61: Returning to the academy, the storm arose, and the shadow of the strong sword test rose

The clamor of Black Region Mountain Range was left far behind as Lin Chen hurried on. Days later, the familiar outline of Jia Nan Academy finally came into view again. However, unlike the usual peaceful and uplifting atmosphere, the academy, both inside and out, was clearly shrouded in a tense Aura.

The number of patrol teams on the outskirts of the academy had increased several times over, led by Inner Academy Disciples, their expressions solemn, their gazes sharply scanning passersby. Even faint glows from energy detectors could be seen on the city walls, clearly to guard against the infiltration of certain specific Auras.

“It seems the turmoil in Black Seal City and the activity of the Hall of Souls have put the academy on high alert,” Lin Chen understood in his heart, subtly blending into the crowd of returning Disciples.

He still maintained his ordinary, sallow-faced appearance, his Aura restrained to the Dou Master level, attracting no attention. As he passed through the city gate, he keenly sensed a subtle Soul Power sweeping over the crowd, seemingly checking for something.

“At least a Peak Battle King's Soul Power… Is it an Elder from the Inner Academy?” Lin Chen’s heart slightly tensed. He circulated the Dark Shadow Soul Binding Art to its extreme, and secretly drew upon a wisp of the taiyin soul stone's Aura to cover himself, perfectly simulating the energy fluctuation of an ordinary fire-attribute Dou Master, easily deceiving the detection.

Upon entering the academy, the tension became even more palpable. Disciples gathered in small groups, their discussions almost entirely focused on the major incident in Black Seal City not long ago and the upcoming Inner Academy Strong Ranking Competition.

“Have you heard? Senior Brother Xiao Yan did another earth-shattering deed in Black Seal City!” “Of course! He snatched things from the Hall of Souls and the Black Emperor Sect, and successfully escaped! Too fierce!” “But I heard he was also seriously injured. I wonder if he’ll make it back for the Strong Ranking Competition.” “Hmph, so what if he comes back? Those Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters in the top ten of the Strong Ranking are not to be trifled with. This competition’s rewards are said to be unprecedentedly generous, so the competition will definitely be incredibly fierce!” “Also, haven’t you felt it? The academy’s atmosphere has been so tense recently. I heard it’s not peaceful outside…” “Yeah, the Elders have all reminded us to try not to go out for Cultivation anymore.”

Lin Chen listened silently, gathering scattered information. Xiao Yan had indeed succeeded, but at a cost. The Strong Ranking Competition was about to begin, which was a good opportunity for him to return to the Inner Academy. During the competition, with so many people, it would be easier to hide his identity and strength.

He walked straight towards the assessment square at the entrance of the Inner Academy. According to regulations, Outer Academy Disciples who had been away for a long time or those who needed re-certification had to undergo a test here.

The square was bustling with people, and many Disciples were queuing up for tests, hoping to gain qualifications to observe or even participate in the preliminary rounds of the Inner Academy.

The assessment was overseen by an Inner Academy Battle Spirit-level mentor and several Deacon Disciples.

When it was Lin Chen’s turn, the mentor didn't even lift his head, saying formally, “Name, original class, Cultivation.”

“Mu Chen, Yellow Rank Class Three, Seven-star Dou Master.” Lin Chen reported a fake name and class he had prepared, and his Cultivation was reported much lower than his actual level.

“Place your hand on it and output your Dou Qi with full force,” the mentor pointed to a testing crystal nearby.

Lin Chen placed his hand on it as instructed, controlling the Dou Qi in his body to simulate the level of a fire-attribute Seven-star Dou Master and injecting it into the crystal.

The crystal lit up with a steady red light, displaying Seven-star Dou Master.

The mentor glanced at the record book and waved his hand, “Hmm, passed. Next.” A Seven-star Dou Master was considered good in the Outer Academy, but in the eyes of an Inner Academy mentor who was accustomed to Genius, he was unremarkable.

Lin Chen smoothly received his temporary identity token and stepped into the spatial gate leading to the Inner Academy.

Familiar sights greeted him. The Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower still stood tall, enveloped in a misty energy. But the atmosphere in the Inner Academy was also not relaxed; the air was filled with a sense of impending battle and surging Battle Intent.

Under the massive black stele in the center of the square—the Strong Ranking—countless Inner Academy Disciples gathered, enthusiastically discussing the names on it and the upcoming competition.

Lin Chen's gaze swept over the Strong Ranking. The familiar names at the top had not changed much: Liu Qing, Lin Xiuya, Zi Yan… Xiao Yan's name was prominently ranked in the thirties, clearly having risen since he left.

His gaze scanned the bottom of the list and quickly found his pseudonym—"Lin Ying." Due to his long absence from the academy and no updated battle records, his ranking had already fallen to the last few positions, almost on the verge of being pushed out of the Strong Ranking.

