Such a turn of events was completely beyond expectations. Li He was also deeply shaken. It took several breaths for him to react. Only when he felt Lin Xuan's gaze did Li He snap back to reality. Then, he announced in a clear voice: "This challenge, Lin Xuan wins!"
As the words fell, an even greater uproar erupted across the arena. Everyone's eyes were fixed on Lin Xuan, filled with shock and complexity. Lin Yun, Lin Hai, and Lin Shiyun—these three were the Lin family's prodigies, their positions long unshakable, with no one able to threaten them. But today, Lin Xuan had done it. With a single punch, he had defeated Lin Hai. From this moment on, Lin Xuan would take his place. Lin Hai fell from his position, and Lin Xuan officially joined the ranks of the three prodigies. How could they not be deeply moved? Especially since Lin Xuan had achieved this at the seventh level of Body Refinement. This broke a decades-long record for the Lin family. It left them utterly astounded.
On the arena stage. Lin Xuan looked at the void before him, a broad smile on his face as he saw the surge of energy points in his attribute panel. Just then, Li He's voice came. "Lin Xuan, do you wish to continue challenging?" Li He asked this because Lin Xuan lingered on the stage with no sign of stepping down. But he didn't think much of it. However, Lin Xuan's next words once again exceeded his expectations. "Yes, I want to challenge further." Lin Xuan said with a light laugh. Li He froze, momentarily at a loss.
Below the stage, the disciples were also stunned, staring at Lin Xuan in disbelief. Were they hearing things? Lin Xuan wanted to challenge again? He had defeated Lin Hai with one punch and claimed a spot among the three prodigies. And now he wanted to continue? The target would be...? Thinking this, the disciples were jolted, their eyes locked on Lin Xuan, waiting for his next words. On the stage, Lin Xuan said calmly: "I want to challenge further. This time, the target is Lin Yun." His voice was flat and soft. But it struck like a thunderbolt in a pond, instantly exploding across the entire square. In an instant, the arena erupted again, far louder than before. "What? Am I dreaming? Did I just hear Lin Xuan wants to challenge Brother Lin Yun?" "Is Lin Xuan out of his mind?" "He probably got cocky after beating Lin Hai with one punch, now he wants to challenge Brother Lin Yun!" "Brother Lin Yun is our Lin family's top prodigy, at the peak of the ninth level of Body Refinement, far beyond Lin Hai. Lin Xuan challenging him is asking for trouble." "..."
The disciples buzzed with chatter, their gazes at Lin Xuan tinged with disbelief. More than that, there was mockery and sneers. Some even muttered curses under their breath. As if Lin Xuan had done something unforgivable. They completely ignored his new status as one of the three prodigies.
In the crowd, Lin Shiyun's initial joy vanished, replaced by worry. She knew Lin Yun's strength well—he could rival some weaker early-stage Meridian Opening cultivators. Far beyond any other Body Refinement martial artist. And Lin Xuan wanted to challenge him? She was deeply anxious. But once a challenge began, it couldn't be stopped or interrupted. That was the rule. She could only pray for Lin Xuan's safety.
Elsewhere in the crowd, Lin Hai froze for a moment upon hearing this, then burst into joy. "Lin Xuan, you're asking for death. I can't wait to see your miserable end!" Lin Hai muttered, barely containing his glee. He had been defeated by Lin Xuan and knocked from the prodigy ranks, and he was looking for a chance to retaliate. But now Lin Xuan was actively seeking his doom. Challenging Lin Yun? Wasn't that suicide? The last person who did that ended up bedridden for months. Thinking of Lin Xuan soon lying in bed with severe injuries, Lin Hai couldn't help but laugh.
On the high platform, the Lin family elders were also stirred. Patriarch Lin Qixing frowned. He had thought a promising talent had emerged. But he hadn't expected such arrogance. Then, Lin Qixing shook his head. Beside him, Grand Elder Lin Qiyu smiled. Though he was deterred from attacking Lin Xuan to avenge his grandson Lin Hai, seeing Lin Xuan get a harsh lesson from Lin Yun was satisfying.
On the stage. Li He was struck as if by lightning, frozen in place. He could hardly believe his ears. It took a while to confirm it. He looked at Lin Xuan with a complex expression. Lin Xuan wanted to challenge the Lin family's top prodigy, Lin Yun. He didn't know what to say. He could only announce it and wait for what came next. "Next match: Lin Xuan challenges Lin Yun!" "Lin Yun, take the stage!"
As the words fell. Whoosh! The arena fell silent, and almost everyone's gaze shifted to the east side of the high platform, to the tall figure—Lin Yun. In previous monthly strength assessments, Lin Yun had always just gone through the motions. But today, he was being challenged. Even if it was just a one-hit kill on stage, it was enough to captivate the entire crowd. They hadn't seen the Lin family's top prodigy fight in a long time.
Under everyone's gaze, Lin Yun slowly rose and walked toward the stage. Looking at the figure on the stage, a cold glint flashed in Lin Yun's eyes. To avoid endless annoying challenges, he had always struck hard. After severely injuring a so-called prodigy who challenged him half a year ago, he had enjoyed peace. But now, someone wanted to challenge him again? And at the seventh level of Body Refinement! It seemed he would have to hit even harder this time. Otherwise, some people, thinking they had some skill, wouldn't know their place.
Soon, Lin Yun stepped onto the stage, standing opposite Lin Xuan. Li He glanced at both of them and announced: "Challenge begins!"
At that moment, everyone in the arena focused their attention on the match. Of course, they weren't watching Lin Xuan, but how Lin Yun would finish him off. Lin Xuan didn't mind; in fact, he was thrilled. Because with this, the number of energy points in his hand had skyrocketed again. Even if he lost this fight, it wouldn't be a loss. Then, Lin Xuan looked at Lin Yun. "Name: Lin Yun." "Cultivation: Ninth level of Body Refinement." "Talents: High-grade cultivation talent, low-grade strength talent, low-grade speed talent." "Martial arts: Mountain-Crushing Strike (Second-grade mid-tier, Minor Completion), Jade-Breaking Fist (Second-grade low-tier, Major Completion)..." "Carried treasures: None."
Looking at Lin Yun's attribute panel, Lin Xuan's expression shifted slightly. As expected of the Lin family's top prodigy—this panel was far stronger than Lin Hai's, with many more treasures. Lin Xuan naturally wouldn't let this opportunity slip. And now, he had enough energy points.