Just as Ren Xing was about to leave, he paused and turned back to look at Lin San standing on the Life and Death Platform. A cold smile spread across his face. "Lin San, I don't know what tricks you used to win, but a waste is still a waste."
"Do you really think you can beat me?" His eyes were filled with disdain and contempt.
If it weren't for the rules and the many witnesses around, he would have already killed Lin San in that brief moment earlier.
"How about a life-and-death duel with me?" Although it wasn't appropriate for someone of his rank as a high-level instructor to say such things, Ren Xing couldn't help it. Sun Ran had been one of his prized disciples, and now, Lin San had killed him.
"One month. In one month, I'll face you in a life-and-death duel," Lin San replied calmly.
The onlookers were stunned. They had thought Lin San would never accept Ren Xing's challenge. After all, Ren Xing was a fifth-tier warrior with extensive combat experience. This was nothing short of suicidal!
Even with a month to prepare, how could Lin San possibly reach the fifth tier?
"Very well!" Ren Xing laughed loudly. He was certain Lin San would train desperately over the next month and hunt as many beasts as possible to gain strength.
"Excellent! I'll see you in one month!" Ren Xing's laughter echoed as he left the platform. He was convinced that Lin San was walking to his death.
Afterward, Lin San stepped down from the Life and Death Platform. The surrounding disciples looked at him with disbelief in their eyes.
Could this still be the same Lin San? Wasn't he supposed to be stuck at the second tier? Yet the power he displayed just now didn't resemble a second-tier warrior at all. In fact, he seemed even stronger than a third-tier warrior.
Ignoring the stares and whispers, Lin San left the area.
"Lin San actually killed Sun Ran."
"Is he really that strong?"
In the crowd, Feng Wutian emerged, his expression complicated. He had been present during the duel, and he never imagined that Lin San would be powerful enough to kill Sun Ran in such a short exchange.
Was Sun Ran just too weak?
No, that couldn't be it. Sun Ran was Ren Xing's disciple and a third-tier warrior.
"This guy's strength is strange."
"If I'm not mistaken, he's now able to break through and cultivate normally," Feng Wuqiang remarked with a dark expression.
From the way Lin San fought, it was clear that he was no longer the same as before. He had become stronger.
"No wonder he dared to confront me," Feng Wuqiang's face grew even more grim. It would be much more difficult to get revenge on Lin San now.
"Xiao Ling, it seems Lin San has broken through!" A female disciple spoke to Zhao Xiaoling.
Zhao Xiaoling had also come to watch the fight. She initially thought Lin San was seeking death by stepping onto the Life and Death Platform, but she was shocked when he killed Sun Ran instead.
Her expression turned sour. If Lin San had died, no one would associate her with him anymore. But now…
"Hmph, so what if he broke through? Everyone's strength has improved by now," Zhao Xiaoling replied coldly. "His strength at most has just reached the third tier."
With that, she quickly left the area.
...
Returning to his residence, Lin San took a deep breath. The past few days had been exhausting, but for the first time, he had managed to regain some respect within the sect.
"It's still not enough. I need to get stronger quickly," Lin San muttered as he sat down and began to meditate with the Demon Slaying Sword in hand.
"Ren Xing is a fifth-tier warrior. A month from now, fighting him will be no problem."
"That'll be 500 evolution points right there," Ye Fan mused as he observed Lin San's training. However, killing a fifth-tier warrior wouldn't yield as many points as hunting a large number of low-tier beasts. Those were easier to kill, came in large numbers, and their accumulated evolution points would be considerable.
"Tomorrow is the Sky Peak Sect's grand competition. I'm curious to see how it'll turn out," Ye Fan added, feeling a sense of anticipation.
Lin San began to practice his newly acquired martial skill, [Nine Swords Stance]. With the [All Attribute Amplification] effect, his comprehension ability had greatly increased, allowing him to master the skill quickly.
Lin San trained throughout the night until dawn.
Whoosh—
Exhaling a deep breath, Lin San slowly opened his eyes.
"That felt great." A full night of training left him feeling incredibly refreshed. The Demon Slaying Sword had significantly accelerated his cultivation speed, making a breakthrough to the fourth tier seem within reach.
"With the Demon Slaying Sword, reaching the fourth tier should be quick," Lin San thought to himself.
He soon got up, washed up, and began making his way to the Sky Peak Sect's mountaintop.
Today was the day of the Sky Peak Sect's grand competition!
Many of the inner disciples had already gathered at the mountaintop, with the outer disciples assisting with logistics.
"Look, it's Lin San," some disciples murmured as they noticed Lin San's arrival.
Although the events on the Life and Death Platform had spread, not everyone was aware of them. With the competition approaching, many had been in seclusion, only emerging that morning.
A large number of disciples were lined up to receive a jade slip, each bearing a number that would determine their place in the competition.
Lin San also joined the line.
"So many people," Ye Fan remarked as he observed the lively scene.
"Lin San."
When it was Lin San's turn, the disciple distributing the jade slips sneered.
"Lin San, you better not disappoint us during the upcoming strength test," he said sarcastically before handing Lin San a jade slip.
The number on it was… three!
Lin San frowned slightly.
He had lined up toward the back, so he expected a higher number. Why was it so low? The lower the number, the more attention he would draw during the source power test!