Who Was the Real Trash?!

The aftermath of that earth-shattering shock seemed to still linger over the martial arts arena.

Lin Chen's words, "I have not failed my duty," and his calm, indifferent figure as he retreated into the crowd struck every Lin Family disciple's heart like a heavy hammer, stirring waves far more violent than when Lin Bao had displayed his strength!

Body Tempering Realm Triple Layer Mid-stage! Solid foundation!

Those eight words swirled and echoed through everyone's minds like a curse!

That trash who had been mocked for three whole years! That piece of slag declared incapable of ever cultivating! That abandoned child publicly rejected by the Su Family, regarded as an ant by Young Master Wang, and nearly forsaken by the Lineage elders...

He had actually returned?!

And he had returned in such an unbelievable, soul-shaking manner, rising to power with overwhelming force?!

After a brief dead silence came an even fiercer tide of incredulous discussion!

"Fake, right?! Am I seeing things? Lin Chen... he's really at Triple Layer Mid-stage?" "And the Third Elder said his foundation is solid! How is that possible?! He's only been cultivating again for a few days!" "Could he have been secretly cultivating all these years? Or... was he never crippled at all? Was he just hiding his strength?" "Hiding his strength? For three years? While letting so many people bully him? How much patience would that take? I don't believe it!" "Could it be... he encountered some fortuitous opportunity? Like taking some heavenly treasure?" "That's possible! Otherwise, how do you explain such an inconceivable breakthrough speed and such a stable foundation?"

All kinds of speculation, doubt, and astonishment spread through the crowd like a tide. Nearly every gaze directed at Lin Chen was filled with complicated, indescribable emotions—shock, confusion, jealousy, scrutiny, and even a trace of... faint fear!

A "trash" who had lain dormant for three years suddenly rising with overwhelming force brought a far greater impact than a genius advancing step by step! It was also far more unsettling!

Among the crowd, the Lin Family disciples who had once bullied and mocked Lin Chen had all gone pale. Their eyes darted away, and none dared meet Lin Chen's calm gaze. Their hearts were full of panic and regret, afraid that he would settle accounts after the autumn harvest.

Especially Lin Hu. The Body Tempering Realm Triple Layer Late-stage martial artist who had been swaggering and provoking Lin Chen earlier was now cowering at the back of the crowd, scarcely daring to breathe. He clearly remembered that just days ago, Lin Chen had seemed to be a "trash" too weak to truss a chicken, yet he had effortlessly knocked down both him and Lin Lang through ruthless methods. Now Lin Chen had revealed cultivation at Triple Layer Mid-stage, with such a solid foundation... just how strong was he truly?! Lin Hu did not even dare imagine it!

As for Lin Bao, one of the focal points of the entire arena, his expression could no longer merely be described as ugly. It was downright twisted!

He stared fixedly at Lin Chen, who remained mixed into the crowd with his head lowered, the resentment and killing intent in his eyes nearly condensing into substance!

Impossible! This was absolutely impossible!

That trash! That slag! How could he have reached Triple Layer Mid-stage in such a short time?! And with such a stable foundation?!

Cheating! He had to be cheating!

He must have used some shady method! Or perhaps the Martial Proving Stele had malfunctioned!

Right! The Martial Proving Stele must have malfunctioned!

As though clutching at a lifeline, Lin Bao suddenly raised his head and looked toward the high platform, wanting to loudly question it, wanting to expose Lin Chen's "plot"!

Yet when his gaze met the equally shocked and solemn expressions of the elders on the platform, the words at his lips were swallowed back down.

Even the Third Elder had personally confirmed that his foundation was solid. If he jumped out to question it now, would he not be slapping the Third Elder across the face? Besides, making trouble without any evidence would only make him seem even more incompetent and exasperated!

"Damn it! Damn it all!!" Lin Bao trembled with rage, an unhealthy flush rising across his pale face as the injuries he had forcibly suppressed showed signs of flaring up again!

His lackeys hurriedly supported him and consoled him in low voices. "Brother Leopard, calm down! So what if that trash got lucky and broke through? He's only at Triple Layer Mid-stage! Compared to your Fourth Layer Peak, he's still garbage!" "Exactly! If you draw him in the actual combat matches later, Brother Leopard, you can cripple him in public! Let him know who the real boss is!" "That's right! Let him be smug for now! He'll have time to cry later!"

