Monthly Tournament, Rules Announced

In the early morning, as the first ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds, Lin Fan was already standing in the small grove behind the mountain.

A wooden sword in hand, its tip slightly lowered.

The night's rest hadn't fully restored his body. The fatigue from training at five times the normal speed clung to him like a shadow. His muscles ached, his bones felt swollen, and even his sword-holding hand trembled slightly.

But Lin Fan's eyes were exceptionally bright.

He closed his eyes, recalling every detail of his spar with Chen Dahu yesterday—those clumsy thrusts, his unfamiliar sweeps, the poorly angled upward slashes. Then, he corrected each mistake in his mind, imagining a more perfect, faster, and more precise way to wield the sword.

Mind moves with intent, sword follows mind.

This was the first sentence in the core principles of the Gale Sword Technique.

Lin Fan hadn't understood it before, thinking it was just vague rhetoric. But after a night of thought and contemplation, he suddenly felt a glimmer of enlightenment.

The so-called "mind moves with intent" wasn't about the mind commanding the action, but about the mind and action becoming one. When you intend to thrust at a certain point, the sword is already there. There's no thought, no hesitation in between, only instinct.

And "sword follows mind" was the reverse, allowing the sword's trajectory to influence the mind's judgment. Wherever the sword went, attention followed, mind and sword becoming one.

It sounded mystical, but it was really just three words: proficiency.

When a skill is practiced to its extreme, it integrates into the body's instincts, becoming a part of you. At that point, the slightest intent causes the body to react naturally, without complex calculations from the brain.

Like his Basic Fist Technique now. After reaching Minor Accomplishment, many moves were second nature; he didn't need to consciously think about how to punch or how to exert force.

"Sword techniques... should be the same."

Lin Fan opened his eyes and took a deep breath.

Starting stance.

Then, thrust!

The first move, Gale Thrust!

There was no stiffness from yesterday, no awkwardness. This thrust was like lightning, the wooden sword tearing through the air with a sharp whistle. The sword tip drew a perfectly straight line in the morning light, so fast its trajectory was almost invisible.

[Gale Sword Technique Proficiency +3]

The numbers flashing on the panel were more than yesterday.

Not because of the five-times speed training, but because the quality of this thrust was higher—straighter, faster, and more stable.

Lin Fan didn't pause, immediately launching into the second move.

Gale Sweep!

The wooden sword swept horizontally, stirring up fallen leaves. The blade was as steady as a ruler, its trajectory a smooth arc. Power flowed from his waist to his arm, then to the sword tip, all in one fluid motion.

[Gale Sword Technique Proficiency +3]

The third move, Gale Slash.

The fourth move, Gale Cleave.

The fifth move, Gale Parry.

The sixth move, Gale Return.

All six moves were executed in succession, flowing like water.

Although it was far from perfect, and many details still needed refinement, it was a world apart from the stiff and clumsy movements of yesterday.

[Gale Sword Technique: Proficient (521/1000)]

Overnight, it had broken through from the Entry level of 417 points to the Proficient level of 521 points.

If other students knew this speed, they would probably be stunned.

But Lin Fan was not satisfied.

The Proficient level was just the beginning, with only a 10% bonus. He wanted Minor Accomplishment, Major Accomplishment, even Perfection. He wanted to train this Mortal Tier, Low-grade sword technique to a height that others could hardly imagine.

"Again."

Lin Fan sheathed his sword, adjusted his breathing, and started over.

One move, then another.

One repetition, then another.

Sweat soon soaked his clothes, but Lin Fan's eyes grew brighter. He could feel that each sword strike was a little better than the last—the angle a bit more cunning, the speed a touch faster, the force exertion a bit smoother.

This visible progress captivated him.

Time flowed by amidst the sword wind.

The sun gradually rose higher, and the temperature in the grove began to climb. The chirping of birds, the sound of wind rustling leaves, and the distant clamor from the training grounds were all blocked out by Lin Fan.

In his world, there was only the sword.

Until—

"Brother Fan! Brother Fan!"

Chen Dahu's voice came from afar, tinged with urgency.

Lin Fan stopped his sword, turned his head, and looked. Chen Dahu was running over, panting, his face a mixture of excitement and anxiety.

"What's up?" Lin Fan asked.

"Teacher Zhang announced that in half an hour, all students from the Regular Class will gather at the training grounds to announce the specific rules for the monthly mini-competition!" Chen Dahu said, panting heavily. "And... and rumor has it that the rewards for this mini-competition are more generous than in previous years!"

