Chapter 101: Picking a Quarrel

The two chief deacons quickly rushed in without a word, directly dragging Ling Yan and the others as they turned and dashed toward the pig cage.

“Thank you, Hall Master, thank you, Elders,” the fat man kowtowed thrice, tears of gratitude streaming down his face.

Yet inside, he was grinning wildly.
You little brat, challenging Fatty? That’s just courting death.

He then rose and returned to stand beside Cheng Yi and Lu Hong, whispering, “Are you satisfied with this extra-large surprise?”

Cheng Yi’s eyes gleamed coldly. “You’re ruthless, but I wonder how long you can strut around like this.”

“Just wait and see,” the fat man chuckled, rolling his eyes mischievously. “Lu Hong, why doesn’t Fatty come after you?”

Lu Hong’s brows furrowed deeply.

The fat man snickered, “Because you’re too dirty. Fatty’s afraid touching your hand would soil his pure heart.”

A furious blaze instantly ignited within Lu Hong.

“Don’t lose your temper. He wants to wipe us out one by one. If that happens, he’ll have the chance to enter the Dan King Hall. Just endure it for now. Once the assessment is over, we’ll deal with him properly,” Cheng Yi quickly grasped Lu Hong’s wrist and whispered.

At that moment, Lin Chen put down his teacup and turned to Luo Xiong with a smile. “Hall Master Luo, it’s getting late. Shouldn’t we finalize the list soon?”

Luo Xiong hesitated.

Cheng Yi stepped forward respectfully. “Hall Master, I know you’re waiting for Jiang Haotian, but he still hasn’t returned. The chances are slim. We can’t keep Lord Lin waiting just for one dead man, can we?”

Lin Chen nodded appreciatively at Cheng Yi.

“Heh, do you wish me dead that badly? Well, you’re going to be disappointed—I’m very much alive,” came a faint, mocking laugh.

“Jiang Haotian!”

The fat man’s bulky frame trembled.

At the same time, Feng Cheng, Elder Mo, and Luo Xiong were overjoyed, rising to look outside the hall.

A boy in rough linen garments walked through the raging wind and rain, step by step approaching the Dan Fire Hall.

A sword wound bled on his shoulder.

His face was pale as paper, but his eyes shone brightly, full of spirit.

“How is this possible?”
“He’s still alive after all that? Does he fly or what?”

Cheng Yi and Lu Hong’s faces were filled with disbelief.

Lin Chen examined Qin Feiyang curiously.

On the surface, this person seemed unremarkable. How had he gained such regard from Luo Xiong and the others?

The fat man pushed through the crowd, ran out of the hall, and greeted Qin Feiyang with a hearty laugh. “Brother Jiang, Fatty knew you were lucky and blessed—you wouldn’t have died.”

Qin Feiyang blinked. “Judging by that smug look, did you get up to some dirty business again?”

The fat man was annoyed. “What are you saying? Fatty is a well-loved young man. Don’t tarnish my reputation.”

“You have a reputation?” Qin Feiyang rolled his eyes.
If anyone was shameless, not even a thankless wolf could compare to this guy.

The fat man chuckled again. “Honestly, I did pull off something big just now.”

He then quietly told Qin Feiyang about the framing of Ji Jin and the others.

After hearing it, Qin Feiyang’s gaze became strange. Ji Jin and Ling Yan had barely emerged from the pig cage, yet they were thrown back in again. No doubt they hated the fat man deeply.

“Well done. Keep it up,” Qin Feiyang patted the fat man’s shoulder. Though not exactly honorable, it was undeniably satisfying.

Once inside the hall, the crowd parted automatically.

Qin Feiyang approached the three leaders and cupped his hands respectfully. “Greetings, Hall Master, greetings, Elders.”

Feng Cheng was about to lose his temper, but seeing the sword wound on Qin Feiyang’s shoulder, his expression turned to concern. “How did you get this wound?”

Qin Feiyang smiled lightly. “On the way back, a couple of stray dogs suddenly jumped out. I got scratched accidentally, but it’s nothing serious—won’t affect my pill refining.”

“Stray dogs?”

The disciples around looked puzzled, but the three leaders understood well.

Now was not the time to question it further.

Luo Xiong turned to Lin Chen with a smile. “I won’t write the list—I’ll just say it. The reserved spot goes to Jiang Haotian. The other two spots will be decided through merit…”

Before he could finish, Cheng Yi stepped forward solemnly. “Hall Master, I object!”

“Step back!” Luo Xiong barked.

Lin Chen smiled. “Hall Master Luo, why don’t we hear him out? Why does he object?”

Luo Xiong raised an eyebrow and nodded. “Fine. Cheng Yi, speak quickly. Don’t waste time.”

Cheng Yi’s anger surged.

Jiang Haotian just arrived—how could that be a waste of time? And Luo Xiong hadn’t even uttered a word of blame. Now, just for speaking up once, he was accused of wasting time. Such blatant favoritism was too much.

He took a deep breath, cupped his hands, and said, “Everyone knows Jiang Haotian is a privileged connection. But we’ve all reached this point through our own efforts. I hope the Hall Master can be fair and just.”

“A privileged connection?” Lin Chen frowned. “Cheng Yi, who is he connected to?”

