Chapter 83: A Sense of Crisis

He didn't exchange many words with Lin Hao after that.

Seeing this, Lin Hao merely shrugged indifferently, understanding that he could no longer make a move against those four. He accepted a token and followed them to the room that had been assigned to him.

Meanwhile, the other four—led by Zhang Hongwei—were left utterly dumbfounded, unable to believe Lin Hao's strength was so formidable. The four exchanged glances, a heaviness flickering in their eyes. With only one spot for advancement, it seemed, by strength alone, it would undoubtedly go to Lin Hao.

After returning to their respective rooms, none of the four chose to stay alone; instead, they all gathered together.

Inside Zhang Hongwei’s room, he spoke first: “Brothers, even though we're all competing for the same spot, you saw it yourselves today—this Lin Hao is arrogant and disrespectful. If any one of us were to advance, I’d accept it, but it absolutely cannot be Lin Hao.”

He was the first to voice his desire to block Lin Hao’s advancement, a sentiment that resonated perfectly with the other three, who immediately echoed their agreement.

“Yes, exactly! Lin Hao is simply too outrageous. He dares to provoke others as soon as he joins the sect. If he were allowed into the inner sect, who knows what would happen?”

“Right, right…”

Seeing how his former competitors were now united against Lin Hao, Zhang Hongwei’s lips curled into a faint smile—this was precisely the outcome he hoped for. Watching Lin Hao’s earlier fight, it was obvious Lin Hao’s battle prowess exceeded his own. If he were to face Lin Hao alone, things would be uncertain. But now, by joining forces with the other three, the odds improved.

Zhang Hongwei also had his own calculations. If he openly opposed Lin Hao within the Qingcheng Sect, he would earn nothing but trouble and a damaged reputation. But if he worked from the shadows, letting others take the lead and allowing both sides to weaken each other, he could be the one who ultimately entered the inner sect.

With this in mind, Zhang Hongwei’s expression softened further. He feigned difficulty, saying, “Still, I don’t really have a way to deal with him. His strength speaks for itself. In a few days, we’ll probably have to call him Senior Brother.”

At these words, the others’ expressions soured. Lin Hao’s display today had indeed given each of them a sense of crisis.

One among them, eyes cold, glanced at Zhang Hongwei and the others. “Didn’t he offend a few senior brothers today? We’ve just arrived and have no connections, nor do we have the strength to take him on. But those senior brothers are not to be trifled with. Why not work with them?”

At this, the other two’s eyes lit up in agreement.

“That’s right. If we can’t handle him ourselves, we can ask those senior brothers!” one immediately seconded.

This was precisely what Zhang Hongwei hoped for. In fact, if they hadn’t proposed it, he had planned to seek out that senior brother himself. It was he who had suggested giving Lin Hao a hard time, and now that those senior brothers had been wounded, Zhang Hongwei knew he’d have to pay a price to satisfy them. He might even need to rely on Senior Brother Yuan in the future.

Therefore, he guided the others toward this plan. Sure enough, they were at least clever enough to think of it.

Hearing the suggestion, Zhang Hongwei’s fleeting smile disappeared, replaced by a look of hesitation. “But though it’s a good idea, what do we have to offer the senior brothers to make them want to work with us?”

The three fell silent.

The one who had raised the idea chewed his lip, then resolutely took out five high-grade spirit stones, laying them on the table. “This is all I have. If we pool our resources, the senior brothers might accept these and be willing to cooperate.”

Zhang Hongwei nodded at once. “That’s reasonable. I’ll contribute five as well. I don’t have much left either—just these.”

He placed five more high-grade spirit stones on the table, then looked at the other two.

With both Zhang Hongwei and the proposer putting forth their stones, the other two exchanged glances, finally making up their minds and each contributing five more.

Gazing at the twenty shimmering spirit stones on the table, all of them felt a pang of pain, but there was no other way.

“Hmph, I don’t believe Lin Hao can escape this time!” Zhang Hongwei thought to himself.

He then said, “This should be enough for the senior brothers. But… how do we find them?”

That was indeed a problem. They were all newcomers and didn’t know Senior Brother Yuan at all.

