Chapter 7: First Place Secured, Lin Hong Stirs Trouble Again!
Bang!
A deep, resounding impact echoed throughout the trial hall.
In the blink of an eye, Lin Hong's body was sent flying like a kite with its string cut, violently slammed off the platform and crashing to the ground below!
Everyone in the hall was stunned.
No one could have imagined that Lin Hong—already at the seventh level of Body Tempering and a strong contender for the top three—would be defeated by Lin Fan in just two moves!
No—more accurately, Lin Fan had only truly attacked once!
"Lin Fan actually defeated a seventh-level cultivator that easily… has he already reached the eighth level?"
"Lin Hong was expected to be top three, maybe even first. Now he won't even make the top five!"
"Unbelievable! Lin Fan came out of nowhere like a dark horse—what a surprise!"
"Right? At this rate, even Sister Lin Xia might not be able to beat him!"
...
The young members of the Lin family whispered and murmured among themselves, stunned and amazed.
"Good… very good!"
Lin Zhentian shot up from his seat, eyes blazing with excitement and joy as he stared at the youth on the stone platform. A moment later, he sat back down, still visibly thrilled.
Lin Xiao was also in a daze. "I didn't expect Fan'er to grow this powerful already."
He couldn't help but glance at Lin Dong, remembering his earlier words. These two kids… were becoming more mysterious by the day.
"That's awesome! Lin Fan-ge won! Now both Lin Fan-ge and Lin Dong-ge are in the top five!" Qingtan clapped happily, her voice full of delight.
On the other side of the seating area, Lin Mang's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. His fists clenched around the armrests of his chair so tightly that they nearly cracked.
On the ground below the platform, Lin Hong's face was pale, his eyes dazed—he simply couldn't accept the reality of being defeated by Lin Fan in a single blow.
The surrounding whispers and glances only made his face turn even uglier.
"This can't be!" Lin Hong roared, gritting his teeth as he suddenly tried to charge back onto the platform.
[Ding! You touched Lin Hong and received 5,000 Yang Essence Stones!]
On the platform, Lin Fan remained calm. Hearing the system notification in his mind, he turned to the slightly stunned Lin Ken and said, "Uncle, I believe the result can be announced now?"
Startled back to his senses, Lin Ken quickly declared, "Winner: Lin Fan!"
Lin Fan smiled and casually walked off the stage.
Though unwilling to accept it, Lin Hong was powerless to change anything.
The next three matches concluded quickly.
As expected, Lin Xia secured another easy victory.
Two other talented youths from the Lin family, Lin Chen and Lin Ting, also entered the top five.
With the top five determined, the energy in the trial hall grew more intense.
Everyone knew that the real showdown was just beginning.
Another round of drawing lots began—and Lin Fan drew a blank match.
Lin Dong defeated Lin Ting, while Lin Xia beat Lin Chen.
The top three were now set.
Next came the battle to determine their final rankings.
This time, Lin Xia drew the empty slot.
Seeing Lin Fan as his opponent, Lin Dong smiled wryly. "I concede."
He knew full well he wasn't Lin Fan's match—and he didn't want to deplete Lin Fan's strength and give Lin Xia an advantage.
Next came the true highlight: Lin Fan versus Lin Xia.
On the stone platform, the two faced each other.
Lin Xia smiled. "Cousin Lin Fan, I didn't expect you to improve so much! I may not be your match anymore, but I still want to give it a try!"
Lin Fan returned the smile and gestured politely. "Please, Sister Lin Xia."
"Be careful!"
With a soft cry, Lin Xia stepped forward, her slender fingers forming a sharp point, striking swiftly toward Lin Fan's chest like a sword.
She was using the Lin family's second-tier martial technique—Spirit Sword Finger.
Lin Fan remained composed, channeling his Yuan Power into his right hand, palm outward, and raised it to block.
Clang!
The moment her fingers struck his palm, the sound of metal clashing rang out.
In an instant, Lin Xia felt a terrifying force of vibration pass from Lin Fan's palm into her fingers, and then surge up her arm.
"Ugh!"
A wave of pressure shot through her arm, and she couldn't help but let out a low groan as she staggered back uncontrollably.
Step step step!
She retreated seven or eight steps before finally regaining her footing.
"Down you go."
At that moment, Lin Fan moved like a shadow, his right palm tapping gently onto her shoulder.
Lin Xia lost her balance and fell from the platform.
However, Lin Fan had gone easy—she only stumbled back a few steps upon landing, not nearly as disheveled as Lin Hong had been.
Looking up at Lin Fan, Lin Xia's beautiful eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Cousin Lin Fan… your cultivation level—it's not just seventh level, is it?"
Lin Fan smiled. "Sister Lin Xia is as sharp as ever."
Once again, the crowd erupted in whispers.
"What? Lin Fan is already at the eighth level of Body Tempering?"
"He's only sixteen, right? That's insane!"
"Sixteen years old, eighth-level Body Tempering, and first place in the clan competition—he totally deserves it!"
...
Though the final results hadn't been formally announced yet, Lin Fan had already earned the recognition of everyone as the top of the Lin family's younger generation.
"Well done, well done…" On the seat of honor, Lin Zhentian stood again, beaming with satisfaction.
"The results of this year's clan competition are clear to all: First place, Lin Fan; second, Lin Xia; third, Lin Dong. Of course, if anyone still wishes to challenge the rankings, they may do so…"
During the tournament, Lin Dong had only stood out in his match against Lin Yun, revealing his sixth-level strength.
So Lin Zhentian had directly assigned the rankings.
Lin Dong's eyes flickered when he heard the announcement but remained silent.
He didn't want to contradict his grandfather publicly, and since they were close to Lin Xia, giving her second place didn't really matter.
"This is great! Lin Fan-ge is first! Lin Dong-ge made top three too!" Qingtan jumped to her feet, clapping and cheering excitedly.
Lin Xiao wore a wide smile as well. Seeing both boys excel brought him even more joy than recovering his own strength.
Lin Ken was also pleased with his daughter Lin Xia's second-place finish.
After all, it wasn't that she was weak—Lin Fan was just too strong.
Among the three brothers, only Lin Mang's expression was pitch-black.
His two sons had performed disgracefully, leaving him fuming.
Seeing Lin Xiao's smiling face only deepened his frustration.
Behind him, Lin Hong's gaze darkened.
Suddenly, he shot to his feet, his voice filled with venom as it echoed through the hall.
"Lin Dong! What right do you have to be in the top three? I challenge you! Do you dare accept?!"
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