"This is my only way forward!" Lin Chen's voice was calm. "If you want your sister to recover, you must ask the Lihuo Sect's experts for help. And to do that, you must become a disciple of the Lihuo Sect. The frost poison in your sister's body is worsening. If an expert doesn't remove it, I'm afraid..." He trailed off, his eyes filled with worry.
His plan was clear. He knew what he needed to do. Joining the Lihuo Sect would not only help his sister heal her illness, but would also protect him from the Wind Sword Sect's pursuit. Except for the Lihuo Sect, no other sect in the five kingdoms could stand up to the Wind Sword Sect.
In the Imperial City square, the crowd roared, tens of thousands of onlookers gathered, waiting for the outcome of the battle. Su Cheng and Zhao Long were the geniuses of the Da Cang Kingdom. With their talents, they could have joined other sects long ago, but they waited for the Lihuo Sect's competition.
On stage, two figures stood tall, Zhao Long and Su Cheng.
"Zhao Long, you're strong, but unfortunately, there's only one spot from the Lihuo Sect." A cold glint flashed in Su Cheng's eyes. "I will definitely win this battle. If you surrender now, you'll avoid unnecessary pain."
Zhao Long replied unceremoniously, "I've heard of the Seventh Prince's Silver-Light Spirit Elephant's power. Today, I want to experience it firsthand!"
The tension between the two was palpable, their fighting spirits soaring.
On the main stage sat a young man with a gentle face, Xu Kun, the outer sect elder of the Lihuo Sect, responsible for recruiting in the Da Cang Kingdom. To his left and right sat Zhao Wuji and a powerful old eunuch from the palace.
Xu Kun glanced at the time and announced, "The finals begin now!"
With a loud bang, both contestants summoned their spirit beasts. Su Cheng's was a fourth-level Silver-Light Spirit Elephant, towering and imposing, while Zhao Long's was a fourth-level Windblade Swift Leopard, with a long mane and a fierce aura.
"They're both only at the fourth level? Disappointing."
"I thought they'd at least have fifth-level spirit beasts!"
"They don't compare to Lin Chen. He rode a Scarlet Bloodwolf and slaughtered 100,000 enemies. How glorious!"
"A talented person indeed, but he had to resort to cheating."
The audience murmured, expecting a more intense final battle. The geniuses of the Da Cang Kingdom generally had fourth-level spirit beasts, with only Su Huanxue and Lin Chen having evolved their beasts to the fifth level.
In the Imperial City Square, everyone couldn't help but compare Zhao Long and Su Cheng to Lin Chen, whose honor was revoked a few days ago. The comparison fell short.
Just as the two were about to start fighting, a deep voice came from the distance. The crowd parted, revealing a young man wearing a bamboo hat, concealing his appearance. An overwhelming evil aura emanated from him, his steps steady and powerful. The pressure in the square grew palpable.
"Who is he?" some spectators wondered.
Even Xu Kun, Zhao Wuji, the old eunuch, and other powerful figures frowned, looking at the newcomer. The young man slowly raised his head, revealing a pair of cold, blood-filled eyes. His murderous intent seemed to pierce souls, sending shivers down spines.
Zhao Wuji was the first to react. "It's you, Lin Chen!" He was stunned at first, then burst into laughter. "What are you doing here? Last time, you were kicked out of the imperial city like a dead dog, and you have the nerve to come back?"
As soon as the name "Lin Chen" was mentioned, many spectators were shocked. He was once the number one genius in the Da Cang Kingdom, riding a Scarlet Bloodwolf and fighting for his family and country at the age of thirteen. He achieved countless miracles with his own hands!
However, after he went to the Spiritual Road, the leader of the Wind Sword Sect, Feng Bumie, killed his spirit beast, crippled his cultivation, and threw him back because he cheated on his grades. That day, in the Imperial City Square, Zhao Wuji personally tried Lin Chen, stripping him of his fame and glory and reducing him to nothing. Eventually, Lin Ning'er stepped forward and carried him back to the family. Everyone thought that Lin Chen would spend his life in mediocrity, but he was back again!
"According to the rules, anyone can sign up for this arena battle." Lin Chen's voice was calm and composed. "I, Lin Chen, announce my participation in this arena battle to compete for the spot in the Lihuo Sect!"
"He doesn't know his place!" Zhao Wuji laughed wildly. "Your spirit beast is dead and your cultivation is crippled. You're no different from a useless person. Yet you still dare to participate in the arena battle. Are you trying to embarrass yourself?"
Other viewers also reacted.
"I saw him being crippled with my own eyes a few days ago! All his bones were shattered. It was horrible!"
"The wounds have healed, but the pain is forgotten?"
"He deserves it. He cheated and was deposed. He didn't appreciate Princess Snow's kindness!"
"He has high expectations but lacks ability. He thinks he's still the most arrogant person in the Da Cang Kingdom!"
Most of the audience was filled with malice towards Lin Chen, finding pleasure in watching a once-high-ranking genius fall.
"Lin Chen, I've heard of you." Xu Kun spoke slowly. "You have good talent, but it's a pity that you don't have a fire-attribute spirit beast. If you did, our Lihuo Sect would definitely invite you to join us as an inner disciple!"
Those who were invited to join by the sect were all inner disciples, enjoying better treatment than outer disciples. Outer disciples had fewer strict requirements and more relaxed lives. However, no matter how small, a fly was still meat! That's why Zhao Long was so desperate to compete with Su Cheng for the only outer disciple spot in the Lihuo Sect.
Lin Chen ignored everyone's words. His eyes were cold and calm. "I'm here to compete. Do you dare to challenge me?"
He stood proudly, a peerless sword. His spirit was sharp and fierce.
"Lin Chen!" the old eunuch said solemnly, "This is not a place for you to mess around. Leave the imperial city!"
"Why, are you afraid?" Lin Chen raised his eyebrows disdainfully. "Su Cheng, Zhao Long, don't you dare accept the challenge of a 'waste' like me?"
"Arrogant!" Zhao Long shouted. "Lin Chen, you're courting death!"
Behind him, the Windblade Swift Leopard's eyes grew darker, its murderous intent intense. Zhao Wuji sneered, "Xiaolong, since he insists on seeking death, do what he wants!" He had failed to find a chance to take action last time. This time, he must kill Lin Chen on the spot to avoid future troubles!