Chapter 4: The Heroine’s Scorn and the Protagonist’s Resurgence

This was Xiao Xue’s first remark to Lan Wu Xi since their meeting.A single, brief sentence, yet it was laden with undisguised disdain, astonishing everyone present.Lan Wu Xi’s mind, in particular, was thrown into utter disarray.

‘Was I just rejected?’

‘Did I somehow offend her?’

‘I’m panicking right now, need help online…’

“No way, she actually rejected Senior Brother Lan Wu Xi!”

“Indeed, has her cultivation gone awry, causing her to go mad?Senior Brother Lan Wu Xi extended such a sincere invitation, yet she refused.If it were me, I’d undoubtedly faint from excitement~”

After Xiao Xue’s sharp refusal to Lan Wu Xi, the surrounding girls began to whisper amongst themselves.After all, the Senior Brother had just displayed astonishing talent and strength.For him to personally invite a ‘bottom-tier’ waste like her, and for her not only to show no gratitude but to reject him so mercilessly—he was a core disciple!The gulf between him and her, a mere first-stage Foundation Establishment ‘waste,’ was immeasurable.This was simply too arrogant and conceited.

“If there’s nothing else, then I’ll be leaving.”

Before Lan Wu Xi could fully recover from his exceedingly complex emotions, Xiao Xue quietly addressed Instructor Bai Lio.

Without another word, she brushed past Lan Wu Xi, leaving behind a defiant silhouette that caused a flicker of emotion in his eyes.

A moment after Xiao Xue departed, Lan Wu Xi emerged from the martial arts hall, looking utterly dejected.Instructor Bai Lio, seeing his state, rushed forward to console him, fearing that the student might act rashly if left to his own thoughts.She understood that proud and arrogant geniuses like Lan Wu Xi deeply resented having their requests defied, especially since Lan Wu Xi had lowered himself to such an extent this time.Although she didn’t fully comprehend his motives, she knew it was his decision and he had his reasons, and as his instructor, she had no right to interfere.

‘It’s certainly not that simple~’

Lan Wu Xi mused to himself.While Xiao Xue’s rejection was somewhat unexpected, it only further underscored the heroine’s extraordinary qualities.In the fleeting moment she had brushed past him, Lan Wu Xi had distinctly sensed an incredibly sharp aura and a subtle hint of stubbornness.This suggested that the heroine harbored grand ambitions, unwilling to languish in mediocrity, yet also too proud to accept his assistance without earning it.From this, he could discern the girl’s spirited stubbornness.

‘If that’s the case, then I have a lead.’

Lan Wu Xi began to formulate a plan in his mind.It seemed the heroine was undoubtedly treading the path of a ‘trash-to-treasure’ comeback, which would make her somewhat kindred spirits with the male protagonist.However, the protagonist had stumbled into a fortuitous encounter, gaining a miraculous stroke of luck that allowed his strength to skyrocket as if he were cheating, conquering all obstacles to become the ‘harem king.’

Yet, according to the system’s data, the heroine ascended purely through her own indomitable perseverance, step by step, before eventually meeting and befriending the protagonist, becoming his confidante…

Naturally, Lan Wu Xi had to seize this window, before the heroine met the protagonist, to successfully cling to that thick, sturdy… ahem.. slender, delicate little leg~’

After a brief chat, Lan Wu Xi bid farewell to Instructor Bai Lio.Now that he had a lead, his subsequent plans were beginning to crystallize, provided no one came to disrupt them…

“[Beep! The protagonist is currently in danger.Please proceed immediately to kick them while they’re down.]”

‘Speak of the devil…’

Lan Wu Xi grumbled internally.This continuous, self-destructive behavior was a torment every single time.This infernal system was dragging him, step by agonizing step, into an abyss of courting death, and he was powerless to resist.

“[Beep! Host, please proceed immediately, proceed immediately.]”

“You’re so annoying!Every single time you scheme against me.I, the dignified and resolute Lan Wu Xi, would rather plummet to my death from the heavens this time than—”

Before he could finish his sentence, the familiar suffocating sensation in his chest swept over him once more.Lan Wu Xi’s pupils constricted sharply, his breathing grew heavier, and cold sweat erupted on his forehead.It was as if another word from him would trigger unimaginable consequences.

“I’m going now, I’m going now!”

Despite knowing the repercussions of not complying, Lan Wu Xi always indulged in a few snarky remarks.Kids, please don’t pick up such a habit of asking for trouble…

Oh, I forgot to mention: although the protagonist might seem like a ‘waste’ in the early stages, he is, in fact, the esteemed eldest young master of the Yun family.Their combined assets are immeasurably larger than Lan Wu Xi’s family.The Yun family patriarch, the protagonist’s father, is also a peak Heaven Void realm expert, commanding respect even from the Xuanfeng Prefecture.

If not for the protagonist’s truly dismal talent, stuck at the second stage of Qi Refining in Foundation Establishment, he would likely have become a core disciple even earlier than Lan Wu Xi himself.This was precisely why the protagonist endured such humiliation; for a prominent family to produce such a ‘waste’ was naturally common knowledge, and the fact that he was destined to inherit the patriarch’s position in the future was nothing short of an absurd joke.

“Hmph!Yun Jingping, don’t think I won’t touch you just because you’re the Yun family’s young master.A mere second-stage Qi Refining waste, daring to make a move on my territory?Today, I’ll make sure you never leave!”

At this moment, in the market district of the Lin family—the Yun family’s sworn rivals—our protagonist, Yun Jingping, glared with intense loathing at an incredibly arrogant and overbearing man.Trailing behind the man were several shifty-eyed henchmen, who were currently assailing Yun Jingping with sharp, cutting remarks.

“Lin Yunxi, you openly accosted a girl on the street, even attempting to forcibly abduct her in broad daylight!You’re utterly deranged!”

