Breakthrough to Third Rank, Heavenly Principle Cult Attacks

"I declare, this match, Lin Jiu wins!"

Perhaps because strength reigns supreme for martial artists, Lin Zhen deliberately used an arena-style competition to decide the Elite Class's class monitor position.

After layers of battles, Lin Xuan and his "sworn enemy" Lin Jiu became the final opponents in the last arena match.

Whoever won would claim the class monitor spot.

In the end, Lin Jiu emerged victorious.

"From the moment you joined Third Middle School, you should have understood—you'll never be my match again."

"Not now, and not ever!"

Having secured his victory, Lin Jiu strode arrogantly up to Lin Xuan and spoke with his nose in the air.

These words immediately stirred up the crowd of Third Middle School students.

He wasn't just looking down on Lin Xuan—he was also looking down on Third Middle School itself.

His every word implied that Third Middle School couldn't compare to First Middle School.

Admittedly, that was the truth, but having it thrown in their faces like this, in such a humiliating manner, would anger anyone.

"What, you don't agree?"

"Compared to my First Middle School, your Third Middle School is just—"

Lin Jiu wanted to say more, but his companion beside him quickly stopped him with sharp eyes and swift hands.

Then that companion looked apologetically at Lu Chuan. "Master Lu, Lin Jiu speaks without thinking. Please be magnanimous and let him off this once."

"I guarantee he had no intention of disrespecting Third Middle School."

After the reminder, Lin Jiu also recognized the person before him.

Lu Chuan, a seventeen-year-old First-grade Alchemist!

The top prodigy of Lin City!

Even the head of the Lin family had to treat him with caution.

And here he was, spouting nonsense in front of Lu Chuan.

Sss!

If the Lin family head found out, he'd skin him alive!

At that thought, Lin Jiu couldn't help trembling, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He quickly broke free from his companion's grip and came before Lu Chuan with an apologetic expression.

"Lin Jiu's words have offended Master Lu. Please, Master Lu, mete out punishment!"

Lin Jiu understood that if he offended Master Lu, even as the Lin family's top genius, he wouldn't come out well.

And the Lin family, eager to curry favor with Lu Chuan, would likely strip him of his resources and status.

"No matter. Just be more careful in the future."

Lu Chuan had no interest in bickering with Lin Jiu over this.

Ever since learning of the warden's plan, Lu Chuan understood that he and his classmates were already people from two different worlds.

Hearing this, Lin Jiu breathed a sigh of relief.

But just as Lin Jiu was about to leave, Lu Chuan's voice rang out again.

"Lin Jiu, as family, you should still get along harmoniously, don't you think?"

These words made Lin Jiu freeze stiff.

He understood—Lu Chuan was rebuking him for mocking Lin Xuan.

Seeing this, the companion beside him quickly urged, "Lin Jiu, apologize to Lin Xuan right now!"

"Master Lu is right. You're all family; harmony should come first."

"Yes!"

After taking a deep breath, Lin Jiu turned to face Lin Xuan. "Cousin, I spoke rudely to you just now."

"Please, for the sake of family, forgive me!"

Looking at the respectful Lin Jiu, Lin Xuan's nose stung.

In all these years, this was the first time Lin Jiu had ever yielded to him.

Even though it was all because of Lu Chuan.

Still, the pent-up frustration in Lin Xuan's heart dissipated by more than half.

"Let's end things here for today." Whether Lin Xuan truly forgave Lin Jiu in his heart was unclear, but on the surface, he preserved both their dignity.

"Thank you, cousin!"

Lin Jiu thanked him once more, then pulled his companion back to the First Middle School camp.

As for Lin Xuan, after Lin Jiu left, he said quietly, "Lu Chuan, thank you."

"We're classmates. No need for that." Lu Chuan waved it off dismissively.

The conflict between Lin Xuan and Lin Jiu was merely a minor episode.

Soon enough, the Elite Class settled into its proper rhythm.

Admittedly, the Elite Class was established as bait for fishing.

But the town governor couldn't help wanting to improve the students' performance.

Thus, Lin Zhen put considerable effort into it, and the Elite Class's resources greatly benefited the students.

Time slipped by unnoticed, and before anyone realized it, seven full days had passed since the Elite Class was founded.

Throughout these seven days, both the Elite Class and Lin City remained quite quiet.

As if nothing had ever happened.

As for the Heavenly Principle Cult, they didn't even show a shadow.

This left some of those involved in the fishing operation wondering—had the Heavenly Principle Cult caught wind of certain information and given up on targeting Lin City?

Of course, none of this had anything to do with Lu Chuan.

At this moment, Lu Chuan sat cross-legged in the Seclusion Chamber, his eyes tightly shut.

The aura around Lu Chuan fluctuated unsteadily—one moment it peaked at Third Rank, the next it plummeted to First Rank.

Spiritual energy from all directions surged into Lu Chuan's body.

The terrifying pull actually condensed a vortex of spiritual energy above Lu Chuan's head.

If anyone were present, they would surely exclaim that Lu Chuan was about to break through to Third Rank!

"I refuse to believe that with my perfected Evergreen Spirit Art, I can't break through to Third Rank."

"Break for me!"

With Lu Chuan's low shout, the spiritual energy in the Seclusion Chamber was instantly drained by him.

At the same time, the aura Lu Chuan emitted no longer wavered unsteadily but climbed steadily.

Before long, it reached the Third Rank realm!

Lu Chuan.

Had officially ascended to Third Rank!

code
[Host: Lu Chuan]
[Technique: Evergreen Spirit Art 1024/(Perfected)]
[Realm: Third Rank Martial Artist (1/)]
[Martial Art: Eight Trigrams Swimming Dragon Palm 1067/(Perfected)]
[Alchemy: Spirit Replenishing Potion 1/(Perfected), Spirit Gathering Potion 1/(Perfected)]
[Simplification Points: 12]

"Hahaha..."

Looking at his own panel, Lu Chuan couldn't suppress his smile. He slumped to the ground, laughing unrestrainedly.

Meanwhile, in Lin City.

Atop a certain tall building.

Three martial artists, clad in black robes and masked, radiating a terrifying aura from head to toe, were gathered together.

The point where their gazes converged was none other than Thunderclap Martial Hall!

After staring for a long time, the leader slowly spoke, "What do you think—could there be an ambush here?"

"I don't know." The man on his left shook his head, then twisted into a grin. "Ambush or not, it won't affect our plan."

"After all, Lin City is just a decoy."

That was right—Lin City was merely a decoy.

If the Heavenly Principle Cult truly intended to strike Lin City, they would never have exposed themselves beforehand.

The three of them knew this full well.

If there was no ambush, so be it.

If there was, it only meant Dragon Kingdom had fallen into their trap.

But...

Could Dragon Kingdom really not guess the Heavenly Principle Cult's scheme?

The three dared not dwell on it. They could only follow the plan and pray in their hearts.

"Sigh..."

"Heavenly Principle, Heavenly Principle..."

"Is what we believe in truly the Heavenly Principle?"

The leader couldn't help but begin to doubt.

Upon hearing this, the man on the right sneered, "True or false, what does it matter? All I know is that doing this will bring us benefits."

"Don't you want to break through to above the Ninth Rank and enjoy a lifespan that rivals the immortals and gods?"

At these words, the leader's gaze instantly hardened.

"I declare!"

"The hunt begins!"