Chapter 6: The Challenge from a Sycophant, A Glimpse of Strength

Sycophant- a person who acts obsequiously towards someone important in order to gain advantage.

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Though the Murong family's Treasure Pavilion housed numerous spiritual herbs, each one was acquired at great cost by the family's countless experts. To obtain these herbs, one had to exchange merit points.

There were two ways to earn merit points:

1. Complete family missions. The family released a variety of missions daily, with varying degrees of difficulty. Completing these missions earned the corresponding merit points.

2. Increase in cultivation. Each time one advanced to a new realm of cultivation, the family rewarded them with merit points.

The spiritual herbs Lin Yang just selected required a staggering number of merit points.

"Does this guy think he can just take whatever he wants from here?"

"What a disgrace! How could Xiaoxiao marry such an embarrassment? Just thinking about it makes me furious!"

"Exactly! Now, Shangguan Haoqi is in our Murong family, openly insulting us, dragging our entire family through the mud, yet this guy doesn't care. He's hiding here like nothing's happened. What a coward—he's tarnishing our pride as men!"

"Just watch, he's about to make a fool of himself. Our Murong family's treasures aren't so easily taken!"

A group of people whispered among themselves, eagerly anticipating the moment when Lin Yang would be scolded and thrown out by the pavilion's administrator.

But to everyone's shock, in the next moment, a large batch of spiritual herbs was already in Lin Yang's hands.

"Elder!" someone finally couldn't hold back any longer. 

This person was Murong Jing, who had just completed a difficult family mission. Combining his points from previous tasks, he barely managed to exchange for a single medium-grade herb.

Just a moment ago, he had basked in the envy of his peers. But in the blink of an eye, Lin Yang's actions dealt him a crushing blow!

More importantly, ever since Murong Jing could remember, he had always admired Murong Xiaoxiao. Seeing Lin Yang, the man who had taken away the woman he adored, standing there, enraged him even more.

"Why?" Murong Jing suppressed his inner fury and spoke.

How could a good-for-nothing marry their goddess?

How could this useless man, without lifting a finger, receive the herbs they had long dreamed of?

He refused to accept this!

"We refuse to accept it too!" others in the Treasure Pavilion quickly joined in.

Most of them were hot-blooded young men who, since yesterday, had been torn apart by confusion and anger. Murong Jing's words ignited their pent-up frustrations, and they couldn't hold back anymore.

"The patriarch's orders," responded Murong Qing, the pavilion's administrator, without missing a beat. "If you have any objections, take it up with the patriarch!"

That single statement silenced everyone.

They had come to the Treasure Pavilion countless times and had grown somewhat familiar with Murong Qing. His good-natured personality usually allowed them to banter, but suggesting they take their complaints to Murong Longcheng? That would be suicide.

Though the crowd fell silent, their anger only burned more fiercely within them. To them, this was about pride. How could they just back down now?

Murong Jing stepped forward again, refusing to let this go. "Lin Yang, since the patriarch holds you in such high regard, you must have extraordinary abilities. Today, I, Murong Jing, challenge you! Do you dare to accept?"

In the world of cultivators, particularly among peers of the same level, rejecting a challenge was grounds for endless ridicule. 

Once a challenge was accepted, the fight would be to the death, with no interference allowed from others.

"You—" Murong Qing's face changed. He hadn't expected Murong Jing to challenge Lin Yang so suddenly. Though he wasn't sure why Lin Yang was special, the fact that the patriarch had proclaimed him the savior of the Murong family wasn't something to take lightly.

If Lin Yang were to die here today, it would be a devastating loss for the family.

Yet, martial challenges were sacred in the Divine Realm, and interference was not permitted.

Though filled with anger, Murong Qing could only watch helplessly.

"Well, Lin Yang, do you dare accept my challenge?" Murong Jing grinned, his confidence swelling. He was no longer afraid of death, no longer held back by fear.

"Lin Yang, do it! We support you!"

"Don't back down, Lin Yang! The patriarch trusts you—we believe in you too!"

The onlookers were quick to fan the flames, enjoying the spectacle.

Under the eyes of the crowd, Lin Yang's expression shifted ever so slightly.

In his days as a weakling, he had endured countless humiliations just to survive. He had no choice but to bow his head and play along.

But now, having embarked on the path of cultivation, why should he continue to endure?

Moreover, Lin Yang knew that many within the Murong family still doubted him.

If that was the case, it was time to prove himself.

Only by demonstrating his strength could he silence these doubters and ensure that the family would fully invest in his growth.

With his decision made, Lin Yang looked directly at the smug Murong Jing and spoke clearly.

"I accept!"

"Good!" Murong Jing was momentarily surprised by Lin Yang's swift acceptance, but then his excitement grew. 

This was the person the patriarch himself had recognized!

If Murong Jing could kill Lin Yang, even if it cost him his life, it would be worth it—a one-for-one trade.

And perhaps, if he died in this battle, Murong Xiaoxiao would forever remember him.

"Brave of you," Murong Jing sneered at Lin Yang. "Don't say I didn't give you a chance. I'll let you have the first three moves. Go ahead and attack!"

Of course, this was no act of generosity but an attempt to humiliate Lin Yang further. If Murong Jing was to risk his life, he wouldn't let Lin Yang die too quickly. He intended to play with him, to prolong his suffering.

But in the next instant, Lin Yang's hand whipped out, and with a single slap, Murong Jing was sent flying across the room.

"…"

Silence.

A deathly stillness filled the hall.

Everyone stood frozen, their eyes wide with disbelief.

Murong Jing, a cultivator at the Seventh Level of Divine Envoy, one of the strongest among them, had been slapped away by the very man they thought was a worthless weakling?

What just happened?

"Well done!" The one most visibly affected by this turn of events was none other than Murong Qing.

As one of the family elders, he had been present at the recent family meeting, fully aware of how important Lin Yang was to the Murong family.

Lin Yang must not die here.

In fact, Murong Qing had already resolved that, if necessary, he would intervene, even if it meant losing face to protect Lin Yang.

But now, Lin Yang had surprised him in the best way possible.

Perhaps the patriarch was right all along. Lin Yang truly was the savior of the Murong family!

Murong Qing's eyes shone with excitement as he stared at the scene before him.

Meanwhile, Murong Jing, the focal point of this confrontation, was overwhelmed with fury.