As Lin Mingchuan saw it, he had fallen into Lin Mingsong’s trap long ago. Everything, from his brother’s death to the branch competition that followed, was part of Lin Mingsong’s calculations. Otherwise, how could Lin Mingsong have arrived so coincidentally, and why would Uncle Qi have left the ancestral hall?
He even suspected that Lin Yan’s rapid breakthrough was orchestrated by Lin Mingsong.
Lin Yan was just a pawn Lin Mingsong had put forward to target the Fourth Branch—and to target him.
"You’re delusional. You think far too highly of yourself."
Lin Mingsong sighed softly and shook his head. He hadn’t proactively targeted the Fourth Branch. He had simply learned from Minghai that Lin Mingchuan’s brother died in the Yantian Mountain Range. Knowing Lin Mingchuan’s temperament, he was sure the man wouldn’t let it go and would inevitably pull some strings during the branch competition. All he did was prepare for it in advance.
"Lin Mingsong, you’re such a hypocrite! You don’t have the guts to admit what you’ve done. But that’s fine..." Lin Mingchuan raised his long saber. "I’m here today to settle the score."
"Settle the score?" Lin Mingsong laughed. "A Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation achieved with a True Blood Stone... just like your brother. You’ve exhausted your potential. Breaking through to the True Gang Realm is now a distant dream for you."
The moment Lin Mingsong’s words fell, the crowd erupted in an uproar.
True Blood Stone!
This item was no stranger to the Lin Clan Members. In fact, it was coveted by many in the Blood Exchange Realm, all of whom dreamed of saving enough Contribution Points to exchange for a single True Blood Stone from the clan.
Given the Contribution Points required, each clan member could, at most, gather enough for only one True Blood Stone.
Similarly, a Blood Exchange Realm powerhouse could only ever use a True Blood Stone once.
The people present, especially the few seated in the grandmaster chairs, understood the implication of Lin Mingsong’s words.
When Lin Mingsong said Lin Mingchuan was "ruined," it wasn’t because using a True Blood Stone to reach the Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation caused any negative side effects. Rather, it was because Lin Mingsong himself could have reached the Fourth Transformation within a year without one. He could then have saved his True Blood Stone to boost his chances of breaking through to the True Gang Realm later on.
Now that Lin Mingchuan had used his chance prematurely, he would have to rely solely on his own power. Without some other major fortuitous encounter, it would take him at least five to ten years to break through to the True Gang Realm.
Reaching the True Gang Realm in one’s thirties was respectable enough outside, but within the clan, it meant losing all say. He could no longer be considered a future pillar of his branch.
So, for Lin Mingsong to call him "ruined" was, in fact, the truth.
Hearing Brother Song’s words, the corners of Lin Yan’s mouth curved up slightly. ’Brother Song may seem quiet, but he’s adept at psychological warfare.’
’Those words were clearly meant to enrage Lin Mingchuan.’
’Looks like Brother Song is quite the devious one.’
"Lin Mingsong, enough of your crap! Die!"
Sensing the murmurs from the crowd, Lin Mingchuan struggled to keep his composure. He hadn’t expected Lin Mingsong to expose his reliance on the True Blood Stone so directly. ’It seems I was right,’ he thought. ’Lin Mingsong has been watching the Fourth Branch, and he has been watching me.’
With a furious roar, Lin Mingchuan shot forward like a bolt of lightning, slashing out with his saber.
The slash carried an astonishing momentum. A shimmering ribbon of Saber Gang, infused with the dense Qi Blood of the Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation, shot straight for Lin Mingsong’s face.
The crowd below held their breath, a glint appearing in many of their eyes. The conflicts between the Third and Fourth Branches were always the most spectacular. There were no probing attacks; Lin Mingchuan was giving it his all from the very start.
Lin Mingsong raised his right hand and slashed out with his own saber. The two streams of Saber Gang collided with a deafening BOOM. A shockwave radiated outward, and several cracks spiderwebbed across the green stone slabs of the Combat Platform.
Lin Mingchuan wasn’t the least bit surprised that his first slash hadn’t been decisive.
Before the first attack had even faded, the second one arrived.
Lin Mingchuan’s saber became a blur, each slash faster than the last. His attacks rained down like a torrential storm, enveloping Lin Mingsong and striking at his vital points. Every slash carried the dense Blood Gang of the Fourth Transformation, each blow heavier than the last, forcing Lin Mingsong into a continuous retreat.
Below the stage, the hearts of the Third Branch members leaped into their throats.
"Why does Brother Song keep retreating?" a young clan member asked, his voice tight as he clenched his fists.
"Lin Mingchuan’s Saber Technique is so ferocious... Do you think Brother Song will...?"
"Shut up!" Lin Mingyuan hissed, but his own voice was dry, and he swallowed hard.
"Chasing Moon Nine Slashes... I fear Lin Mingchuan has brought his Saber Intent to the Perfection stage. Mingsong is in real danger this time."
Worry was etched on Lin Mingyi’s face. With the help of that True Blood Stone, it was clear Lin Mingchuan didn’t just barely reach the Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation. Judging by the density of his Blood Gang, he was at least at the mid-stage.
’Even I would have to be extremely cautious against his Chasing Moon Nine Slashes if I were up there right now.’
"Brother Song will win."
Lin Yan’s voice rang out, causing Lin Mingchen and Lin Mingyuan to look over at him immediately. Even Lin Mingyi turned his gaze toward him.
"I don’t think Brother Song is going all out."
Feeling their eyes on him, Lin Yan shared his assessment.
This wasn’t just blind loyalty because they were both from the Third Branch. Through his own Perception, he could tell that although Lin Mingchuan’s Saber Momentum was ferocious, strike after relentless strike, Brother Song’s aura remained completely stable. It was obvious he was still holding back.
Lin Yan’s words made Lin Mingchen and the others exchange confused glances. Why hadn’t they sensed that Brother Song was holding back?
Just as Lin Mingchen and the others were about to voice their confusion, the tide of battle on the platform turned.
Lin Mingsong had been forced back to the very edge of the Combat Platform, with nowhere left to go.
And he stopped retreating.
The long saber in his hand abandoned its defensive posture, like a long-slumbering flood dragon finally opening its eyes.
The blade swung upward. There were no flashy moves, no wind-up to build momentum—only an impossibly fast stream of Saber Gang that erupted from the blade, aimed directly at Lin Mingchuan’s chest.

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