The Decaying World-Chapter 35 - 30: Unexpected Event 6

Master Mingde had been at Qingfeng Temple for many years and held great prestige in Xinyu Town. He was even considered one of the very few top masters among the dozens of towns in the Outer City. His status, authority, and influence were such that even veteran members of the Three Greats who had possessed Summoning for years couldn’t necessarily compare.

His status was far beyond what his cousin Lin Hongzhen could compare to, let alone someone like Lin Hongyu, who hadn’t even successfully undergone Summoning.

Theoretically, after a successful Summoning, one was guaranteed to eventually reach the Inner Power Realm, a level of strength comparable to Master Mingde’s. However, this also involved factors like combat experience, performance under pressure, and the Martial Arts Techniques one used.

In reality, it usually took several years after Summoning to possibly match the strength of someone in the Inner Power Realm.

Thinking of this, the faint sense of crisis that had been lingering in Lin Hui’s heart eased considerably.

After their master-disciple relationship was confirmed, he returned to his spot to continue watching the tournament. By now, it was Third Senior Sister Mu Qiaozhi’s turn on the stage, facing off against Second Senior Brother.

Their movements were as fast as lightning, their figures a complete blur. The only thing visible of their longswords were the sparks that flew when they clashed. All one could hear was a dense, percussive roar like a downpour of rain; nothing else could be seen.

From time to time, sword marks would inexplicably appear on the arena floor and railings.

Their speed was consistently maintained at a level just slightly slower than Lin Hui’s when he used his Light Body Effect, and it was extremely stable. Soon, over a hundred techniques had been exchanged, yet neither showed any sign of exhaustion.

Watching from below, Lin Hui was amazed, mentally calculating how long he would last if he went up there.

’With my Light Body Effect, I could probably fight to a draw. After all, my speed is faster than theirs, but my Swordsmanship is terrible.’

’But without the Special Effects... I wouldn’t last ten techniques.’

Soon, Mu Qiaozhi was defeated. Finally, First Senior Brother took the stage and easily knocked Second Senior Brother, Zhao Jiang’an, off the platform in just over a dozen techniques.

Neither of their expressions changed; they had clearly expected this outcome.

First Senior Brother’s strength was clearly in a league of its own.

Although their speeds were similar, their understanding of the techniques was on two completely different levels.

After the tournament, the rewards were announced.

First were the rewards for the top ten: a custom-made Heart-Protecting Armor for each. The material was stripped from a mist monster that Daoist Baohe had personally hunted and killed.

Next was the reward for five consecutive victories, which only Lin Hui received.

It was an item called Ning Xiang.

"When you enter the mist, you can light this to ensure safety within a ten-meter radius. It can dispel the mist’s corrosive effect on people," Huishen explained in a low voice as he brought the prize to Lin Hui.

He was clearly trying to smooth things over after his previous change in attitude.

He hadn’t expected that after the Lin Family’s misfortune, even after losing a Summoner as a backer, Lin Hui could still fight his way up on his own. Now, he had even been accepted directly as a disciple by Master Mingde, showing extraordinary potential.

This made Huishen somewhat regret how quickly his attitude had changed before.

"Thank you." After accepting the Ning Xiang, Lin Hui examined the object.

It was an amber-colored, fist-sized object with an irregular shape. It felt warm and smooth in his hand and carried the scent of pine.

He guessed it might be made from pine resin.

After his measurements were quickly taken for the custom armor, Lin Hui accompanied Chen Zhishen and his companion for a walk around the Daoist Temple. They chatted for a bit before Lin Hui saw them off.

As evening approached, the spectators in the stands began to leave. The vehicles and pedestrians dispersed, and Qingfeng Temple returned to its former relative quiet.

After the crowd dispersed, he was summoned to Master Mingde’s residence.

Two other disciples had already gathered there, a man and a woman, who were ranked eighth and ninth respectively in the latest tournament.

"Come, come, let me introduce you. This is Wang Yun; she’s ranked one spot ahead of you. Her family is in the lumber business," Master Mingde said with a cheerful laugh, gesturing toward the young woman.

The woman had a buzz cut and a strong build. Her features were also quite masculine; you wouldn’t even know she was a woman without looking closely.

Hearing this, she gave Lin Hui a friendly nod.

