"Lu Ren, may you die a horrible death!"

After standing there for a moment, he could only spit a hateful curse at Lu Ren before quickly departing.

Xu Yang stepped into the Inner Courtyard, his gaze locking with Lu Ren’s. A flash of unease crossed Lu Ren’s face, and he immediately looked away.

"Hm?"

Xu Yang was secretly surprised. ’Looks like my gut feeling was right. Lu Ren really has changed.’

’Based on Lu Ren’s old, flamboyant personality, he wouldn’t have taken his loss lying down. Now that his injuries are healed, his first move should have been to challenge me to a fight. He’d want to avenge his defeat and prove that he’s the best.’

’But Lu Ren held back. He didn’t challenge me.’

Xu Yang grew wary. ’A person like that becomes terrifying once they learn to restrain themselves. If Lu Ren still had his old personality, I really wouldn’t be concerned.’

"Thank you for your guidance, Brother Xu."

Sometime around noon, while Xu Yang was outside instructing Outer Courtyard Disciples in their Fist Technique, Sun Tao approached and handed him an invitation.

"Junior Brother Xu, this is your Dragon Gathering Token!"

"Dragon Gathering Token?" Xu Yang asked, confused.

Xu Yang opened it. Inside was only a time, a place, and his name.

"It’s an invitation to the Dragon Assembly..."

Sun Tao explained, "After every Martial Arts Examination, Qingyuan holds a Dragon Assembly. All the Dragon Ascending Martial Artists are invited to attend. The first reason is to resolve any grudges. Since everyone fought during the examination, some hard feelings are inevitable, and the Dragon Assembly is a chance to smooth things over."

"Second, we’re all going to be disciples of the Purple Sun Sect. This is a chance to get to know one another before we join. That way, once we’re at the Purple Sun Sect, we can look out for each other. It helps promote unity among us Qingyuan Martial Artists."

"And third, it’s a chance for everyone to get together and decide when we’ll all set out for the Purple Sun Sect."

Xu Yang had a moment of realization. No wonder Lu Ren, who had been in hiding for so long, returned to Weiyuan Hall today. It must have been for the Dragon Assembly.

He glanced at the invitation. The time was set for three days from now, at the Tongbi Fist Hall.

"Junior Brother Lu, you weren’t at your peak that day. Xu Yang got lucky, and you lost a lot of face when he defeated you, making a name for himself. Now that your injuries are healed, why not challenge him to a match and get your reputation back?"

In the Inner Courtyard, Jiang Ping asked Lu Ren curiously.

He had expected to see Lu Ren and Xu Yang come to blows today. He never thought Lu Ren’s personality would change so suddenly and that he wouldn’t challenge Xu Yang.

As soon as he spoke, many others also looked at Lu Ren with curiosity. They all knew he had stayed away from Weiyuan Hall for a long time, hiding because of his defeat at Xu Yang’s hands.

A flicker of unease crossed Lu Ren’s face at the words, but he quickly regained his composure.

He said calmly, "I used to be burdened by the chase for an empty reputation. But after some painful soul-searching, I’ve come to understand that only strength and Cultivation are real. Now that I’ve comprehended Wind and Thunder Strength, I have no need to fight him to prove anything."

"All I know is that if I wanted to defeat him now, it wouldn’t take more than three moves. A technique like Wind and Thunder Strength isn’t meant to be used on our fellow brothers."

The words "Wind and Thunder Strength" were like a giant boulder tossed into a calm lake, and the entire hall erupted in shock.

Everyone now understood why Lu Ren hadn’t challenged Xu Yang. If he had truly comprehended Wind and Thunder Strength, defeating Xu Yang would be child’s play.

Weiyuan Hall produces over twenty Qi Gathering Martial Artists each year, but someone capable of comprehending Wind and Thunder Strength might not appear even once every two or three years.

For Lu Ren to comprehend Wind and Thunder Strength after practicing martial arts for less than a year and a half was a sign of astonishing talent.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Lu!"

Jiang Ping’s tone grew warm again. The earlier contempt in his eyes had vanished, replaced by an eagerness to get on Lu Ren’s good side.

’Wind and Thunder Strength... If only Lu Ren hadn’t started his training so late, he could have truly challenged for the top three.’

"Junior Brother Lu, your talent is truly astounding!"

Even Zhao Zhifei, who had always looked down on Lower-class Disciples like Lu Ren, had a complete change of heart. He stepped forward, clasping his hands in congratulations.

"Wind and Thunder Strength..."

Zhang Yong’s face was a mask of astonishment. To think that during his period of silence, Lu Ren had actually comprehended Wind and Thunder Strength. ’Xu Yang has probably been left far behind now.’

In that moment, numerous Inner Courtyard Disciples surged forward, all offering their congratulations. For a second, it seemed as if the old spark had returned to Lu Ren’s eyes.

But he quickly schooled his features back into an impassive mask. "Wind and Thunder Strength is nothing. My true goal is Mixed Element Strength."

"Senior Brother Lu comprehended Wind and Thunder Strength... what if Xu Yang comprehends it in a few days, too?" someone suddenly asked, spoiling the mood completely.

In an instant, the pavilion fell so silent you could hear a pin drop. Everyone exchanged uncertain glances.

Remembering how Xu Yang seemed to have a breakthrough every single time he did, Lu Ren felt the corner of his mouth twitch. A sliver of uncontrollable panic rose in his heart.

’Impossible! Absolutely impossible!’

Lu Ren roared inwardly.