33: Chapter 33 Asking Lin Tian to Take Action

In a private room on the second floor of a small tavern with a sign reading "Chen's" in the alley behind the Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall.

Seven or eight young men dressed in the gray-blue training uniforms of the martial arts hall sat around a table, on which were placed a few braised side dishes, and the wine pot was more than half empty.

These people were all senior Disciples who had been enrolled for more than two years, and their strength was considered upper-middle-tier in the outer courtyard. They often gathered together to exchange information and occasionally spar to verify their skills.

Sitting in the main seat was a young man with a slightly arrogant expression named Du Fei. He was the strongest in this small circle, and it was rumored that he had already touched the threshold of a Second Grade Martial Artist. His footwork and Martial Skill were also quite impressive, so he naturally became the center of attention.

Wang Yu sat in a position near the edge, listening to Du Fei holding forth.

"...So, in the path of the Dao, the Foundation is the most important. Some people, relying on a bit of cleverness or having good luck to be praised by a Master a couple of times, really think they are some kind of Genius. Ridiculous." Du Fei took a sip of wine and curled his lips, his words implying something specific.

Someone nearby immediately chimed in: "Senior Brother Du is talking about that newcomer Lin Tian, right? I heard Master Huang praised him to the heavens at the banquet."

"Hmph," Du Fei put down his wine cup. "Master Huang was just drunk and giving the newcomer some face. He's only been practicing footwork for half a month, what kind of achievement could he possibly have? He's just fooling those who haven't seen the world. Do they really think everyone is a natural-born Genius like Senior Brother Du?"

Everyone echoed his sentiments, their conversation filled with mockery and disdain for that title of "Genius."

Listening to this, Wang Yu frowned slightly.

He remembered the slippery and elusive footwork on the wooden stakes, and that clever nudge that finally forced him down. He couldn't help but speak up: "Senior Brother Du, everyone, Junior Brother Lin... he truly has talent. I have sparred with him, and his 'Step Stake' footwork has already reached Minor Achievement."

As soon as his voice fell, the table went silent for a moment. Immediately, raucous laughter erupted.

"Minor Achievement? Wang Yu, have you started talking nonsense just to praise that kid?" A Tall Thin Man mocked.

The faint, fake smile on Du Fei's face vanished completely. He stared at Wang Yu, his eyes turning cold: "Junior Brother Wang, what do you mean? Back then, I practiced the footwork steps diligently day and night, and it still took me a month to barely reach Minor Achievement. He, Lin Tian, reached it in half a month? Are you trying to say he is stronger than me, Du Fei?"

"I didn't mean that..." Wang Yu tried to explain.

"Then what do you mean!" Du Fei slammed the table, making the cups and plates jump. "I think you were either beaten scared by that kid, or you received some benefits and are here to boost his prestige while making me lose face?"

Seeing Du Fei get angry, the others immediately turned their spears, scolding Wang Yu: "Wang Yu, what's wrong with you? Speaking up for a newcomer?" "Senior Brother Du's talent is obvious to all. What is Lin Tian?" "Exactly, Minor Achievement in half a month? Who are you trying to fool!"

Wang Yu's face flushed red, and he wanted to argue, but seeing Du Fei's gloomy face and the disdainful or gloating gazes of his fellow Disciples around him, the words were stuck in his throat. He knew that continuing to speak would be useless.

Seeing him silent, Du Fei said coldly: "It seems Junior Brother Wang is not on the same path as us. Since you think that Lin Tian is a Genius, then you can just hang out with him from now on. Our small temple cannot accommodate a great deity like you who can see the true Buddha. Please leave." This was a direct expulsion from the circle.

Wang Yu clenched his fists, but ultimately didn't say anything more and got up to leave the table. Behind him came Du Fei's deliberately raised voice and the echoing laughter of the crowd. He knew that after this incident, his already ordinary situation among the senior Disciples would likely become even more difficult.

At the Liu Family estate, the atmosphere was as heavy as iron.

The third skirmish with the Ding Family unfolded in the warehouse area of two wharfs. Both sides sent out their elite forces, resulting in flashing blades and blood, lasting for half an hour. The result was that both sides lost a few lives and damaged several properties, yet neither could do anything to the other, remaining in a stalemate. Continuing to drag it out would only lead to both sides suffering, allowing others to reap the benefits.

After an emergency consultation with the clan elders, Patriarch Liu gritted his teeth and made a decision: a fist fight.

When the news reached the Ding Family, they gave a response almost simultaneously: agreed. Both sides knew clearly that this was the fastest and bloodiest way to resolve the issue. The ring was set for five days later, at the city's largest "Life-and-Death Ring" martial arts arena.

