Chapter 49: Seizing the Token

After Cao Shun and Li Xuan, someone else stepped forward to challenge Shen Chen. The moment the words were spoken, a wave of commotion swept through the crowd.

"Tian Zhan? Which Tian Zhan? I've never heard of him!"

"Hmph! You really can't recognize a great mountain when you see it. You haven't even heard of Master Tian Zhan's reputation? Do you think I would tell you that Elder Lu Hao, the Green-faced Wolf, took his first personal disciple ten years ago, and that disciple was none other than Master Tian Zhan?"

"Tian Zhi, you're really not being fair. Your big brother is back, and you didn't even tell us. Don't you know that many of the inner disciples have always respected your big brother? It was such a pity that he didn't return to participate in the inner disciple ranking competition seven years ago..."

Tian Zhan's name was clearly unfamiliar to many of the disciples present, but Shen Chen noticed that some of the earlier disciples, like Zhong Ling and Yuan Xiao, had rather unpleasant expressions upon hearing the name.

For a moment, Shen Chen felt a headache coming on.

The inner disciple ranking system had only started seven years ago, but among their generation of Luiyun Sect disciples, some had joined as early as over a decade ago. At that time, many outstanding disciples who were training outside did not return, leading to ongoing disputes over the ranking list.

Shen Chen never imagined that he and Wang Yue would be so unlucky, needing to secure a top-five ranking just as a large number of disciples were returning.

He finally understood what Elder Situ Chuan had meant that day—this time, the entire inner disciple ranking might really be reshuffled!

"Hehe! I didn't expect you, Little Junior Brother Shen Chen, to be so sought after. It seems I'll have to queue up to defeat you!" Zhong Ling, who was angry with Shen Chen, naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity and immediately stepped forward to tease him.

"Senior Sister Zhong Ling, don't get too cocky. There are many who have their eyes on me, and I'm sure there are plenty who have their eyes on your fourth place ranking too." Shen Chen didn't back down and retaliated with a sarcastic remark.

"Hmph! You don't need to worry about it. I won't let my master down. You should take care of yourself first!" Zhong Ling's eyes flared with anger, as if Shen Chen's words had hit a nerve.

"Alright, good luck to you..." Shen Chen shrugged and turned away, no longer paying attention to the little demon. Although the situation had become more complex and severe, he remained unafraid.

Moreover, the most formidable person Shen Chen feared had yet to appear... The inner disciples had been completely silent about Senior Brother Qi Zheng, likely because that person had become so powerful that no one dared to challenge him, which made Shen Chen take it very seriously...

"Here they come, here they come." At this moment, an inner disciple suddenly shouted in surprise.

Then, everyone looked into the depths of the forest, and indeed, some of those who had rushed in had already successfully obtained the purple sandalwood tokens and were now desperately running out, looking extremely disheveled, with many of them injured.

"Hehe, let's move too." An inner disciple sneered and then darted in the direction from which the others were coming.

Following him, many others also moved, though they all believed in their own superior cultivation. However, in a situation like this, where they were snatching tokens, some friction was inevitable, and they couldn't afford to delay.

However, not everyone rushed out. Six or seven people, including Zhong Ling, Yuan Xiao, and Cao Shun, remained where they were, looking at the direction with a playful expression, seemingly not in a hurry.

"Big Brother, what about us..." Wang Yue, standing behind Shen Chen, looked hesitant.

"No rush. This forest is quite large, but there are only three exits. Each one is guarded by a hungry wolf. We'll just wait here; the tokens will be brought to us." Shen Chen waved his hand and smiled lightly.

In fact, not only Shen Chen, but Zhong Ling and the others also had the same idea. When they encountered the more powerful inner disciples, ordinary disciples generally lacked the courage to fight, so there was no need to waste energy on a fight.

Sure enough, as time passed, some of the disciples who had escaped the inner disciples' pursuit finally managed to bring the purple sandalwood tokens to the edge of the forest, about to break through. However, their escape was not the victory they had hoped for, but rather a confrontation with even stronger opponents.

A disciple, bleeding profusely, was running in the forest. Just as he gritted his teeth and pushed forward, Yuan Xiao had already darted out from beside Zhong Ling and blocked his path in an instant.

"Senior Brother Yuan... Yuan Xiao..." The disciple was shocked, and a look of despair appeared in his eyes.

"Since you know it's me, hand it over obediently. Don't force me to act!"

Yuan Xiao's voice was cold and indifferent, leaving no room for negotiation. He didn't even look at the disciple, just casually extended his hand and opened it in front of the inner disciple.

"Yes... yes..." The disciple struggled for a moment but ultimately had to pale and pull out the token from his chest, obediently placing it in Yuan Xiao's hand.

During this process, he didn't dare to utter a single word of dissatisfaction, fearing physical punishment.

Similar scenes were happening all around.

"Hand it over!"

"Give it here!"

"Give it to me!"

