Chapter 22: The Crowd in Shock
Lin Zichen couldn’t help but feel a bit speechless.
To him, someone at the mere second stage of the Postnatal realm was hardly worth mentioning.
However, the opponent had used the name of the Wang family’s young master to challenge him, the Lin family’s young master.
If he refused, it would undoubtedly bring shame to the Lin family.
Although he preferred to keep a low profile, it didn’t mean he would quietly endure someone coming to his doorstep to provoke him.
“In that case, I, the young master, will—”
Just as Lin Zichen was about to accept Wang Jinglun’s challenge, suddenly—
Voices of young men echoed from within the shop.
“Haha, since when can any random nobody challenge the young master of our Lin family?”
“Exactly, I’ve been listening from outside for a while now. I can’t believe a nineteen-year-old trash at the second stage of the Postnatal realm dares to challenge our young master.”
“Such thick skin.”
As they spoke, more than a dozen young figures strode in. Seeing Wang Jinglun not far away, they immediately began mocking him with sneers and jeers.
Though their purpose in coming here wasn’t too different from Wang Jinglun’s—they, too, had come to challenge Lin Zichen—their challenges were a matter of internal affairs within the Lin family.
But Wang Jinglun? He was merely an outsider. What right did he have to challenge their young master?
Did he rely on being three years older and still only at the second stage of the Postnatal realm?
To this, Lin Zitao and the others clearly felt disdain.
“You all—”
Faced with a group of over ten Lin family juniors, each taking turns to hurl barbs, Wang Jinglun found himself at a loss for words, nearly driven mad.
“What do you mean ‘you all’? If you want to challenge the young master of the Lin family, you’ll have to get through us first.”
“Back then, the young master defeated nine of us working together on his own. We won’t bully you; just defeat us, and we’ll stop standing in your way of challenging the young master.”
“Agreed.”
“Same here.”
The youths spoke one after another, effectively putting Wang Jinglun on the spot.
After all, it was a fact that Lin Zichen had defeated nine of them single-handedly. Setting such a prerequisite for challenging the young master seemed reasonable enough.
Sure enough, after hearing Lin Zitao and the others’ words, the onlookers who had been drawn in by the commotion also began nodding and discussing.
“I think what the Lin family juniors are saying makes sense. Otherwise, if the Wang family or the Li family all want to challenge the Lin family’s young master, when will he have time to cultivate?”
“I think they’re being too harsh. How does someone not qualify to challenge the Lin family young master? After all, both are at the second stage of the Postnatal realm. What’s the issue?”
“Hah, ignoring the facts, are we? Do you know how much of a difference a genius can make with just one extra year of cultivation? Yet this guy has three more years and is still at the same level. It’s embarrassing to even mention.”
“Exactly, exactly.”
“…”
The crowd’s discussions caused the young master of the Wang family’s expression to darken.
Things had come to a point where retreat was no longer an option.
If he backed down now, the Wang family’s reputation would be ruined.
“Fine! Since you’re all so eager to be humiliated, I’ll grant your wish.”
With that, Wang Jinglun took the lead, stepping out of the shop and heading straight for the central arena in the square.
In this martial arts-dominated Tianwu Continent, strength reigned supreme.
Nearly every city had a large number of arenas, designed to facilitate martial artists in duels or resolving conflicts.
Of course, using the arena wasn’t free for all.
Depending on one’s cultivation level, a certain fee had to be paid to the forces behind the arena.
For martial artists like Lin Zitao and Wang Jinglun, who were in the Postnatal realm, a single or two silver coins would suffice for one battle on the stage.
Soon, both sides paid the required fee and ascended the arena together.
By this time, the area beneath the stage was already packed with a sea of people, and beyond the square, more martial artists, having just heard the news, were hurrying over.
The crowd was a mix of old and young, all eager onlookers.
“Wow, it really is the Wang family’s young master and the Lin family’s juniors. I didn’t expect things to escalate to this. This will be fun to watch.”
“Hehe, the Wang and Lin families are the two largest spiritual herbs clans in Qingfeng City. If they start competing, we’ll surely benefit.”
“Stop dreaming. Do you think this minor conflict will make the two families start feuding? It’s not some child’s play.”
“I’ve heard rumors that the Wang family’s young master was dissatisfied with being overshadowed by the Lin family’s young master. Turns out it’s true. Too bad the Lin family’s young master isn’t participating; otherwise, we’d witness the ultimate duel between Qingfeng City’s younger generation.”
“Don’t worry. Once the Lin family juniors lose, their young master will surely take the stage.”
“True.”
“…”
The crowd’s chatter filled the square with noise, but it didn’t distract those on the stage.
By now, both sides were ready to fight.
“Begin!”
At the overseer’s command, Wang Jinglun made the first move.
The peak aura of his second-level Postnatal realm cultivation burst forth, fully unleashed. His powerful presence filled every corner of the arena.
“Overlord Fist!”
With a low growl, Wang Jinglun executed a Postnatal-level fist martial skill he had been mastering since childhood.
The technique, now in its Complete Mastery state, sent a surge of violent spiritual energy barreling toward Lin Zitao and the others.
“Let’s see how a bunch of Ninth Stage Body Refinement weaklings dare block my path!” Wang Jinglun snarled.
This punch was full force, leaving no room for mercy. If it landed on anyone still at the ninth level of Body Refinement, it could leave them crippled, if not dead.
But in this world, “if” was a meaningless concept.
Faced with Wang Jinglun’s all-out strike, Lin Zitao and the others dared not underestimate him.
They exchanged glances, then without hesitation, unleashed their full cultivation power.
First stage Postnatal realm.
Another first stage Postnatal realm.
Yet another first stage Postnatal realm.
A total of nine first stage Postnatal auras exploded into the arena. Each young fighter wielded martial techniques of their own. Under the stunned gazes of the audience, they charged toward Wang Jinglun together.
Boom!
A muffled sound reverberated through the crowd as a figure was sent flying and landed heavily on the ground.
Upon closer inspection, the fallen figure was none other than Wang Jinglun, the young master of the Wang family.
He had lost.
“Hiss—first stage Postnatal, all of them! How has the Lin family managed to nurture so many geniuses?”
“No wonder Lin Zitao and the others dared to step forward, even knowing Wang Jinglun’s cultivation was at the second stage of Postnatal Realm. It turns out they’re no longer at the Body Refinement stage.”
“I take back what I said earlier… I was too loud.”
“Incredible! Truly incredible! A third-rate family whose strongest is only a Prenatal Realm martial artist can produce so many prodigies. Did they stumble upon some great fortune?”
“…”
For a moment, countless onlookers were left in awe, their gazes flickering with thought.
Then, as if by some unspoken agreement, they began leaving the scene, disappearing into the crowd.