Chapter 167: Clash For First Place

Seeing Ye Yuzhou in such high spirits delighted Yang Jie as well.

“Teacher!” Yang Jie went over and bowed.

Ye Yuzhou nodded. “Yang Jie, I’ve coincidentally come across a tremendous opportunity that resulted in me having to go into seclusion just to focus on myself. I ended up forgetting about teaching you important skills and cultivation techniques for the upcoming tournament.”

Yang Jie quickly said, “I’m in no hurry. That opportunity that you spoke of should be of greater importance, Teacher. May I ask what opportunity it was?”

He was quite intrigued.

After all, having learned under Ye Yuzhou’s guidance for so long, it was Yang Jie’s first time seeing his mentor in such a happy mood.

Ye Yuzhou gave a hearty laugh. “It’s about my pet beast’s evolution.”

Yang Jie’s eyes lit up at this, seeming excited as well.

“Did you perhaps perceived an evolution method for your pet beast?”

Ye Yuzhou’s aged face became flushed at this. He had the method but he didn’t perceive it on his own. When he recalled the mysterious curator, Ye Yuzhou sighed inwardly. Who knew such a powerful figure existed in this world.

As a righteous man, Ye Yuzhou would never take credit he did not deserve.

“I do have an evolution method but I didn’t discover it on my own. Rather, I received guidance from an expert,” Ye Yuzhou answered. While it was the truth, his words gave way to imagination.

To Yang Jie, Ye Yuzhou was already Jade Dragon Kingdom’s top-class expert. Only a handful of people could surpass Ye Yuzhou in this country so who was this ‘expert’ his mentor was speaking of?

“Teacher, that expert…” Yang Jie continued probing but Ye Yuzhou waved his hand instead. “I can’t tell you the details right now. Also, get me one of your white peacock’s feathers. I’ll request an evolution method for your pet beast the next time. Your pet beast is at Rank 3 so promoting it to a Rank 4 should be relatively easier. You might even be able to let it evolve before the disciple tournament.”

Thrilled upon hearing this information, Yang Jie hastily plucked a feather from his pet beast and handed it to Ye Yuzhou.

His pet beast had been stuck at Rank 3 for a while now. Generally speaking, it was difficult for his white peacock to evolve since the creature’s bloodline wasn’t comparable to Ye Yuzhou’s soaring cloud flood dragon. Its potential rate was also lower in comparison.

However, it wasn’t entirely impossible. They just needed a few more years, or maybe more than that.

It was obviously better if his pet beast could show signs of evolution much earlier. If the white peacock evolved into a Rank 4 beast, Yang Jie’s status would undoubtedly soar higher. He may even climb to the top of the ranks throughout the entire Jade Dragon Kingdom.

Next, Ye Yuzhou taught Yang Jie cultivation skills and spells, even passing on his Index Energy Blade Part Three. This was an advanced spell derived from the usage of one’s spirit energy finger. Its tremendous force could shatter rocks from a distance away.

Yang Jie had always wanted to learn this skill but Ye Yuzhou wouldn’t teach him. Today, his wish was finally fulfilled.

Once Yang Jie acquired this skill, he was informed of something the moment he got back outside.

He seemed gloomy at the news.

It was still about Lin Jin.

The rumor was about Lin Jin’s declaration that he entered the Friar Association just so he could secure first place in the upcoming disciple tournament. Other news about Lin Jin had also been spreading like wildfire recently.

For example, news that Lin Jin had been advancing sharply, reaching the fourth realm on his first blood contract level assessment. This meant that he was stronger than Yang Jie back when he was a rookie.

One other story was about how Lin Jin had been getting himself acquainted in the Friar Association. Not only was he good friends with Lu Yunhe, but he was also on surprisingly good terms with Xue Bao’er who was ranked number two among disciples. It seems like he was only prejudiced against Yang Jie.

There was also the previous rumor about Lin Jin and Yang Jie fighting over a woman.

To sum it all up, it seems like Lin Jin had nothing but burning hatred for Yang Jie.

