Chapter 7: Powdering with Flowers

Lin Chao crossed his arms, appearing relaxed, and said with a half-smile, "So you are a female bandit leader. Well, I don't have a single penny on me; why don't you assess how much I'm worth and take me away if you like."

Bang

Lin Chao habitually pressed his lips together and smiled, saying: "I remember, if I can't win, I'll run. Losing is nothing to be ashamed of"

A cooked duck with a wart has a hard beak. Behind, a few boys with pumpkin faces watched from a distance, none of them daring to step forward

He carefully sniffed; within the sweat, there was also a familiar scent.

He first helped his cousin up; the young girl was merely startled and was not injured

This mountain is mine, this road is mine. If you wish to pass through here, leave behind a toll. Speak a word of refusal, and I will smash your dog's head.

Why was it not sensed before, but suddenly appeared in the mysterious space

That's great. I finally understand.

He faintly sensed that this familiar scent was not so simple

Before Brother Hou could finish his words, Lin Chao had already charged towards him like a cannonball. Brother Hou let out a cold snort, his body leaping into the air, delivering a swift and fierce kick aimed at Lin Chao's face, accompanied by a sharp whooshing sound.

The young man opened the door, facing the morning light, and instinctively squinted his eyes. After finishing breakfast, his father, Lin Xian, personally accompanied him to the gate of Lin City. Just before leaving, he earnestly advised, "Victory or defeat is not important; preserving your life is paramount"

After speaking, he pinched his mouth shut, and the sugar figurine forcefully stuffed it into his mouth until it was completely filled

One of them is a pumpkin, standing next to a sturdy young man with a mole on his forehead. He is stepping on two sugar figurines, which are covered in dust and have long been crushed out of shape. The pumpkin has a sinister smile and says: "You must be Yao Yao, Lin Chao's cousin. Hurry up and tell me where he has gone, and I will return these sugar figurines to you. Hehe..."

Yao Yao did not hear, as she was intently watching the cockfighting. Lin Chao had another matter to attend to, "Yao Yao, I still need to buy some mystical beast furs, come with me."

The pumpkin is also the son of a small town's lord, so it is not surprising that he is aware of Lin Chao's family background

Lin Chao took a closer look and saw that the person in front of him was very small and thin, as if a gust of wind could blow them away. They were carrying a pink floral cloth bag on their shoulder and had a piece of black cloth covering their face, letting out a delicate shout.

This scent is very familiar, yet he cannot recall where he has encountered it before. After emerging from the mysterious space, Lin Chao pondered deeply but could not remember where he had previously experienced that familiar scent. However, one thing is certain: the appearance of this scent occurred before he encountered this mysterious space.

Relying on his own strength, he was confident that he could defeat this kid in one move. Faced with this fierce kick, Lin Chao did not evade. He stepped forward, clenched his fist, and struck directly at Brother Hou's instep.

After speaking, the little girl hopped over to Lin Chao's side, tugging at his sleeve and shaking it. "Brother, I want to go with you to the academy and have a look. I have never been far from home in my life."

The young man pressed his lips together and smiled innocently, saying, "This is the price you pay for bullying others, and it has nothing to do with the bet."

Brother Hou felt a cold sneer in his heart, thinking that if you want to confront me head-on, you are doomed

After a couple of cups of tea, five or six young men, bare-chested and adorned with makeup, with flowers in their hair, were bound hand and foot, being led towards the academy. In front, holding the rope, was Yaoyao, strutting confidently like a little adult

It seemed as if the mole on his right foot had been shattered, causing his face to twitch incessantly in pain

Lin Chao followed behind, and before leaving, he did not forget to take his mountain king kangaroo fur.

It has been seven days since the last gathering, and it coincides perfectly with the large market since Lin Chao's last departure

Lin Chao patted his face and said, "Did you not hear what I said clearly? I am inviting you to have some sugar figurines"

Younger sister is in trouble

The youth with the surname Hou looked at the little girl in front of him and sneered, "Even if he runs away, I have to disgust him a little."

The little girl in front of him, named Lin Yaoyao, is the daughter of his third uncle Lin Qingzhu, and she is also his cousin. She often loves to be mischievous and has several small braids styled like scorpions at the back of her head. When they were young, she would follow Lin Chao around all day, and the two siblings share a deep bond.

