Hiss!
Seeing this, everyone in the viewing stands no longer needed Elder Wu De to announce the victor. A trace of shock filled everyone's eyes.
After all, it was truly shocking for Lin Chu to defeat Qiu Shaoming, who was at the peak of the Initial Spirit realm, with his early Initial Spirit realm cultivation. Amidst their shock, they also felt a sense of pity for Qiu Shaoming. One had to remember that this was a life-or-death gamble, not something that ended with a fall and surrender.
"Will Lin Chu kill Qiu Shaoming? Don't forget, Qiu Shaoming's elder brother is Qiu Shaolong, the president of the Heavenly Dragon Society!"
"So what if it's Qiu Shaolong? Can he be greater than the Young Sect Master? Even the Sect Master cannot interfere with a gamble between disciples. Qiu Shaoming can only blame himself for being careless."
"If Qiu Shaolong had intervened when Lin Chu was injured, the battle would have ended long ago. How could Lin Chu have seized the opportunity to attack continuously, with Qiu Shaoming having no chance to counter?"
"Now, it all depends on whether Lin Chu will kill Qiu Shaoming. If he doesn't, leaving an enemy behind might lead to future unrest. But if he does kill him, he might not be able to withstand Qiu Shaolong's wrath!"
"..."
Discussions erupted from the viewing stands, with everyone expressing their opinions.
As for Bai Yuwei, who was watching from above, a clear look of joy flickered in her eyes when she saw Lin Chu achieve such a commanding position. However, the Grand Elder on the other side had a glint of malice in his eyes, and his expression turned inexplicably grim.
"Qiu Shaoming, do you admit defeat in this battle?" Lin Chu asked slowly as he saw Qiu Shaoming's face turn paler.
Upon hearing this, Qiu Shaoming struggled to move his body and laughed wildly, "If I hadn't been careless, this wouldn't be your moment of triumph. Cough, cough... Lin Chu, kill me if you dare. But don't worry, my brother will definitely avenge me!"
Lin Chu's expression gradually turned cold. "Using your brother to threaten me, do you think I'm afraid? I want to see what your brother can do to me after I kill you!"
As soon as Lin Chu finished speaking, he clenched his left fist and punched towards Qiu Shaoming.
"Stop!"
Just as Lin Chu threw his punch, a deep voice suddenly echoed from above the challenge arena. Immediately after, a figure shot forward rapidly, heading straight for the challenge arena.
"That person is Qiu Shaolong!"
"Qiu Shaolong is here!"
"Heavens! This is a life-or-death gamble on the challenge arena, is Qiu Shaolong crazy?"
As the newcomer appeared, some sharp-eyed disciples immediately recognized his identity.
"Could Qiu Shaolong be trying to save someone on the stage?" Huo Ling, currently in the core disciple seats, said in surprise as he saw Qiu Shaolong heading straight for the challenge arena.
"If he steps onto the stage, Elder Wu De will probably have to intervene," Liu Boming said with a wry smile.
"Nonsense!"
Just as Qiu Shaolong's figure was about to land on the challenge arena, the Grand Elder, seated above, let out a cold snort and waved his hand, forcefully pulling Qiu Shaolong back.
"Master, that's my own brother!" Qiu Shaolong said, cupping his fists and bowing to the Grand Elder. As he spoke, his eyes blazed with fire as he glared at Lin Chu.
A flicker of helplessness crossed the Grand Elder's eyes, followed by a deeper shade of gloom. He then slowly said, "Life and death are fated, success and failure depend on heaven. Since your brother agreed to a life-or-death gamble with Lin Chu, he should have been prepared for death. The rules of the Young Sect cannot be broken, do you understand?"
Boom!
As the Grand Elder finished speaking, a massive roar erupted from the challenge arena. Qiu Shaolong looked over hurriedly, and Lin Chu's fist had just landed on Qiu Shaoming's chest. The already somewhat sunken chest now completely caved in.
"I will kill you!"
Seeing this, Qiu Shaolong's eyes turned bloodshot, and he moved again, shooting towards the challenge arena. The Grand Elder's face also showed a flicker of anger, but he quickly suppressed it. He moved from his seat and instantly appeared in front of Qiu Shaolong, striking him on the back.
Then, everyone saw Qiu Shaolong's movement slow down, and he was held by the Grand Elder's hand.
"Sect Master, Saintess, my errant disciple has lost control of his emotions due to his brother's death. However, the gamble between disciples is their own choice, and I will discipline my disciple accordingly. I hope the Sect Master and the Saintess can be understanding. Since matters here are concluded, I will take my leave now."
