Decaying World

Chapter 30 030 Unexpected Six

Mingde had been at Qingfeng Temple for many years and enjoyed great prestige in Xinyu Town. Even among the dozens of towns in the outer city, he was considered one of the few top experts. His status, influence, and power were unmatched, even by the three veteran members who had been recruited for many years.

Her status was far beyond that of her cousin Lin Hongzhen, and even more so than that of Lin Hongyu, who had never even been inspired by her.

In theory, after a successful induction, one will inevitably reach the level of Mingde's internal strength. However, this also involves factors such as practical experience, on-the-spot performance, and the martial arts techniques used.

In reality, after being inspired, it generally takes several years to reach the same level of internal strength.

Thinking of this, Lin Hui's vague sense of crisis lessened considerably.

After confirming their relationship, he returned to his original spot and continued watching the arena battles. It was now time for his third senior sister, Mu Qiaozhi, to go on stage and fight his second senior brother.

The two moved with lightning speed, their figures completely obscured. All that could be seen were sparks flying from their clashing swords, and the only sound was a dense barrage of explosions. Nothing else could be seen.

Sword marks would inexplicably appear on the arena floor and railings from time to time.

The two maintained a slightly slower attack speed than when Lin Hui used his lightness skill, and their movements were extremely stable. Soon, after more than a hundred moves, neither of them showed any signs of exhaustion.

Lin Hui, watching from below the stage, was amazed and wondered how long he could last if he went up there.

With his lightness skill, he might be able to achieve a draw, since he's faster than his opponent, but his swordsmanship is terrible.

But without special effects, it won't last more than ten moves.

Mu Qiaozhi was quickly defeated, and then the eldest brother took the stage, easily defeating the second brother Zhao Jiang'an in just over ten moves.

Both of them remained expressionless, clearly having anticipated this outcome.

The eldest brother's strength is clearly exceptionally high.

Although their speeds are similar, their understanding of the moves is on completely different levels.

After the competition, the awards were announced.

First, the top ten winners will each receive a custom-made inner breastplate. The material was taken from a mist monster hunted by Baohe Daoren.

Next is the five-consecutive-consecutive-rewards, which only Lin Hui received.

It is something called Ningxiang.

"This item can be lit after entering the fog to ensure safety within ten meters. It can also dispel the corrosive effects of the fog on people," Hui Shen explained in a low voice as he handed Lin Hui the prize.

It's clear they want to mitigate the previous change in attitude.

He never expected that after the Lin family's incident, Lin Hui lost a mentor to rely on, yet he was still able to rise up on his own and has now even become a disciple of Master Mingde, showing extraordinary potential.

This made Hui Shen feel somewhat regretful that he had changed his attitude too quickly.

"Thank you." After receiving Ningxiang, Lin Hui examined the item.

This is an amber-colored, fist-sized object with an irregular shape. It has a warm and soft feel when held in the hand and carries the scent of pine.

He guessed it might be made of rosin.

After quickly taking the measurements for customizing the inner armor, Lin Hui accompanied Chen Zhishen and the other man for a walk around the Taoist temple, chatted for a while, and then saw them off.

As dusk fell, the spectators in the stands gradually left, and vehicles and pedestrians dispersed, leaving Qingfeng Temple back to its previous relative quietness.

After the event, Mingde summoned him to his residence.

At this moment, two other disciples had gathered there, a man and a woman, who were ranked eighth and ninth respectively.

"Come, come, let's get acquainted. This is Wang Yun, she's right in front of you. Her family is in the timber business," Mingde said with a smile, introducing her to Lin Hui. He pointed to one of the girls.

The girl had short hair, a strong build, and masculine features; you couldn't tell she was female unless you looked closely.

Upon hearing this, he nodded amicably to Lin Hui.

"Junior Brother Lin, just call me by my name. Feel free to contact me anytime if you need money." This guy was clearly not short of cash; his tone was incredibly arrogant.

