Everyone was utterly shocked. They couldn’t believe that Ling Fengzi was actually paying attention to Lin Xuan. It was simply incredible.
People like Zhao Feiyan and Lei Bao were completely dumbfounded. They knew how difficult it was to attract Ling Fengzi’s attention; only the top three on the Celestial Ranking were worthy of his notice.
For Ling Fengzi to be watching Lin Xuan now... did that an Lin Xuan had a chance to break into the top three? This guy was really soaring to new heights!
"Hmph, entering the top three isn’t that easy," so of the top prodigies snorted coldly. They wouldn’t let Lin Xuan waltz into the top three so easily.
The competition continued.
Two days later, the matches concluded, and the top ten were announced. All ten would have their nas inscribed on the Celestial Ranking.
Lin Xuan was among them, and his na was ranked surprisingly high.
He was fourth.
This was simply unbelievable.
Countless people cried out in astonishnt.
Zhao Feiyan’s face was flush with jealousy. She had also made it into the top ten but only ranked seventh, not even breaking into the top five.
Of course, this was only the initial ranking, not the final one. The ranking matches were next, where the ten contestants would determine their final places.
The referee elder announced the rules, "Everyone has two opportunities to challenge another contestant. If you succeed, you take their rank. If you fail, you maintain your original rank. Of course, you may also choose to forfeit your challenges. Additionally, there is one crucial rule: to challenge the person in first place, you must first be ranked in the top three. In other words, only the second and third-ranked contestants are qualified to challenge the first."
Everyone nodded in understanding.
With that, the challenges began, starting from the tenth-ranked contestant.
The battles erupted once more, this ti even more intense than before. The crowd watched with bated breath, exclaiming repeatedly at the spectacular clashes.
Soon, soone challenged Lin Xuan. Among the top ten, nine were second-year veterans; Lin Xuan was the only first-year newcor. It was inevitable that soone would be displeased by this and try to test him.
However, Lin Xuan defeated them with ease.
After that, no one else dared to challenge Lin Xuan. But when it was the fifth-ranked contestant’s turn, he chose Lin Xuan as his opponent.
Since their ranks were so close, everyone expected a fierce, drawn-out battle. To their surprise, Lin Xuan ended the fight in just ten moves, soundly defeating the fifth-ranked contestant.
The crowd was in awe.
"He’s too strong! This kid is on another level!"
"He might really be able to break into the top three!"
"Heh, not so easy," soone else countered, shaking his head. "Every one of the top three is a peak-level existence. Let’s not even talk about Ling Fengzi in first place; he’s practically invincible. The second and third ranks are also incredibly strong. Jian Wuhen, ranked second, has already achieved major mastery in his Wind and Cloud Sword Technique. When his Wind and Cloud combine, he is unmatched. Only Ling Fengzi can rely on his extre speed to dodge it. No one else is his opponent. As for Hu Xue in third place, she cultivates the Ice Divine Palm. Since it’s winter, her palm technique has a natural boost. She can draw upon the surrounding icy aura to enhance her own power. It will be incredibly difficult to defeat her as well."
"Those three are too powerful. Lin Xuan probably can’t beat any of them."
"He won’t be able to break into the top three."
The second-year disciples discussed excitedly, and the first-year newcors who overheard them were shocked.
So the top three were that formidable.
It seed Lin Xuan had reached his limit.
Still, reaching fourth place was already an incredible feat, especially for a first-year. By the ti he was a second-year student next year, he would surely beco number one on the Celestial Ranking.
What a peerless genius! His future was boundless!
Who would dare call Lin Xuan a Heaven-Forsaken now? Have you ever seen a Heaven-Forsaken person this extraordinary?
Finally, it was Lin Xuan’s turn to issue a challenge.
Everyone grew excited, wondering who he would pick. Would it be the third-ranked Hu Xue, or the second-ranked Jian Wuhen?
It should be Hu Xue, right? After all, Jian Wuhen’s swordsmanship is terrifying. No matter how strong Lin Xuan’s physique is, it can’t possibly withstand that kind of sword art.
Everyone’s gaze fell on Lin Xuan, eager to see his choice.
Even Ling Fengzi turned to look, a faint smile playing on his lips. If Lin Xuan wants to challenge , he has to break into the top three first. He felt Lin Xuan had a fifty-fifty chance.
Jian Wuhen, ranked second, stood with a longsword on his back and an icy expression. He glanced at Lin Xuan, a sneer of disdain touching his lips. He wasn’t afraid of being challenged. With his strength, he could finish this opponent in three strikes.
Hu Xue, ranked third, was slightly nervous. To be honest, while she was strong, her place in the top three was partly due to luck. She had drawn upon the power of the surrounding ice and snow. Without that advantage, she would likely rank around fifth, not in the top three. This Lin Xuan might just challenge her.
"Lin Xuan, who do you choose to challenge?" the referee elder asked.
Lin Xuan stood up and, without a second thought, declared, "I challenge the second rank."
The crowd erupted into an uproar. No one expected Lin Xuan to choose Jian Wuhen.
Hu Xue, who was ranked third, was stunned for a mont. He didn’t pick ? What does that an? Is he looking down on ? She felt a surge of humiliation and anger.
Jian Wuhen was also montarily surprised, but then a wide grin spread across his face. "Kid, you’ve got guts," he said. "But unfortunately, you’re also a fool. You are no match for ."
"We’ll see about that after we fight," Lin Xuan replied as he walked onto the arena stage.
The crowd buzzed. "This kid is as arrogant as ever, directly challenging second place!"
"I bet if the rules allowed it, he would have challenged Ling Fengzi directly."
"Do you think he can win?"
"Almost impossible. Jian Wuhen’s swordsmanship is on another level."
"He’s getting too conceited!" Zhao Feiyan sneered, shaking her head. She had fought Jian Wuhen before, and her Spiritual Fire had been split in two by a single sword strike. That alone was a testant to how terrifying his swordsmanship was.
Even the elders murmured amongst themselves, most of them believing Lin Xuan had very little chance of winning.
At this mont, Ling Fengzi looked over at Elder Feng and smiled. "Elder Feng, care for another wager?"
Elder Feng paused, then asked, "Are we betting on how many moves he can last?"
After a mont of thought, he said, "I think he can last ten moves."
But Ling Fengzi shook his head. "No, we’re not betting on moves this ti. We’re betting on whether he can succeed in his challenge."
"What?" Elder Feng was startled.
The other elders chid in, "Ling Fengzi, is there even a need to bet on this? That boy is bound to lose!"
"Not necessarily," Ling Fengzi said, shaking his head. "I have a feeling his physique is exceptionally powerful. He might just be able to withstand the Wind and Cloud Sword. So, I’m betting that he succeeds."
Ling Fengzi took out 3,000 points and looked at Elder Feng. "Elder Feng, do you dare to bet against ?"
"Why wouldn’t I!" Elder Feng’s excitent surged. If the bet was on the number of moves, he wouldn’t be confident, as he truly didn’t know how long Lin Xuan could last. But a bet on victory or defeat? He was one hundred percent certain that Lin Xuan couldn’t possibly win.
"Alright, I’ll take that bet," Elder Feng declared, also taking out 3,000 points.
In his mind, this was a guaranteed win. Another 3,000 points in the bag. He was thrilled at the thought of winning a total of 4,000 points off of Lin Xuan. Suddenly, he found Lin Xuan a lot more likable.
On the arena stage, Jian Wuhen drew the longsword from his back. His aura turned piercingly sharp as he said coldly, "Lin Xuan, your physique is indeed strong. Most people can’t break through your defense. But unfortunately for you, you’ve t ."
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