The announcement had been made.
This marked the official commencing of the Outer Residence Competition!
Lin Han followed the crowd into a line to collect their respective competition numbers.
However, Lin Han noticed the top five figures of Outer Residence were all standing on the combat arena with solemn expressions on their faces.
Ranking from the first to the fifth was Lin Tian, Lin Xue, Lin Ruyan, Lin Juedao, and Lin Ran respectively.
Since they were the seeded disciples, it was a given that they would not be assigned a competition number by natural selection but intentionally allocated into different pairs.
Otherwise, it would be such a shame to eliminate a powerful candidate at the beginning of the competition if any two of them fought against each other in the first round.
One hour later, every disciple received a white sandalwood sign that was inscribed with their respective competition numbers.
Lin Han was allocated the number thirty-three.
Then, the actual competition was about to begin.
Both parties on each side of the arena were allowed to fight with extreme violent because this was the Inner Residence survival arena.
This rule astonished Lin Han.
However, he was reminded of the high standard in the Lin Clan Sect Residence that placed quality over quantity. Losing the lives of several Outer Residence disciples was not important if that meant one or a few naturally bright talents could break through the tight encirclement.
After all, the Lin Clan Sect Residence was able to stand erect for all these years in the Broken Sky City not because of the number of clansman it held in its ranks but because of the few martial arts Grandmasters who possessed great cultivation bases.
Therefore, the rules to Lin Clan Sect Residence's trials differed from that of any other clans. Organizing the competition in the Inner Residence survival arena had clearly said it all.
This was doomed to be a bloody competition.
"Number ninety-four to fight against number two hundred and sixty!"
The competition was moderated by an Inner Residence elder and right now he had started to announce the candidates for the first elimination round.
Soon after, two young figures, fearful of each other hopped on to the survival combat arena.
The crowd started to cheer from under the arena.
Everyone regarded this event with great importance. After all, this Outer Residence Competition could decide one's future and destiny.
…
"Number sixty-seven to fight against number ninety-eight!"
"Number seventy-three to fight against number eighty-five!"
"Number one hundred and three to fight against number two hundred and sixty-one!"
…
Young and eager disciples one after another went up to the arena as the Inner Residence elder called out for their turns.
The winners appeared daring and energetic, while the losers hung their heads down in dismay. Many of them almost perished in the combat.
The Lin Clan Sect Residence Competition was indeed cruel and merciless.
That was to ensure that only the strongest were allowed into the Inner Residence.
As time passed, Lin Han noticed several familiar faces. For instance, Lin Lang, who had his arm amputated by him, looked glum and his once childhood playmate, Lin Meier.
Right this moment, his number was being called out.
"Number thirty-three to fight against number one hundred and nine!"
"It's my turn," he mumbled as he looked down at the sign in his hand.
Before he could approach the survival arena, a ferocious-looking young disciple jumped high into the air from the crowd and landed on the arena.
"He's brilliant!"
The crowd cried out in astonishment.
This young disciple was indeed the person holding number one hundred and nine.
"This is Lin Yan – the powerful man ranked fifteenth in the Outer Residence!"
"He's up early? Candidate number thirty-three is definitely down on luck to be assigned to fight Lin Yan on the first elimination round."
Numerous people in the crowd were feeling sorry for candidate number thirty-three.
On the other hand on the survival arena, Lin Yan was yelling out loud confidently, "Where's candidate number thirty-three? Hurry up and accept your fate, I have another match to fight!"
"Oh? Are you sure that you're the one fate favors?" a calm voice said suddenly.
Without anyone's notice, a green silhouette that resembled a ghost had already appeared in the arena.
The corners of people's lips twitched involuntarily when they identified this green silhouette.
What?
This malefic man was candidate number thirty-three!
"Lin… Lin Han… Is that you?" The ferocious features of the man standing in the opposition twisted because of utter shock.
'Lin Han?'
'I'm fighting against Lin Han, the established malefic man of the Outer Residence, in my first round?'
The expression on Lin Yan's face grew ugly; he looked like he was crying without tears.
Sounds of sighs were heard from the crowd as they mourned for Lin Yan.
After all, according to the spreading rumors, Lin Han had amputated an arm off Lin Lang who ranked seventh strongest in Outer Residence. After that incident, no one dared to provoke this man anymore.
