Volume 1, Chapter 23: Since When Did He Become So Confident?

Lin Yang nodded. "That is only natural. Besides, I don't know how to use a sword, so I might as well let Hongye use it."

Upon hearing this, the Master of the Artifact Peak instinctively swallowed hard. He had certainly seen the Red Sun Immortal Sword before, but he never imagined its power could reach such a terrifying level. However, since Lin Yang had admitted it, there was no reason to doubt it. At this thought, he immediately asked Lin Yang with great enthusiasm, "Peak Master Lin, I wonder if you would be willing to lend me your Red Sun Immortal Sword to study at the Artifact Peak after the tournament concludes?"

The Artifact Peak Master was incredibly eager; given the power the Red Sun Immortal Sword had displayed, it far surpassed any other weapon. While Lin Hongye’s own influence certainly played a part, it was undeniable that the sword itself had been enhanced. As the master of the Artifact Peak, he was naturally curious about such a mutated divine artifact.

Lin Yang thought for a moment and finally agreed. "Very well, once the tournament is over, I will lend you the Red Sun Immortal Sword for a few days."

Hearing that Lin Yang was willing to lend the sword, the Artifact Peak Master immediately expressed his gratitude. "Then I thank you in advance, Peak Master Lin."

Lin Yang chuckled and told him it was no trouble, though in reality, he was harboring a secret scheme. He had indeed promised to lend out the Red Sun Immortal Sword, but he hadn't specified *which* one. He could simply take the old, cheap sword his master had left behind and let them study that. Let them study it all they wanted; they wouldn't find a single thing.

Watching Lin Yang’s smug expression, Wang Zide felt irritated and let out a cold snort. "What is so impressive about that Red Sun Immortal Sword of yours? My Sword Peak’s Apocalypse Sword is the true number one divine weapon in the world."

The Artifact Peak Master looked embarrassed. The Apocalypse Sword was certainly decent, but to call it the world’s number one was a bit ridiculous. As things stood, the Apocalypse Sword didn't even measure up to a single strand of hair on the sword in Lin Hongye’s hand.

Seeing that Wang Zide had jumped in to needle him again, Lin Yang wasn't annoyed. Instead, he asked with a grin, "Peak Master Wang, I heard you gave the Apocalypse Sword to your top disciple, Zhao Feng, for this tournament?"

Wang Zide did not deny it, nodding instead. "Zhao Feng’s cultivation is heaven-defying, and with the aid of the Apocalypse Sword, he will surely take the championship in this sect tournament."

Seeing this, Lin Yang smiled and continued, "My disciple and your disciple will meet sooner or later. Since you claim your Apocalypse Sword is so powerful, then when the time comes, we shall let the two swords clash and see which one is truly superior."

Wang Zide’s expression turned ugly. He wasn't a fool; he could clearly see that his Apocalypse Sword was no match for the Red Sun Immortal Sword. His earlier boasting had merely been to spite Lin Yang. If they truly clashed, he feared his Apocalypse Sword would snap in an instant. But how could he back down now? He braced himself and agreed, "Fine! Who is afraid of whom? Just you wait. My Apocalypse Sword will certainly triumph over your Red Sun Immortal Sword."

Just then, Zhang Xianfeng flew back. Hearing the wager, he gave Wang Zide a strange look. Having just crushed the sword energy with his bare hand, he understood exactly how formidable the Red Sun Immortal Sword was. Using the Apocalypse Sword to challenge it? Zhang Xianfeng couldn't help but suspect that Wang Zide had been drinking too much fake wine.

***

On the arena stage, the referee elder let out a sigh of relief now that it was safe. Behind him, the Pill Peak disciple sat slumped on the ground, pale and trembling; he had truly walked through the gates of hell just moments ago. The referee elder flew up and announced loudly, "The winner of this match is Lin Hongye!"

But at that moment, an untimely voice rang out: "I object!"

Everyone looked toward the sound. The person speaking was none other than the Master of the Pill Peak. He stood up, filled with righteous indignation and rage. The referee elder looked awkward. "Uh... Peak Master Wu, the outcome of this match is quite clear. Lin Hongye is the winner."

Wu Qingshan nodded, then shouted, "I am well aware that Lin Hongye won. My disciple is not as skilled as hers; I admit that. But I am not questioning Lin Hongye’s strength—I am questioning her character. Yes, her strength is formidable, but knowing full well that her senior brother was no match for her, she chose to use such a lethal technique. I strongly suspect that Lin Hongye harbored the intent to kill. If she can act so ruthlessly toward a fellow disciple, what will she do to others? Can a cultivator with such a character be called a prodigy?"

Wu Qingshan’s words were impassioned, leaving the disciples below in a difficult position. It was hard to say whether Lin Hongye had intended to kill, but if Zhang Xianfeng hadn't intervened, that sword energy certainly would have taken a life.

Lin Hongye glanced at Wu Qingshan and frowned slightly, while Lu Chen unceremoniously gave Wu Qingshan the middle finger, even though he was too far away for Wu Qingshan to see. Lin Yang was even more direct; he stood up from the peak master’s seating area and turned to curse at Wu Qingshan.

"Old fossil, are you looking for trouble?"

Wu Qingshan was momentarily stunned, asking, "What did you call me?"

"Are you deaf? I called you an old fossil." Lin Yang looked at him with utter disdain. Before Wu Qingshan could react, he continued, "My disciple told your disciple early on to stop struggling and concede, for his own good. It was your disciple who insisted on fighting to the end. So, what is wrong with my disciple striking back? Furthermore, the sect tournament does not forbid casualties. Even if she hadn't just injured him—even if she had killed him—so what? You, as an old fossil, are standing here making trouble because you think my Red Sun Peak has no one left to defend it, so you can bully us as you please?"

Lin Yang showed no fear, while Wu Qingshan’s face turned as black as the bottom of a pot, his eyes filled with a sliver of killing intent. "You, a pathetic waste stuck at the third level of Qi Refining for ten thousand years, dare to lecture me?"

Lin Yang scoffed dismissively. "I am lecturing you today—what are you going to do about it? My Red Sun Peak is not something anyone can bully. It wasn't in the past, and it certainly isn't now!"

Lin Yang’s words were deafening, echoing across the tournament grounds. The crowd was stunned. When had this third-level Qi Refining Peak Master of the Red Sun Peak become so bold as to challenge the Nascent Soul-stage Wu Qingshan?

Wu Qingshan’s chest heaved with rage. After a long moment, he sneered, "You... very well!"

Just then, a voice like a booming bell echoed through the air: "Enough!"