Ever since arriving in this world, Lin Ge had understood that Lin Dong would be his strongest opponent. So he trained relentlessly, constantly surpassing himself, until he could defeat Lin Dong once and for all.
More than ten years had passed. Lin Ge's strength could now almost rival Lin Zhentian and the others, but he felt no excitement—in fact, he felt more pressed for time.
Lin Dong had risen even faster than Lin Ge had expected, so fast that Lin Ge could no longer tell just how much fighting strength he possessed.
To find out, Lin Ge needed to fight him.
Not a friendly spar, but a proper battle in which they both gave everything they had!
Of course, Lin Ge was confident that Lin Dong was no match for him yet. Still, he wanted to learn Lin Dong's true fighting strength—not to show off, but to understand the gap between them and figure out how he should proceed from here.
Inside the arena, Lin Dong showed no surprise when he heard Lin Ge's words. Instead, he remained perfectly calm, as if he had known this day would come.
Looking at Lin Ge, whose imposing presence filled the air, Lin Dong suddenly recalled their first meeting. Back then, he had been nothing more than a resentful, ignorant boy at the Second Tempered Body Stage. Who could have imagined that six months later, he would have grown this much?
Back then, the two of them had briefly discussed what it meant to be strong.
Even then, Lin Ge seemed certain that Lin Dong would rise in the future, certain that he would become an extraordinary expert.
So far, Lin Dong had indeed followed the path Lin Ge had described.
That was precisely why Lin Dong had grown wary of Lin Ge, his cousin from the same clan.
Even now, that wariness had not faded with time. It had only grown stronger.
"Come on. Let me see how much you've grown over the past six months."
Lin Ge pointed his sword at Lin Dong. His smiling face held a hint of scrutiny.
"Why are you doing this?"
Lin Dong was asking why Lin Ge would act so recklessly.
Lin Ge had always seemed unfathomable to him, never one to act rashly. Yet today, in front of everyone, he had seized first place in the hunt through sheer force. This would not only put the Lin Clan in the eye of the storm, but also drive the Xie and Lei Families to break with the Lin Clan for good.
The consequences were severe. Lin Ge was certainly clever enough to foresee them, yet he had gone ahead anyway. Lin Dong wanted to know why.
At Lin Dong's question, Lin Ge chuckled. "Everyone needs a reason to justify what they do to themselves. But I don't."
"To be honest, those so-called top powers in Green Sun Town don't even register in my eyes. They're just a bunch of slightly stronger ants. What kind of storm could they stir up?"
"Lin Dong, you're the only one who's special. You're not like those ants. You have the potential to become the strongest there is, so today I'm going to test you and see how far you've come."
Lin Ge's voice was not loud, but Lin Dong heard every word clearly. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
This was not the first time Lin Ge had said something like this. But every time, Lin Dong had thought he was talking about the younger generation. He had never imagined Lin Ge meant everyone—including experts at the Heaven Origin Realm!
A boy barely ten years old, looking down on an expert at the Heaven Origin Realm who was vastly stronger than him—no one would believe it if they heard the story. But Lin Dong knew Lin Ge was not lying. In fact, Lin Ge had never lied; Lin Dong had simply misunderstood him.
"You're strong. Among everyone I know, only Lin Langtian can compare to you. But I still have to defeat you—not for anyone else, but for myself."
After speaking, Lin Dong took up a fighting stance. Yuan power began surging rapidly through his body.
"Lin Langtian? You really do underestimate me."
Lin Ge muttered under his breath, then focused. A keen sword intent surged from within him and gradually spread around his body, as if he were a sword god!
Faced with Lin Ge's fearsome aura, Lin Dong had no intention of avoiding its sharp edge. Instead, he chose to meet him head-on.
At a thought, Lin Dong raised both palms and swiftly assumed the stance of the Eight Desolations Palm. His hands swept through the air, and his fierce palm wind seemed to form an invisible vortex, scattering all the dust on the nearby ground.
Lin Ge narrowed his eyes. Compared to Lei Li's Spirit Snake Palm, Lin Dong's Eight Desolations Palm was clearly more powerful, but he was still unafraid.
"Peerless Sword Intent!"
Lin Ge focused, then slashed. A flash of sword light streaked out, cutting straight toward Lin Dong.
The instant the sword light appeared, Lin Dong sensed danger. But he could not retreat. If he gave ground once, he would keep giving ground. He had to stop that sword light, even if it meant risking severe injury!
"Hah!"
With a short shout, as if to force the fear from his heart and summon his courage, Lin Dong collided with the sword energy.
A gust stirred by the violent surge of Yuan power sent dust flying. After holding out for three breaths, Lin Dong was blasted away. He crashed through four or five trees before finally coming to a stop.
"Use all your strength. Otherwise, you don't stand a chance."
Sword energy swirled around Lin Ge. His iron sword shimmered with a blue light, and his fierce aura spread across the entire Beast Horn Arena.
Everyone in the stands held their breath, watching intently. They all understood that the final moment was approaching.
"Dong'er..."
Lin Xiao watched Lin Dong in the arena, worry showing in his eyes.
"Phew..."
In the arena, Lin Dong panted softly, his gaze fixed on Lin Ge, heavy with solemnity.
Their brief exchange had shown him that neither the Eight Desolations Palm nor the Nine-Echo Through-Back Fist could hurt Lin Ge effectively.
So he had to gather all his strength and decide the outcome with one move!
Lin Dong slowly raised his hands and swiftly joined them, forming one complex seal after another. Yuan power poured madly from his dantian, gathering at his hands.
"Mystic Gate Seal!"
As Yuan power surged wildly, Lin Dong completed the first layer of the Mystic Gate Seal. Then his hand seals shifted once more. He was going to use the second layer of the Mystic Gate Seal right away!
His hands moved through the seals at lightning speed. Deep-blue Yuan power gathered in his palm, forming a blue seal. Then he abruptly raised his hand and slammed it toward Lin Ge, who stood above him.
Facing Lin Dong's strongest strike, Lin Ge remained calm. His gaze seemed to pass right through Lin Dong, seeing a colossal dragon that radiated an awe-inspiring might capable of suppressing all things!
Lin Ge did not understand what that thing was, but the dragon would not stop him from defeating Lin Dong once and for all.
"Peerless Under Heaven!"
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