Perhaps, apart from the top five strongest of Outer Residence, no one else was able to suppress this man named Lin Han.
Every Outer Residence disciple was familiar with Lin Han, but not the Inner Residence elder.
A hint of confusion flashed in his eyes as he witnessed the sudden change of expression on Lin Yan's face.
Hence, he shifted his attention toward Lin Han.
Could it be possible that this young-looking man dressed in green was a somewhat powerful presence in the Outer Residence?
He seemed to know nothing about the young man.
A few of those current Inner Residence disciples among the crowd also did not recognize Lin Han. After all, Lin Han's reputation had only recently risen in the Outer Residence, so it was not surprising that the people from Inner Residence had no idea about his presence.
"One blow from the sword," announced Lin Han out of the blue.
He no longer had to keep his talents hidden since he was already here, participating in the clan competition.
Lin Han knew very well that the better he performed, the more attention he would receive from the sect residence upper-level.
Perhaps remaining humble was the right thing for him to do in the past, but it would be silly of him to conceal his talents at this moment.
"One blow…" Lin Yan muttered this with bitterness although he was well-aware that Lin Han was qualified to challenge that.
"One blow?"
"A nameless lad like him seems really puffed up with pride and arrogance."
However, those Inner Residence disciples only sneered as they all thought Lin Han regarded too highly of himself.
Even the Inner Residence elder who was moderating the competition frowned his brows slightly as he thought to himself, 'This young man in green is perhaps overly confident.'
"No matter what, I still want to have a fair and square fight against you!" Lin Yan's eyes suddenly twinkled with brilliance as a great fight intent surged in him.
Lin Han smiled ever so slightly.
He was ever so slightly impressed with Lin Yan for showing such strong fighting intent under these circumstances.
"Alright, I'll yield to you ten moves so you can show me all you've got," announced Lin Han all of the sudden.
Ten moves?
The smirks on the Inner Residence disciples' faces grew even wider as they anticipated Lin Han to make a fool of himself.
"Sure, Brother Lin Han, your teachings will be much appreciated!"
Lin Yan took in a sharp inhale and his martial arts fourth tier beginner level True Elements were released at once.
In an instant, the surrounding air became burning hot.
As it turned out, Lin Yan's True Element was of the rare fire attribute.
"Flaming Sky Palm!"
Bang! Bang! Bang…
Lin Yan was performing a set of medium-grade martial arts – Flaming Sky Palm.
He prompted his True Element so that every move he made carried a faint flame of great lethality on his palms.
However, Lin Han only extended his arms slowly in response and successfully dissipated each of the Flaming Sky Palms. The flame on Lin Yan's palms seemed to not have any effect on him at all.
"That's ten."
Without warning, Lin Han's voice rang in the air.
Clang!
A noise as loud as a clap of thunder rang at the same time when a ray of gleaming sword-light cut through the air.
Boom!
In the next second, Lin Yan's body was attacked by the blade of a longsword and he was immediately flung out of the survival arena.
"Screech!"
Lin Han returned the sword to its scabbard. He stood motionless on the arena as his expressionless eyes glanced into the distance.
Lin Yan was not hurt.
He quickly rose to his feet and saluted to Lin Han who was on the arena. "Brother Lin Han, I appreciate your teachings very much. My Flaming Sky Palm has finally progressed from Minor Advancement boundary to Major Advancement boundary!"
Lin Yan's act of gratification caused many of the Outer Residence disciples to look at Lin Han in confusion.
Perhaps Lin Han was not as wicked as the people had rumored.
"That's one explosive blow!"
By now, those Inner Residence disciples who were jeering at Lin Han earlier had put on a solemn expression.
Before these disciples could catch a good look at Lin Han removing his sword, Lin Yan's body had already been flung out of the arena.
This level of swordsmanship was completely terrifying!
It might even be an above-average skill among the Inner Residence disciples.
That Inner Residence elder who thought Lin Han was unbelievably egoistic and arrogance could not help but muttered to himself, "Quick Draw Sword… Is it possible that this Outer Residence disciple has advanced this extreme sword skill into the Pin… Pinnacle Boundary?" A hint of surprise flashed across his eyes as he thought.