C5 The Entire Audience Was Shaken

This turn of events had caught everyone off guard. Lee Hee was no exception, visibly taken aback.

It took him a moment to gather his wits, only snapping out of his daze under Lin Xuan's piercing stare.

With newfound clarity, he projected his voice across the crowd:

"Lin Xuan emerges victorious in this challenge!"

His declaration sent a fresh wave of astonishment rippling through the spectators.

All eyes were riveted on Lin Xuan, their expressions a mix of shock and complexity.

Lin Yun, Lin Hai, and Lin Shiyun were the Lin Family's trio of prodigies, their status unchallenged and secure—until now.

Today, Lin Xuan had shattered that certainty.

A single punch had toppled Lin Hai.

From this moment forward, Lin Xuan would take his place among the elite.

Lin Xuan was now officially one of the three great talents.

The crowd couldn't help but feel a profound sense of awe.

Particularly striking was the fact that Lin Xuan was merely at the Seventh Level of Body Refining.

He had rewritten the Lin Family's history, a feat that resonated deeply with everyone present.

Atop the arena, Lin Xuan gazed into the Void, the smile on his face mirroring the surge of energy points on his Attribute Panel.

It was then that Lee Hee's voice cut through the silence.

"Lin Xuan, are you intending to continue with another challenge?"

Lee Hee posed the question upon noticing Lin Xuan's reluctance to leave the stage, though he hardly expected an affirmative.

Yet Lin Xuan's response once again defied his expectations.

"I intend to challenge another."

Lin Xuan's chuckle was light, but it left Lee Hee momentarily speechless.

Below the stage, the disciples were equally dumbfounded, their eyes wide as they stared at Lin Xuan in disbelief.

Were they mishearing?

Lin Xuan was actually seeking another challenge?

After a single punch had secured his place among the top geniuses, he was ready for more?

This revelation sent shockwaves through the crowd, their attention fixed on Lin Xuan, eager for his next words.

Lin Xuan addressed the arena with a serene smile:

"My next challenge is Lin Yun."

His voice was steady, but his words sent a jolt of surprise through the entire plaza.

In a flash, the energy on the field intensified.

"Lin Xuan is actually challenging Lin Yun?"

"Has Lin Xuan lost his mind?"

"He's way too overconfident. To think he'd challenge Lin Yun!"

"Lin Yun is the Lin Family's top prodigy, with his cultivation at the pinnacle of the Ninth Level of Body Refining. His power is leagues above Lin Hai's. Lin Xuan is bound to fail if he's set on challenging Lin Yun."

The disciples buzzed with conversation, their gazes on Lin Xuan filled with incredulity.

Many sneered at him.

Others whispered curses under their breath, as if Lin Xuan had committed some grave offense.

They all seemed to forget that Lin Xuan was now recognized as one of the top three geniuses.

In the crowd, Lin Shiyun's initial excitement disappeared in an instant, replaced by concern.

She was well aware of Lin Yun's capabilities, strong enough to rival some of the weaker warriors at the Early Enlightenment Stage.

His strength was not something other Body Refining warriors could match.

Could Lin Xuan really be considering a challenge against Lin Yun?

Her worry was palpable.

Yet, once the challenge commenced, it was irreversible.

Such were the rules.

All she could do was hope for Lin Xuan's safety.

On the other side, Lin Hai's figure stiffened at the news, then he burst into elation.

"Lin Xuan, you're digging your own grave. I can't wait to witness your downfall!"

He murmured, his glee uncontrollable.

Having been bested by Lin Xuan, he was no longer counted among the three great geniuses and had been plotting his revenge.

But he never imagined Lin Xuan would so willingly walk into peril.

Challenging Lin Yun?

That was practically a death wish.

The last person who tried ended up bedridden for months.

The thought of Lin Xuan suffering a grievous injury brought a twisted smile to Lin Hai's face.

Atop the high platform, the Lin Family's elders were stirred.

Patriarch Lin Qixing's brow furrowed at the scene.

He had believed a new genius had emerged.

Yet, he hadn't anticipated Lin Xuan's audacious pride.

With a shake of his head, Lin Qixing dismissed the thought.

Lin Qiyu, standing beside him, couldn't help but smile.

Despite being overawed and unable to strike at Lin Xuan to avenge his grandson Lin Hai...

Seeing Lin Xuan get a harsh lesson from Lin Yun was somewhat satisfying.

On the arena.

Lee Hee was thunderstruck upon hearing the challenge, frozen in place.

He could scarcely believe his ears.

It took him a long while to come to terms with the reality.

His gaze shifted to Lin Xuan, filled with complexity.

Lin Xuan was daring to challenge Lin Yun, the Lin Family's top prodigy. Lee Hee was at a loss for words.

All he could do was loudly proclaim the challenge and wait to see what would unfold.

"The next match will be Lin Xuan challenging Lin Yun!"

"Lin Yun, step onto the stage!"

With his announcement,

The crowd lapsed into silence. Nearly all eyes were trained on the imposing figure of Lin Yun standing beneath the eastern platform.

Previously, Lin Yun had treated the monthly strength assessments with indifference.

But today, he faced a challenge.

Even if he were to dispatch his opponent with a single move upon entering the arena, it would captivate the entire audience.

It had been ages since they'd witnessed the Lin Family's premier talent engage in combat.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Lin Yun slowly rose and made his way to the arena.

A glint of cold light flickered in Lin Yun's eyes as he regarded the figure on the stage.

To deter the nuisance of repeated challenges, he had always been merciless.

Since he had gravely injured an aspiring genius who dared to challenge him six months ago, no one else had stepped forward.

Yet today, someone had the audacity to challenge him again?

Lin Xuan was merely at the Seventh Level of Body Refining!

It appeared he would have to be even more unforgiving this time.

Otherwise, Lin Xuan might mistake a modicum of strength for true capability.

Before long, Lin Yun too ascended the arena, standing opposite Lin Xuan.

Lee Hee surveyed the two combatants before declaring:

"Let the challenge commence!"

At that moment, all eyes were riveted on the arena, eager to witness the bout.

The focus, of course, wasn’t on Lin Xuan, but on how swiftly Lin Yun would dispatch him.

Lin Xuan, for his part, was unfazed—rather, he was brimming with excitement.

With that move, the amount of energy points in his possession surged dramatically.

Even in defeat, this battle brought no real loss to him.

Lin Xuan then turned his attention to Lin Yun.

"Name: Lin Yun."

"Cultivation: Body Refining, Level 9."

"Talents: High-grade Cultivation, Low-grade Strength, Low-grade Speed."

"Martial Arts: Collapsing Slash (Middle Grade, Initial Perfect Level), Jade Shattering Fist (Rank 2 Low Grade, Great Completion)..."

"Personal Treasures: None."

Observing Lin Yun's attribute panel, Lin Xuan's expression subtly shifted.

Lin Yun truly lived up to his reputation as the Lin Family's top prodigy. His attribute panel far outshone Lin Hai's, boasting a significantly richer array of treasures.

Lin Xuan was not one to overlook such an opportunity.

And now, he had amassed a substantial number of energy points.