Top Ten Ranking, Undercurrents Surge

The martial arts arena was still noisy, but the atmosphere was completely different from before.

Lin Chen's earth-shattering "gray potential" and his subsequent ruthless move of crippling Lin Bao's right arm were like two heavy hammers, completely overturning everyone's perception of him. They also made the previously clear testing landscape become muddled and turbulent with undercurrents.

The practical combat ranking matches were still ongoing.

But everyone's gaze would involuntarily drift towards the black-clothed youth standing quietly in the corner, his expression still carrying a hint of "daze" and "disappointment."

Fear, awe, curiosity, jealousy, disdain… a multitude of complex emotions intertwined, forming an invisible net that enveloped Lin Chen.

He was like a great enigma, unfathomable, making people want to approach and explore, yet also afraid of being consumed.

Lin Chen seemed oblivious to all of this, still immersed in his own "world." However, in reality, his mind was like the most sensitive radar, constantly monitoring the situation on the field and the reactions of the big shots on the high platform.

He knew his "performance" was not yet over.

The practical combat ranking matches not only determined the top ten but also the final rankings! This was related to the subsequent resource allocation and the spots to participate in the Three Great Families Competition!

With the "Body Tempering Realm Fourth Layer early stage" strength he had "displayed" and the label of "low potential," he still needed to "work harder" to secure a spot in the top ten, or even strive for a relatively high ranking.

Soon, the preceding duels concluded one after another.

It was Lin Chen's turn to appear again.

His opponent was an inner disciple at the Body Tempering Realm Fourth Layer middle stage, named Lin Feng. This person was burly and skilled in a fierce set of techniques called the Mountain Splitting Fist. He had also performed well in the previous preliminary tests.

When Lin Feng saw that his opponent was Lin Chen, his expression instantly turned somewhat grim, his eyes filled with apprehension.

Although Lin Chen's potential test results were outrageously poor, the scene of him heavily injuring Lin Bao with a single punch was still vivid in his mind! That was someone at the Fourth Layer peak! Although Lin Bao was injured, the power of Lin Chen's punch was absolutely not to be underestimated!

"Senior Brother Lin Feng, please guide me." Lin Chen walked onto the stage, still wearing that "standard" expression of slight nervousness and lack of confidence. He cupped his fists towards Lin Feng, adopting a very humble posture.

Lin Feng looked at Lin Chen's "harmless" appearance and recalled his ruthlessness when he crippled Lin Bao. His heart became even more unsettled, unable to gauge the other's true depth.

"Hmph! Junior Brother Lin Chen, please!" Lin Feng forced himself to calm down, took his stance, but dared not attack rashly. Instead, he adopted a defensive posture, intending to probe first.

Seeing this, Lin Chen chuckled inwardly. It seemed his previous "fierce reputation" had already served its deterrent purpose.

However, he didn't intend to "reveal" his strength immediately.

If he was going to act, he would act the part completely!

"Hah!" Lin Chen let out a low shout, his feet stepping through the seemingly clumsy Willow Catkin Movement Technique. His figure swayed unsteadily as he charged towards Lin Feng!

He didn't use the more powerful Surging Wave Palm. Instead, he still employed the basic Fierce Tiger Fist! The wind from his fists whistled, appearing imposing, but both his speed and power were clearly controlled at a level expected of a "Body Tempering Realm Fourth Layer early stage"! Even due to factors like "low potential" and "distracted mind," he seemed somewhat… lacking in stamina?

Lin Feng was cautious at first, defending rigorously. But after a few exchanges, he found that Lin Chen's attacks didn't seem as strong as he had imagined.

The power in his fists, while formidable, was worlds apart from that punch he used against Lin Bao! His movement technique was still that shaky, as if he might fall at any moment!

Could it be… he was just lucky before? Or did his low potential truly affect his performance?

Lin Feng's heart gradually settled, and his courage grew.

"Mountain Splitting Fist!" He seized upon a "flaw" in Lin Chen's movement and roared, his right fist like a colossal mountain-splitting axe, carrying a sharp gust of wind, smashing fiercely towards Lin Chen's chest!

He used seventy percent of his strength in this punch! He wanted to repel Lin Chen in one fell swoop and secure the victory!

Facing this powerful punch, Lin Chen's face once again showed "panic"! He hastily raised both arms, crossing them in front of his chest to block!

Bang!!!

A muffled sound!

Lin Chen was like someone hit by a heavy hammer. He staggered back seven or eight steps before managing to stabilize himself! His face turned a few shades "paler," and a trace of blood "overflowed" from the corner of his mouth (which, of course, was forced out by his true qi beforehand)!

