"Hmph, that bookworm only knows how to read; what kind of respectable magic treasure could he possibly produce? Even if he does, I suppose it would be things like pens and paper—are we expected to rely on these to confront the Fire Python Tiger?"
Chu Yue looked at Lin Chen and disparaged him.
It seemed that she still harbored resentment towards Lin Chen for outperforming her in the study of Spiritual Formation knowledge and couldn’t let it go.
Lin Chen glanced at Chu Yue with a slight frown. This woman really had issues. Ever since Lin Chen joined their group, she had targeted him at every turn. If it weren’t for the potential dangers of the journey, which Lin Chen couldn’t bear to leave Mu Qingxuan to face alone, as well as his desire to witness the hunt firsthand, he would have turned around and left immediately.
"Indeed, I only know how to read. In all academic subjects, my grades have always been superior, unlike some people who, despite having studied for many years, are forever just of medium grade. Truly a case of long hair, short on insight."
Lin Chen waved his hand dismissively and said indifferently.
Clearly, his words were a retort aimed at Chu Yue.
"You waste, who are you talking about?"
Chu Yue’s eyes blazed with anger as she chastised Lin Chen, her fists tightening involuntarily as if she were about to teach Lin Chen a lesson, not regarding him as an ally at all.
"Alright, the city of Lianhuo is just ahead, everyone, be alert."
"Junior Brother Lin Chen’s Cultivation has just broken through; he is merely following us to gain some exposure. Surely we’re not so lacking that we can’t handle a Fire Python Tiger without one person, right?"
Lu Feishuang stepped forward to speak on Lin Chen’s behalf.
But her defense didn’t really elevate Lin Chen’s status. After all, Lin Chen’s Cultivation level was apparent for all to see, so Lu Feishuang could only speak to the facts.
Over the past six months, Lin Chen had indeed studied very well in all scholarly subjects, but that was just knowledge; it wasn’t much help for Cultivation.
Just like with Alchemy and Artifact Refining, you could grasp all the theoretical knowledge perfectly and even recite all the smelting methods by heart, but if your Talent was lacking when you actually put your hand to Refining, what good was your knowledge if you lacked the power to execute it?
For a Martial Artist, real strength lies in one’s own abilities, not those scholarly subjects.
Therefore, Lu Feishuang wasn’t very optimistic about Lin Chen, but Mu Qingxuan, standing next to Lin Chen, couldn’t help but take his hand in her small one, her eyes full of sympathy. She alone believed that Lin Chen was the best.
Lin Chen looked at Mu Qingxuan comforting him and smiled faintly; his heart was nowhere near as fragile.
After a journey lasting half a day, the Flying Boat finally arrived at Lianhuo City.
At this moment, at the gate of Lianhuo City, the city lord Lian Yunshan was already waiting with his people.
The territory and prosperity of Lianhuo City were similar to that of Desolate Sky City; it was also a remote small city with Martial Artists of comparable strength.
In such a small place, Jade Cauldron Sect was omnipotent. Therefore, when the Flying Boat arrived above Lianhuo City, excitement filled the faces of everyone below.
"Lianhuo City’s lord, Lian Yunshan, greets the Immortal Clan members of Jade Cauldron Sect."
Lian Yunshan and his people said this respectfully and in unison.
In their eyes, Lin Chen and the others were supremely powerful beings.
"This journey has been fraught with danger; that demon has run rampant. We are unable to resolve the issue and are troubled to have to request the Immortal Clan’s assistance."
"I have already sent people to prepare some modest refreshments, please, Immortal Clan members."
Lian Yunshan invited everyone, and it was apparent he hadn’t been doing well these past few days—his dark circles and poor spirit suggested he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in a long time.
"There’s no need for thanks, slaying demons and exorcising monsters is a duty inherent to us at the Jade Cauldron Sect,"
Lu Feishuang said with an air of righteousness, causing Baili Chuifeng to furrow his brow slightly as the limelight was unexpectedly stolen by this despicable person.
"Our esteemed members of Immortal Clan, you have had a taxing journey. Please, rest a while in our humble dwelling and have some tea."
Even though Lianyun Mountain was eager for the gathered individuals to start exorcising demons immediately, he dared not rush them, fearing that they might find the hospitality lacking for the distinguished guests from the Jade Cauldron Sect.
In fact, Lu Feishuang and the others could tell that the people of Lianhuo City were anxious to deal with the Fire Python Tiger.
"The situation is urgent, City Lord Lian, where is the Fire Python Tiger at this moment?"
Unwilling to be outdone, Baili Chuifeng seized the opportunity to shine. How could he let Lu Feishuang take all the glory? He approached Lianyun Mountain and inquired about the whereabouts of the Fire Python Tiger.
Lianyun Mountain had already prepared a feast to welcome and purify the guests from their travels, but when he heard Baili Chuifeng’s words, his eyes grew slightly moist.
"That’s wonderful. Are the Immortal Clan planning to exorcise the demon right away? The Fire Python Tiger just annihilated a small town outside the city half an hour ago. It is currently preying on the corpses of humans,"
Lianhuo City looked at Baili Chuifeng with immense gratitude, nearly ready to prostrate in kowtows before him.
Seeing this, a hint of a smile appeared at the corner of Baili Chuifeng’s mouth, his inner vanity greatly satisfied.
"Then lead the way. Such demons can be dealt with a mere flick of our wrist; there will be time enough for a victory feast afterwards,"
Baili Chuifeng said with a flick of his sleeve, posing as if possessing the demeanor of an immortal sage.
Thereupon, Lianyun Mountain sent several high-level guards onto the Flying Boat to lead the way for everyone.
Meng Wenchang’s expression at this moment was also somewhat unsightly; he was very displeased with Baili Chuifeng stealing all the limelight.
Lin Chen, watching this scene, simply smiled indifferently. He was unimpressed by these displays of pomp, finding no significance in vying for superficial prestige.
It seemed that the martial artists of Lianhuo City were even weaker than those of Desolate Sky City, with the strongest guards only being at the Body Tempering Realm Seventh Layer. Thıs content belongs to NoveI★Fire.net
Before long, following the guards’ directions, the Flying Boat quickly arrived at the devastated small town.
Next to the small town, there was a hill. According to the guards, every time the Fire Python Tiger razed a village, it would rest and recuperate atop that hill.
To avoid alerting the beast, the group disembarked from the Flying Boat and proceeded on foot.
"Hold on everyone, something seems strange about this place,"
Lin Chen suddenly halted and spoke to the group.
As they gradually approached the hill, Lin Chen increasingly felt that something was amiss with the surroundings. It was too quiet, and there seemed to be a faint fluctuation of a Spiritual Formation nearby. Could it be that this Fire Python Tiger possessed such high intelligence to master Inscription and setup formations?
"Heh, Junior Brother Lin Chen, do you think by learning a bit about Spiritual Formation knowledge you’ve really become a Formation Master? And now you can even detect the oddities here? If you’re afraid, you can turn back now and descend the mountain so you won’t flee in fear during battle and disrupt our morale,"
Chu Yue sneered coldly, looking at Lin Chen with disdain.
"Indeed, we haven’t even seen a shadow of the demon, and Junior Brother Lin Chen is already beating a retreat?"
Baili Chuifeng also joined in with mocking words. In his view, Lin Chen’s actions were nothing more than a ploy to attract attention and show off. Naturally, he took the opportunity to disparage Lin Chen to ensure that his scheme would not succeed.
However, Lin Chen paid no mind to these two fools. His gaze wandered around, his expression growing more and more solemn.