At dusk, Ji Yaoguang and Wu Moling finally returned to the villa.
When Lin Fei saw Wu Moling, he casually remarked, "There's a gift for you over by the pavilion."
Surprise and delight filled Wu Moling's heart, and she even felt a little overwhelmed by the honor, thinking for a moment that Lin Fei had given her a gift.
A gift from the revered teacher of her ancestor Wu Xian-what an immense honor that would be!
She covered three steps in two, rushing to the pavilion as though flying, only to stare in astonishment.
Was that sheet of stationery embedded in the wooden pillar her gift? It seemed a little different from what she had imagined...
"Could it be some immortal art?" At that thought, Wu Moling grew excited again.
She excitedly pulled out the sheet, but after unfolding it and taking a look, the smile on her face gradually froze.
Never in her wildest dreams had Wu Moling imagined encountering something like this-sitting in her office, only for a pot of blame to fall from the sky.
She fell apart.
"Why would Bai Zhan send me a challenge?" Wu Moling remained stunned for a long time.
Hearing this, Ji Yaoguang was instantly shaken as well. "Bai Zhan? That Madman Bai?!"
Wu Moling nodded bitterly and said glumly, "Yaoguang, do you think I offended him somehow, and he's looking for an excuse to cripple me?"
Ordinary people would generally have thought Wu Moling was exaggerating.
Yet Ji Yaoguang frowned and pondered. "That shouldn't be the case. What grudge could there possibly be between you and him?"
Lin Fei sipped his premium Shifeng Longjing tea and said calmly, "He's simply like a hunter thrilled at the sight of prey."
At the time, Lin Fei had sensed Bai Zhan's pure fighting spirit, a pursuit of martial arts that surpassed everything else. For a moment, that dedication had reminded him of many old acquaintances.
Shennong, who had tasted a hundred herbs; the Go Sages Yan Ziqing and Ma Suiming, who had knelt to seek instruction amid wind and snow; Hua Tuo, who could not rest in peace without obtaining the Qihuang Medical Classic...
Wu Moling paused, then smiled wryly. "That's true. Bai Zhan is a famous martial fanatic, after all."
Although she knew Bai Zhan was not seeking revenge and probably would not strike to kill, Wu Moling still kept sighing.
After all, Bai Zhan's name thundered in everyone's ears, and he had repeatedly caused a sensation throughout Western Shu's ancient martial arts world.
He had begun practicing martial arts at seven and reached early body refinement at twelve! The Bai family had placed high hopes on him and sent him straight into the deep mountain forests to undergo the harshest training.
A twelve-year-old child-when the Bai family found him in the forest, Bai Zhan, covered in blood, was riding a wild boar the size of a small bulldozer. He had forcibly snapped off its tusks and driven them clean through its thick hide and flesh, looking even more savage and feral than the boar.
At eighteen, he had reached middle body refinement and swept through Rongcheng's martial arts world. Towering authorities, Muay Thai experts, karate experts-not one could withstand a single exchange!
At twenty-six, he had reached the late body tempering stage and plunged headlong into the ancient martial arts world, challenging any formidable opponent he encountered.
He never considered his opponents' status or background, or whether he might offend anyone. Bai Zhan wanted only to demonstrate fairness, always choosing public challenges that drew seas of spectators and caused tremendous sensations. One renowned expert after another in the ancient martial arts world fell at his hands. Their reputations were ruined, while Bai Zhan won fame and success, his might shaking Western Shu.
On top of that, fists and feet had no eyes. Even without intending to, Bai Zhan had crippled quite a few masters. So much so that, when one particular master mentioned his fight with Bai Zhan, he grew so agitated he wanted to leap out of his wheelchair...
A young man who swept through all opposition undefeated, fighting with his head held high, had ultimately offended far too many people.
Yet this had also given rise to Bai Zhan's most dazzling feat. Someone had hired a killer, hoping to finish Bai Zhan off with modern firearms-only those in the Grandmaster Realm have protective astral qi. Like hell I believe bullets can't kill you!
That person had certainly gone to painstaking lengths for revenge.
Unfortunately, when the bullets struck Bai Zhan, his muscles clamped firmly around them, leaving wounds less than two centimeters deep. As his muscles rippled, they even forcibly squeezed the bullets back out.
Surveillance cameras had captured the scene. Wu Moling and Ji Yaoguang had both seen it, and the shock was unforgettable. Only when Lin Fei appeared, with strength even more freakishly overpowered, had that dazzling radiance dimmed.
As Lin Fei listened to the two women discuss Bai Zhan's glorious feats, not a ripple stirred within him.
He shook his head and said dismissively, "Only his spirit deserves recognition. As for his strength..."
Lin Fei smiled faintly and said no more.
Too pitiful to look at. He hasn't even touched the threshold of the path of cultivation.
Ji Yaoguang was speechless. She had no way to respond to Lin Fei's remark.
He could judge Bai Zhan that way because he had the strength to do so. But to her and Wu Moling, and even to all the young people in Western Shu's ancient martial arts world, Bai Zhan was an insurmountable mountain!
Apart from the elite disciples of secluded sects, Wu Moling truly could not think of anyone among Bai Zhan's peers who could rival him.
"Moling, why don't you turn him down?" Ji Yaoguang asked with concern.
For an instant, Wu Moling was tempted, but in the end, she gritted her teeth and looked at Lin Fei with shining eyes.
Lin Fei must have had his reasons for accepting this challenge on her behalf!
Although Wu Moling was somewhat prepared, Lin Fei's calm words still gave her a tremendous shock. "Bai Zhan is no match for you."
Not only Wu Moling, but even Ji Yaoguang stared at him, dumbstruck.
"Are you... serious?" Ji Yaoguang rubbed her temples and could not help asking.
The Song Family alone was already giving her enough of a headache. Why had the Bai family's martial fanatic come looking for trouble at this critical juncture?
"Wu Moling." Lin Fei's gaze was stern, his voice devoid of emotion. "I helped you improve your cultivation so you could shelter Yaoguang from wind and rain, not hide whenever trouble arises."
At this, Ji Yaoguang turned her head away with an awkward expression, not daring to look him in the eye.
Lin Fei paid it no mind, however, and continued in the same tone. "If you're so afraid of a mere Bai Zhan that you avoid fighting him, are you even worthy of being a descendant of the Ten Shamans of Spirit Mountain? If Little Xian knew of this in the afterlife, he'd probably be so angry he'd visit your dreams to teach you a lesson."
Wu Moling's heart jolted. At last, she clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. "I understand!"
She took a deep breath and dialed the number listed on the challenge letter. "Is this Bai Zhan? I'm Wu Moling."
At first, Wu Moling's voice was still a little nervous, but it soon grew firm. "I accept your challenge!"
She stole a glance at Lin Fei, who was as calm as still water, and felt increasingly at ease.
Someone had accepted Bai Zhan's challenge!
The news instantly spread like wildfire throughout Rongcheng.
The Western Shu ancient martial arts chat group had completely erupted.
"Who's this Wu Moling? She actually dares accept Madman Bai's challenge?"
"Probably another lunatic. After Cousin Bai crippled so many experts over the years, she still hasn't learned her lesson."
"Maybe she's an expert. Bai Zhan doesn't challenge trash, after all."
"So what? Heh, Bai Zhan is the biological son of Grandmaster Bai Pojun, a genius taught by a Grandmaster from childhood!"
Bai Pojun, the group's administrator, looked at the messages on his screen and smiled coldly.
A mentor in Rongcheng's ancient martial arts world who can surpass me?
Probably hasn't even been born yet!