Chapter 9: Tough Bones or Tough Talk?

Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Tough Bones or Tough Talk?

Luo Cheng entered the tavern, his gaze sweeping across the room and resting on a window-side table.

There, five young men from the Lin Family and Qi Family were laughing and chatting loudly.

“Haha, did you see that? Luo Yun was beaten just now and didn’t even dare make a sound—like a dog! The Luo Family really is full of useless trash!”

“In the past, we were wary of the Ji Family. Otherwise, the Luo Family would have had no place to stand in Qishan City. From now on, whenever I see a Luo brat, I’ll beat one up!”

The five laughed recklessly, acting as though there was no one around them.

A cold gleam flashed in Luo Cheng’s eyes as he walked straight over and casually took a seat.

Seeing this scene, the crowd in the tavern hall turned their eyes toward them, knowing that a good show was about to unfold!

The five at the table frowned slightly.

The young man in luxurious clothing, seated in the center, noticed Luo Yun standing behind Luo Cheng and sneered, “Oh, who would’ve thought you’d dare come back. Let me guess—you brought a savior to seek revenge?”

He glanced at Luo Cheng with mockery in his eyes, his derision practically dripping from every word.

The other four burst out laughing. Of all people to call for help, he brought a waste who awakened a Wasted Martial Soul!

Luo Yun stood there, his face turning red as he struggled to come up with a response. His frustration toward Luo Cheng’s impulsive actions grew—he didn’t know whether to advance or retreat.

Luo Cheng, however, didn’t react with anger. Calmly, he said, “Luo Yun, who slapped you earlier?”

Luo Yun froze for a moment, his gaze drifting to the young man in luxurious clothing. He hesitated and didn’t dare speak.

“Haha! It was me!”

The young man stood up proudly, his face filled with arrogance.

Luo Cheng glanced at the young man, the corner of his mouth lifting into a small smile. “So, it was you.”

This was Qi Dong, a Qi Family young master. A year ago, he awakened a Three-star Martial Soul and had just advanced to the Body Tempering Fifth Layer.

Qi Dong’s talent was mediocre, but his older sister was a renowned genius in Qishan City, having awakened a Five-star Martial Soul and achieved the Body Tempering Eighth Layer at just fifteen!

Under his sister’s protection, Qi Dong acted recklessly throughout Qishan City, bullying the Luo Family juniors on more than one occasion.

Qi Dong stared at Luo Cheng and sneered, “That’s right, it was me! So what? What, you think you, a piece of trash, can avenge him?”

“Hmph, I only let you off before because of the Ji Family. But things are different now. If you know what’s good for you, kneel down and apologize immediately. Otherwise, you’ll wish you never set foot here today!”

Pa!

Before Qi Dong finished his sentence, a crisp slap echoed suddenly.

Qi Dong was sent flying, crashing to the ground, blood—mixed with teeth—spraying from his mouth.

The entire tavern fell silent enough to hear a pin drop. Everyone was stunned by the scene unfolding before them.

The so-called waste from the Luo Family had just publicly slapped Qi Dong, the notorious Qi Family brat!

“You hit me! You actually hit me!”

Qi Dong trembled with rage, his blood-streaked face contorted into an expression of pure fury. Pointing at Luo Cheng, he roared, “Kill him! Beat him to death!”

In all of Qishan City, who dared lay a hand on him!

Even his own father hadn’t touched a single hair on his head!

The remaining four immediately surrounded Luo Cheng.

“This guy is doomed. Even if he survives, he’ll be peeling off a layer of skin,” the crowd murmured to themselves.

The four had long since awakened their Martial Souls, and the highest among them had already reached the Body Tempering Sixth Layer!

Luo Yun stood there in a daze, utterly shocked.

He had never expected Luo Cheng to be this bold—to publicly slap Qi Dong, the infamous Qi Family devil!

“Don’t worry, all of you will get your turn,” Luo Cheng said, casting his eyes over the other four.

Enraged, the four glared at him. Just a waste with a Wasted Martial Soul, yet he dared to be so arrogant!

“I’d like to see if your bones are as hard as your mouth!”

One of them roared and charged forward, throwing a punch directly at Luo Cheng.

But he came quickly, and left even faster.

Luo Cheng raised a hand, and the man flew backward, smashing a table into pieces.

“This…”

The crowd widened their eyes in disbelief. To send a Body Tempering Fifth Layer martial artist flying with such ease!

