Although Lin Mingye didn’t represent the First Branch, his older brother was one of the top ten talents of the younger generation and held significant influence. Lin Mingye taking Lin Yan’s side was not good news for the Fourth Branch.
"Even if he just found out, coming here now is just asking for humiliation." Lin Mingxing snorted. "So many of the clan’s Sword Dao powerhouses have already failed. Who does he think he is? Isn’t he just rushing up there to give that guy another chance to show off?"
"So what, everyone should be like you, hiding down here like a turtle in its shell? If I recall correctly, you, Lin Mingxing, also trained in Swordsmanship for a time."
"Lin Mingye!"
Lin Mingxing glared at Lin Mingye, his face flushed with anger. He had indeed trained in Swordsmanship for a time. He had even gone out of his way to ask Uncle Jiu for guidance, only to receive the appraisal that his "talent for the Sword Dao was merely average." Because of this, that bastard Lin Minghai had relentlessly mocked him for ages, spreading the news until the entire younger generation of the clan knew. Eventually, it drove him to abandon Swordsmanship for Saber Technique.
Lin Mingye pursed his lips, no longer paying Lin Mingxing any mind. Instead, he turned his gaze toward the stage.
「On the Combat Platform.」
Jian Sheng yawned, looking thoroughly bored. When he saw Lin Yan approach the stage, he didn’t even shift his posture. "Another one. Name yourself."
"Lin Yan of the Third Branch."
"What’s your Realm?"
"Blood Exchange Second Transformation." Lin Yan paid no mind to Jian Sheng’s condescending attitude, stating calmly, "I will suppress my Realm to the Blood Exchange First Transformation."
"No, don’t. Just fight with your full strength. No need to suppress your power."
Jian Sheng quickly waved his hands. With his level of mastery in Swordsmanship, he wasn’t without a chance against a cultivator at the Blood Exchange Second Transformation.
’The main reason was that fighting someone at the same Realm had become too dull; almost no one could even take three of his strikes. Besides, today was the final day, and Lin Yan was likely the last challenger. He might as well try for a Reverse Attack against a Blood Exchange Second Transformation to give himself a little thrill.’
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
Hearing Jian Sheng’s confirmation, Lin Yan nodded. If his opponent wanted him to fight without suppressing his Realm, he would oblige.
Meanwhile, the spectating Lin Clan Members below the stage were somewhat stunned by the exchange.
"Is that Lin Yan really from a branch family?"
"There’s no mistake."
"He only came from the branch family last year, right? Did Lin Yan reach the Blood Exchange Second Transformation in a single year? Or was he already in the Blood Exchange Realm when he arrived?"
Many who were unaware of the branch family’s circumstances looked confused. At their side, Lin Mingye explained, "When Lin Yan joined our clan, he was only at the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing."
The Third-Time of Skin Smoothing?
As soon as Lin Mingye spoke, the expressions of many Lin Clan Members grew solemn, their eyes landing in unison on Lin Yan.
Going from the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing to the Blood Exchange Second Transformation in just over a year... that Cultivation speed... Not a single person present could match it.
The gloom in Lin Mingxing’s eyes intensified. ’Lin Yan actually broke through to the Blood Exchange Second Transformation this fast? At this rate of Cultivation, I’m afraid the Third Branch is about to produce another Lin Mingsong.’
"Blood Exchange Second Transformation... with that advantage in Realm, maybe Lin Yan can actually win this time."
Someone’s eyes lit up. They were shocked by Lin Yan’s Cultivation speed, but they also saw a glimmer of hope for his victory in this duel.
Jian Sheng’s mastery of the Sword Dao was high, yes, but it wasn’t impossible that the pressure from a higher Realm could close that gap.
No matter how strong he was, could he really pull off a Reverse Attack, defeating a Blood Exchange Second Transformation while only at the First Transformation?
"Hmph. Fighting a First Transformation as a Second Transformation... even if he wins, there’s no glory in it. But if he loses, it’ll be a massive, utter humiliation."
Seeing many of the clansmen pinning their hopes on Lin Yan, Lin Mingxing immediately threw cold water on their excitement.
’In any case, he absolutely refused to see anyone from the Third Branch steal the spotlight.’
This time, even Lin Mingye didn’t bother to retort, because no one else was paying Lin Mingxing any attention.
’Lin Mingxing is just too petty!’
’Sure, the Fourth Branch and the Third Branch have their feuds, and it’s fine for them to squabble on a normal day. But right now, the Lin Family’s honor is at stake. They should set aside their grudges and present a united front. Even if you secretly don’t want Lin Yan to win, you should at least pretend for appearance’s sake.’
’The Fourth Branch... they’re becoming more and more crooked.’
On the Combat Platform, Jian Sheng wore a contemptuous expression. It wasn’t that he truly looked down on Lin Yan; he wasn’t arrogant enough to be complacent about facing a Blood Exchange Second Transformation while only at the First Transformation.
He was merely using his expression to deliberately provoke Lin Yan, hoping to shatter his composure.
"Stop wasting time. Draw your sword—"
Jian Sheng’s words caught in his throat.
Because Lin Yan had taken hold of his sword.
After the signal to begin, Lin Yan’s right hand naturally closed around the hilt of his Abyssal Sword. But at the very instant he did so, Jian Sheng’s taunt died on his lips.
To an outsider, Lin Yan had simply gripped his sword. Yet, this simple motion made Jian Sheng’s eyelids twitch. His pupils contracted imperceptibly as he stared at Lin Yan’s right hand, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard.
’His master had once told him that you could judge a Swordsman’s skill in the Sword Dao from the very moment they took hold of their weapon.’
’Lin Yan’s grip looked simple, yet in Jian Sheng’s eyes, it was utterly natural, completely impeccable.’
’It was a level of perfection he had not encountered once during his days on the Lin Clan’s Combat Platform.’
’In the past few days, even when facing the so-called Sword Dao geniuses of the Lin Clan—some of whom had reached the Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation—he had always been able to spot a flaw the moment they gripped their swords. In that instant, he would know... they were inferior to him.’
’But this Lin Yan before him... he couldn’t see through him at all.’
"Wait!"
Seeing that Lin Yan was about to draw his sword, Jian Sheng cleared his throat, his tone suddenly far more serious than before. "On second thought, you should suppress your Realm after all. We’re competing in the Sword Dao, not in our Realms."

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