Chapter 2201 - 2198: Strength and Weakness

Chapter 2201: Chapter 2198: Strength and Weakness

"Completely random, doesn’t that mean you could face Ji Zimo at any time?" A voice of doubt arose from the audience.

"This is unfair. If it were based on strength ranking, those who originally had a chance to reach the top three might be eliminated in the first round."

"Yeah, it’s a pity if experts like Ji Zimo and Xiao Manxue face off early and one gets eliminated."

...

The crowd began to discuss, feeling that this completely random competition was somewhat brutal.

The elder was unmoved and coldly said, "An Ancient Martial Artist, to make it to the end, sometimes relies not only on strength but also on luck. Protests are invalid, the meeting is adjourned!"

This was the host’s decision, and the heads of other families acquiesced. The participants had no choice but to accept, leaving the venue with different feelings.

"I still have to trouble the two ladies to carry me back to the dormitory," Lin Tian said with a slight smile.

"Hey, you’ve been ordering me around all day. I’m very suspicious if you’re pretending. I’ll let other disciples carry you," Ling Shuiyao immediately protested, hands on her hips, looking very unwilling.

"Shuiyao, screaming like that is unladylike. How many times have I told you to be polite to others?" A melodious voice came, though not so pleasant to Ling Shuiyao.

Ling Zishan and Wang Wanxi came over. This beautiful Pavilion Master also expressed her dissatisfaction with Ling Shuiyao.

Ling Shuiyao blinked, feigning aggrievement, and muttered softly, "I’ve served him all day. Besides, it’s not like I’m ignoring him, just letting other disciples carry him."

"Other disciples are your brothers and sisters, seniors, and juniors. As the little junior sister, do you have the nerve to order your seniors around?" Ling Zishan glared at her and said.

"What’s there to be embarrassed about?" Ling Shuiyao muttered softly, though she didn’t dare to argue directly.

Ling Zishan shook her head, finding her character quite troublesome. Lin Tian also understood that as the little junior sister, Ling Shuiyao was doted on by many seniors and adored by Ling Xuesong, giving her a bit of a spoiled personality. Probably only Ling Zishan could discipline her.

However, not growing into someone like Situ Ruoling was already quite good.

"Lin Tian, is your foot okay?" Wang Wanxi asked with concern.

"It’s fine, just from training. It’ll be better in a couple of days," Lin Tian said casually, not taking it seriously.

Wang Wanxi nodded but still seemed a bit worried.

"Even though you didn’t compete today, you spent all your time treating the injured, which must have been more exhausting than anything. Later, let Shuiyao carry you back, no need to be polite," Ling Zishan instructed, giving Ling Shuiyao a look, implying she wasn’t allowed to refuse.

Ling Shuiyao pursed her lips, still muttering discontentedly, "He’s never been polite."

Despite her grudging attitude, she still listened to Ling Zishan. Along with Miss, she carried Lin Tian back to the rear mountain, while Yun Xiaotian and Xiao Manxuan returned to the guest room first.

Back at the rear mountain courtyard, the two elders had already turned off the lights and gone to sleep. The two women carried Lin Tian into his room and then prepared to leave.

"Miss, wait a moment," Lin Tian suddenly said,

"What’s the matter?" Miss asked, puzzled.

"Stay, I have something to say," Lin Tian’s words made Miss’s heart skip a beat.

Ling Shuiyao’s gaze flicked between Lin Tian and Miss, then she smiled knowingly and said, "I get it, I’m leaving now."

Little La Jiao dashed out before Miss could stop her, leaving just her and Lin Tian in the room, the night deep and quiet, alone together.

Miss’s heart skipped a few more times, her face slightly flushed. She took a deep breath, pretending to be calm, "It’s late at night, can’t it wait until tomorrow?"

"No, come here," Lin Tian said clearly, urging her to come closer.

Miss didn’t move closer; instead, she took a step back, looking at Lin Tian as if he were a pervert, "I’ll just stand here. Whatever you have to say, just say it."

Lin Tian was speechless for a moment, feeling quite innocent, "What kind of look is that? I’m the one who should be worried, right? My feet aren’t working, and if Miss decides to do something to me, I won’t be able to resist."

"You..." Miss was both embarrassed and annoyed, "Who’s going to do anything to you? If you have something to say, say it. If not, I’m leaving."

The female executive almost fainted from Lin Tian’s words, claiming someone would do something to him, just because he was handsome, did he have to be so conceited?

"It’s about your competition," Lin Tian’s words stopped Miss in her tracks.

Miss frowned slightly, puzzled, "What’s wrong? Is there a problem with the competition?"

Lin Tian didn’t answer but asked back, "Do you have a way to counter the Ji Family’s Emperor Heart Technique?"

Miss thought for a moment, clearly hesitating a bit, but still confidently said, "I trust my swordsmanship."

Lin Tian smiled and shook his head, "A person’s combat ability is influenced not only by their level but also by their fighting spirit, martial skills, cultivation technique, equipment, environment, and a bit of luck."

"Luck is elusive, so let’s not talk about it. As for equipment, the Hua Ying Sword and Sky Soaring Sword are about equal. Besides, you have the Ice Silkworm Silk Dress and Black Gold Silk Inner Armor."

"As for fighting spirit, I have no doubt you are as steadfast as a rock. Martial skills and cultivation techniques complement each other. I inquired today, the Ji Family’s Emperor Heart Technique is very unique, subtly suppressing other Ancient Martial arts. You should know this better than I do," Lin Tian said calmly.

Seeing that Lin Tian wasn’t being tricky, Miss breathed a sigh of relief, but there seemed to be a subtle sense of loss she didn’t much notice because Lin Tian’s question occupied her mind.

She collected herself and hesitated before saying, "Regarding the Emperor Heart Technique’s uniqueness, all the families know about it, but there’s no definitive reason. Some say it’s the quality of the True Energy, others say the technique originates from Emperor Xuanyuan, possesses an imperial aura, and has a natural suppressive power."

Lin Tian raised an eyebrow and smiled, "It seems the families don’t know much. Previously, I leaned towards the former explanation, the quality of True Energy, but now I find the latter explanation more plausible."

"Why?" Miss was very puzzled, even disagreeing with Lin Tian’s perspective, "I admit, whether it’s Emperor Xuanyuan, Emperor Shennong, or Emperor Yan, these ancient emperors have celebrated achievements lasting through the ages."

"But as modern people, we must understand that the title of Emperor is a social construct, a summary of power, which holds no real meaning for us now," Miss countered.

"I used to think the same way, but I remembered something about the Netherworld. Do you remember me telling you? When Zhang Lingyu and I visited the Netherworld?" Lin Tian’s eyes were distant, his Divine Sense seemingly recalling the Netherworld.

"Of course, it overturned my beliefs, but I still think, in the Netherworld, it’s survival of the fittest," Miss found it strange Lin Tian mentioned the Netherworld.

"You’re right, it’s survival of the fittest. Whether it’s in reality or the Netherworld, there’s always a natural order of strength and weakness, and this characteristic is even more pronounced in the Netherworld..." Lin Tian focused on this key point, his eyes lighting up.