Chapter 119: Competition

Lian Hongchen glanced at the list that had almost ended up in the trash bin, his smile unchanged. "Chairman Lin, we appreciate your assistance with this matter. The public has high expectations for Grandmaster Li. To show our martial society's dedication, we have specially set up a public notice board to disclose the support we've provided him and request public oversight."

Lin Yuzhi's smile stiffened."A public notice board?"

After a moment, Lin Yuzhi said, "Chairman Lian, that's where you went wrong. How could internal scheduling and arrangements within the association be exposed to the outside world? This kind of behavior is against the rules. If the higher-ups find out, they might think you're trying to coerce them with public opinion."

"Well... I didn't want it to come to this, but since the 'shady dealings' issue has stirred up so much controversy, the public has begun to doubt our martial society's fairness and impartiality. If we aren't transparent and above board, rumors will inevitably continue to circulate."

Trying to retrieve the list, Lian Hongchen continued, "Of course, rumors are just rumors. The truth will eventually become clear. Moreover, the recent replay of the Summit of Legends reached a new high in viewership. The public's eyes are sharp and can distinguish between truth and falsehood. So, as you suggested, I'll take back the public notice...."

Smack!

Lin Yuzhi stopped Lian Hongchen from taking back the list, his smile now strained. "

Haha

, Chairman Lian, since you mean well, the martial society will naturally support it. While the rumors are clearly false, widespread gossip can still damage the reputation of Jiang Province Martial Society."

"Oh, Chairman Lin, you mean..."

"Since the martial society has promised to focus on nurturing Grandmaster Li, we must honor our word."

"As expected of Chairman Lin, you truly care about the development of the Martial Society. When Grandmaster Li competes in the national competition, places in the top three, or even wins the championship, everyone will remember your contributions," Lian Hongchen said with a smile.

Lin Yuzhi sneered inwardly.

The next competition... The national championship? Is it even possible?

But just as he was about to sign his name on the application list, something caught his eye. He suddenly stood up and exclaimed, "Lian Hongchen, are you out of your mind!?"

"What do you mean by this?" Lian Hongchen asked, looking somewhat innocent.

"Heart's Essence Fruit, Immortal's Golden Pill, Pill of Rebirth...!"

Lin Yuzhi quickly skimmed through the list of resources, then tossed the pen aside. "I can't sign this!"

Lian Hongchen showed a smile. "

Oh?

Chairman Lin, are these resources something our Martial Society can't secure?"

Lin Yuzhi remained silent.

Lian Hongchen continued, "Or perhaps... is this level of support something our Jiang Province Martial Society has never provided before?"

He placed a document on the table, his smile widening. "I recall that six years ago, you signed an application for key training resources for Lin Yuchi, the top contender in that year's intermediate category. That agreement was identical to this one."

Seeing the document, Lin Yuzhi quickly regained his composure. He took a deep breath, erasing his smile, and said, "It seems you have done your homework, Chairman Lian."

"All thanks to your guidance, Chairman Lin. Over the years, I've gathered quite a bit of information," Lian Hongchen replied modestly. "Chairman Xue publicly promised to spare no effort in training Li Pin....

"And if this resource application for Lin Yuchi, which somehow leaked, leads to rumors when Li Pin's announced resources fall short compared to this Lin prodigy, the public might think we're saying one thing and doing another."

"Indeed," Lin Yuzhi said, looking at Lian Hongchen. "You've certainly learned a lot from working at the bottom level."

"Chairman Lin, you are flattering me," Lian Hongchen said with a slight smile.

Lin Yuzhi looked at the list. He knew that if he refused to sign, Lian Hongchen would definitely seize on this crucial issue and make a scene.

Li Pin had caught the attention of some influential figures through the Summit of Legends program and Lian Hongchen's recommendation. If this matter were to escalate, the higher-ups would likely take direct action to invest in Li Pin and put pressure on Lin Yuzhi.

Moreover, with Lian Hongchen coordinating from both inside and outside the Martial Society, this could put his situation at risk.

"Chairman Lian, if I'm not mistaken, Executive Zhuo Chenggyu was the one who recommended you, correct?" Lin Yuzhi inquired.

He had thoroughly investigated everyone's background within the Jiang Province Martial Society. There weren't any major figures. Even Lian Hongchen only had an executive backing him.

He, Lin Yuzhi, had connections with Lu Changkong, Executive Ding Aojun, He Fang, and others. The difference between them was significant.

"Does Executive Zhuo know what you're doing?" Lin Yuzhi asked.

Lian Hongchen smiled. "Chairman Lin, you're thinking too far ahead."

Lin Yuzhi didn't say anything more. He glanced at the application list and eventually picked up the pen again and signed his name.

"Thank you, Chairman Lin. I believe Grandmaster Li will appreciate what the Jiang Province Martial Society has done for him."

