Chapter 8: Lin Fan-ge Beat Me with Just One Move!
The sudden voice brought the entire trial hall into a brief silence.
In the next moment, countless gazes focused on Lin Dong, all waiting to see how he would respond.
Qingtan frowned. "Lin Hong is so awful. Grandpa already announced the rankings, and he dares to question them?"
Lin Xiao also frowned slightly, a little worried for Lin Dong.
After all, Lin Dong hadn't shown much of his strength during this clan competition, and not many people believed in his abilities.
Lin Fan chuckled. "Uncle, Qingtan, don't worry. Lin Hong isn't Lin Dong's match. This challenge will only bring him shame."
Lin Dong raised his voice and said clearly, "Why wouldn't I dare?"
With that, he strode confidently toward the platform and leapt up.
Lin Hong's face grew even darker as he stormed out of his seat and quickly climbed onto the stage.
"Begin!" Lin Ken declared with a wave once both sides were ready.
Lin Hong stared at Lin Dong coldly and sneered, "Lin Dong, I'll show you that those who rely on luck are nothing but jokes!"
As he finished, Lin Hong stepped forward sharply, appearing before Lin Dong in an instant. His palms swung out with fierce, cutting wind.
Lin Dong responded calmly, "Looks like you really think I'm an easy target."
The next moment, he stopped holding back. Yuan Power surged into his palm as he met Lin Hong's attack head-on.
Boom!
Their palms collided with a heavy thud.
In the very next instant, Lin Hong's body shot backward like a kite with its string cut, crashing straight off the platform!
Lin Dong, on the other hand, stood rooted in place like a steel tower—completely unmoved!
"What just happened?!"
The crowd in the trial hall was stunned. Lin Hong, who had already lost once to Lin Fan, was now blown away by Lin Dong in a single move. What in the world was going on?
Crack!
On the viewing platform, Lin Mang's face twisted with rage as he slammed his palm down, shattering the armrest of his chair. He shot to his feet, his expression so dark it looked like it might drip ink.
"This little brat…"
Lin Xiao stared blankly at Lin Dong, his face frozen in shock. He had just barely processed Lin Fan's surprising growth, and now Lin Dong had delivered another shocker!
Lin Zhentian's eyes gleamed with uncontrollable excitement at Lin Dong's performance.
"No way! I don't believe this!"
Driven mad by the blow, Lin Hong let out a furious roar. His Yuan Power surged to the limit as he leapt back onto the stage, looking like he was ready for a life-or-death brawl.
Lin Dong frowned and raised both arms like iron pincers, locking Lin Hong in place and preparing to toss him off the platform again.
"Get away from him!"
A sudden furious roar echoed through the hall—it was Lin Mang, finally losing all restraint. He descended like a hawk, his hand reaching out like a claw to snatch Lin Dong!
Startled, Lin Dong released Lin Hong and revealed his full strength in a flash—he was at the eighth level of Body Tempering!
But even with that, he couldn't dodge Lin Mang's attack.
"Get lost! Don't you dare touch my son!"
Lin Xiao shouted and shot forward, blocking Lin Mang's strike.
The two clashed fiercely—and Lin Mang was actually sent flying off the platform!
Lin Ken had been about to intervene, but seeing this, he froze mid-step.
Even Lin Zhentian, who had just stood up in anger, paused as the fury on his face vanished.
And the guests watching were equally shaken by Lin Xiao's explosive show of strength.
The Lin family… seemed poised to rise again!
Overwhelmed with joy, Lin Zhentian jumped onto the stage, grabbed Lin Xiao by the shoulder, and the two spoke in a flurry of excited words. Then Lin Zhentian turned to harshly reprimand Lin Mang before officially announcing the end of the clan competition.
Once Lin Ken finished tidying up the situation, all the key members of the Lin family gathered in the rear courtyard.
Lin Zhentian sat at the head of the group, his face still tinged with lingering anger.
Seated below were Lin Ken, Lin Mang, Lin Xiao, and other direct members of the Lin family.
The top three from the competition—Lin Fan, Lin Dong, Lin Xia—as well as Qingtan, were also present.
First, Lin Zhentian gave Lin Mang a stern scolding and then stripped him of his position managing Huoyan Manor, assigning it instead to Lin Xiao.
Then, his gaze turned to Lin Fan, Lin Dong, Lin Xia, and Qingtan. His expression softened, and he smiled warmly.
"Today, Lin Fan and Lin Dong performed exceptionally well. Lin Xia too did not disappoint."
"I'll have the competition rewards sent to you shortly. You three may also freely access the family's martial arts hall."
"If there's anything you need, just come to me. Try to make another breakthrough before the Qingyang Town Hunting Tournament. Let the Lin family shine even brighter this year!"
"Thank you, Grandfather!"
The three spoke in unison, bowing respectfully.
Suddenly, as if recalling something, Lin Zhentian looked at Lin Dong and asked, "By the way, your strength at the end clearly showed that you've reached the eighth level of Body Tempering."
"So why did you forfeit against your cousin Lin Fan? You're the same level. A match between you could've pushed both of you. You might've even won!"
"In martial arts, you must strive to push forward. Excessive humility is not always a virtue."
Lin Dong scratched his head awkwardly. "Grandfather, you overestimate me. Against Lin Fan-ge, I'd probably lose in a single move. There wouldn't be any benefit in forcing a match, so I conceded."
"What?"
The entire courtyard fell silent, everyone turning to stare at Lin Fan in disbelief.
Lin Zhentian grabbed Lin Fan's arm, eyes wide. "Is what Lin Dong said true?"
Lin Fan rubbed his nose and replied, "One move is a bit much… maybe within ten."
"You've already reached the ninth level of Body Tempering?" Lin Zhentian's voice trembled with excitement.
"I'm at the peak of the ninth level. I plan to break through to the Earth Origin Stage after the competition," Lin Fan nodded honestly, not hiding anything.
"Good! Good! Good!" Lin Zhentian exclaimed three times in a row, clutching Lin Fan's hand tightly as if he couldn't bear to let go.
"Fan'er, cultivate well. Try to reach the Earth Origin Stage before the Qingyang Town Hunting Tournament. Make our Lin family proud!"
"I will," Lin Fan replied firmly.
[Ding! You touched Lin Zhentian and obtained a seventh-grade martial art: Five Element Seal!]
The system's voice rang out again in Lin Fan's mind, but he didn't rush to check the reward.
"Monster!" Lin Xia muttered, rolling her eyes with a mix of shock and awe.
The three brothers—Lin Ken, Lin Mang, and Lin Xiao—were also speechless.
Lin Ken and Lin Xiao were shocked but pleased.
Lin Mang's face, on the other hand, was as ugly as ever.
Lin Dong was already strong, but Lin Fan was even more ridiculous. At this rate, how would his son Lin Hong ever have a chance to shine in the Lin family?
Lin Zhentian gave a few more words of encouragement to Lin Dong and Lin Xia, then reminded everyone not to reveal Lin Fan's true strength yet—they would give the other factions a proper surprise during the Qingyang Town Hunting Tournament.
"All right, that's enough for today. You're dismissed!"
With those final words from Lin Zhentian, the Lin family's elite gathering came to an end...
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Frank10