The list of the names of people participating in the first set of battles was quickly released. A total of two hundred cultivators were to compete in the one hundred arenas.
The examination time was one hour.
As the list circulated throughout the audience, it sparked enthusiastic discussions. The tens of thousands of people in the audience immediately started to analyze the list.
“No way, there doesn’t seem to be many top talents on the list for the first set of battles. What’s there to watch?”
“Open your eyes and look carefully. No. 36 arena, Lin Xun! Isn't he a top genius?”
“It indeed is Lin Xun! That guy is fierce.”
“I didn’t expect to see Lin Xun fight in the first set of matches. I wonder whether he is indeed as powerful as rumored.”
“Hahaha, who is Tan Long anyway? He’s really unfortunate to have to face a fierce character like Lin Xun in the first round.”
Uproar broke out in the audience. After analysis, everyone agreed that the battle soon to take place in the No. 36 arena was the most worth watching.
It couldn’t be helped. There were a total of one hundred battles going to take place at the same time and they couldn't watch them all. They had to choose the most interesting battle to pay attention to.Evidently, everyone most looked forward to Lin Xun’s appearance.
Almost everyone in the audience knew that Lin Xun had beaten Qi Yunxiao and Yuan Shu and had defeated Huang Jianchen, an aristocratic clan descendant from the Forbidden City.
In their hearts, Lin Xun was a dazzling figure with tyrannical strength. How would they not be excited to watch his performance in the first match?
For a moment, Lin Xun’s name seemed to be echoing throughout the venue.
Gu Liang stood dumbfounded in the audience. He thought back to when Lin Xun was just a nobody in Donglin City. Who would have thought he would become one of the most dazzling figures in Haze City?
On the white jade platform, influential figures such as Liu Wujun, Wei Lingzhen and Du Dongtu couldn’t help feeling moved upon hearing the spirited discussions.
It had only been less than a year since Lin Xun appeared in Haze City but he had risen like a star and drew countless people’s attention. It was simply a miracle.
As they thought about everything that had happened to Lin Xun, they had to admit that the youth was indeed impressive!
Several major forces suffered serious damage in a bloody massacre on a rainy night but not one of them dared to utter a word. Huang Jianchen lost to Lin Xun in a duel and left in misery.
Now, no one knew for sure what sort of result he would receive in the provincial examination.
However, there was no doubt that he could easily pass the provincial examination given his past performances. Of course, no one could say for certain before the final result was released.
At that moment, even the examination candidates couldn’t help but focus their attention on Lin Xun. They had heard too many rumors about him and many had already analyzed Lin Xun’s strength in depth.
However, those were just rumors. Now that they could see Lin Xun in battle with their own eyes, they would have a more comprehensive understanding of his strength.
A true cultivator would never underestimate their opponent. Since Lin Xun was recognized as the opponent no one wanted to face, everyone was curious to see whether he would live up to the title in the provincial examination!
……
Tan Long felt a little bewildered. Damn it, how unlucky am I to fight in the first match?
How unlucky am I to have to face Lin Xun the evil demon?
There are so many damn cultivators, why do I have to be chosen? God is not fair!
When Tan Long stepped onto the No. 36 arena, he could feel countless eyes fixed on him like knives. It was as though they were waiting for him to embarrass himself.
Tan Long felt extremely uncomfortable. He drew a deep breath and tried to cheer for himself. It doesn’t matter. Regardless of how strong Lin Xun is, he is still only at the Human Dipper Stage like me. Why should I be afraid of him?
Suddenly, Tan Long noticed a familiar figure approaching the arena from the other side. Perplexed, he exclaimed, “Buddy, what are you doing? My opponent is Lin Xun, not you.”
That figure was precisely Lin Xun. When Lin Xun saw Tan Long, he stared at him blankly for a good moment. Isn't he the little chubby man who said I have a blue face and fangs and is like an evil spirit from hell?
Lin Xun smiled and strolled up the arena. “You’re called Tan Long, right?”
Tan Long felt a chill in his heart and a bad feeling flooded him. He swallowed a mouthful of saliva and nodded. “Brother, you…don’t tell me…”
Before he finished, Lin Xun nodded. “Correct. I am Lin Xun.”
Hssss!
Tan Long gasped, and his heart went cold. He’s Lin Xun.
Tan Long felt dizzy at the thought of how he called Lin Xun an evil spirit who escaped from hell the first time they met. Heavens, are you playing a joke on me!?