"Wow!" The crowd below immediately erupted in an uproar!

"Did you see that?! Lin Chen is really done for! He was repelled by Senior Brother Lin Feng with just one punch!" "I knew it! Trash potential is just no good! His previous victory was definitely a trick!" "It seems his strength is just that, nothing to be afraid of!"

Some people who had been intimidated by Lin Chen began to stir again, their gazes towards Lin Chen filled with contempt and disdain once more.

Lin Bao (who had already been carried away for emergency treatment, but was conscious and watching the scene with malice) almost burst out laughing when he saw this! Useless! He really is useless! Just you wait until the test is over, I'll see how I deal with you!

On the high platform, those from Lin Zhenhong's faction also felt a surge of spirit! It seems this little beast has truly exhausted his potential, and his strength has stopped here!

Even Lin Xiaotian and Lin Zhenyue, who had always held expectations for Lin Chen, found their brows furrowed once more. Could it be… they had misjudged him?

However, just as everyone thought Lin Chen was finished—

"Cough, cough…" Lin Chen "laboriously" coughed twice, wiping away the "bloodstains" from his mouth. But then, his eyes suddenly burst forth with a wild and stubborn light, like that of a wounded beast!

"Senior Brother Lin Feng… you… you are very strong! But… I will not surrender!" he roared, as if using all his strength!

Then, he once again staggered forward! Still using the Fierce Tiger Fist! Still appearing "lacking in stamina"!

Seeing this, Lin Feng's heart was greatly reassured! It seems this trash is at the end of his rope!

He sneered and swung his fist to meet him again!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The two exchanged blows, fists and palms colliding, emitting dull thuds!

On the field, Lin Chen was completely at a disadvantage! Being suppressed by Lin Feng! Forced to retreat step by step! In constant peril! More "injuries" were added to his body! He looked utterly pathetic! As if he could fall at any moment!

But!

He managed to hold on, time and time again, relying on that "tenacious" will!

Every time he was repelled, he would "stubbornly" charge forward again! Every time he was "injured," his eyes would become even more "crazed"!

This kind of resilience, like an "unkillable cockroach," and that "desperate" stance as if burning his life away, instead made the dominant Lin Feng increasingly alarmed and hesitant with every blow!

What's going on with this guy?! He clearly looked like he was done for, how could he still hold on?! And those eyes of his... too terrifying! It was like... like he wanted to take me down with him!

Lin Feng was frightened by Lin Chen's "madness"! He started to hesitate, no longer daring to strike with full force, afraid of truly pushing this "madman" too far and causing a mutual destruction!

And just as Lin Feng's mind wavered and his offense slowed for a moment—

A sharp glint flashed in Lin Chen's eyes!

An opportunity!

This was the opportunity he had been waiting for!

"Ah—!!!" He let out another roar of "indignation," as if condensing all his strength into a final blow!

This time, he didn't use the Fierce Tiger Fist again, but instead used the technique "bestowed" by the family head—the Surging Wave Palm!

Of course, it was the Surging Wave Palm that he had deliberately "weakened" and "disguised"!

As expected, a yellowish-brown light lit up on his palm again! But compared to before, it seemed a bit dim, and the palm force wasn't layered, but only struck once... at most, it looked like two layers?

But even so!

This palm still contained a strength that could not be underestimated! And the timing was perfect! It landed precisely when Lin Feng's old strength was gone, new strength not yet arrived, and his mind was in a state of disarray!

Bang!!!

Lin Feng felt a fierce palm strike! Although the power didn't seem as strong as he imagined, the timing was incredibly precise! Caught off guard, he only managed to block it clumsily!

He was immediately sent staggering back five or six steps, his blood churning! His chest felt heavy!

And Lin Chen, after delivering that palm strike, his body seemed to lose all strength, and he suddenly leaned back, falling to the ground with a thud! His face was "as pale as paper," and he gasped for air, as if he no longer had the strength to stand!

"I... I..." He looked at Lin Feng, who had also retreated, his eyes revealing an expression of "disbelief" and "narrow escape," "I... I won?"

Silence!

The entire venue fell into an eerie silence once more!

Everyone stared dumbfounded at the dramatic scene on the stage!

Won... won?!

Lin Chen... actually won again?!

Although it was such a "difficult" win! So "lucky"! So "tragic"! He had even exhausted himself to the point of collapse!

But... he had won in the end!

