C30 The Battle Began!!

Atop the high platform, Liu Maohai's eyebrows lifted as he remarked, "Great Master Zhao, your friend Mr. Lin is quite the enigma."

Liu Maohai had been keeping an eye on Lin Tian and now, with Lin Tian's awakening of the Law Rank Spirit Body and his display of combat prowess beyond two realms, Liu Maohai couldn't hide his astonishment.

"Hehe, indeed," Zhao Danhua replied with a smile, nodding in agreement. His heart swelled with excitement; he had always known befriending Lin Tian was the right move!

The Law Rank Spirit Body and the three thousand kilograms of force demonstrated by a Martial Cultivator at Level One were extraordinary feats in themselves, marking Lin Tian as a rare talent. Coupled with Lin Tian's previously shown Pill Refining Arts, it was clear he harbored profound secrets. Zhao Danhua's close relationship with Lin Tian filled him with joy.

Yet, joy for some meant sorrow for others. At that moment, Lin Tian's adversaries wore sullen expressions.

"I never imagined Lin Tian would be this formidable. With such innate talent and strength, if he's allowed time to mature, my Lin Family could be in jeopardy. Therefore, I must use every means at my disposal to eliminate him in the upcoming battles," Ye Hsing silently resolved, glancing at Ye Hong on the high platform. Ye Hong, catching his son's gaze, gave a subtle nod in return.

Without a word exchanged, father and son were clearly of one mind: Lin Tian must be taken down in the battles to come.

The strength assessment proceeded.

Disciples stepped forward one after another. Most who passed merely exhibited battle strength commensurate with their realm, with only a few showing the ability to transcend it. Interest among the spectators waned as a result.

But then, a figure emerged, capturing the attention of all present.

Xu Zhan!

Clad in blue, he approached the Strength Stone with a confident smile. With a casual tap of his palm against the stone...

Bang!

A dull thud echoed, the Strength Stone initially still. But in the following instant, a resounding boom filled the air, and a burst of purple radiance enveloped the stone!

"Six thousand kilograms of force!"

Gasps of astonishment rippled through the crowd as they recognized the significance of such strength—it was on par with a Martial Cultivator of Level Six.

What was truly remarkable was that Xu Zhan had already reached Martial Cultivator Level Five. Surpassing one's own realm becomes increasingly difficult with each level, yet Xu Zhan, a Level Five, had demonstrated the combat prowess of Level Six. This feat alone was a testament to Xu Zhan's prodigious talent.

"Incredible! Xu Zhan is simply astounding! To have achieved Martial Cultivator Level Five at just eighteen is impressive enough, but to also exhibit the power to transcend realms? It's clear he's set to take the top spot in this year's Inner Sect Test!"

"He really is incredible! Xu Zhan seemed so average before, but now, it's apparent he's been concealing his true capabilities!"

Every onlooker was visibly shaken as they watched Xu Zhan, realizing that his performance all but guaranteed him the first place in the examination.

Ye Hsing, Zhang Ye, and others exchanged glances, remaining silent.

Had Lin Tian not emerged as a formidable presence, they might have harbored resentment towards Xu Zhan. But with Lin Tian now posing a direct threat, they were more inclined to see Xu Zhan as an ally to counter Lin Tian.

"Sect Master Loong, the Celestial Dragon Sect truly has an endless stream of talent," Yang Pohai commented with a smile from the high platform, prompting a beaming response from Loong Zaitian, clearly pleased with Xu Zhan's display.

The Strength Test proceeded, and soon it was Liu Muer's turn. With a single punch, she made the Strength Stone burst into a radiant blue glow, indicating a force of three thousand kilograms.

The display caught the attention of the dignitaries on the high platform, who noted that despite being a Martial Cultivator Level One, Liu Muer had unleashed the strength of Level Three—a mark of genius.

"Is that not Liu Maohai's daughter, Liu Muer? The one rumored to have the makings of a Pharmacist?" inquired Yang Pohai from above.

"Lord Yang's discernment is as sharp as ever. Indeed, she has been accepted as a disciple by Great Master Zhao Danhua," Loong Zaitian said with a chuckle.

"Excellent, excellent! The Celestial Dragon Sect has unveiled so many talents this time. We'll certainly have our pick for future endeavors," Yang Pohai said to himself, beaming with satisfaction.

The initial Strength Test soon concluded, with fewer than five hundred participants succeeding.

Over three thousand had entered the Strength Test, but now only five hundred remained, highlighting the test's rigorous nature.

Next came the elimination round.

"Let the elimination round commence!" Elder Gu Qiu announced, rising from his seat on the platform. "The rules are straightforward: pair up and duel. Winners advance, losers are out. From the five hundred of you, only ten will survive the successive rounds to compete in the final ranking battle! Due to the large number of participants, I will now distribute numbered tokens at random. You will pair off for combat based on the numbers on your tokens. Make sure to grab one!"

With that, Gu Qiu swept his hand, and a cascade of tokens clattered into the air. The five hundred disciples on the platform each snatched one.

"Numbers one through ten, come forward and split into five groups. Stand over there. Numbers eleven through twenty, come forward and stand over there..."

As Gu Qiu's instructions continued, disciples holding their tokens began to step out, positioning themselves in designated corners of the arena to await their turn.

The first one hundred numbers were already neatly lined up. Once they were in place, Gu Qiu spoke again, "Now it's time for the battles to begin. Remember, show no mercy until your opponent concedes. A death is inconsequential unless one admits defeat. Should an opponent yield in time, further attacks are forbidden. Anyone who insists on a killing blow will be judged as if they had committed fratricide. Is that clear?"

