32: What wonderful tea!

In the following rounds of the competition, Lin Chen seemed to embody the word "good luck" to the extreme.

He always managed to draw opponents whose strength was roughly equal to his, or perhaps slightly weaker.

And then, every match, without exception, followed the exact same script—

Starting the match by being suppressed, scrambling to escape, and constantly facing peril.

In the middle stage, struggling to hold on, resisting stubbornly, and showing immense tenacity.

Finally, just when everyone thought he was about to lose, he would always seize upon an opponent's insignificant mistake, or rely on his "seemingly" endless spiritual energy to forcibly "wear down" his opponent and knock them off the stage.

Every victory was won so "ugly" and so "lucky."

"I'm truly impressed! This guy's luck is absolutely heaven-defying, isn't it?"

"I know! None of the opponents he drew were tough nuts to crack! And every single one of them made a bizarre mistake at the very last moment!"

"How is this a competition? This is clearly the Heavenly Dao spoon-feeding him!"

"Don't rush it, his good luck is about to run out! In the quarter-finals, he must finally run into a real powerhouse, right?"

In the audience stands, the evaluation of Lin Chen gradually evolved from the initial "trash" to "a heaven-defyingly lucky opportunist."

Although it was still full of disdain, there was also a hint of... indefinable jealousy.

Lin Chen's fighting style, which "made victory completely unwatchable," successfully made him the most unpopular and most detested contestant in this grand competition, bar none.

Finally, amidst the overwhelming boos and mockery, the draw results for the quarter-finals were revealed.

When the Deacon Disciple wrote Lin Chen's name alongside another name on the same match-up board.

The entire Martial Arts Arena first fell into a dead silence.

Immediately afterward, the loudest and most fervent cheers and whistles since the start of the competition erupted!

Lin Chen versus Liu Ruxu!

It's here!

It's finally here!

The "Execution of Justice" that everyone had been anticipating is finally about to take place!

The man who coasted his way into the quarter-finals relying on sheer dumb luck is finally about to run into the hardest iron plate of this grand competition!

"Hahaha! Heavenly principles are clear; retribution is swift and satisfying!"

"Now, let's see how he plans to win relying on luck!"

"Senior Sister Liu, you must severely teach this arrogant man a lesson! Let him know what true strength is!"

"Break his legs! Make him crawl out of the Holy Land!"

The emotions in the audience stands were completely ignited at this moment!

Nearly everyone was shouting encouragement for Liu Ruxu, as if what she was about to perform was not a match, but a judgment carried out on Heaven's behalf!

Within the disciples' camp of Qingzhu Peak.

Listening to the mountain-shaking, tsunami-like cheers around her, Liu Ruxu displayed a reserved yet satisfied smile.

She looked at the name on the match-up board that filled her with disgust, and a hint of cruel pleasure flashed in her eyes.

"Finally... is it my turn?"

"Very well, let me personally put an end to this farce."

She calmly instructed her Best Friends nearby: "Go, tell that man."

"Tonight, I will wait for him at the 'Listening to Rain Pavilion' on Qingzhu Peak."

"This is his last chance to concede gracefully."

...Soon, Liu Ruxu's "invitation" reached Lin Chen's ears.

"The Listening to Rain Pavilion? Isn't that where Senior Sister Liu specifically hosts honored guests?"

"It seems Senior Sister Liu is still merciful, willing to give him a way out."

"Hmph, I bet he won't dare show his face! If he goes, he'll definitely be so scared by Senior Sister Liu's aura that he'll wet his pants!"

Amidst everyone's discussion, Lin Chen's actions once again defied all expectations.

He actually... went.

Night fell upon Qingzhu Peak, at the Listening to Rain Pavilion.

This was an exquisite bamboo pavilion built beside a waterfall, its environment tranquil and its atmosphere elegant.

Liu Ruxu had already prepared spiritual tea here. She sat upright in the seat of honor, her expression haughty, like a white swan waiting to judge its prey.

When Lin Chen's figure appeared at the entrance, the corner of her mouth curled into a mocking arch.

"You actually dared to come."

Her voice was cold and filled with a sense of superiority.

"I thought you would hide in your cave dwelling like a shrinking turtle, afraid to face anyone."

Lin Chen ignored her sarcasm, walked in unhurriedly, sat down calmly across from her, and even poured himself a cup of tea.

"The tea is good." He took a sip and commented indifferently.

Seeing his composed and calm demeanor, Liu Ruxu couldn't help but frown slightly.

What she hated most was Lin Chen's pretentious attitude... acting as if everything was under his control!

"Stop pretending to be calm!" She sneered and got straight to the point, "I imagine you know why I called you here."

"For tomorrow's match, concede yourself."

"That way, it will be better for you, and for the face of all men."

"Otherwise, once you step onto the stage, swords and blades have no eyes. If you end up missing an arm or a leg, or... if I ruin that face of yours that is still somewhat presentable, don't blame me for not having warned you."

Her words were filled with undisguised threat and condescension.

However, upon hearing this, Lin Chen laughed.

He put down the teacup, raised his eyes, and calmly looked at the self-righteous woman before him.

"Are you finished speaking?"

"If so, I'll be leaving now."

"After all, there's still a match tomorrow."

He watched Liu Ruxu's pretty face instantly turn startled and furious, slowly stood up, and added a final sentence.

"Oh, right."

"Thank you for the tea."

"I'll save you some face tomorrow!"