C9 Everyone Was Shocked!(1)

"Lin Ruo possesses a Fifth Grade bloodline, and her strength has soared to the middle stage of Acquired Layer Seven. Her bloodline's potency even surpasses that of Brother Qinghai!" Realizing they didn't stand a chance, some of the youths abandoned the test and gathered around to spectate.

Lin Feng, too, turned his gaze toward Lin Ruo, utterly astonished.

Just a year prior, Lin Ruo was merely at the fifth stage within Layer Five. Yet, after a year of training abroad, she had advanced to the middle stage of Layer Seven, a rate of cultivation that rivaled Lin Qinghai's.

Lin Qinghai strode purposefully toward Lin Ruo.

"Lin Ruo's talent rivals my own. It would be fortuitous to have her as a partner."

Harboring affection for Lin Ruo, Lin Qinghai, a scion of the Lin family, found his admiration deepening upon witnessing her display of talent today.

"Congratulations, Sister Ruo'er, on enhancing your strength once more," Lin Qinghai greeted her with a beaming smile.

Lin Ruo, cool toward Lin Qinghai, responded with a hint of detachment, "Hasn't Brother Qinghai also ascended to the seventh stage?"

"Sister Ruo'er still outshines me," he conceded.

Sensing her disinterest, Lin Qinghai shifted the conversation. "Sister Ruo'er, I've heard about a treasure-filled event tonight in Qingcheng. Would you be interested in joining me?"

Lin Ruo cast a brief glance at Lin Qinghai and replied evenly, "I have prior engagements this evening, so I must decline. Perhaps another time."

"Another time, then," Lin Qinghai agreed, not pressing the matter to avoid further alienating her.

Yet, Lin Ruo's icy demeanor only fueled his desire to win her over. As members of the Lin family, they would have plenty of opportunities to meet. He was confident that time was on his side.

Lin Ruo gracefully made her way to the back row of the Lin family disciples, pausing not far from Lin Feng.

Lin Yuanchen, Lin Qinghai, Lin Yun, and the rest of the Lin family's young disciples fixed their piercing stares on Lin Feng, who stood beside Lin Ruo, their gazes sharp as blades.

"What worth does this nobody have to catch Lin Ruo's eye?" Lin Yun fumed from a short distance, his fists clenched in frustration. Lin Ruo usually wouldn't even spare him a glance.

Lin Qinghai's gaze shifted towards Lin Feng, his eyes narrowing slightly as a fleeting glint of coldness passed through them.

Lin Yuanchen watched Lin Feng with a hint of curiosity.

Lin Feng, clutching the Spiritual Pearl, was drenched in sweat, clearly having exerted his full effort for the test.

Yet, the Spiritual Pearl remained unresponsive.

"Young Master Lin Feng certainly doesn't give up easily," Lin Yuanchen remarked, shaking his head. He respected Lin Feng's tenacity, but the Lin family had no room for the idle. Unless something unexpected occurred, Lin Feng would likely be among those expelled from the clan in three months.

Lin Yuanchen let out a soft sigh and turned his attention away.

Suddenly, a buzz emanated from Lin Feng's direction, and an orange Blue-Eyed Lion materialized above his head.

Lin Yuanchen's eyes widened in astonishment at the sight of the Blue-Eyed Lion. "Am I seeing things? Young Master Lin has actually attained a level of cultivation!"

Lin Qinghai's lips curled into a smirk as he watched Lin Feng. "I heard he defeated Lin Cheng and dismissed it as a rumor. But to think this 'trash' has actually developed a cultivation base!"

"Even with this newfound cultivation, there are still three months until the family ceremony. I can't imagine him advancing an entire realm to reach the Acquired Stage in such a short time," Lin Yun chimed in from beside Lin Qinghai.

"Isn't he still bound to be cast out of the family when the time comes?"

The other youths around Lin Qinghai nodded in agreement.

Xia Qingyan had also taken note of Lin Feng's breakthrough. The sight of the blood beast above him sparked a curious glint in her eyes, and she gracefully made her way towards him.

Lin Feng, once unnoticed and overlooked, had now piqued her interest.

Stopping before Lin Feng, Xia Qingyan gave him a thorough once-over.

A beam of sunlight bathed the seated Lin Feng, infusing him with a vibrant energy. Gone was any trace of the defeatism expected of a 'trash'; instead, he radiated a subtle confidence.

"Is this the Lin Feng I once knew?" Xia Qingyan's expression was one of astonishment.

Somehow, the boy before her now seemed like a stranger, exuding an aura of remoteness and detachment.