Chapter 79: The Sorrow of the Solitary Cultivator
Furthermore, by entering with them, the target on us becomes much smaller, making it less likely for the Qingcheng Sect to suspect us. He immediately nodded in agreement.
After finishing their meal, Lin Hao suggested, “Brothers, when do you think we should go sign up?” Lin Hao was eager to go see the Qingcheng Sect right away, but Chen Da shook his head. “Let’s not rush. The first two days are reserved for the disciples of noble families and established sects to apply. On the third day, the scattered cultivators are allowed to enter, trickling in one by one.”
“After all, opportunities are always reserved for those people first. We’ll wait one more day and go tomorrow.”
“Oh? There’s such a custom?” Lin Hao asked in surprise.
“Hmph, it’s not really a rule, just an unwritten tradition. I heard that in the beginning, some scattered cultivators tried to sign up in the first two days, but one of them got into a conflict with a noble’s son and ended up dying miserably in the wilderness,” Li Li said, his face full of sarcasm and grief.
Upon hearing this, Chen Da’s expression grew gloomy, and Lin Hao fell silent, his mood heavy. Indeed, this world was one of the strong preying on the weak. For scattered cultivators, it was profoundly unfair.
Those born into noble families had resources for cultivation from birth: the best opportunities, superior magical tools, cultivation techniques, and elixirs. But for scattered cultivators, most had to fight for everything themselves, every magical item and technique earned at the risk of their lives.
Even in such sect selections, they only had the right to register last. And even if they entered the sect, lacking connections and treasures for offerings, they would be ignored, their resources the poorest. One misstep and offending the wrong person could mean their death.
Such was the tragedy of scattered cultivators.
“Ah, let’s not dwell on such heavy topics. Why not talk about something cheerful? Who knows, maybe this time all three of us will be chosen by the Qingcheng Sect,” Lin Hao said, breaking the oppressive silence.
His words brought Chen Da and Li Li back from their gloom, and they began chatting along, for no matter how hard life was, the living must go on.
They continued to live for a better future, to pursue immortality.
After that meal, perhaps moved by Lin Hao’s sincerity, the two came to regard him as a true brother.
At last, Lin Hao said to Chen Da and Li Li, “Brothers, since that’s the case, let’s find a place to rest for now.”
“Brother Lin, let’s stay here. Li Li and I have been staying here for days. You should stay here too, so we can look out for each other.”
“Waiter, bring another premium room for my brother!” Chen Da called out loudly.
Lin Hao did not refuse, and the room was right next to those of Chen Da and Li Li.
Having drunk some wine, the three retired to their rooms to rest after dinner.
Lin Hao sat on his bed, cultivating spiritual energy for a while, his mind turning over thoughts of the Qingcheng Formula and the Bright Moon Blade Manual.
Gradually, he cleared himself of all the effects of the alcohol and opened his eyes.
Looking outside, the sky was already darkening, but the street was growing more crowded, especially near the Qingcheng Sect.
Brightly lit, the three characters of “Qingcheng Sect” shone as if set with spiritual pearls.
Lin Hao couldn’t help but be amazed at the extravagance—a grand sect was indeed grand.
He saw countless noble disciples dressed luxuriously, followed by entourages, rampaging through the street.
---
Lin Hao frowned slightly.
Just then, there was a knock at his door. He called out warily, “Who is it?”
Chen Da and Li Li entered.
Seeing them, Lin Hao’s expression softened slightly, though he was still puzzled. “Brothers, what is it?”
“We want to invite you to meet someone at a good place,” Chen Da said with a mysterious smile.
“Meet someone? Who?”
“This man is Zhao Hongwei, a middle-aged cultivator. He’s known as the foremost among scattered cultivators here. With his skills, he should be more than qualified to join the Qingcheng Sect, but because he’s a scattered cultivator, he’s never been accepted, no matter how many times he tries each year.
But he’s quite well-informed about the selection and has plenty of experience. I managed to arrange a meeting with him tonight. That way, tomorrow the three of us won’t be so clueless,” Chen Da explained.
“Oh.” Lin Hao nodded in understanding.
“Really? That’s great. Let’s go,” Lin Hao said happily, following them.
He thought to himself: What good fortune.
The three crossed the street to a more luxurious inn than their own. Upon entering, Chen Da immediately asked for Room Number One.
The waiter respectfully led them inside.
