Lin Zhongyu had just recovered her talent and awakened the Golden Emperor Sacred Eyes, so she wanted to seize the time to make up for the cultivation progress she had lost over the years. That's why she specifically came here to receive the subsidy.
Unexpectedly, this Female Manager of the Immortal Alliance refused to issue the subsidy, citing that Lin Zhongyu had already lost her Foundation Establishment Stage strength.
There was no rule in the Immortal Alliance stating that Cultivators who had previously reached the Foundation Establishment Stage but later lost their cultivation due to an accident could not receive subsidies. However, since this was someone else's territory, Lin Zhongyu originally decided to swallow her anger, thinking that it was better to avoid trouble.
However, the other party escalated things, even demanding that Lin Zhongyu return the subsidies she had received before, or else they would use Mu Jixue's subsidy to make up for it. After all, weren't they both from the Lin Family? The debt owed could only be repaid by family members.
This instantly caused Lin Zhongyu's anger to erupt.
Lin Zhongyu could accept being insulted by others; she was already used to it anyway, and she could just bear with it.
But insulting her was one thing, why did they have to involve Mu Jixue?!
This was something she could not tolerate.
It was probably because this Female Manager was used to being arrogant in her daily life. Facing Lin Zhongyu's questioning, she instead let out a chuckle and threw out a duel challenge: "Unless you can prove that you still have Foundation Establishment strength, I will give you the pills. Do you dare to sign?"
This was the cause of the conflict.
Not wanting to implicate Mu Jixue, not wanting to be her burden, Lin Zhongyu now saw Mu Jixue in the crowd looking worried, and her heart became even more resolute.
Lin Zhongyu's golden eyes emitted a burning gaze as she swept it towards the Female Manager: "I also want to experience how powerful Senior's Foundation Establishment strength truly is."
As soon as she said this, the Female Manager's face instantly turned cold, and the atmosphere in the scene suddenly became heavy.
"Seeking death!"
The Female Manager was furious. She quickly raised her hand, and a fire snake appeared out of thin air, rapidly attacking Lin Zhongyu.
Chapter 9: The Female Lead's Unwillingness, Huang Mao Comes to the Rescue
"This is... a Spell?!"
"Can one cast Spells in the Foundation Establishment Stage? Is this the Immortal Alliance?!"
When the blazing fire snake appeared, all the onlookers felt a burning sensation on their faces and couldn't help but take two steps back, their faces filled with astonishment.
Cultivators in the Qi Refinement Stage and Foundation Establishment Stage were not yet strong enough to cast true Spells, unless they were simplified Spells improved by powerful figures. A Cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Stage might be able to barely cast them.
But how difficult was it to obtain simplified Spell manuals?
However, any random Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator in the Immortal Alliance could cast Spells, which made everyone understand the terrifying strength of the Immortal Alliance and also couldn't help but feel sympathy for Lin Zhongyu.
Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment Cultivators had almost no magic resistance. In front of true Spells, they were like paper figures, shattering upon contact.
Lin Zhongyu was probably going to be instantly killed.
Boom!
A loud noise echoed. The seemingly small fire snake erupted with powerful attack force, even blasting a huge depression in the ground, sending dust flying.
"Xiao Yu!"
Mu Jixue, not far away, cried out in alarm. Her heart almost stopped beating, thinking that Lin Zhongyu had met with misfortune.
Fortunately, Lin Zhongyu was not seriously injured. She quickly rushed out of the smoke and dust, spiritual light flickering in her palms, spiritual power enveloping her entire body, and her golden eyes faintly glowing.
She could see the flow of spiritual power. When the Female Manager cast her Spell, she had already seen the fire-attribute spiritual power condensing within the other party's body, and she could even see the range the fire snake could affect clearly, so she could take action one step ahead and successfully evade the other party's Spell.
As expected of the Golden Emperor Sacred Eyes!
"Wh-what..."
The Female Manager was also shocked by Lin Zhongyu. Her Fire Serpent Technique had always been invincible, instantly killing anyone below the Golden Core stage, and had never failed. She never expected that in such a remote place as Cangzhou City, someone who could dodge her Spell would appear.
Moreover, the other party was only in the Qi Refinement Stage.
Because of the shock, she failed to react in time. By the time she came to her senses, Lin Zhongyu had rapidly closed in using her footwork, and with both palms wrapped in spiritual power, she firmly struck her chest.
Lin Family Palm Technique! Low Grade Yellow Tier Profound Skill!
