Chapter 48: Lose and Step Down

  Transtor: Krukist

  The words stunned even Shuitian, who gnced up at the seven deas of the Dining Pavilion.

  These seven, reps of the Seve Houses, hadn’t expected He Wu’s outburst. Even the delegate, sourest on Shuitian, faltered. “ Puye, this He Wu’s a Body F Institute disciple…”

  Shuitian waved it off. “o expin. He’s no Spirit Chef—how’s he challenging Lin Yu?”

  He Wu shot back, “I see spiritual ripples on the Vice Head. Not a Mystic Martialist—must be a Body Fer like me, right?”

  Shuitian had clocked that already, flig a look at Han Ya nearby. Her ties were messy—royal blood, aligned with him, but too overt a stance risked trouble. She rose, whispering in his ear. Lin Yu didn’t o guess—she illing the “Spirit-Dev Physique” bit.

  Sure enough, Shuitian’s eyes widened with shock, then gleamed at Lin Yu. He grabbed Lin Yu’s wrist, sleeve brushing the table, and pushed in a wisp of spiritual energy—no probing, just a test.

  Lin Yu’s brow twitched. * they detect a Spirit-Dev Physique? I’m toast…* He blinked, startled.

  His mind’s puter fred, s brightening. The energy bar stayed at 0—he’d bur all “downloading” the Heavenly Cloud Body F Art—but the glow intensified, soaking up Shuitian’s trickle.

  “firmed—a Spirit-Devourer. It swallowed my energy whole. Did I snag a gem?” Shuitian’s face stayed calm, but his heart raced. “Pity, though…”

  Pity Lin Yu took the Body Fer path—with a Spirit-Devourer’s might, Mystic Martialist would’ve stretched further. Pity too for Lin Chaodong, who’d vanished into the Savage Peaks chasing a fix for Lin Yu’s unawakened meridians, fate unknown.

  *“Brother…”* Shuitian sighed inwardly, then brushed it off, eyeing Lin Yu. “You’re First-Grade, Sed-Tier now?”

  Lin Yu nodded. “Yep. Learned Ling’er’s Heavenly Cloud Body F Art.”

  “It’s the basics of Body F—Academy-tweaked, but not forbidden to share. Lin Ling’er’s fine,” Shuitian said, catg Lin Yu’s drift. “You’re Academy now—no issue. But He Wu’s First-Grade, Eighth-Tier, three years in. He’s challenging you—accept?”

  Sed-Tier versus Eighth-Tier? No ce. Lin Yu opened his mouth to refuse—then Shuitian’s voice rang in his head.

  “Don’t back off. One He Wu refused spawns more. He’s gifted, Situ g’s disciple, but three years ih-Tier’s nothing special. If the other six peg you as my puppet, challengers will pile up, stronger each time. You’re Vice Head, not a student—any disciple test you. Dodge one day, face more the . Take this now—I’ll ensure no ohers you after.”

  *But Eighth-Tier!* Lin Yu nearly protested, mouth sealed by some force. Shuitian’s voice pressed on. “Your physique is unique—no bottlenecks below Third-Grade. I’ll stall him a few months. You’ll handle him then.”

  *Stall time?* Lin Yu perked up. Months? With enough Spirit Stones, half a month would do—Eighth-Tier wouldn’t faze him.

  Seeing Lin Yu cat, Shuitian smiled, turning to He Wu. “You see Lin Yu’s young—ye—”

  “And near my strength—both First-Grade Body Fers,” He Wu cut in, rubbing his h a grin. Bullying the weak? He didn’t care—First-Grade was First-Grade, Sed hth, no differenbsp;

  Nailing Situ g’s task meant hitting Sed-Grade by year’s end—bigger rewards awaited.

  Shuitian smirked. *Shameless kid.* He’d promised Lin Yu a dey—no instant fight. “Sed-Tier to Eighth-Tier’s a wide gap. How about three months? I’ll witness you two then.”

  He Wu grinned, as if he’d foreseen it. Small jumps in First-Grade came fast—he’d only hit First-Grade st year after basics, rocketing to Eighth-Tier in months. “Since Puye says so, I’ll be blunt. I’m here to win—and I want a dition: if I do, Vice Head steps down.”

  Lin Yu met his gaze, unfling. “You want that, but you’re not Seven Houses. Elder Situ’s protective but cautious—he wouldn’t push this. You know oence just spilled too much?”

  He Wu shrugged, carefree. “ Puye’s here, Master Han Ya’s watg—what I hide? My goal’s clear—your seat.”

  “Will Vice Head grant my terms?”

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