Chapter 62: So Who’s the Coward Here? I’m Really Innocent!

Lin Yi raised his head. “Master of the Star Sect, I daresay even a thousand-layer pancake isn’t as thick-skinned as you. Tell me, did my talisman strike your disciple? If it didn’t, what right do you have to demand compensation from me?”

“You’re just eyeing my advanced talisman, thinking it’s powerful enough to extort something out of me. Sorry, I don’t have another. And even if I did, you think I’d give it to you? Dream on!”

No sooner had Lin Yi finished than the elder from the Star Sect snorted angrily, nostrils flared as he looked down at him.

“I, Jin Huishan, would never stoop to such things. I’m asking for the talisman not for myself, but for my disciple. He ended up like this because you didn’t act sooner, so you must compensate him, or this matter won’t end here. Don’t try to twist words!”

As Jin Huishan spoke, he glanced around.

At this moment, Jin Huishan was furious—those around had actually dared to side with this young man instead of him!

Who did they think he was?

He was an elder of the Star Sect, just a step away from crossing into the ranks of A-class martial masters, soon to become a grandmaster. Wherever he went, even billionaires bowed to him, politicians treaded carefully in his presence.

Yet today, this group of ordinary people dared to oppose him so openly.

Especially this youngster in front of him, flaunting some rare treasure and showing off in front of him!

So young, surely much weaker than himself, yet daring to behave so boldly?

A tremendous aura stirred the surroundings—a pressure invisible yet oppressive to many nearby.

Originally, some people, having spoken up, wanted to further support Lin Yi, hoping their numbers could overwhelm Jin Huishan.

But now, Jin Huishan’s gaze became like a blade. Whenever he looked at someone, they felt as if a mountain pressed down upon them, their bodies trembling involuntarily.

This was a manipulation of energy—a grandmaster could draw upon the energy around them, stirring the very winds and clouds.

Jin Huishan couldn’t do that fully yet, but he could still exert pressure on ordinary people.

His energy level was simply too high.

Some, recently afflicted by the ominous energy of the ghost soldiers, were already weakened; when Jin Huishan glared at them, many collapsed, slumping to the ground, their spirits unsettled, their souls unstable.

With rapid steps, Jin Huishan moved swiftly, appearing before Lin Yi in the blink of an eye.

“So? Are my words meaningless?”

Lin Yi suddenly burst out laughing.

Looking at Jin Huishan, Lin Yi realized some people were truly strange.

What was happening with Lin Yi now?

Jin Huishan was a bit bewildered.

In the distance, Zhang Qiang, just recovered, was initially confused, but after Jin Huishan’s words, he understood.

Gritting his teeth, Zhang Qiang quickly asked Song Yuyan, and roughly learned what had just occurred!

What? That guy had a powerful talisman, and with a toss, destroyed so many armored ghost shadows?

Damn it! If you had such things, why didn’t you save me?

Thinking this, Zhang Qiang felt a chill to his very core, convinced the guy must have wanted him dead!

He shot a venomous glare at Lin Yi and shouted furiously,

“Unbelievable! You had such powerful talismans and left me to die? Do you even deserve to call yourself human? You watched as I jumped into the pit—this is an insult to humanity, a trampling of all dignity, a provocation to the Star Sect! Master, kill him, kill him...”

“Puff, puff, puff…”

As he spoke, Zhang Qiang coughed up a handful of blood. Already depleted, his body grew visibly weaker, leaving Song Yuyan stunned.

Lin Yi couldn’t help but chuckle again.

What kind of people were these?

“You went looking for death yourself and blame me? Did you ask me before fighting ghosts? Besides, what business is it of yours if I have talismans? You and your master are two of a kind. You went in and I didn’t save you, but I saved those who didn’t go in, didn’t I?”

“Isn’t everything calm now, thanks to me? Look at your face, like someone died. What right do you have to complain? You were outmatched, defeated by those ghosts—how is that my problem? Honestly, you’d have been better off dying in there. Yes, I didn’t save you—so what? If you’re not satisfied, go sue me!”

With that, Lin Yi turned to Jin Huishan.

“I’ll say it again—being Zhang Qiang’s master doesn’t make you anything. What right do you have to threaten me? Everyone, let me give you a word of advice: should anything unusual happen in the future, like a lightning strike, steer clear of these two. When lightning hits them, it might hit you too.”

These words struck deep.

Lin Yi’s words rattled off like bamboo shoots stir-fried with beans, fast and sharp, infuriating Zhang Qiang to the point of fainting.

His eyes dulled, and he rolled to the ground.

