LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 4: The Blind Fool
The crowd watched in confusion as Zhang Yun rummaged through the weapon racks, eventually selecting a golden dagger. He gestured for Xu Ming to approach.
Xu Ming stepped forward, his face filled with uncertainty. He had heard the exchange between Zhang Yun and Meng Zhong. A competition with Nie Zhi? If it were before his spiritual root had been shattered, he wouldn't have hesitated. But now…
Glancing at the deep gash Nie Zhi had left in the Martial Stone, Xu Ming felt a wave of despair. In his current state, he couldn't even hope to match Nie Zhi's initial strike, let alone the devastating blow that followed.
Will I be cast aside so soon after joining? Xu Ming's heart sank.
"Lift your head!" Zhang Yun's voice cut through his thoughts.
Xu Ming instinctively obeyed, meeting Zhang Yun's gaze.
"Do you think you can't surpass Nie Zhi?" Zhang Yun asked.
"I…" Xu Ming hesitated, unsure how to respond.
"Fool!" Zhang Yun scolded sharply. "What others think of you is their business. But if you give up on yourself, then you're truly beyond saving!"
Xu Ming's spirit stirred. He's right. If I don't believe in myself, what's the point?
He glanced at Nie Zhi, who stood confidently nearby, then turned back to Zhang Yun with determination. "Master, I can surpass him!"
"Good. Show me your resolve," Zhang Yun said calmly.
Meng Zhong scoffed from above. "Zhang Yun, is this your grand plan? A few words of encouragement, and a cripple becomes a genius?"
Zhang Yun shot him a cold look. "Shut your mouth and watch."
Meng Zhong sneered. "Fine. Let's see what you can do."
Ignoring him, Zhang Yun turned to Xu Ming. "Do you trust me?"
"Yes!" Xu Ming nodded.
"Then…" Zhang Yun gripped the dagger—
Thud!
In a shocking move, he plunged the blade into Xu Ming's left shoulder.
The crowd gasped in horror.
"Zhang Yun, have you gone mad?"
"What are you doing? Stop this at once!"
Even the sect master and elders were alarmed. Publicly harming a new disciple during a competition would have severe repercussions for the sect's reputation.
"Master…?" Xu Ming was stunned, momentarily forgetting the pain. Is he trying to kill me?
"Close your eyes. Focus on your body," Zhang Yun instructed firmly.
Xu Ming hesitated but obeyed, shutting his eyes despite the pain.
Zhang Yun remained outwardly calm, though inwardly nervous. Please don't fail me, Celestial Insight! The method of using a golden object to stimulate Xu Ming's dormant Crimson-Gold Dragon Root was his only hope.
"Focus on his body?" The onlookers frowned, puzzled by Zhang Yun's words.
Seconds ticked by with no visible change.
"Zhang Yun…" Meng Zhong began mockingly.
"Silence!" Zhang Yun snapped, cutting him off.
Meng Zhong glared but held his tongue as the others remained quiet.
Half a minute passed, and Xu Ming's shoulder was now soaked in blood.
"Enough, Zhang Yun!" The elders on the platform finally intervened. Xu Ming's frail body couldn't endure prolonged bleeding, and his death would be disastrous for the sect.
But just as they spoke—
Buzz!
Xu Ming's body trembled, and golden light began to emanate from the wound.
Before anyone could react—
Roar!
Xu Ming threw his head back and let out a deafening roar, like that of a dragon. The golden light exploded into a radiant wave, sweeping across the entire Spirit Immortal Sect.
Across the nineteen peaks, countless spirit beasts trembled and prostrated themselves in submission.
"What… what is this?!" The sect master shot to his feet, his eyes wide with shock.
The crowd stared in awe as the golden light filled the air, accompanied by an overwhelming draconic aura that made them want to kneel.
"My power… it's back!" Xu Ming's eyes snapped open, filled with exhilaration.
Zhang Yun smiled faintly and pointed to the Martial Stone. "Go."
"Yes, Master!"
Confidence radiated from Xu Ming as he stepped forward. Without even using a weapon, he clenched his fist, and golden spiritual energy swirled around it. With a single punch—
Boom!
The one-meter Martial Stone shattered into countless fragments.
The hall fell into stunned silence.
Everyone stared, their mouths agape."This… this is impossible!" Meng Zhong's voice broke the silence, filled with disbelief.
But the truth was undeniable.
Zhang Yun turned to Meng Zhong with a calm smile. "Your disciple left a scratch. Mine shattered the stone. I win."
"You cheated!" Meng Zhong shouted, his face red with anger. "Xu Ming had a hidden special physique. You merely activated it!"
"Cheated?" Zhang Yun chuckled. "Tell me, Tenth Elder, who was it that kept calling my disciple a cripple?"
"I…" Meng Zhong faltered.
"You're nothing but a blind fool!" Zhang Yun's voice turned cold. "You couldn't see his potential and now, when proven wrong, you resort to excuses. Sharing the title of elder with you is an embarrassment."
"Enough!" The sect master's voice cut through the tension. "The Ninth Elder has won this competition."
Meng Zhong's face turned ashen.
"Ten thousand spirit stones, if you please," Zhang Yun said, extending his hand.
Gritting his teeth, Meng Zhong reluctantly tossed a storage ring to Zhang Yun.
Zhang Yun caught it, his smile widening as he checked the contents. "Thank you for the generous gift, Tenth Elder."
Meng Zhong's face twisted in fury, but he could only watch as Zhang Yun turned to the crowd.
The onlookers were no fools. While Zhang Yun's method had been unconventional—merely stabbing Xu Ming with a dagger—it was clear he had seen something no one else had.
The Ninth Elder's insight was extraordinary.
Even the sect master and elders regarded Zhang Yun with newfound respect.
"Master, I offer my deepest gratitude!" Xu Ming knelt and bowed sincerely.
"You have gained the recognition of your disciple, Xu Ming. Recruitment successful!"
As the ethereal voice echoed in Zhang Yun's ears, he felt a surge of triumph.
The Celestial Master's Realm has reopened!