Chapter 57 – Jealousy and rivalry
The stage forged from divine iron was now unrecognizable, pitted and uneven, as if struck by a meteor.
Blood trickled from the corner of Lu Buping's mouth, yet his body stood tall like a mountain pine, refusing to fall.
Even after using her strongest move, she only managed to inflict a minor injury on her opponent. Ning Qingxue shook her head helplessly.
"I lost."
She gracefully stepped down from the stage.
This time, she couldn't break through his defense. She would just have to train harder!
She could accept defeat and let it go.
Leaving behind only a graceful silhouette for the cultivators to see.
As Ning Qingxue departed, Lin Hao's gaze fell on Lu Buping.
This guy's defense was incredibly tough, truly refining his body into a magical treasure.
Even if he used all his strength, he feared he couldn't leave a single mark on him, unless...
He reached into his storage bag and caressed the sword pill his master had given him.
Perhaps the sword energy from this sword pill could break through Lu Buping's golden body.
But that was external power; he needed to strengthen himself!
His eyes turned to the boundless sky.
He must train diligently to defeat both sword and shield and claim the top spot in the inner sect!
Lin Hao silently set a goal in his heart!
In the Sect Master's Palace.
"Congratulations to Uncle Lu's beloved disciple for taking the top spot!" The master of Ethereal Peak said with a smile.
"Without even making a move, he took the top spot in the inner sect competition. When this spreads, it will surely become a celebrated tale."
Lu Yi's already wrinkled face turned into a chrysanthemum with a smile.
"The stubborn disciple isn't good at Qi Refining, but he does have a talent for body refinement. To have such a performance after three years of cultivation, it's just acceptable."
Feng Cangyue snorted coldly, "Refining the body into a turtle shell, is it? I think he didn't make a move because he doesn't know any exquisite techniques. Making a move would only bring him disgrace."
Lu Yi's smile vanished instantly, and he said with a slightly cold tone, "Fire girl, your words are too harsh."
"If you find it unpleasant, you don't have to listen."
"You..."
Lu Yi was a generation higher than the masters of the peaks and usually received much respect, but only this fire girl dared to challenge his face.
Yet, he had no way to deal with her because her master was even more protective.
If he dared to make a move against Feng Cangyue, he'd be hunted worldwide.
His disciple won, but he felt more upset than if he had lost. What kind of situation was this!
Lu Buping's victory marked the official conclusion of the inner sect competition.
Sect Leader Ouyang personally appeared to distribute rewards to the outstanding disciples.
The first place in the inner sect competition received an Earth-grade spell and a high-grade Mystic-level magical treasure.
The second and third places only received Mystic-level magical treasures.
As one of the top fifty, Lin Hao, besides being exempted from the punishment of cleaning the demon-suppressing tower, also received a high-grade Yellow-level magical treasure.
A purple-gold soft armor, a defensive magical treasure, was just right for him.
However, his ambition was to form his core early, so this soft armor was only a temporary measure, but better than nothing.
He returned to his cave dwelling and put on the soft armor.
He always believed that having more life-saving methods was beneficial.
After testing the soft armor, he prepared to find Shui Ling'er to fulfill their agreement.
If he didn't speak up, she might go back on her word.
That wouldn't do!
He was eager to improve his strength!
Shui Ling'er was still a virgin, and her cultivation was at the Foundation Establishment stage. Dual cultivation with her would undoubtedly be greatly beneficial.
He rode his flying sword to Little Bamboo Peak.
He didn't know where Shui Ling'er lived, but as a direct disciple and a renowned beauty cultivator, it was easy to find out her residence with a little inquiry.
In a cave dwelling, Shui Ling'er sat on her bed, her eyes filled with gentle waves.
"Senior Brother Liu, there's no need for this. Fate cannot be forced, and I only wish to cultivate, not to seek a Dao Companion."
A tall male cultivator, with a handsome face, was filled with impatience.
"Junior Sister, we were childhood sweethearts and entered the immortal sect together. If we could become Dao Companions, it would be a perfect match..."
Before Liu Yulou could finish, the restriction of the cave dwelling sounded.
Who was so annoying to visit Junior Sister at this time?
Shui Ling'er was pleased to have a visitor, thinking it would help her escape Liu Yulou's entanglement. But when she sensed the visitor's aura, her face immediately fell.
It was that lecher!
This shameless person came to her door; could he be thinking of...
The more Shui Ling'er thought, the more frightened she became. Naturally, she didn't want to let him in, hoping to pretend no one was home so he would leave on his own.
But the visitor seemed determined that someone was inside, refusing to leave, which left her quite helpless.
Liu Yulou sensed something unusual from the woman and spoke up.
"Junior Sister, is the person outside a harasser?"
Shui Ling'er rolled her eyes beautifully, silently complaining in her heart.
You two are birds of a feather, both equally annoying.
Clearly, if she didn't let Lin Hao in today, he could stay outside the cave dwelling indefinitely, attracting a lot of attention.
It would have a bad impact on her reputation.
She frowned for a moment, then decided to let him in, so she opened the restriction.
Lin Hao walked into the cave dwelling and saw another man there, feeling instantly displeased, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Junior Sister, I'm here."
"Who is your Junior Sister..." Shui Ling'er weakly retorted, but without much strength, mainly because her current strength was weaker than his, being called Junior Sister was normal.
"The competition is over, and I made it to the top fifty. Junior Sister, you should fulfill the bet."
Shui Ling'er's face showed a hint of panic, trying to change the subject.
"What bet?"
"To become my Dao Companion, of course!"
"…"
Before Shui Ling'er could refute, Liu Yulou beside her was already furious.
"Kid, what nonsense are you spouting here?"
"Whose pants weren't fastened, letting you out?" Lin Hao raised an eyebrow, not even glancing at him.
"I'm talking to Junior Sister Ling'er, who do you think you are, an outsider daring to interrupt?"
"You..."
Liu Yulou's face turned beet red. He was already annoyed that the other was more handsome than him and resented his frivolousness towards Shui Ling'er, so his anger flared up.
"Kid, who do you think you are, daring to harass Junior Sister Ling'er!"
Lin Hao stepped forward, directly pulling Shui Ling'er into his arms.
Shui Ling'er's body trembled, struggling a bit, but their strength difference was now significant. Lin Hao used subtle force, and she couldn't easily break free, so she simply stopped struggling, letting the two of them fight it out.
Lin Hao gave Liu Yulou a disdainful glance, "I'm in a Dao Companion relationship with Junior Sister Ling'er. What are you doing here, being a lonely dog?"
"…"
"You... you... you..."
Liu Yulou's chest heaved with anger. In a verbal exchange, he couldn't outmatch the other, so he wanted to make a move.
But before he could act, the other had already made a move.
Buzz!
A cold light flashed.
The Fire Spirit Sword was pointed at Liu Yulou's chest.
Boom!
Lin Hao's entire body was infused with fire spirit energy, empowering the long sword.
Heat waves rippled through the cave dwelling.
The smell of roasted meat...
Shui Ling'er's pupils contracted. She knew the strength of these two was on par.
Yet Lin Hao could subdue his opponent in one move, showing his decisiveness in battle!