“Perfect, saves a lot of trouble.” Lin Chen didn't care about the ranking. What he needed was a reasonable, inconspicuous Inner Academy identity to facilitate his actions and access to the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower.

He rented a secluded Cultivation room near the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower using his contribution points. The fire attribute energy here was dense, which could just cover the subtle fluctuations of the taiyin soul stone and Shadow Erosion Dou Qi within him.

After settling down, he did not immediately go to the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower, but began to quietly gather information, especially about Xiao Yan, the Hall of Souls's movements, and the specific rules of the Strong Ranking Competition.

Two days later, the Strong Ranking Competition officially kicked off.

The largest square in the Inner Academy was bustling with people, and the atmosphere was fiery. A powerful protective barrier, capable of withstanding Battle King-level combat, was set up around the massive arena.

The competition adopted a challenge system, where lower-ranked individuals could challenge higher-ranked ones, and the winner would take their ranking. The rewards for the top ten in the competition were extremely generous, including not only high-grade Dou Techniques and Medicinal Pills, but also, it was said, a qualification to enter a deeper Cultivation level of the "Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower" once, which made countless Disciples eager to try.

Lin Chen blended into the crowd, inconspicuous. He was not in a hurry to act, but quietly observed the fighting styles and Dou Qi characteristics of various experts. His Soul Power was strong, often allowing him to see through the flaws and operational trajectories of opponents' Dou Techniques, yielding rich rewards.

Occasionally, when someone challenged his lowest-ranked position, "Lin Ying," he had no choice but to step onto the stage.

His fighting style was extremely "lucky" and "cunning." He would often seem to narrowly dodge attacks, yet his opponents would inexplicably find their Dou Qi circulation sluggish, their footwork slipping, or their vision occasionally interfered with by the shadows flickering on the arena, ultimately allowing him to "barely" seize an opportunity and win " shelter" with the most ordinary fire-attribute Dou Technique.

After a few matches, he maintained his ranking, but left everyone with the impression of being "extremely lucky, slippery in movement, and mediocre in strength," and no one regarded him as a threat.

This was precisely the effect he desired.

However, a tree desires calm, but the wind will not cease.

On this day, a focal battle was taking place on the arena. The challenger was a Peak Battle Spirit ranked twenty-second on the Strong Ranking, whose strength was not weak. The challenged, however, was ranked nineteenth—Fu Ao.

Fu Ao, a core member of the "White Gang" under Bai Cheng, had a past grudge with Xiao Yan when he first entered the Inner Academy. He was ruthless in his methods, and his Cultivation had reached One-star Battle King.

The battle was without suspense. Fu Ao easily defeated the challenger, using quite vicious methods, beating his opponent until he vomited blood and was severely injured, drawing angry glares from many Disciples below the stage.

Fu Ao, however, was smug, standing in the center of the arena, enjoying the cheers of some followers. His gaze swept across the audience below, with a provocative meaning, and finally, it landed on Lin Chen, who was at the edge of the crowd and inconspicuous.

He had long noticed this "Lin Ying" who had "luckily" maintained his ranking in recent times. Big Brother Bai Cheng had been in an extremely foul mood recently because of Xiao Yan, instructing them to find opportunities to suppress anyone who might be related to Xiao Yan or who they found displeasing. Although this "Lin Ying" seemed like a good-for-nothing, his slippery demeanor annoyed him greatly. It was a perfect opportunity to establish his authority and curry favor with Bai Cheng.

“Hey! You, Lin Ying!” Fu Ao pointed at Lin Chen, his voice arrogant, “Yes, you! The one at the bottom of the list, don’t hide! Come up, I just happen to need a warm-up, and I’ll give you some pointers!”

A commotion immediately erupted below the stage.

“Fu Ao is bullying too much, isn’t he? A Battle King challenging a Dou Master?” “Exactly, even if this Lin Ying is lucky, he’s clearly no match for him.” “Who told him to run into Fu Ao’s gun? Just consider himself unlucky.”

Everyone thought that "Lin Ying" would definitely admit defeat and refuse. Although it would be humiliating, it was better than getting crippled on stage.

Lin Chen raised his head, looking at the arrogant Fu Ao on the stage, his eyes calm and unperturbed. He originally did not want to cause extra trouble, but if trouble sought him out, constantly retreating would only arouse more suspicion.

Fine, I'll just use you to test the power of Shadow Erosion Dou Qi after being nourished by the taiyin soul stone. And by the way, give some people a "small" warning.

Under everyone's astonished gazes, Lin Chen slowly stood up and walked step by step towards the arena.

“Oh? You actually dare to come up? You have some guts, but unfortunately, it’s foolish guts!” Fu Ao sneered, twisting his neck, producing crackling sounds.

The Chief Elder frowned slightly, but the rules allowed it, so he couldn't say much, only reminding, "Focus on sparring, stop when appropriate." He also felt that this battle was without suspense.

