"

Hu Xuancheng didn’t get angry. He replied pleasantly, "This was the elders’ decision. I shouldn’t be disclosing the details, but to avoid any misunderstandings, I’ll explain briefly."

"Zhao Lin’s innate aptitude is ’upper-middle’ grade. Among the eight of you, his and Kong Cang’s are the best. Furthermore, he is only seventeen."

"According to the rules of the Wuxiang Institute, if he can defeat two outer-court disciples at the Third Layer of the Qi Realm in succession, he can be admitted as a special exception."

At this, the group fell silent. Challenging a disciple at the Third Layer of the Qi Realm—two of them, no less... if Zhao Lin could really pull that off, it would certainly silence any critics.

Yao Lirong’s eyes flickered, and she asked, "Can we stay and watch?"

Hu Xuancheng’s eyebrows shot up, his voice tinged with anger. "What? Do you think the test is fake?"

Yao Lirong quickly lowered her head, her eyes fixed on the ground. "I wouldn’t dare. I just want to broaden my horizons."

Even she didn’t believe her own words, let alone anyone else. But no one spoke up; they all wanted to see how things would turn out.

Hu Xuancheng took a deep breath. "I cannot make a decision on this matter. I will go back and report to the elders."

At this point, his expression softened as he turned to Zhao Lin. "Junior Brother Zhao, do you agree to a match against the outer-court disciples?"

"I agree," Zhao Lin nodded.

Hu Xuancheng summoned the disciples stationed in front of the pavilion and told them to fetch Shi Jiangyong and Li Ying. Then, without a backward glance, he strode back into the main hall.

The atmosphere in the courtyard grew a little awkward. The rejected candidates felt a bit embarrassed; their commotion now seemed like an attempt to drag Zhao Lin down with them.

Zhao Lin stood serenely, eyes cast downward, acting as if nothing had happened.

Only Kong Cang and Han Yang, feeling it was none of their concern, looked Zhao Lin up and down, eager to watch the show.

"Nonsense! Throw them out!"

Inside the hall, upon hearing Hu Xuancheng’s report, Fire Jade roared in anger.

Hu Xuancheng stood his ground, glancing at Elder Gold Stone.

"Forget it."

Elder Gold Stone waved his hand dismissively. "This concerns the sect’s reputation. What’s the harm in letting them watch openly? They can act as witnesses, lest they go out and spread rumors."

Having received his orders, Hu Xuancheng went out and relayed the news to the eight people in the courtyard.

"The elders have agreed. The two outer-court disciples will arrive shortly."

"By the way, one of these disciples is twenty-two, the other twenty-three. Both broke through to the Third Layer of the Qi Realm two years ago, and they even placed in the top ten of last month’s outer-court competition. Their strength is beyond question!"

The disciples present exchanged knowing glances before looking at Zhao Lin. In their hearts, they felt it was impossible for him to win.

The years between fifteen and twenty-five were the golden age for martial arts training. A gap of even a year or two made a significant difference, to say nothing of the five or six years these two had on Zhao Lin.

Yao Lirong knew Hu Xuancheng’s words were meant for her. She quickly said, "Thank you, Senior Brother Hu. I was being impudent just now and caused offense. I sincerely hope you can forgive me."

"It’s no matter," Hu Xuancheng replied, his expression softening slightly.

Before long, two disciples dressed in the training clothes of the outer court walked into the courtyard together.

One was tall and powerfully built, with fierce, bulging eyes and a short beard beneath his chin. The other was clear-featured and handsome.

When the two saw Hu Xuancheng, they cupped their fists in unison. "Senior Brother Hu."

Hu Xuancheng nodded. "Do you know why you’ve been summoned?"

They replied in unison, "We do."

"Follow me, then."

Hu Xuancheng led the group into the main hall and bowed to the five elders. "Elders, everyone is here."

Elder Gold Stone nodded. "Hu Xuancheng, you will preside over this."

"Yes..."

The central area of the hall was already intended for matches, marked by a wide rectangle paved with white bricks.

Kong Cang, Han Yang, and the other new disciples sensibly retreated to the edge of the area.

Hu Xuancheng tapped the edge of the arena with his toe and said to Zhao Lin, "According to the Xingyun Sect’s match rules, you lose if you are thrown out of the ring, are knocked to the ground, or surrender."

Zhao Lin nodded to show he understood.

Hu Xuancheng looked at Shi Jiangyong and Li Ying. "Which of you will go first?"

Shi Jiangyong immediately spoke up. "I’ll go first!"

’Seeing Zhao Lin’s youthful face, he couldn’t help the surge of jealousy that rose in his heart.’

’He, too, had once dreamed of entering the Wuxiang Institute, but his wish had not been granted.’

’It would be incredibly satisfying to be the one to personally stop this so-called genius from entering the Wuxiang Institute.’

"Alright, then let’s begin!"

Hu Xuancheng clapped his hands once and stepped back to clear the area, adding one last instruction: "Fight with restraint. Once a winner is decided, you are not to strike again."

Zhao Lin and Shi Jiangyong stood facing each other and exchanged cupped-fist salutes.

"Shi Jiangyong, disciple of the outer court."

"Zhao Lin. I await your instruction!"