At the door, Lin Hao saw a man sitting inside, his face full of arrogance—about thirty years old, a middle-aged man, whom Lin Hao guessed must be Zhao Hongwei.
Sure enough, as they entered, Chen Da and Li Li bowed respectfully, “Senior Zhao, we’ve heard much about you. Sorry for being late and making you wait.”
Seeing this, Lin Hao quickly followed their lead.
Zhao Hongwei looked at the three with arrogant eyes and snorted, “I’ve been waiting for ages.”
“We’re truly sorry, truly sorry,” Chen Da and Li Li hastily apologized, bowing and scraping.
Finally, Chen Da gritted his teeth and placed a premium spirit stone before Zhao Hongwei.
Zhao Hongwei’s attitude softened at the sight of the spirit stone.
He looked at Lin Hao and the others: “Sit down, why are you standing?”
Only then did the three dare to take their seats.
Lin Hao sized up Zhao Hongwei as soon as he entered, full of disdain. The man was utterly arrogant, with a hint of cruelty in his brows. Lin Hao had little respect for him.
Seeing Chen Da and Li Li fawning over him, Lin Hao wanted to say something but kept silent, watching the two flatter Zhao Hongwei.
After taking the spirit stone, Zhao Hongwei no longer ignored them, though his face still showed contempt.
Chen Da asked, “Senior Zhao, this year’s Qingcheng Sect disciple selection has some changes. We wanted to ask you for advice and any information you might have.” Chen Da spoke obsequiously.
Zhao Hongwei’s eyes flashed, then he answered with irritation, “Advice? Information? I’ve tried many times and never got in. Are you mocking me?”
“No, absolutely not!” At Zhao Hongwei’s words, he released a wave of pressure, causing Chen Da and Li Li to turn pale and retreat several steps.
---
They hurried to explain themselves.
“Hmph, if you’re not mocking me, what are you doing? Enough, get out! Anything you want to know—I don’t know. Don’t expect to learn anything from me. I know nothing. Get out!”
Zhao Hongwei launched into a rage at Chen Da, Li Li, and Lin Hao.
Flames of anger flashed in Chen Da and Li Li’s eyes, clearly bullied by Zhao Hongwei. Thinking of the spirit stone, Chen Da felt a pang of heartbreak.
Yet neither was a match for Zhao Hongwei, so they stood up hastily, still trying to appease him. “Please, Senior Zhao, look…”
“Out! Get out!” With that, he slapped Li Li.
With a loud bang, Li Li was sent flying out the door.
A scream echoed, and Li Li did not get up again.
Chen Da’s face was ashen, his body trembling, whether from anger or fear.
Lin Hao’s eyes flashed with fury. He stood up, “Senior Zhao—”
As soon as he spoke, Zhao Hongwei’s gaze shifted to him.
Until now, Chen Da and Li Li had done all the talking, and Lin Hao had deliberately kept a low profile, so Zhao Hongwei hadn’t paid him much attention.
Now, hearing Lin Hao speak, Zhao Hongwei turned his gaze, surprise flickering in his eyes.
His look became serious.
He couldn’t sense Lin Hao’s strength—either Lin Hao possessed some hidden treasure, or his cultivation exceeded Zhao Hongwei’s own. The thought of hidden treasure sparked greed in Zhao Hongwei’s eyes.
But seeing Lin Hao’s ragged clothes and the look of a scattered cultivator, it seemed unlikely he possessed any treasures.
Then he reasoned there was only one possibility left: Lin Hao’s strength surpassed his own.
Yet, proud as he was, Zhao Hongwei preferred to believe the former.
He regarded Lin Hao unhappily, “Do you have any objections?”
He stood up, walked to Lin Hao, and raised his hand to slap his face.
Lin Hao stomped, grabbed Zhao Hongwei’s hand, and unleashed his strange fire.
“Ah!” Zhao Hongwei screamed, kicking at Lin Hao, struggling free of his grip.
He retreated several steps and, seeing Lin Hao wasn’t pursuing, steadied himself.
Looking at his hand, now black and red, flesh torn and emitting a scorched smell—he felt agonizing pain.
It had happened while Zhao Hongwei was completely unprepared.
He glanced at his hand, then stared at Lin Hao with murderous intent. “Boy, what’s your name?” Lin Hao opened his mouth to answer, but Li Li grabbed him tightly.