Chapter Eleven: Peerless Prodigy

On the side, someone overheard Lin Chen’s words and immediately sneered, speaking with a mocking tone: “Oh? Isn’t this a blind man? And he actually looks down on such a treasure—truly short-sighted. He should first weigh his own worth.”

“That’s not right. He can’t even see, so how can you talk about vision?” another nearby person joined in the ridicule, his words full of derision.

“Ha ha ha ha...”

For a moment, the inn was filled with a mixture of murmurs and laughter, echoing throughout the space.

Just then, a dignified voice suddenly rang out from upstairs, full of authority and carrying an undeniable force that reached everyone’s ears: “Are you all bullying the weak? If so, then get out of this inn!”

In an instant, the noisy crowd fell silent. A few were about to retort, but upon seeing who had spoken, they quickly closed their mouths, not daring to utter another word.

Though Lin Chen couldn’t see who had spoken, he still bowed slightly in the direction of the voice to express his gratitude.

However, the speaker didn’t even glance at Lin Chen, something Lin Chen was unaware of.

Even if he had known, he would have felt truly indebted and considered it proper to offer his thanks.

No matter if the person was using him as a tool to curry favor or speaking insincerely, the fact remained that they had helped him out of trouble.

This voice rebuking the crowd belonged to Fu Rongcheng, a direct disciple of the Luminous Sanctuary.

His reason for stepping forward to speak was mainly to put on a show for a certain woman—the Sanctuary’s sacred maiden, Yan Ruyu.

In Fu Rongcheng’s mind, Lin Chen the blind man was insignificant.

He considered himself a person of great standing and would never genuinely stand up for a mere blind man. This was just an opportunity to impress the woman he admired.

Lin Chen approached the innkeeper, rummaged through a shabby cloth pouch at his waist, and pulled out one or two silver coins, placing them on the table.

“Innkeeper, open a low-grade room for me.”

The innkeeper cast a cold glance at Lin Chen, openly displaying disdain in his eyes.

It was no wonder the innkeeper looked down on him; everyone who came here belonged to prestigious sects or, at the very least, was a respectable wanderer with a decent storage pouch.

Someone like Lin Chen, carrying a tattered cloth bag at his waist, was a first to the innkeeper.

Still, he dared not be too harsh—after all, business was business, and there was no reason to turn away a customer.

“Here is your room number. Go there yourself!” The innkeeper impatiently handed Lin Chen a heavy token, on which was inscribed “Low-grade Room No. 3.”

Meanwhile, in the elegant chamber upstairs, a graceful woman stood by the window.

Watching the scene below, she furrowed her delicate brows slightly, pursed her lips, and whispered, “He has a good nature, but it’s a pity he is blind.”

This woman was none other than the renowned cultivation world goddess, Yan Ruyu.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her fair, smooth, and long legs. Her skin seemed to emit a gentle radiance, making it impossible for anyone to look away.

Her jet-black hair cascaded like a waterfall down to her slender waist, her entire figure elegant and captivating.

Her eyes sparkled like luminous pearls, bright and dazzling, as if holding countless stars within.

Yan Ruyu’s identity, beauty, and talent were unparalleled, her reputation widespread throughout the cultivation world.

Because of this, many prodigies had come to propose marriage, but without exception, all were rejected.

Over time, those geniuses could only quietly harbor their feelings for her.

This also gave Fu Rongcheng, a fellow disciple, an opportunity to act.

Lin Chen, sensing something, looked up toward the upper floor but saw nothing, only gazing in vain.

“Heh heh! Daoist, my room is right next to yours. If you need anything, just call me!” The chubby fellow winked and smiled at Lin Chen.

“In that case, thank you, fellow Daoist.” Lin Chen slightly cupped his hands in thanks, then asked, “Is someone upstairs watching me?”

The chubby man looked up toward the upper floor, then quickly shook his head. “You can’t see inside the elegant chambers from here at all.”

“I see. Let’s go back to our rooms.” Lin Chen didn’t ask further and headed toward his quarters.