"Junior Brother Lin, just call me by my name. If you ever need to borrow money, just ask." This one was clearly not short on cash, speaking with considerable bravado.

"Junior Sister Wang’s family are major lumber merchants whose business spans three towns. Her family even has a branch in the Inner City, and their network is extensive. I’m different, just a lone wolf," the other man said with a smile, introducing himself. "My name is Deng Mingchao, and I’m ranked second among Master Mingde’s disciples."

"Greetings, Senior Sister Wang, Senior Brother Deng." Lin Hui bowed seriously to them both.

"Dad, what about me?" Just then, a stunningly curvaceous woman walked out from the inner room. She was no older than twenty, with a bewitching face, long, slender legs, and a perfectly breathtaking waist-to-hip ratio. A form-fitting suit of black and purple leather perfectly accentuated her figure.

"This is my daughter, Weiwei. She also practices Martial Arts, but she isn’t on the temple’s official roster. Just call her Third Senior Sister," Master Mingde said with a sigh.

"Greetings, Third Senior Sister." Lin Hui bowed again.

"Mm, not bad." Weiwei smiled, satisfied. "I admit I misjudged you before. Your potential and aptitude are good, and so is your luck. Now that you’re studying under my dad, your Swordsmanship is sure to improve quickly!"

"Thank you, Senior Sister," Lin Hui nodded.

Weiwei had been somewhat resistant toward Lin Hui before, but seeing how polite and well-mannered he was, she didn’t feel so averse to him anymore.

She was still a little hung up about the sword incident from before, though.

After the introductions, Master Mingde took out several sheets of yellow paper from a drawer and handed one to each of his three disciples.

"I’ve called you here today because of a good opportunity. It’s up to you to choose." He paused, then continued, "The town’s security office is expanding its emergency response team. They’ve already recruited six people and are now looking for three more. Who among you is interested?"

"I’ll pass. Let them have it," Senior Sister Wang said casually. Her family didn’t need the benefits, and she didn’t care for the right of execution. For her, Martial Arts was more of a hobby.

"Alright then. What about you two?" Master Mingde looked at Deng Mingchao and Lin Hui.

"I’m in!" Deng Mingchao replied decisively. "A single mission pays at least 10,000, and up to 30,000. It’d be a loss not to go. Not to mention the temporary right of execution."

After quickly learning what the "right of execution" entailed, Lin Hui also decisively accepted.

’Even without the generous pay, the right of execution alone would be worth joining for.’

"Excellent. I’ll submit your names to the security office for their consideration," Master Mingde said with a smile as he wrote down their names.

Just as he dipped his brush in ink and was halfway through writing...

BAM!

A sudden, muffled bang echoed from the Daoist Temple outside.

It was followed by a loud shout.

"Song Zhanlong of Xingdiao, here to request a battle with Daoist Baohe!"

The voice was loud and reverberated, its echoes penetrating and cycling throughout the Daoist Temple.

Master Mingde’s expression changed. He put down his brush and paper, and in a flash, he was at the door. He pushed it open and looked toward the main temple grounds.

The others quickly followed.

A buzz of commotion also erupted within the temple. Many of the disciples who had just been dispersing came back out to look at the man standing at the main gate.

Daoist Baohe was already standing in the front courtyard, his gaze heavy as he stared intently at the man.

Behind him stood Mingchen and Mingxiu, along with a group of front courtyard disciples.

Everyone looked at the man before the gate.

He had a full head of red hair, a cold expression, and a lean, lanky build. He was a man in black, about forty or fifty years old.

His right hand was clad in a massive, black metal claw. The tips of the talons were sharp and glinted coldly. Barbs protruded from the knuckles, and intricate patterns were carved into the fingertips and palm, making it look more like an ancient artifact than a weapon.

"Daoist Baohe, do you dare accept my challenge?" the visitor called out again.

"Why would I not? May I ask your name, friend?"

Baohe took a deep breath. In front of so many of his disciples, if he didn’t dare to accept the challenge, the entire reputation of Qingfeng Temple would be ruined.

So he had to accept, whether he wanted to or not. There was no way out. The opponent had banked on this, choosing to issue his challenge during the New Year festivities, when the temple was at its liveliest and most populated with disciples.

