"I announce that Lin Jiu wins this match!"
Perhaps because strength reigned supreme among martial artists, Lin Zhen had specifically chosen a tournament format to determine the Elite Class's class monitor.
After round upon round of battles, Lin Xuan and his "enemy," Lin Jiu, became the opponents in the final arena match.
Whoever won would claim the position of class monitor.
In the end, Lin Jiu emerged victorious.
"From the moment you joined Third Middle School, you should have understood that you would never be my opponent again."
"Not now, and not in the future!"
Having claimed victory, Lin Jiu walked up to Lin Xuan with an arrogant look, speaking with his nose in the air.
The moment those words came out, they stirred up all the Third Middle School students.
He was not merely looking down on Lin Xuan—he was also looking down on Third Middle School.
Between the lines, he was saying that Third Middle School could not compare to First Middle School.
Granted, it was the truth, but having someone say it aloud like this, and in such a humiliating manner, would anger anyone.
"What, you don't accept it?"
"Compared with my First Middle School, your Third Middle School is simply not..."
Lin Jiu still wanted to say more, but the companion beside him swiftly stopped him.
That companion then looked apologetically at Lu Chuan. "Master Lu, Lin Jiu speaks without thinking. Please be magnanimous and forgive him this once."
"I guarantee that he absolutely did not mean to look down on Third Middle School."
After being reminded, Lin Jiu also recognized the identity of the person before him.
Lu Chuan, a seventeen-year-old First-grade Alchemist!
Lin City's number one prodigy!
Even the Lin family head had to treat him with caution.
Yet he had actually spouted such wild words in front of Lu Chuan.
Hiss!
If the Lin family head found out, would he not skin him alive!
At that thought, Lin Jiu's entire body began trembling uncontrollably. Beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead, and he hurriedly broke free from his companion's hold before approaching Lu Chuan with an apologetic expression.
"Lin Jiu's words offended Master Lu. Please punish me, Master Lu!"
Lin Jiu understood that if he offended Master Lu, then even as the Lin family's foremost genius, he likely would not come out unscathed.
And the Lin family would very likely strip him of his resources and status in order to curry favor with Lu Chuan.
"No matter. Just watch yourself in the future."
Lu Chuan had no interest in wasting time on such matters with Lin Jiu.
Ever since learning of the guardians' plan, Lu Chuan had understood that he and his classmates were already people of two different worlds.
Hearing this, Lin Jiu let out a breath of relief.
But just as Lin Jiu was about to leave, Lu Chuan's voice rang out again.
"Lin Jiu, since you are family, you should get along harmoniously. Don't you agree?"
The instant those words fell, Lin Jiu's entire body stiffened.
He understood that Lu Chuan was blaming him for mocking Lin Xuan.
Seeing this, the students nearby hurriedly reminded him, "Lin Jiu, hurry up and apologize to Lin Xuan!"
"Master Lu is right. You are all family, so harmony should come first."
"Yes!"
After taking a deep breath, Lin Jiu turned to Lin Xuan. "Cousin, my words just now offended you."
"Please forgive your younger cousin for the sake of our family ties!"
Looking at Lin Jiu's respectful expression, Lin Xuan's nose stung.
Over all these years, this was the first time Lin Jiu had lowered his head before him.
Though all of this was because of Lu Chuan.
The pent-up resentment in Lin Xuan's heart still dissipated by more than half.
"Let today's matter end here." Though no one knew whether Lin Xuan had truly forgiven Lin Jiu, he still saved face for both of them on the surface.
"Thank you, Cousin!"
After thanking him once more, Lin Jiu pulled his classmates back into First Middle School's camp.
After Lin Jiu left, Lin Xuan said quietly, "Lu Chuan, thank you."
"We're classmates. Why be so polite?" Lu Chuan said indifferently.
The conflict between Lin Xuan and Lin Jiu was merely a small interlude.
Very quickly, the Elite Class got on track.
Granted, the Elite Class had been established to fish for prey.
But the guardians naturally also wanted to improve the students' achievements.
Thus, Lin Zhen put considerable effort into it, and the Elite Class's resources benefited the students immensely.
Time flashed by, and before they knew it, seven days had passed since the Elite Class was established.
Over those seven days, both the Elite Class and Lin City remained rather quiet.
It was as if nothing had happened.
As for the Heavenly Principle Cult, not even a shadow of them had appeared.
This inevitably made some of those participating in the fishing operation wonder whether the Heavenly Principle Cult had obtained some information and thus abandoned its plans against 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 closed.
Lu Chuan's aura fluctuated unstably. One second, it stood at the peak of Third Rank; the next, it fell back to First Rank.
The spiritual energy around him continuously poured into Lu Chuan's body.
The terrifying pulling force actually condensed a vortex of spiritual energy above Lu Chuan's head.
If anyone had been present, they would certainly have cried out that Lu Chuan was about to break through to Third Rank!
"I refuse to believe that, with the perfected Evergreen Spirit Art, I still cannot break through to Third Rank!"
"Break for me!"
With Lu Chuan's low shout, the spiritual energy in the Seclusion Chamber was instantly sucked dry by him.
At the same time, the aura Lu Chuan gave off no longer fluctuated unstably. Instead, it rose steadily.
Before long, it reached the realm of Third Rank!
Lu Chuan.
Had officially stepped into Third Rank!
Host: Lu Chuan Cultivation Technique: Evergreen Spirit Art 1024/(Perfect) Realm: Third Rank Martial Artist (1/) Martial Art: Eight Trigrams Swimming Dragon Palm 1067/(Perfect) Alchemy: Spirit Replenishing Potion 1/(Perfect), Spirit Gathering Potion 1/(Perfect) Simplification Points: 12
"Hahaha..."
Looking at his panel, Lu Chuan could not hide his delight. He collapsed onto the ground and burst into unrestrained laughter.
At the same time, within Lin City.
Atop a certain high-rise building.
Three martial artists dressed in black robes and wearing masks, radiating terrifying auras from head to toe, had gathered together.
The place where their gazes converged was Thunderclap Martial Hall!
After watching for a long while, the leader slowly spoke. "Tell me, could there be an ambush here?"
"I don't know." The man on the left shook his head, then immediately revealed a sinister grin. "Whether there is an ambush or not will not affect our plan."
"After all, Lin City is merely a smokescreen."
That was right. Lin City was only a smokescreen.
If the Heavenly Principle Cult truly intended to strike at Lin City, it would never have exposed itself beforehand.
The three of them understood this perfectly well.
If there was no ambush, so be it.
But if there was one, it could only mean that Dragon Kingdom had already fallen into their trap.
Only...
Could Dragon Kingdom truly fail to see through the Heavenly Principle Cult's scheme?
The three did not dare think too deeply about it. They could only act according to the plan while praying inwardly.
"Sigh..."
"Heavenly Principle, Heavenly Principle..."
"Is what we worship truly the Heavenly Principle?"
The leader could not help but grow doubtful.
Hearing this, the man on the right sneered. "Whether it is real or false, I only know that doing this can bring us benefits."
"Don't you want to break through beyond Ninth Rank and enjoy a lifespan comparable to that of immortals and gods?"
The instant those words came out, the leader's gaze became firm.
"I announce!"
"The hunt begins!"
Before you continue