“Junior Sister Wang’s family are major timber merchants spanning three towns, and they also have branches in the inner city. They have extensive connections. I’m different; I’m all alone.” Another man introduced himself with a smile, “My name is Deng Mingchao, and I’m the second student under Teacher Mingde.”

"Greetings, Senior Sister Wang and Senior Brother Deng." Lin Hui bowed respectfully to the two of them.

"Father, what about me?" At this moment, a slender and hot woman walked out from the inner room. She was no more than twenty years old, but she had a charming appearance, long legs, and an amazingly perfect waist-to-hip ratio. She wore a black and purple fitted leather outfit that perfectly highlighted her figure.

“This is my daughter, Weiwei. She also practices martial arts, but she’s not on the temple’s register. Just call her Third Senior Sister,” Mingde said helplessly.

"Greetings, Third Senior Sister." Lin Hui bowed again.

"Hmm, not bad." Weiwei smiled with satisfaction. "I admit I misjudged you before. You have good potential and talent, and you're also lucky. Being able to learn from my father, your swordsmanship will definitely improve quickly!"

"Thank you, Senior Sister." Lin Hui nodded.

Weiwei had been somewhat resistant to Lin Hui before, but now that she saw that he was polite and well-mannered, she was no longer so averse to him.

However, he still harbored some resentment about the sword he had given her before.

After the introductions, Mingde took out a piece of yellow paper from the drawer and handed it to each of his three disciples.

"I've called you here today because of this good news. The choice is yours." He paused, then continued, "The town's police station needs to expand its emergency braking team. We've already hired six people, and now we're looking for three more. Who among you is willing to go?"

"I won't go, let them have it," Senior Sister Wang Yun said casually. Her family didn't lack these benefits, and she didn't care about the power of execution; she practiced martial arts more as a hobby.

“Alright, what about you guys?” Mingde looked at Deng Mingchao and Lin Hui.

"I'm willing!" Deng Mingchao readily agreed. "A mission costs at least 10,000, and sometimes as much as 30,000. It would be a loss not to go. Not to mention, there's also the power of temporary execution."

After quickly learning what the power of execution was, Lin Hui readily agreed.

Even without a generous salary, the power of execution alone would make him want to join.

"Alright, I'll send the list over right away and let the police station choose." Mingde smiled as he wrote down the names.

Just as he dipped his pen in ink and was writing halfway through...

Bang!
A sudden, muffled thud drifted from the Taoist temple outside the gate.

Immediately following was a loud shout: "Xing Daosong, slay the dragon! I challenge Daoist Baohe to a battle!"

The sound was loud and resonant, with echoes continuously penetrating and circulating within the Taoist temple.

Mingde's expression changed. He put down his paper and pen, and in a flash, he arrived at the door, pushed it open, and looked towards the Taoist temple.

The others followed suit.

The Taoist temple was buzzing and commotion. The disciples who had just left came out and looked at the person standing at the gate.

Baohe Daoist was already standing in the front school field, his gaze solemn as he stared intently at his opponent.

Behind him were Mingchen and Mingxiu, as well as a group of disciples from the front courtyard.

Everyone looked at the person standing in front of the door.

The other person had a full head of red hair, a cold face, and a slender build; he was a man in black, around forty or fifty years old.

His right hand was adorned with a massive black metal claw, its sharp, gleaming tips gleaming coldly. The joints were barbed, and the fingertips and palm were intricately carved with patterns, making it appear more like an antique than a weapon.

"Fellow Daoist Baohe, do you dare to accept the challenge?" the newcomer called out again.

"What is there to be afraid of? Does my friend have a name?"

Baohe took a deep breath. If he didn't dare to accept the challenge in front of so many disciples, the reputation of the entire Qingfeng Temple would be ruined.

So he had no choice but to accept the challenge, whether he wanted to or not. There was no solution. The other party knew this about him, which was why they came to challenge him during the busiest time of the year, when all their relatives and friends were present.

“Just an unknown nobody, not worth mentioning.” Song Zhanlong walked into the Taoist temple's training ground without changing his expression.

