Lin Chen ascended the stage, his expression composed as ever.
However, an overwhelming surge of malevolence emanated from his eyes.
"Snap."
As Lin Chen took his first step forward, the calm and serene spiritual energy in the air suddenly surged forth like a raging torrent.
A tempestuous gust of wind swirled like a tornado, its force shaking the heavens and the earth.
After half a year, they stood face to face once more, the air thick with murderous intent.
"Wait."
At that moment, Chen Lingfeng appeared beneath the stage, his hands clasped behind his back. A faint gleam flashed in his eyes as he declared, "Su Huanxue's cultivation is exceptional and her talent extraordinary. After this battle, she will join our Chen family!"
A ripple of shock surged through the audience.
The Chen family was a formidable power within the Dongyuan Region!
Chen Lingfeng was essentially inviting Su Huanxue into the family before the battle had even begun.
Was this an imperial decree?
Standing beside Chen Lingfeng, Feng Bumie's face took on an unsightly shade.
Su Huanxue was the most promising disciple of the Fengjian Sect. Yet, Chen Lingfeng had the audacity to offer her a place within their family with a single word.
His fists clenched tightly within his sleeves, veins throbbing visibly on his forehead.
Was the Fengjian Sect merely a stepping stone to the Chen family?
For the past six months, Su Huanxue had relied solely on the resources of the Fengjian Sect for her training and cultivation.
However, Feng Bumie dared not utter a word of protest.
After all, the sect's advancement to the second level depended heavily on Chen Lingfeng and Su Huanxue's goodwill.
No matter how aggrieved he felt, he could only endure it.
High atop the platform, Chen Yun nodded slightly and proclaimed, "Su Huanxue has earned the recognition of our Chen family. She shall be officially inducted upon the conclusion of this battle. Should any other disciples demonstrate exceptional performance, they too will be offered the opportunity to join our ranks and cultivate within the Chen family."
His words dripped with condescension, as if he held no regard for the other sects.
These sects had dedicated themselves to nurturing their disciples, only to have them poached without hesitation.
Furthermore, they were made to feel honored by the invitation, leaving many fuming with resentment deep down.
Despite their anger, they could do nothing but swallow it down.
Chen Yun cast a cursory glance at Lin Chen and spoke in a measured tone, "Su Huanxue, the time has come for you to prove yourself. You were personally requested by the young master. I trust... you will deliver a remarkable performance."
His words carried a double-edged meaning.
Clearly, both Chen Yun and Chen Lingfeng desired Su Huanxue to emerge victorious against Lin Chen, solidifying her entry into the Chen family with unparalleled glory.
Lin Chen and Su Huanxue had a three-year contract between them, and their rivalry was marked by unyielding bitterness. Using this as a gimmick was a stroke of genius.
Moreover, Lin Chen had recently slain numerous prodigies from the Fengjian Sect, garnering considerable notoriety.
Many within the Five Kingdoms believed him to be formidable.
He was the perfect candidate to serve as Su Huanxue's stepping stone.
"Do not concern yourself. I can crush him with ease if I so choose."
A scornful smile played across Su Huanxue's lips.
In the next instant, a formidable aura surged forth, and a majestic Two-Tailed Thunder Griffin manifested before her.
Lightning crackled from its eyes, lending it an air of untouchable grandeur.
To the astonishment of all present, it was a seventh-level spirit beast!
"Unfathomable!"
"Seventh level!"
"My word, this is the pinnacle of existence within the Five Kingdoms!"
"She is truly worthy of her reputation as a genius!"
...
As Su Huanxue displayed her prowess, gasps of amazement rippled through the crowd.
A seventh-level spirit beast was a paramount entity within the Five Kingdoms, no matter how it was evaluated.
Witnessing the overwhelming presence of Su Huanxue's Two-Tailed Thunder Griffin, Lin Chen merely smiled faintly and said, "Bao, teach this bird a lesson during the battle and beat the feathers off its back!"
"Leave it to me. Do not fret," Bao replied.
Emerging from Lin Chen's side, Bao's diminutive form, barely the size of a palm, drew the audience's attention.
Initially, the spectators were stunned, then they burst into laughter.
"Is that it?"
"Is that supposed to be a spirit beast?"
"Hahaha, I cannot contain my amusement!"
"I heard that Lin Chen's previous spirit beast was killed. I suppose he has found a replacement."
Mockery and derision rained down upon Lin Chen.
"Roar!"
The Two-Tailed Thunder Griffin in the sky let out a thunderous roar, its eyes flashing with disdain. It, too, held Bao in contempt.
Could such a creature, petite and insignificant, truly withstand a single blow from its mighty claws?
"Bao, do not humiliate yourself."
Lin Chen's smile remained steady, but a surge of murderous intent emanated from his being.
At that moment, his aura transformed as if he had become a harbinger of death, causing the atmosphere to freeze in terror.
Bao's grin widened as his stature began to increase rapidly.
From its initial palm-sized dimensions, it grew to an impressive height of over three meters.
Its demeanor was majestic, exuding an aura of undeniable authority and grandeur. A primordial force seemed to radiate from its very presence, instilling awe in all who witnessed it.
It was as if Bao were an ancient beast that had traversed time, originating from an era beyond comprehension.
As Bao's pressure intensified, the Two-Tailed Thunder Griffin hovering overhead suddenly faltered and let out a piercing cry as it plummeted towards the ground.
Su Huanxue was caught off guard and hurriedly unleashed her spiritual energy in an attempt to stabilize her companion.
"BOOM!"
Despite her efforts, the Two-Tailed Thunder Griffin slammed into the ground with an earth-shattering impact.
This spectacle stunned the entire audience, including the spectators from the Lihuo Sect, the Fengjian Sect, and even the arbiter himself, Chen Yun.
Their pupils contracted in disbelief.
What had transpired?
Bao planted its hands on its hips and regarded the Two-Tailed Thunder Griffin with undisguised contempt. "You feathered brain! How dare you flaunt your superiority before me? My aura alone is enough to keep you groveling on the ground!"
All eyes were trained on Bao, scrutinizing it intently.
A sixth-level spirit beast!
As a newly acquired companion, it was extraordinary for Bao to have attained the sixth level within half a year.
However, even with such impressive progress, it should not have been capable of suppressing the Two-Tailed Thunder Griffin with such ease.
A flicker of doubt crossed Su Huanxue's mind. She too recognized Bao's strength, but she remained perplexed.
Why?
What fortuitous encounters had this young man experienced to possess such extraordinary abilities?
Nevertheless, upon regaining her composure, Su Huanxue realized that she could not succumb to panic.
With so many witnesses present, she could not afford to lose.
Defeat would irreparably damage her future prospects.
"Thunder Fist!"
Su Huanxue uttered a low cry, and with a fierce push against the ground, she charged towards Lin Chen.
Her fists clenched into balls, their surfaces crackling with an astonishing surge of lightning, capable of tearing apart anything in their path.
Simultaneously, thunder and lightning erupted from her entire body, creating a deafening symphony.
The sheer intensity of her spiritual energy had reached its peak.
"Is this the extent of your power?"
Witnessing Su Huanxue's assault, Lin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly.
His palm slowly formed a fist, its surface shimmering with a white jade radiance. A faint dragon-like shadow entwined itself around his knuckles.
"Jade Dragon Hand!"