Chapter 32: The First Challenger

Now it was Tuntun’s turn to be sullen.

Damn it, not only did I fail to earn any spirit jade, but I also had to be mocked by you! It’s infuriating!

"Hmph, you’ve only learned the form, not the essence!" Tuntun, acting out of sheer frustration, could only drop this line before turning to leave. There was no help for it; Lin Chen had completely mastered the basics, and any attempt to extort him further would be futile. It was all this kid’s fault—why was his talent so shockingly high?

*Crack!*

In the distance, the copper statue that had been sent flying suddenly shattered into dust after a few moments of delay, as if the force contained within had finally erupted.

Tuntun’s footsteps froze; he didn't even make it out the door. He stared blankly at the scene, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets. This was stronger than his own punch from earlier! Was this kid really a beginner? His talent was simply too monstrous! He truly was a prodigy!

"How was that strike?" Lin Chen asked, beaming with pride, intentionally waving his fist at Tuntun.

*Only learned the form, not the essence?* Tuntun’s face flushed red; he lowered his head and slunk away in embarrassment.

By now, it was noon. The sun hung at its zenith, emitting scorching rays like a fireball.

"Outer sect disciple He Guan, having heard much of your reputation, comes to pay his respects! I hear that when Brother Lin Chen entered the sect, the bell rang five times, so I have come specifically to challenge you!"

A clear, confident voice echoed from outside. Lin Chen raised an eyebrow. The first challenger had arrived? Even he hadn't expected it to happen so quickly. He had only been in the sect for a single day, and already someone was provoking him. *Am I being treated as a soft target?*

On second thought, it was only natural. While Lin Chen wasn't known to everyone in the Five Kingdoms, as the former top prodigy of the Great Cang Kingdom, many had heard his name. Everyone also knew that he had been expelled from his previous sect after the Sect Master personally killed his phantom beast and crippled his cultivation for cheating on the Spirit Path. Many disciples were shocked that Lin Chen could rise again and join the Lihuo Sect. According to common logic, having one's phantom beast killed meant starting over from scratch.

Even if he had later signed a blood pact with a young demonic beast to become a beast tamer again, a demonic beast was fundamentally different from a bonded phantom beast; they could not compare in terms of synergy. Furthermore, his cultivation realm could not possibly be what it once was. Even with the aid of rare treasures and fortuitous encounters, in the eyes of other outer sect disciples, Lin Chen was nothing more than a soft target.

*How could someone who once had his cultivation crippled trigger five bell tolls?* That wasn't child's play. Five bell tolls held profound significance for the entire Lihuo Sect. *What right does he, Lin Chen, have to that?*

Because of this, many outer sect disciples felt a sense of resentment. And this He Guan was the first to come knocking.

"Yo, a mere outer sect disciple dares to challenge your majesty?" Tuntun squinted when he heard the voice. With an arrogant air, he said, "This is like lighting a lantern in a latrine—he's courting death! Come on, Lin Chen, let's go out and teach him a lesson. Let those people outside know that a true prodigy cannot be insulted!"

"Is that so? Are you complimenting me, or yourself?" Lin Chen rolled his eyes. Given Tuntun’s character, it definitely wasn't a compliment directed at him.

"Of course I'm complimenting you! Can you really not be considered a prodigy when you have a wise and mighty phantom beast like me?" Tuntun preened. "Triggering five bell tolls the moment you enter the sect—I doubt anyone else in the Lihuo Sect can compare to you. And all of this is thanks to me, Tuntun!"

"Get lost. I knew you’d find a way to praise yourself," Lin Chen scolded.

"Seriously, are you really not going to accept the challenge?" Tuntun asked curiously. "He’s being so arrogant out there, I can’t stand it."

"Forget it. Once you open this door, the challengers will come like a surging flood, one after another," Lin Chen sighed, shaking his head. "Actually, I was thinking about this yesterday: if someone came to challenge me, should I accept?"

"If I don't accept, the most I lose is a bit of prestige and face. But as long as my cultivation improves fast enough, everything I've lost can eventually be recovered tenfold! But if I accept, it sets a precedent. Even if I can beat one person, can I beat ten, or a hundred? If everyone knows I accept all challenges, they’ll take turns, blocking my door every single day. How am I supposed to cultivate then?"

"That does make some sense," Tuntun nodded. "But if you can't beat them, you don't have to fight! There are some lowlifes clearly inferior to you who dare to shout; it really makes me angry. I can't stand their arrogance!"

"Forget it, let them shout. I'll just pretend I'm not here." Lin Chen waved his hand and closed his eyes.

One had to admit, the soundproofing of the training room was excellent. As long as you didn't deliberately listen, the noise outside couldn't disturb you in the slightest. With that, Lin Chen crossed his legs and began to cultivate.

Outside the courtyard, a young man in black robes with faint markings on his forehead stood waiting. He was none other than the outer sect disciple, He Guan. When he first entered the sect, he had wanted to test his own talent, but like all other outer sect disciples, the bell only rang once. He was indignant, feeling he was worth more, but there was nothing to be done. However, when he heard that Lin Chen had triggered five bell tolls, He Guan couldn't let it go. *Why should a guy who was once crippled cause such a sensation? I, He Guan, am the first to refuse to accept it!*

He had come to Lin Chen’s courtyard without delay, shouting provocations on the spot. He thought it was simple: everyone had just joined the sect and needed to save face. *If I provoke you like this, you can't possibly not come out, right?*

However, quite a while passed, and there was no response from the courtyard.

He Guan channeled his internal energy and shouted again, "He Guan has come to pay his respects to Senior Brother Lin Chen!" He had intentionally infused his spirit energy into this roar. It was loud! Not only was Lin Chen disturbed, but disciples in other courtyards were also startled. Dozens of outer sect disciples gathered around, looking puzzled.

"Is he challenging him?"

"Yeah, Lin Chen triggered five bell tolls yesterday; there are plenty of people who aren't convinced."

"We're all outer sect disciples, why did he get five tolls while we only got one?"

"What exactly is the evaluation based on?"

The outer sect disciples chattered among themselves, clearly resentful. Yet, another stick of incense passed, and there was still no sound from the courtyard.

*Is he not here?* He Guan frowned. If Lin Chen were inside, he couldn't possibly ignore such a commotion.

Just as he thought this, a sound like the breath of a true dragon suddenly emanated from the courtyard. The vibration, like a peal of thunder, swept up all the spirit energy in the void in one go.

For a moment, the air outside the courtyard went completely still. Everyone stared at each other in bewilderment.