"This challenge, Lin Xuan wins."
Referee Li He announced the result.
He looked at Lin Xuan with some surprise.
Lin Xuan's aura was actually slightly weaker than Lin Lei's.
Yet, unexpectedly, Lin Xuan had won, and with such an effortless one-punch kill.
As Li He's words fell.
A considerable commotion arose in the arena.
Everyone stared at Lin Xuan in astonishment.
The arena instantly buzzed with noise.
"Lin Xuan actually won?"
"With a single move, a one-hit kill?"
"It seems Lin Xuan has been hiding quite a bit of strength too."
"..."
The crowd murmured and marveled.
Lin Xuan's ability to send Lin Lei flying with one punch already proved his strength. Even if he wasn't on par with the three prodigies—Lin Hai, Lin Shiyun, and Lin Yun—he was far stronger than the other minor talents.
He could be called the fourth prodigy of the Lin family.
Even the Lin family elders on the distant high platform, who had come to watch the monthly strength assessment, turned their attention to him.
With Lin Xuan winning this challenge, Lin Shiyun was naturally overjoyed.
On the other side, Lin Hai's face darkened.
"Worthless!"
Lin Hai cursed under his breath, deeply frustrated.
This failure, coupled with Lin Xuan revealing his strength, would make it even harder to pull any tricks next time.
On the arena stage.
Lin Xuan looked at the attribute panel, where energy points surged after Li He announced the result, and his smile widened.
In just this short time, he had already broken through the three-thousand mark.
Not bad at all.
Just then, Li He's voice came:
"Lin Xuan, you can step down now. Other disciples need to take their turn for challenges."
Lin Xuan, however, smiled calmly:
"Referee, I wonder if I could initiate a challenge next?"
Li He paused, taken aback by the question.
Usually, after each challenge, different disciples would take turns to duel.
Because a fierce battle would drain one's energy.
If someone wanted to challenge, they'd have to wait a while to recover.
But Lin Xuan was clearly not playing by the rules.
"It's possible, but..."
Li He hesitated before replying.
Before he could finish, Lin Xuan cut him off.
"Then it's settled. Next, I want to challenge!"
Lin Xuan's expression was calm, not like a rash decision.
Since it was within the rules, Li He couldn't dissuade him and asked:
"Who do you want to challenge?"
"Lin Hai!"
Lin Xuan said without hesitation.
Over the past month, he and Lin Shiyun had suffered plenty at Lin Hai's hands.
Now that he had enough strength, it was time to get back at him.
And he could collect some energy points along the way.
Li He's expression shifted, almost thinking he'd misheard.
The three prodigies of the Lin family—Lin Yun at the peak of Body Refining Layer Nine, and Lin Shiyun and Lin Hai both at the peak of Body Refining Layer Eight—were the strongest disciples.
Their positions were unshakable.
Normally, aside from challenges among themselves, no one dared to challenge them.
Yet Lin Xuan had opened his mouth to challenge Lin Hai.
Even Li He found it hard to believe.
He looked at Lin Xuan again, and seeing Lin Xuan nod, confirmed he hadn't misheard.
Whoosh!
Li He took a deep breath, suppressing his shock.
Even if Lin Xuan was overestimating himself, Li He was just an ordinary steward with no authority to stop him.
He could only hope Lin Xuan would hold out a bit longer and not get too badly injured.
After all, compared to Lin Hai, Lin Xuan treated them, the non-family martial artists, much better.
Then, Li He announced loudly:
"Next match: Lin Xuan challenges Lin Hai!"
"Lin Hai, step onto the arena!"
As his words fell, the arena fell silent for a moment.
Then, it erupted into chaos, far louder than before.
"Did I hear that right? Lin Xuan is challenging one of the three prodigies, Lin Hai?"
"It's been ages since anyone dared to challenge the three prodigies. Is Lin Xuan that arrogant?"
"Maybe beating Lin Lei gave him some confidence, and he wants to settle scores with Lin Hai. They've had quite a feud."
"Even so, Lin Xuan is asking for trouble. He's at Body Refining Layer Seven—how can he possibly beat Lin Hai at the peak of Layer Eight? He's in for a beating."
"..."
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
Their gazes at Lin Xuan on the arena were mixed with shock at his audacity, along with schadenfreude, mockery, and sneers.
Almost no one thought Lin Xuan would win this fight.
Even Lin Shiyun, upon hearing this, grew anxious and wanted to seek help from her father.
But seeing the confident look Lin Xuan sent her from the arena, she stopped.
This time, she chose to trust Lin Xuan.
On the other side, Lin Hai burst out laughing upon hearing this.
He had been racking his brain for a way to teach Lin Xuan a lesson, and now Lin Xuan was walking right into his trap.
He didn't know where Lin Xuan got the nerve to challenge him.
But he wasn't about to let this opportunity slip.
He immediately stood up and walked toward the arena.
This challenge involved one of the three prodigies, Lin Hai.
The Lin family elders on the high platform also turned their attention to it.
Soon, Lin Hai reached the arena.
He stood opposite Lin Xuan, locking eyes with him.
Lin Xuan's gaze swept over him.
"Name: Lin Hai."
"Cultivation: Body Refining Layer Eight."
"Talents: Mid-grade cultivation talent, low-grade strength talent, low-grade speed talent."
"Martial Arts: Wind-Pushing Palm (Second-tier, Lower Grade, Minor Mastery), Rolling Stone Fist (First-tier, Upper Grade, Mastery)..."
"Carried Treasures: None."
Looking at Lin Hai's attribute panel, Lin Xuan smiled.
Just as he thought—Lin Hai had plenty of treasures on him.
Perfect. They were all his now.
With a thought, Lin Xuan acted.
"Ding, consumed 1,000 energy points. Copy successful. Obtained [Mid-grade Cultivation Talent]."
"Ding, consumed 200 energy points. Copy successful. Obtained [Low-grade Speed Talent]."
"..."
In an instant, the copying was complete.
Then, Lin Xuan chose to merge.
"Ding, congratulations, host. Obtained Low-grade Speed Talent."
"Ding, congratulations, host. Advanced to Upper-grade Cultivation Talent."
"Ding, congratulations, host. Advanced to Low-grade Strength Talent."
"..."
A faint warmth flowed through him, and Lin Xuan felt his physical strength multiply several times over.
His attribute panel had changed significantly.
Dealing with Lin Hai was no longer a problem.
All of this happened in the span of a breath, unnoticed by anyone.
Referee Li He glanced at the two, sighed inwardly, and announced:
"Challenge, begin!"
"Lin Xuan, you've got some guts, challenging me?"
"But with your strength, trying to get back at me—don't you think you're a bit short?"
Across from him, Lin Hai seemed in no hurry to strike, taunting him instead.
"Enough chatter. I wonder if your skills can back up that foul mouth of yours."
Lin Xuan shot back without holding back.