He intends to disfigure Lin Chao, making him appear utterly ridiculous

The female bandit let out a peal of laughter like silver bells, suddenly tearing off the black cloth from her face. She was a girl of about ten years old, with a youthful and innocent expression, and two small freckles beside her nose

He picked a kangaroo skin from the mountain king, which is both soft and supple, making it very comfortable as a cushion. After paying, just as he was about to ask the other party to pack it up, he suddenly heard a commotion outside, mixed with the cries of a little girl, "Accompany my candy person, accompany my candy person... Wuwu, you are bullying me..."

Yao Yao is reluctant to eat, placing the sugar figurine on her eyes to view the world. Lin Chao glanced around, and the entire world transformed into a blue hue, filled with bizarre sights. Viewing the world from a different angle reveals a different landscape

Although he has restored to the mid-level of the Xuan Second Stage, as soon as he exits the gravitational space, the Xuan Qi will still leak out

Then fine, don't run around

That terrifying punch likely requires a force of mid-tier in the Wheel Stage

The dean presented him with a second-grade elixir; he could not accept it without giving something in return, as it was a matter of personal sentiment.

I see you as worthless

Indeed. A real man is capable of both bending and standing tall. Lin Xian was very pleased to see his son gaining insight and patted him on the shoulder

Does this have any connection to a significant decline in one's own abilities

Lin Chao understood that although his father said this, he actually hoped that he would win.

Yao Yao's face was pale, her mouth tightly shut, struggling desperately. The onlookers dared to feel anger but did not voice it

Various speculations surged in Lin Chao's mind; however, this mystery could not be unraveled at that moment. He did not inform his father about this matter. In the following days, he devoted himself to rigorous training.

Brother, I knew I couldn't deceive you

However, the speed is becoming increasingly slow, and the amount lost is also decreasing. Based on this scenario, it won't be long before it can be completely stopped. With such a cultivation treasure, I can completely surpass and counterattack. As the days go by, in the blink of an eye, Lin Chao has already stayed at home for six days, and tomorrow is the day of the academy competition

Lin Chao comforted his cousin before walking over to the wall. He picked up the dust-covered, trampled sugar figurine and slowly approached the freckled boy. The few startled youths with pumpkin faces quickly stepped aside.

Suddenly, he seemed to have realized something, as if a heavy hammer struck his heart, enlightening him profoundly

I may be worthless, but our Lin family is wealthy, and we have a mischievous girl. Together, we must be worth at least two coins.

Lin Chao was in a hurry to get the fur, and with a swift step, he dashed out of the fur shop and arrived at the fighting cock stall across the street. There, he saw Yao Yao squatting on the ground, crying uncontrollably, while five or six young boys stood in front of her.

Lin Chao stepped on the mole's chest, pressed his lips together, and said, "Today, young master will treat you to some sugar figurines"

Indeed, when it comes to the chain punch, I have always been unable to deliver the second punch consecutively. This is due to my fixation on previous forms, concentrating all my strength into the first punch, which results in the inability to gather the vital energy in a short time. If I were to divide the vital energy into two parts, wouldn't that allow me to quickly deliver the second punch, creating a blend of real and feigned attacks, leaving the enemy defenseless

No, Yaoyao wants to go to the academy to play with her brother, to buy sugar figurines at the market, so please take me with you

"I ate it, give it to me, damn it, let your brother be a coward."

After finishing his words, the young man bent down to pick up the dirty candy figure that had been stepped on, walked over, pinched Yaoyao's mouth, and forcefully tried to stuff it inside.

The little girl tugged at Lin Chao's collar, pleading pitifully.

Lin Yaoyao was frightened, tears streaming down her face. A girl of about ten years old had never experienced such a situation.

Lin Chao stood in front of his sister, his lips tightly pressed together, and scolded: "A bunch of scoundrels, bullying a defenseless young girl. Are you even human? You have brought disgrace to the reputation of the Earth Element Academy."

The next day, he entered that mysterious space again and was astonished to find that the surrounding walls had returned to their previous deep black color.