“Uh, Big Brother Lin Xun, I didn’t do it on purpose. I...I only heard it from others. I didn't mean to insult you.”
The battle hadn’t even started yet, but Tan Long was already panicking.
“I understand, it’s okay, I don’t blame you. Let’s just have a good battle,” Lin Xun said with a smile, seeming very generous.
“Can I...can I admit defeat?” Tan Long’s face morphed into a bitter smile. His fighting spirit gradually faded in the face of Lin Xun. It wasn’t because he was cowardly but because he was aware of the difference in strength between Lin Xun and him. Even if he fought with all his strength, it was no different from hitting a stone with an egg.
Rather than being beaten and humiliated, it was better to admit defeat and save a bit of face.
Lin Xun stared at him blankly. He had never thought the little chubby man would be so cowardly. “Don’t you want to give it a try? Maybe a miracle will happen.”
Tan Long shook his head repeatedly. “I have never believed in miracles.”
Lin Xun was utterly speechless. Then, he said angrily, “Impossible, you have to fight, even if you admit defeat, that’s up to me to decide!”
“Uh…” Tan Long felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck him. He wanted to cry but no tears came forth. Lin Xun is too domineering. He won’t even let me admit defeat. How could there be a bully like him…
The onlookers were also at a loss for words when they heard the conversation between the two. They couldn’t help but look down on Tan Long. I’ve seen cowards but I’ve never seen such a coward. It's shameful to admit defeat before the fight has even started!
However, the scene clearly showed how fierce and terrifying Lin Xun was. He had terrified his opponent into voluntarily admitting defeat before the battle had even begun.
Clang—
The bell rang across the world, raising the curtain to the first battle.
On the no. 36 arena.
With a clang, Lin Xun unsheathed a giant, wide blade. It flashed a chilling and fierce glint.
“What kind of blade is that? What an impressive appearance!”
“I don’t know but it should be a newly developed aeth tool, right?”
All eyes were drawn to the giant blade in Lin Xun’s hand. The size of the blade was too astonishing. The blade was four feet long with an entirely jet-black body. It was easy to imagine its terrifying destructive power from its chilling glint.
On the opposite side, Tan Long trembled and wailed inwardly. Damn it, am I going to be beaten by Lin Xun?
However, at that critical moment, he gritted his teeth and summoned a pair of battle axes. He drew a deep breath, gathered all his strength and pinned his eyes on Lin Xun. It was as if he was about to fight to the death.
“Lin Xun, let’s end this quickly. How about we decide the battle with one move?” Tan Long roared.
“All right, as you wish,” Lin Xun readily agreed.
“Die!”
Before his voice faded, Tan Long violently charged forward. Images of his figures appeared as he sped across the air. It turned out that his chubby body was very nimble!
Rumble—
His entire body was enveloped in crimson-red light like a burning volcano and his aura suddenly soared.
The audience was stunned. The little chubby man has such an imposing aura. Why did he look like a coward?
Clearly, he was pretending to be cowardly!
Many people criticized Tan Long for his despicable and cunning behavior. His imposing aura alone was top-class but he looked so miserable like his parents had died. If he was not pretending then what was he doing?
“Ha, the little fatty is interesting.”
On the white jade platform, Wei Lingzhen smiled. The other influential figures also chuckled. Given their experience, how would they not see through Tan Long’s little trick? They knew that Tan Long only acted cowardly to take Lin Xun off guard.
It was impossible for someone who could pass the selection process to participate in the provincial examination to be ordinary.
If Tan Long was a coward, how would he possibly be qualified to take the provincial examination?
Rumble—
Two battle axes swung across the air, like a pair of interweaving dragons. The surrounding air collapsed from the terrifying destructive force.
Tan Long had launched a full-strength attack at Lin Xun!
Everyone’s hearts jumped to their chest and their eyes went wide. How would Lin Xun deal with such a violent attack?
Would he be caught off guard because of his carelessness?
Lin Xun stood motionless in the same spot with a smile on his face. It wasn’t until Tan Long’s mid-air attack was about to strike him that he twisted his wrist and raised his giant wide blade!
It looked like he was lifting a door.
Boom!
With an earthshaking boom, Tan Long was blasted across the air like a fat fly!
Everyone’s jaws dropped. That…is too cruel, isn’t it?