14: One against nine

The dust on the Training Grounds had yet to settle, and the sunlight filtered through the sparse clouds, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone slabs. Lin Feng, who had just been defeated and fallen from the Seventh Seat, clutched his chest and coughed, blood staining his lapel as he was helped off the field by clan disciples, looking dejected. Lin Yang, the new occupant of the Seventh Seat, stood in his Dark-colored Tight-fitting Suit, which fluttered slightly in the wind, as if the overwhelming victory he had just achieved was merely the act of dusting off his shoulder.

On the ten Mahogany Chairs in the arena, Lin Dongliu, Lin Shaoxiong, and Lin Bing remained seated, steady as Mount Tai. Lin Dongliu tapped his fingertips lightly on the armrest, the rhythm neither fast nor slow; Lin Shaoxiong fiddled with the jade pendant at his waist, his gaze sweeping across the arena with a half-smile; Lin Bing stuffed the last piece of dry ration into his mouth, clapped the crumbs off his hands, his eyes lazy but concealing sharpness. These three Houtian Eighth Layer experts were like three insurmountable Peaks, deterring eager challengers—everyone knew that challenging them now was akin to throwing an egg against a rock.

"Bang!"

A deafening explosion suddenly erupted, shaking the bluestone bricks near the Fourth Seat up by an inch. Lin Dongping's fists shone with dazzling, faint golden light as he forcefully sent a clan member at the Acquired Sixth Layer Peak flying. The person slammed into a stone pillar at the edge of the Training Grounds and was unconscious when they slid to the ground.

"Who else wants to try?" Lin Dongping's arrogant laugh echoed through the entire arena. He stretched his neck, his knuckles cracking loudly. "If you dare to challenge my Fourth Seat, come right up!"

The sunlight hit the True Essence halo around his fists, reflecting dazzling spots of light. The clan members immediately burst into an uproar, the waves of discussion almost lifting the roof.

"That's True Essence permeating the body! Lin Dongping has also stepped into the Houtian Eighth Layer!"

"He's only sixteen! He broke through a year earlier than his brother, Lin Dongliu!"

"The title of the Lin Family's number one Genius is probably about to change hands!"

On the Viewing Platform, Grand Elder Lin Hongfeng stroked his graying beard, the corners of his mouth uncontrollably turning up, his eyes full of complacency. On his left was his second grandson, Lin Dongping, who had just entered the Houtian Eighth Layer, and on his right was his eldest grandson, Lin Dongliu, who was at the Houtian Eighth Layer Peak. These two grandsons were like his left and right arms, enough to completely suppress the Lin Xingnan Lineage within the clan.

Just then, the One-eyed Steward presiding over the ceremony shouted, "If no one challenges within ten breaths, the first round of Seat Battles is over!"

"One! Two! Three!"

Just as the count passed three, a figure slowly stood up from the Seventh Seat. His Dark-colored Tight-fitting Suit gleamed coldly in the sunlight. Every step Lin Yang took landed precisely in the gaps between the counting sounds, not fast, but carrying a rhythm that tightened the hearts of those watching.

All eyes immediately focused on him. His Houtian Sixth Layer Peak cultivation wasn't considered top-tier in the Training Grounds, but it was enough to squeeze into the top ten. But when his fingertip passed over the front row of seats and pointed directly at Lin Dongping on the Fourth Seat, the arena's discussion abruptly ceased, and the silence was so profound that a pin drop could be heard.

"Is he crazy? He's actually challenging the Houtian Eighth Layer Lin Dongping?"

"Houtian Sixth Layer Peak against Houtian Eighth Layer, how is that any different from seeking death?"

"Does he think that just because he beat Lin Feng, he can shake the Foundation of the Houtian Eighth Layer?"

Amidst the gasps of shock, Lin Dongping suddenly stood up from his chair, roaring with laughter, his triangular eyes wide and round. "Lin Yang, did you not get beaten hard enough at the Shen Family banquet last time, so you specifically came here to die?"

