The Entire Audience Was Shocked

Lin Fan stood proudly on Number One Arena, while Lin Hong lay below it, coughing blood and unconscious. Everyone around them was utterly stunned.

None of them had expected that Lin Hong, at the Body Tempering Seventh Layer, would be severely injured by Lin Fan's casual strike even after using a Second Grade Martial Art.

"Could Lin Fan have already reached the Body Tempering Ninth Layer?"

An unbelievable thought surged through everyone's minds.

As for the Earthly Yuan Realm, no one even considered it.

In their understanding, a warrior of the Earthly Yuan Realm at such a young age could not possibly appear in a small place like Qingyang Town.

At that moment, the younger generation around them all stared wide-eyed at Lin Hong.

As members of the same generation, most of them had either been defeated or bullied by Lin Hong, so they naturally knew how strong he was.

Likewise, they all knew Lin Fan.

In the past, Lin Fan had been among the least talented cultivators in the Lin Family. Even Lin Shan could bully him at will.

Who would have thought that only a few months later, he would send Lin Hong sprawling with a single exchange?

Below the arena, Lin Xia's pretty face was likewise filled with disbelief.

Her red lips parted into an "O" shape as shock filled her heart. How could Lin Fan be this strong?

"Good, good, good!"

Lin Zhentian stared blankly at Lin Fan, unable to suppress the excitement and wild joy in his eyes.

As the Lin Family's patriarch, his lifelong dream had been to strengthen the Lin Family and return to the main clan.

The more talented the Lin Family's descendants were, the stronger the Lin Family would become, and the greater his chances of returning to the main clan.

"With talent like this, Qing Tan certainly won't be wronged by marrying him!"

Beside him, Lin Xiao nodded slightly. In his heart, he had already acknowledged Lin Fan.

At that moment, only Lin Dong and Qing Tan were not surprised.

After all, they knew Lin Fan's true strength.

"Brat, you dare injure my son!"

A furious roar rang out as a figure descended from the sky, one hand shaped like an eagle's claw as it shot straight toward Lin Fan.

This sudden turn of events instantly startled everyone.

"Stop!"

Seeing this, Lin Zhentian shouted furiously.

"Lin Mang!"

"Don't be presumptuous!"

Lin Ken and Lin Xiao, beneath the arena, both released their auras and prepared to intervene.

However, they were ultimately a step too slow.

Facing Lin Mang of the Heavenly Yuan Realm, Lin Fan did not retreat.

He raised his hands slightly and lightly grasped the air, as if he could seize the entire heavens and earth.

True Martial Thirty-Six Styles!

First Style, Embrace Sky Hammer!

Just as Lin Mang's claw descended, Lin Fan pushed both hands forward and smashed them down at his opponent.

Boom!

In an instant, Lin Mang's expression changed drastically.

He felt an immense, heavy force sweeping toward him. It was as though Lin Fan was holding not empty air, but a towering mountain in his hands, carrying an irresistible might.

At the critical moment, he had no chance to use a martial art. He could only surge with Yuan Power throughout his body and strike furiously at Lin Fan with even greater force, kicking up a piercing roar through the air.

Rumble!

The collision between the two was like a meteor crashing into the ground, causing the entire earth to tremble.

A crack appeared on the stone platform between them, spreading all the way to both sides.

However, that was not the most shocking part.

Before everyone's eyes, Lin Mang was actually sent flying backward by the impact.

Although he did not appear seriously injured, Lin Mang was an expert of the Heavenly Yuan Realm. Yet he had been blasted away by a junior.

And at that instant, Lin Fan's cultivation finally stood revealed.

"Earthly Yuan Realm Middle Stage Peak?"

After sensing Lin Fan's cultivation, the Lin Family elders, including Lin Zhentian, felt waves of shock rise within their hearts.

They had never imagined that Lin Fan possessed cultivation at the Earthly Yuan Realm Middle Stage Peak.