Listening to his lackeys' "comfort," Lin Bao calmed down slightly, but the venom in his eyes grew even deeper.

That was right! So what if he was at Triple Layer Mid-stage? Lin Bao was at Fourth Layer Peak! He had also cultivated high-grade martial skills of the Lineage! Even injured, dealing with a trash who had just broken through would be more than easy!

In the actual combat matches later... he had to draw Lin Chen! He had to cripple him with his own hands! He would make him pay a hundredfold, a thousandfold price for the humiliation from before!

Lin Bao swore silently, looking at Lin Chen as though he were already dead.

The atmosphere atop the high platform was equally subtle.

Great Elder Lin Zhenhong's face was livid, so gloomy it seemed as if water could drip from it. No matter how hard he thought, he could not understand how that trash, whom he regarded as a thorn in his eye and a splinter in his flesh, had suddenly soared into the skies. It had completely disrupted his plans! He had originally believed this test would be the best opportunity to thoroughly drive Lin Chen out of the Lin Family, yet...

Subconsciously, he glanced at Lin Xiaotian beside him.

Although Lin Xiaotian still maintained a dignified expression, the excitement and gratification deep in his eyes were impossible to hide from an old fox like Lin Zhenhong!

Alarm bells rang wildly in Lin Zhenhong's heart!

He knew Lin Xiaotian too well! Lin Xiaotian appeared impartial, but he placed enormous value on the Lineage's potential and future! Lin Chen's talent three years ago had once made Lin Xiaotian place great hopes on him! Now that Lin Chen had "returned" in such a shocking fashion, the scales in Lin Xiaotian's heart had likely already begun to tip!

No! He absolutely could not let this little beast regain the Household head's attention! He absolutely could not let him threaten his grandson Lin Bao's position!

A fierce killing intent flashed through Lin Zhenhong's eyes. He had to find a way to completely strangle him during this test! Even if he could not kill him directly, he had to ruin his reputation and utterly cut off his hopes of rising!

Second Elder Lin Zhenshan still wore his carefree expression, as though he did not care much about what was happening before him. Only when he occasionally glanced at Lin Chen did a nearly imperceptible curiosity appear in his eyes.

Third Elder Lin Zhenyue, meanwhile, had his brows tightly furrowed. He seemed to still be considering the Martial Proving Stele's reaction just now, his eyes filled with intense interest and inquiry. As the elder in charge of punishments and testing, he valued strength and potential more than anything. The words "solid foundation," spoken by him, carried immense weight! They meant that Lin Chen's breakthrough was no accident but had a firm base! This gave him immense interest in that former "trash."

As for Household head Lin Xiaotian, his feelings at this moment were undoubtedly complicated.

Shock, delight, gratification, confusion... all kinds of emotions intertwined.

On one hand, he was sincerely happy about Lin Chen's "return." The Lin Family desperately needed fresh blood and genuine geniuses to hold up its name! The potential Lin Chen had displayed allowed him to see hope for the Lin Family's future!

But on the other hand, his heart was also filled with doubts. What had Lin Chen experienced over the past three years? Why had he suddenly broken through? And what was going on with his "solid foundation"? Did some secret lie hidden within it?

Moreover, Lin Chen's earlier defiance of the Su Family and direct confrontation with Wang Teng had made him somewhat worried. This child seemed to have changed... He was no longer quite the same as before? His temperament seemed tougher, even somewhat... unruly and defiant?

Lin Xiaotian decided to temporarily suppress his excitement and doubts and continue observing. The upcoming actual combat matches would be the real test! He wanted to see whether Lin Chen was merely a flash in the pan or whether he could truly soar into the skies!

With all sides harboring their own thoughts and an eerie atmosphere hanging over the arena, the cultivation examination continued.

After Lin Bao, several more disciples at the Body Tempering Realm Fourth Layer came forward to be tested. Though they also drew some applause, they seemed dim and colorless compared to the shock brought by Lin Bao and Lin Chen.

At last, it was time for the two greatest talents of the Lin Family's younger generation—Lin Yan and Lin Xue.

Lin Xue stepped up first.

