Lin Yun had defeated Lu Bingning in their match. While he had resorted to some tricks, it didn't lessen the crowd's shock at his strength. After all, defeating someone at the Fourth Layer of the Opening Realm while still in the Body Refining Realm was no ordinary feat, regardless of the methods used.
Without powerful strength to rely on, all schemes were meaningless. Lin Yun understood this very well.
Although Lin Yun still hadn't managed to take first place this year, he didn't really care about this competition, which felt more like a social gathering anyway.
After the competition, Lin Yun's life returned to its peaceful routine. He spent his days practicing Martial Skills under Lin Xiaotian's guidance and his nights training even harder. The sooner he broke through to the Opening Realm, the sooner he could begin cultivating the Demon Emperor Technique and the War God Technique.
One day, after finishing his Tiger Roar Fist practice under Lin Xiaotian's guidance, Lin Yun unhurriedly left his home. He was heading to the city's pharmacy to browse, hoping to see if anything good had come in recently.
Every ten days or so, Lin Yun would visit the pharmacy in Iron Gate Pass. It had practically become a habit for him. Spirit Grass was, after all, a great aid to a Martial Artist's cultivation.
He arrived at the pharmacy with practiced ease. The moment the Shopkeeper saw Lin Yun, his face wreathed in smiles as he hurried over. "Young Master Lin, you've finally come! The shop received two fine stalks of Spirit Grass these past couple of days. I just wonder if they're worthy of your discerning eye, Young Master Lin."
Hearing this, Lin Yun gestured for the Shopkeeper to bring them out for a look.
"Young Master Lin, look. Both of these are One-Star Spirit Grass called Sensing Flowers. They can increase a Martial Artist's chances of breaking through to the Opening Realm by thirty percent," the Shopkeeper explained, holding two pale blue flowers.
"Sensing Flowers..." A wave of elation washed over Lin Yun. 'Talk about perfect timing! With these two Sensing Flowers, I'm certain I can break through to the Opening Realm within a month.'
"Shopkeeper, I'll take both. Name your price." He didn't hesitate. 'Only an idiot would hesitate at a time like this.'
"Of course! For Young Master Lin, I'll give you a discount. One hundred gold coins for both," the Shopkeeper replied with a smile, quoting a very reasonable price that was standard for the market.
As the only son of the Lin Family, one hundred gold coins wasn't much to Lin Yun; he could pay for it with his own savings. After all, Zhang Jingxiang doted on him, and his monthly allowance could reach several hundred gold coins.
"Here you go, Shopkeeper," Lin Yun said, taking out one hundred gold coins. Just as he was about to hand them over, a voice came from the entrance.
"Hold on."
Hearing the voice, Lin Yun turned to look. A young man was standing at the pharmacy's entrance—it was none other than the youth who admired Lu Bingning.
"Guan Renjie," Lin Yun said coolly, looking at the young man. As a genius of Iron Gate Pass, whose fame was on par with Lu Bingning's, Guan Renjie had also reached the Fourth Layer of the Opening Realm at the age of eighteen.
"Well, well, look who it is. If it isn't our Eldest Young Master Lin. My apologies, but I've taken a liking to these two stalks of Spirit Grass." Guan Renjie looked at Lin Yun, showing no respect whatsoever as he spoke with open sarcasm.
Although Lin Yun's father, Lin Xiaotian, was the commander of Iron Gate Pass, Guan Renjie knew very well that his own father and Lin Xiaotian were sworn brothers. Even if he, Guan Renjie, were to beat up Lin Yun, Lin Xiaotian wouldn't say a thing. At most, he would just get a scolding from his own father.
Coupled with the fact that Lin Yun had made a pass at Lu Bingning that day, Guan Renjie had long since developed killing intent toward him. If they weren't inside Iron Gate Pass right now, Guan Renjie would have likely attacked him directly.
With that, Guan Renjie ignored Lin Yun and walked directly to the Shopkeeper. He pulled 150 gold coins from his robes and handed them over. The Shopkeeper, meanwhile, was looking at Lin Yun with a troubled expression.
Lin Yun had seen the two stalks of Spirit Grass first. Now this Guan Renjie had come not just to openly snatch them away, but to shove money right into his hands. The Shopkeeper was in a difficult position and could only look to Lin Yun for help.
Lin Yun's expression darkened. "Guan Renjie, shouldn't things be first come, first served?"
"First come, first served? I was under the impression that strength is all that matters," Guan Renjie sneered upon hearing Lin Yun's words.
He had already made up his mind. The first chance he got, he would teach Lin Yun a brutal lesson. Even if he couldn't kill him, he would humiliate him, just to vent the festering anger in his heart.
Staring straight at Guan Renjie, Lin Yun had a good idea of what was going on. 'Guan Renjie is here today purely to cause trouble.'
The Guan Family only had one son, Guan Renjie. And since he was already at the Fourth Layer of the Opening Realm, the Sensing Flower was completely useless to him—no better than trash.
'Fighting me over something that's trash to him... if this isn't deliberately looking for trouble, what is?'
Realizing this, Lin Yun's gaze turned cold. Although he was no match for Guan Renjie right now, getting him to give up these two Sensing Flowers wouldn't be so easy.
Without these two Sensing Flowers, it would take Lin Yun at least another two months to break through to the Opening Realm. And in one year, the academy admissions would begin.
Seeing Lin Yun staring at him, Guan Renjie let out a cold laugh. This was exactly the result he wanted. He then asked, "What, does Eldest Young Master Lin want to spar with me?"
As he spoke, Guan Renjie slowly walked up to Lin Yun, the aura of the Fourth Layer of the Opening Realm pulsing from his body. A hint of excitement colored his face.
'Take down Lin Yun, then humiliate him ruthlessly.' Guan Renjie could already picture the scene of Lin Yun crushed beneath his foot.
"Eldest Young Master Lin, since you also like the Sensing Flowers, how about we have a little spar? The winner gets both stalks. What do you say?" Guan Renjie continued before Lin Yun could speak.
Finally, Guan Renjie added, "But if Eldest Young Master Lin doesn't dare, I won't force it. Of course, that means I'll have to graciously accept these Sensing Flowers for myself."
Arrogance, contempt, disdain. Looking at Guan Renjie, the anger in Lin Yun's heart began to rise.
Don't be fooled by Lin Yun's usual gentle demeanor; deep down, he was stubborn and loved a good fight. Faced with Guan Renjie's provocation now, Lin Yun absolutely would not back down, even if the two Sensing Flowers weren't on the line.
'I may only be at the Ninth Layer of the Body Refining Realm, but if Guan Renjie thinks he's got me cornered, he's dead wrong.'
"Since Eldest Young Master Guan is so interested, then I, Lin Yun, will be happy to oblige." Lin Yun finally replied, staring at Guan Renjie. The smile on his face made him seem gentle, but the words he spoke were exceptionally cold.
Hearing Lin Yun's reply, a look of excitement appeared on Guan Renjie's face. 'This kid...' he thought. 'There's a path to Heaven, but you refuse to take it. Hell has no gate, yet you come barging in. Haha.'
The atmosphere in the pharmacy was suddenly tense, like swords drawn and bows bent. The Shopkeeper stood to the side, at a loss for words.
Both of them were powerful and influential young masters in Iron Gate Pass. A humble pharmacy shopkeeper like him couldn't possibly interfere. All he could do was stand there, frozen with anxiety.