These Lin Family’s Affiliated Clans were here not only to watch the Blood Exchange Realm battles but also to secretly curry favor with the few combatants on the stage.
"Ruoruo, I told you you were being too willful. Lin Xiao’s potential is clearly the highest."
Hearing the words of her close friend, Wan Qing, Bai Ruo bit her red lip. "It’s not over yet. It’s too early to say that."
The Wan Family was very close to her own, and she and Wan Qing had known each other since childhood. Their bond was closer than that of actual sisters. As such, she hadn’t hidden anything from Wan Qing, neither Lin Xiao’s lecherous interest in her nor her subsequent decision to bet on Lin Yan.
"I don’t think Lin Yan is a match for Lin Xiao. Didn’t you see him frowning just now?"
On the stage, Lin Yan was frowning. ’According to Brother Hai, it’s highly likely that Lin Xiao is hiding his strength. But from his recent fight with Lin Yu, I couldn’t see any sign of it.’
’It seems Lin Yu didn’t force out Lin Xiao’s true power at all. That Lin Xiao is one cunning bastard.’
"Lin Yan, now it’s our turn."
While Lin Yan was lost in thought, Lin Wang had already walked to the center of the Combat Platform. His eyes were filled with resentment as he ground out, "Lin Yan, today, I’ll make you kneel and beg for mercy!"
Lin Yan snapped out of his thoughts and stepped forward. As for Lin Wang’s threat, he couldn’t even be bothered to respond.
The two stood thirty feet apart. But unlike Lin Xiao and Lin Yu, who had maintained a superficial courtesy, neither of them bowed.
「Below the stage, in the Fourth Branch’s area.」
A trace of dissatisfaction flickered in Lin Mingchuan’s eyes. ’That Lin Wang is such an idiot. The more killing intent he shows, the more guarded Lin Yan will be. Still, with what I’ve prepared for Lin Wang, Lin Yan won’t be able to block it with his strength alone.’
Seeing Mingxi’s gaze fixed on the stage, the man beside her chuckled. "Mingxi, wasn’t I right? When the Third Branch and Fourth Branch face off, it’s always a fight to the death. Besides, I heard this Lin Wang started pushing for the Blood Exchange Realm before his Qi Blood was even halfway full, all for the sake of avenging his defeat by Lin Yan... Tsk tsk, to ruin his future path in Martial Arts just for revenge... that’s... truly a consistent tradition for the Fourth Branch. Lin Mingyu was just like that back in the day."
Lin Mingxi didn’t answer. Instead, she focused her gaze on Lin Yan, her eyes filled with curiosity.
The only reason she had come to watch this branch competition was because of Lin Yan.
She wanted to know if Lin Yan was truly a genius of the Sword Dao.
As for everything else, she had no interest.
Over in the Third Branch’s section, Lin Minghai also wore a solemn expression. He had told Brother Song about Lin Wang breaking through to the Blood Exchange Realm, but Brother Song had just smiled and told him, "It’s fine."
Lin Shouhe glanced at the two on the stage and said flatly, "Begin!"
As soon as the word was spoken, Lin Wang moved.
With a nearly frenzied ferocity, he lunged toward Lin Yan like a wounded beast.
His right fist, wreathed in Blood Gang, cut through the air with a vicious wind, aiming straight for Lin Yan’s face.
With this punch, he held nothing back.
Faced with Lin Wang’s all-out punch, Lin Yan did not retreat.
He didn’t even use the Smoke-Stepping Technique or his Sword Gang.
His right foot slid back half a step, his waist twisted, and his right fist shot out from his side.
Mountain-Splitting Fist.
The fists collided.
BANG!
A muffled thud.
Lin Wang felt an overwhelming Power surge from the point of impact. His entire arm went numb instantly, and the force sent him flying backward, stumbling seven or eight steps before he barely managed to regain his footing.
His face turned deathly pale in an instant.
"How is this possible..."
He had experienced Lin Yan’s strength before and knew he was strong, but after reaching the Blood Exchange Realm, he thought he could at least contend with him.
But this single exchange of fists made him feel the gap between them with painful clarity. It was even wider now than it had been during their battle at the Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing.
Below the stage, many people were also shocked.
"Is the gap really that huge?"
"In the fight just now between Lin Xiao and Lin Yu, Lin Xiao only barely had the upper hand."
"It’s different. This Lin Wang... he broke through after his Qi Blood had only increased by twenty or thirty percent during the Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing. You could say he’s the weakest type of existence in the Blood Exchange Realm."
"To give up his future in Martial Arts just for revenge, how deep must that grudge be?"
"Last time, Lin Yan defeated him with a single sword strike in front of so many people. Anyone would hold a grudge after that."
Hearing the crowd’s discussion, Lin Wang’s eyes instantly turned bloodshot, his face contorting in a twisted mask of fury.
’If it weren’t for Lin Yan, I would be the one enjoying the crowd’s adoring flattery. Lin Yan, you bastard, you deserve to die!’
BOOM!
Lin Wang punched out again, but this time, Lin Yan chose not to meet him head-on.
’Since Lin Xiao is holding back his strength, I might as well hold back a little myself.’
One punch, two punches... after Lin Wang had thrown ten punches, Lin Yan whispered, "Time to end this!"
With a quick shift of his feet, Lin Yan executed the Smoke-Stepping Technique, his figure closing in on Lin Wang’s left side like a phantom.
He raised his right fist as a Thunder Sound erupted from within his body, and he unleashed the Mountain-Splitting Fist.
With this punch, Lin Yan held nothing back.
The air cracked where his fist passed, and Blood Gang surged forth like a tide, carrying an unstoppable momentum.
Lin Wang’s pupils shrank. He wanted to dodge, to block, but his body couldn’t keep up.
The force of the punch reached his body.
BANG!
A muffled explosion erupted.
However, Lin Wang’s body only staggered in place a few times. It was Lin Yan who retreated three steps.
This sudden reversal made the crowd below the stage gasp in shock.
How was it that Lin Yan, who had clearly struck Lin Wang, was the one who retreated?
"It’s the Thunder Armor!"
The Blood Exchange Realm Powerhouses of the Lin Family in the front row watched as the force of the punch tore through Lin Wang’s outer clothes, revealing the dark gold Inner Armor beneath. Their gazes all turned toward the Fourth Branch’s section, where Lin Mingchuan was seated.

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