Song Yuyan called out loudly, but didn’t know what to do.

Standing before Lin Yi, Jin Huishan listened to his words, clenched his teeth, and without another word, swung a palm at Lin Yi.

“You brat, so sharp-tongued—this is how you treat your elders? I warned you I’d teach you a lesson, and since you’re not afraid, I’ll slap you to show you respect for your elders!”

Some believe their status is so high that their shamelessness exceeds even that of monsters and demons.

Lin Yi shook his head, watching Jin Huishan attack.

Jin Huishan was strong; Lin Yi would need to use some tricks to handle him.

Otherwise, Lin Yi feared he wouldn’t be a match for him, so he took a big step back.

Thus, Jin Huishan’s slap struck only air, causing a thunderous sound as it missed.

Though he missed, Jin Huishan smiled.

Lin Yi dodged, showing he knew he wasn’t a match, so things were settled.

He intended to rely on strength to suppress Lin Yi—what could Lin Yi do?

“Let’s see what my true strength is, then.”

Energy surged through Lin Yi.

Having just reaped the rewards, his Fire Talisman had blasted apart so many ghost soldiers, and Lin Yi knew his cultivation had advanced, but he still wasn’t certain of his true strength.

Now, unleashing everything, Lin Yi wanted to test just how vast his energy had become.

Initially, Lin Yi hadn’t released his aura; when he emerged, Jin Huishan hadn’t rushed forward, seeing Lin Yi concede and retreat.

But soon, Jin Huishan’s eyes blinked—something was off. The young man’s aura was stronger than Zhang Qiang’s; it had to be at least B-level.

Before Jin Huishan could think further, Lin Yi’s aura thickened, swiftly reaching A-level.

Jin Huishan was stunned—had Lin Yi become an A-class martial master?

What shocked him was still to come.

Lin Yi’s aura grew denser, until with a bang, energy rippled around him, fluctuating with his internal power.

It was just like Jin Huishan’s earlier display, suppressing the surrounding crowd—but Lin Yi’s control over energy was even one level higher.

“I—I—I…”

Jin Huishan couldn’t even speak.

The layman saw the spectacle; the expert saw the truth.

Jin Huishan was shocked—how could the young man before him be so strong?

He was barely twenty, yet fiercer than himself. Even the Star Sect’s most gifted disciples couldn’t compare!

It must be an illusion!

He must have been addled by the ominous energy, hallucinating now!

Lin Yi’s aura continued to shift!

Sometimes, the impossible does happen.

Around Lin Yi, waves of the “Grand Cavern Scripture” generated fierce, violent energy, spreading like ripples and crashing straight into Jin Huishan.

With a series of muffled sounds, the starlike gleams on Jin Huishan’s body vanished completely.

Just the clash of aura alone shattered all Jin Huishan’s energy.

His expression changed dramatically.

Then, not daring to utter a word, Jin Huishan turned and fled, running backwards.

Soon, he retreated to Zhang Qiang and Song Yuyan.

Not only that, in his panic, he brandished his giant gourd, standing ready, eyes wide with terror as he watched Lin Yi.

Feeling his disciple Song Yuyan’s stunned gaze, Jin Huishan’s face flushed.

He scowled, shouting,

“I’ll owe you that talisman for now—I have things to attend to, so I’ll leave first. Hmph, we’re going. Let’s see how you deal with that demon. Don’t think you can challenge monsters just because you’re strong. We’re leaving this mess to you; we’re not involved!”

With that, Jin Huishan helped Zhang Qiang and bolted away.

He moved like a rabbit, almost kicking his heels as he fled!

The gourd hovered behind him, suspended as if by some magic.

Song Yuyan paused, gritting her teeth, glaring fiercely at her master, then apologized to Lin Yi.

“Thank you for saving my life today. My master… my master and senior… they…”

“In any case, thank you. If you have time, come find me. My master and I live at Jinyang Temple in the suburbs. My phone number is… actually, I’ll write it down for you. Oh, my WeChat and phone number are the same.”

Blushing, she took out paper and pen, scribbled a note, and tossed it to Lin Yi.

Tidying up at the table, gathering her toolbox, Song Yuyan hurried off as well.

“…”

Lin Yi.

“…”

Everyone.

Lin Yi hadn’t expected Jin Huishan to be so cowardly, fleeing in an instant.

And what did Song Yuyan’s last words mean?

What was this business about her phone and WeChat numbers being the same, and telling him her address? What did she mean?

Could it be that Song Yuyan… Lin Yi felt helpless.

How could he be so attractive? Everyone seemed to think he was destined for a harem, but honestly, he was quite innocent!