When the news reached the martial arts hall, Liu Yunfeng's heart sank abruptly. Time was tight, so he immediately began to act. He sought out several senior Disciples with whom he had decent relations and solid strength, promising them heavy rewards. But when they heard the words "fist fight," especially that the opponent might be a ruthless character the Ding Family had spared no expense to hire, the enthusiasm on these Senior Brothers' faces instantly faded, replaced by expressions of embarrassment or fear.

"Junior Brother Liu, it's not that I don't want to help, it's just that... a fist fight is no small matter. Once you step onto the stage, life and death are unpredictable." "I still have family to support. This silver is good, but you have to be alive to spend it." "Sorry, I can't help you."

Rejected one after another, Liu Yunfeng's heart burned with anxiety, yet he was helpless. He knew the danger of a fist fight better than anyone. Finally, he found Wang Yu, who had just been ostracized by the small circle and was feeling depressed.

After hearing the purpose of his visit, Wang Yu shook his head directly: "Junior Brother Liu, it's not that I don't want to help. I know my own weight. I can handle ordinary fellow Disciples, but once I'm on the Life-and-Death Ring..." He gave a bitter smile, "I'm afraid I won't last a few rounds. Since the Ding Family dared to agree to a fist fight, the person they hired is definitely no mediocre hand."

The look of disappointment on Liu Yunfeng's face was hard to hide. Wang Yu looked at his anxious appearance, hesitated for a moment, and whispered: "Why don't you... try looking for Lin Tian?"

"Lin Tian?" Liu Yunfeng was stunned.

"Yes." Wang Yu nodded, his tone firm. "His strength is very high, and his footwork is especially formidable. Moreover... his speed of Cultivate is extremely fast, perhaps there is hope. However, a fist fight is dangerous. You must show enough sincerity, and you must be prepared for him to refuse."

Sifang Pavilion, Lin Tian's residence. After listening to Liu Yunfeng's narration, which was filled with apology and urgency, Lin Tian was silent for a moment.

A fist fight. The Life-and-Death Ring. This was his first real contact with one of the most cruel rules at the bottom of this martial arts world.

The reward Liu Yunfeng offered was extremely generous: a complete portion of "qi-blood powder." He had heard of this item; it was a body-tempering medicinal powder one tier higher than "body strengthening soup" and "steam soup." The qi-blood essence it contained was far beyond what ordinary medicinal soups could compare to, and it was a precious resource usually used by Second Grade Martial Artists when they Cultivate. It was very expensive. The Liu Family had clearly spared no expense.

More importantly, when he first entered the martial arts hall and was short on money, Liu Yunfeng had once gifted him a valuable lingzhi mushroom. He had always remembered this favor.

During this time, he had been practicing in seclusion, and relying on the Proficiency System, all his martial arts had steadily improved. Especially the "Wind-Chasing Footwork," which had progressed rapidly after his sparring with Wang Yu and subsequent contemplation.

He estimated privately that if there were no external interference, it would take about ten more days to break through the entry level and step into the realm of "Minor Achievement." At that time, his footwork speed and evasion abilities would jump to a new level.

Five days... too tight. But it was not without hope. What if he had the assistance of "qi-blood powder" to sprint with all his might? There were risks, but the benefits were equally astonishing. One portion of qi-blood powder was enough to help his cultivation take another step forward. Moreover, if he could win, not only would he repay the favor, but he could also make a name for himself in the city and gain more resources.

As his thoughts turned rapidly, Lin Tian had already made a decision. He looked up at the nervously waiting Liu Yunfeng and said: "I can agree to participate in the fist fight."

Joy exploded in Liu Yunfeng's eyes.

"However," Lin Tian's tone was steady, "there is a condition."

"Tell me! As long as the Liu Family can do it, there will be no objections!" Liu Yunfeng said hurriedly.

"The qi-blood powder, you must give it to me first." Lin Tian looked him straight in the eye. "I need to use it to make another Breakthrough within these five days. Only then can I have a bit more certainty on the ring."

Liu Yunfeng thought for a moment and immediately nodded: "No problem! I will go home now and inform my father. By tonight at the latest, I will have the qi-blood powder delivered!" He knew this was a reasonable request; Lin Tian's increase in strength would only benefit the Liu Family.

"Good. Then it is settled."

Sending off the profusely grateful Liu Yunfeng, Lin Tian closed the door, his eyes calm with a hint of sharpness. Five days, one portion of qi-blood powder. He was going to push the "Wind-Chasing Footwork" to Minor Achievement! When that time came, even if the ring was dangerous, with the speed of Minor Achievement level footwork, even if he couldn't win, maneuvering to protect himself and finding an opportunity to retreat should not be a problem. This risk was worth taking. He was determined to obtain this qi-blood powder.