Lin Fan's eyes lit up.

It was finally here.

The mini-competition he had long awaited was finally about to begin.

"Let's go, back to prepare." Lin Fan sheathed his wooden sword and strode towards the training grounds.

Chen Dahu quickly followed, saying as they walked, "Brother Fan, I just heard some news. This mini-competition seems to be related not only to next month's resource allocation but also to... a special spot."

"A special spot?" Lin Fan paused.

"Yeah," Chen Dahu lowered his voice. "I heard from the Genius Class that the top three finishers in this mini-competition will have a chance to enter the 'Starry Secret Realm' for trial!"

The Starry Secret Realm?

Lin Fan's heart stirred.

He had seen this name in the academy's records. It was a small secret realm controlled by Jiangnan Martial Arts Academy, said to have an ambient spiritual energy concentration more than ten times that of the outside world, and it grew many rare medicinal herbs. There was even a chance to discover treasures left behind by ancient Martial Artists.

However, spots in the secret realm were extremely limited. In previous years, only the top ten students of the Genius Class were eligible to enter. Students from the Regular Class couldn't even dream of it.

This time, it was actually open to the Regular Class?

"Is the news reliable?" Lin Fan asked.

"It should be reliable," Chen Dahu said. "Zhou Ming told me. That kid is slippery, but his information is always up-to-date."

Zhou Ming, the bespectacled information broker who always had a smile on his face.

Lin Fan had some impression of him. On the first day of school, Zhou Ming had approached him, offering to sell him "internal academy information," which Lin Fan politely declined. He had seen him a few times in the Mission Hall since then. Each time, Zhou Ming was lurking in the crowd, his ears perked high and his eyes darting around, gathering all sorts of information.

If the news came from Zhou Ming, then it did have some credibility.

"It seems this mini-competition is more important than we thought," a hint of seriousness flashed in Lin Fan's eyes.

If it were just a normal resource competition, he wouldn't feel too much pressure. But involving a spot in the secret realm meant the competition would be unprecedentedly fierce. Those who usually hid their strength, those with family backing, those who would spare no expense to advance further – they would all bring out their full trump cards.

And then there was Wang Chao...

Lin Fan's mind flashed with Wang Chao's cold face.

Given Wang Chao's personality, he would never let this opportunity pass. He would definitely use all means to ensure his people got the spots and, at the same time, kick him, the "unappreciative" guy, out of the running.

"Interesting," a smile curved Lin Fan's lips.

The greater the pressure, the greater the motivation.

The stronger the opponent, the greater the reward after victory.

Wasn't this exactly what he wanted?

"Dahu, let's pick up the pace," Lin Fan quickened his steps. "I want to practice my sword techniques a few more times before the assembly."

"Still practicing?" Chen Dahu's eyes widened. "Brother Fan, you've been practicing all morning!"

"Not enough," Lin Fan shook his head. "There are still four days until the mini-competition. I want to practice the Gale Sword Technique until I reach the proficient level."

"Proficient level?!" Chen Dahu gasped. "Four days to go from beginner to proficient? Brother Fan, that's a Mortal Tier sword technique, not the Basic Fist Technique!"

"I know," Lin Fan didn't stop walking. "That's why I need to seize the time even more."

Chen Dahu looked at Lin Fan's retreating back, opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing more.

He knew that once Brother Fan made up his mind, no one could change it.

Moreover, after experiencing so much, Chen Dahu had developed an almost blind trust in Lin Fan. If Brother Fan said he could do it, then he definitely could.

When the two returned to the training grounds, quite a few students had already gathered.

There were five classes in the Regular Class, fifty students per class, for a total of two hundred and fifty people. At this moment, the training grounds were a sea of black, filled with noise and discussion.

"Did you hear? The top three in this mini-competition get to enter the Starry Secret Realm!"

"Really? Isn't the secret realm a perk exclusive to the Genius Class?"

"Absolutely true! My cousin is in the Genius Class, he told me himself."

"Then we have to go all out this time! The secret realm, entering it once is worth half a year of hard training outside!"

"Go all out? With what? Look over there, Zhao Gang, Li Long, Sun Hu, those tough guys are already itching for a fight. They're all 2nd Grade Martial Artists, and their martial skills are at least high-grade Mortal Tier. What are we 1st Graders doing here?"