Dressed in white like freshly fallen snow, her bearing cold and detached, she looked like an immortal maiden untouched by mortal dust. She slowly walked before the Martial Proving Stele, lifted her jade-like hand, and casually pressed it against the stone tablet.

Buzz—!!!

In an instant, the Martial Proving Stele erupted with a radiance even more dazzling and resplendent than Lin Bao's! The light was no longer pure white, but a faint, deep blue like ice crystals! Golden patterns could clearly be seen within it!

A freezing yet powerful aura instantly spread outward, seeming to lower the temperature of the surrounding air by several degrees!

Buzzzzzz—!

The Martial Proving Stele's hum also became sharper and more enduring! It seemed to be cheering in delight!

"Body Tempering Realm Sixth Layer Early-stage! Ice Attribute True Qi! Profound foundation!" Third Elder Lin Zhenyue's voice was filled with praise and excitement!

Roar!!!

Thunderous applause and cries of astonishment erupted from the entire arena once more!

"Sixth Layer! Miss Lin Xue really broke through to the Sixth Layer!" "She's incredible! And she even possesses the rare Ice Attribute True Qi!" "As expected of someone spoken of in the same breath as Brother Lin Yan, the number one genius of our Lin Family!"

Lin Xue remained unmoved by the praise around her. She merely gave the high platform a slight nod, then retreated like a drifting snow lotus.

Immediately afterward, the most eagerly anticipated person among the Lin Family's younger generation—Lin Yan—finally stepped forward!

Lin Yan stood tall and straight, with resolute features and eagle-sharp eyes. Every inch of him radiated powerful confidence and an aura of looking down upon the world!

He walked before the Martial Proving Stele without the slightest hesitation, lowered into a horse stance, clenched his right fist, and then—

He smashed it fiercely into the Martial Proving Stele!

Boom!!!!

A deafening explosion like the toll of an enormous bell suddenly erupted! The entire martial arts arena seemed to tremble!

A blinding crimson-gold radiance shot into the heavens from the Martial Proving Stele! Like a volcanic eruption! That light was so scorching! So tyrannical! It seemed ready to burn a hole through the sky itself!

Terrifying heat waves swept outward from the Martial Proving Stele! The nearby disciples felt their skin sting and hurriedly retreated!

Roar—!!!

What came from the Martial Proving Stele was no longer a simple hum, but an enraged roar like a savage tiger, brimming with overwhelming power!

"Body Tempering Realm Sixth Layer Peak!!" Lin Xiaotian abruptly rose from his seat, his face filled with irrepressible excitement and pride as he personally announced, "Yan'er! Well done!!"

The atmosphere throughout the arena reached its peak at that moment!

Applause! Cheers! Shouts! They rose like mountains crying out and seas roaring, continuing without end!

Body Tempering Realm Sixth Layer Peak! Only one step remained before the next great realm—Foundation Establishment Realm!

Such talent! Such strength! It was enough to stand proudly above the entire younger generation of Qingyang Town!

Lin Yan withdrew his fist, powerful confidence on his face. He gave the high platform a slight bow, then swept his gaze across the arena. In the end, it lingered on Lin Chen for a moment, carrying an intrigued, appraising look.

Lin Chen's heart tightened slightly. This Lin Yan was indeed powerful! Far stronger than the likes of Lin Bao! Even from such a distance, that scorching, tyrannical fist intent made him sense a thread of danger!

Yet it was only a thread of danger.

Lin Chen calmly met Lin Yan's gaze without retreating in the slightest.

One day, he would trample every genius beneath his feet!

The cultivation examination concluded with Lin Yan's earth-shattering punch.

The results were without suspense. Lin Yan and Lin Xue stood at the very top with an absolute advantage. Though Lin Bao had also performed well, he was utterly overshadowed in comparison.

And the greatest dark horse was undoubtedly Lin Chen!

With his shocking display of "Body Tempering Realm Triple Layer Mid-stage, solid foundation," he shattered everyone's doubts and successfully threw the originally clear structure of the Lin Family's younger generation into disarray!

For a time, he became the center of discussion throughout the arena.

Some marveled at his "fortuitous opportunity" and "forbearance."

Some envied his "good fortune" and "potential."

Others still disdained him, believing that he was merely a flash in the pan or had relied on some unorthodox means.

