Chapter 117: Tenderness Like Water

“Two days have passed. Why is there still a disciple deep in comprehension?”

As all the other disciples emerged from the corridor, every gaze fell upon Lu Jin.

Because Lu Jin was positioned right at the exit, everyone could see him clearly. They could even make out the super-tier martial art etched onto the wall before him.

“This kid actually has some skill to be able to even attempt that martial art. Legend has it that the technique is beyond the Heaven Grade; no one has ever successfully comprehended it.”

“It’s been two days. If he had gained nothing, he would have suffered a backlash long ago. The fact that he’s still sitting there suggests he really does have a few tricks up his sleeve.”

“So what? Time is up. No one is allowed to violate the rules of the Blood Moon Holy Land!”

“Senior Brother Hu Qing, you are from the 9th Grade Hall. We all follow your lead!”

This group of disciples came from various divisions of the Outer Sect, ranging from the 1st Grade Hall to the 9th Grade Hall. Since the 9th Grade was the highest, the other disciples were exceptionally respectful toward those from that hall, not daring to show the slightest hint of discourtesy.

“Where is Han Li? Has he been found?”

The disciple named Hu Qing asked, his eyes cold and his voice filled with authority.

“Senior Brother Hu, Han Li hasn’t shown his face. No one knows where he went. Furthermore, word is that the five Elders of the Outer Sect have also vanished over the past two days.”

“Such a thing actually happened?”

“Senior Brother Hu Qing might not know, but our various halls are already in an uproar! The mysterious disappearance of five Elders is definitely not a good omen.”

“Forget about that for now. Select the disciples first!”

“Understood!”

“But Senior Brother Hu Qing, that fellow hasn’t finished his comprehension yet. If we force him to stop, it might cause a severe backlash. What should we do?” one of the disciples asked.

Before Hu Qing could respond, a disciple beside him sneered.

“If he doesn’t follow the rules of my Blood Moon Holy Land, then we’ll just have to use the rules to give him a proper memory. Senior Brother Hu, leave this kid to me!”

A disciple stepped forward, looking at Lu Jin with a mocking grin.

“Hey, kid! Time is up. If you don’t come out now, you’re never coming out!”

The voice was thick with provocation. Before Lu Jin could even open his eyes, a familiar voice rang out. It was Yan Mo.

“Senior Brother, we are new disciples who have just arrived. I ask that you show some consideration.”

The moment Yan Mo spoke, everyone’s attention shifted to her. The disciple rubbed his chin, his eyes leering at her with a wicked smile.

“Oh? Junior Sister, what’s this? Are you pleading for him? Fine. As long as you agree to join my 3rd Grade Hall and take care of this Senior Brother for a month, I’ll be lenient and let him go. What do you think?”

At those words, Yan Mo’s expression darkened instantly.

The provocation was blatant, and a wave of raucous laughter erupted from the surrounding crowd.

As the little princess of the Tianxuan Empire, she was naturally not one to endure such insults.

“Heh. A mere 3rd Grade Hall isn’t qualified to have me enter.”

Her words made the disciple’s face turn as ugly as if he had swallowed a fly.

“Hmph! You look down on my 3rd Grade Hall? Fine! Then I’ll let you witness the methods of a 3rd Grade Hall disciple!”

The moment he finished speaking, he slammed a surge of Qi into the corridor. Ripples erupted from the corridor’s array, howling outward in layers. In an instant, all the array markings on the walls vanished.

In the next second, a surge of energy swelled from the wall, condensing into a focused pressure that bore down on Lu Jin!

“Stop!”

Seeing this, Yan Mo’s eyes turned cold once more.

Clearly, this disciple was intentionally trying to harm Lu Jin.

Shu!

Before her voice had even faded, she blurred into motion, rushing toward the space in front of Lu Jin to intercept the energy attack.

“Heh, just by yourself?”

The disciple’s expression was playful. With a flick of his wrist, his Qi transformed into a long whip, instantly entangling Yan Mo and pinning her in mid-air.

Yan Mo gasped in shock. Tang Liu’s expression also became incredibly complicated. However, he lacked Yan Mo’s conviction and certainly didn’t have the courage of a princess; he didn’t make a move.

Under these circumstances, the opponent was simply too powerful. Having just arrived, he didn’t dare to act recklessly.

Nevertheless, he still stepped forward, his voice carrying a pleading tone.

“Senior Brother, please calm your anger! Calm down!”

*Boom!*

But even as he pleaded, the attack Yan Mo had launched collided with the wall’s energy surge. A deafening roar swept through the corridor, making everyone’s scalps tingle with fear.

Yet, at the center of the explosion, Lu Jin remained sitting peacefully, seemingly unaffected in the slightest.

“Huh?”

The crowd was stunned. They hadn’t expected that under such a terrifying blast, Lu Jin would remain as motionless as an old monk in meditation.

“This kid really does have some skill. Such a huge commotion couldn’t even disturb him?”

“Heh, he’s just acting!”

“I didn’t expect this kid to have such luck with women. To have such a beautiful young lady standing up for him… it really makes me envious!”

“Little beauty, what’s the matter? You still want to save him? You can’t even save yourself right now! Senior Brother Wu Chi definitely won’t let you off easily; don’t you worry! Hahaha!”

The surrounding comments grew increasingly foul. Yan Mo, bound by the Qi whip, realized with a shock that no matter how she struggled, it was futile.

The disciple named Wu Chi narrowed his eyes, looking at Lu Jin again.

“Kid, you’ve chosen the wrong place to act tough in front of me!”

*Buzz!*

As he spoke, another burst of Qi erupted, striking the wall directly in front of Lu Jin.

The walls were lined with arrays, and his control over the formations here was clearly very advanced. As the power of the array surged, an attack howled forth, piercing straight toward Lu Jin.

“Senior Brother, please show mercy!”

Seeing this, Tang Liu pleaded once more, but the other man completely ignored him. In a world where strength spoke for itself, pleading was a cheap tactic that would never yield results.

Only fists could win respect.

However, just as everyone was worrying for Lu Jin, they saw something baffling. The attack came to a screeching halt exactly one inch in front of Lu Jin.

It seemed to be blocked by a mysterious, invisible force.

“Let her go.”

Right then, Lu Jin’s voice drifted out. It was cold, carrying the unquestionable majesty of a superior being.

“What? Kid, you dare command me?”

Wu Chi ground his teeth and hoisted Yan Mo up further, his eyes filled with mockery and disdain.

“I said, let her down!”

Lu Jin’s voice was like the tolling of a great bronze bell, deafening and resonant.

As he spoke, an invisible wave of Spiritual Force howled outward. In the blink of an eye, it struck Wu Chi. His body was sent flying backward in a pathetic state. While his physical form endured immense pain, his spirit suffered even greater damage.

*Bang!*

“Ahhh!”

The muffled thud of the impact and the heart-wrenching scream rose one after another, making the onlookers tremble with unease.

“Are you alright?”

Lu Jin stood up and looked at Yan Mo, his expression as tender as water.

—

Footnotes:

TN1: Tenderness like water (柔情似水): A common idiom describing deep, gentle affection. It contrasts sharply with Lu Jin’s cold brutality toward his enemies.