"I am but a nameless nobody, not worth mentioning," Song Zhanlong said, his expression unchanged as he walked step by step into the temple’s training ground.

"Clear the area."

Soon, everyone had cleared a large open space for the two to fight.

Master Mingde also led Lin Hui and the other three to a spot in the distance, watching with worried expressions.

The snowflakes fell more densely, making soft sounds as they hit the ground. In the silence, even the landing of a single flake could be heard.

Song Zhanlong and Baohe approached each other, stopped, and met each other’s gaze.

"I’ve long heard that many people from the Xingdiao City District have been coming around and stirring up trouble. This poor Daoist was still celebrating my good fortune that they hadn’t come for me. But now, it seems..." Baohe gave a bitter smile.

"We take out the other strong ones first, then challenge the outliers. It’s our usual practice," Song Zhanlong said nonchalantly. "Go on, make your move. I can give you a three-technique head start."

"You’re rather arrogant, Your Excellency. Are you truly that confident?" Daoist Baohe raised an eyebrow.

"I also gave a three-technique head start to the Flying Cloud Fist master. Your strength is about on par with his. If you don’t want the head start, that’s fine too," Song Zhanlong said with a smile.

With that, he stepped forward and raised his clawed right hand. His robes billowed without a wind, and a faint, weak white glow appeared on his skin and face.

"Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance!"

WHOOSH!

He suddenly lunged forward, his body like a black python striking at Baohe like lightning.

CLANG!

Baohe struck out with his sword at the same time, accurately piercing the center of his forehead, but it only produced a crisp clang.

Not only that, but the blade danced like lightning, stabbing the man five times in an instant, yet each strike only produced the sound of metal on metal.

In the next moment, the man closed the distance, and his black claw became a blur of shadows that descended upon Baohe.

His speed wasn’t fast, but his techniques were steady, heavy, and powerful. He didn’t defend at all, even closing his eyes and relying solely on his hearing to strike.

BAM! BAM! BAM!!

In an instant, three heavy impacts exploded outward.

Baohe grunted and retreated, executing a Body Technique. In a flash, three illusory afterimages materialized around him, all attacking Song Zhanlong from three different directions.

But it was useless. The tips of the three illusory swords struck the defenseless Song Zhanlong, only to produce crisp clinks.

Meanwhile, Song Zhanlong casually swiped his claw, and a rain of black shadows swept across a large area, completely extinguishing the sword images.

BAM!

The shadow of his claw grazed the stone wall of the training ground, easily smashing out a crater the size of a washbasin and a palm’s depth deep.

Wherever the black claw passed, everything—from the metal weapons on the racks to the hard, heavy decorative rockeries—broke like tofu, utterly fragile.

Seeing this, everyone felt a sense of foreboding.

But before anyone could process it, after a dozen or so more techniques, a sudden scream of pain rang out.

Daoist Baohe was sent flying backward, crashing hard onto the training ground floor, vomiting mouthfuls of blood.

The Treasure Sword in his hand was still glowing with a faint but conspicuous white light, but it was meaningless now.

"I accept your defeat," Song Zhanlong said casually, retracting his claw. He turned and walked out the main gate with a bored expression. A moment later, he boarded a black and purple horse-drawn carriage waiting outside and departed without a backward glance.

Inside Qingfeng Temple, everyone was deathly silent. Only Daoist Baohe’s Daoist Child and the three disciples of the Ming Generation reacted quickly, rushing forward to help Baohe up.

But Baohe had already fainted, his body completely obscured by the people crowding around him.

Lin Hui and the others could only see the bright red blood seeping through the gaps in the crowd, silently staining the pure white snow on the ground.

Only then did everyone, all the disciples, finally realize what had happened.

Daoist Baohe was defeated.

Utterly crushed.

And the challenger hadn’t even suffered a minor injury. This meant the difference in their strength was immense.

As the strongest master of Qingfeng Temple, Daoist Baohe’s sudden fall would undoubtedly have enormous consequences.

As Lin Hui watched the crowd carry Baohe into a side room to check his injuries, a heavy sense of oppression grew in his heart.

He had a premonition that Qingfeng Temple was about to face a massive change.

’No, from what that Song Zhanlong just said, perhaps all the martial arts schools in the surrounding towns will face a similar fate...’