Chapter 32: First Challenger

Now it was Swallow's turn to feel frustrated. "Damn, not only did I not earn Spirit Jade, but I also have to be ridiculed by you!" "This pisses me off!" "Tsk only learned the surface, didn't grasp the essence!" Swallow, frustrated, and angry, could only leave with these words. There was no way around it. Iwao had already thoroughly mastered it, so there was no way to extort him anymore. Blame it on this kid. How could his talent be so astonishing? "Crack!" In the distance, the copper man that had been thrown out shattered into pieces after fermenting for a few breaths. It was as if the power inside suddenly erupted. Swallow's steps froze instantly, not even moving. He stared dumbfoundedly at the scene, his eyes almost popping out. "His punch was even stronger than mine before!" Was this kid a beginner? His talent was just too fierce! Truly a monster! "How's that punch?" Iwao beamed, intentionally raising his fist and asking Swallow. Learned only the surface, didn't grasp the essence? Swallow blushed, lowered his head, and ran away dejectedly. At this time, it was noon, and the sun hung at its highest point, radiating scorching light like a fiery ball. "I’m Benny Hendry, an Outer Sect Disciple, came here to pay respects. I heard that Senior Brother Iwao caused the bell to ring five times upon entry, so I came to visit!" At this moment, a clear voice came from outside, obviously very confident. Iwao couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Was this the first person to come challenge him? He hadn't even expected them to come so soon! He had only been initiated for a day, and someone was already coming to provoke him. Is he taking me for a soft target? But, upon careful consideration, it was understandable. Although Iwao wasn't widely known in the Land of the Five Kingdoms, as the former top talent of the Great Cyan Empire, many people had heard of his name. As for the later events, such as being expelled by the Sect Master for cheating on the Spirit Path, killing Illusionary Beasts, and being stripped of his cultivation, many disciples were also aware of it. Many were surprised that Iwao would rise again and join the Fiery Fire Sect. According to common sense, killing an Illusionary Beast meant starting over from scratch. Even if he later formed a Blood Covenant with the Beast cubs and became a Beast Tamer again, there was a fundamental difference between the Beast and the Illusionary Beast born with a companion in terms of understanding. Moreover, it was impossible to compare their realms. Even if there were treasures and opportunities, in the eyes of other Outer Sect Disciples, Iwao was just a soft target! An existence whose cultivation had been stripped away, why should he be able to cause the bell to ring five times? This was no joke. The significance of the bell ringing five times to the entire Fiery Fire Sect was extraordinary. Where did Iwao get the qualifications? So, there would be Outer Sect Disciples who felt dissatisfied. And Benny was the first disciple to come knocking! "Oh, just an Outer Sect Disciple dares to challenge your authority?" Swallow squinted when he heard this. He looked smug. "Seeking death! Iwao, let's go, we'll go out and teach him a lesson. Let the outside world know, never to lightly insult prodigies!" "Is that so? Are you praising me or yourself?" Iwao rolled his eyes. Given Swallow's character, it couldn't possibly be praise for himself. "Of course, I'm praising you! With my brilliant and mighty Illusionary Beast by your side, aren't you considered a prodigy?" Swallow was full of arrogance. "The moment you entered the sect, causing the bell to ring five times, there's probably no one in the entire Fiery Fire Sect who can match you. And all of this is thanks to me, Swallow!" "Get lost, I knew you'd find a way to praise yourself." Iwao scolded irritably. "Seriously, shouldn't we fight him?" Swallow asked curiously. "He's being so arrogant out there, it's hard to watch." "Let it be, once you open the door to this, there will be more challenges like a flood, one after another." Iwao sighed, shaking his head. " I was thinking yesterday, whether I should accept any challenges if someone comes to challenge me." "If I don't accept, the most I'll lose is some prestige, some face, but as long as my cultivation progresses fast enough, what's lost can always be regained one day!" "But if I accept, it means setting a precedent. Can you beat one person? But what about ten, or a hundred? Everyone will know that I accept all challenges. If they take turns, blocking my door every day, how can I continue to cultivate?" "It seems there's some truth to that," Swallow nodded. "But if you can't beat them, just don't fight them! Some people aren't as strong as you, yet they dare to be arrogant. It pisses me off. I can't stand seeing them acting so arrogantly!" "Let them boast, I'll just ignore them." Iwao waved his hand and then closed his eyes. It had to be said that the soundproofing in the training room was pretty good! As long as you didn't deliberately listen, you couldn't hear any noise from outside. So, Iwao crossed his legs and started practicing directly. Outside in the courtyard, a youth in a black robe with faint lines on his forehead stood there. It was Benny! When he entered, he wanted to test his talent. But without exception, all Outer Sect Disciples only got one ring. He felt dissatisfied, thinking he was more than that, but there was nothing he could do. However, upon hearing about Iwao causing the bell to ring five times, Benny immediately felt aggrieved. A guy who had been stripped of his cultivation, why should he cause such a sensation? Benny was the first to feel dissatisfied! So, Benny immediately rushed to Iwao's courtyard and shouted on the spot! He thought very simply, since we've just joined the sect, we should at least have some dignity. If I challenge you like this, surely you can't ignore it, right? However, after a long time passed, there was still no response from the courtyard. Benny exerted his energy and shouted again, "Hello Senior Iwao, Benny is here to see you!" This shout included Spiritual Energy, making it quite loud! Not only Iwao but also the other disciples in the courtyard were alarmed. Suddenly, dozens of Outer Sect Disciples gathered around, looking surprised. "Is this... a challenge?" "Yeah, yesterday Iwao caused the bell to ring five times, and many are not pleased about it." "We're all Outer Sect Disciples, why should he ring five times when we only get one!" "What exactly is it based on to evaluate this?" The group of Outer Sect Disciples exchanged words, all feeling discontented. However, after a stick of incense time passed, there was still not a single sound from the courtyard. "Could it be that he's not here?" Benny furrowed his brow. If Iwao was in the courtyard, with such a commotion, he couldn't possibly not show up. Just as he was thinking this, there suddenly came a sound from the courtyard, like the breath of a real dragon. With a thunderous roar, all the Spiritual Energy in the air was engulfed in an instant. For a moment, outside the courtyard, the air froze completely. Everyone looked at each other in astonishment.