Seeing their crestfallen expressions, Zhang Hongwei coughed and pretended to be serious. “Well, if you trust me, I’ve actually met Senior Brother Yuan once. I can try to contact him.”

“Really? That’s great! Then it’s settled—you’ll take the spirit stones to him later.” The three were entirely convinced, handing over the spirit stones without a trace of suspicion.

They’d been worried that, even with spirit stones, they had no way to reach the senior brothers. Now that Zhang Hongwei had the connection, they were overjoyed and handed the stones over without hesitation.

After collecting the spirit stones and seeing the others out, Zhang Hongwei returned to his room. Looking at the twenty high-grade spirit stones in his hand, he couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.

“With minds like yours, you want to compete with me?”

Without delay, Zhang Hongwei brought the twenty high-grade spirit stones to the senior brother’s residence.

He stood outside the door, hearing the sound of objects being smashed and the angry shouts of a senior brother within.

He cursed inwardly: All because of that damned Lin Hao. Senior Brother Yuan’s temper is no small thing today. I hope these twenty high-grade spirit stones are enough to calm him. Otherwise, I’ll have to bleed even more.

With these thoughts, he braced himself and knocked on the door.

A furious voice roared from inside, “Who is it? Get lost!”

“Senior Brother, it’s me, Zhang Hongwei.”

At the sound of his name, there was a brief silence inside.

Then, with a hiss, the door swung open, revealing an irritated face. It was not Senior Brother Yuan, but another man—one of those defeated by Lin Hao earlier—who did not know Zhang Hongwei well. Mistaking him for one of Lin Hao’s associates, he glared with clear hostility and blocked the entrance.

“Uh, I…” Zhang Hongwei stammered awkwardly.

“Let him in!” came Senior Brother Yuan's voice from within.

The man was startled, but turned to allow Zhang Hongwei inside.

Upon entering, Zhang Hongwei saw the three who had been beaten earlier, all sitting in the room with injuries partially healed but still sporting bruised faces. On the bed lay Senior Brother Yuan, his face pale. Even Zhang Hongwei was surprised by the severity of his injuries.

For a moment, Zhang Hongwei froze, standing in silence until Senior Brother Yuan’s cold gaze snapped him back to reality. He hurried forward to stand before the bed.

Senior Brother Yuan’s eyes were full of malice as he glared at him.

A chill swept over Zhang Hongwei, sensing that Yuan was holding a grudge—plain and simple misdirected anger.

“Senior Brother Yuan…” Zhang Hongwei began.

“Shut up. Don't call me Senior Brother Yuan—I don’t deserve it. Because of your little request, I’m severely wounded. I’m starting to wonder if you and Lin Hao are in cahoots. I don’t recall ever offending you.” Though gravely injured, Yuan’s words dripped with sarcasm.

The tone left no room for denial. Flustered, Zhang Hongwei hurriedly waved his hands. “Impossible, Senior Brother Yuan, absolutely not! I had no idea Lin Hao was so strong. I only held a grudge over some past conflict and wanted to make things difficult for him. Besides, I thought you’d benefit from it, too.”

He rambled his explanation.

Yuan’s eyes narrowed suspiciously at Zhang Hongwei, but after a moment, seeing that he did not appear to be lying, his expression softened a little.

Still, his tone was harsh. “Is that so? All for my benefit? Is this what you call ‘benefit’?”

“No, no, Senior Brother Yuan, really, I’m so sorry about today. I swear I meant well. Who could have guessed Lin Hao would be so ungrateful? You have my word—Lin Hao is now my sworn enemy, and I will avenge you. But for now, we’re no match for him. How can we subdue him?” Zhang Hongwei probed cautiously.

Seeing Yuan’s demeanor, Zhang Hongwei knew he would not let Lin Hao go, so he didn’t immediately reveal his intent to offer something in exchange for Yuan dealing with Lin Hao. But Yuan was no fool. He glared at Zhang Hongwei with a mocking half-smile, forcing Zhang Hongwei to lower his head, not daring to meet his gaze.

At last, Yuan spoke. “What? Still trying to use me to deal with Lin Hao? I’m not that stupid. Once was enough. If that’s all you’re here for, then get out.”

“No, that’s not it…” Zhang Hongwei hurriedly stammered, looking flustered.