"That's true... sigh, it's a rare opportunity, but our strength isn't enough."

Lin Fan listened to the surrounding discussions with a calm expression.

He found a corner to sit down, closed his eyes to rest, and continued to deduce his sword techniques in his mind.

The angle of the Gale Stab could be made even more tricky, the force generation for the Gale Sweep could be made even smoother, the timing of the Gale Lift could be made even more precise...

Every detail was worth pondering repeatedly.

"Brother Fan, look over there." Chen Dahu suddenly nudged Lin Fan's arm.

Lin Fan opened his eyes and followed Chen Dahu's pointing direction.

At the entrance to the training grounds, a group of people walked in.

Leading them was a tall young man, about eighteen or nineteen years old, with short hair, a square face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes. His muscles were tightly coiled, stretching his academy uniform taut. He walked with a commanding presence, parting the crowds of students wherever he went.

"Zhang Kuanghu," Lin Fan recognized him.

He was one of the prominent figures in the Regular Class, a peak 2nd-grade Martial Artist, rumored to be just a step away from 3rd grade. He practiced his family's martial art, Fierce Tiger Fist, a Mortal Tier Top Grade technique, known for its fierce and overbearing power. In a previous class mini-competition, he had once struck the Strength Testing Monument with a terrifying force of three thousand jin, shocking everyone present.

More importantly, this person was one of Wang Chao's loyal followers, affiliated with the outer circle of the "Sword Pavilion."

Following Zhang Kuanghu were seven or eight people, all skilled individuals from the Regular Class, with the lowest being an early 2nd-grade. They surrounded Zhang Kuanghu, arrogant and looking down on everyone.

"I heard Zhang Kuanghu already declared he'll take first place in this mini-competition," Chen Dahu whispered. "He privately 'talked' to several strong students, asking them to 'cooperate' with him during the competition. If they didn't, he threatened to seriously injure them."

Lin Fan's eyes grew cold.

The same old tactics.

Using his strength and background to bully others and monopolize resources.

"He also said..." Chen Dahu hesitated.

"Said what?"

"He said he'd break your legs on the stage," Chen Dahu gritted out. "Brother Fan, this guy is coming for you. Wang Chao instructed him to do this."

Lin Fan was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"Then let him try."

His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable confidence.

Chen Dahu looked at Lin Fan's profile and suddenly felt that the young man who used to worry about his sister's medicine fees in the slums was gone. The current Brother Fan had light in his eyes, a flame, a reassuring strength.

"Brother Fan, I believe in you," Chen Dahu nodded heavily.

At this moment, several people walked onto the high platform at the front of the training grounds.

Leading them was Teacher Zhang, still wearing his gold-rimmed glasses, looking refined. But the people behind him made the students hold their breath.

To his left stood a bald, scar-faced middle-aged man, over two meters tall, his muscles bulging like iron blocks. He stood there like an iron tower. His gaze was fierce, and as he scanned the crowd, many students instinctively lowered their heads, afraid to meet his eyes.

The Vice Principal, Liu Batian.

To his right stood a cold and beautiful woman, around thirty years old, dressed in black, her long hair tied in a high ponytail, her eyes sharp as knives. As she stood there, the surrounding temperature seemed to drop a few degrees, sending chills down one's spine.

The Genius Class instructor, Han Bing.

Further back were several homeroom teachers from the Regular Class, as well as some elder supervisors of the academy.

This lineup made everyone realize that this mini-competition was no small matter.

"Silence."

Teacher Zhang spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears.

The training grounds fell silent instantly, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"I have gathered you all here today to announce the specific rules for this month's 'Monthly Mini-Competition'," Teacher Zhang adjusted his glasses, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. "First, I want to emphasize one point: this mini-competition is related to the future of each and every one of you, as well as the academy's resource allocation. Everyone must give their all and not slack off."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "This mini-competition will adopt a 'stage elimination system'. All five Regular Classes in the academy, a total of two hundred and fifty students, will participate. The competition will be divided into three stages: preliminaries, qualifiers, and finals."

"In the preliminaries, students will be divided into groups of five, with each group engaging in round-robin matches. The two with the most wins will advance. During this stage, intentional maiming or killing is prohibited. Violators will be disqualified and severely punished by the academy."

"In the qualifiers, one hundred participants will be drawn for one-on-one duels, single-elimination until the top ten are decided. In this stage, the use of weapons is allowed, and a certain degree of serious injury is permitted, but the referee has the right to stop the match if it becomes dangerous."

