Ch. 5 - Liao Ruyan

Inside the Gravity Tower, several disciples were seated cross-legged, struggling to circulate their techniques under the immense pressure.

Some were swinging heavy hammers with forceful gusts, while others carried massive stones on their backs and leapt around the room like frogs.

As Xu Zimo and Lin Ruhu stepped inside, they were instantly struck by a powerful force from all directions.

Xu Zimo could still move, albeit more slowly, nothing too serious.

But for Lin Ruhu, it was like being hit by a runaway carriage. He was slammed to the floor, struggling to breathe under the pressure.

“Don’t try to fight the gravity with brute strength,” Xu Zimo advised calmly. “Take deep breaths. Let your body adjust to the pressure. Relax your mind. Try to sense the flow of gravity and move with it.”

Lin Ruhu quickly shut his eyes and took a few long breaths before slowly getting used to it.

…

Not long after Xu Zimo began tempering his foundation, a group of disciples gathered around him.

At the front stood a girl, clearly the center of attention. With a haughty attitude, she walked up to Xu Zimo and demanded, “Xu Zimo, Lin Ruhu, what are you doing here? Up to your usual troublemaking?”

Xu Zimo glanced at her. She was Liao Ruyan, granddaughter of one of the sect’s Grand Elder.

“None of your business,” Xu Zimo replied indifferently.

“Yeah! Quit being nosy. Zimo’s not gonna marry you anyway,” Lin Ruhu shouted beside him.

That Grand Elder and Sacred Vice-Lord Xu Qingshan had long been at odds. When the Sacred Lord left years ago, the Grand Elder had hoped to take power himself.

But in the end, Xu Qingshan was chosen instead. The Grand Elder had never let it go.

Over the years, two factions had naturally formed within the True Martial Sacred Ground, one led by Xu Qingshan and the younger generation, the other by the Grand Elders.

…

Liao Ruyan fumed at Xu Zimo’s attitude. “If you’ve got the guts, then let’s have a match!”

“Not interested,” Xu Zimo replied with a yawn, waving her off. “Go play somewhere else. Don’t interrupt my training.”

“If you’re scared, just admit it. Say you surrender, and I’ll let you off,” Liao Ruyan said smugly.

Xu Zimo shook his head. She really was just like a spoiled princess.

Then again, being the Grand Elder’s granddaughter, everyone around her must’ve fought to win her favor. It wasn’t all that different from how he himself had lived in his past life.

“I’m not afraid,” he said calmly. “But there’s usually a wager involved in duels. What do you have that could interest me?”

Liao Ruyan paused to think. “If you win, I’ll tell you a secret.”

“Nope,” Xu Zimo waved his hand immediately. “What if your ‘secret’ is that you’ve had a crush on me all along?”

That got a burst of laughter from the watching disciples.

“You’re shameless!” Liao Ruyan’s face turned red with anger as she pointed at him. “If you win, I’ll tell you that my grandfather’s Alchemy Sage-Fowl laid two chicks a few days ago. Deal?”

Xu Zimo’s face darkened. “I’m suddenly not that interested in your secret anymore. Can we change it?”

Off to the side, Lin Ruhu’s eyes went wide at the mention of Alchemy Sage-Fowl. He licked his lips, eyes darting thoughtfully.

Alchemy Fowls were rare and precious spirit birds, impossible to buy with money.

They were excellent caretakers of immortal herbs, fertilizing, aerating, pest-controlling, like ideal garden guardians.

Alchemy Sage-Fowls were the elite among them.

Like the king of beggars, still a beggar, but in a league of their own.

Raised exclusively on spirit herbs from birth, their flesh and even their poop brimmed with spiritual energy.

It was said that just one bite of their meat could extend a mortal’s life by a year.

“So, what wager do you want?” Liao Ruyan asked cautiously.

“I heard your grandfather’s Darksky Tiger recently had a secret fling with a Reincarnation Ox and they had a litter,” Xu Zimo grinned slyly.

“What are you planning?” Liao Ruyan asked, immediately on guard. “Grandpa already said he’s giving them away as favors. I can’t just take them.”

“I want two of those tiger cubs,” Xu Zimo said directly. “If you’re not willing, we don’t have to fight. Besides, you’re your grandfather’s precious granddaughter, right? Sneaking out two cubs should be nothing for you. Unless… your grandpa thinks you’re worth less than a couple of tigers?”

“Who said that?!” Liao Ruyan snapped. “My grandpa dotes on me! I… I… Fine, I agree!”

“Great. So how do you want to do this?” Xu Zimo asked, clearly amused.

“Simple. A straight-up fight, winner takes all,” Liao Ruyan said with a confident smirk.

“Unfair!” Lin Ruhu shouted. “You’ve been training for half a year already. Zimo just started. He doesn’t stand a chance.”

“Then what do you suggest?” Liao Ruyan glared, baring her small tiger-like teeth.

“I might have a solution,” said a voice from the second floor of the Gravity Tower.

Everyone looked up to see a young man descending slowly.

He wore a long blue robe, had sharp features, a high nose bridge, and his long hair was tied up neatly. A jade-green sword hung at his waist.

“Senior Brother Zhong Xin,” Liao Ruyan exclaimed, running over happily.

“Little junior sister,” Zhong Xin said warmly, “the outside world is dangerous. You should stay away from people with hidden agendas.”

Xu Zimo looked over at the man. Zhong Xin was the Grand Elder’s personal disciple, known in the martial world as the Lightflow Swordsman.

Many of the surrounding disciples rushed to greet him, eager to make a good impression, whether they knew him or not.

“So, what’s your idea?” Xu Zimo asked flatly.

“No rush,” Zhong Xin replied with a calm smile. “Just now, Ruyan agreed to give you two Darksky Tiger cubs if you win. But what if you lose? You haven’t mentioned your side of the wager.”

“If I lose,” Xu Zimo said, “I’ll grant one request, anything within my power.”

“Good,” Zhong Xin nodded. “If you lose, I won’t ask for much. Just bark like a dog three times in front of everyone in the Sacred Ground. How about that?”

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