C10 He Killed the Manager.

"Watch out, Mr. Chu!" Yang Hu bellowed. He was well aware of Chu Lin's formidable strength and talent, evident from the day Chu Lin repelled Hu Zhi with a single move. Even in a confrontation with Lyi Laomu, Chu Lin was not at a disadvantage.

But Lyi Laomu was a Manager, holding a high rank. If he chose to, he could easily exaggerate the issue of the withered Spirit Medicine to the Elder, and they would find themselves inescapable trouble.

Unbeknownst to Yang Hu, a chilling intent to kill had already taken root in Chu Lin's heart.

Chu Lin possessed the enigmatic Broken Copper, which was clearly the cause of the widespread withering of the Spirit Medicine. If Lyi Laomu were to downplay the incident, allowing them to face a standard punishment, all would be well.

Yet, Lyi Laomu's current behavior suggested he had more sinister plans. He was not only using Yang Hu as a scapegoat but also seemed intent on escalating the issue to involve the Elder.

The Elder might only preside over the Outer Court, but given the Martial Academy's renowned status in the South Territory, the Elder's power was likely formidable. More concerning was the possibility of the Elders detecting the Broken Copper within Chu Lin, which would spell disaster for him.

"Lyi Laomu, if you're set on making me your target, then expect no courtesy from me," Chu Lin declared, his lips curling into a frosty sneer. He had endured countless humiliations in the Mu Mansion and had narrowly escaped death at the hands of Mu Rui. His resolve was now unshakable, his decisions swift and deadly.

"Kneel!" Lyi Laomu's command came as a thunderous bellow, his palm striking out with the intent to overpower Chu Lin in a single blow.

But his full-force strike failed to intimidate Chu Lin, who swiftly raised his own palm to meet the attack. The spiritual energy swirling within Chu Lin's palm was significantly more potent than Lyi Laomu's.

"How can this be?" Lyi Laomu gasped, his eyes wide with astonishment. A sense of dread washed over him, and he attempted to retreat.

"Trying to flee?" Chu Lin's footwork was swift, propelling him forward in a flash. He caught up to Lyi Laomu in an instant, his palm crashing into Lyi Laomu's chest.

The sound of cracking bones accompanied Lyi Laomu's bloodied cough as he was sent flying backward.

"Have you advanced to Body Tempering Level Three?" Lyi Laomu grimaced in pain, fear flickering in his eyes. He hadn't expected an ordinary servant disciple to possess such strength. At this age, within the Outer Court, such power was notable. Yet, Lyi Laomu was determined to crush Chu Lin's prospects for good.

"Die!" Lyi Laomu's thoughts of vengeance were cut short by a furious roar. Yang Hu, wielding a massive rock, smashed it down onto Lyi Laomu's head with brutal force.

Blood sprayed as Yang Hu obliterated Lyi Laomu's skull. To the very end, Lyi Laomu could not have imagined his demise at the hands of a Body Tempering Level One servant disciple, killed with a mere stone.

"Hu," Chu Lin uttered, looking at Yang Hu with astonishment.

"Lyi Laomu was in cahoots with Hu Zhi; that's why they've been harassing me. There was no resolving this from the start, and I've dragged you into it. If we let Lyi Laomu go, our future would be bleak. Rather than wait for his revenge, I chose to end him now."

Yang Hu, his face a mask of frenzy, continued to hammer the stone onto Lyi Laomu's head. It took a moment before he regained his composure, tossing the stone aside and assuring Chu Lin, "Mr. Chu, rest easy. I alone am responsible for today's deed. You won't be implicated by my actions."

"We're brothers; we face our challenges together," Chu Lin said, placing a reassuring hand on Yang Hu's shoulder.

Chu Lin had harbored thoughts of killing Lyi Laomu, but Yang Hu's sudden lethal intervention was unexpected. Still, Chu Lin recognized that Yang Hu's drastic action was a consequence of his own involvement.

Yang Hu's elimination of Lyi Laomu had inadvertently shielded Chu Lin from future repercussions.

The medicinal field, typically under Lyi Laomu's watch, was secluded. Chu Lin and Yang Hu wasted no time in eradicating Lyi Laomu's remains and clearing the withered Spirit Medicine.

News of the stolen Spirit Medicine and Lyi Laomu's mysterious disappearance swiftly reached the Elder of the Outer Court.

Over the following days, several investigative teams were dispatched, yet none suspected Chu Lin and Yang Hu, the servant disciples. Moreover, Lyi Laomu had kept his bullying of Yang Hu a secret, leaving no one aware of Yang Hu's prior stewardship of the medicinal field.

Lyi Laomu's actions had come back to haunt him.

Ultimately, the Outer Court Elders were left with no choice but to declare, with a sense of resignation: Lyi Laomu had fled after pilfering the Spirit Medicine!

In response, the Outer Court swiftly released a bounty. Whoever apprehended Lyi Laomu would be rewarded with a coveted Spirit Pill. This spurred the Outer Court disciples into a flurry of activity, driven by the irresistible allure of the prize.

Yet, their efforts were in vain. Unbeknownst to them, Lyi Laomu had already met his demise at the hands of Yang Hu.

Under the soft glow of the moonlit night, Chu Lin proclaimed, "I've finally advanced to Body Tempering Level Three."

Seated on a boulder amidst the thick forest, Chu Lin assumed a meditative pose. A surge of pure Spiritual Energy burst forth from within him, coursing through his limbs and fortifying his bones.

In that instant, Chu Lin was invigorated, feeling a surge of power throughout his being. Having absorbed over a thousand drops of Spirit Liquid, his breakthrough to Body Tempering Level Three was a triumphant milestone!

"Ever since that day, when I began soaking the Broken Copper in the Spirit Liquid, its purity has increased manifold!" Chu Lin reached out, and the Broken Copper, radiating an ancient essence, materialized in his palm.

He had become certain of it—the wilted Spirit Medicine had its Spiritual Energy completely drained by the Broken Copper.

The Broken Copper, having absorbed such an immense amount of Spiritual Energy, underwent a mysterious transformation, seemingly merging with Chu Lin. Now, he could summon the Broken Copper at will, whenever he chose.

"What an incredible treasure!" Chu Lin's voice echoed with wonder into the night.