Chapter 21

Today is the first update, there will be another one at noon.

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As for the last man, he was a bit older, about twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old, with a long, horse-like face. He lifted his chin high, rolled his eyes, and spoke with a look of disdain: "Brother Wang, you have been in seclusion for months and don't know the biggest joke in our Hengyue Sect these days. As Sister Xu said, Wang Lin only became an inner disciple through these despicable methods."

Wang Zhuo, upon hearing this, burst out laughing: "I was really scared just now, but it turns out you got in this way. However, with your talent, you will never be able to cultivate to the first level of Qi Condensation in your entire life. Why come here to make a fool of yourself and tarnish the Wang family's reputation?"

"Brother Wang, what you said is not right. Talent is important, but perseverance is also key. Cultivation is a defiance of heaven. Without great perseverance, even the best talent is useless," the Zhou family girl said, her voice soft and melodious.

"Brother Wang is also right. Wang Lin looks like a fool, he doesn't seem like a cultivator at all," the Xu family girl stepped closer to Wang Zhuo, seizing the opportunity to speak for him.

Wang Lin smiled lightly. He had figured out that the relationship among these few people was quite complex. Wang Zhuo obviously liked the Zhou family girl, and the Xu family girl seemed to have a crush on Wang Zhuo, which was why she had been trying to sabotage things earlier.

His laughter caused Wang Zhuo to be displeased. He snorted and said, "Wang Lin, I advise you to leave the Hengyue Sect. Otherwise, at the end-of-year inner disciple competition, with your frail body, you will either die or be crippled."

Wang Lin had heard from Sun Dazhu that the inner disciples had an annual competition similar to a final exam, where the winners would receive magical treasures. The competition had two levels: one was a contest among all inner disciples for the top ten, and the other was a contest among new disciples for the title of Newcomer King.

He shrugged nonchalantly and said, "Don't worry about me. Whether I am crippled or dead, what does it have to do with you?"

Wang Zhuo sneered and said, "I am only saying this because we are relatives. Since you don't appreciate my good intentions, don't blame me for not holding back during the competition!" As he spoke, a cold light flashed in his eyes.

Wang Zhuo had always looked down on Wang Lin's family. Although he had never met them before, he had heard a lot about them from his father. His father told him that Wang Lin's father had been sweet-talking and had made their grandfather favor him, not only giving him the majority of the family's assets but also treating his father with arrogance and contempt. Fortunately, their relatives had clear eyes and, with a sense of justice, helped his father reclaim the family's assets. So he had always felt that Wang Lin's family was a disgrace to the Wang family, and that the father's character would be passed down to the son.

Although he vaguely felt that things might not be as his father described as he grew up, his personality had always been arrogant and self-important, sometimes even looking down on his own father, let alone others.

The Xu family girl was taken aback and whispered to Wang Zhuo, "You are relatives?"

The other two were also surprised. They had never heard that the two were related.

Seeing Wang Zhuo's unfriendly expression, the Xu family girl quickly spoke up for him: "Brother Wang Zhuo, he doesn't understand your good intentions, don't be angry. You are a good person, smarter than him. Don't expect him to understand your kindness immediately. When he suffers a loss in the future, he will naturally understand how good you were to him. We have such relatives in our family too. In every family, not everyone can be as excellent as you. I understand how you feel; you are frustrated that he isn't as good as you, right?"

Wang Zhuo's face turned slightly red from the Xu family girl's words. He glared at her, unsure whether she was mocking him or genuinely speaking for him.

Wang Lin laughed upon hearing the girl's words and said, "Wang Zhuo, it seems I misunderstood you. Alright, I will remember your kindness, thank you."

As he was speaking, the alchemy room door suddenly opened, and a young man in a short jacket walked out. He had a sharp, clever look on his face, and it was Wang Hao.

He loudly coughed to draw everyone's attention, then said with a smug expression, "The Spirit Seizing Pill has not yet been completed. Wait here for now. Once the master finishes, I will call you in one by one."

Wang Zhuo glared at Wang Hao, his teeth grinding, but he didn't dare to offend him. After all, Wang Hao was the third senior brother's attendant, responsible for various tasks in the alchemy room. If he offended him, the third senior brother would likely reduce his monthly benefits.

Wang Hao, after speaking, glanced around and saw Wang Lin, his face lighting up with surprise. He quickly pulled Wang Lin aside and whispered, "Brother Tiezhu, congratulations on becoming an inner disciple. I've heard about your situation. I wanted to talk to you, but this place is too restrictive, and it's hard to leave easily. Don't mind what others say. Once you achieve some success in cultivation, show them what you're made of."

Wang Lin felt a warmth in his heart and smiled, "Wang Hao, thank you."

Wang Hao sighed lightly and added, "That day at the mansion, I wanted to speak up for you, but my father glared at me, indicating he didn't want me to get involved. Brother Tiezhu, don't take it to heart."

Wang Lin shook his head and said, "Let's not talk about the past. I just want to focus on cultivation and reach the first level of Qi Condensation as soon as possible."

Wang Hao's eyes twinkled, and he took something from his pocket, slipping it into Wang Lin's hand and winking at him. At that moment, a cold voice came from inside the alchemy room.

"Attendant, are you coming back?"

Wang Hao responded and hurried back into the alchemy room.

Wang Lin tightly gripped the item in his hand. Glancing at it, he saw three translucent pills. He quietly put them into his storage bag and sat down to meditate and wait, not minding the dirt on the ground.

The other four, except for the man in his late twenties who glanced at Wang Lin and then sat down to meditate like him, stood to the side. Wang Zhuo spoke to the Zhou family girl in a flattering tone, while the Xu family girl looked angry and occasionally interjected.

Time slowly passed, and darkness enveloped the land. As the moon rose, the alchemy room door opened again, and Wang Hao, looking exhausted, walked out with a tray in his hand.

On the tray were five pieces of low-grade spirit stones and five translucent pills.

Everyone stepped forward to collect their share. Wang Lin was the last, and after taking his portion, he smiled at Wang Hao and left with a bow.

Wang Hao's kindness was etched in his heart. The three pills he had secretly given him were the Spirit Seizing Pills.