Almost everyone in the Friar Association knew about this and many of them were enjoying the show. At first, they didn’t know who Lin Jin was. When the rumor about him and Yang Jie fighting over a woman started, they assumed Lin Jin to be a shameless fool and was merely trying to make himself known by riding on Yang Jie’s fame.

It didn’t take long for them to learn that the situation had changed.

When they gradually learned who Lin Jin was, realizing he was a Rank 2 beast appraiser and how he reached the fourth realm on his first blood contract assessment, something which had never happened before in Maple City’s Friar Association, Lin Jin’s fame and recognition immediately shot up to be on par with Yang Jie.

And so, many people in the Friar Association began admiring and supporting Lin Jin.

If an incompetent person was trying to show off, he’d just be recognized as a fool and an embarrassment. If a capable individual showed off instead, he was just declaring his rightful place.

Strength was key in this story.

Lin Jin had proven himself in this aspect so this time, everyone believed in the rumor.

Even Yang Jie believed it.

After careful consideration, it made more sense if Lin Jin’s sudden entrance into the Friar Association was for the sake of securing first place in the disciple tournament. However, this first place had always been ‘reserved’ for Yang Jie and even Yang Jie thought the same.

Only a fool would be happy to hear that someone was trying to snatch away what was rightfully theirs.

The fact that his dignity was on the line made it all the more reason for Yang Jie to defend his place as the number one disciple.

“The disciple tournament will be here soon. Since he’s aiming for first place, we’ll just have to meet on the field,” Yang Jie murmured to himself.

Despite looking nonchalant, he was burning with anger on the inside.

The Friar Association’s disciple tournament was relatively close to being actual battles. This was also a long-standing tradition of the association. In the past tournaments, many disciples have gotten hurt, some even heavily injured, and even that was permitted so long as no one was killed.

The disciple tournament would sometimes turn into a platform for disciples to settle their grudges as well. Those who have gotten hurt mainly did because of the grudges formed outside the ring.

Yang Jie had decided he would teach Lin Jin a grave lesson during this event. He would have Lin Jin learn the unbearable consequences of provoking him, Yang Jie.

Somewhere in the Friar Association, Chen Cheng was listening to the latest reports brought over by his confidants.

These people were the ones who concocted those rumors about Lin Jin. As they have received benefits from Chen Cheng, they remained loyal to him.

“Senior Chen, you just have to relax. We’ll definitely give you satisfactory results,” one of the disciples grinned.

The others echoed after him.

However, Chen Cheng shook his head. “Although rumors can do some damage, I don’t think it’s enough.”

His confidants were stunned, unable to comprehend what he was saying.

Chen Cheng continued, “I know Senior Yang well. He’s a smart guy and would take these rumors to heart, but he would also be skeptical. Seeing as Lin Jin was at the height of his popularity, other than Senior Yang, no one else could do anything to him so we have to deepen their grudge against each other. All the better if we make it so that they want to kill each other.”

This was obviously a little too much. These people who could only afford to draw up and spread rumors found it to be an impossible task.

Chen Chen smirked. “You don’t have to trouble yourselves with coming up with a plan because I already have one. Senior Yang treasures his prestige and dignity but rumors don’t deal him enough damage. If Lin Jin really did something that would disgrace him, the conflicts between them would never be resolved. When that happens, we won’t have to worry about Senior Yang holding back during the disciple tournament.”

“But how do we get Lin Jin to mess with Senior Yang? He would never do it.” The confidants looked puzzled.

“Simple. First, we’ll help Lin Jin build momentum so that his prestige is dangerously close to Senior Yang’s. Since this place isn’t big enough for two champions, Senior Yang would definitely be annoyed. Also, with my connections, I’ve asked the assistant lecturer in charge of public speaking to switch out Yang Jie for Lin Jin in the upcoming talk he’ll be taking part in.” Upon hearing this, Chen Cheng’s confidants gasped.

Could he do that?

