Lin Xuan and Lin Dong had sparred countless times before.
But ever since they both focused on breaking through to the Earth Origin Realm, the two hadn't crossed moves in nearly two months.
Now, under the spotlight of the Hunting Tournament's grand finals, they were finally facing each other again.
For Lin Dong, this was the moment he had been waiting for....a chance to defeat Lin Xuan fair and square, in front of everyone.
Brother Lin Xuan, this time… you'll finally see me in a new light! His heart pounded with excitement.
Training alongside Lin Xuan had driven him to push harder than ever, and two months of grueling effort had forged progress he himself could hardly measure.
But one thing was certain: today, he had the confidence to shock Lin Xuan!
"Pa! Pa! Pa!"
The two began with Tongbei Fist, probing each other's yuan power.
Lin Dong's strikes were sharp and rhythmic, pounding out a rapid drumbeat of force.
Lin Xuan's fists, however, were different. His blows flowed endlessly, seamless and unbroken, like a mighty river that never ceased.
Still, he held back. This was supposed to be a lesson, after all.
He deliberately suppressed his yuan power to the early Earth Origin level.
His yuan power is almost the same as mine… so he only broke through recently as well.
If he can't overpower me with strength, then victory will come down to martial skill...and in that, I finally have a chance! Lin Dong's lips twitched in barely contained joy.
"Little brother Lin Dong," Lin Xuan called out with a teasing smile, "is that all you've got?
We've gone through these same moves too many times. You'll never beat me like this."
"Then forgive me, Brother Lin Xuan...because I won't be holding back!"
Lin Dong's breathing deepened, excitement flushing his cheeks.
His hands blurred through a series of intricate seals, yuan power surging to gather at his palms.
A dark-blue light mark formed and, with a fierce shout, he slammed it toward Lin Xuan.
The moment his fingers began moving, Lin Xuan already knew what was coming.
Qimen Seal, second stage? My foolish little bean… you're celebrating far too soon.
His lips curved in amusement. "I just hope this won't break your spirit."
His own hands began to weave seals..faster, more complex, impossibly smooth.
By the time Lin Dong's blue imprint coalesced, a far larger and sharper ice-blue seal had taken shape in Lin Xuan's palms.
It was also the Qimen Seal, second stage.
But Lin Xuan's mastery was already at the level of perfection.
Lin Dong's had only just reached the threshold. The difference was like heaven and earth.
"Boom!"
The two seals collided. The arena trembled as a violent storm of energy erupted outward, sweeping in a wave of azure light.
Lin Dong's body was blasted into the air like a kite cut loose from its string.
How… how can this be?!
His expression froze, the color draining from his face as he plummeted.
Thud!
He crashed hard into the ground, pain lancing up from his tailbone....but even that sting could not numb the crushing weight in his heart.
"Why?"
"Why can't I win… even now?"
Sitting dazed and pale, Lin Dong muttered like a broken record.
He had the stone talisman's guidance.
He had grasped the second stage. He had worked harder than anyone.
So why… why was Lin Xuan still stronger?
"Lin Xuan wins!"
"The champion of this year's Hunting Tournament...Lin Xuan!"
The referee's voice rang out, and murmurs of shock rippled through the crowd.
"That palm just now… such terrifying force! Even a mid–Earth Origin cultivator might not withstand it."
"What martial art was that? The power was at least grade four."
"But isn't the Lin Clan's grade-four martial art only the Pure Yuan Finger? When did they get another one?"
"So young, already in the Earth Origin Realm, and mastering a grade-four martial art… such talent is monstrous!"
"Compared to him, even Lei Li seems insignificant....like a firefly before the blazing sun."
Many Earth Origin experts in the audience felt their hearts sink.
Even those at the mid stage realized they might not stand a chance against Lin Xuan.
The Lin Clan members themselves were struck speechless.
Especially Lin Hong...he couldn't fathom how someone could advance so quickly.
Lin Xia's eyes shone as she recalled when both Lin Xuan and Lin Dong had chosen the Qimen Seal. At the time, they had boldly claimed they wanted to "complete" it. She had laughed, dismissing it as childish fantasy.
But now… they had actually done it.
"These two… are true martial prodigies!" she whispered.
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