Shortly after Lin Haoming left the market, Xie Ruolan returned to Wang Chen's shop.
Looking at the 1,200 spirit stones Wang Chen presented, she was surprised. "So much this month?"
Wang Chen smiled and spoke truthfully. "Senior Sister, it was quite a coincidence. That kid you and Senior Brother Ling ran into last time came by and bought a lot of stock—including that Sub-Mother Sword and the Tortoise Shell Shield you left here."
"Oh? An outer disciple with that many spirit stones?" Xie Ruolan was genuinely shocked. "Do you know his name?"
Wang Chen gave a wry smile and shook his head. "I don't. To do business here, there are things you shouldn't pry into. Anyone who can drop that many stones isn't simple. The sect is full of hidden talents; prying could easily lead to trouble."
Though curious, Xie Ruolan knew he was right. As a female cultivator without a powerful background, she had to tread carefully. "You did well," she nodded.
"Senior Sister Xie, there is one more thing I want to discuss with you," Wang Chen said hesitantly.
"What is it?" She frowned slightly at his hesitation.
"My cultivation has reached the peak of the 9th level. I want to attempt to break through to the Great Perfection of Qi Refining," Wang Chen admitted.
Xie Ruolan swept her Divine Sense over him and saw he was telling the truth. After a moment, she nodded. "Fine. Here is a bottle of mid-grade Heqi Pills; it will help your breakthrough. You're under thirty, right? If you reach Great Perfection before thirty, you can enter the inner sect without an assessment. I hope you'll continue to assist me there."
Wang Chen was ecstatic but hesitated to take the pills. "These are vital for your own cultivation, Senior Sister. I've already prepared for my breakthrough; you should keep them."
"You can buy mid-grade Heqi Pills in the second-level market. Don't be polite," Xie Ruolan said, adding a bit of pressure. "Just remember to work hard for me. As an outer disciple moving up, you'll need someone to rely on to gain a foothold in the inner sect."
"Of course. Then I shall not refuse!" Knowing the reality of the inner sect, Wang Chen felt more at ease accepting the gift once the terms were clear.
"Since you're leaving, we need someone to manage this place. Find a replacement before you begin your seclusion," she instructed.
---
The Ambush
Lin Haoming returned to his cave and immediately resumed his cultivation. A few days later, it was once again time for the Grand Month duels.
After collecting the spirit stones and pills from Manager Ma, the two factions faced off at the entrance. Situ Ping and Zhou Zhiye were both present, as they usually took a cut of the winnings.
As expected, Zhou Zhiye's eyes were filled with venom. He clearly wouldn't be satisfied until Lin Haoming was dead. However, with Situ Ping there, Lin didn't think Zhou would dare to do anything direct. Plus, according to the rules, it wasn't Lin's turn to fight. He resolved to stay silent, no matter how much they provoked him.
But as the duels were about to start, Li Cang—the one who had mocked Lin most fiercely—stepped forward. He slammed a bag of spirit stones down in front of Manager Ma.
"Manager Ma! According to the rules, if I put up one hundred spirit stones as a stake, I can directly challenge anyone I choose. I challenge Lin Haoming!"
"What? There's a rule like that?" Lin Haoming was stunned. No one had mentioned this to him.
Niu Wu whispered back with a bitter face, "There is... but in all my time here, I've never actually seen anyone drop a hundred stones just to pick a fight."
Lin knew this wasn't Li Cang's idea. It was Zhou Zhiye's. Zhou was likely the one who provided the stones. He was determined to end Lin Haoming today.
"Very well. The first match will be Li Cang versus Lin Haoming," Manager Ma announced, looking at the stones.
No wonder it's been so quiet for three months, Lin cursed internally. They were waiting for this. Li Cang is at the 9th level. They think they've got me cornered!
Lin looked toward Situ Ping, but the man didn't say a word. His Senior Brother was clearly not lifting a finger.
"Before the match begins, I want to add a rule," Zhou Zhiye said with a sinister grin. "No one is allowed to use talismans above mid-grade. If someone just throws high-grade talismans around, what's the point of a duel?"
Everyone looked at Situ Ping, expecting him to object. To Lin's horror, Situ Ping remained silent. Lin felt a chill. He's abandoning me.
"What's going on?" Lin hissed at Niu Wu.
Niu Wu looked confused, but Tang Gaojun leaned in and whispered, "Kid, did you go visit Senior Brother Situ after your last win?"
Lin realized his mistake. Situ Ping's previous generosity was a lure. He expected Lin to come back and pay respects—to give him a bribe. Lin had been too busy cultivating and ignored the social hierarchy of the Demonic Sect. Now, Situ Ping was letting him rot.
Li Cang stepped out, sneering. "Lin Haoming, don't hide! If you're too scared, pay a hundred stones to buy your way out. Since you throw around high-grade talismans like candy, two of them should be enough to save your life today!"
The old Lin Haoming would have paid immediately. But the new Lin Haoming knew that some things you simply cannot back down from.
He didn't hesitate. He pulled his newly bought Storage Bag from his robes and clipped it to his belt for all to see.
"I'd rather die than give you a single stone," Lin roared. "If you want me dead, I'll send you to the Yellow Springs first. Do you dare to sign a Life and Death Duel?"
The crowd gasped. A Life and Death Duel was different from a standard match. It was a formal way to settle blood feuds. It ended the conflict permanently—no one could bring up the grudge again after the winner was decided. To prevent mass slaughter, it was restricted to disciples of the same rank—Outer versus Outer—with no more than one small realm of difference in cultivation.
Li Cang was at the 9th level, and Lin was now at the 8th. The conditions were met.
Li Cang was furious. Being challenged to a death match by a junior he considered weak was a slap in the face. "A Life and Death Duel? You think I'm afraid of you? It's a deal!"