Although Chen Cheng didn’t reveal how he got the assistant lecturer to change the main speaker for the open talk, he must have spent a hefty sum on it. Just this one incident would undoubtedly strike a raw nerve in Yang Jie.

Each month, the Friar Association would host a public lecture for disciples, and one knowledgeable disciple with a substantial enough level of cultivation would be chosen to give a lecture to the other disciples.

This was an absolute honor. In some ways, the disciple who stood on the podium to deliver a lecture could basically be considered an assistant lecturer.

Imagine basking in all the glory, standing on the podium!

In the past, this exceptional privilege had always been Yang Jie’s alone. There had once been an instance when Lu Yunhe was assigned to give a lecture instead but the reception hadn’t been satisfactory so Lu Yunhe wasn’t called to the stand thereafter. As for Xue Bao’er who was also a disciple, despite her extraordinary cultivation, her personality obviously wasn’t suited for giving lectures. Hence, this honor had always been reserved for Yang Jie and Yang Jie alone.

Having learned under the same faction for so many years, Chen Cheng knew Yang Jie well enough. To Yang Jie, this privilege was his. It was like a personal belonging. If anyone tried to take it away from him, they would undoubtedly invoke his wrath and retaliation.

Precisely because he knew how Yang Jie would react, Chen Cheng chose to go down this path.

The advantages of this plan weren’t just limited to angering Yang Jie.When it came to giving lectures, especially to other disciples, one must possess true strength and knowledge.

Lu Yunhu wasn’t able to get a good response during his turn because he was lacking in this aspect. After all, learning something and teaching others what they knew were two completely different things.

From Chen Cheng’s perspective, Lin Jin lacked experience. If the latter were to take the stand and deliver a lecture, he would undoubtedly make mistakes, and if he panics in response to these mistakes, he might even embarrass himself.

Chen Cheng would also arrange for someone to locate faults in his lecture. In short, the goal was to let Lin Jin humiliate himself in public.

With this, he could prank Lin Jin and provoke Yang Jie. It was like killing two birds with a stone. What a perfect plan!

Thrilled by his brilliance, Chen Cheng lamented. If he had been born in the turbulent ancient times when countries were constantly against each other, he would definitely have found himself in the shoes of a top-dog military adviser.

“Tomorrow will be the day of the open lecture. When that time comes, you just have to cooperate by…” Chen Cheng gave them his instructions quietly. His confidants all wore impressed expressions as they listened.

However, deep inside, they were cursing, ‘This Chen guy is a real b*stard. To think he could come up with such a despicable method. We have to tread carefully around him in the future or we’d get killed without even realizing it.’

Once Chen Cheng was done laying out his strategy, he left the Friar Association to return to the Chen Manor.

Chen Wenlin was in the midst of calculating their store profits.

Ever since they started selling pills, the Chen medicine halls have seen their profits double. This pill business was really lucrative.

“It’s no wonder the Shi family could become Maple City’s number one family back then. But from now on, that status and honor will belong to our Chen family instead.” Chen Wenlin’s eyes sparkled with glee.

Then, he saw Chen Cheng come in. Chen Wenlin laughed heartily and said, “Cheng’er, you’re home.”

“Uncle!” Chen Cheng bowed.

Thereafter, he began telling his uncle about his scheme to deal with Lin Jin. Chen Wenlin nodded in approval. “Not bad. Cheng’er, you’re a smart man, just like me. Right, isn’t the remuneration for that assistant lecturer a little too much?”

Chen Wenlin was, of course, referring to the assistant lecturer that was in charge of managing the Friar Association’s open lecture.

Chen Cheng answered, “Well I feared that he’d never take up the offer. Now that he did, I think the eight hundred taels we paid was well worth it.”

After giving it some thought, Chen Wenlin replied, “True. Now that my medicine halls are raking in gold every day, a mere eight hundred taels truly isn’t a big deal. If it could mellow Lin Jin down, then I consider it money well spent.”

Chen Cheng let out a laugh. “This wouldn’t just mellow him down, he’d be utterly humiliated! I want him to taste a defeat so crushing that he won’t be able to stand up ever again!”