From Beast Abilities to Sect Grand Master

Chapter 57 Monthly Rank Match

[Ding! Congratulations on terminating malevolent intent.]

[Vengeance points + 50.]

[Current Vengeance Points: 150]

Lin Fan looked at the information panel in his mind as he wiped the blood of dead squirrels off his axe.

50 vengeance points—a long way to go before getting the 800 vengeance points for the next level up.

He was thinking about getting deeper into the woods to try and kill stronger beasts for higher vengeance points.

The next level up was crucial for him.

One more beast ability slot and he would also be able to get abilities from demonic beasts from then on.

But this would have to wait until after he got the Blood and Qi restoration pills from the black market.

Which was just a few more days away.

And before that, his monthly ranking.

"Lin Fan! Long time no see!" Ho Ming was waiting for him when Lin Fan came back from the woods.

With a wide smile, he greeted him back.

Ho Ming now looked fitter, wearing his dark blue robe of inner disciple and carrying two swords on his back.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be busy cultivating, dear senior martial brother?" Lin Fan said teasingly.

"Stop it. I need your help to spar with me. I want to win the new disciples' ranking, especially against that Tan Rui," Ho Ming replied.

Unlike the menial disciples' ranking, the inner and outer disciples' rankings were placed in separate brackets.

Most menial disciples wouldn't even get past the Qi Concentration level, so bracketing wasn't necessary.

Upon hearing Tan Rui's name, Lin Fan was more than ready to help.

"He has all the supplies of pills and elixirs he could get from the Alchemy Peak; his cultivation level is now higher than mine."

Ho Ming explained the situation and why he was not confident of winning.

"Let's get to it then," Lin Fan agreed, as it was good preparation for his monthly ranking too.

Wasting no time, he went into the wooden hut for his hammer, and they started.

With both swords in each of his hands, Ho Ming made the first move, dealing a twirling wind strike with his right hand at Lin Fan.

Lin Fan wielded his hammer with Yang Smash at the twirling wind, rendering it useless.

Not giving Lin Fan time to strike, Ho Ming came at him with his left hand, his sword coming close to his body and cutting at awkward angles, like a slithering snake.

Lin Fan stepped forward, suddenly got close to Ho Ming, and gave him a headbutt.

This caught Ho Ming by surprise; he didn't expect anyone to use their head as a 'weapon'.

"Argh."

"You all right?" Lin Fan stopped as Ho Ming rubbed his forehead in pain.

It was a short parlay, and Lin Fan knew how Ho Ming could do better.

"You are too studious, following each move as you were taught. It's life and death out there; you must be more cunning and ruthless. Come try again."

Lin Fan understood why Ho Ming was being so studious; he had been groomed his whole life to just follow what Ho Fu wanted him to do.

Living a relatively smooth-going life compared to himself.

But that wouldn't cut it going forward.

It was time to put some reality into him.

They then continued, and Lin Fan showed Ho Ming all the different ways to make use of his strikes.

Like performing routine patterns for two times, and on the third time surprising the enemy.

Also how to use his head, knee, and even the dirt on the ground.

Whatever it took to win.

Soon it was evening time.

Ho Ming sat on the ground exhausted.

"It's time for me to go. Do come and see how I do in the monthly ranking," Ho Ming stood up and said.

Lin Fan nodded and replied, "I will be there. Nothing delights me more than seeing that Tan Rui lose."

Of course, when the time comes, I will ensure that he dies, Lin Fan thought silently to himself.

...

Finally, it was the day for the monthly disciple rankings.

The match for the inner disciples happened in the afternoon, so Lin Fan could spare the time and see how Ho Ming performed.

It was held at the central square, and hordes of inner disciples in blue robes stood around the sparring area.

"Lin Fan, over here!"

When Ho Ming spotted Lin Fan, he waved at him.

All the disciples turned and looked.

They were curious who this Ho Ming's friend was; with his Double Sword Cultivator root, his friend mustn't be doing too badly.

Their faces went from being curious to confusion and disgust when they saw Lin Fan in his black robe.

A menial disciple?

What the hell is going on!

Before they could say anything, what they saw next made them perturbed.

Ho Ming seemed to be asking questions about his strikes from this menial disciple.

Who did this menial disciple think he was?

Some sect grand master?

"Next match up, Tan Rui versus Ho Ming. The rules are as follows: no deliberate killing, cutting off limbs, or decapitation. Anything that the Blood and Qi restoration pills cannot heal, don't do it. Other than that, try your best."

Ho Ming and Tan Rui then stepped into the middle of the sparring area.

Each of them holding iron swords with a blunt blade to minimize casualties.

"Junior martial brother Tan! Show him what you can do!"

"Go forth, junior martial brother Tan, don't be afraid. Your cultivation level is higher than Ho Ming's."

"Asking advice from a menial disciple? Pfft, Ho Ming doesn't have any chance."

The disciples started rooting for Tan Rui.

Tan Rui had been generous with his cultivation-aiding pills.

Moreover, this Ho Ming must be taught a lesson, asking advice from a menial disciple.

Lin Fan just focused and watched.

All the chatter was like white noise to him.

"Bow to each other."

Ho Ming and Tan Rui clasped their hands and bowed.

"And..." before the judge could say the word "start," Tan Rui stood up and lunged at Ho Ming.

The inner disciples smirked.

That should teach you to be so naïve; the real world is more dangerous and evil than this.

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