A sudden, ringing voice rang out, silencing the entire arena. All eyes, filled with shock and uncertainty, turned to Lin Dong on the platform.
"Nonsense! How can this be treated like child's play!"
Lin Zhentian was also startled by Lin Dong's actions, then said in a deep voice. He thought Lin Dong, with his youthful and impetuous nature, had momentarily failed to resist the opponent's provocation, which was why he had just agreed to fight.
On the side, Lin Xiao and the others also frowned. They clearly couldn't understand why Lin Dong, who had been relatively calm for so long, would suddenly act like this.
"Grandpa, trust me." Facing the many gazes filled with doubt and questioning, Lin Dong looked straight at Lin Zhentian and said solemnly.
Seeing Lin Dong's confident gaze, Lin Zhentian slightly furrowed his brows in deep thought. Could it be that Lin Dong was truly confident he could defeat Lei Li?
But Lei Li might have already entered the Earth Yuan Stage today. If Lin Dong wanted to defeat him, he himself would need to possess the strength of the Earth Yuan Stage. But how could that be possible? Lin Dong had only been cultivating for just over a year. To complete the ninth level of Body Tempering in just over a year was already somewhat unbelievable. Even someone with a resounding reputation in the Lin Clan like Lin Langtian had taken nearly two years to enter the Earth Yuan Stage.
"Heh heh, Lin Zhentian, it seems you no longer have the vigor of your younger days. Even a mere youth dares to accept the challenge, yet you don't. Truly disappointing!" Seeing Lin Zhentian hesitate, Lei Bao said mockingly.
But Lin Zhentian didn't bother to argue with his taunting and provocation. He turned his head to the three people behind him, including Lin Keng and Lin Xiao, and asked, "What do you all think?"
Hearing the question, the three of them showed hesitation on their faces. Reason told them that although this gamble offered a rich stake, it was far too risky. However, vaguely, a greedy expectation arose in their hearts: to obtain both the spirit beast mine and the manor.
If their Lin family managed to seize the Ironwood Manor, their annual profits could naturally increase by forty percent. That was no small amount.
"Lin Dong's character is usually calm and steady. This kind of petty provocation, for him, clearly has no effect. He also knows that Lei Li has already entered the Earth Yuan Stage. And once he knows that clearly, yet still dares to accept the challenge, this proves he has an unrevealed trump card that we don't know about." Lin Keng mused, analyzing in a low voice.
"If Father wishes to take this gamble, then we can give it a try..."
Hearing Lin Keng's words, Lin Zhentian took a deep breath, then his eyes half-closed. A moment later, his eyes slowly opened, regaining their previous composure. He looked towards Lei Bao and said calmly, "Since you, old man Lei, have made your decision, then my Lin family will play along with you this time!"
"Lin Dong, I'm entrusting this matter to you." Lin Zhentian turned his head, stared at Lin Dong, and said slowly.
Hearing this, a smile bloomed on Lin Dong's face, and he nodded slightly. Then he looked towards Lei Li, who was standing not far away, the smile at the corner of his mouth carrying a hint of icy coldness.
"Are you truly set on fighting Lei Li?" Wu Yun, standing to the side, asked with some concern. Although he knew the shocking news that Lin Dong had entered the Earth Yuan Stage, he wasn't very optimistic about the two of them fighting. No matter what, Lei Li had trained for much longer and must have mastered all sorts of martial arts to perfection.
"Do you think I can still change my mind now?"
Lin Dong smiled, then handed the Fire Python Tiger cub, wrapped in cloth, to Wu Yun, entrusting it to him: "Help me take care of it, to prevent any mishaps during the fight."
"Then be careful." Wu Yun nodded, carefully taking the cub and cradling it in his arms like a nanny, looking a little comical.
Originally just a hunting competition, it had to be temporarily suspended due to an unexpected turn of events. However, many felt quite satisfied at the prospect of witnessing Lin Dong and Lei Li fight. Moreover, this contest also involved the rivalry between the Lin and Lei families. If they could witness a spirited match with a clear victor, then this trip would truly not be in vain.
The other participants, who had originally ascended the stone platform for the competition, now retreated a considerable distance, leaving a spacious arena for them, and a referee stepped into the center to officiate the match.
Lin Dong slowly walked into the center of the arena. Under the watchful gaze of thousands, his mind, contrary to expectations, gradually calmed. This contest was extremely important to the Lin family, for it wasn't just about the Fire Python Tiger cub, but largely about the Lin family's prestige.
Lin Dong also understood the importance of this contest to the Lin family, which was why he had accepted the challenge, confident that he would win this crucial match.
Lei Li stretched his neck, his expression somewhat grim, as he entered the arena, staring at Lin Dong with a sudden flash of malevolence in his eyes.
"I'll make sure you lose everything!" Standing before Lin Dong, Lei Li said with a chilling calm.
Facing Lei Li's menacing threat, Lin Dong merely sneered, offering no reply.
"Both sides, take your positions! Let the contest begin!"
Seeing both men in position, the referee raised his hand straight up, then suddenly swung it down, shouting loudly.
The moment the referee's shout fell, Lei Li's expression grew even colder, as dense Yuan Power radiance flickered around his body, the level of Yuan Power fluctuation reaching such a degree that it was clearly incomparable to the Ninth Layer of Body Tempering.
"As expected, the Earth Yuan Stage..."
Seeing Lei Li's display, gasps of awe and fear erupted from every corner of the arena, and a smug smile appeared on Lei Bao's face.
However, the smile on his face slowly froze before it could fully bloom, because he saw that Lin Dong's body also began to glow, Yuan Power radiance flickering in dense waves, a level of fluctuation that was, of course, not much weaker than Lei Li's!
"Lin Dong has also entered the Earth Yuan Stage?"
The moment Yuan Power began to stir around Lin Dong's body, the entire arena erupted, with most eyes showing utter shock. Lei Li entering the Earth Yuan Stage didn't surprise them much, but no one had expected that Lin Dong, of the Lin family, who had only risen to prominence in the last half-year, had also reached this stage!
"Boom! Boom!"
At the Lin family’s seats, the teacup in Lin Zhentian’s hand directly fell to the ground, shattering into pieces. He stared wide-eyed and open-mouthed at the young figure in the middle of the arena, his mouth trembling, unable to speak.
“Lin Dong… when did he enter the Earth Yuan Stage?” Lin Keng and Lin Mang felt their mouths go dry, then their eyes, as if by unspoken agreement, simultaneously turned towards Lin Xiao, who was sitting next to them.
“This… I don’t know either…” Facing their scrutinizing gaze, a stiff smile appeared on Lin Xiao’s face, his hand resting on his thigh trembling uncontrollably. An incomparable pride surged within his heart, making his entire body tremble with excitement.
To one side, Lin He and Lin Hong, members of the younger generation of the Lin family, were currently gaping, a faint fanaticism flickering in their eyes.
“No wonder he dared to openly accept this challenge…” Lin Keng looked at Lin Zhentian, who was in front of him, and muttered, “Father, our Lin family has finally produced a truly remarkable genius…”
Lin Zhentian silently nodded, his two trembling hands wiping away the traces of tea water remaining on his clothes. Then he raised his head and took a deep breath, his eyes a little moist, and in a hoarse voice, he said, “Heaven has eyes…”
Not far away, Lei Bao’s face turned ashen, and his body slowly slumped down. A faint murderous intent suddenly flashed in his eyes. Lin Dong’s rate of progress made him feel a deep-seated fear.
This one must not be allowed to live!