C1 Useless Lin Chen!

In the Great Qin Empire, situated at the northernmost tip of the Black Tortoise Continent, the climate was perpetually frigid. Even during the scorching summer months, the air retained a refreshingly cool quality, a rare respite in this otherwise harsh land.

Within Nanrong City, the most significant institution was undoubtedly the Martial Academy. In a world where martial prowess reigned supreme, the strength of one's fist justified any action. Each year, countless youths swam upstream against the current, seeking the path of martial arts. Yet, for all their efforts, only a handful would ever master the discipline. The initial barrier alone was enough to thwart the ambitions of many a dreamer, with perhaps only one in a hundred persevering.

But is the life of a martial artist truly free from worries?

Today, the Martial Academy was distributing Marrow Cleansing Pills, and a slender young man named Lin Chen found himself the center of a mocking crowd. Their faces twisted with scorn as if he were the subject of some grand joke.

"Look who it is, the great failure Lin Chen!"

"Indeed, it's him. How can he show his face at the Martial Academy?"

"The Chu family's young lady is truly unfortunate to be engaged to such a worthless man."

Words can be as sharp as knives, and the taunts sliced through Lin Chen's heart. His complexion was ashen, his body quivering ever so slightly as he clenched his fists and stiffly made his way toward the Pill dispensary.

If it were possible, he would turn and flee. Yet failing to secure the Pill meant falling months behind in the resources necessary for cultivation—a cost far too great for him to bear.

The martial path is fraught with difficulty, akin to a besieged city. Outsiders clamor to enter, oblivious to the suffering endured by those within. How many children from impoverished families have been crushed by the cruel hand of reality, squandering their fortunes and shouldering their family's hopes, only to end up as nothing more than a disappointment, unable to rise as a mighty warrior?

The constant ridicule was like a piercing mockery. If Lin Chen's maturity hadn't far exceeded that of his peers, he might have crumbled under the pressure long ago.

Wherever he went, the taunts clung to him, wounding the young man's spirit.

Lin Chen hastened his pace, eager to escape the torment. But just a few steps later, he was abruptly blocked.

"Tsk tsk, if it isn't the worthless Lin Chen. What's the rush?" jeered an Elegant-dressed Young Man, his gaze dripping with scorn.

"Wang Qianjue, what do you want?" Lin Chen tensed, forced to halt. His heart pounded, recognizing the invisible pressure emanating from the man before him. With a rueful smile, he braced himself for the worst.

Wang Qianjue, the young master of the Wang family in Nanrong City, had long abused his family's power, bullying and wreaking havoc unchecked. Few dared cross him.

For reasons of his own, Wang Qianjue had taken a particular dislike to Lin Chen, a down-and-out disciple, seizing any opportunity to harass and even physically assault him.

Lin Chen wasn't alone; Wang Qianjue was a menace to many.

Upon Wang Qianjue's arrival, the crowd's demeanor shifted; even seasoned young practitioners instinctively stepped back.

"Poor Lin Chen," someone muttered.

"Best stay out of it and just watch from a distance," another whispered.

Wang Qianjue's influence was matched by his formidable cultivation skills, making him a renowned figure in Nanrong City. Falling out of favor with him meant a guaranteed stint of recovery.

"What am I up to? I'm here to toy with you, the biggest failure around," Wang Qianjue sneered, closing the distance to Lin Chen.

"You, the top loser of Nanrong City, have been stuck at Body Tempering Level 3 for five years, unable to even gather the simplest Primordial Energy. Yet you still have the nerve to show your face here?"

Wang Qianjue's voice boomed across the Martial Academy, clearly intending to embarrass Lin Chen in front of everyone present.

As Wang Qianjue's words echoed, Lin Chen felt the weight of numerous stares fixed on him—some curious, some mocking, others pitying, and a few outright gloating.

Despite his maturity and resilience, Lin Chen couldn't help but feel an unprecedented sense of humiliation.

