Lin Changkong had been practicing to his heart's content, feeling exhilarated, when the tremendous commotion suddenly interrupted him. The voice carrying in was also exceptionally arrogant and domineering.
His face immediately darkened, and his gaze turned icy.
It was taboo to interrupt someone's cultivation. Although he was not sitting in meditation cultivating spiritual energy, bombarding the door to the cultivation room like this was certainly no kind gesture.
Hong Ye had said that, in theory, as long as a cultivation room was empty, anyone could use it.
What kind of blind fool was this, coming to bombard his door?
Just as he looked over, the cultivation room door was struck heavily again, letting out a thunderous boom. Even the walls seemed to tremble with it.
"Whoever dares occupy even my, Zhou Qing's, room is simply lawless!"
The arrogant voice rang out again, even more overbearing than before.
Lin Changkong already understood what was going on. Carrying the Crimson Flame Saber, he walked over and opened the door.
The moment he opened it, he saw a gloomy-faced man standing outside. His eyes were like an eagle's, staring straight at him with clear dissatisfaction and cold indifference.
Quite a few spectators had gathered around, all wearing gleeful smiles. Clearly, they were delighted to watch such a spectacle.
Lin Changkong fixed his gaze on the man at the door. He said nothing, merely staring straight back at him with a cold face.
The man snapped, "Who are you? Don't you know this cultivation room belongs to me, Zhou Qing? How dare you occupy it?"
Lin Changkong said, "Yours? But I heard that as long as a cultivation room is empty, anyone has the right to use it. Why does it belong to you?"
Zhou Qing snorted. "If I say it's mine, then it's mine. Is that any of your business? Your face is unfamiliar. You're new here, aren't you? What's your name? How can you be so ignorant of the rules?"
Lin Changkong merely continued staring at him without giving his name. Instead, he said, "Get lost!"
He had been practicing happily; where did he have the time to waste on an idiot? After saying that, he turned and walked straight back into the cultivation room.
The moment Zhou Qing heard him, his face turned livid, and his fury soared to the heavens.
He was an old student of the Outer Sect. Though he was not among the very best, he had some reputation. Otherwise, he would not have been able to monopolize a cultivation room for himself so often.
Lin Changkong's utter disregard made him feel slighted. His wounded pride stirred, and killing intent rose of its own accord.
"I remember now. This guy seems to be a new disciple named Lin Changkong. I heard he's pretty domineering."
"He's Lin Changkong? That ruthless guy who swept through a group of Qi Gathering Second Level and Qi Gathering Third Level disciples at the New Disciple Martial Competition?"
"What ruthless guy? Haven't you heard? It seems he only won by using some despicable trick. He was originally promoted from the Servant Courtyard. If he were really that strong, he wouldn't have been a servant before."
"So that's how it is. Then isn't he courting death? Zhou Qing is already at the Qi Gathering Fifth Level. The strongest among the new disciples are only at the Qi Gathering Third Level. No matter how strong he is, he can't be beyond the Qi Gathering Fourth Level, right? Not to mention that he used underhanded tricks.
Before Zhou Qing, he's completely insignificant. Isn't he just seeking his own death?"
"Heh, so he's just a greenhorn who just arrived. No wonder he doesn't even understand this little unspoken rule. Looks like he really took those underhanded tricks of his for actual strength."
"Zhou Qing is famously ruthless, and someone in the top twenty has his back. This greenhorn will probably lose a layer of skin today."
Some people around them recognized Lin Changkong and spoke of his identity and deeds, drawing a wave of mockery.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Qing's face immediately became contemptuous.
Looking at Lin Changkong, he sneered. "So after all that, you're just a piece of trash who knows how to use despicable tricks. Since you're so ignorant of life and death and know no rules, I'll teach you properly today.
What rules are, and what it means to respect older disciples!"
Zhou Qing stepped forward, unleashing the cultivation of the Qi Gathering Fifth Level. His imposing aura bore down directly on Lin Changkong.
Lin Changkong had originally turned to continue cultivating inside, but seeing Zhou Qing act like this, he stopped and turned to look at him.
Zhou Qing was utterly fearless and continued mocking him. "What, you know you were wrong now? If you do, come over and apologize to me. If I'm pleased, I might even spare you.
But an apology must be sincere, so you'd better kneel down and crawl over here!"
Zhou Qing pointed at the ground, a smile on his lips, as though Lin Changkong had no choice.
Lin Changkong looked at him and chuckled. "Idiot!"
Bang!
The instant the word "idiot" left his mouth, his feet had already exerted force. With a fierce stomp, he shot toward Zhou Qing like a meteor.
The tombstone-like Crimson Flame Saber in his hand swung out, heavy and powerful, chopping down at Zhou Qing's head.
Spiritual energy surged wildly, covering and empowering the Crimson Flame Saber. A blazing aura spread out in an instant, like Blazing Flames Burn the Sky.
One slash, with the force to split a mountain!
The smile at Zhou Qing's lips had not even had time to widen before it froze, then turned into utter shock.
"Hah!"
He hurriedly raised his hand as spiritual energy surged madly, throwing a punch toward Lin Changkong's Crimson Flame Saber.
Boom—
Violent spiritual energy rippled outward. The Crimson Flame Saber was like a meteor from beyond the heavens, unstoppable as it shattered Zhou Qing's spiritual energy like dry weeds and rotten wood.
With a pfft, the blade flashed past, tearing through Zhou Qing's defense and landing on his arm.
Blood splattered as half an arm flew into the air, trailing blood.
The overwhelming force continued crashing down upon him, blasting his entire body several yards away and smashing him into the ground.
Before he even landed, Lin Changkong had already dashed out. The instant Zhou Qing hit the ground, another foot descended from the sky and stomped onto his chest.
Bang!
Zhou Qing's head and feet sprang up from the ground at the same time, bending toward the middle. The pain in his chest was indescribable, and he had no idea how many ribs had broken.
Blood burst from his mouth. For a moment, his head spun and darkness clouded his vision.
In an instant, the surroundings fell deathly silent.
Dozens of pairs of eyes stared at Zhou Qing, who had been brimming with arrogance just moments ago but now lay on the ground beneath Lin Changkong's foot. They were dumbfounded.
Wait...
How had Zhou Qing gotten violently beaten? That made no sense!
They all stared wide-eyed at Lin Changkong, bare-chested, his muscles knotted like coiling dragons, the heavy Crimson Flame Saber in his hand. They simply could not believe it.
Hadn't they said he had only won first place among the new disciples by using despicable tricks?
Hadn't they said his realm could not possibly exceed the Qi Gathering Fourth Level?
What was this now? Zhou Qing, at the Qi Gathering Fifth Level, a man with considerable fame even among the older disciples and someone capable of monopolizing a cultivation room, had been sent flying by one slash, had an arm cut off, and was beaten into this state!
This was not a fierce battle. It was a one-move crushing defeat, a complete beating!
And you fucking call this a new disciple?
Since when had new disciples become this fierce?!
The crowd hurriedly backed away, their hearts pounding in terror. Especially those who had mocked Lin Changkong earlier—their faces had gone somewhat pale.
They feared Lin Changkong would discover that they had ridiculed him. Their hearts raced, and their legs even went weak with fright.
Under a sea of horrified stares, Lin Changkong looked at Zhou Qing beneath his foot and finally said, "Rules? My blade is the greatest rule!"
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