Jin Zhuliu was ranked nine on the Spirit Sea Golden Rankings. He was famous in the Dao Martial Department and boasted extremely illustrious battle accomplishments.
He was a tall, handsome young man. Every movement he made gave off an oppressive pressure that could only belong to a battle-hardened veteran.
Pah!
Without wasting any time, Jin Zhuliu threw out his identity token and arrived in the arena. His figure was as straight as a spear. Strands of light rose around him, making him appear refined and elegant.
Excitement immediately filled the air. The crowd was more pissed than ever with Lin Xun, and Jin Zhuliuâs entrance finally made them see hope that Lin Xun would soon be crushed.
âTaking turns to challenge me? Sure, let me rest for a while first. Even a Heaven Ascension expert wonât be able to take it after two consecutive battles.â
Lin Xun sat on the ground as he spoke.
The crowd was immediately filled with disdain. What a thick-skinned fellow. Even a Heaven Ascension expert wonât be able to take it? An expert of that level could continuously fight for three days without tiring!
Jin Zhuliu was expressionless as he frostily said, âIâll give you the time. Do you need any recovery medicine?â
Lin Xun smiled and replied, âIâll have to decline. What if itâs poisoned? I heard that there are several poisons that can cause someone to lose their strength without anyone noticing.â
âYouâ¦â
Jin Zhuliuâs expression somehow turned even colder. It was a long time later before he finally said, âLater, I will let you taste the same miserable defeat that your cousin, Lin Xuefeng, experienced.â
It was a clear provocation. However, Lin Xun merely smiled faintly in response.
After a long time, Lin Xun rose to his feet and energetically said, âCome then.â
âHmph!â
Jin Zhuliuâs icy snort rumbled like thunder as brandished his battle spear and ferociously attacked like a god of war.
Rumble~
The air wailed in the arena as the sky seemed to change color. These phenomena were caused by Jin Zhuliu.
There was no doubt that he was very powerful. His spear shone brilliantly, and his aura was mighty and fierce, making it feel as if he could slay any gods or buddhas in his path. It was to be expected of the ninth ranker of the Spirit Sea Golden Rankings.
Numerous students were stunned by his power.
Chi Cangmeiâs, Hua Wuyouâs, and the othersâ expressions turned serious. The strength Jin Zhuliu displayed did not lose to any elite heaven pride.
This was especially so in battle because Jin Zhuliuâs unmatched bravery allowed him to display overwhelming combat power. In fact, he was not the least bit inferior even when compared to the likes of the Marquis of Rising Sky, Zhao Jingyin.
âKill.â
The only sound that could be heard in the arena was Jin Zhuliuâs murderous roar. It boomed across the nine heavens like thunder, his black hair wildly dancing around him, as his spear thrust with deadly force. A murderous qi unfurled across the area, drawing numerous gasps from the crowd.
In contrast, Lin Xun appeared dull and ordinary. He was brutally suppressed and was nearly knocked out of the arena several times. It was clear that his defeat was imminent.
Numerous people had arrived at some unknown time such as the Spirit Sea Golden Rankings third-ranked Zuo Yujing, the most royal disciple, Zhao Jinwenâ¦
There was also no lack of students from other departments such as the Rune Department, Godly Stratagems Department, Hidden Dragon Department⦠In fact, even several instructors had been drawn over to watch the fight.
Ning Meng, Shi Yu, Ye Xiaoqi, Gong Mingâ¦and Lin Xunâs other old friends, who were currently cultivating in the Hidden Dragon Department, had also rushed over.
They were rather bewildered to find that Lin Xun was fighting in the Dao Martial Department. They had originally believed he was still in secluded cultivation in Mind Cleansing Peak and had not expected that he had not only exited his seclusion but had also stirred up such a commotion in Qinglu Academy.
âSomething is amiss.â
Ye Xiaoqi widened his eyes.
âHeh heh heh heh.â
Upon hearing this, Shi Yu and Ning Meng could not help but laugh as they displayed strange and mysterious smiles.
âWhatâs wrong with you guys? Canât you see that Lin Xun is being suppressed and is going to be defeated soon!â
Ye Xiaoqi glared at them.
âSigh, you donât understand Lin Xun at all. He might seem completely harmless, but heâs eviler and more devious than anyone else.â
Ning Meng patted Ye Xiaoqiâs shoulder as if he had already seen this play out countless times before.
Shi Yu unhurriedly said, âJin Zhuliu is going to suffer soon.â
Ye Xiaoqi was taken aback. He knew something was up but could not figure out what it was.
Gong Ming, who had been silent since the beginning, remarked, âIt does seem that heâs pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger.â
Ye Xiaoqi was just about to say something when an uproar rose around them.
In the arena, Lin Xunâs fist smashed into Jin Zhuliuâs shoulder, sending him flying.
No one had seen what had happened. Lin Xun had clearly been dodging and had been about to lose a split second earlier, but then Jin Zhuliu was suddenly forced back!
Everyone was confused. Something just didnât add up.
The corners of Ye Xiaoqiâs mouth violently twitched. He finally understood that Lin Xun had been putting up an act!
âKill!â
Jin Zhuliu loudly shouted. He was also confused and dazed due to Lin Xunâs punch and had not expected him to still be capable of counterattacking.
However, Lin Xun flickered forward like a phantom, avoiding several attacks before sending a vicious kick at Jin Zhuliuâs abdomen.
