116: Challenge

"Oh, Song Qing, do you have any advice?"

Elder Li had long found Song Qing unpleasant to the eye; if not for Elder Song being here, he would have slapped him to death.

"This junior is terrified, how could I advise an Elder? But there is one matter I do not understand..."

Song Qing bowed deeply to Elder Li, saying respectfully, "May I ask, Elder, who is this Han Yi? Why was he not seen in the competition just now, yet he was able to be promoted to Inner Sect Disciple?"

Before Elder Li could speak, Song Qing spoke first.

As soon as Song Qing finished speaking, the many Disciples who had been quiet suddenly erupted like ants on a hot pan.

"That's right, I said the numbers didn't add up, there really is something shady going on!"

"What's shady? I've heard of this Han Yi person, it seems he made a great contribution before!"

"Nonsense! So what if he made a great contribution? Maybe it was a deliberately arrangedCredit. I think it's just a connection, shady!"

"Silence!"

Elder Li frowned. He sternly shouted, "Han Yi rendered great service protecting the Sect's treasure before. This is a special reward authorized by the Sect. What, Song Qing, are you unconvinced?"

How profound was Elder Li's cultivation? This loud shout made everyone's eardrums buzz. He intended to suppress this matter.

It wasn't because Han Yi's status in his heart was so important, but because the matter of Han Yi becoming an Inner Sect Disciple involved the 'internal spy' case, and he didn't want any more complications or trouble.

"I naturally believe the Elder's words, but..."

Song Qing shrank back after seeing Elder Li get angry. This was a Tongmai Martial Master, not his own old man!

Fortunately, Elder Song gave him a look, and knowing he had support, Song Qing continued, "But, in the Sect, the most important things are convincing people with martial arts and fairness. Relying only on past contributions today will likely not convince people!"

"That's right, that's right, why only look at past contributions? Then wouldn't the blood we shed today have been spilled in vain..."

In the crowd, some people who wanted to curry favor with Song Qing immediately fanned the flames and shouted.

The Martial Artists who had just finished a fierce battle and whose blood was still hot could not withstand such incitement and started making noise.

This time, no matter how Elder Li shouted, it was useless!

"Hmph, Song Qing, what do you want to do?"

Elder Li's Aura was sharp, and his voice was low. He knew Song Qing was the leader; as long as he dealt with him, everything would be fine.

"Reporting to Elder Li, since this Han Yi person was able to make a great contribution, his strength must be formidable. How about I spar with Han Yi? If he has the strength to become an Inner Sect Disciple, he will naturally gain our recognition!"

Song Qing's words were extremely well-spoken, reasonable and well-founded, and immediately won a round of applause from the many Outer Sect Disciples.

"This Song Qing person, I heard before that he deserted in battle and his character was bad. Now it seems that's not necessarily accurate..."

"That's right, he actually dares to Face the pressure of a Tongmai Martial Master and stand up for us newly promoted Disciples. He truly is a dragon among men!"

"That's right, from now on I will follow Senior Brother Song. This kind of demeanor is worth befriending!"

Song Qing's words instantly won him several flattering Junior Brothers, and several female Martial Artists even had looks of admiration in their eyes.

But looking at their broad shoulders, thick waists, and strong muscles, compared to the slender Song Qing, it was like a beauty and the beast pairing.

Martial Artists Cultivate, with strength being the most important. Most ordinary female Martial Artists' Cultivation Techniques also primarily focus on training strength. Therefore, they are all muscular and robust individuals, as being too weak would make it impossible to lift heavy weapons.

Female Martial Artists like Qian Xue, who are slender and beautiful, only make up a small portion. Perhaps only a small number of female Martial Artists can Cultivate martial arts that do not cause muscle growth...

"Song Qing, don't think I don't know what you're up to. While this old man is not yet angry, end this farce now!"

Who knew that Elder Li became even more furious upon hearing this.

"Elder Li, there is a rule within the Sect that even Sect Elders have no right to interfere when a challenge is issued!

"Can't I even spar with Brother Han?"

Song Qing looked at Elder Song on the high platform, swallowed, clenched his teeth, and said loudly.

Song Qing had already planned his strategy. He knew that Han Yi entering the inner Sect was due to Elder Li's connections, so he proposed challenging Han Yi first. If Elder Li disagreed, he would use this matter to put pressure on the Sect to pressure Elder Li.

If Elder Li agreed, that would be even better. His strength had greatly increased, and dealing with a mere Han Yi was naturally not a problem.

Han Yi was from Elder Li's faction. Defeating Han Yi would make Elder Li lose Face and also increase his own prestige within the Sect!

This was the strategy Song Qing proposed to his father, Elder Song. It was a plan that killed two birds with one stone!

Even Elder Song, who had always felt his son was not mature enough, was greatly comforted, believing that with such a prodigy in the family, the Song Family's prosperity was imminent!

"Han Yi, what do you think? How about a try?"

Elder Li was now in a difficult position, unable to express his bitterness, and could only direct his words to the protagonist, but the meaning in his words was undeniable: he wanted Han Yi to accept the challenge!

Elder Li considered it this way: of two evils, choose the lesser. Even if Han Yi was not Song Qing's opponent and he lost Face, it would be much better than the Sect reinvestigating the 'internal spy' case.

He seemed to have completely failed to consider that if Han Yi was not Song Qing's opponent, after the fight, at best he would suffer injuries, at worst his cultivation would regress, or even his career as a Martial Artist would be cut short!

Everyone looked sideways, and saw a young man with a giant sword on his back in the crowd. His Face was handsome and clear, his body was straight like a spear, and his sky-blue clothes just highlighted his distinguished temperament.

And Li Tie, who was next to him, involuntarily moved a position away, with an innocent expression, clearly not wanting to be involved. He had some friendship with Han Yi, but it was far from being a life-and-death friendship.

At this moment, Han Yi lowered his head, preventing anyone from seeing the traces of coldness seeping from his ink-black eyes.

'In the Sect, martial arts are prevalent, and challenges between Disciples are tacitly allowed by the Sect, which uses them as a means to temper Disciples. Losing is not a big deal, but if one dares not accept the challenge and gains a reputation for cowardice, there will likely be more trouble in the future!'

'The challenge itself is not a big deal, the key is that Elder Li, Song Qing, and Elder Song behind him are actually using me as a bargaining chip in their struggle, manipulating me at will!'

Han Yi clenched his fists, his sharp nails digging deep into his flesh.