New Dark Horse vs. Established Genius

In the Lin Family Trial Hall, Lin Dong's victory once again pushed the atmosphere to a fever pitch.

Originally, aside from Lin Xia and Lin Hong, the people everyone had favored in this family competition were Lin Chen and Lin Yun. Yet no one had expected these two to be defeated one after another by the dark horses Lin Yan and Lin Dong.

While this caught everyone off guard, it also made them feel just how thrilling and intense this family competition was. Everyone waited eagerly and expectantly for the next match.

Even Lin Zhentian, the Lin Family patriarch seated among the honored guests, happily stroked his beard. The younger generation of the family was producing one talent after another—this was the guarantee of the family's prosperity. Perhaps, at the future Lin Family Competition, they might even be able to return to the Inner Clan.

Of course, not everyone was happy. The Lin Family was originally an outsider in Qingyang Town and had always been regarded as a thorn in the side of the Lei and Xie Families. Naturally, some spies from those two families had infiltrated this Lin Family Competition. When they noticed that two more geniuses had risen within the Lin Family, they could not help harboring ill intentions.

However, they could not exactly be said to fear them. Lei Li of the Lei Family and Xie Yingying of the Xie Family were both top geniuses in Qingyang Town. Compared to them, even Lin Xia and Lin Hong of the Lin Family fell far short.

At this moment, beneath the stage, Lin Yun, who had just stepped down, smiled bitterly at Lin Yan. "I didn't expect you to be right, Cousin Lin Yan. Lin Dong really isn't that simple. I lost."

Lin Yan had expected this outcome long ago, but he still patted the latter on the shoulder encouragingly. "Lin Dong's rise has its own opportunity behind it. Although you lost this time, Cousin Lin Yun, don't lose heart. There is still a long road ahead. Perhaps one day, you'll catch up to him again."

Though these words were mostly meant as encouragement, Lin Yan was not lying. So what if Lin Dong was the future Martial Ancestor? It was not as though he could not be defeated. After all, hard work might not necessarily lead to success, but giving up would ensure that nothing was achieved.

As Lin Yan and Lin Yun spoke, the matches in the Trial Hall continued one after another.

After Lin Yan and Lin Dong's matches had ended, more bouts began in succession. Most of those who had entered the top ten were somewhat well-known among the younger generation of the Lin Family. Nearly all of them were at the Body Tempering Fifth Level or above, so the matches were naturally quite exciting, drawing bursts of cheers from the crowd from time to time.

The final three of the five matches soon produced their results. As expected, Lin Xia and Lin Hong once again stood out easily with their formidable strength. Together with Lin Yan, Lin Dong, and Lin Ting, another youth considered one of the Lin Family's outstanding juniors, the top five spots in the family competition had been decided.

As the top five emerged, the atmosphere in the Trial Hall gradually heated up. Everyone knew that what came next would be the main event of this family competition, and many hearts began to pound with excitement.

Aside from Lin Ting, who had somewhat fortunately entered the top five, the remaining four were Lin Xia and Lin Hong, the Lin Family's long-established geniuses, along with Lin Yan and Lin Dong, the two newly risen and powerful dark horses.

No matter which two faced each other in the following matches, it would surely be an exceptionally fierce confrontation. Thus, even though it was already noon, no one felt tired. Instead, they all perked up in preparation to watch the battles ahead.

After a round of drawing lots, as though responding to the wishes of the many spectators, one person lucked into drawing a bye. It was none other than the Lin Family youth named Lin Ting.

What Lin Ting's bye represented was self-evident. The next two battles would be decided between the established geniuses Lin Xia and Lin Hong and the newly risen dark horses Lin Yan and Lin Dong. Only the victors would advance into the top three!

At that moment, not only the younger members of the Lin Family, but even the family elders seated among the honored guests became curious and excited. Who would win the upcoming matches and enter the finals?

Could the established geniuses hold onto their positions? Could the newly risen dark horses create another miracle? Everything remained unknown, but that only made everyone look forward to the coming matches with even greater excitement.

The crowd did not have to wait long. Once Lin Ting had drawn the bye, it was soon Lin Hong's turn.

Lin Hong first cast a somewhat wary glance at Lin Xia, then looked coldly at Lin Dong and Lin Yan before reaching out to draw a lot.

The two seconds it took to draw the lot passed in an instant. When he took out the slip and saw the name on it, Lin Hong first looked stunned, but soon revealed a faintly mocking smile.

What a case of enemies crossing paths!

Lin Ken also stepped forward and took the slip. When he saw the name on it, he too froze, his brows knitting slightly. After hesitating for a moment, he still announced loudly, "Lin Dong!"

The entire venue immediately erupted.

Lin Dong vs. Lin Hong.

No one had expected the very first match to be a confrontation between a newly risen dark horse and an established genius. One was Lin Dong, a genius who had risen at astonishing speed in just half a year; the other was Lin Hong, a top genius of the Lin Family who was no inferior to Lin Xia. No matter what, the spectators were in for a real feast.

Not only that, the crowd turned their eyes toward another part of the Trial Field, where Lin Yan stood. If Lin Hong was facing Lin Dong, then the next match would be:

Lin Yan vs. Lin Xia.

At that thought, the entire audience grew excited once more.

The two powerful dark horses were both clashing with established geniuses. Even Lin Xiao could no longer sit still.

One was his biological son, while the other was half his disciple and perhaps his family's future son-in-law. Yet they had directly drawn Lin Hong and Lin Xia as their opponents.

It was not that Lin Xiao lacked confidence in Lin Yan and Lin Dong, but their rise had been too recent. By comparison, Lin Xiao and Lin Hong had been famous for a long time and were not so easily shaken.

Even the many spectators throughout the venue, though thrilled and excited to see the rapidly rising dark horses Lin Yan and Lin Dong challenge Lin Xia and Lin Hong, did not believe that Lin Yan and Lin Dong could truly overthrow the two greatest geniuses of the Lin Family.

At this moment, seated among the honored guests, Lin Xia cast a sidelong glance at Lin Yan below the stage. Seeing how calm and composed he was, she recalled what Qingtan had said before the family competition began.

Is Lin Yan really that strong? He isn't worried about our match at all. Is he putting on an act?

At that thought, Lin Xia gave another cold snort and thought, Whether he truly has skill or is merely putting on airs, I'll see what he's really capable of in the next match!

Meanwhile, Lin Yan rubbed his chin, thinking, I didn't expect Lin Dong and Lin Hong's match to come this early. In the original story, it was the final match—the grand finale.

While Lin Yan was thinking this, Lin Hong had already stepped onto the fighting stone platform with his arms folded across his chest, wearing a cold smile.

He looked down at Lin Dong below the stage and said with a half-smile, "Lin Dong, your luck isn't very good. You actually ran into me. Since that's the case, it's time to settle our grievances."

"Since Cousin Lin Hong has such intentions, then I won't refuse," Lin Dong replied with equal calmness, walking onto the fighting stage with a confident expression.

Lin Hong, you are no longer worthy of being my opponent. My true opponent is only that person!