More importantly, Lin Fan had defeated the strong while weaker. Even Lin Mang of the Heavenly Yuan Realm had been unable to do anything to him.

Although Lin Mang had not used a martial art and had been caught off guard, being able to send him flying was already far beyond ordinary.

The invited guests also revealed shocked expressions.

Every one of them stared at Lin Fan. From this day onward, Lin Fan would be the number one figure among Qingyang Town's younger generation.

Before long, he might even break through to the Heavenly Yuan Realm. Reaching the Essence Core Realm was not impossible either.

Thinking of this, they all rose to their feet and began congratulating Lin Zhentian.

"Congratulations to the Lin Family for gaining a Qilin Child!"

"Congratulations, Patriarch Lin! The Lin Family will surely become Qingyang Town's number one power in the future!"

"Patriarch Lin, your Lin Family has truly nurtured a monster this time!"

"..."

"Hahaha!"

Hearing the congratulations from these distinguished guests, Lin Zhentian could not help but burst into laughter.

However, when he saw Lin Mang below the arena, his expression darkened with anger.

It was this disappointing second son of his who had nearly ruined the Lin Family's future.

He suddenly stood up, fixed Lin Mang with a stern gaze, and roared, "Lin Mang, you actually attacked a junior in front of everyone. You have utterly disgraced the Lin Family!"

After a pause, he continued, "I told you to stop just now. Why did you refuse? Do you still have any respect for me as the patriarch?"

Hearing Lin Zhentian's furious rebuke, Lin Mang's expression turned ugly.

Although he had entered the Heavenly Yuan Realm, he was still far inferior to Lin Zhentian, who was at the Heavenly Yuan Realm Late Stage Peak.

Moreover, Lin Zhentian was his father. Faced with the authority accumulated over so many years, he did not dare argue back.

At some point, Lin Ken had come to Lin Zhentian's side. He said quietly, "Father, let this matter rest for now. We still have many guests here."

Lin Zhentian forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart and said to Lin Ken, "You will preside over the Clan Competition here. Have Lin Mang, Lin Xiao, and Lin Fan come find me in the rear courtyard!"

With that, he flicked his sleeve and left in a fury.

Rear courtyard.

Inside a hall, quite a few people were seated.

Naturally, Lin Zhentian, still seething with rage, sat in the seat of honor.

Beside him sat Lin Ken and Lin Xiao.

Lin Mang sat beside Lin Ken, while Lin Fan sat beside Lin Xiao.

"Lin Mang, you have truly brought me honor!"

Lin Zhentian gritted his teeth and said, "As an elder, you actually attacked a junior. Are you trying to make the Lin Family unable to hold its head up?"

As he spoke, he slammed his palm onto the table beside him, shattering it into pieces.

Thud!

Lin Mang immediately dropped to his knees and admitted his mistake. "Father, I know I was wrong."

"Father, Second Brother has always been impulsive by nature. He did not do this intentionally."

Lin Ken said, "Of course, he should still be punished. I think the finances under Second Brother's control should be handed over to Third Brother!"

"What kind of punishment is that?"

After thinking for a moment, Lin Zhentian said, "The finances will be managed by Eldest Brother. Flame Manor will be placed under Third Brother's management. As for you, Second Brother, stay home and reflect on your mistakes!"

"Father!"

Lin Mang was extremely dissatisfied with Lin Zhentian's decision.

There was no need to mention the finances; they were one of the Lin Family's most important departments.

Flame Manor was also an extremely important Lin Family enterprise, with its annual profits accounting for fifty to sixty percent of the Lin Family's total income.

It was precisely because he controlled these two that his position within the Lin Family had been so exceptional, and that he and his son had been able to cultivate so quickly.

Yet now, Lin Zhentian had taken away his authority all at once. How could he not feel distressed?

Lin Zhentian frowned. "What, can't I even command you anymore?"

"I wouldn't dare!"

Lin Mang's face twitched, but he did not dare say anything further.