Under countless attentive gazes, Lin Zhengtian stood up, cupped his hands towards the honored guests' table, and smiled brightly:
"Today marks the day of our Lin Clan's martial arts competition! Many thanks to all of you for coming to support us. Everyone present here is a familiar face, so this old man won't waste any more words and will get straight to the point."
Finishing his words, Lin Zhengtian looked at Lin Keng. The latter nodded with a smile, walked into the spacious arena within the Trial Hall, then pulled out a bamboo tube. Inside the tube were many bamboo slips.
"The rules remain the same: draw lots to find your opponent! Any young participant in the clan competition, step forward and draw your lot!"
After Lin Keng finished speaking, more than a dozen figures, confident and spirited, stepped out one after another from within the Trial Hall. Then, one by one, they drew a slip from the bamboo tube.
"There are five fighting platforms here. Those who drew a numbered slip, please step forward." Seeing that everyone had finished drawing their lots, Lin Keng then pointed at the five stone platforms and said with a smile.
Lin Dong glanced at the bamboo slip in his hand. He saw that its surface was painted white, with the character "Four" written in red ink. He immediately walked towards stone platform number four. After he stepped onto the platform, he immediately saw a chubby, portly fellow already standing there. He instantly gaped in surprise...
"Lin Changshang, why is it you?"
Lin Dong stared in surprise at Lin Changshang's round, helpless face and blurted out.
"Do you think I want this...?"
Lin Changshang grimaced and sighed. Ever since Lin Dong defeated Lin Shan, he had understood one thing: the current Lin Dong was no longer the Lin Dong of the past. If they fought, he was more than likely no match for him. However, drawing lots was a matter of chance, and he couldn't possibly forfeit. Otherwise, how could his father forgive him when he returned home!
Lin Dong also showed sympathy, shaking his head slightly:
"Don't worry, I'll go easy on you..."
"..."
Lin Changshang was speechless, his eyes filled with a hint of resentment and frustration.
The two stood helplessly looking at each other when Lin Keng, seeing that the first group had all ascended their platforms, waved his hand and shouted loudly:
"The clan competition, begin!"
As Lin Keng's shout faded, the atmosphere inside the Trial Hall immediately became lively. On the stone platforms, several figures flickered and began to clash fiercely.
"Heh heh," Lin Changshang chuckled, "two months ago, I also advanced to the Fourth Layer of Body Tempering. Lin Dong, you'd better be careful!"
Hearing the signal for the competition to begin, Lin Changshang suddenly chuckled and his body trembled slightly. His chubby, portly figure unexpectedly became firm and solid. The moment he lifted his leg, he shot straight towards Lin Dong like an arrow.
Seeing his comical appearance, Lin Dong couldn't help but laugh. While he was still laughing, Lin Changshang had already closed in. His figure paused for a moment, then his broad right leg swiftly kicked towards Lin Dong.
"First-Grade Martial Art, Stone-Splitting Kick?"
Sensing the powerful kick from Lin Changshang, Lin Dong was quite surprised. He hadn't expected that Lin Changshang also cultivated martial arts, though to him, it still posed no threat.
Lin Dong swiftly extended his hand, nimbly slipping past Lin Changshang's kick, and slapped his thigh.
"Ah!"
As the palm strike landed, Lin Changshang let out a miserable cry, his body staggered backward, and he landed on his backside with a thud.
Having knocked Lin Changshang down in one move, Lin Dong, seizing the momentum, raised his palm and lunged forward, feigning a strike, only to see Lin Changshang clutch his head and shriek:
"I lose...!"
"Lin Dong wins!"
Below the stone platform, Lin Kheng shook his head and smiled, his gaze fixed on Lin Dong with a hint of surprise. Although Lin Changshang wasn't particularly famous in the Lin family, he had, after all, reached the Fourth Layer of Body Tempering. Moreover, that seemingly casual palm strike had landed precisely where it would disperse Lin Changshang's force. If it was just a coincidence, then so be it, but if it was intentional, then this young Lin Dong's discerning eye was truly formidable.
Hearing Lin Kheng's announcement, a few gazes in the Training Hall turned towards Lin Dong. Though surprised, they didn't pay him excessive attention. After all, Lin Changshang's strength in the Lin family was only considered average. For Lin Dong to defeat him wasn't anything too unimaginable!
