Chapter Sixty-Four The Battle for Resources Begins

A flash of jealousy passed through Feng Ziyi’s eyes as she asked in confusion, “But why is that guy with Zhang Xinyi?”

Feng Yuling let out a light laugh. “No wonder he dares to act so brazenly, not even putting our Feng family in his eyes—it turns out he’s managed to latch onto the Zhangs.”

Though the Zhang family ranked second in Shan Province, they had no grandmasters; all their strength existed only on paper.

Martial artists are highly perceptive. While the Feng siblings discussed Lin Yi, Zhang Xinyi also turned to look back.

Feng Yuling approached, smiling sweetly. “Zhang Xinyi, your standards are really going downhill—now you’ll bring anyone with you.”

She deliberately sought to provoke Lin Yi. With so many important figures present, even if Lin Yi had some ability, it would hardly make a ripple.

Zhang Xinyi responded with a smile, “Mr. Lin is actually the support we invited for the Zhang family.”

“Support?”

Feng Yuling was briefly taken aback; the resource contest had no explicit rule against outside support. But no matter how strong or talented Lin Yi was, at most he might be a half-step grandmaster. That level might seem impressive to others, but to a true grandmaster, it was still insignificant.

Zhang Xinyi knew full well the Fengs had a grandmaster, yet still brought in Lin Yi as their support. Either she’d lost her mind, or Lin Yi truly had some extraordinary means.

Feng Yuling was no fool; her mind worked quickly through the possibilities.

Still, she refused to believe Lin Yi could face a grandmaster—unless he was a grandmaster himself.

But was that possible?

“That’s right, Mr. Lin is the support we’ve invited,” Zhang Xinyi answered, her smile carrying a deeper meaning.

“Heh, the Zhang family really has fallen—you’ll bring in anyone as support now.”

As she spoke, Feng Yuling kept her eyes fixed on Lin Yi, hoping to see a flicker of anger.

But she was disappointed. Lin Yi’s expression didn’t change in the slightest.

“Unbelievable.”

Feng Yuling grit her teeth. It was the first time she’d encountered such an unyielding, indifferent young man.

At that moment, two men in suits approached. Lin Yi recognized one of them—it was Lu Tianqi, who had tried to intercept him at the hotel the previous day.

Upon seeing them, Zhang Xinyi hurried over and embraced the elegant-looking middle-aged man. “Dad, this is Lin Yi.”

She turned to Lin Yi, introducing, “Lin Yi, this is my father, Zhang Tianfang. And this is Uncle Qi—Lu Tianqi.”

Lin Yi nodded in greeting.

Zhang Tianfang wasn’t offended by Lin Yi’s reserve—after all, if Lin Yi really was a young grandmaster, a bit of pride was only natural.

He sized Lin Yi up for a moment, then grinned broadly. “Truly, heroes emerge from youth.”

With that, Zhang Tianfang took a gold card from his pocket. “Mr. Lin, I won’t say much else. Here in Shan Province, I do have some influence.”

Lin Yi understood his intentions. After a moment’s thought, he didn’t refuse. Shan Province was vast, and Lin Yi happened to need someone to help gather spiritual herbs and precious jades for him in the area.

Not far off, Feng Yuling watched with surprise. She hadn’t expected Zhang Tianfang to value Lin Yi so highly.

That gold card was jointly issued by the ten great families—a symbol that a family had fully recognized someone’s status. Its significance was extraordinary.

“Uncle Zhang, Uncle Qi,” Feng Yuling greeted.

She could throw tantrums in front of Zhang Xinyi, but before their elders, she dared not.

“Oh, Yuling. It’s been a while—you’ve grown even more beautiful,” Zhang Tianfang smiled kindly, then continued his conversation with Lin Yi.

“Mr. Lin, let’s take a seat over there,” Zhang Tianfang said, pointing to a nearby teahouse.

Lin Yi nodded and led the way, with Zhang Tianfang and Lu Tianqi following close behind.

Zhang Xinyi glanced at the sullen-faced Feng Yuling. “You’re underestimating Mr. Lin. Who knows, this time in the resource contest, your Feng family may have to step aside.”

…

In the teahouse, Lin Yi and the others took seats on the second floor. Zhang Tianfang personally poured Lin Yi a cup of Longjing tea.

This scene surprised the guests around them, who began to speculate about Lin Yi’s identity.

Zhang Tianfang, after all, was a member of the Zhang family—many sought his favor, and yet here he was, pouring tea for another.

Once the tea was poured, Zhang Tianfang smiled and said, “Mr. Lin, there’s something I need to be upfront about.”

Lin Yi took a sip, his gaze calm. “If you have something to say, speak plainly.”

Zhang Tianfang’s smile faded. “Mr. Lin, are you aware the Feng family has a grandmaster?”

“Yes,” Lin Yi replied nonchalantly—Angel had already informed him.

“Then, may I ask how confident you are?” Zhang Tianfang’s expression grew serious.

Both Lu Tianqi and Zhang Xinyi looked at Lin Yi expectantly.

They had only guessed that Lin Yi might be a young grandmaster. Only if Lin Yi confirmed it himself would they be truly reassured.

Lin Yi remained silent. The realm of grandmaster—if compared to cultivators—was equivalent to the Qi Refining stage.

His silence made everyone’s hearts leap into their throats. Especially Zhang Xinyi, whose beautiful eyes were filled with worry.

Had they guessed wrong? Was Lin Yi actually not a grandmaster, but merely a half-step?

Lin Yi took another sip of tea and said lightly, “Since I’ve accepted your offer, naturally I will secure first place for you.”

Though he didn’t state his strength outright, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Since Lin Yi spoke with such confidence, he must be sure of himself.