Cheng Yi answered, “He’s betrothed to Elder Feng’s granddaughter.”

Lin Chen’s pupils contracted sharply, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes, but he quickly masked it and looked at Luo Xiong. “Hall Master Luo, you know the rules of the Dan Hall better than I do. We can’t allow favoritism.”

Feng Cheng suddenly stood. “What a joke! How come I didn’t know Jiang Haotian is betrothed to my granddaughter?”

Cheng Yi respectfully replied, “Elder Feng, Jiang Haotian said it himself.”

Lin Chen smiled. “If that’s the case, then the reserved spot should go to someone else. Hall Master Luo, I heard yesterday that Cheng Yi has level six spiritual power. Why not give it to him?”

“Thank you, Lord Lin!” Cheng Yi was overjoyed, bowing deeply.

“The hall hasn’t agreed yet. What are you thanking me for?” Luo Xiong said, displeasure growing. “Cheng Yi, I’m giving you a chance to step down yourself. Don’t make things harder for yourself.”

“Why should I step down?” Cheng Yi challenged. “Hall Master, I respect you greatly, but I didn’t expect you to be so selfish. I may not be great in martial arts, but in pill refining, I have absolute confidence—I’ll crush Jiang Haotian!”

By the end, Cheng Yi had lost all composure and directly challenged Luo Xiong.

Lin Chen smiled faintly. “Level six spiritual power is already top-tier in the Dan King Hall. I think the reserved spot should go to him.”

“Is level six spiritual power really that impressive?” Qin Feiyang finally spoke after remaining silent, his tone thick with disdain.

“What did you say?” Cheng Yi spun around, glaring fiercely at Qin Feiyang.

Lin Chen subtly raised an eyebrow.

Qin Feiyang sneered and looked toward Luo Xiong and the others as if questioning them.

Feng Cheng glanced at Lin Chen and Cheng Yi, then said to Qin Feiyang, “This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. Go for it!”

Hearing this, Qin Feiyang smiled and turned back to Cheng Yi. “You say you’ll crush me—do you have the qualifications?”

Cheng Yi clenched his fists, speaking deliberately, “Then let’s put it to the test!”

Qin Feiyang said, “How shall we test it?”

“Of course, pill refining! Whoever refines the higher quality pill gets the reserved spot. Do you dare?”

Cheng Yi looked at him challengingly.

Qin Feiyang chuckled, “Let’s add another condition: whoever loses will submit to the winner’s disposal—even if it means death on the spot.”

“What!” The disciples gasped in shock.

This was no longer just a fight for a spot—it was a life-or-death gamble!

Luo Xiong and the others frowned. Although Cheng Yi’s behavior displeased them somewhat, they still believed in his future. They knew Qin Feiyang’s pill refining skills better than anyone.

If the death gamble went ahead, Cheng Yi was doomed.

This couldn’t be allowed.

They prepared to stand and stop it.

But Cheng Yi beat them to it. “Agreed. It’s settled.”

“No!” Elder Mo shouted.

Cheng Yi turned to him respectfully. “Elder Mo, this is a joint decision between me and Jiang Haotian. I ask you not to interfere.”

Lin Chen smiled. “Interesting. Elder Mo, just let them go. Besides, I don’t believe they’ll really kill each other—at most, some insults. It’s no big deal.”

Elder Mo looked at Luo Xiong and Feng Cheng.

Luo Xiong waved impatiently. “Forget it, whatever.”

“Hmph, won’t learn until you’re in the coffin,” Feng Cheng snorted, clearly referring to Cheng Yi.

Unaware, Cheng Yi stood tall and stared at Qin Feiyang. “You first, or me?”

“Suit yourself,” Qin Feiyang shrugged.

“Then I’ll go first. Watch closely and learn what real pill refining is!” Cheng Yi sneered and strode toward the corridor.

At that moment, Lin Chen said, “To save time, you’ll both refine pills simultaneously. Just the simplest healing pill. Cheng Yi, you use Refining Room One. Jiang Haotian, you’ll use Refining Room Two.”

“Thank you, Lord Lin!” Cheng Yi was ecstatic and bowed quickly.

However, Qin Feiyang frowned.

What was Lin Chen’s meaning? Assigning Refining Room One to Cheng Yi?

Though the rooms were numbered consecutively, the quality of the Dan Fire and furnace in Room One was a different tier compared to Room Two.

Everyone knew the quality of the fire and furnace affected the pill’s quality.

This was a clear attempt to help Cheng Yi.

Lin Chen seemed to notice Qin Feiyang’s displeasure and smiled. “Jiang Haotian, I gave you Room Two to prove you’re not a privileged connection. I’m sincerely trying to help you. Don’t disappoint me!”

Qin Feiyang was momentarily stunned.

He realized this man was nothing but a hypocrite with hidden daggers behind a smile.

“Don’t worry, I won’t disappoint you,” Qin Feiyang said, then headed toward Room Two, a deep sneer pressed to his lips.

Such petty tricks to scheme against him? Ridiculous.

He’d soon show just how childish such behavior was.

But one thing puzzled him: they’d only met once before, no enmity or grievances—why target him deliberately?

[PS: Friends, after reading, please remember to cast a recommendation vote. Big thanks to Brother “Demon Ancestor” for the generous 10,000 book coin reward.]