Chapter 56: The Number One Outer Disciple
"This martial technique, let me take a look." At that moment, from the left side of Lin Feng, a voice suddenly rang out.
Lin Feng turned his gaze and saw a young man with a sinister expression speaking coldly to another person, his tone filled with a commanding air.
Lin Feng had seen that other person before. His name was Shen Chen, and like Lin Feng, he was an outer disciple, though his reputation was far greater than Lin Feng's.
"I've already taken a liking to this martial technique." Shen Chen stared coldly at the young man beside him. It wasn't uncommon for inner disciples to bully outer disciples, but Shen Chen wasn't someone to be trifled with.
"How dare you! An outer disciple like you dares to refuse me?" The young man roared in anger, releasing his aura with overbearing force.
"Hmph, Li Lin, don't think I don't know you. You're one of the weakest among the inner disciples, only daring to throw your weight around in front of outer disciples. In this sect's grand competition, I, Shen Chen, will use you as a stepping stone and kick you out of the inner sect." Shen Chen showed no sign of backing down, speaking coldly.
"Shen Chen? That kid is Shen Chen? Hah, this is going to be interesting." The crowd on the second floor of the Star Pavilion all turned their gazes this way. What Shen Chen said was true—Li Lin was too weak among the inner disciples, and out of inferiority, he often tried to assert himself in front of outer disciples. He hadn't expected to run into such a tough opponent this time.
Shen Chen, the number one outer disciple, possessed a Blazing Flame Martial Soul and wielded the Blazing Flame Sword Technique with overwhelming power. No one in the outer sect could match him. His advancement to the inner sect in this grand competition was practically a foregone conclusion.
Sure enough, Li Lin's face stiffened at the name "Shen Chen." He had heard of Shen Chen's strength—formidable. He hadn't expected to be so unlucky as to bully him.
"A misunderstanding. I won't look at that technique anymore." Li Lin's face changed rapidly, and he quickly walked away.
A wave of sneers erupted from the crowd. They thought to themselves that Li Lin was indeed spineless, letting an outer disciple scare him like that, bringing shame to the inner disciples.
"What are you laughing at? Believe me, I'll cripple you."
Feeling humiliated and furious, Li Lin sensed that everyone was mocking him, including Lin Feng. He turned and barked at Lin Feng.
He couldn't afford to provoke Shen Chen, but surely he could handle this outer disciple, right?
Lin Feng, who had been about to leave, paused. Had he laughed?
From start to finish, he hadn't shown any expression, only silently shaking his head inwardly. Was Li Lin, unable to bully others, taking him as an outlet for his anger?
"Truly a coward who bullies the weak and fears the strong." A hint of disdain flashed in Lin Feng's eyes. If Li Lin couldn't provoke Shen Chen, did he think he could provoke Lin Feng?
But Lin Feng couldn't be bothered with such a person. He had already selected the techniques and martial skills he needed, so there was no reason to stay any longer.
Raising his foot, Lin Feng prepared to leave.
"Stop right there! How dare you, an outer sect waste, ignore me!" Li Lin's face darkened. He stepped forward and blocked Lin Feng's path.
Lin Feng sneered inwardly. It seemed this guy was determined to use him to salvage his dignity, treating him like a soft persimmon to be squeezed.
"Outer sect waste? Weren't you just humiliated by an outer disciple a moment ago?" Lin Feng said mockingly. This guy really had no shame.
Stung by Lin Feng's words, Li Lin's face turned even colder, his eyes fixed on Lin Feng like a venomous snake.
"You're asking for death."
"You got that right." Lin Feng sneered. "Li Lin, right? I'll remember you. At the sect's grand competition, we'll meet at Wind Cloud Gorge, on the Life and Death Platform."
As soon as Lin Feng spoke, everyone present wore expressions of amusement. Lin Feng was actually challenging Li Lin to a duel—a life-and-death duel.
"Interesting," the crowd murmured. Li Lin's face, however, stiffened, his eyes flickering uncertainly. Did Lin Feng dare to challenge him to a duel? Could it be that he was actually strong?
"Fine. I'll be waiting." Li Lin had no way to retreat. Letting Shen Chen off was one thing, but if he was scared off by Lin Feng, another outer disciple, he wouldn't be able to stay in the Cloud Sea Sect any longer. He'd have no face left.
Turning around, Li Lin left directly.
