Chapter 96

"He is truly naive," Zhang Yong said.

They knew too well what kind of person Lu Ren was.

Originally a shy and timid youth, he had been influenced by Luo Dehu to gradually become a snob, just like Luo Dehu, who stepped on the weak and fawned over the strong.

Luo Dehu had turned Lu Ren into such a person, yet he actually had the delusion of begging Lu Ren for help when he was in trouble—it was simply wishful thinking.

Sure enough, Lu Ren directly refused Luo Dehu’s request.

"Don't, Brother Lu Ren, only you can save me. I was your friend back then; you can't be so heartless..."

Luo Dehu was refused by Lu Ren and immediately began to speak without thinking.

Lu Ren’s expression turned cold, "If you pester me again, I can take your life right now, without needing the Great River Gang."

When he released his overbearing aura, Luo Dehu was immediately scared pale and hurriedly let go.

He was just a useless person; how could he possibly step forward for a useless person, even if it could be solved with a single word?

Turning around, Lu Ren walked straight into the Mighty Far Hall.

Luo Dehu sat on the ground with a face like death, but soon he saw Xu Yang and the other two. Hope rose in the depths of his eyes, and then he used his hands and feet to run to Xu Yang, kneeling down.

"Xu Yang, save me, I beg you to save me. I was blind before and shouldn't have offended you. As long as you save me, I will be your beast of burden to repay you..."

"Get lost!"

Xu Yang didn't give Luo Dehu a good look; it was only because he had a good temper that he didn't step on him.

His falling out with Lu Ren and breaking off relations with Qian Jiaxing and the others was basically all Luo Dehu’s doing.

It was this guy who wanted to fawn over Lu Ren and step on him to elevate Lu Ren, which led to a series of events. The Huang family had a good hand of cards that was played into a mess, and Luo Dehu deserved the credit.

Seeing Xu Yang ignore him and turn to leave, Luo Dehu gritted his teeth, chased after him, and whispered, "Save me, and I’ll tell you something related to you."

"Not interested!" Xu Yang remained unmoved.

"The Great River Gang has been secretly investigating you. Guan Young Lady has asked me and Qian Jiaxing many times about your affairs in the martial arts gym," Luo Dehu said urgently. "If you don't believe me, you can go ask Qian Jiaxing."

Xu Yang’s heart stirred. He was somewhat interested in this news, and he had long guessed that Guan Young Lady might be coming for him.

However, since Luo Dehu had already said it, there was no need to ask in detail, so he strode away.

"Get lost quickly. Back then, to fawn over Lu Ren, you didn't offend Xu Yang any less. It’s already a sign of his magnanimity that he didn't kill you; you still expect him to save you?"

Zhang Yong sneered, walked into the Mighty Far Hall with Zhang Hong, and soon disappeared from Luo Dehu’s sight.

Luo Dehu was full of despair. Back then, to fawn over Lu Ren, he had offended everyone except Lu Ren—Xu Yang and Zhang Yong were all offended. Only Zhang Hong hadn't been offended by him, but Zhang Hong clearly didn't want to help him, and his weight wasn't enough either.

"Lu Ren, may you die a horrible death!"

After standing for a while, he could only curse Lu Ren hatefully and quickly leave.

Xu Yang stepped into the inner court, his gaze meeting Lu Ren’s. A trace of unnaturalness flashed across Lu Ren’s face, and he immediately looked away.

"Eh?"

Xu Yang was secretly surprised. It seemed his previous feeling hadn't been wrong; Lu Ren had indeed changed.

According to Lu Ren’s previous flamboyant personality, and having lost so unconvincingly, now that his injuries were healed, he should have challenged him to a duel at the first opportunity to wash away his shame and prove that he, Lu Ren, was the strongest.

But Lu Ren had held back and hadn't challenged him.

Xu Yang became secretly vigilant. Once such a person learned to forbear, they would be very terrifying. If Lu Ren still had his old personality, he really wouldn't care much.

"Many thanks for Senior Brother Xu’s guidance."

In the afternoon, while Xu Yang was outside guiding the outer court disciples in their fist techniques, Sun Tao found him and handed him a post.

"Junior Brother Xu, this is your Dragon Gathering Post!"

