Chapter 6: Why Is Your Eight Desolation Palm So Strong?
Lin Xiao paused mid-step, casting a glance at his half-brother Lin Mang. A faint smile appeared on his face. "What? Is there a problem?"
Seeing Lin Xiao's energetic expression, Lin Mang was momentarily stunned, feeling a flicker of annoyance. He replied blandly, "No problem. But today's an important day for the Lin family. Since you've decided to show yourself, let's hope you don't bring shame to the clan."
Lin Xiao simply smiled and said nothing more, brushing past Lin Mang and taking a seat a short distance away.
"Hmph!" Lin Mang snorted coldly, his expression dark and stormy.
Behind him, Lin Hong immediately leaned forward to offer some comfort, vowing that during the clan competition, he would defeat Lin Fan and Lin Dong, leaving Lin Xiao no reason to smile.
"That guy is so annoying!" Qingtan grumbled under her breath as she sat beside Lin Xiao.
Lin Fan chuckled. "He's just riding high for the moment. No need to take it seriously. Once he realizes that Uncle Xiao hasn't just recovered but is stronger than ever, I'd love to see the look on his face."
Qingtan giggled. "It'll probably be awful!"
Even Lin Dong let out a small laugh.
Lin Xiao was just about to speak when his gaze suddenly shifted toward the entrance.
Lin Fan followed his line of sight and saw the Lin family patriarch, Lin Zhentian, striding in.
Next to him was a middle-aged man—Lin Ken, the eldest of the second generation—and beside Lin Ken stood the striking figure of Lin Xia in martial attire, drawing the attention of many young men.
With Lin Zhentian's arrival, the entire trial hall buzzed with energy as everyone stood to greet him respectfully.
After responding to a few guests, Lin Zhentian suddenly spotted Lin Xiao, and a look of emotion flashed across his face.
The two exchanged a few words, and he also offered some encouraging remarks to his grandchildren—Lin Fan, Lin Dong, and Qingtan—before taking his seat at the head of the hall.
Lin Ken and Lin Xia chatted briefly with Lin Xiao's family, then returned to their seats as well.
As everyone settled in, the hall gradually quieted.
All eyes turned toward the head seat where Lin Zhentian sat.
Under the crowd's gaze, Lin Zhentian rose, offered a few brief words of courtesy, and then solemnly declared the official start of the Lin Clan Competition.
At his signal, Lin Ken stepped forward to the center of the arena and held up a bamboo tube filled with drawing sticks.
"Same as always—matchups are decided by draw. All participants, come forward!"
Lin Fan stood up with a smile. "Come on, Lin Dong. Time to draw lots."
Lin Dong nodded and followed closely behind.
Qingtan clenched her small fists and cheered, "Good luck, Lin Fan-ge! Lin Dong-ge!"
Soon, the lots were drawn, and the competition officially began.
Lin Fan's first opponent turned out to be a rather familiar face—Lin Shan, the one he'd beaten up multiple times.
Lin Shan stepped onto the stage first. When he saw Lin Fan coming up, he instantly recalled the humiliating beatings he'd suffered and instinctively shrank back.
Though he had broken through to the fifth level of Body Tempering over the past six months and tried to reclaim his pride once, he had only been beaten into a pig-headed mess again.
Now, just seeing Lin Fan gave him a psychological breakdown.
Lin Fan grinned and gave him a little wave.
"I concede!"
Startled, Lin Shan reflexively clutched his head and shouted out his surrender.
The entire trial hall fell silent for a moment before bursts of mocking laughter broke out.
Qingtan giggled, "Lin Fan-ge is amazing. He didn't even have to make a move to scare Lin Shan into giving up!"
Lin Xiao chuckled as well, his mood visibly lifted.
"Useless!" Lin Mang growled from the stands, his face dark with rage.
Lin Ken simply shook his head and announced Lin Fan's victory.
Lin Fan shot Lin Shan a glance, then strolled casually off the platform.
His second opponent wasn't much of a challenge either—a mere fourth-level Body Tempering cultivator.
Though this one didn't give up immediately, he still got blown off the platform by a single punch.
While competing, Lin Fan also kept an eye on the other stages.
Lin Dong's two opponents were Lin Changqiang and another ordinary clan member, so he easily advanced to the top ten.
As for Lin Xia and Lin Hong, they each won their matches in a single move, drawing attention and admiration from the crowd.
On the seating platform, Qingtan beamed brightly, her delicate face full of joy. "This is great! Both Lin Fan-ge and Lin Dong-ge made it into the top ten. Just one more win and they'll be in the top five!"
Lin Xiao didn't say anything, but his face was full of satisfied pride.
At the same time, other guests in the trial hall began quietly discussing the matches.
Before long, the Lin Clan Competition moved into the second round.
Lin Dong's opponent remained the same—Lin Yun, a somewhat unconventional member of the family.
Initially, most people didn't think much of Lin Dong.
But when the match ended, Lin Dong was the one left standing.
His unexpected victory drew surprised murmurs from the crowd.
Lin Mang's expression darkened, and Lin Hong frowned slightly.
Then it was Lin Fan's turn to step up.
Upon seeing his next opponent, Lin Fan smiled. "Heh, seems I'm really fated to meet your family today—Lin Hong!"
That's right—his second-round opponent was none other than Lin Shan's older brother, Lin Hong.
Lin Hong said coldly, "This time, Sister Lin Xia won't be here to stop me from teaching you a lesson."
Lin Fan smiled faintly. "Only if you've got the skill."
On the platform, Lin Xiao furrowed his brows slightly. "Didn't expect Lin Fan's first opponent in round two to be Lin Hong."
Qingtan gripped her small fists tightly, looking nervous. "Lin Fan-ge won't lose to that jerk Lin Hong!"
Despite her words, she couldn't help feeling a bit anxious.
Lin Dong, however, remained calm and confident. "Dad, Qingtan, don't worry. Lin Fan-ge beating Lin Hong will be a piece of cake."
After all, he was confident he could beat Lin Hong himself—and Lin Fan was even stronger!
"Begin the match!"
From below the stage, Lin Ken gave the signal, and his voice echoed loudly.
As soon as the words fell, both fighters' bodies shimmered faintly with the glow of Yuan Power.
"Seventh level of Body Tempering!"
Seeing the brightness of their Yuan Power, many in the crowd cried out in awe.
"Even if you've broken through to level seven, you'll still lose!" Lin Hong narrowed his eyes and snapped coldly.
What they didn't know was—Lin Fan wasn't at the seventh level. He was already at the ninth!
The moment his words fell, Lin Hong dashed forward. His arms moved, and his palms whipped out fiercely—sharp gusts of wind slicing through the air like blades.
"Eight Desolation Palm, huh? I know that one too."
Lin Fan laughed lightly and moved his hands. His palms cut through Lin Hong's strikes at tricky angles and landed cleanly on Lin Hong's arms, dissipating the force with ease.
"Why is your Eight Desolation Palm so strong? That's impossible!"
Lin Hong's face paled as a glint of desperation flickered in his eyes. He poured all his Yuan Power into his palms, unleashing his strongest strike toward Lin Fan with a roar.
The air howled under the force of the blow, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Facing the ferocious attack, Lin Fan remained calm.
His palm techniques shifted—adding a touch of softness that clung to Lin Hong's palm like glue.
Then, Lin Fan's arms shook, and a powerful, explosive force surged forward like a tidal wave!
Everyone in the trial hall held their breath, eyes fixed on the stage.
Who would win this battle?
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