"It seems the lesson I taught you last time was too light," Lin Yang's voice was cold as frost as his gaze swept over Lin Dongping's arrogant face. "Attacking a fellow clan member with lethal intent and colluding with outsiders to harm loyal servants—how dare a degenerate like you call himself a Genius?"

"You're courting death!" Lin Dongping, hit where it hurt, roared in uncontrollable fury. He slammed his feet down violently, and the bluestone slabs instantly cracked in a spiderweb pattern. His body shot out like a cannonball, his fists bringing forth whistling strong winds as they smashed toward Lin Yang's face. The Houtian Eighth Layer True Essence condensed into a three-inch light halo on his fist edge. Four Shadows of the Tiger Shadow Fist came out simultaneously. Each Fist Shadow carried a sharp shriek that tore through the air, its power surging by thirty percent compared to the last time at the Shen Family banquet.

Facing this earth-shattering punch, Lin Yang advanced instead of retreating. The Metal Element True Essence within his body instantly boiled, and his fists were also wreathed in a faint golden light. Although the halo was not as dazzling as Lin Dongping's, it was condensed as if substantial.

"Houtian Eighth Layer, is that so impressive?"

"Bang!"

The moment the two fists collided, it was as if a thunderclap had exploded in the Training Grounds. A visible wave of air spread out from the two men, kicking up the surrounding dust several feet high. Disciples standing nearby were knocked to the ground by the airwave, gasping in shock.

Lin Yang and Lin Dongping both retreated three steps, the bluestone slabs beneath their feet shattering simultaneously.

Dead silence!

The entire arena fell into a deathly silence!

Everyone's eyes were fixed on Lin Yang's fists—the faint golden light surrounding them was clearly the sign of True Essence permeating the body, a manifestation only seen in the Houtian Eighth Layer!

"Im... impossible!" Grand Elder Lin Hongfeng on the Viewing Platform suddenly stood up, his teacup crashing to the ground with a clang. The scalding tea splashed onto his brocade robe, but he didn't notice. He had personally checked Lin Yang's bones; he was clearly Trash who struggled even with ordinary Body Tempering. How could he break the shackles of the Houtian Seventh Level and step into the Explosive Qi Realm in just two months?

Lin Dongliu's fingertips, which had been lightly tapping the armrest, suddenly froze. A cold light burst forth in his eyes as he stared intently at Lin Yang in the arena, as if seeing him for the first time. Shen Shuanghua's pale white fingers gently brushed the edge of her teacup. A trace of surprise flashed in her beautiful eyes, quickly turning into deeper curiosity. At the edge of the crowd, Bai Wanqing's gaze beneath her light veil subtly narrowed, and the crescent moon token at her waist actually emitted a faint silver glow.

"If you can do it, why can't I?" Lin Yang sneered. The Five Elements True Essence circulated simultaneously within his body, and the Tiger Shadow Fist suddenly intensified to Five Shadows coming out together. Five solidified Fist Shadows carried True Essence of different attributes—scorching crimson, icy blue coldness, deep yellow heaviness, emerald green flexibility, and platinum sharpness—weaving into a dense fist net that instantly suppressed Lin Dongping's Four Shadows fist momentum.

"No! I am the Genius! I won't lose!" Lin Dongping roared, swinging his fists to resist, but his Fist Shadows were like paper before the Five Elements True Essence, shattering the moment they made contact. Lin Yang's punches rained down like a furious storm, each one precisely striking his old wounds.

"Bang!"

The final heavy punch smashed into Lin Dongping's chest. He flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing miserably onto the steps in front of Lin Hongfeng. He spat out a large mouthful of blood, his eyes dull and vacant, like an idiot.

Lin Yang turned and walked toward the Fourth Seat, slowly sitting down under the shocked gazes of the crowd. His voice traveled through the lingering airwave, spreading throughout the arena, utterly cold: "Uncle Liu's blood debt, I will settle it, item by item, slowly."

The area outside the arena completely erupted. Just over two months ago, he was the universally recognized Trash of the clan, yet now he could crush an Explosive Qi Realm Genius head-on? If such an existence was Trash, then what were all the people present?