"Dragon Gathering Post?" Xu Yang was puzzled.

Xu Yang opened it and saw only a time and location inside, along with his name.

"This is an invitation for you to attend the Dragon Gathering..."

Sun Tao explained, "After every martial arts examination, Qingyuan holds a Dragon Gathering, inviting all the Dragon-Ascending martial artists to attend. First, because everyone fought during the examination, it is inevitable that grudges were formed, and the Dragon Gathering is a way to resolve them.

Second, everyone will be disciples of the Purple Sun Gate in the future, so we should get to know each other before joining the sect. Once we reach the Purple Sun Gate, it will be easier to look after each other, which is beneficial for the unity of us Qingyuan martial artists.

And third, it’s for everyone to sit together and discuss when to set off for the Purple Sun Gate."

Xu Yang suddenly realized. No wonder Lu Ren, who had been hiding for so long, had returned to the Mighty Far Hall today; it must have been for this Dragon Gathering.

He looked at the post; the time on it was set for three days later, and the location was at the Through-Arm Fist Gym.

"Junior Brother Lu, you weren't in peak condition that day and were taken advantage of by Xu Yang, losing to him and losing a lot of face, which helped build his reputation. Now that your injuries are healed, why don't you challenge him to a fight and win back your face?"

In the inner court, Jiang Ping asked Lu Ren curiously.

He had thought he would see Lu Ren and Xu Yang fight it out today, but he hadn't expected Lu Ren’s personality to change so suddenly that he wouldn't challenge Xu Yang.

As soon as these words were spoken, many people looked at Lu Ren curiously, knowing that he had been hiding for a long time after losing to Xu Yang before coming to the Mighty Far Hall.

Upon hearing this, a trace of unnaturalness appeared on Lu Ren’s face, but he soon returned to a calm appearance.

He said calmly, "I was previously burdened by empty fame, but recently I have reflected deeply and understood that only strength and cultivation are everything. Now that I have comprehended the Wind-Thunder Force, there is no need at all to fight him to prove anything.

I only know that if I were to defeat him now, it wouldn't take more than three moves. A method like the Wind-Thunder Force is not suitable to be used on one’s own fellow disciples."

The three words "Wind-Thunder Force" were like a giant rock thrown into a lake; in an instant, the whole hall was shocked.

Everyone understood why Lu Ren wouldn't challenge Xu Yang. Having comprehended the Wind-Thunder Force, defeating Xu Yang would truly be like child's play.

The Mighty Far Hall could cultivate more than twenty Qi-Gathering martial artists every year, but someone who could comprehend the Wind-Thunder Force might not appear even in two or three years.

Lu Ren had been practicing martial arts for less than a year and a half and had already comprehended the Wind-Thunder Force; his talent was truly astonishing.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Lu!"

Jiang Ping’s tone became intimate again. The contempt in his eyes when he had asked Lu Ren earlier had disappeared, replaced only by closeness and fawning.

Wind-Thunder Force, ah! If it weren't for Lu Ren starting martial arts late, he could have truly challenged for the top three.

"Junior Brother Lu’s talent is truly breathtaking!"

Zhao Zhifei, who had always looked down on poor disciples like Lu Ren, also changed his attitude and stepped forward to offer his congratulations.

"Wind-Thunder Force..."

Zhang Yong had a look of astonishment. Lu Ren had comprehended the Wind-Thunder Force during this period of silence; Xu Yang was likely being left behind.

For a time, many inner court disciples stepped forward to offer their congratulations, and Lu Ren’s face seemed to have regained its former radiance.

But he soon returned to his calm, unruffled state, "Wind-Thunder Force is nothing; my goal is the Primordial Force."

"Senior Brother Lu has comprehended the Wind-Thunder Force. Could it be that in a few days, Xu Yang will also comprehend the Wind-Thunder Force?" someone suddenly asked a question that spoiled the mood.

In an instant, the pavilion was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; everyone looked at each other.

Remembering that every time they had a breakthrough, Xu Yang would also have a breakthrough, Lu Ren’s mouth couldn't help but twitch, and a trace of uncontrollable panic appeared in his heart.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

Lu Ren roared in his heart.