Years ago, Wang Qianjue wouldn't have dared to insult me, even if he had the audacity!

With clenched teeth and summoned courage, Lin Chen retorted icily, "Wang Qianjue, you're crossing the line!"

Wang Qianjue's gaze turned icy and menacing, resembling a wild beast ready to pounce. "Oh? You dare to threaten me? Lin Chen, you worthless dog, are you asking for death?!"

Immediately after his taunt, a group of four or five burly guards closed in behind Wang Qianjue, each one as formidable as a young bull. It was clear that at Wang Qianjue's command, they could easily rip Lin Chen apart.

Wang Qianjue's arrogance was palpable as he tilted his chin up, looking down at Lin Chen as if he were an insignificant speck. His voice dripped with condescension, suggesting that speaking further to Lin Chen was beneath him.

"If you don't want to die, slap yourself a hundred times and crawl between my legs. Otherwise, I'll end you right here and now!"

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Wang Qianjue's demand for Lin Chen to slap himself and crawl under him was beyond excessive—it was a deliberate attempt to ruin Lin Chen's life!

For a martial artist, losing one's pride is the ultimate fear—how else could one face the life-and-death struggles ahead?

If Lin Chen complied, he would indeed be reduced to nothing more than a worthless man for the rest of his life.

This was beyond the pale!

Lin Chen's eyes blazed with fury as he bellowed at Wang Qianjue, "A warrior can be killed but never insulted. Wang Qianjue, remember this: our paths will cross again, and you will face retribution! If you dishonor me, when I rise, I swear I will obliterate your entire family!"

Wang Qianjue was briefly taken aback, his gaze turning dark and predatory like a starving wolf. He spat out coldly, "You're trash, have you grown so bold as to eat the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard? If I decide to kill you, then you're as good as dead. To me, you're nothing but garbage!"

His tone shifted abruptly, becoming strange and grating, reminiscent of a duck's mating call.

"Oh! Right! You don't actually believe the Chu family will come to your rescue, do you, you worthless fool? Hahaha, give it a rest. Do you really think the Chu family would bother saving you? You seem to have forgotten that in Nanrong City, the Chu family is the one most eager to see you dead. You think you, a mere toad, could marry Chu Qianxun... Today marks your end!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a lethal intent flashed in Wang Qianjue's eyes. His four henchmen stepped forward, clearly ready to strike Lin Chen.

Four martial cultivators against one at the initial stages of the Body Tempering Stage—this was an overt attempt to execute Lin Chen in full view of the public!

To take a life in broad daylight showed just how brazen Wang Qianjue could be!

The crowd couldn't help but cast pitying glances at Lin Chen. In truth, death might not be the worst outcome. Better a swift end than to suffer daily humiliation.

"Stop!"

At that moment, a delicate shout cut through the air, clear and melodious, like a spring breeze or the chime of jade.

Recognizing the voice, the crowd hastily cleared a path. Two men and a woman strode forward, confronting Wang Qianjue head-on, with Lin Chen caught in the middle.

"Chu... Chu Qianxun, what brings you here?"

Wang Qianjue's eyes fell upon the radiant beauty, his arrogance evaporating, replaced by a flicker of fear. He even began to stutter.

Chu Qianxun, the unrivaled beauty of Nanrong City, had a face like a melon seed and a willowy figure. Her skin was as smooth as jade, and her expression carried an innate coolness, like a celestial being from the Moon Palace, untouchable and revered. Her allure was matched only by her martial prowess, her cultivation level ranking among the highest of Nanrong City's younger generation. Truly, she was a favored daughter of the heavens.

"Are you okay?" Chu Qianxun completely disregarded Wang Qianjue's inquiry, casting a detached glance at Lin Chen instead.

Lin Chen bowed his head and responded in a grave tone, "I'm fine."

Only then did Chu Qianxun turn a frosty gaze toward Wang Qianjue, her lips parting slightly as she warned, "Wang Qianjue, that's enough. Don't push things too far."