That young man with low potential, who looked like he had exhausted all his energy, had actually "dragged" Lin Feng, who was in the middle stage of the Body Tempering Realm Fourth Layer, down with sheer willpower bordering on madness?!

This... this was simply...

"Commendable will! Truly commendable!" On the high platform, the Third Elder, Lin Zhenyue, stroked his beard and praised, looking at Lin Chen with admiration! Although the victory was not pretty, this unyielding tenacity was an indispensable quality for a strong individual!

Lin Xiaotian also nodded slightly, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes. While he still had doubts about Lin Chen's potential, his fighting spirit was worth acknowledging.

Only those from Lin Zhenhong's faction had even uglier expressions! Useless! Couldn't even defeat a waste whose potential was exhausted! Truly useless!

And Lin Feng on the stage, his face was a mixture of green and white. He looked at Lin Chen, who was collapsed on the ground as if he could die at any moment, then at his own numb arm and aching chest. Finally, he gritted his teeth, cupped his hands towards the referee, and said with a trace of unwillingness and shame, "I... I concede!"

He was truly terrified by Lin Chen's "madness"! If they continued fighting, who knew what else this lunatic would do! Besides, losing to someone whose "potential was exhausted," while embarrassing, was still better than being dragged down with him in a mutual destruction!

"Lin Chen wins!" The referee announced loudly, as if relieved.

Only then did Lin Chen seem to relax. With the "support" of two stewards, he "struggled" to stand up, "weakly" bowed again on the stage, and then "limped" off the competition platform.

This battle once again changed everyone's impression of Lin Chen!

This guy, despite his poor potential, possessed a terrifying ferocity and tenacity! He would rather risk severe injury or even mutual destruction to drag his opponent down!

In the future... it would be better to provoke him less!

Lin Chen successfully cemented his image of "insufficient potential but tenacious will, and decent strength (perhaps at the peak of early Fourth Layer)" with a "hard-won" victory!

The subsequent ranking battles became even more interesting.

Because of Lin Chen's existence and his "mutual destruction" fighting style, some opponents who had originally wanted to challenge him, or might have been drawn to face him, became hesitant.

After all, no one wanted to risk a mutually destructive fight for a mere reputation, which could affect their future development.

Ultimately, in the following rounds of duels and challenges, Lin Chen "arduously" won another match (his opponent was also intimidated by his "madness," fought hesitantly, and was eventually seized by Lin Chen for a "narrow victory"), and also "reasonably" lost one match (his opponent was a genius in the early stage of the Body Tempering Realm Fifth Layer, and Lin Chen, despite "giving his all," could not bridge the gap in realm, ultimately "regrettably" losing).

Thus, his final ranking was fixed at—seventh place!

This ranking, neither high nor low, perfectly fit his image of "insufficient potential but decent strength," and was enough for him to receive good rewards and resource allocation, while also not attracting too much attention or causing significant trouble!

It was simply... perfect!

When the final rankings were announced, and Lin Chen stepped onto the stage again to receive his seventh-place reward (still more generous than others in the same rank, the family head's favoritism was evident), his "tired," "weak," yet slightly "satisfied" and "stubborn" expression once again drew the attention of countless people.

The grand testing ceremony finally concluded amidst various complex emotions and discussions.

The landscape of the Lin Family's younger generation seemed... to be truly on the verge of changing due to the appearance of this mysterious young man?

No one knew the answer.

Only Lin Chen himself knew that all of this was just a grand play he had meticulously directed!

The real storm had yet to arrive!

He took his generous rewards and, under many complicated gazes, silently returned to his small courtyard.

He closed the courtyard gate, shutting out the outside world.

The fatigue, weakness, and confusion on Lin Chen's face vanished instantly, replaced by eyes as calm as an abyss, and… a trace of cold killing intent!

The "actor's" part was over.

Next, it was time for the "hunter" to appear!

Lin Bao… your nightmare has only just begun!

Tonight will be your… death!

No, perhaps leaving you alive, to watch me ascend step by step, would be the most cruel torture for you?

A cruel and cold curve formed on the corner of Lin Chen's mouth.

He began to carefully check his condition, adjust his breathing, and quickly recover the energy consumed by his "performance" during the day. At the same time, he also sorted out the rewards he had just obtained, as well as the "trophies" he had plundered before.

Spirit stones, elixirs, magic tools, talismans… as well as that mysterious beast-skin movement technique manual, and that Nine-Orifice Black Stone that had caused the anomaly in his furnace!

These would all become the foundation for his actions tonight!