C2 Instant Killing

Lin Xuan hadn't anticipated Lin Hai's bold move during the monthly strength assessment.

Yet, Lin Xuan harbored no fear towards Lin Hai.

He had long been eager to challenge Lin Hai, but first, he needed to hone his two major martial arts techniques.

"Be careful, Lin Xuan," Lin Shiyun expressed her concern.

During the monthly strength assessments, they were free to choose their opponents.

The sole rule was that stronger fighters couldn't challenge the weaker ones.

But if they were evenly matched, they couldn't shy away from battle.

Both Lin Xuan and Lin Lei were at the Seventh Level of the Body Refining Stage.

Lin Xuan was obliged to respond to the challenge, and Lin Shiyun was powerless to intervene.

"Don't worry, I've got this," Lin Xuan reassured her, gently patting her hand with a reassuring smile.

He then made his way to the arena.

As he did, the eyes of many spectators turned to him.

Suddenly, a cool voice echoed in Lin Xuan's ears.

"Host detected under the scrutiny of many, causing significant mental fluctuations. Energy point absorption mechanism activated."

"Congratulations, Host. You've gained +24 energy points from the attention of Lin Yu, a Sixth Level Body Refining martial artist."

"Congratulations, Host. You've gained +67 energy points from the attention of Lin Lei, a Seventh Level Body Refining martial artist."

Only Lin Xuan could hear the system's notifications. He paused briefly, then a smile spread across his face.

So that's how he accumulated his energy points.

Now, Lin Xuan's system was operational.

He was ready to take on Lin Lei.

Feeling a newfound lightness in his step, Lin Xuan strode confidently onto the arena.

He stood opposite Lin Lei, their gazes locked.

Lin Xuan sized up his opponent.

"Name: Lin Lei."

"Cultivation: Seventh Level of Body Refining Stage."

"Talent: Middle Grade Cultivation Talent, Substandard Strength Talent."

"Martial Arts: Rolling Rock Fist (Top Grade Rank 1, Great Completion)."

"Personal Treasure: None."

Lin Xuan could indeed view the attribute panels of others.

He observed Lin Lei's panel with an amused grin.

Lin Xuan mused to himself: No wonder Lin Lei is so self-assured; he possesses an extra substandard strength talent.

This talent of Lin Lei's was not to be taken lightly.

It allowed him to double his strength during his Body Refining phase.

Lin Lei was already well ahead of his peers at Level 1.

Yet, Lin Xuan's attention was drawn more to the referee's attribute panel.

The referee's talents might not be exceptional, but with decades of cultivation, he had amassed far more treasures than Lin Lei.

Lin Xuan's eyes moved over the referee.

"Name: Lee Hee."

"Cultivation: Middle Stage of the Enlightenment Stage."

"Talent: Low-grade Cultivation Talent, Substandard Strength Talent."

"Martial Arts: Boulder Shattering Fist (Low Grade Rank 2, Peak)."

"Personal Treasure: One bottle of Qi Accumulation Pill."

Lin Xuan's smile broadened as he reviewed Referee Lee Hee's attribute panel.

"You've got some decent luck there."

Lin Xuan then glanced at his own attribute panel.

His energy points had now surpassed one thousand.

Lin Xuan reflected thoughtfully.

Different grades of treasures required varying amounts of energy points to replicate.

A Rank 1 treasure or a substandard talent could be replicated for just 200 energy points.

Rank 2 treasures or low-grade talents needed 300 energy points.

For Rank 3 treasures or middle-grade talents, the cost was 1000 energy points.

Lin Xuan's energy points were limited at the moment.

Nevertheless, he had enough to take on both the referee and Lin Lei.

With a mere thought, Lin Xuan's energy points decreased.

Simultaneously, a cool voice announced the results.

"[200 energy points consumed. Replication successful. Substandard Strength Talent acquired.]"

"[500 energy points consumed. Replication successful. Boulder Shattering Fist (Low Grade Rank 2, Peak) acquired.]"

Quickly, Lin Xuan had replicated all the treasures from both Lee Hee and Lin Lei.

"Integrate!"

Lin Xuan silently commanded.

"Congratulations, Host, on acquiring the Substandard Strength Talent."

"Congratulations, Host, on mastering the peak level of the Low-Grade Rank 2 martial art, Boulder Shattering Fist."

In an instant, Lin Xuan felt a surge of warmth coursing through his body.

The sensation quickly faded.

Lin Xuan could tell his physical strength had significantly increased.

He glanced at his attribute panel once more.

"Divine Level Duplication System."

"Host: Lin Xuan."

"Realm: Seventh Level of Body Refining."

"Talent: Middle-Grade Cultivation, Substandard Strength."

"Martial Arts: Boulder Shattering Fist (Low-Grade Rank 2, Peak), Rolling Rock Fist (Top-Grade Rank 1, Great Completion), Yellow Sand Palm (Mid-Grade Rank 1, Great Completion)."

"Energy Points: 37."

"Walkspace: 7."

The attribute panel showed considerable changes.

With these updates, Lin Xuan felt a surge of confidence for the impending duel.

And all this had transpired in mere seconds, unnoticed by anyone in the arena.

The referee scanned the two competitors and declared:

"Let the challenge commence!"

"Lin Xuan, you dare to defy Brother Hai's command!"

Lin Lei scoffed, his fists tightening.

Lin Xuan replied coolly, "Enough talk!"

"Very well!"

With a frosty look, Lin Lei charged at Lin Xuan, launching a punch.

"Rolling Rock Fist!"

The force of his punch burst forth with the momentum of a tumbling boulder.

The crowd at the Martial Arts Practice Field turned their attention to the action.

They were all aware that Lin Xuan was considered far less powerful than Lin Lei.

But the smirks on their faces soon turned to astonishment.

On the platform, Lin Xuan remained composed as he countered with his own punch.

"Rolling Rock Fist!"

His fist's might matched Lin Lei's blow for blow.

The same technique clashed, and a resounding boom echoed.

What unfolded next left the audience in shock.

After trading blows on the stage, the two fighters quickly disengaged.

Lin Xuan barely flinched.

But Lin Lei was sent hurtling through the air, screaming as he crashed down off the stage.

The crowd's eyes bulged, stunned into silence.

The outcome was beyond anyone's wildest guess.

Lin Xuan hadn't just avoided defeat; he had sent the notoriously strong Lin Lei flying with a single punch.

The vast disparity left the onlookers in disbelief, struggling to snap back to reality.

Lin Xuan stood in the arena with a serene expression.

He had merged two subpar strength talents. Though his talent hadn't reached the low-grade level, it was significantly superior to Lin Lei's.

They both employed the same boxing technique.

Hence, the outcome didn't catch him off guard.

But that wasn't the crux of the matter.

The key takeaway was that this battle had revealed to Lin Xuan a method to amass a substantial number of energy points.

"Congratulations, you've gained +87 shock energy points from the Ninth Level Body Refining warrior Lin Haiyu."

"Congratulations, you've gained +172 surprise energy points from Lee Hee, a Middle Stage practitioner in the Enlightenment Stage."

As the prompt sounded in his ear, a smile played on Lin Xuan's lips.

His hunch had been right on the mark.

Now, he was poised to harvest energy points in droves and significantly bolster his strength.