And there were even more, such as Lin Bao and Lin Zhenhong, who had already regarded him as a thorn in their eye and a splinter in their flesh, wishing to eliminate him at once!

Lin Chen took in every one of these reactions, yet his heart remained as calm as still water.

This was exactly the effect he wanted!

He had to display enough potential for the Household head to see hope and grant him breathing room; yet he also had to control the extent of it, not becoming too shocking and drawing unnecessary trouble or a fatal calamity. At the same time, he needed to successfully attract hatred, numb his enemies, and pave the way for his next plan!

For now, everything was under his control.

"Enough! The cultivation examination is over!" On the high platform, Third Elder Lin Zhenyue spoke again, his voice suppressing the discussions in the arena. "Next comes the second event—actual combat matches!"

"All disciples who passed the cultivation examination, come forward and draw your match numbers!"

It was here!

Lin Chen's gaze sharpened, and his mind instantly became intensely focused!

This was the part he had truly been waiting for! It was also the most crucial link in his plan!

Following the flow of people, he walked toward a huge wooden box that had long been prepared before the high platform. Inside the box lay numerous number plates made from special materials.

He stood in the middle of the line, watching the people ahead draw their numbers one by one as he silently calculated.

He needed to draw a suitable opponent. Preferably one of Lin Bao's lackeys! That way, he could "rightfully" severely injure them, weaken Lin Bao's claws and fangs, and further test his own actual combat ability.

As for drawing Lin Bao directly? A cold smile curled at Lin Chen's lips. Based on the Triple Layer Mid-stage strength he had "displayed," facing Lin Bao at Fourth Layer Peak would appear no different to outsiders than an egg striking a stone. But that was precisely the result he wanted most!

He had absolute confidence that, under countless watchful eyes, he could give Lin Bao a "surprise" he would never forget for the rest of his life!

Of course, drawing lots depended heavily on luck.

While standing in line, Lin Chen secretly circulated the Myriad Dao Furnace and attempted to let a thread of exceedingly weak, nearly imperceptible intent seep into that enormous wooden box.

He wanted to see whether the furnace's power could affect those number plates. Or at the very least, allow him to sense in advance which number plate corresponded to whom.

This was another extremely bold attempt!

Yet what delighted him was—

When that faint thread of intent, accompanied by the furnace's invisible and subtle power, touched the number plates within the wooden box—

He actually "saw" them!

Each number plate seemed to carry an extremely faint aura belonging to the person who had drawn it!

And several of those number plates carried familiar auras—those of Lin Bao and his lackeys!

It actually... worked?! Lin Chen was ecstatic!

The Myriad Dao Furnace's abilities had once again exceeded his imagination! It could not only refine all things; it seemed capable of sensing, and perhaps even interfering with, objects containing faint energy or auras!

Although that interference was incredibly weak and he could not directly "control" the drawing results, he could at least learn in advance which number plates were the "targets" he wanted!

That was already enough!

He forcefully suppressed the excitement in his heart, keeping the same nervous and expectant expression on his face as he slowly moved forward with the line.

Very soon, it was his turn.

He took a deep breath, pretended to be extremely nervous, and reached into the enormous wooden box.

His fingers felt through the many number plates, while his intent had long since locked onto one carrying Lin Bao's aura!

This was the one!

With a thought from Lin Chen, his fingers "just happened" to grasp that number plate, then slowly pulled it out.

He did not inspect it immediately. Instead, he first stepped aside and waited for the others to finish drawing.

Soon, everyone had drawn their number plates.

"Good! Everyone has finished drawing!" Third Elder Lin Zhenyue announced loudly. "Now, the steward will read the match list!"

A steward immediately stepped forward, picked up a roster, and began reading aloud.

"First match, Lin Yan versus Lin..."

"Second match, Lin Xue versus Lin..."

One name after another was read out, and the atmosphere in the martial arts arena grew increasingly tense.

Lin Chen's heart rose into his throat as well. Although he had obtained Lin Bao's number plate, it was still unknown whom Lin Bao had drawn.

At last—

"...Thirty-second match, Lin Bao versus..." The steward paused, glanced at the list in his hands, then read the final name in a strangely incredulous tone, "...Lin Chen!"

Lin Bao versus Lin Chen!!!

Boom!!!!

The entire martial arts arena completely exploded!