The Grand Elder glanced at Qiu Shaolong, who had already fainted in his hand, and bowed slightly to Liu Feichen.
Liu Feichen nodded slowly. "Gambles between disciples must abide by the rules of the Young Sect. Since the Grand Elder has matters to attend to, you may leave. I believe the Grand Elder has also witnessed Lin Chu's potential. In time, he will surely become a pillar of our Young Sect."
"I hope that in the next five years, Qiu Shaolong will not seek trouble with Lin Chu privately. Of course, after five years, if Qiu Shaolong wishes to challenge Lin Chu, I will not interfere."
"I have noted it." A hint of gloom flashed in the Grand Elder's eyes. Liu Feichen's words were clear: if Lin Chu encountered any problems within the Young Sect during the next five years, Qiu Shaolong would not be let off lightly. More importantly, it was a warning to him.
With this thought, the Grand Elder's expression subtly calmed. He took a deep breath, then, carrying Qiu Shaolong, turned and left.
"My goodness! Qiu Shaoming is dead just like that..."
"I thought Qiu Shaolong would kill Lin Chu in a fit of rage, but I didn't expect the Grand Elder to knock Qiu Shaolong unconscious and take him away."
"This has truly forged a grudge between Lin Chu and Qiu Shaolong."
"..."
As the Grand Elder left with Qiu Shaolong, the disciples in the viewing stands finally began to discuss amongst themselves.
Meanwhile, in the core area, several individuals exchanged glances. Then, they all rose and left with their respective factions.
"Saintess, what I said today was not to shield Lin Chu. I believe the Grand Elder also noticed that if Qiu Shaolong had acted, you would have intervened. Also, the technique Lin Chu used is not from our Young Sect. I believe the Grand Elder noticed that too."
"Although Elder Xuan Tong said he taught Lin Chu, we all know Elder Xuan Tong spent his entire life within the Young Sect. The intricacies of this matter are for you to understand. Now, I have other matters to attend to, so I will leave this to you."
After speaking, Liu Feichen gave Lin Chu a deep look, and his figure instantly vanished from the spot.
Bai Yuwei naturally understood the meaning behind Liu Feichen's words. Although her expression was complex, she quickly regained composure. She moved and descended rapidly towards the challenge arena.
After nodding slightly to Elder Wu De, Bai Yuwei looked at Lin Chu with a smile, "Brother Chu."
"Sister." Upon seeing Bai Yuwei arrive, Lin Chu quickly ran over.
"Brother Chu, are your injuries alright?" Bai Yuwei nodded, then took Lin Chu's hand and infused him with some spiritual energy to check on him.
Lin Chu shook his head with a smile. "Just a minor injury, I'll be fine after a few days of rest."
Bai Yuwei nodded. Her examination was similar to what Lin Chu had said. Although several of Lin Chu's meridians were severed, it was almost negligible compared to Qiu Shaoming's condition.
"Brother Chu, you didn't have to kill Qiu Shaoming, did you? Why did you end up doing it in the end?"
Lin Chu's expression turned serious. "Sister, in the path of cultivation, one cannot be too merciful. Indulgence and softness will ultimately prevent one from achieving great things. Moreover, everyone in the Young Sect knows Qiu Shaoming's reputation."
"If I had let Qiu Shaoming go today, who knows if he would have secretly tried to sabotage me tomorrow? Furthermore, if I had lost today, would Qiu Shaoming have spared me?"
Bai Yuwei nodded with a hint of helplessness. Lin Chu's words were not without reason. To become a powerful figure, whose hands were not stained with blood? Moreover, Qiu Shaoming's reputation in the Young Sect was indeed not good. Thinking of this, Bai Yuwei felt a bit more at ease.
Just then, Elder Wu De stood up and looked at Bai Yuwei. "Saintess, Lin Chu's words are not without merit. However, within the Young Sect, it is still best to keep a low profile."
"There will always be people like Qiu Shaoming in this world, and similarly, there are those who disappear like Lin Chu. Everything depends on becoming stronger oneself before one's words carry weight. Lastly, I congratulate Lin Chu on his victory. Saintess, you may continue your conversation. I should start clearing up."
With a wave of his hand, Elder Wu De made Qiu Shaoming's corpse disappear. He then nodded slightly to Bai Yuwei and vanished.
"Brother Chu, come with Sister to Saintess Peak." Bai Yuwei glanced around, then said to Lin Chu.
"Alright." Lin Chu nodded.