16: The duel begins! Lin Yuan VS Wu Moxuan!
Before Zhao Shanhe could respond, Wu Moxuan spoke again, "Examiner Zhao, issuing a challenge to someone else shouldn't be within the scope of the [Beast Soul Hall]'s restrictions, right?"
"Naturally not."
Zhao Shanhe nodded and said, "However, we must also ask for the opinion of the person involved."
In an instant, everyone's gaze fell upon Lin Yuan once more.
Everyone was waiting for Lin Yuan's answer.
Would he choose to accept Wu Moxuan's challenge?
To be honest, with things having evolved to this point, it was no longer up to Lin Yuan to decide.
If Lin Yuan refused the challenge, everyone would surely believe he had cheated.
To prove his innocence, he had to accept the challenge.
This was Wu Moxuan's goal: to force Lin Yuan into a fight with him!
Only through this method could he reclaim his lost dignity!
After receiving Zhao Shanhe's permission, Wu Moxuan immediately turned to look directly at Lin Yuan. "You, do you dare to accept the battle?!"
Facing the aggressive Wu Moxuan, even Su Muxue couldn't help but tug at Lin Yuan's sleeve.
"If you aren't confident, you can choose not to accept the challenge."
Clearly, Su Muxue was also uneasy about Lin Yuan's strength.
However, Lin Yuan curled his lips into a bright smile.
He still remembered that when he had just entered the profession in his past life, the teacher who taught him Assassination Techniques once told him this sentence:
"If someone comes to provoke you, forbearance is useless; only by breaking their bones can you make them know fear."
Thinking of this, Lin Yuan immediately spoke, "I accept this battle."
After Lin Yuan accepted the challenge, everyone present couldn't help but feel their spirits lift!
They clearly hadn't expected Lin Yuan to choose to fight so decisively!
Looking back at the 'Beast Refining' examinations over the years, when had such an exciting scene ever occurred?
However, at that moment, Zhao Shanhe suddenly looked toward Wu Moxuan.
"To be honest, I don't think this battle is necessary."
"Your rankings, one first and one third, make you both favored geniuses of Zhenhai City. There's no need to fight to the death over such a trivial matter."
"I've already said that I can guarantee he did not cheat during the examination process."
After Zhao Shanhe said those words, everyone present was slightly stunned.
This guy... could he really have some connection with Lin Yuan?
Otherwise, why would he show such favoritism toward Lin Yuan?
Despite Zhao Shanhe's extremely sincere tone, Wu Moxuan was still not buying it.
His eyes stared fixedly at Lin Yuan as he spoke, "Since he didn't cheat, then let him have a fair and square battle with me!"
"Examiner Zhao, please serve as the witness for this battle. I will let you see how this kid is torn to pieces by me!"
Wu Moxuan's face was full of ferocity.
After sensing his determination, Zhao Shanhe couldn't help but sigh softly.
"In that case, you two can settle this on the Dueling Platform inside the [Beast Soul Hall]. Those who wish to watch can also come over."
...Ten minutes later.
Lin Yuan and Wu Moxuan stepped onto the Dueling Platform within the [Beast Soul Hall] one after another.
This Dueling Platform was extremely vast, two or three times larger than a football field.
Only such a spacious venue could allow Beast Soul Masters to battle to their hearts' content.
Surrounding the Dueling Platform were circular spectator seats, arranged in tiers like a stadium.
Rather than a Dueling Platform, it looked more like an ancient Roman colosseum.
At this moment, the surrounding spectator seats were already filled with onlookers.
The vast majority of these people were examinees from this 'Beast Refining' assessment, though some were Beast Soul Masters who had come specifically to watch the excitement.
Although the duel had not yet begun, the atmosphere on the platform was already thick with tension.
"If both parties are ready, the duel can begin now."
Zhao Shanhe stood in the center of the platform and spoke calmly, "This battle is to be treated as a sparring match. You may go all out, but causing a loss of life is not permitted."
"As soon as one side admits defeat, the battle will end."
"Furthermore, during the battle, the use of any external items is prohibited."
"Any violation of these rules will also be considered a defeat. Is that understood?"
"Understood."
Lin Yuan and Wu Moxuan both nodded slightly.
The rules of the duel were very simple; aside from the prohibition on external help, there were no other restrictions placed upon them.
"Since you are both ready, I announce... the duel officially begins."
After saying this, Zhao Shanhe leaped directly off the Dueling Platform.
He was merely the referee and naturally could not remain on the platform to influence the duel between the two.
Although the duel had begun, neither side was in a hurry to strike.
Wu Moxuan watched Lin Yuan with cold eyes and spoke in a low voice, "You should know that everything happening today is your own doing."
Lin Yuan looked at him and said with a light laugh, "Yeah, I also didn't expect you to make such a big fuss just to avoid paying your debt. It must have been hard on you."
"You're looking for death!"
Upon hearing this, Wu Moxuan's face instantly darkened.
In the next second, he initiated Beast Soul Fusion without hesitation!
S-rank Beast Soul, Skeleton Crawler King!
"Roar!!"
Accompanied by an earth-shaking roar.
Wu Moxuan had already completed the Beast Soul Fusion.
A massive Skeleton Crawler King immediately appeared on the Dueling Platform, emitting a powerful Aura and an astonishing pressure!
The appearance of the Skeleton Crawler King was similar to a giant lizard, with a serpentine tail and a skull-like face.
In addition to a giant tail, the Skeleton Crawler King had two incredibly strong front claws, allowing it to adjust its body while crawling like a snake using its massive talons!
After feeling the astonishing Aura emitted by the Skeleton Crawler King.
A look of surprise couldn't help but emerge in the eyes of everyone present.
"What a terrifying beast. This Skeleton Crawler King must be at least five meters long, right?"
"Is this an S-rank Beast Soul? It truly is talent visible to the naked eye!"
"As expected of the Genius ranked third in the final results; his strength is indeed extraordinary."
"He only recently awakened his beast soul and already possesses such strength. It probably won't be long before he breaks through to the Beast General Rank!"
"If the third place's strength is already this terrifying, then aren't the strengths of Lin Yuan and Su Muxue even greater than his?"
"That's hard to say. Didn't you hear Wu Moxuan say that Lin Yuan only awakened an E-rank Beast Soul? If his score really was obtained through cheating, then this will be interesting!"
Undoubtedly, the vast majority of the audience held the same thoughts.
Because of this, at this moment, everyone's eyes were locked onto Lin Yuan.
They all wanted to see what kind of strength Lin Yuan could display after fusing with his beast soul!