"Fifth Uncle, I want to give it a try."
"Fifth Uncle, I want to challenge!"
The two voices rang out simultaneously, plunging the crowd below the platform into a sudden silence.
At that moment, the eyes of both Lin Mingchen and Lin Mingyuan went wide. Just as Lin Mingyuan saw Lin Yan nod and was about to speak, he heard a clansman from his own branch speak up.
"It’s Lin Mingchuan."
"Isn’t he confined at Reversed Lake?"
"When a clansman commits an offense, they’re put in confinement, but they aren’t stripped of their right to participate in the Grand Tournament. They’re allowed out during the competition; it’s just a rare occurrence."
The speaker was Lin Mingyi, a slightly older clansman from the Third Branch at the Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation. He had been one of the top ten powerhouses in the previous Grand Tournament.
He didn’t look at Lin Yan. Instead, his gaze was locked on Lin Mingchuan as he said in a grave voice, "Lin Mingchuan has reached the Fourth Transformation."
In Lin Mingyi’s mind, Lin Yan’s challenge was just as he’d expected—he simply wanted to test the waters, to experience the power of a Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation for himself.
But Lin Mingchuan was different. Given that he had broken through to the Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation at this specific moment, and considering the feud between him and the Third Branch, Mingsong and Mingcheng were likely in for a vicious fight.
Initially stunned by the two voices, the clansmen from the other branches quickly confirmed the speakers were Lin Yan and Lin Mingchuan. Then, they collectively chose to ignore Lin Yan.
They thought the same as Lin Mingyi: Lin Yan was just trying to get in on the action.
As the recent winner of the newcomer division, Lin Yan might have a shot at the top twenty. But challenging the top ten... that was purely for show, a way to experience the level and make an appearance before the crowd.
On either side of the Combat Platform, Lin Mingxi, on the other hand, was looking at Lin Yan. She gave him a wink. After all, she knew he had condensed a Sword Pill. With its power, entering the top ten wasn’t entirely impossible.
Meanwhile, the others had their eyes fixed on Lin Mingsong and Lin Mingcheng. Lin Mingchuan’s appearance and challenge at this moment were clearly premeditated and aimed squarely at the Third Branch. Furthermore, judging by the expressions of the two from the Fourth Branch, they were obviously in on it.
It looked like another of the Fourth Branch’s schemes targeting the Third Branch.
Now, it all came down to whether Lin Mingsong and Lin Mingcheng could send Lin Mingchuan back in defeat.
As for Lin Yan, they had automatically ignored him.
As Lin Mingchuan approached, the crowd below the platform automatically parted to let him through.
Everyone knew about the feud between the Fourth and Third Branches, especially after the conflict that had erupted during the recent branch tournament. This was the man who had been sent to confinement for it. To break through from the Blood Exchange Third Transformation to the Fourth while confined in a place like Reversed Lake spoke volumes about the intensity of Lin Mingchuan’s thirst for revenge. The coming fight wouldn’t end until one of them was down for the count.
At the edge of the Combat Platform, Lin Mingchuan stopped and turned his head to look at Lin Yan. There was no surprise in his eyes, no anger—only the cold, appraising stare of a predator sizing up its prey. The corner of his mouth lifted into a slight, contemptuous smirk.
"You think you’re fit to challenge someone up here?"
Lin Yan’s expression remained calm, completely unaffected by Lin Mingchuan’s mockery. "Whether I’m worthy or not," he said flatly, "is none of your business."
Lin Mingchuan’s pupils constricted slightly, the smirk on his lips freezing for an instant before melting into a look of profound coldness.
"Still talking tough? Fine. Then you and I will have a match first!"
Lin Mingchuan would be overjoyed if he could cripple Lin Yan before making his move on Lin Mingsong.
Lin Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly. Lin Mingchuan’s words were exactly what he was hoping for.
Just as Lin Yan was about to accept, Lin Mingsong rose from his ornate armchair and strode toward the platform. "Lin Mingchuan," he said, "come on up."
Lin Mingsong knew full well that Lin Mingchuan’s appearance at this moment meant his challenge could only be for him.
Nearby, Lin Mingchen and Lin Mingyuan snapped to their senses. Lin Mingyuan grabbed Lin Yan’s arm. "Lin Yan, don’t be rash."
"Lin Yan, Lin Mingchuan is already at the Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation! He’s deliberately trying to provoke you. Don’t fall for his trap."
Lin Mingchen also added his warning in a low voice. Brother Song had stepped in precisely because he was afraid Lin Yan would be provoked and actually agree to the fight.
"Mm, I understand."
Lin Yan nodded. Since Brother Song had stepped forward, there was no longer any need for him to insist on a battle with Lin Mingchuan.
As far as Lin Yan was concerned, Lin Mingchuan was just an insignificant clown. His main target was a spot in the top three.
Seeing his plan thwarted by Lin Mingsong, a sinister glint flashed in the depths of Lin Mingchuan’s eyes. He let out a cold snort and, in the next instant, stepped onto the platform.
Lin Mingchuan stepped onto the Combat Platform, his black brocade robe whipping in the wind. He unleashed the full aura of his Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation without reservation. Blood Gang circulated over his skin, its Dark Red halo casting flickering shadows across his face. He stood on the platform like a newly quenched blade, its sharp edge laid bare.
In contrast, Lin Mingsong released no aura, nor did he deliberately suppress it. He simply stood there casually, his long saber resting across his back. He was like a mountain—silent, massive, and immovable.
"Lin Mingchuan has reached the Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation. I wonder what Realm Lin Mingsong has achieved."
"When Lin Mingsong challenged for his seat yesterday, he defeated his opponent with a single saber strike. He must have also reached the Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation."
"Both of them are master saber-wielders in the clan. We’re in for a spectacular duel. I’ve actually hit a bottleneck with my own Saber Technique recently. Maybe watching them fight will help me achieve a breakthrough."
The clansmen from the various branches below the stage were all murmuring amongst themselves. In contrast, the members of the Third and Fourth Branches looked far more tense.
"Ever since the branch clansmen arrived, you’ve been plotting behind the scenes against the Fourth Branch and against me," Lin Mingchuan said, his expression savage. "But you never imagined I would break through to the Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation."

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