"Hey, that guy really is unlucky..."
"Yeah, he actually ran into Lin Cheng! You know, Lin Cheng's already at the Body Tempering Seventh Layer."
"Hope he doesn't get beaten too badly."
Inside the Lin Clan's Trial Hall, the younger generation of the Lin Clan chattered among themselves. Not one of them had seen Lin Ge fight, and they all figured he wouldn't last three rounds.
On the stone platform, Lin Cheng and Lin Ge faced each other.
"Just admit defeat."
Lin Ge glanced at Lin Cheng's status panel, a flicker of disappointment passing through his eyes. He spoke calmly.
"What! Did I hear that right? He actually told Lin Cheng to admit defeat?"
"Is this kid's brain broken?"
Outside the platform, everyone from the Lin Clan—including the important guests in the VIP seats—thought Lin Ge was far too arrogant.
"Arrogant brat!"
Lin Shan stared at Lin Ge on the stone platform, fury practically blazing in his eyes, but he still managed to hold it in.
He wouldn't forget the humiliation Lin Ge had brought him. Today was the perfect chance to use Lin Cheng to teach the brat a good lesson!
Unlike the others, who were simply disdainful, Lin Cheng himself felt insulted. His formerly calm face gradually darkened.
"You're the first person who's ever dared to talk to me like that!"
"And then?"
Lin Ge's expression remained calm. Neither the people below the platform nor Lin Cheng could disturb his composure.
"Then I'll cripple your cultivation and make you wish you were dead!"
Lin Cheng gritted his teeth and snarled.
He'd been praised as a genius since childhood and had almost never been insulted like this. Now some unremarkable brat had humiliated him, and Lin Cheng had made up his mind: whatever the consequences, he would cripple Lin Ge!
"Cripple me?"
A smile crossed Lin Ge's face. Then his figure abruptly vanished from where he stood!
The moment Lin Cheng saw Lin Ge disappear, a sense of danger welled up inside him. He tried to defend himself, but all he caught was a blur of black before a tremendous force sent him flying off the platform and crashing down by the entrance!
The sudden turn of events left everyone speechless. Then a wave of shocked cries erupted.
"N-no way! He took Lin Cheng down in one move!"
"Who is this guy? He's incredible!"
Lin Ge's strength had clearly far exceeded everyone's expectations. Even Lin Zhentian, seated at the head of the hall, was stunned.
"Whose son is he?"
After taking a moment to recover, Lin Zhentian turned to Lin Ken and asked in a low voice.
Lin Ken furrowed his brow, thinking hard. At last, he recalled someone and answered quietly, "He should be Lin Haiyuan's son."
"Lin Haiyuan?"
Lin Zhentian's brows drew together slightly.
Lin Haiyuan had taken his own life back then, shocking the entire Lin Clan. Who would have thought that the son he'd once regarded as a menace would grow into someone like this?
"What's his name?"
Lin Zhentian continued.
Lin Ken thought for a moment before replying, "I believe his name is Lin Ge."
"Lin Ge?"
Lin Zhentian murmured the name, then fell silent, a meaningful smile appearing in his eyes.
"Lin Ge wins!"
Once the Trial Hall had quieted down somewhat, Lin Ken stepped forward, glanced at the injured Lin Cheng, and announced with a smile.
At that, Lin Ge turned and walked toward the back of the crowd, his gaze briefly shifting to Lin Dong.
Lin Dong noticed Lin Ge looking at him, and his expression grew even more grave.
Lin Ge's move had been far too fast. Lin Dong couldn't even track him, only faintly sense the path he'd taken.
"If I were to face him, I'd lose without a doubt!"
Lin Dong simulated dozens of battles against Lin Ge in his mind. The result never changed: he lost.
Thinking of that outcome, Lin Dong couldn't help giving a bitter smile, his expression a little dejected.
"It's all right. A single victory or defeat doesn't decide anything. As long as you have confidence, one day you'll surpass him." Lin Xiao had naturally noticed Lin Dong's dejection. He reached out, gently patted Lin Dong's back, and comforted him.
At his words, Lin Dong nodded firmly, and the dejection disappeared from his face.
Soon, the second round of matches came to a close. The third round ended with Lin Dong defeating Lin Yun.
And so, the five finalists were announced: Lin Dong, Lin Hong, Lin Xia, Lin Ge, and Lin Ting.
With the top five announced, the atmosphere in the Trial Hall quietly heated up. Everyone knew the matches to come would be the main event of this clan competition.
After a round of drawing lots, Lin Hong got a lucky bye. Lin Dong's opponent was the boy named Lin Ting.
Lin Ting was at the Body Tempering Sixth Layer, but Lin Dong had no trouble with him. One Nine-Echo Through-Back Fist sent Lin Ting flying off the platform, earning Lin Dong the victory.
Next came the match between Lin Ge and Lin Xia.
Everyone was looking forward to this match. One was a top genius of the Lin Clan; the other was the dark horse of the competition. No one could say who would win.
Lin Xia was at the Body Tempering Seventh Layer, but she was even stronger than Lin Cheng.
"Just admit defeat."
Facing Lin Xia, Lin Ge's tone was exactly the same as before, and his expression just as calm, as if he were saying something utterly unimportant.
"Even if you beat Lin Cheng, that doesn't mean you can be this arrogant!"
Lin Xia's face was just as unpleasant at the insult, but she was far more composed than Lin Cheng and didn't make any threats.
"Arrogant?"
Lin Ge paused, then swept his gaze around the entire Trial Hall before calmly saying, "I'm not being arrogant. You're just too weak—so weak I don't even feel like fighting you."
"This match is just too boring for me."
Lin Ge's words were a keg of gunpowder, instantly igniting the anger of the Lin Clan's young disciples in the Trial Hall.
"You brat, say that again!"
"You look down on all of us? I'll show you!"
Angry curses filled the hall, but Lin Ge wouldn't even spare them a sidelong glance. He continued to gaze indifferently at Lin Xia.
"It looks like you have no idea what true power is. Let me show you."
Lin Ge slowly drew the fine steel sword from his hand. A fearsome, piercing aura surged from its blade, sending a chill through everyone and filling the entire Trial Hall.
"This..."
The moment they felt the terrifying sharpness of the sword aura, the curses abruptly stopped. The young members of the Lin Clan all wore grave expressions.
They could feel the power contained in the sword Lin Ge held. It was far beyond anything they could match.
"Sword-Raising Stance: Sword Swing!"
Lin Ge suddenly swung the sword in his hand. A dazzling flash of light streaked past, carrying a suffocating force. It soared over Lin Xia's head, then pierced effortlessly through the roof and flew into the sky!
For a moment, everyone in the Trial Hall was once again plunged into complete silence.
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