"Chairman Lian, do you mean what you said?" Lin Yuzhi suddenly smiled again, "Grandmaster Li's performance yesterday was truly eye-opening. He will certainly have a place in the upcoming national competition.

"As the chairman, I feel it's only right to meet such a talented young man. Coincidentally, there's a celebration banquet in four days after the Jiang Province Martial Arts Competition ends. I hope Grandmaster Li can attend."

Hearing that, Lian Hongchen quickly realized something, so he said, "Grandmaster Li withdrew from the competition midway. His attendance at such a banquet might be inappropriate given his current role as an instructor at the Astral Hall. Additionally, he might not have the time for it. What I can do is pass on your invitation."

Lin Yuzhi nodded. "Alright, let's do that then."

With that, Lian Hongchen left with the signed document.

Shortly after Lian Hongchen departed, Xue Manshan walked into Lin Yuzhi's office.

"Chairman, Lian Hongchen just applied for—"

"A batch of valuable resources, I know," Lin Yuzhi interjected, taking a deep breath. "In my name, send an invitation to Li Pin to attend the celebration banquet for the Jiang Province Martial Competition in four days."

Xue Manshan was taken aback.

After a moment, he asked again, "Chairman Lin, you mean—"

"Send the invitation to Li Pin. Do I need to repeat myself?" Lin Yuzhi said in a solemn tone.

Xue Manshan quickly agreed. "Understood! Understood!"

"Wait."

At this moment, Lin Yuzhi remembered something and said, "Send it three days from now, and make a note that the reason for the delay is that Chairman Lian forgot to pass on the message when he was supposed to."

Xue Manshan soon realized the implications and nodded. "Understood."

Once Xue Manshan had left, Lin Yuzhi sat in his chair and let out a long sigh.

"The national competition!" Lin Yuzhi muttered to himself.

Li Pin's killing of Qiu Chufeng had already drawn his attention. However, Lin Yuzhi hadn't seen Li Pin's performance in that fight for himself. Relying on written descriptions to understand Li Pin's true strength was difficult and inaccurate.

However, that all changed after what happened yesterday! Considering Li Pin's display of dominance by killing Chi Xingyu and his level of cultivation... putting aside the national competition, Li Pin could even make a name for himself at the World's Top Martial Competition.

Most importantly, he was only twenty-two!

Once he made a name for himself at the World's Top Martial Competition...

Thinking up to this point, Lin Yuzhi's heart was troubled.

"Enemies should be resolved, not made... If you have any demands, you can bring them up directly, there's no need to go through Lian Hongchen. Strictly speaking, there's no deep-seated grudge between us, is there?" He murmured to himself. "I've already shown you goodwill... I hope you..."

He pondered momentarily about the consequences of Li Pin gaining fame at the World's Top Martial Competition, and the expression on his face gradually turned cold.

"won't force me to kill you..."

***

At the Astral Hall.

After four days of recuperation, Xue Baiyi, Chi Shuang, Lian Ying, Zhang Shan, and Zhao Si had all fully recovered with the help of medication and their remarkable healing abilities.

Upon learning that Li Pin had been absent for four days, they all sensed what was coming and eagerly prepared themselves. It wasn't just them, several prominent students, surrounded in the center by others, were also quietly waiting.

After a moment, one of them asked, "Will Li Pin come today?"

"Yes, Martial Brother Xiao Jin, we've checked thoroughly. He has class today," another student confirmed.

"Very well," the man called Xiao Jin replied indifferently.

At this moment, not far from him, a man surrounded by four others glanced coldly at Lian Ying, Zhang Shan, Zhao Si, Xue Baiyi, and Chi Shuang, who were preparing to settle scores.

He scoffed, "As an Astral Cultivator, losing in a one-on-one fight due to a lack of skill might be excusable. But for five of you to team up and still be defeated by a single Aura Cultivation martial artist slightly older than you is a disgrace to all Astral Cultivators."

Chi Shuang retorted, "Ye Qinghua, cut the crap. Li Pin is no weakling. Even if you were to face him alone, you might not win. Just three days ago, he fought against ten opponents at the Jiang Province Martial Competition, defeating one Aura Cultivation and nine Core Formation martial artists..."

Ye Qinghua laughed loudly. "

Hahaha

? The Jiang Province Martial Competition? Isn't that just a bunch of ordinary people playing martial arts? Is defeating such amateurs something worth boasting about?"

"You can brag all you want once you've defeated Li Pin."

"Do I need you to remind me? Do you think we're just waiting here for a banquet to start?" Ye Qinghua waved his hand sharply. "Today, unless Li Pin hides like a turtle and refuses to fight, I'll show him what true power is!"

At that moment, a voice echoed from outside the training hall. "Well said!"

Immediately, Li Pin walked in with a satisfied expression. "I'm relieved to see you all so spirited."

He scanned the crowd of over a hundred students gathered in the hall and smiled sincerely. "Who wants to go first?"