“Attack together!”

The remaining three came to their senses and immediately launched their assault.

Luo Cheng remained calm, advancing to meet them head-on.

Ah! Ah! Ah!

Screams rang out continuously as the three were sent flying one after the other, like balls being tossed around.

The crowd was dumbfounded.

Was this really the waste who awakened a Wasted Martial Soul? Qishan City’s number-one failure?

After dispatching the four, Luo Cheng placed a foot on Qi Dong’s face and looked down at him from above.

Qi Dong was completely petrified, trembling as he stammered, “Luo… Luo Cheng! What… what are you trying to do?”

Luo Cheng turned to Luo Yun and said, “How they hit you earlier, pay them back the same way.”

Luo Yun finally snapped out of his stupor. His eyes grew cold as he looked at Qi Dong, now lying there like a beaten dog.

“How dare you! If you touch me, my sister won’t let you off!”

Qi Dong shrieked in fear.

Luo Yun rushed forward and slapped him repeatedly without hesitation, leaving Qi Dong’s face bloody.

“Calling yourself tough? Let’s see you act tough now! Come on, hit me back!”

Still unsatisfied, Luo Yun went on to give the remaining four their own beatings, turning the tavern into a cacophony of wails.

Once Luo Yun had vented his anger enough, Luo Cheng finally led him out.

After the two had left, the tavern remained eerily silent.

The crowd looked at the five writhing on the ground, exchanging incredulous glances.

“That rumor must be false,” someone murmured, licking their lips.

“Not necessarily,” an elderly man said, shaking his head. “The Body Tempering Realm is just the first stage of martial arts, focusing on refining the body. Martial Souls don’t play a major role yet, so external resources can still boost cultivation speed.”

“Luo Cheng likely consumed some Spiritual Medicine to advance so quickly. Yet a Wasted Martial Soul is still a Wasted Martial Soul. As cultivation progresses, the Martial Soul becomes everything, and relying on external resources won’t suffice for long.”

The crowd found the explanation reasonable.

Throughout history, no one with a Wasted Martial Soul had ever achieved greatness.

On the street outside.

“Hahaha… Amazing! That felt so good!”

Luo Yun’s face was flushed red with excitement as he waved his arms, still savoring the thrill of beating up Qi Dong and the others.

Over the past period, the Lin and Qi Families had joined forces to suppress the Luo Family, and the Luo juniors had suffered numerous humiliations. Luo Yun had been harboring a deep grudge all along.

Today, he’d finally let out all of that pent-up frustration!

“Brother Luo Cheng, have you advanced to the Body Tempering Sixth Layer?”

Luo Yun couldn’t help but ask.

It would take at least a Body Tempering Sixth Layer martial artist to defeat Qi Dong and the others with such ease.

As for the Body Tempering Seventh Layer, he didn’t dare entertain the notion.

After all, awakening a Martial Soul—especially a Wasted Martial Soul—and achieving such rapid progress from the Fourth Layer to the late stages of the Body Tempering Realm within a mere half-month seemed impossible!

Luo Cheng nodded lightly.

“Hiss! How on earth did you cultivate so quickly?”

“Just luck,” Luo Cheng replied casually, but Luo Yun took him seriously.

He had heard that Luo Cheng had been training in the Black Cloud Mountain Range recently and assumed Luo Cheng must have encountered some fortune or obtained Spiritual Medicine to advance so quickly.

“I’m going to go explore and search for opportunities in the future too!”

Luo Yun resolved inwardly, though he still felt pity for Luo Cheng.

In terms of determination and effort, Luo Cheng was the person he admired most among his peers!

But alas, fate was cruel, and Luo Cheng had awakened a Wasted Martial Soul.

As they conversed, the two returned to the Luo Residence.

When the nearby Luo Family members saw Luo Cheng, their expressions darkened, and some began whispering among themselves.

In a low voice, Luo Yun said, “Right now, the clan is being suppressed by the Lin and Qi Families, and the situation is dire. Many blame you, Brother Luo Cheng, saying it’s your fault the clan has sunk to such a state.”

He snorted in dissatisfaction and added, “Honestly, awakening a Martial Soul isn’t something anyone can control. How can they blame Brother Luo Cheng for that?”

Luo Cheng remained silent. Respect had to be earned through strength; words were meaningless right now.

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