Four words repeatedly flashed through Chen Liu'er's mind:
'King Yanluo calls the roll!'
And today's first battle had proven that Li Guanqi truly possessed the strength to back it up.
Even now, everyone was still speculating just how high Li Guanqi's cultivation realm truly was.
The burly Pan Xiong looked awful, his gaze involuntarily drifting toward Room 51.
Inside that room sat a middle-aged man whose expression was just as dark and sullen.
He had never imagined that a few mocking remarks back then would be taken so deeply to heart by the newcomer.
Pan Xiong, who had a square-jawed face, took several deep breaths, his eyes gradually turning chillingly cold.
"Four on one... I refuse to believe we can't take him down!"
***
On the other side, Lin Jinting had brought Lin Shengwu to the study on the first basement level.
With a smile on his face, Lin Jinting bowed respectfully and cautiously.
"Junior Lin Jinting greets Elder Qiu."
"This is my brother, Lin Shengwu."
Lin Shengwu had also shed his usual arrogance, respectfully bowing as he spoke.
"Junior Lin Shengwu greets Elder Qiu."
Qiu Yanji waved a hand and chuckled softly.
"No need for such ceremony. Take a seat."
After the three sat down, the old man smoothed his robes and said softly, "I know why you've come, but the choice before him was chosen by that boy himself."
At this, the old man looked up at Lin Jinting.
"I know you have close ties with the Jiuding Heavenly Palace now."
"And that kid is someone favored by Immortal Elder Yu."
"Were it only for that, I could make an exception and let him leave."
Pausing, the old man picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said with an appreciative look in his eyes, "However, since he wants to take someone away from me, he must play by my rules."
Lin Jinting furrowed his brows, fell silent for a long moment, then spoke: "Elder Qiu, I have heard of the hundred-battle rule. Yet a hundred battles is nothing more than bringing some extra revenue to the beast colosseum."
"Whatever that sum comes out to, it can all be negotiated..."
Qiu Yanji cut him off, his eyes fixing on Lin Jinting with a smile. "Have you still not seen through what that boy is trying to do?"
Hearing this, Lin Jinting narrowed his eyes, his gaze flickering as he quickly connected the dots.
"Elder Qiu, you mean..."
"He is using the beast colosseum as a whetstone?"
The old man chuckled.
"Ye Lingyun of the Ye family is a dragon among men, reaching the second rank of True Immortal at barely thirty-five years of age."
"If the boy wishes to rapidly advance his strength, this sort of trial is likely the only way he can hope to close the gap even a little."
Lin Shengwu nodded slightly at those words and murmured, "No wonder..."
Lin Jinting's eyes flickered. After a long silence, he finally said, "Then I must trouble Elder Qiu. Regardless of what happens, his life must still be guaranteed."
Upon hearing this, Qiu Yanji slowly lifted his head, his gaze cooling.
"Are you... threatening me?"
Lin Jinting replied with a calm face, "I would naturally never dare speak so recklessly before Elder Qiu of the Fuyu Immortal Sect."
"It is merely that this nephew of mine holds a unique identity. If something truly happened to him in the beast colosseum..."
He raised his gaze, meeting the old man's eyes.
"I fear even the Fuyu Immortal Sect would find it a massive headache."
The old man narrowed his eyes, a chillingly sharp light glinting in his gaze.
Lin Jinting met his stare without the slightest intention of backing down.
"Fine. This old man will ensure his life is preserved."
"Then many thanks, Elder Qiu. This is a greeting gift prepared by the Lin family for Senior. I will leave it here."
With that, Lin Jinting rose with Lin Shengwu, cupped his hands, and took his leave.
***
In the study, the old man looked at the storage ring on the table, his eyes flickering with thought.
"Jiuding Heavenly Palace regards him that highly?"
Tap, tap, tap...
The old man paced back and forth in the room, his brows knitted tight.
"Since that is the case, I might as well go with the flow and forge good karma."
"Li Lei, come in."
Creak.
Li Lei strode in quickly, sank to one knee, and said in a deep voice, "Elder Qiu, what are your orders?"
Turning his back to the man, the old man said softly, "Pass the word down. Have our people in the shadows watch over every one of Li Congxin's battles. He may be injured, but he must not die."
Li Lei kept his head down, his pupils contracting to pinpricks. Fighting back the shock in his heart, he replied in a deep voice, "Understood. I will pass the order down immediately!"
***
Inside a private box at the beast colosseum, Lin Wujiu was anxiously questioning Lin Jinting:
"Father, they really won't let him go?!"
The man recounted everything that had just transpired to Lin Wujiu.
Then Lin Jinting said softly, "The other party is a smart man. Whatever happens, at least Congxin's life will not be in danger."
"We cannot linger here for too long either. Tomorrow, after watching his match, we must head back."
Hearing this, the handsome youth grew quiet as he absorbed the full story.
Sitting in his chair, Lin Wujiu stayed silent for a long while before slowly raising his head toward his father, who was chatting with the others. He rose and walked over to Lin Jinting.
"Wujiu, what is it?"
Lin Wujiu wore a more serious expression than ever before. Looking at the man, he said in a solemn voice, "Father, I want to go out and temper myself in the world!"
Lin Jinting's brow furrowed slightly, but then a look of relief and understanding softened his features.
Turning to look at Lin Shengwu and Lin Changlu, the three exchanged glances and smiled faintly.
The man rose. A gleam flashed from the storage ring on his left hand, and a radiant, flowing grade-three immortal sword materialized in his grasp.
Lin Jinting walked over to Lin Wujiu, handed him the sword, and said gently, "Good. That's a good thing."
"Use this sword for now. The clan is still searching for the person Congxin mentioned."
"Once they are found in the future, I will ask them to forge a ruins artifact tailored for you!"
Lin Changlu, his hair streaked with gray, stood up, retrieved a treasured seal from within his robes, and said warmly, "This is a treasured seal I acquired while traveling the continent in my youth. It can keep you safe."
Lin Shengwu brought out a vest of gold-thread soft armor.
"Your Uncle Shengwu doesn't have many fine things, but wear this soft armor."
Lin Ruhu also brought out several items for Lin Wujiu. Feeling the warmth and care of his family, Lin Wujiu felt his eyes moisten slightly.
"Hahaha! Alright, brat, tomorrow after we watch Congxin's battle, we will part ways and set off."
Lin Wujiu nodded heavily. Then Lin Jinting turned to Lin Shengwu to give instructions:
"I'm stepping out for a bit. Keep an eye on things here, and send me a transmission if anything comes up."
Lin Shengwu walked to the door, frowning. "Brother, it's so late. What are you heading out for?"
Lin Jinting said with a chuckle, "I didn't expect Wujiu to leave so soon either. All the funds I brought along were given to Elder Qiu."
"The boy is used to spending lavishly on ordinary days. I'd better go mobilize some immortal crystals for him to take along."
Hearing this, the man said with a wry smile, "Right, at the end of the day, you're just reluctant to let him roam the martial world on his own."
Lin Jinting smiled faintly and could not help but remark, "How could I not worry...? The cultivation world is treacherous and fraught with deceit. If he had Congxin's shrewdness and cunning, I naturally wouldn't worry."
"Alright, I'll make a trip to the Wanbao Tower in the neighboring city to pawn a few things."
"All right, go ahead."
Chapter 1769