C2 Her Counterattack

In the blink of an eye, another month had slipped away.

Today marked the annual Three Houses Convocation in Ironhold, a grand event eagerly anticipated by the city's residents. Ironhold boasted three prominent martial cultivator clans: House Mu, House Su, and House Lee. These clans held sway over the land for miles around, their decisions affecting the fates of hundreds of thousands.

The Convocation was a collaborative effort among the three noble clans. They convened to deliberate on the governance of Ironhold, the equitable distribution of resources, the resolution of conflicts, and even the amendment of laws.

Ironhold, a modest city in the Southern Region of the Zidian Dynasty, was left to its own devices by the royal family, relying on the three noble clans to uphold its order.

For House Mu, this day was of great significance. Servants bustled about with urgency, a testament to the day's importance. Now and then, young lords and ladies, exuding an air of haughty opulence, would sweep through the corridors.

For six consecutive years, House Mu had hosted the Three Houses Convocation, a clear sign of their preeminence among the clans.

"The president of the Grand Trade Consortium has just arrived. He's presented House Mu with a Lavender Grace!" one servant announced.

"The deputy commander of the Sharp-Blade Mercenaries is here as well, bringing with him three first-level beast cores!" another chimed in.

Ironhold's elite had gathered, filling the Reception Chamber to near capacity within the hour. The presbyters of House Mu greeted each guest with warm smiles, radiating hospitality.

Meanwhile, as the Convocation commenced within House Mu, a youth in ragged attire stood atop a cliff. His limbs bore a web of scars, some fresh and bleeding, others crusted over with scabs. Affixed to his chest was a copper plate no larger than a fingernail.

This young man was none other than Chu Lin.

"I'm back," he declared, gazing toward House Mu with a gaze alight with unwavering resolve and confidence.

Chu Lin himself had scarcely believed he would survive the calamity he faced. A month prior, he had discovered that the spring water which had revived him was imbued with potent spiritual energy, allowing his shattered bones and tendons to mend in its restorative embrace.

Moreover, Chu Lin had stumbled upon a piece of Broken Copper lodged within a fissure of the cliffside. Through persistent experimentation, he realized that the spring's spiritual energy emanated from this fragment of Broken Copper.

The spring water, once infused with the Broken Copper, transformed into the Wellspring of Life. This Broken Copper must indeed be a treasure.

Chu Lin tightened his collar to conceal the Broken Copper against his chest. Having struggled with cultivation, he had devoted himself to reading. His extensive knowledge surpassed that of his peers, and he was well aware of the Wellspring of Life's value. It not only quenched hunger but its spiritual energy was so gentle and readily absorbable that it required no refinement. To a novice in martial arts, it was even more precious than any pill.

Possessing the Broken Copper allowed Chu Lin access to an inexhaustible supply of the Wellspring of Life. He absorbed tenfold the spiritual energy daily compared to other martial artists.

Within the entirety of Ironhold, no one could match the sheer volume of spiritual energy he absorbed each day.

In just one month, a pale golden Crystal of Valor had formed within Chu Lin's Anima Reservoir. His body and meridians had significantly strengthened from the Wellspring's nourishment.

The Crystal of Valor symbolized a true martial cultivator. With it, Chu Lin had ascended into the Body Tempering Realm!

The hierarchy of cultivation was categorized into Body Tempering, Spiritual Martial, Profound Martial, Earthly Martial, Heavenly Martial, and Undying, each with nine sub-levels. Entering the Body Tempering Realm marked the initial step of becoming a martial cultivator.

"Mu Rui, you never imagined I'd reach the second level of Body Tempering, did you? I will personally retrieve my father's memorial tablet and bring it back here."

Recalling his father's status in House Mu, lower than that of a servant, Chu Lin's heart ached. With renewed determination, he hastened his steps towards House Mu.

Attaining the second level of Body Tempering had altered Chu Lin's aura.

Upon arriving at House Mu, he was met with the cold stares of many, including guards and servants.

Accustomed to their disdain, Chu Lin paid them no mind and proceeded to his room. After changing his attire, he made his way to the Reception Chamber.

Today marked the Three Houses Convocation. As per tradition, once the meeting concluded, Patriarch Mu He would lead the guests to the ancestral hall for incense offerings. At that moment, Chu Lin, of humble standing, would inevitably become the center of whispered speculations.

Mu He appeared to take great pleasure in witnessing Chu Tian's downfall. As the son of Chu Tian, Chu Lin faced ridicule from his peers every year on this day.

The root of it all was Mu He, the head of House Mu. A surge of hatred welled up in Chu Lin as he clenched his fists tightly.

With age, he began to sense that there were hidden truths about his father's death.

As he was about to depart, a man in gray blocked his path. This man was a servant of House Mu, and he carried himself with an air of arrogance.

He would bow obsequiously and heap praise upon the sight of any House Mu disciple. Yet, when he encountered Chu Lin, he stepped back to bar his way.

"Look who it is, the illustrious Young Master Chu. You seem to be in quite a hurry. Is it because you're headed to the Reception Chamber?" A mocking laugh pierced the air as a figure loomed over Chu Lin, looking down on him with disdain.

For a servant of low standing, it seemed that belittling Chu Lin, scorned by all, was the only way to salvage a shred of dignity and mask his own twisted sense of inferiority.

"What do you want?" Chu Lin asked, his brow furrowed yet his voice steady.

He recognized the man before him as Liu San, a crony of Mu Rui.

Liu San was always irked by Chu Lin's composure. As a result, he took every opportunity to taunt him. With a sneer, Liu San said, "The Reception Chamber is filled with esteemed individuals, and they'll soon be heading to the ancestral hall. Chu Lin, your presence there would only invite ridicule."

"Have you finished?" Chu Lin interjected. "If so, get out of my way." He had no time to waste on this servant.

Feeling the chill of Chu Lin's glare, Liu San involuntarily retreated. Realizing his own cowardice, a malicious glint flickered in his eyes.

Narrowing his eyes, Liu San spat out venomously, "Do you still fancy yourself the young master? You're nothing but unwelcome refuse, a wretch unworthy of House Mu! Why not pay homage at your father's shrine instead?"

Chu Lin's response was swift—a slap that cut off Liu San's vitriolic speech. A cold, lethal intent glimmered in Chu Lin's eyes. He would not tolerate any insult to his father. Liu San had clearly crossed the line.

"If this happens again, I'll kill you," Chu Lin declared coldly. He then made his way directly to the Reception Chamber.

In a world that held martial arts in the highest esteem, ordinary people received no respect. Now that he was no longer the incapable reject who couldn't cultivate, he was determined to live freely. Why should he tolerate orders from a mere servant?

Time passed, and Chu Lin had long since vanished down the corridor. It was then that Liu San bellowed, "Chu Lin, Young Master Mu Rui won't let this slide!"

Chu Lin thought to himself, "I'm going to give Mu Rui's lapdog a thrashing he won't forget."