Lin Dong paid little heed to these gazes. As he looked away from the stone platform, he caught sight of Lin Hong's cold, indifferent face as the latter swung his hand, sending his opponent flying off the stage.
Having easily defeated his opponent, Lin Hong simultaneously noticed Lin Dong's gaze. He indifferently met Lin Dong's eyes, then gave a faint smile.
Lin Dong glanced at him, then withdrew his gaze and pulled Lin Changshang down from the stone platform.
In the first round, Lin Dong didn't encounter any particularly difficult opponents. After defeating Lin Changshang, he won another match, easily advancing to the next round. Because both matches ended too quickly and easily, many people believed Lin Dong had simply gotten lucky, drawing only weak opponents.
In contrast to Lin Dong's two unexciting matches, Lin Hong and Lin He had undoubtedly become the focal points of the Training Hall. This was because, from start to finish, both of them had defeated their opponents with just a single move. Such overwhelming victories made it clear to the spectators that their strength far surpassed the rest of the Lin family's younger generation.
"I'm afraid Lin Hong has already reached the Seventh Layer of Body Tempering..."
From his seat, Lin Xiao nodded in admiration after watching Lin Hong's two matches.
Hearing this, a look of deep worry appeared on Qing Tan's delicate face. She vividly remembered Lin Hong's earlier words: if he achieved good results in this competition, he would use it as an opportunity to ask their grandfather to propose marriage to her. At that time, if her father were to disagree, it might displease their grandfather once again.
"Don't worry, it'll be fine!"
Seeing the worry on her slender face, Lin Dong smiled and gently patted her arm to comfort her.
"Mm!"
Qing Tan nodded slightly, then suddenly said:
"I wonder who Brother's next opponent will be? If you win this match, you'll enter the top five!"
Lin Dong smirked, but in his heart, he knew. With his current strength, he was capable of fighting any of the Lin family's younger generation!
"The second round of matches begins! Lin Dong...!"
In the center of the arena, Lin Kheng looked towards Lin Dong, then pointed to the largest stone platform in the middle. After the previous elimination round, only ten people remained for the second round. Therefore, no matter what, the matches in this round were bound to be more exciting than those in the first. For this reason, they would no longer hold five matches simultaneously as before, but would begin one match at a time. This would allow everyone to observe more closely.
Hearing Lin Kheng call his name, Lin Dong let out a soft breath and quickly walked towards the stone platform.
"Brother Lin Dong, you can do it!"
Behind him, Qing Tan raised her tiny fist high and cheered loudly.
Inside the Training Hall, numerous gazes were fixed on Lin Dong, a hint of curiosity and anticipation shining within them. Though Lin Dong's reputation and standing within the Lin family were indeed far inferior to those of the two outstanding disciples, Lin He and Lin Hong, his father had once been the Lin family's foremost genius. Everyone still remembered clearly how Lin Xiao had effortlessly claimed that top position back in the day, so they all wondered if this son of his possessed even a fraction of his former ability.
At the distinguished guests' table, Lin Zhengtian and the others also looked towards Lin Dong, a similar curiosity stirring in their hearts.
Under those many probing, curious eyes, Lin Dong stepped onto the stone platform. Down below, Lin Keng looked at the list, his brows furrowing slightly. He hesitated for a moment, but then still called out:
"Lin Fen!"
Upon hearing that name, the entire Training Hall instantly erupted in murmurs and exclamations! Some of Lin Dong's peers looked at him with sympathy.
Lin Dong was also startled when he heard the name. Evidently, he was quite surprised, for this opponent was truly a tough one to face.
Lin Fen was also an outstanding individual among the Lin family's younger generation. Both his parents were members of the Lin family, but they had both died at the hands of bandits. Therefore, he had been quiet and reserved since childhood, yet was exceptionally gifted. It was said that two months ago, the seed of Yuan Power had condensed within his body, making him the third among the younger generation, after Lin He and Lin Hong, to reach the Sixth Layer of Body Tempering!
An opponent like that was indeed a tough one to face!
Lin Dong licked his lips, his gaze slowly igniting with a fiery intensity. What he needed were precisely opponents like these!