That slash was too fast.
Lin Mingchuan’s pupils contracted. He tried to block, but his body couldn’t react in time. The Saber Gang grazed past his shoulder, tearing his robe and splitting his flesh. Blood flew.
"Brother Song has struck back!"
Offstage, the members of the Third Branch erupted in gasps of surprise. Lin Mingchuan stumbled back several steps and glanced down at the wound on his left shoulder, his expression grim.
However, by the time he looked up again, Lin Mingsong’s second slash was already upon him.
This one was even faster!
The saber slashed down, its Saber Gang a silver waterfall infused with terrifying Blood Gang and Saber Intent. Lin Mingchuan gritted his teeth and raised his blade to block. In an instant, the impact split the webbing of his hand open. His long saber was knocked from his grasp, and he was sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto the edge of the Combat Platform. He spat a mouthful of blood, the spray of red across the bluestone slabs a shocking sight.
A dead silence fell over the audience.
Lin Mingchuan was splayed on the ground, his hands pressed against the cold stone, fingers digging into the cracks. He lifted his head to look at Lin Mingsong, his eyes filled with disbelief and bitter resentment.
Lin Mingsong retracted his saber, his gaze remaining calm. ’That slash... I had originally prepared it for Lin Mingya.’
"Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation Perfection. One slash with Great Success Saber Intent, another with Perfection Level Saber Intent. Not bad!"
Lin Shouzheng, the referee, looked at Lin Mingsong with a hint of approval. ’To have such strength at his age is truly impressive.’
As for Lin Mingchuan, Lin Shouzheng didn’t spare him a single glance. After this battle, Lin Mingchuan was utterly finished.
It was now uncertain if he would ever be able to step into the True Gang Realm.
"Brother Song won! If only Minghai were here now."
Lin Mingchen listened to the cheers of his fellow branch members, but his face showed a trace of regret. If Minghai had been there, he would have already started mercilessly mocking Lin Mingchuan and the Fourth Branch.
’Some things really need Minghai’s touch. I can’t bring myself to say them.’
In their elation, the crowd had long forgotten what Lin Yan had said earlier: "I feel like Brother Song isn’t giving it his all."
In stark contrast to the cheering from the Third Branch, the Fourth Branch was deathly silent.
’Defeated again!’
’Lin Wang lost to Lin Yan, and now Brother Chuan has lost to Lin Mingsong. The Third Branch has been completely trampling all over us lately.’
On either side of the Combat Platform, the others seated in the grandmaster chairs were also staring at Lin Mingsong with grave expressions. ’Those last two slashes Lin Mingsong just unleashed were incredibly powerful!’
’In the fight for the top three this time, Lin Mingsong is definitely a strong contender.’
"The outcome is decided. Lin Mingchuan’s challenge has failed. Members of the Law Enforcement Hall, escort him back to Reversed Lake."
Lin Shouzheng spoke dispassionately. Immediately, two members of the Law Enforcement Hall came forward, flanked Lin Mingchuan, and began hauling him away like a dead dog.
"If there are no other challengers..."
"Uncle, there’s still me."
Seeing her uncle had forgotten her, Lin Yan quickly spoke up again.
"Are you sure you want to challenge?"
Lin Shouzheng’s gaze fell on Lin Yan, a rare smile appearing on his face. ’Lin Yan’s Martial Arts talent is good, but competing for the top ten this year will probably be difficult for her.’
"I’m certain."
Lin Yan’s expression was resolute. The moment she spoke, all eyes in the venue turned to her.
"Is Lin Yan actually going to challenge someone?"
"Maybe she’s just going up to make an appearance. Anyway, let’s just enjoy the show."
The clan members from the various branches were fairly tolerant of Lin Yan’s desire to challenge, and their words held no mockery.
As the winner of the new talent competition, it was understandable that she would want to test herself against the top ten.
The only ones who might have mocked her were the members of the Fourth Branch, but after Lin Mingchuan’s defeat, they were in no mood for it.
"Since you wish to issue a challenge, come onto the Combat Platform and choose your opponent."
Without hesitation, Lin Yan leaped onto the platform. Her gaze then swept over those seated in the grandmaster chairs.
Lin Mingxi gave her a faint smile. Lin Mingsong and Lin Mingcheng were also smiling slightly. Of the representatives from the other branches, most smiled at Lin Yan, except for the two from the Fourth Branch, who wore sullen expressions.
’Since Lin Yan wants to see what we’re made of, we’ll humor her.’
Geniuses have such privileges.
Lin Yan nodded to each of them in turn, but her gaze finally settled on Lin Mingzhao and Lin Mingjian of the Fourth Branch. A slight smile touched her lips. "Brother Mingjian, I ask for your guidance."
As Lin Yan spoke, the relaxed atmosphere on the Combat Platform instantly vanished, replaced by silence.
The chattering Lin Clan Members below were stunned into silence.
’Lin Yan is challenging Lin Mingjian of the Fourth Branch?’
"What is she thinking?"
Lin Mingye’s jaw hung slightly agape. If she had challenged anyone other than those two from the Fourth Branch, they would have held back and not truly harmed her.
But by choosing Lin Mingjian... even setting aside the grudge between the Fourth and Third Branches, after Lin Mingsong had just crippled Lin Mingchuan with two slashes, there was no way Lin Mingjian would be magnanimous enough to hold back.
"What is she doing?"
Over with the Third Branch, both Lin Mingchen and Lin Mingyuan frowned. On the Combat Platform, Uncle Shouzheng wouldn’t intervene unless it was a matter of life and death. Lin Mingjian might not kill Lin Yan, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t dare to severely injure her.
"Mingsong..."
From his grandmaster chair, Lin Mingcheng looked toward Lin Mingsong. As the standard-bearer of the Third Branch’s younger generation, he knew many of the elders’ plans for their branch. Lin Yan had already been designated as the standard-bearer for the Third Branch’s next generation. If she were to be injured by Lin Mingjian, it would be a bad outcome for both her and the Third Branch.
"Let’s wait and see."
Confusion flickered in Lin Mingsong’s eyes as well, but he didn’t ask Lin Yan to change her opponent. From his own understanding of her, and from what he’d heard from Minghai, Lin Yan had a very cautious nature; she was even known to hide her true strength.

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