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"In the finals, the top ten will compete in ranking matches. Each person will fight every other person once, ranked by the number of wins. The top three will receive special rewards."

At this point, Teacher Zhang paused.

All the students perked up their ears, waiting for his next words.

"The top ten in this mini-competition will receive double cultivation resources next month. The top three will receive additional rewards--"

Teacher Zhang's voice suddenly rose:

"Third place: Reward of five hundred Academic Credits, one Mortal Tier Top Grade pill, 'Body Tempering Pill', and one Earth Tier Low Grade martial skill of your choice!"

"Second place: Reward of eight hundred Academic Credits, one Mortal Tier Top Grade pill, 'Qi Gathering Pill', and one Earth Tier Mid Grade cultivation technique of your choice!"

"First place: Reward of one thousand Academic Credits, one Earth Tier Low Grade pill, 'Breakthrough Pill', and one Earth Tier High Grade martial skill of your choice!"

"Whoosh--"

The entire venue erupted in an uproar.

These rewards were too generous!

Earth Tier martial skills! Earth Tier cultivation techniques! Earth Tier pills!

These were things that students in the Regular Class usually didn't even dare to dream about! Even in the Genius Class, only the very top few had the qualification to practice Earth Tier cultivation techniques and martial skills!

Not to mention the "Breakthrough Pill," a rare medicinal pill that could help break through cultivation realms!

"Quiet," Teacher Zhang raised his hand to calm them. "Furthermore, after a decision by the academy's high command, the top three in this mini-competition will receive an additional reward--"

He looked around the entire venue and said word by word:

"Enter the 'Starry Secret Realm' for a three-day trial."

Although rumors had been circulating, hearing Teacher Zhang confirm it personally still caused a greater commotion.

The Starry Secret Realm! It's really the Starry Secret Realm!

"Silence!" Liu Batian spoke this time.

His voice boomed like thunder, making everyone's ears ring.

"Look at yourselves!" Liu Batian glared, "So excited over a little reward? The path of martial arts relies on strength! Without strength, the best rewards won't be yours!"

He pointed at the crowd below: "I'm telling you, this mini-competition will show no mercy just because you're freshmen! On the arena, fists and feet have no eyes! Those who fear injury or shame can withdraw now! The Martial Arts Academy does not harbor trash!"

The entire place fell silent, no one daring to make a sound.

Liu Batian's fearsome reputation was well-known throughout the academy. It was said that when he was in the military, he once fought three fourth-tier demonic beasts alone, drenched in blood, and ultimately slew them all. After retiring and becoming a teacher, he was known for his strictness and harshness. Many students cried and wailed under him, but their progress was also the fastest.

"The rules have been announced," Teacher Zhang continued, "The mini-competition will be held four days from now, on the fifteenth of this month, at the academy's main arena. All classes will be suspended for these four days, and you may arrange your time freely to prepare for the competition."

"Additionally, there are a few points that need emphasis," Teacher Zhang adjusted his glasses, "First, the use of any prohibited drugs, talismans, or forbidden weapons is strictly forbidden. Discovery will result in immediate expulsion."

"Second, intentionally attacking vital points of the opponent during the match, or continuing to attack after the opponent has surrendered, is not allowed. Violators will be severely punished."

"Third, any martial skills or weapons that have been mastered can be used during the competition, but external forces beyond one's own realm are not permitted."

"Fourth, the academy's medical team will be on standby throughout the competition period to ensure timely treatment for any injured students."

After announcing the rules, Teacher Zhang looked at the crowd: "Any other questions?"

A student raised his hand: "Teacher Zhang, how are the groups for the preliminary rounds decided?"

"Random draw," Teacher Zhang replied, "Tomorrow morning, at the training grounds, there will be a public draw. Everyone must be present; absence will be considered a forfeiture."

Another student asked: "Teacher Zhang, if we get drawn into a group with very strong opponents, isn't that unfair?"

"The path of martial arts has no absolute fairness," Han Bing answered.

She coldly glanced at the student: "Luck is also a part of strength. If you can't even bear the unfairness of the group draw, then you should give up on martial arts sooner rather than later."

The student's face turned pale, and he dared not ask further.

"Any other questions?" Teacher Zhang asked.

The crowd remained silent.

"Alright, the meeting is adjourned. I'll see you all at the arena in four days," Teacher Zhang said, then turned and left with Liu Batian, Han Bing, and others.