After bidding farewell to his father, Lin Chao set off on his journey, walking along a narrow path that led him past a small grove. At that moment, he suddenly heard a rustling sound coming from within the grove. Lin Chao quietly braced himself, clenching his fists, and then he saw a small, dark figure darting out from the bamboo forest

A punch and a kick collided together. Suddenly, a scream was heard as Brother Hou was sent flying, crashing into several stalls behind him. A few leaves of green vegetables fell onto his face, and a basket of eggs was crushed, leaving him in a most embarrassing state. Lin Chao stood still in place, not moving an inch. He had been suppressing his power, and that last punch was at the low-grade level of the Xuanlun stage.

... ...

Lin Chao shook his head and said: "You sneaked out again, didn't you? Hurry back, or your third uncle will know and spank you"

You go, I will wait here

Lin, Lin Chao, let go of me. If you have the ability, go challenge Senior Lei Biao.

After Lin Chao finished speaking, he walked towards a shop across the street that sold exotic beast furs. The entrance of that shop was directly opposite a cockfighting stall, so there was no worry about Yao Yao getting lost

This indicates that the previously consumed mysterious energy has been fully restored. However, each time the duration is extended, the color of the walls begins to fade. Moreover, that mysterious shadow has not appeared again

The siblings set out on their journey. It wasn't long before they arrived at the market in front of the academy.

At the market, people come and go, jostling against each other, with the shouts of vendors and the sounds of bargaining filling the air. Numerous shops line both sides of the street, selling items such as mystical beast armor, furs, elixirs, and spiritual herbs. Yaoyao, visiting the market for the first time, is quite excited, looking around like a little bird just out of its cage. Soon, she stops in front of a stall selling sugar figurines, gazing longingly at them and swallowing her saliva repeatedly.

On the morning of the second day, the sun rose, casting its light over the earth and dispersing the morning mist

Lin Chao, you are truly going too far. We just made a bet, and there was no such clause. Ahem ...

The youth appeared to smile without actually smiling, with one hand crossed over his chest and the other touching his nasal bridge, displaying a face full of anticipation. The boy with the mole and Nan He - Tu - Shu Gua Lian, a group of youths were in utter despair.

The one with the surname Hou is at the second tier of the Xuan level, lower grade. He is confident that Lin Chao's Xuan energy is continuously leaking; otherwise, he would not dare to be so arrogant. Lin Chao suppressed the anger rising in his heart and let out a cold laugh, "Alright, I accept your challenge. If I win, you all must apply makeup and wear flowers, stripping off your clothes and circling the arena three times."

Lin Chao is acquainted with these individuals; they are external disciples of the academy

"Alright. However, once we go, you must not cause any trouble," Lin Chao said with a serious expression. Once entangled with this sticky person, if he did not agree, she would not let go easily. Lin Yaoyao chuckled softly, "Yaoyao never causes trouble. I have also picked a lot of wild fruits here; we can eat them on the way"

The mole was choked to the point of rolling its eyes, coughing incessantly, and the sand on the sugar figurine caused it to lose two teeth

After he finished speaking, he released his foot and glanced at the shops on both sides of the street, many of which sold cosmetics. "Next, it is time for you to take the stage."

Alright. Today, I will make you completely convinced and submissive.

The mole rubbed his wrist, shamelessly saying, "Hey, you finally decided to show yourself. To be honest, we came here today specifically to intercept you. It's quite simple: if you want to fight with Brother Lei, you must first get past me."

At that moment, a figure rushed over like an arrow, kicking the sugar figurine out of his hand

Brother, brother, look, the sun has turned blue

Lin Chao excitedly slapped his thigh

He paused for a moment and then said: "If you win, you will compete in the arena according to the normal procedure. But if you lose, hmph, you will still have to go to the arena, but you must be adorned with powder and flowers, stripped of your clothes, and circle the arena three times"

Lin Chao crouched down, reaching out to explore the rough textures on the ground, all damp with sweat

Seeing this, the pumpkin-faced boy said to the mole-faced youth beside him, "Brother Hou, perhaps that kid saw you coming and got scared away."

With just one move, I was defeated by my own move. Is this still a fall in the forest?

Lin Chao took out money to buy two sugar figurines, and the little girl held one in each hand, overjoyed. The little scorpion braid swayed back and forth, quite endearing.