After all, Lin Zhongyu had once reached the Foundation Establishment Stage and had also learned Profound Skills. With both palms striking out, accompanied by the Profound Skill, the Female Manager's mouth opened wide, and she almost couldn't breathe.
It works!
Lin Zhongyu's heart was greatly encouraged, as if she had found her original feeling. Her movements became even faster.
I want to win! I don't want to be a burden! I also want to embark on the path of cultivation with Xue'er and go forward with her.
Lin Zhongyu's inner desire ignited her fighting spirit.
Her exquisite palm technique forced the other party to retreat repeatedly, but it did not cause obvious injuries to the other party.
The stats of the Foundation Establishment Stage are much stronger than the Qi Refinement Stage. In the game, when a Qi Refinement Stage Cultivator levels up, they only increase their HP and MP and a small amount of attack power. Only after entering the Foundation Establishment Stage will their stats be fully improved when leveling up.
Clearly, Lin Zhongyu could not defeat the other party with just one attack, while if the other party's Spell merely grazed her, Lin Zhongyu would be in danger.
This was the gap in Realms.
Lin Zhongyu also knew this well, so her every palm strike was aimed at interrupting the other party's spiritual power. The Golden Emperor Sacred Eyes could see the direction of the spiritual power within the other party's Meridians. As long as she interrupted the spiritual power supply, the other party would not be able to utilize the Realm advantage.
At this moment, the onlookers were all dumbfounded.
Is this still that useless young lady of the Lin Family? She's actually suppressing a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with her Qi Refining cultivation?!
The Female Manager was also enraged and humiliated. Those who could enter the Immortal Alliance were all prodigies from various places, and they had never suffered such humiliation. Her self-esteem was severely violated.
It was just that she didn't know what was going on with this Lin Zhongyu. It was as if she could see through her Cultivation Technique. No matter how she adjusted her Meridians and changed the mode of spiritual power circulation, the other party could always cleverly interrupt the spiritual power supply.
She had never fought such a frustrating battle.
And just then, the Female Manager suddenly noticed one of her subordinates in the Immortal League Branch hall. She immediately gave the other party a look, and the other party instantly understood and nodded.
The Female Manager suddenly roared, "Damn it... I'll kill you!"
Spiritual power erupted from her Dantian, forcefully shaking Lin Zhongyu away.
Explosive Qi, this was a common technique in games, consuming a large amount of spiritual power to force back close-range enemies. However, it could not cause actual damage and could only be used when absolutely necessary.
At this moment, the corner of the Female Manager's mouth curled up into a meaningful arc.
Swish swish swish—
Silently, several silver needles shot out from somewhere. Lin Zhongyu was shaken away by the explosive qi and had not yet stabilized herself, resulting in her being hit by several needles.
Someone was ambushing!
Instantly, Lin Zhongyu's spiritual power was also cut off.
The situation instantly reversed!
Who would have thought that the Immortal Alliance would also have such despicable people? Even in a regular martial arts competition, no third party is allowed to interfere, let alone in this case where the Immortal Alliance's challenge was signed.
Moreover, the other party was also a master of hidden weapons. So many people were watching, yet they didn't notice, but the needles could still accurately hit Lin Zhongyu, obstructing her Meridians. It's a shame these people still considered themselves geniuses, yet they used their talent on such despicable means!
These unwilling thoughts flashed through Lin Zhongyu's mind, but before she could even pull out the silver needles, a sense of danger already enveloped her.
The red fire snake appeared again, hissing viciously before sweeping towards Lin Zhongyu's body.
After her spiritual power was cut off, Lin Zhongyu's speed couldn't keep up at all. Her fragile body was violently knocked away and heavily smashed onto the ground!
"Pfft!!!"
A mouthful of fresh blood spurted out. Lin Zhongyu's golden eyes widened, filled with unwillingness.
It hurts so much... it hurts so much! It felt like her body was being torn apart. The severe pain of broken bones made her couldn't help but let out a painful groan.
She clenched her teeth, wanting to prop herself up and stand again, but she couldn't move at all.
Why... why is this happening?
She had finally managed to rise, but her first battle to turn things around was ambushed again. How could she not feel grief and despair, deeply feeling the injustice of fate.
Does Heaven really enjoy seeing her make a fool of herself so much?
Under the control of intense pain, Lin Zhongyu's eyelids gradually drooped, and she was about to lose consciousness.
She had lost, completely lost, and couldn't stand up anymore.
"Hehe, trash is trash after all."
The Female Manager laughed heartily, her face filled with glee, enjoying the joy of victory.