Lin Xunâs speed was too quick. The crowd was unable to keep up and only managed to catch Jin Zhuliu screaming in pain before he doubled over and fell face-first onto the ground.
Thisâ¦
Everyone was stupefied. Jin Zhuliu had been so valiant and domineering just moments ago. Why was he suddenly unable to suppress Lin Xun?
âThe revenge begins.â
By now, Chi Cangmei and Hua Wuyou could tell that even Jin Zhuliu was no match for Lin Xun.
Both of them were astonished. Lin Xun had vanished from the public eye for two months, and he seemed to have become even stronger after emerging. They found themselves unable to gauge how strong he had become.
âDie!â
Jin Zhuliu clearly still refused to believe what was happening. His face was white with rage, and his hair messily scattered around him as he swung his spear. His body gave off a resplendent glow as a terrifying pressure pulsed from him.
âHeh heh.â
Lin Xunâs smile was equally dazzling, but became filled with provocation and ridicule when it entered Jin Zhuliuâs eyes.
To the audience, Lin Xunâs smile also felt very offensive and akin to the smile of a smug, petty clown!
Piak!
Jin Zhuliu soon received a slap on his head, leaving a blood-red handprint on his forehead. The crowd was shocked and began to realize that something was wrong.
Lin Xun remarked, âWhat a hard head you have. Canât believe it wasnât smashed to a pulp.â
âYouâre courting death!â
Jin Zhuliu could no longer maintain his composure. His eyes turned bloodshot, and his face white with fury as he unleashed a thunderous roar and madly charged again.
Rumble~
In the arena, space distorted as light surged through the air. The blinding light was so harsh that no one dared to look directly.
âYouâre no good. How about you admit defeat now? I still have to spar with others later and canât waste too much time on you.â
As Lin Xunâs voice rang out, a punch viciously smashed into Jin Zhuliuâs face. His nose and mouth bled and several of his teeth were knocked loose, causing him to scream in agony.
Everyone could almost feel his pain and panic. What a vicious punch!
Some of the sharper individuals had already realized that Lin Xun had been acting weak earlier!
âIâll kill you!â
With a roar, Jin Zhuliu charged once again.
His hair was in a mess, and his face was swollen and red like a pig. It was a miserable look with no trace of his earlier elegance. Instead, he resembled an enraged beast that was driven by rage and instinct.
Under the crowdâs watching gazes, Jin Zhuliu was first sent flying by a punch before receiving a stomp to the stomach and then another slap to the head. By this time, even his face had nearly caved in. How could he possibly endure such brutality?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Worst of all, Lin Xun maintained the same bright smile from start to end and never relented on the taunting, making it impossible for Jin Zhuliu to keep his cool.
âHeâs doing it on purpose!â
âHe must have been acting weak against Shi Yunpeng and Xue Yun earlier and was tricking everyone from the start!â
By this time, even the slowest person had realized what was happening. Their expressions became an interesting mix of bewilderment, sullenness, anger, hatred, and shock.
The truth was very difficult for them to accept. They had originally believed that even if Lin Xun was a dragon, he would have to behave in the Dao Martial Department. None of them would ever have imagined that he had never once used his true power since the beginning!
The most infuriating part was that they had only realized this now.
It was too much!
âYou already knew?â
Lady Xianxian had an unhappy look on her face.
âHow can someone who can beat the Marquis of Rising Sky be a simple individual?â
Hua Wuyou was expressionless.
Ning Meng, Shi Yu, Ye Xiaoqi, Gong Ming, and the others were openly laughing. As they had expected, Lin Xun had trapped yet another fool.
Boom!
An earth-shaking collision occurred in the arena. When the dust cleared, Jin Zhuliu was found pressed to the ground with a foot on his body, making it impossible for him to get up.
The foot naturally belonged to Lin Xun.
The crowd went completely silent. Numerous people were stunned, unable to believe their eyes.
Compared to Shi Yunpeng and Xue Yun, Jin Zhuliu had lost far more miserably. It was a difficult scene for the crowd to swallow.
That was the ninth ranker on the Spirit Sea Gold Rankings. How had he been subdued so easily?
They could not accept this outcome.
No oneâs expression was more entertaining than Lan Yuâs. He had nearly coughed blood in frustration from being insulted by Lin Xun and had been denied the chance of fighting him several times, making him feel even worse.
Lan Yu was originally worried that Lin Xun would lose to Jin Zhuliu, leaving him with no outlet for his anger. After seeing the end of their fight, however, his face had turned rigid as his expression turned grim and uncertain.
He was no fool and could naturally tell that Lin Xun had not once used his true power! Moreover, Jin Zhuliuâs miserable defeat scared him.
How is this hateful bastard so strong?
Lan Yu wasnât the only one. Everyone present could not comprehend this either.
âSigh, three wins in a row.â
Lin Xun sighed as he kicked Jin Zhuliu off the arena. His body crashed to the ground and he fell, unconscious.
Lin Xun had used his true power to seriously injure Jin Zhuliu. It would not be easy for him to recover.
There wasnât much choice since killing was forbidden in Qinglu Academy. Otherwise, Lin Xun would not have minded taking Jin Zhuliuâs life.
Jin Zhuliu has lost!
The crowd finally realized Lin Xunâs strength. Although they heard his sigh, they did not feel as angry as before, though their expressions were still very ugly.
Arrogant!
It was absolute arrogance that viewed all of them as insignificant!
How hateful!
Lin Xun gaze slowly looked around as he unhurriedly asked, âAnyone else?â