Lin Hongfeng was trembling with rage, his goatee bristling, but he could only forcibly suppress the urge to rush forward and tear Lin Yang apart. He took a deep breath, shot a look at the steward, and announced in a deep voice: "The first round of Seat Battles is over. We now enter the ranking battles for the top ten!" According to the rules, the ranking battles required challenging the higher ranks sequentially from the lowest position. He deliberately placed Lin Yang last, forcing him to make the first move, hoping that continuous bitter fighting would lead to his early elimination.

Just as the steward was about to announce the challenge order, Lin Yang suddenly stood up. He surveyed the entire arena, his gaze sweeping over the clan members on the other nine seats, finally resting on Lin Dongliu and the other two. A wild, arrogant curve appeared at the corner of his mouth: "Challenging one by one is too troublesome."

Everyone was stunned by this statement, their eyes wide.

"The nine of you, come at me together."

Arrogant! Too arrogant!

The Training Grounds fell into silence once again; even the wind seemed to stop. Aside from Lin Dongliu, Lin Shaoxiong, and Lin Bing, who remained composed, the other six clan members seated on the chairs were furious. Lin Dongliu was already at the Houtian Eighth Layer Peak, and Lin Shaoxiong and Lin Bing had also reached the Houtian Eighth Layer. If these three teamed up, even a Houtian Ninth Layer Martial Artist might not fare well, let alone adding the other six experts at the Sixth and Seventh Layers.

"Brat, don't be so presumptuous!" Lin Cheng, sitting in the Fifth Seat, roared, his hands already condensing faint green True Essence.

"Since you won't make a move, then I'll force you to!"

Before Lin Yang finished speaking, his figure shot out like a ghost. He circled the ten Mahogany Chairs swiftly, Metal Element True Essence condensing into an invisible sharp edge at his fingertips. A continuous series of cracking sounds rang out. By the time he returned to the Fourth Seat, the other nine carved wooden chairs had all been reduced to dust!

Lin Dongliu, Lin Shaoxiong, and Lin Bing reacted extremely quickly, standing up the instant their chairs disintegrated, their figures steady as bedrock. The other six clan members, however, were caught off guard and tumbled to the ground, covered in wood shavings and utterly losing face.

"You're seeking death!" The six were both startled and enraged, roaring as they pounced simultaneously. Lin Cheng's palms struck toward his face carrying Wood Element True Essence, while Lin Wan'er's Soft Sword pierced toward his waist, winding with strong winds. The other four also used their ultimate Martial Skills. Six streams of True Essence with different attributes intertwined into a net mid-air.

Lin Yang's fists pulsed slightly. The chaos star core gently vibrated in his Sea of Consciousness, and wisps of Origin energy merged into the Five Elements True Essence. "Tiger Suppresses Five Elements!" he roared softly. Six Fist Shadows blasted out simultaneously. The True Essence halo of the Explosive Qi Realm circulated on his fist edge, and the fierce fist wind instantly tore apart the six people's attack net.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Six muffled thuds blended into one. The six clan members were sent flying backward like scarecrows hit by a heavy hammer, spitting blood as they crashed to the ground, screaming repeatedly, unable to get back up.

The Lin Family Elders on the Viewing Platform had their pupils contract, their shock impossible to conceal. The Five Shadows Tiger Fist was already considered outstanding among Yellow Rank Martial Skills, but when Lin Yang punched just now, wisps of Chaos airflow were faintly visible around the Fist Shadows. That power far surpassed that of others in the Explosive Qi Realm, simply unbelievable!

Lin Yang clapped the dust off his hands. His gaze swept past the clan members howling on the ground and settled on Lin Dongliu and the other two, whose expressions were grave. A cold smirk appeared on his lips: "Three more to go."

The wind in the Training Grounds suddenly grew fierce, swirling the wood shavings and dust on the ground into small vortices between the three men. Lin Dongliu slowly drew the long sword from his waist; the blade, flickering with blue light, reflected his icy profile. Lin Shaoxiong clenched his fists, dark yellow True Essence circulating on his knuckles. Lin Bing stretched his neck, his knuckles cracking loudly.

A true storm has just begun.