He understood that those who lived in elegant chambers and wished to stay unnoticed had their ways of hiding, and there was no need to pry.

Yan Ruyu watched Lin Chen’s departing figure, a faint smile playing on her lips as she murmured, “Interesting. Seems I underestimated you before.”

Her smile was so enchanting that the entire world seemed to pale in comparison—it truly embodied the saying, “A slight smile unleashes a hundred charms.”

Beside her stood a woman of similar age, dressed in a pink martial outfit that accentuated her alluring curves.

This woman looked disdainfully at Lin Chen’s back and said, “He’s just a skinny blind man. Is he really worth Sister’s praise?”

“Xuechan, don’t underestimate anyone. Have you forgotten Master’s frequent teachings—that we should not judge by appearances? Besides...” Yan Ruyu hesitated, unwilling to say more.

“Fine, fine!” Xuechan impatiently brushed her long hair and said, “I won’t speak of him anymore, alright?”

In her heart, Lin Chen was nothing but a blind man, hardly someone to be taken seriously—he even struggled just to walk.

Xuechan fancied herself a supreme prodigy in any sect.

But Yan Ruyu’s brilliance was so dazzling that Xuechan’s talents paled beside her, as if hidden in shadow.

In truth, many like Xuechan existed in the cultivation world—such as Su Xiangling and Fu Rongcheng—who were overshadowed by those more outstanding around them.

“Sis, you still don’t understand me. Even when dealing with ordinary people, we shouldn’t be arrogant, do you understand?” Yan Ruyu patiently explained, hoping Xuechan would truly grasp her point.

“Sis, I don’t agree. If that’s the case, what’s the use of cultivation? I cultivate to be superior. This world has always been divided into ranks.

Celestial beings from the higher realms see us as ants, and we see mortals the same way.

If you want respect, you must become stronger. Otherwise, why should anyone respect those insignificant little people?”

Xuechan, brushing her hair, spoke relentlessly, her words like a rapid-fire machine gun.

Yan Ruyu, seeing her stubbornness, sighed and interrupted, “Alright, our little junior sister is right. Let’s not talk about this anymore.”

Meanwhile, in a high-grade room at the inn, four women and a young man sat facing each other in a rather tense atmosphere.

These five were disciples of Peach Blossom Temple.

The leader, Su Xiangling, wore a gloomy expression, filled with dissatisfaction, and said sternly, “That blind man is useless. Even if he has no skills, it’s one thing, but he keeps doing things that shame our sect.”

They had also been among the crowd mocking Lin Chen earlier. To them, his actions were a stain on their reputation.

Mei Xiulan hesitated slightly before slowly saying, “Senior Sister, Brother Lin never mentioned the sect. Why do you hold such prejudice against him?”

Ye Ling’er immediately responded righteously, “Fourth Junior Sister, that’s your mistake. Even if he is useless, he is still one of our temple’s disciples. Every word and deed of his concerns the sect’s honor.”

“Exactly! I don’t know who he’s trying to fool with that pitiful act!” Wen Yun also chimed in with a look of disdain.

Mei Xiulan looked at them helplessly, sighing deeply. “You always say he’s a disciple of the sect, but what has the sect ever done for him all these years? Hasn’t he suffered enough within the sect?”

She knew the senior sisters were already united in their bias, and no matter what she said, it wouldn’t change their opinions.

So, she cupped her hands slightly and said, “I will take my leave. Senior Sisters, please carry on.”

With that, she rose and quickly left the room. The door slammed shut behind her, as if echoing the helplessness and frustration she felt.

The others exchanged awkward glances, knowing well that some people were simply impossible to awaken once they chose to feign sleep.

“Hmph! That wretch really takes herself seriously. She doesn’t even understand basic etiquette and dares to lecture us.” Ye Ling’er cursed without restraint after Mei Xiulan’s departure.

“Forget her! In the cultivation world, the strong rule. That useless man is so weak that he deserves to be bullied. We don’t recognize him; who even knows he’s from Peach Blossom Temple?” Su Xiangling said solemnly.