Yun Jingping stood protectively in front of a girl, angrily rebuking Lin Yunxi.He clearly found Lin Yunxi’s behavior utterly intolerable and repulsive, finding it difficult to imagine the fate that would befall the young woman if she fell into Lin Yunxi’s hands.

“This is my territory, and I call the shots.What business is it of yours?A mere waste like you, wanting to meddle in my affairs—you’re truly tired of living, aren’t you?Do you honestly think I wouldn’t dare lay a hand on you?”

“Exactly, exactly!Look around, this is our master’s territory.A Yun family waste like you dares to cause trouble here?Even if we beat you to death today, it wouldn’t be excessive!”

“I advise you to kneel down now and kowtow three times to our master.Our boss might even be merciful enough to spare your life.”

Upon seeing this, the surrounding street vendors, who had been selling their wares, quickly packed up their stalls and fled to a safe distance, terrified of being caught in the crossfire.They had all personally experienced the tyranny of this Lin family young master.Leveraging his status as the eldest son of the Lin family, he lorded over this area, bullying men and women alike—a fact known to all.He had thoroughly tarnished the Lin family’s reputation, making them wish they had set up shop in the neighboring Yun family’s territory instead.

“Are you alright?It’s all my fault that you’ve been dragged into this.”

The girl behind Yun Jingping nervously tugged at his sleeve.She had come here today specifically to choose a gift for ‘that idiot’s’ birthday, only to encounter Lin Yunxi forcefully accosting her and even attempting to abduct her.Had it not been for the young master in front of her, her fate would have been unimaginable.

“It’s nothing.This man has always been so lawless.You needn’t be afraid, young lady.I just discreetly sent a message; our Yun family guards will arrive to support us shortly.”

“Oh, so you’re the rumored Yun family young master.Thank you so much.”

“What are you two whispering about?Are you treating us like we’re deaf?If you won’t drink a toast, you’ll drink a penalty!Lads, get him!”

Apparently fearing that the calm and composed Yun Jingping might have a trick up his sleeve, Lin Yunxi couldn’t help but order his subordinates to attack.He refused to believe that a mere second-stage Qi Refining ‘waste’ could withstand an assault from so many of them.Moreover, as the Lin family young master, he had long since reached the eighth stage of Qi Refining, far surpassing Yun Jingping by a significant margin.Even if he were to beat Yun Jingping to death today, he was confident that the Yun family wouldn’t dare to trouble him.

“Heh heh, my apologies, Yun family young master.But who told you to provoke our master?”

Several henchmen advanced with malicious grins, rubbing their fists together.As competent lackeys, their strength was naturally not to be underestimated; all of them possessed cultivation at or above the sixth stage of Qi Refining.Dealing with a second-stage Qi Refining ‘waste’ would be child’s play for them.

“Please stand back a little.I’m afraid you might get caught in the crossfire.”

Yun Jingping stepped forward, gazing fearlessly at the approaching figures, as a surge of protective *gangqi* began to coalesce in his hand.The ‘qi core’ of the Foundation Establishment stage was used to unblock the body’s ‘Ren’ and ‘Du’ meridians, simultaneously boosting one’s vital energy and blood, and observing the body’s various channels with spiritual energy, thereby elevating one’s overall physical constitution far beyond that of ordinary people.

It was said that a man at the tenth stage of Foundation Establishment could single-handedly defeat five burly men far larger than himself, and this was indeed no idle boast.

Several men raised their fists and swung at Yun Jingping, their blows accompanied by faint spiritual energy.Had these strikes landed on the ‘waste’ Yun Jingping of old, they would have inflicted severe injuries at the very least.But would the current Yun Jingping truly meet their expectations?

Yun Jingping sneered, evading their swift attacks with uncanny agility, then mercilessly slapped each of them across the face, instantly bewildering them.

‘Who am I?’

‘Where am I?’

‘What was I just doing?’

“How could this be!That waste, only at the second stage of Qi Refining, actually fought back?”

Lin Yunxi, who had presumed victory was assured, widened his eyes, staring at Yun Jingping in disbelief.The scene that had just unfolded was far too bizarre.Even the onlookers, watching from a distance, were too stunned to speak.The ‘waste’ they knew had actually retaliated!Wasn’t he just a young master stuck at the second stage of Qi Refining?

“What are you doing?You actually got slapped by a waste!Isn’t this telling everyone that I, Lin Yunxi, can’t even deal with a second-stage Qi Refining waste?”

Furious, Lin Yunxi stomped his foot, glaring with gritted teeth at the calm and composed Yun Jingping, who seemed to regard him as utterly insignificant, observing his still-bewildered subordinates with a cold gaze.

“What, haven’t you learned your lesson yet?”

“How could this be…I was actually hit by a waste…If I don’t beat you to death today, I—!”

Driven to a frenzy by the sudden slaps, the men lost all reason.Consumed by rage, they abandoned all restraint and charged furiously at Yun Jingping, their eyes gleaming with murderous intent.Those few slaps had likely filled them with profound humiliation.

“Be careful, Yun Jingping!”

Seeing this, the girl anxiously cheered from the side.Yun Jingping offered a calm smile.He was no longer the person he once was.Now, he would never again be defenseless against anyone, as he had been in the past.He would make those who had bullied him pay the price.Yun Jingping had returned!

“Achoo~”

Lan Wu Xi, who was frantically rushing towards his destination, suddenly felt an itch in his nose and sneezed.

‘What’s going on today?Why do I keep feeling a faint chill lingering behind me?Is it because… I’m not wearing enough clothes today?’

‘I thought that as a cultivator of the Profound Wheel realm, I would no longer fear the cold.But it seems it’s still best to listen to my mother and dress warmly~’