Yin Duwen overheard the disciples’ chatter, and much of the anger in his heart dissipated.

"Lin Hao, you’ve just returned from a long journey. It wouldn’t be fair to challenge you now. I suggest you come back in ten days. You’ll have a better chance of winning then," Yin Duwen said, feigning concern.

Ling Xiao and Yang Peng both sneered.

’This old bastard is shameless.’

’Even if he rested for twenty days, it still wouldn’t be a fair fight unless Lin Hao’s cultivation reached the Second Layer of the Soul Gathering Realm.’

Meanwhile, Lin Hao shook his head and said, "Unlike Elder Yin, I’ve already had plenty of rest in the time I’ve been waiting."

Ling Xiao and Yang Peng grinned. Lin Hao could curse people out without using a single dirty word.

"Since you’re so confident, then let’s proceed to the Saint Institute battleground!" Yin Duwen’s lip twitched, his hand clenching tightly within his sleeve.

Lin Hao shrugged. "I’m ready. I just don’t know if this senior from the Holy Stele is even present."

"Holy shit, he agreed without even knowing who he’s challenging? He’s not taking this seriously at all."

"He just got back, so of course he doesn’t know what’s been going on at the Saint Institute. Still, he’s being way too cocky."

"After hearing that, I’m even more sure of my guess. Lin Hao knows he’s no match for a Holy Stele disciple, so he wants to get it over with quickly."

"I think Lin Hao’s doing it on purpose. Any Martial Artist who’s reached the Soul Gathering Realm can hear us. He must know his opponent is Liu Tian."

"Makes sense..."

The disciples erupted into another wave of discussion, and many of them started looking toward where Liu Tian was standing.

Liu Tian’s face was impassive, betraying no emotion. No one knew what he was thinking.

Without so much as a glance at Lin Hao, Liu Tian leaped into the air and landed in the Upper Courtyard square.

Then, Liu Tian stamped his foot, and a massive stone soared into the air.

At this, all eyes turned to Lin Hao.

Then, they saw Lin Hao ambling leisurely toward the Upper Courtyard square.

Watching Lin Hao slowly make his way up the stairs to the Upper Courtyard square, many of the Saint Institute disciples felt an urge to kick him. ’This guy is such a damn show-off!’

’He’s clearly trying to make himself the center of attention.’

"Just let him be," someone among the Saint Institute disciples whispered. "His days at the Saint Institute have been numbered ever since he talked back to Elder Yin. If he doesn’t enjoy his walk now, he won’t get another chance."

Many disciples nodded at this, then turned to watch Lin Hao’s slow procession toward the Upper Courtyard square with mocking smirks.

In reality, however, Lin Hao wasn’t walking to show off, as they all assumed.

The real reason was simple: when the massive stone in the Upper Courtyard square had shot into the air, Lin Hao’s Spiritual Sense had detected an aura of the Great Dao.

Now that Lin Hao had entered the Soul Gathering Realm, his Spiritual Sense was immeasurably stronger than when he first arrived at the Saint Institute. His senses couldn’t be wrong.

And the source of this aura of the Great Dao was, of course, the levitating monolith.

After the stone took to the air, Lin Hao sensed a mysterious Dao Rhyme flowing beneath the very square where he stood.

The very reason Lin Hao had been able to make use of the Celestial Monarch’s Mansion—built by Chu Tiandu in Flame Heaven City of the Mo Yun Kingdom—was because of Dao Rhyme.

However, the Dao Rhyme in the Celestial Monarch’s Mansion was nothing compared to what the Saint Institute possessed.

Therefore, Lin Hao chose to approach the Upper Courtyard square step by step.

He was simply taking the opportunity to perceive the Dao Rhyme.

But when Lin Hao reached the center of the Upper Courtyard square, the Dao Rhyme vanished.

Sigh!

Lin Hao let out a soft sigh and stamped his foot as well.

RUMBLE!