As soon as they left, the training grounds erupted.

"My god, Earth-tier martial skills! Earth-tier cultivation techniques! The Starry Secret Realm! This is going to be huge!"

"It's over, it's over. With my strength at early-stage first-tier, I'm just going there to be cannon fodder."

"Did you guys hear? Zhang Kuanghu has already vowed to take first place, and he'll cripple anyone who stands in his way."

"It's not just Zhang Kuanghu; Zhao Gang, Li Long, Sun Hu, those guys, which one of them is easy to deal with? The top ten this time will definitely be snatched up by them."

"Not necessarily, maybe there will be a dark horse? Like that Lin Fan last time, didn't he punch Wang Hao into submission with one punch?"

"Lin Fan? He does have some strength, but he's only first-tier after all. Compared to Zhang Kuanghu and the others, he's still far behind."

"And I heard Wang Chao has already declared that he'll 'take care' of Lin Fan in the mini-competition. Zhang Kuanghu is one of Wang Chao's people."

"Then Lin Fan is in trouble..."

Amidst the discussions, Lin Fan stood up and walked towards the exit of the training grounds.

Chen Dahu quickly followed: "Brother Fan, where are we going now?"

"Continue practicing sword," Lin Fan replied without looking back.

"But Brother Fan, did you hear what they said? Zhang Kuanghu intends to go all out against you, and he's at peak second-tier. The Fierce Tiger Fist he cultivates is Mortal Tier Top Grade, its power..."

"I know," Lin Fan interrupted him, "That's why I need to practice even more."

Chen Dahu paused for a moment, then nodded vigorously: "Right! Practice! Practice until we can beat him!"

The two returned to the small grove in the back mountain.

Lin Fan drew his wooden sword and assumed a stance.

But this time, he didn't start practicing immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes and simulated a battle with Zhang Kuanghu in his mind.

Zhang Kuanghu, peak second-tier, Fierce Tiger Fist Mortal Tier Top Grade, known for his fierce and domineering style.

His advantages: great Strength, strong burst power, rich combat experience.

His disadvantages: relatively slow Speed, wide and powerful moves, not many variations.

What strategy should be used against someone like him?

Head-on confrontation? No. Although his Strength wasn't weak, he was still a whole realm behind, and a direct clash would be disadvantageous.

Hit-and-run? Yes, hit-and-run. Use the Speed and agility of the Gale Sword Technique to avoid his sharpness and attack his weaknesses.

But what does hit-and-run require? It requires extreme Speed, precise angles, and timing.

And all of these require a large amount of practice to achieve.

"Dahu." Lin Fan opened his eyes. "Practice with me until nightfall today."

"No problem!" Chen Dahu drew his training knife. "Brother Fan, I won't hold back today either. Let's go all out!"

"Good." A hint of fighting spirit flashed in Lin Fan's eyes. "Let's go."

The two began to fight again.

This time, Lin Fan wasn't just practicing sword moves. He started to combine his sword technique with footwork, offense with evasion, and strength with speed.

He moved like a nimble swallow, weaving through Chen Dahu's flashing blade. His wooden sword was sometimes like a viper's tongue, striking at vital points; sometimes like a gale sweeping through leaves, forcing his opponent back; and sometimes like a nimble ape climbing a branch, using leverage to deflect force.

[Gale Sword Technique Proficiency +8]

[Combat Experience +3]

[Basic Footwork Proficiency +5]

The proficiency on the panel grew rapidly.

More importantly, Lin Fan was starting to find the "feel."

A feeling of the sword following his will.

A feeling where his mind moved, and the sword had already arrived.

Though it was still faint and unstable, it was undeniably there.

Time ticked by.

The sun climbed to its zenith, then gradually began to set in the west.

The ground was soaked with their sweat, yet neither of them stopped.

It wasn't until dusk that Chen Dahu finally collapsed, panting heavily. "No... I can't anymore, Brother Fan. I... I can't stand up..."

Lin Fan was also drenched, but he remained standing, his wooden sword steady as a rock.

[Gale Sword Technique: Proficient (1023/5000)]

In one day, his proficiency had broken through from 521 points in the Skilled level to 1023 points in the Proficient level.

This speed, if it got out, would be enough to shock everyone to death.

But Lin Fan knew it wasn't enough.

With the 20% bonus from the Proficient level, it was still not enough against opponents like Zhang Kuanghu.