Lin Chen stepped onto the arena and stood calmly opposite Fu Ao.

“Kid, don’t say I’m bullying you, I’ll let you have three moves!” Fu Ao folded his arms, a look of disdain on his face.

Lin Chen shook his head, his voice flat: “No need.”

“You’re courting death!” Fu Ao was provoked by this attitude, letting out a low growl. His Battle King Aura erupted, earth-yellow Dou Qi covered his entire body, and he threw a punch, carrying immense power, directly at Lin Chen’s face! He intended to finish this clueless kid in one move.

Many people below the stage closed their eyes, unable to bear the sight of "Lin Ying" being sent flying by a single punch.

However, facing this fierce punch, Lin Chen did not dodge or evade. It wasn't until the punch's wind was close to his face that he suddenly raised his right hand.

His right hand, at this moment, became as black as ink, as if it could absorb all light!

Instead of meeting it head-on, his five fingers formed a claw, darting out like lightning at a strange angle, precisely hooking onto Fu Ao's wrist pulse! Wherever his fingertips passed, the air seemed to become sticky and dim!

Fu Ao's face suddenly changed! He felt an extremely bizarre suction and erosion force emanating from the opponent's black claw, which instantly caused the Dou Qi circulation in his wrist to stagnate, halting his punch!

“What the hell is this?!” In his astonishment, he tried to change his move.

But Lin Chen's speed was even faster!

“Shadow Erosion · Bind!”

The five fingers gripping his wrist suddenly exerted force, and a cold, devouring Dark Shadow Fighting Energy instantly invaded Fu Ao’s body!

Fu Ao only felt his entire arm go numb. The vast Dou Qi, like a flood breaking its dam, uncontrollably drained away through the opponent's palm! At the same time, a cold, dead Aura spread upwards along the Meridians of his arm. Wherever it passed, his Meridians tingled, and his vitality seemed to be draining away!

“Ah!” Fu Ao was scared out of his wits, his Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering. He desperately tried to break free, but found the opponent's claw as firm as an iron clamp, and that strange suction made his whole body go limp!

Everyone below the stage was stunned! They only saw Fu Ao unleash a fierce punch, then "Lin Ying" casually gripped his wrist. Immediately after, Fu Ao looked as if he had seen a ghost, his face pale, his body trembling, unable even to break free!

What… what is going on?!

Lin Chen's eyes were cold, feeling the devoured Dou Qi being rapidly transformed and purified by the taiyin soul stone. He didn't absorb too much; after all, too much absorption in public would easily expose him. Seeing Fu Ao's Aura weaken, he suddenly flew up and kicked Fu Ao in the abdomen.

“Bang!”

Fu Ao flew backwards like a kite with a broken string, screaming as he crashed heavily against the arena barrier, then slid down, unconscious. His entire right arm became shriveled and blackened, as if it had lost a large amount of vitality. Although not fatal, it would likely take several months of rest and Medicinal Pill conditioning to recover.

Silence!

A deathly silence!

Everyone stared, dumbfounded, at the sallow-faced young man on the stage who had withdrawn his foot, his expression still as calm as ever.

One move!

Just one move!

One-star Battle King Fu Ao, utterly defeated!

This “Lin Ying” wasn’t relying on Luck at all! He was pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger! What exactly was that strange black Dou Qi of his?!

The Chief Elder was also stunned for a moment before he suddenly reacted, looking at Lin Chen with a gaze of surprise and uncertainty, finally announcing: “Lin Ying wins! His ranking rises to nineteenth!”

The crowd below instantly erupted!

“Wow!!” “What happened? How did Fu Ao lose?” “That black Dou Qi… so strange! It can actually erode others’ Dou Qi?” “What is this Lin Ying’s background? Why have I never heard of him before?”

Lin Chen ignored all the discussions and surprised gazes, slowly walking off the arena. He knew that after this battle, he probably wouldn't be able to remain completely low-key anymore. The attention of the White Gang, and even more people, would be focused on him.

But he didn't regret it. Some troubles are unavoidable, so he would crush them with absolute strength!

He felt several powerful Soul perceptions sweeping from afar; clearly, the Elders of the Inner Academy had been alerted. He immediately reined in his Aura, concealed his Shadow Erosion Dou Qi, and once again presented himself as a Seven-star Dou Master, quickly disappearing into the crowd.

However, the name "Lin Ying," and his bizarrely powerful black Dou Qi, spread like a whirlwind throughout the entire Inner Academy.

Beneath the Strong Ranking, undercurrents surged.

Pairs of eyes, curious, wary, or hostile, began to secretly watch this dark horse who had suddenly emerged.

And Lin Chen knew that this was just the beginning. The real storm was yet to come. His gaze swept towards the towering Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower in the distance, feeling the slight tremor of the taiyin soul stone within him.

Something there seemed to be attracting it.

(End of Chapter 62)