"Understood!"

The collective response from the disciples prompted a nod from Gu Qiu. "Then let's get started!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

As his words settled, a volley of explosive sounds erupted. The disciples on the platform wasted no time engaging in fierce combat, their powerful Inner Strengths enveloping the entire area.

Lin Tian, Zhao Hai, and Kong Ling stood on the sidelines, their assigned numbers trailing far behind, so naturally, their turn to fight had yet to come.

As they watched the intense battles unfolding in the arena and saw some disciples sustain heavy injuries and spit blood, both Zhao Hai and Kong Ling's gazes grew intense, their faces etched with nerves.

"Relax, you both have strong combat skills and solid foundations. I'm confident you'll sail through the first round of these elimination bouts," Lin Tian reassured them, sensing their tension. He patted their shoulders, adding, "Just face your opponent with calm. Overthinking will only hold you back."

Taking in his words, Zhao Hai and Kong Ling exhaled deeply and nodded in unison, "Understood, Senior Brother."

Perhaps it was the reassuring pat from Lin Tian or their trust in his judgment, but his words seemed to lift the weight off their shoulders, leaving them noticeably more at ease.

The first round of the elimination quickly concluded, with fifty disciples advancing. It was now time for the second round.

At that moment, Xu Zhan stepped forward.

As soon as Xu Zhan appeared, the color drained from the face of a disciple holding a number plate adjacent to Xu Zhan's.

"What's the point in fighting? I concede!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Xu Zhan's opponent forfeited the match. Gu Qiu spoke up, her tone detached, "If you've conceded, step down on your own."

The disciple, wordless and frustrated, angrily tossed aside his number plate and stormed off.

Xu Zhan just smiled at the scene, and the other disciples remained silent.

After all, Xu Zhan was a Level Five Martial Cultivator—a formidable rank that would place him among the elite in the Inner Sect, and undoubtedly the top contender in the Outer Sect. The others stood little chance against him.

The second round of combat resumed, and soon, only fifty remained.

Next up were those numbered two hundred and one to three hundred.

Zhao Hai, number two hundred and six, stepped forward.

"Senior Brother Lin, it's my time," Zhao Hai said with a smile.

Lin Tian returned the smile and gave Zhao Hai an encouraging pat on the shoulder. "Go ahead, you'll do just fine."

"Yes."

Zhao Hai promptly stepped forward, and Kong Ling added, "It's time for me to go as well."

"Stay calm in the face of the enemy."

Lin Tian's advice to Kong Ling was met with a nod, and she immediately took her place at the center of the platform.

In a flash, only Lin Tian remained.

Moments later, the third round concluded. As expected, Zhao Hai and Kong Ling had triumphed over their adversaries, returning to Lin Tian with beaming smiles.

Lin Tian grinned, "See? What did I tell you? You both did great."

Zhao Hai and Kong Ling nodded with enthusiasm. Lin Tian continued with a smile, "Just keep that composure going forward."

"Yes!"

They both affirmed, their gazes steeling with resolve.

Then came the fourth round.

It was finally Lin Tian's turn.

Meanwhile, Ye Hsing's expression shifted with anticipation.

"I hope I get to face Lin Tian."

With his token in hand, Ye Hsing made his way to the center, only to find, to his surprise, that Lin Tian wasn't positioned opposite him.

"Hmm? Looks like I won't be meeting him this round," Ye Hsing muttered, a crease forming on his brow.

Just then, a tall young man emerged before Lin Tian.

Upon seeing him, Ye Hsing's eyes sparkled with recognition.

"Zhou Xiong!"

"Hehe, rest easy, Senior Brother Ye. I'll handle Lin Tian for you," the tall young man beside Lin Tian chuckled, then turned to Lin Tian with a taunt, "Next, I'm going to cripple you."

His bold declaration captured the attention of everyone in the arena.

Given Lin Tian's impressive performances thus far, the crowd was eager to witness his true capabilities in a real battle.

Lin Tian simply smiled, "I was expecting you to threaten to kill me, not just cripple me."

"Oh? You seem quite eager to die, don't you?" Zhou Xiong retorted, his eyebrows arching.

He chuckled once more, "Fine, I'll grant your wish."

"Really? Well, I'm very much looking forward to it."

With another smile, Lin Tian fell silent, readying himself. Then, Gu Qiu's voice cut through the tension, "Begin the battle!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The staccato of explosions echoed as Gu Qiu's words took effect, prompting the disciples on the platform to channel their strength and charge at one another.

The platform was soon awash with surging Inner Strength. In mere moments, dozens of disciples were struck, coughing up blood and collapsing into unconsciousness, while others swiftly conceded defeat.

Among the combatants, two figures stood out: Lin Tian and another young man.

This youth, initially slight in stature, swelled in size as he engaged in combat. His muscles ballooned, and with a single punch, he sent his adversary soaring through the air. The ferocious gust from his fist rippled out, impacting many nearby fighters.

"What incredible physical strength! Who is this guy?"

"Is that Xuan Zhong? He's always so quiet, like a closed book. Who knew he had such explosive power!"

A chorus of astonished voices rose as the youth was recognized by his peers.

From his vantage point on the high platform, Yang Pohai's eyes sparkled with approval. "Impressive, lad. He's truly a promising warrior, destined to conquer the battlefield!"