“Mr. Lin, if you truly win first place, our Zhang family is willing to present you with a thousand-year-old Tai Sui as an extra reward,” Zhang Tianfang said solemnly.

Shan Province was vast, but resources were limited. The Feng family had produced a grandmaster precisely because of rich resources.

If the Zhangs could take first this time, ten years later, they would surely have their own grandmaster.

Lin Yi was mildly surprised—the Zhangs had deeper reserves than he’d imagined, being able to acquire even a thousand-year Tai Sui.

However, having already accepted payment, he would not ask for more. That was a matter of principle.

Lin Yi shook his head. “That won’t be necessary.”

Just as Zhang Tianfang was about to say more, his phone rang.

As he answered, his expression grew increasingly grim.

When the call ended, Zhang Xinyi asked, “Dad, what happened?”

“This time, the Zhao family has also invited a grandmaster—an old master from Sichuan who’s been famous for years: Qiao Weiliang,” Zhang Tianfang said heavily.

“Him?” Zhang Xinyi’s gaze darkened.

Qiao Weiliang was a legendary grandmaster, famous for decades. He had reached the half-step grandmaster stage at twenty-five, then remained at that level for fifty years, accumulating a terrifying foundation.

As soon as he broke through, Qiao Weiliang went on to challenge grandmasters in other provinces, defeating three in succession.

Now, over a decade had passed since then. No one could say how powerful he’d become.

“But Dad, the Zhao family is ranked last. How could they possibly hire such a figure?” Zhang Xinyi said, unwilling to accept it.

She had thought the Zhangs had a real shot at first place—only for Qiao Weiliang to appear out of nowhere.

“I don’t know. The Zhao family must have offered something irresistible to Master Qiao.”

Zhang Tianfang sighed, already giving up hope for first place.

Lin Yi was still too young. Even if he could defeat the Fengs’ grandmaster, facing Qiao Weiliang left no chance.

“Who is Qiao Weiliang?” Lin Yi inquired.

Zhang Tianfang briefly explained Qiao Weiliang’s formidable reputation, then sighed, “Mr. Lin, if we can just hold onto second place, that’s enough.”

Lin Yi replied calmly, “Rest assured. Since I promised the Zhang family would take first, I will not go back on my word.”

Zhang Tianfang shook his head slightly, clearly unconvinced.

If Lin Yi had spent ten years at the grandmaster level, he would have had confidence. But now…

Zhang Xinyi and Lu Tianqi also looked rather gloomy.

Lin Yi understood what they were thinking, but said nothing more.

After finishing their tea, they headed to a large plaza.

This square had been specially prepared for the resource contest—spacious and wide.

At the center stood a raised platform.

“Mr. Lin.” A voice called from behind.

Lin Yi turned to see Tan Long.

He remembered Tan Long from the bar—the son of a coal magnate in Shan Province.

“It’s you,” Lin Yi replied indifferently.

Tan Long forced a smile. “I didn’t expect to meet you here, Mr. Lin. It’s an honor.”

In truth, he would rather avoid Lin Yi; the psychological shadow Lin Yi had left was far too great. But he was also afraid of ignoring him—if Lin Yi ever decided to cause trouble, his own father would probably hand him over without hesitation.

Lin Yi smiled faintly. He could tell Tan Long didn’t really want to greet him, but Lin Yi didn’t care.

To him, Tan Long wasn’t even a minor character.

Unable to gauge Lin Yi’s thoughts, Tan Long turned to Zhang Tianfang. “Mr. Zhang, Miss Zhang—hello.”

“And you are?” Zhang Tianfang asked.

Tan Long hurried to explain, “I’m Tan Long, my father is Tan Guoqiang—he owns a coal mine in Jiaying district.”

“Oh,” Zhang Tianfang nodded.

He didn’t know Tan Long or his father at all, but said a few more words only because Tan Long seemed to know Lin Yi.

But seeing Lin Yi’s coldness, he understood.

Zhang Tianfang ignored Tan Long and pointed to the seats below the stage. “Mr. Lin, do you see? That’s the Fengs’ grandmaster.”

Lin Yi looked over. The man appeared to be nearly sixty, and seemed just like any ordinary elder—easily overlooked.

But Lin Yi could sense the turbulent internal energy within him, even stronger than what he’d encountered in Xue Zhen.

“Mr. Lin, let’s take our seats. It’s almost time,” Zhang Xinyi said with a smile.

“Alright,” Lin Yi replied, withdrawing his gaze.

Tan Long watched them go, his expression complicated.

“Truly, wherever Mr. Lin goes, he’s in demand.”

Tan Long regretted his actions at the bar more than ever. If not for that, perhaps the Tan family could have risen quickly by associating with Lin Yi.

But that chance was gone.

At precisely noon, a man and a woman stepped onto the stage.

The woman, though in her forties, still looked youthful, with delicate skin and a good figure, dressed in a red evening gown.

The man wore a fitted tailcoat and carried himself with elegance.

Both were strong—half-step grandmasters.

“Mr. Lin, those two are from the Martial Arts Association, here to preside. The woman is Mu Hanyu, the man is Kang Wenbin—they’re both fairly well-known in the association,” Zhang Tianfang explained.

Lin Yi nodded.

Mu Hanyu and Kang Wenbin dispensed with formalities, quickly explained the rules, and declared the contest open.

The resource contest had been established to encourage the ten great families of Shan Province, and also to serve as a check on each other.

As the competition began, the Fengs’ grandmaster stepped forward.

With a light leap, he landed steadily atop the three-meter-high stage.

“We’re taking first place. Any objections?” he said calmly.

But his words brimmed with arrogance and absolute confidence.