"Clear the area."

Soon, the crowd cleared a large open space for the two to fight.

Mingde, along with Lin Hui and the other three, stood at a distance, watching the battle with worried expressions.

The snowflakes fell more densely, making a soft thud as they landed on the ground, a sound so subtle that even the falling snowflakes could be heard in the stillness.

Song Zhanlong and Baohe approached each other, stood still, and looked at each other.

"I had heard long ago that a lot of people had come to Xingdao City to cause trouble. I was even glad that I hadn't been targeted. But now it seems..." Bao He smiled bitterly.

"Take out the strong ones first, then the outsiders. That's our usual practice," Song Zhanlong said casually. "Make your move. I can give you three moves."

"You're being presumptuous, aren't you? Are you really that confident?" Master Baohe raised an eyebrow.

“I already gave him three moves when I used Flying Cloud Fist. You and he are evenly matched. If you don’t want to give him any more moves, that’s fine too.” Song Zhanlong smiled.

Immediately, he stepped forward, raised his right claw, and his robes moved without wind, while a thin layer of white light faintly shone on his skin and face.

"Don't say I didn't give you a chance!"

laugh!
He suddenly lunged forward, his figure like a black python, snapping at Baohe with lightning speed.

clang!
Bao and Bao drew their swords simultaneously, aiming precisely at his forehead, but only a crisp clang was heard.

Not only that, the blade flashed like lightning, stabbing the man five times in an instant, but each time it only produced the sound of metal clashing.

In an instant, the man drew close, his black claws transforming into a blur as they enveloped Bao He.

He wasn't fast, but his moves were steady, powerful, and completely defensive, even closing his eyes and relying solely on his ears to attack.

Bang bang bang! !

In an instant, three heavy explosions rang out.

Bao He retreated silently, unleashing his movement technique. In an instant, three afterimages appeared around him, simultaneously attacking Song Zhanlong from three different angles.

But it was all in vain. The three illusory sword tips pierced the unsuspecting Song Zhanlong, producing only a crisp impact.

With a casual flick of his claws, Song Zhanlong unleashed a barrage of black shadows that swept across a large area, instantly extinguishing the sword shadows.

Bang!
His claws grazed the stone wall of the training ground, easily creating a crater the size of a washbasin and a hand's width deep.

Wherever the black claws passed, whether it was metal weapons on the weapon rack or hard, heavy decorative rockery, they all broke like tofu, utterly vulnerable.

Seeing this, everyone had a bad feeling.

But before everyone could think it through, after a dozen or so moves, a scream suddenly rang out.

Baohe Daoist was sent flying backward and crashed heavily onto the training ground, vomiting mouthfuls of blood.

The sword in his hand still gleamed with a faint, yet striking, white light, but it was now meaningless.

"Thank you for your kind words!" Song Zhanlong retracted his claws and said casually. He turned around and walked out of the gate with a bored expression. A short while later, he got into a black and purple carriage parked outside the gate and drove away.

Inside the entire Qingfeng Temple, everyone was completely silent. Only Baohe Daoist's young apprentice and the three men of the Ming generation reacted quickly and stepped forward to help Baohe up.

But Baohe had already fainted, and his figure was completely blocked by the people surrounding him.

Lin Hui and the others could only see the bright red blood seeping through the gaps in the crowd, quietly staining the pure white snowflakes on the ground.

Only then did everyone, all the disciples, realize what had happened.

Baohe Daoist was defeated.

They suffered a crushing defeat.

The challenger didn't even suffer a minor injury. This means that the difference in strength between the two sides is quite obvious.

As the strongest person in Qingfeng Temple, Baohe Daoren's sudden fall has undoubtedly brought enormous consequences.

As Lin Hui watched the others take Bao He into the side room to check his injuries, a deep sense of oppression welled up in his heart.

He had a premonition that Qingfeng Temple might face a huge change in the future.

No, judging from what Song Zhanlong just said, perhaps all the martial arts schools in the surrounding towns will face a similar fate.
(End of this chapter)