Another massive stone immediately flew up from the Upper Courtyard square, rising into the air and finally merging with Liu Tian’s to form the Saint Institute battleground.

Below, all the Saint Institute disciples flew into the air.

This was a battle of a caliber they could not afford to miss.

Even Duan Wushuang and the other high-ranking members of the Saint Institute hadn’t left. After all, the stakes were incredibly high.

In that moment, Marquis Mo and Yunxi were all but forgotten by the crowd.

"Your progress is shocking," Liu Tian said, speaking first on the Saint Institute battleground. "Still, I advise you to take some time to rest."

Liu Tian had seen Lin Hao dawdling on his way up. Of course, he had no idea Lin Hao was actually studying the Dao Rhyme; he assumed Lin Hao was deliberately stalling for time, using the opportunity to regulate his condition.

"Alright!" Lin Hao’s brow twitched. After saying that single word, he actually sat down cross-legged and began to regulate his breathing.

’One look at Liu Tian’s proud expression and Lin Hao instantly guessed what he was thinking. By agreeing so readily, he could accomplish two things: first, it would give Liu Tian a false sense of superiority and lull him into complacency; second, it would put on a good show for the spectators. Why wouldn’t he do it?’

"I finally figured out why Lin Hao was dawdling just now. He was clearly using the opportunity to regulate his breathing."

"That makes sense. Senior Liu Tian really is on another level; he probably saw through Lin Hao’s scheme from the start."

"Senior Liu Tian is a genius whose name is etched on the Holy Stele. Of course he would see through it."

"Even knowing Lin Hao is the challenger, Senior Liu Tian still gave him time to recover. What a gentleman."

"One moment he’s saying he’s already rested and doesn’t need a break, the next he’s meditating on the battleground. Shameless, that Lin Hao!"

"Shameless? He’s just making a fool of himself. But with his cultivation at the Soul Gathering Realm First Layer, he could meditate for three days and three nights and still be no match for Senior Liu Tian."

"That’s right. Once Lin Hao is done, we’re in for a good show..."

The Saint Institute disciples kept their eyes glued to the battleground, chattering amongst themselves, all wishing Lin Hao would hurry up.

As they waited, a growing number of people started to feel that something wasn’t right.

"Who’s snoring? To fall asleep waiting for such an important battle... I don’t even know what to say."

"Senior, I think the snoring is coming from the Saint Institute battleground."

"I think you’re right. Holy shit! Lin Hao actually fell asleep up there!"

The voice suddenly shot up an octave.

No one found the sudden shout jarring, because they were all completely dumbfounded.

This was a challenge against a Holy Stele master, and Lin Hao had actually fallen asleep!

"Does Lin Hao have any respect for Senior Liu Tian at all?!" someone cried out.

On the battleground, Liu Tian stared at Lin Hao, a flash of murderous intent in his eyes.

He was the tenth-ranked master on the Holy Stele, revered by all. For Lin Hao to fall asleep during their challenge was a flagrant insult!

"Outrageous! Vice Dean, this boy is far too arrogant! In my opinion, even if he manages to leave his name on the Holy Stele, he should be expelled from the Saint Institute!" one of the old men among the Saint Institute’s upper echelons exclaimed, unable to watch any longer.

"Leave his name on the Holy Stele? That’s impossible," Yin Duwen’s voice cut in. "If he wants to sleep, let him. I’d like to see just how long he can keep it up. In fact, Liu Tian should be thanking Lin Hao for giving him this opportunity to temper his mind."

On the battleground, Liu Tian’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, and his expression immediately returned to one of detached calm.

His comprehension was truly remarkable.

Now that Elder Yin had spoken, no one on the scene dared to say another word. They all stared quietly at the Saint Institute battleground, waiting for Lin Hao to wake up.

And so they waited... for several hours.

PS: Happy National Day, everyone. A special thanks to all the patrons who cast their monthly passes today. If you have any to spare, I hope you’ll consider voting for *Martial Emperor*. My deepest thanks.