...

Fang Han, Cao Shun, and others were very direct. Any disciple they targeted turned pale, and in the end, all obediently handed over the tokens they had fought for, covered in injuries.

This was just a microcosm of the Tianlong Continent. Without strength, there was no reason to speak!

"Zhong Ling, I'll give you my token first. I'll get another one. This kind of thing is easy to obtain. I don't think I need to trouble you, right?"

After obtaining the token, Yuan Xiao quickly returned, his previous coldness replaced by a smile as he handed the token to Zhong Ling, even wiping off the blood and dirt on it.

"Ha ha!" Unfortunately, Zhong Ling didn't seem to want to buy his favor. She just smiled and then darted out from under his nose, leaving a trail of fragrance.

This left Yuan Xiao with a loss of face, a flash of anger in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.

On the other side, Zhong Ling, with her flowing sleeves, landed before an outer disciple who had successfully obtained a token and brought it out. However, this little demon didn't threaten or forcibly take it like the others.

She glanced at him with her phoenix eyes, threw a flirtatious wink, and lazily stretched, smiling sweetly, "Little Junior Brother, can you give this token to your Senior Sister?"

The outer disciple, upon hearing this, seemed to lose his soul. Before Zhong Ling could even reach out, he blushed and, with eyes full of excitement, handed over the hard-earned purple sandalwood token, even wiping off the dust and blood.

"Senior Sister Zhong... Zhong Ling, if you need the token, take it. My name is... is Du... Du... Du Guan..." The outer disciple stuttered, his eyes devoid of any regret, only excitement.

It was as if the beautiful senior sister asking for the token was an honor for him. When his gaze accidentally fell on the snow-white area in front of Zhong Ling's chest, he almost bled from his nose, even introducing himself out of infatuation.

"Hehe! Little Junior Brother Du Guan, is it? Alright, thank you. Your Senior Sister will remember you!" Zhong Ling moved her wrist, quickly took the token, and then, covering her mouth with a light laugh, darted out of the forest, leaving the outer disciple standing there, eyes shining.

"Little demon!"

Seeing this, Shen Chen couldn't help but laugh inwardly. He guessed that if the sect competition was decided by the number of tokens, Zhong Ling, this little demon, would undoubtedly be the first, and many disciples would willingly hand over their tokens to her.

"Slurp... Big Brother, shouldn't we make a move now?" Wang Yue wiped his mouth and looked at Shen Chen with eager eyes.

Yuan Xiao and the others had already left the forest with their tokens, but his big brother still hadn't moved, making him almost desperate.

"Alright, let's go and claim some tokens!" Shen Chen nodded calmly and then led the way into the depths of the forest.

"Senior Brother Shen... Shen Chen, do you need the token... I'll give it to you..." A moment later, they encountered an outer disciple with decent strength. Upon seeing Shen Chen, the disciple's eyes darkened, and he timidly pulled out the token.

It must be said that this guy was really unlucky. When Yuan Xiao and the others were snatching tokens, he saw them from a distance. However, he was very smart and deliberately lingered in the depths of the forest, waiting until the powerful inner disciples had taken most of the tokens before sneaking out, hoping to take advantage of the chaos. But he didn't expect to run into Shen Chen and Wang Yue right then.

Facing Wang Yue, he might have fought back, but seeing Shen Chen, this outer disciple with decent strength lost the courage to resist.

Although Shen Chen had not yet officially obtained an inner disciple ranking, his reputation for killing Lin Hai was immense, especially among the outer disciples. This outer disciple could only consider himself unlucky.

"Hehe, forget it, you're not our target. Go on, get out of here!"

To the outer disciple's dismay, Shen Chen smiled and waved him away.

"Senior Brother Shen Chen, you... " The outer disciple almost couldn't believe his ears.

"Get out of here quickly, or I'll have to act. I'm not as merciful as my big brother!" Wang Yue growled and threatened, scaring him.

"Yes, yes, yes, thank you, Senior Brother Shen Chen, thank you for your kindness..."

The outer disciple suddenly understood, his voice trembling with excitement. He looked at Shen Chen with gratitude and then, without delay, ran out of the forest.

"Big Brother, you're really kind." After the outer disciple left, Wang Yue rubbed his chin and grinned.

"Hmph! Don't mock me. I let him go because I have better targets." Shen Chen laughed and pointed to a corner ahead, "Look, those guys have been lurking around our house for days. They're probably spies sent by Yuan Xiao and the others. Don't you think we should pay them a visit?"

"Hehehe, Big Brother, you're really devious!" Wang Yue laughed wickedly, his eyes also fixed on the target.

...

"Shen Chen, what do you mean?!"

A moment later, facing the sudden appearance of Shen Chen and Wang Yue, five inner disciples with considerable strength looked uneasy, staring at the two with tense and wary eyes.

"Don't play dumb, hand it over!" Shen Chen coldly extended his hand.