### Chapter 9: The Protagonist’s Reluctance, and the Yellow-Haired Savior Appears
“What… is this…? Magic?!”
“Is it possible to cast spells in the Foundation Establishment Stage? Is this what the Immortal Alliance is like?!”
As the fiery snake burst forth, all the bystanders felt an intense heat on their faces and couldn’t help but step back, their expressions filled with shock.
Typically, cultivators at the Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment stages can’t wield real spells unless they’ve been heavily modified by a powerful figure. Maybe a Foundation Establishment cultivator could barely manage a simplified version, but getting your hands on the secrets to such modified spells? Forget it!
Yet here, a random Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Immortal Alliance was casually tossing around spells, revealing just how terrifying the Alliance’s power truly was. Everyone felt a wave of sympathy for Lin Zhongyu.
Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment cultivators are practically defenseless against spells; it’s like they’re made of paper, easily crumbling at the slightest touch.
Lin Zhongyu was about to get wiped out.
Boom!
With a colossal bang, that seemingly small fire snake unleashed a ferocious attack, creating a huge crater in the ground and sending dust flying everywhere.
“Xiaoyu!”
Not far away, Mu Jixue gasped, her heart nearly stopping, fearing for Lin Zhongyu’s safety.
Fortunately, Lin Zhongyu emerged from the smoke unscathed, her palms glowing with spiritual light, wrapped in spiritual energy, her golden eyes shimmering.
She could see the flow of the spiritual energy. When the Female Manager cast her spell, Lin Zhongyu had already spotted the fire attribute energy gathering within her, even precisely gauging the range of the fire snake’s attack, allowing her to take evasive action ahead of time.
What a sight to behold, Golden Emperor Sacred Eyes in action!
“Wha—”
The Female Manager was equally stunned. Her fire python technique was undefeated, an instant k*ll beneath the Golden Core level. It had never failed her. She never expected to encounter someone capable of dodging spells in such a remote place as Cangzhou City.
Besides, Lin Zhongyu was just a Qi Refinement cultivator!
Caught off guard, she couldn’t react in time. By the time she realized what was happening, Lin Zhongyu quickly closed the distance, her palms enveloped in spiritual energy, delivering a solid slap to her chest.
Lin Family Palm Technique! A low-ranked Xuan technique!
Let it be known, Lin Zhongyu had once reached the Foundation Establishment Stage and had learned Xuan techniques. Her dual palms, empowered by Xuan techniques, left the Female Manager with her mouth agape, gasping for air.
I can do this!
Lin Zhongyu felt a surge of confidence, seemingly tapping into those long-lost instincts, her hand movements becoming increasingly swift.
I will win! I refuse to be a burden! I also want to walk the immortal path alongside Xue’er!
Her inner desire ignited her fighting spirit.
Her exquisite palm techniques forced the Female Manager to retreat, but she had yet to inflict any significant damage.
The strength of the Foundation Establishment cultivator’s base was vastly superior to that of a Qi Refinement cultivator. In gaming terms, when a Qi Refinement cultivator levels up, they only get an increase in health and a slight damage boost. It’s only upon entering Foundation Establishment that their stats get a comprehensive upgrade.
Clearly, a single attack from Lin Zhongyu wouldn’t be enough to defeat her opponent. Yet, even a slight brush from her spells could put Lin Zhongyu in danger.
Such was the gap in their realms.
Lin Zhongyu understood this reality. Each of her strikes aimed to disrupt the Female Manager’s spiritual energy flow. Thanks to her Golden Emperor Sacred Eyes, she could see the trajectory of the opponent’s energy flow; severing that supply would neutralize her opponent’s realm advantage.
At that moment, the onlookers were all wide-eyed, completely astounded.
Is this really the Lin family’s wastrel young lady? Using Qi Refinement cultivation to overwhelm a Foundation Establishment cultivator?!
The Female Manager was furious, her pride wounded; those who entered the Immortal Alliance were all talented individuals—how could she suffer such humiliation?
However, she felt as if Lin Zhongyu could see right through her techniques. No matter how she adjusted her meridians or altered her spiritual energy operation, Lin Zhongyu always found a way to cleverly interrupt her energy supply.
She had never felt this frustrated in a fight.
At that moment, the Female Manager noticed one of her subordinates in the Immortal Alliance’s branch hall and signaled him. He immediately understood and nodded.
The Female Manager suddenly roared, “You brat… I want you dead!”
Spiritual energy erupted from her dantian, violently pushing Lin Zhongyu away.
This was explosion technique—a common move to shove back close enemies with a burst of spiritual energy—though it didn’t cause actual damage, it was often a last resort.
At this moment, a knowing smirk crept on the Female Manager’s lips.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
Suddenly, several silver needles shot through the air from unknown origins. Lin Zhongyu, still reeling from the blast, was struck by a few needles.
A sneak attack!
In an instant, Lin Zhongyu’s spiritual energy was severed.
The tides of battle flipped!
Who would’ve thought the Immortal Alliance had such underhanded tactics? Even during standard duels, a third party’s interference was forbidden, especially for a sanctioned challenge of the Immortal Alliance.
And she was dealing with a master of hidden weapons! Nobody in the crowd noticed, and yet they accurately struck Lin Zhongyu, blocking her meridians. And to think these people called themselves geniuses, using their talents for such despicable tricks!
These feelings of unwillingness flashed through Lin Zhongyu’s mind, but before she could pull out the silver needles, a wave of impending danger crashed over her.
The red fire snake appeared again, its vicious forked tongue darting as it came lunging toward Lin Zhongyu.
With her energy cut off, Lin Zhongyu couldn’t keep up. Her delicate body was knocked away violently, crashing hard against the ground!
“Pff!”
She spat out a mouthful of bl**d, her golden eyes wide with regret.
It hurts… so much! It felt like her body was being torn apart, the pain from her broken bones making her cry out in torment.
She gritted her teeth, striving to push herself up, but found herself completely immobilized.
Why… why did it end up like this?
Just when she was finally on the rise, her first battle got sabotaged by an underhanded trick. Could destiny be so unfair to her?
Does the heavens just love watching her embarrass herself?
Overwhelmed by the pain, her eyelids began to droop, and she was moments away from losing consciousness.
She had lost—completely lost; there was no way for her to stand again.
“Heh heh, trash is ultimately trash.”
The Female Manager laughed heartily, her face filled with triumph, relishing her victory.
In the end, she was just a Qi Refinement cultivator. No matter how special her abilities were, what did it matter? She was still subdued by me!
“Hey, little girl, weren’t you so lively just a moment ago? Keep jumping, why don’t you?!”
The Female Manager looked down from high above, sneering at the nearly lifeless Lin Zhongyu. With a mocking tone, she inched closer, raising her foot to kick Lin Zhongyu like she was trash, releasing her pent-up anger.
One kick, another kick, and yet another.
Lin Zhongyu could not fight back; she was completely at the mercy of her tormentor.
The crowd stood in stunned silence.
While they loved the spectacle, it was clear this duel had already reached its conclusion, yet the Female Manager continued her ruthless humiliation. This was nothing less than one-sided bullying.
But then again, she was from the Immortal Alliance, with a power structure backing her; ordinary folks like them dared not retaliate.
No! One person was different!
“Stop it!”
A boy in a red and white robe suddenly charged in, his voice cold as he pushed his way between them, blocking the Female Manager’s continued assault.
