Chapter 75

"Does this mean that this is only half of the people?" Lin Zheng looked at the crowd in the venue and asked in surprise.

"No, to be precise, it's less than a third. Many more will continue to arrive in the near future. Some are from remote areas, some are out on training, and some need to come from the sect's main residence. The last group will come from those unknown holy places," Wen Tianqing explained briefly.

Lin Zheng raised an eyebrow and began to scrutinize the crowd without leaving any trace. Although the probability of geniuses appearing is small, the base number is large. The population under the control of Wushuang City is a huge number. In such a large crowd, there is a great chance for outstanding geniuses to emerge!

"Come, let me introduce you to my family!" Wen Tianqing led Lin Zheng and the others towards a group of scholars. Young scholars surrounded a few elders who looked quite ethereal and dignified. Next to the elders stood a middle-aged man who looked like a teacher, but he did not have the usual dullness and stiffness of a simple scholar. This middle-aged man was composed and easy-going, exuding a continuous and vast righteous aura, hinting at the righteous energy of a great Confucian sage.

This man was Wen Tianqing's father, Wen Xiuzhu! Lin Zheng and the others quickly approached and greeted everyone, bowing respectfully. Then, Tiemu Zhan also led Lin Zheng and the others to meet his family. Unlike the Wen family, the Tie family consisted of robust men, and even the women had a bold and heroic air, each one standing out with remarkable grace.

As everyone was discussing privately, the guards suddenly stood straight, and the sound of their stomping feet echoed like thunder in everyone's ears. The city lord, accompanied by a few elders, walked into the venue, and the crowd's voices gradually faded away.

"Everyone present, welcome to Wushuang City. I believe everyone is here for the same purpose. I won't say much. The Seven Heroes Competition is only a little over two months away. In the coming period, everyone will spend a tough time in Wushuang City. During this time, everyone should have only one thought: cultivation! Cultivation! And more cultivation! After this period, we will select the final participants for the Seven Heroes Competition. I hope everyone can make it to the final list!" The city lord's deep voice echoed throughout the city lord's residence, each word sounding as if it were spoken directly into everyone's ears. Lin Qin pouted unhappily and continued to fiddle with the small trinkets she brought.

"Let me make it clear. From tomorrow, all participants will gather at Wushuang Peak. During this time, the medicinal pills, crystals, and secret techniques needed by everyone will be provided without limit by Wushuang City. You only need to focus on cultivation. Moreover, during this period, instructors appointed by Wushuang City will come to teach everyone. I hope everyone will give it their all!"

"However, once you enter Wushuang Peak, no one is allowed to leave until the final selection is made. The consequences of doing so will not be easy to bear..."

Lin Zheng suddenly frowned. Staying at Wushuang Peak naturally had its benefits, but Lin Zheng had more important matters to resolve before the Seven Heroes Competition. He listened quietly as the city lord finished his last sentence, then his frown eased, as if he had made a decision.

"Does anyone have any objections or requests?" Kou Zhen said casually.

Everyone silently shook their heads. This was just a formality; no one had ever made a request here. But today would be an exception!

"City Lord!" Lin Zheng suddenly called out. All eyes instantly focused on Lin Zheng. The city lord, hearing Lin Zheng's voice, showed no displeasure but asked with interest, "What is it? Does Little Friend Lin have any requests?"

"Um... actually, it's quite simple. Our group would like to take a leave of absence, and we hope the City Lord will allow it."

"Hmm? A leave of absence? For what reason? How long?" The city lord looked at Lin Zheng's serious expression, his heart skipping a beat.

"Um... not too long, two months..." Lin Zheng thought for a moment and said somewhat embarrassedly.

Hearing Lin Zheng's words, everyone's ears tingled, even Wen Tianqing and Tiemu Zhan were taken aback! Good grief, two months isn't long, but don't you know the Seven Heroes Competition is just over two months away?

City Lord Kou's eyebrows twitched. Indeed, the most worrying thing had happened. Seeing Lin Zheng's embarrassed but serious expression, City Lord Kou couldn't help but feel a headache. Good kid, everyone else is eager to participate in this special training, but you come up and ask for a leave of absence. Don't you know that even those who didn't arrive on time are rushing here? This precedent cannot be set, nor is it easy to set!

"Do you mean to withdraw voluntarily?" An elder behind the city lord suddenly asked.

"No!" Lin Zheng answered firmly.

"Then follow the training rules!" The elder said with satisfaction.

"But I need a leave of absence!" Lin Zheng replied without hesitation.