After all, she's just in the Qi Refinement Stage. What if she has some strange ability? She's still subdued by me!
"Little girl, weren't you quite lively just now? Keep jumping!"
The Female Manager looked down at Lin Zhongyu, who was lying on the ground barely alive, with a condescending gaze and sneered. She slowly approached step by step, extending her foot to humiliate Lin Zhongyu as if kicking trash, venting her anger from just now.
One kick, one kick, another kick.
Lin Zhongyu was unable to resist and could only let the other party trample on her.
At this moment, the surrounding onlookers were all silent.
Although they liked to watch the excitement, it was clear that this duel was over. However, the Female Manager was still relentless, and this had become a one-sided humiliation.
It was just that the other party was from the Immortal Alliance, with a position and backing. How could these ordinary people dare to contradict her?
No! One person was different!
"Stop!"
A young man dressed in a red and white robe suddenly rushed in. His voice was cold, and he suddenly inserted himself between the two, stopping the Female Manager's continued humiliation.
Chapter 10: When You're Out and About, You Need to Talk About Your Background. Which Path Are You On?
Watching Lin Zhongyu being humiliated with her own eyes, Mu Jixue's heart was stinging and bleeding.
Everyone was mocking Lin Zhongyu as a waste, taking pleasure in humiliating her, but Mu Jixue knew how hard Lin Zhongyu worked and how strong she was. Even after losing her talent, she had never thought of giving up and persisted in cultivating every night.
The last time Lin Zhongyu sparred with someone was before she lost her cultivation. However, after such a long time, she was able to quickly get into the state, which was closely related to her consistent practice in her daily life.
No one understood how much hardship Lin Zhongyu had endured better than Mu Jixue.
So at this moment, when Lin Zhongyu was being humiliated, Mu Jixue was about to explode. Although she remembered that the Elder from Xuantian Sect who was preparing to take her as a direct disciple had reminded her not to cause trouble before going to Xuantian Sect, at this moment, she didn't want to care about that anymore.
Mu Jixue only wanted to rush out immediately and then fiercely beat that Female Manager's head, even if the other party was from the Immortal Alliance, she would not let her off!
Thus, Mu Jixue's thin lips parted slightly, and she shouted in an angry voice: "Quickly give me..."
"Stop!"
However, before Mu Jixue could shout out, a colder, sharper voice covered hers.
A golden-haired man jumped out from behind her first, brushing past Mu Jixue. His voice was louder than hers, his movements faster than hers, and he stepped in between the Female Manager and Lin Zhongyu a step ahead, stopping the violent act.
At that moment, everyone, including Mu Jixue, was stunned.
The man's golden hair fluttered, his face was exquisitely handsome, his eyebrows were like painted ink, his eyes were like stars, his nose bridge was tall and straight, his lips were as red as fire, and his features were flawless in every way.
Such a handsome appearance made the surrounding women gasp repeatedly.
He wore a black and white robe, with a golden sword hanging at his waist, and his expression was indifferent.
Every gesture carried the demeanor of a superior.
The Female Manager frowned slightly. She hadn't been assigned to Cangzhou City for long and didn't recognize Yun Zhonghe, but he looked like the Young Master of some aristocratic family.
But in the eyes of their Immortal Alliance members, the Young Master of an aristocratic family was not worth mentioning at all.
Meanwhile, Lin Zhongyu, who was lying on the ground still slightly conscious, vaguely saw Yun Zhonghe. In her vision, Yun Zhonghe was under the golden sun, his bright golden hair illuminated like shimmering waves, radiating boundless light!
"Yun... Yun Shao..."
Her breathing was weak, but she still recognized Yun Zhonghe's identity. Instantly, an inexplicable sense of security surged into her heart.
It was strange, she had never experienced this feeling before, not even when she was with Mu Jixue.
Lin Zhongyu didn't quite understand, but she also didn't have the chance to understand, and then her consciousness plunged into darkness.
She ultimately couldn't hold on.
Yun Zhonghe wasn't worried about Lin Zhongyu. After all, she was a person with great destiny, how could she die so easily?
However...
Yun Zhonghe still glanced at the pale-faced girl behind him, and an inexplicable anger couldn't help but rise in his heart.
His sense of justice could not tolerate the humiliation from just now.
While Yun Zhonghe was thinking, the Female Manager finally spoke: "Being nosy? Do you know that interfering with a duel is against the law?"
The Female Manager's face was full of arrogance. Relying on the fact that she was from the Immortal Alliance and had law enforcement authority, she deliberately threatened Yun Zhonghe.