C6 He Saw That Someone Was Being Bullied

Redband thrived thanks to the Martial Academy. Consequently, the city's order was upheld by the Academy's disciples. Whether it was the guards at the city gates or the patrol teams in the streets, all were disciples from the Academy.

Few dared to cross the disciples of the Martial Academy, as they were universally feared.

Upon entering the city, Chu Lin immediately noticed the spiritual energy in the air, which was much denser than before. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Such dense spiritual energy!"

It was clear why the Martial Academy was considered the Sanctuary of Cultivation for the entire Southern Region. The spiritual energy here, even at the base of the mountain, was several times denser than in Ironhold.

With his admission papers in hand, Chu Lin navigated the streets where vendors periodically hawked enchanted herbs and pills.

The prices of these items astounded Chu Lin, and he felt fortunate for having obtained the Broken Copper.

Suddenly, a disturbance and a string of curses erupted from the crowd ahead. People quickly parted, revealing a few individuals in disarray.

Chu Lin looked up to see a young man and woman encircled by several others.

The young man, about sixteen, appeared strong but sported several bruises on his face. He was angrily confronting the group.

The girl, beautiful with smooth skin and a striking figure, looked to be about fifteen. She was as captivating as a budding lotus flower, undeniably a rare beauty.

She, too, was glaring at the group.

"Yang Hu, I didn't expect you to have such a gorgeous sister. Hand over your admission papers to me, and let your sister spend a few days with me. Then I'll forget about you bumping into me. How's that?" A man in his twenties with a mouthful of yellow teeth leered at the girl, his eyes lingering on her chest.

Meanwhile, his companions snickered, eyeing the girl with lascivious gazes.

The robust teenager spat viciously and shielded his sister behind him, angrily confronting Hu Zhi, "Don't push your luck, Hu Zhi. We're in Redband, and once the Enforcement Team shows up, you're done for!"

Hu Zhi, smirking with self-satisfaction, retorted, "Have you forgotten that my uncle, Hu Ren, patrols Southgate? I know you're upset, but what can you do about it? It's lucky for us that your father passed away early; otherwise, my uncle wouldn't have had the chance to rise to power."

"Enough! I'll take you on!" Enraged by Hu Zhi's taunts, Yang Hu was reminded of his most painful memories and lost all sense of reason. He balled his fists and swung at Hu Zhi with all his might.

"You're out of your league," Hu Zhi sneered. He concentrated his spiritual energy into his fist, effortlessly parrying Yang Hu's blow.

The sudden altercation brought the bystanders to a halt, their eyes filled with sympathy for Yang Hu as they recognized the Martial Academy uniforms worn by Hu Zhi's entourage.

"Brother!" The girl behind Yang Hu cried out in alarm, her eyes closing instinctively in fear.

But when she opened her eyes again, she saw a slender figure in black standing protectively in front of her.

Before the crowd could react, the figure had darted forward, nudging Yang Hu aside.

Then, with a swift extension of his fist, the stranger intercepted Hu Zhi's attack.

A dull thud resonated, and the sheer force sent Hu Zhi hurtling backward. He hit the ground hard, coughing up blood, and stared in astonishment at the black-clad figure before him.

Hu Zhi, with his second-level Body Tempering strength, had not anticipated being so easily wounded by a single punch.

His face drained of color, Hu Zhi surmised that this mysterious person must possess strength at least at the third level of Body Tempering.

Little did Hu Zhi know that the young man before him was also at the second level of Body Tempering, a fact that would have surely shocked him.

"Brother!" Hu Zhi's fellow Martial Academy disciples rushed to his aid, while casting wary glances at Chu Lin, the young man who had appeared out of nowhere.

Clad in black with a commanding presence, Chu Lin stood tall and imposing. His youthful face belied an aura of maturity and authority that was uncommon for his age.

Chu Lin had only just arrived and had no intention of getting into conflicts with anyone. Yet, Hu Zhi crossed a line by insulting Yang Hu's father. Hu Zhi's arrogance reminded Chu Lin of Mu Rui, and he couldn't help feeling a surge of sympathy for Yang Hu. Compelled by this, Chu Lin stepped in to give Hu Zhi a well-deserved lesson.

After Chu Lin wounded Hu Zhi, he remained stoic, his voice icy as he commanded, "Scram!"

Hu Zhi's face darkened. He had been ready to hurl insults at Chu Lin, but one look at Chu Lin's chilling gaze made him choke back his words.

"We're leaving!" Hu Zhi, teeth clenched, led the Martial Academy students away. His usual bravado stemmed from his uncle being the captain of the Enforcement Team at Southgate, but deep down, he was always intimidated by those stronger than himself. Chu Lin's youth and strength suggested to Hu Zhi that he was likely a notable figure within the Martial Academy.

Despite his bitterness, Hu Zhi cast a resentful look at Yang Hu, his sister Yang Xiaoxiao, and Chu Lin as he departed.

"I'm Yang Hu, and this is my sister, Yang Xiaoxiao. Brother, thank you for your help. I won't forget this act of kindness," Yang Hu said, his gratitude evident as he watched Hu Zhi retreat in humiliation, bowing respectfully to Chu Lin.

Yang Xiaoxiao gave Chu Lin a small nod. The color was returning to her cheeks, which had been pale with fright, making her look radiant and captivating.

"I'm Chu Lin. I'm not your senior brother. It's my first time here, and I'm looking to join the Martial Academy to pursue cultivation," Chu Lin replied with a slight smile, recognizing in Yang Hu the qualities of a good friend.

"You're new to the Martial Academy?" Yang Hu asked, taken aback. He noticed for the first time that Chu Lin wasn't wearing the Academy's uniform, and his expression turned to one of shock.

Both only fifteen, yet Chu Lin had managed to defeat Hu Zhi, who was at the second level of Body Tempering, with just one punch. Yang Hu might have found it easier to believe if Chu Lin were already a disciple of the Martial Academy. But Chu Lin hadn't even joined yet and lacked the cultivation resources that Hu Zhi took for granted. This clearly indicated that the young man possessed extraordinary talent.