Lin Feng sneered inwardly, not taking the other party seriously. If he couldn't even defeat the weakest inner disciple now, what was the point of pursuing martial arts?
"Heh, what's your name? Being able to enter this floor means you've already reached the Spirit Martial Realm. How come I've never seen you before?" As the number one outer disciple, Shen Chen was familiar with the top-ranked outer disciples. He knew a few had reached the Spirit Martial Realm and planned to shine in this grand competition to enter the inner sect.
But Lin Feng—Shen Chen had never seen him before.
"Lin Feng. A nobody. It's normal that you haven't seen me." Lin Feng replied with a faint smile.
"Lin Feng the waste?" Shen Chen was taken aback. He hadn't seen the person, but he had heard the name a few times.
"Heh, it seems rumors can't always be trusted. Since when is someone in the Spirit Martial Realm a waste?" Shen Chen shook his head with a laugh, then changed his tone. "But even among outer disciples, there are gaps. For example, between you and me, the difference is like heaven and earth—no comparison. Besides, I'll soon be an inner disciple."
Lin Feng was momentarily stunned, then understood. Shen Chen was referring to his earlier comment: "Weren't you just humiliated by an outer disciple a moment ago?"
In Shen Chen's view, Lin Feng's words were comparing himself to Shen Chen. But in Shen Chen's eyes, Lin Feng was clearly unworthy of such a comparison—just as he said, the difference was like heaven and earth, incomparable.
"It seems you're very confident." Lin Feng wasn't angered and replied with a smile.
"At least among the outer disciples, if I claim second, no one dares to claim first." Shen Chen retorted.
"Is that so? I've heard that outer disciples are only allowed to stay on the second floor of the Star Pavilion for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Since you're so formidable, do you dare to exceed that time?" Lin Feng asked with a smile.
"You don't need to provoke me with words. On the second floor of the Star Pavilion, any outer disciple can only stay for one incense stick's time, and I'm no exception. Of course, others have even less right." Shen Chen said disdainfully. The rules of the Cloud Sea Sect weren't something an outer disciple could change.
"Is that so?" A hint of amusement appeared in Lin Feng's eyes. "I've been here for a while, but I still want to stay for another incense stick's time. Since you're so strong and rank first among outer disciples, and I dare to do it, you should have no problem, right?"
"Are you joking? You still dare to stay another incense stick's time?" Shen Chen sneered, his voice full of contempt.
"Just watch and see." Lin Feng replied, a meaningful smile curling at the corners of his mouth. Ignoring Shen Chen, Lin Feng continued browsing the martial techniques. Even if he didn't plan to cultivate them, it wouldn't hurt to learn a bit.
"Is this guy crazy? He actually says he'll stay another incense stick's time?" The inner disciples on the second floor of the Star Pavilion all wore intrigued expressions, starting to pay attention to Lin Feng. They wanted to see how long he could hold out.
"Hmph." Shen Chen snorted coldly. Since Lin Feng had arrived before him, he wasn't in a hurry. He wanted to see how long Lin Feng's bluff could last.
Half an incense stick's time passed quickly. Shen Chen put down the martial technique he was holding, his brow slightly furrowed. His time was running out.
He looked at Lin Feng, who was still lazily leaning against the martial technique shelf, his face calm, as if completely unaware of the passage of time.
"I'll see how long you can keep up the act." Shen Chen had lost all interest in selecting techniques. He would enter the inner sect sooner or later anyway, so there was no rush to pick techniques. He fixed his gaze on Lin Feng, ready to watch him make a fool of himself.
But Shen Chen seemed disappointed. After a little more time passed, Lin Feng still showed no reaction, as if he had no concept of time at all.
"Aren't you leaving? Are you trying to court death?" Shen Chen could no longer maintain his composure. His own time was almost up. If he didn't leave, he would be breaking the Cloud Sea Sect's rules, and the consequences would be severe.
"I'm not in a hurry, so why are you? The number one outer disciple, a genius!" Lin Feng's tone was indifferent, but the sarcasm in his words was unmistakable.
Shen Chen's gaze turned cold. "You're asking for death. I'm not going to accompany you. Let's see how you explain yourself when you go down."
With that cold remark, Shen Chen turned and left, descending the Star Pavilion.
"The number one outer disciple? Just a coward." Lin Feng sneered, causing Shen Chen's steps to pause slightly, a flicker of killing intent flashing in his eyes.
(End of chapter)