He wanted Minor Accomplishment, with its 50% bonus.

Or even Major Accomplishment, with its 100% bonus.

"Four days..." Lin Fan gazed at the setting sun, murmuring to himself. "Four days, is that enough?"

He didn't know.

But he would give it his all.

Because this was the path he had chosen, the martial path he intended to walk.

"Brother Fan, are we still practicing tomorrow?" Chen Dahu struggled to sit up.

"We are." Lin Fan sheathed his sword. "But we have to draw lots tomorrow morning. We'll practice in the afternoon."

"Okay, then I'll practice with you tomorrow." Chen Dahu grinned. "Even though I'm tired, I feel like my swordsmanship has improved a lot too. Maybe I can even break into the top 100 in this mini-competition!"

"You definitely can." Lin Fan reached out and helped Chen Dahu up.

Leaning on each other, they walked towards the dormitory.

The setting sun cast their long shadows behind them.

Meanwhile, in a luxurious villa on the other side of the academy, Wang Chao was listening to his subordinate's report.

"Zhang Kuanghu is ready. He said he will definitely cripple Lin Fan in the mini-competition," a tall, thin young man said respectfully.

"Mm." Wang Chao toyed with a jade talisman in his hand, his expression calm. "What was Lin Fan doing today?"

"Practicing his sword in the back mountains, sparring with Chen Dahu all day."

"Practicing his sword?" Wang Chao sneered. "Cramming at the last minute, is that useful?"

"It's definitely not useful," the thin young man quickly replied. "Zhang Kuanghu's Fierce Tiger Fist has already reached Major Accomplishment. Combined with his peak Rank 2 cultivation, the power of one punch exceeds five thousand jin. Lin Fan's mediocre swordsmanship is no match for it."

"No match?" Wang Chao shook his head. "You underestimate Lin Fan too much. The fact that he could shatter Wang Hao with one punch means his fist technique is at least Minor Accomplishment. In four days, if he can also raise his sword technique to Minor Accomplishment, he might stand a chance."

"Minor Accomplishment? Impossible!" the thin young man stated emphatically. "For a Mortal Tier sword technique, it takes at least three to five months of dedicated practice to reach Minor Accomplishment. How many days has Lin Fan been practicing? At most two days! Two days is good if he can even get started."

"Normally, that would be the case," Wang Chao said, putting down the jade talisman. A faint glint flashed in his eyes. "But Lin Fan is not someone you can judge by common standards. The fact that he managed to reach Minor Accomplishment in Basic Fist Technique in a place like the slums already shows he has extraordinary talent."

"Then... should we make other preparations?" the thin young man probed tentatively.

"No need." Wang Chao stood up and walked to the window. "If Zhang Kuanghu can't even deal with a Lin Fan, then he's not worthy of being by my side. Besides..."

He looked in the direction of the back mountains, a cold smile curling on his lips.

"Even if Lin Fan can get past Zhang Kuanghu, there's still Zhao Gang, Li Long, and Sun Hu behind him. I've prepared at least five obstacles for him. How many do you think he can overcome?"

The thin young man quickly chimed in, "My boss is brilliant! Lin Fan is trapped this time, with no escape!"

"You can go, keep watching," Wang Chao waved his hand.

"Yes."

After the tall, thin man retreated, Wang Chao stood alone by the window, watching the sky gradually darken.

"Lin Fan, you are indeed interesting," he murmured to himself. "But unfortunately, you chose the wrong path. In this world, talent is important, but background is even more important. Without a background, even the best talent can only become a stepping stone for others."

"In the upcoming competition, I will make you understand this truth."

The night grew deeper.

Meanwhile, Lin Fan had already returned to his dorm, sat cross-legged on the bed, and was practicing the Basic Breathing Technique.

Origin Energy flowed slowly within his body, repairing his tired physique.

But his mind had already flown to the competition stage four days later.

Zhang Kuanghu, Zhao Gang, Li Long, Sun Hu...

The names of one opponent after another flashed through his mind.

Then, Wang Chao's indifferent face.

Finally, his sister Lin Xiaoyu's pale but expectant face.

"I will win," Lin Fan opened his eyes, his gaze as firm as iron.

"For my sister, for myself, and also for... everyone who looked down on me."

He closed his eyes again and began another round of cultivation.

In the night, the young man's breathing was long and steady.

And on the distant competition stage, a storm was brewing.