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Chapter 25: Chapter 25: The Last Spot
Pfft!
The sound of something piercing flesh resounded; they felt a surge of joy—no matter how skilled in martial arts, one would still fear a kitchen knife. Regardless of who you are, you’d still have to kneel down. But when they looked, each and every one of them had a change in expression. They found that Lin Feng, somehow, had used the corpses of Wang Wei and their Purple Scorpion big brother as shields in front of himself. The two corpses were extremely strange, devoid of any moisture, with all their crossbow arrows stuck in those dried-up bodies.
"Quick... reload the crossbow arrows..."
Hyena immediately growled in a low voice.
Lin Feng, seeing that they had finished a round of firing, simply discarded the corpses in his hands.
"Do you think I’d give you another chance to shoot?"
Indeed, crossbow arrows could threaten Lin Feng as he was now, and of course, he wouldn’t let the opponents get their wish. He burst forth rapidly.
These crossbows were very troublesome to reload, especially now; everyone was trembling, even slower than before.
Realizing it was too late, Hyena drew his weapon and bellowed, "Damn it, let’s fight him, avenge our big brother Purple Scorpion!!"
Upon hearing this, the rest summoned their ferocity. They were all characters unblinkingly ruthless in their killing. Seeing that they had no time to reload, they too drew their weapons, ready for close combat.
Swoosh, swoosh!
However, in the next instant, each of them felt a pain in their chest and then found it difficult to breathe—as if a thousand-pound boulder was pressing on their chests. Afterward, the only thing they could see was the azure blue sky.
Thud, thud!
Seven or eight men, their eyes wide with terror, fell straight down. Lin Feng, gripping Hyena’s throat, picked him up as easily as one would pick up a chick.
A martial master—this youth was actually a martial master.
Despair filled Hyena’s face. He had been careless, he had underestimated the enemy. Only a martial master could burst forth with such speed in an instant, so fast that they, as Martial Apprentices, had no chance to react.
This was why they respected Purple Scorpion so much—because if Purple Scorpion wished to kill any one of them, he wouldn’t need to use a second move.
"Please... I beg you, don’t... don’t kill me... I..."
Crack!
A sound of bones breaking came from Hyena’s neck; his cartilage was crushed by Lin Feng. Blood trickled from the corner of Hyena’s mouth, and his previously struggling self instantly lost all strength, the light gradually fading from his eyes.
Lin Feng, without a second glance, casually tossed him aside, then sat down cross-legged and continued to stimulate the Demon Dragon Star. 𝑛𝘰𝑣𝘱𝑢𝑏.𝘤𝑜𝘮
"Hopefully, this time, I can step into the Fifth Grade Star."
...
At the Lin Family meeting hall in Boyang City, within this hall sat no less than ten elders. All of them were elders of the Lin Family, and in the center sat Lin Feng’s father, Lin Zheng.
"Family Head, the day after tomorrow is when the Star Tower opens, yet our ten disciple participants have not been decided upon," an elder said.
"That’s right, I trust there’s no need to reiterate the importance of the Star Tower; it is an Ancient Relic that can enhance a disciple’s strength. We must send out our ten strongest disciples," another person said.
"In my view, there’s no need to even mention Lin Zihua, Lin Mo’er, and Lin Panghu; these three are the most outstanding of our Lin Family’s current generation, particularly Lin Zihua who has now reached the Second Layer of martial master. He can be said to be the future shining star of our Lin Family," the Great Elder Lin De said.
"What? Great Elder, Lin Zihua has reached the Second Layer of martial master? I recall that it wasn’t long ago that he just made a breakthrough to martial master," the other elders expressed their shock upon hearing this.
"Of course, as a Seventh Grade Star, Lin Zihua’s cultivation speed should not be measured by ordinary standards," Lin De said this and glared at Family Head Lin Zheng, "Compared to some waste with a mere First Grade Star, it’s like comparing heaven and earth. Additionally, I have an announcement; my granddaughter Lin Mo’er is engaged to Lin Zihua."
"Lin Mo’er? That’s quite good. Lin Mo’er is beautiful and has exceptional talent, channeling a Sixth Grade Moonlight Butterfly Star. She and Lin Zihua make a good match," the other elders all agreed, considering it’s best to keep benefits within the family.
"But Great Elder, even if you’ve named three, there are still exactly seven spots left to decide. In the recent lectures at the academy, have you spotted any disciples with good comprehension? Even if their Star rank is lower, it doesn’t matter, after all, we shouldn’t outright dismiss anyone. Some people might not have an impressive Star, but they possess extremely rare insight. Such individuals can also be called prodigies, and we must not overlook them," another elder said.
As these words were spoken, many nodded in agreement; while Star rank is indeed of utmost importance, if a person has other shining qualities, they could be considered promising talents.
"Indeed, there are such disciples. For example, Lin Dao—he has only channeled a Fourth Grade Star, but his speed in mastering the concept of ’Star as Soldiers’ is faster than both Lin Mo’er and Lin Panghu," Lin De stated.
"Since that is the case, Lin Dao can be considered for a spot. I would also like to recommend someone else; they have also channeled a Fourth Grade Star, but their ability to master a Three-star Combat Technique in just two days speaks volumes of their extraordinary comprehension," another elder stated.
Many elders conversed back and forth, each recommending their candidates. Before long, out of the ten spots, nine had already been filled, leaving only the last one.
"As for this last spot, I think we might as well leave it," said Lin De, assuming there were no more candidates since no one else spoke up.
It was at this moment that Lin Zheng, who had been silent all along, spoke up: "For the last spot, let’s give it to Lin Feng. I want to give him a chance to train."
"Lin Feng?"
The elders all looked at each other, none speaking. Lin De was briefly taken aback, then shook his head and said, "Family Head, I’m afraid this may be inappropriate."
Lin Zheng held back his anger: "What’s inappropriate? Since none of the elders have any further recommendations, what’s wrong with the Family Head suggesting my son Lin Feng for the spot? Do I not even have this bit of authority?"
Lin De, as if not seeing the fury in Lin Zheng’s eyes, responded coolly, "Family Head, these words are not proper. This journey to the Star Tower is no child’s play, nor a leisurely spring outing. I speak for the good of young master Lin Feng. What if he were to suffer injuries or, heaven forbid, lose his life in the Star Tower? Family Head, what then..."
Bang!
Before Lin De could finish speaking, Lin Zheng had fiercely slammed the table, rising abruptly as he glared at Lin De. The latter, however, fearlessly met his gaze, his eyes filled with mockery.
"Lin De, do not forget that I am the Lin Family Head!"
Lin De said indifferently, "What of it? Any decision of the Family Head must not be reckless but should undergo a vote and evaluation by the Elder Council. As the Great Elder and head of the Elder Council, I naturally have the right to object. Or is the Family Head looking to be autocratic and disregard the council entirely?"
As soon as these words came out, many elders’ expressions changed. Everyone knew that Lin De and Lin Zheng were at odds, but no one expected their conflict to have reached such an extent that they would openly confront each other.