"Then you must withdraw?" The elder asked.

"No!" Lin Zheng answered.

"Then train with everyone else!"

"I need a two-month leave!"

"Then you must withdraw?"

"No!"

...

The crowd below burst into laughter, and even the city lord's lips twitched.

"Boy, are you playing with me?" The elder's eyebrows raised, but his tone remained the same.

Lin Zheng bowed and said, "No, I just need a two-month leave. We will return in time."

Seeing Lin Zheng's serious expression, the elder suddenly laughed, "Ha! It's been a long time since I've encountered something so interesting. How about we make a bet? If you win, you get the leave. If you lose, you and your friends will stay under my tutelage for two months. How about it?"

The elder waved his hand to stop the city lord from speaking and looked at Lin Zheng with interest. Lin Zheng nodded calmly, "No problem, but if we have to fight you, we need to fight together!"

The elder's eyes sparkled with joy, then he said, "No problem. First, you need to convince everyone here, then we'll discuss the second condition."

"Hmm?" Lin Zheng's eyebrows twitched, but he did not argue. He turned to face the crowd and said calmly, "If everyone agrees, I will be extremely grateful. If not, let's settle it with a fight!"

The crowd was in an uproar again. Good kid, indeed brave! So bold! To speak so confidently to so many people! Lin Qin excitedly rubbed her hands, her eyes darting around the crowd, urging them to jump up and oppose!

Three people stepped out of the crowd, all from the forces that Lin Zheng had suppressed earlier. They came to settle the score. They did not think Lin Zheng could gain any advantage from them, and if they could humiliate him, it would help save face.

After a moment, two more people stepped out, making a total of five standing opposite Lin Zheng. The crowd quickly cleared a large space in the venue. Lin Zheng looked at the crowd and suddenly smiled happily.

"Since that's the case, let's finish this quickly. Come at me all at once!" Lin Zheng said with a smile.

These five people had good control of their emotions. Even though they were secretly angry, they did not show any dissatisfaction on their faces.

"Since no one else is coming, I'll be the referee. Prepare yourselves!" The elder said slowly, then waved his hand and shouted, "Begin!"

The six people in the venue disappeared instantly. The next moment, Lin Zheng suddenly appeared in the air, holding a man as if an eagle had caught a mouse. Lin Zheng threw the man into the crowd. The next moment, Lin Zheng reappeared on the ground, his arms glowing with a jade-like color, grabbing the ground with great force. The ground tiles were torn up, and Lin Zheng threw them into the air. Then, he jumped up and punched the air.

Two more figures appeared in the air and were sent flying into the crowd. Lin Zheng's expression remained unchanged, a faint smile on his lips. He stood in place, making hand seals as if he had grown eight arms, moving them up and down. Then, he punched in all directions. Another person was sent flying into the crowd. Lin Zheng continued his hand movements, reaching out as if to grab something. A leg appeared in the air, and Lin Zheng swung the person around a few times before gently sending him into the crowd.

In fact, everything happened in the blink of an eye. To ordinary people, it seemed that the six people suddenly disappeared and then five of them flew into the crowd in various ways. However, no one in the crowd was ordinary; they were all outstanding individuals from various regions. They could clearly see what was happening, and the outcome was decided in an instant, without giving anyone time to speculate. The five people did not even have a chance to use their special abilities before being thrown out by Lin Zheng.

Although the five people were thrown out, they were not seriously injured. The crowd understood that Lin Zheng had held back, and their angry expressions lessened. They awkwardly joined the crowd. The elder's eyes sparkled with even more surprise, and after a moment of thought, he smiled.

"The first round is yours. Does anyone have any objections?" The elder's eyes swept over the crowd, and seeing no opposition, he said to Lin Zheng, "Ha, kid, you've passed the first round. But the second round won't be so easy."

"Everything needs to be tried. You can't give up without trying," Lin Zheng said, shaking his head.

"Ha! Well said! The second round is a match with me. If you can last ten rounds with me, I'll speak to the city lord on your behalf. You can do whatever you want for two months and return for the final assessment."

Lin Zheng scratched his head and said, "Senior, I said earlier that if we fight you, we need to fight together!"

"Come on, then!" The elder swayed his body and slowly walked into the venue, waiting for Lin Zheng and his friends to step up!

PS: I've been feeling unwell all day, and nothing tastes good. Fellow readers, please give me some red tickets to cheer me up! Here's the third update! The first day of a ten-thousand-word burst! The exciting part is coming! Stay tuned!