Chapter 32: Utterly Defeated
Half an hour later, the first round of elimination battles ended, leaving thirty-two people. Most of those eliminated were cultivators at the fifth or sixth layer of the Qi Martial Realm. Of course, there were also a few unlucky ones at the seventh layer who were ganged up on and forced off the battle platform.
There were also some who hadn't even moved during the entire first round: Lin Qian, her older brother Lin Hong, Lin Wu, Lin Yu, and Lin Feng.
"Heh, that guy is really lucky. Lin Qian actually protected him and got him promoted."
"So what? Lin Qian is just setting him up for an even worse beating in the second round."
The crowd buzzed with discussion about Lin Feng, clearly displeased that he had advanced without fighting.
The second round was divided into four groups, with eight people in each group. They would fight in rotation, each person battling the other seven in their group. The two with the highest number of wins in each group would advance to the next round.
First, they had to draw lots for the groups, which would then be announced by the Second Elder. Lin Qian was placed in the first group.
"Lin Feng, Lin Yan, Lin Tao, Lin Yue, Lin Ran, Lin Li, Lin Caizhu, Lin Yu — Group Four."
Hearing the Second Elder announce the fourth group's list, the Third Elder on the high platform smiled. "Group Four is the weakest of the four groups. With Yu'er's cultivation, he should have no problems."
"Lin Yu is enough to dominate in Group Four," Lin Ba said politely.
"Haha, where would that be? If he ran into Lin Qian, Lin Yu would have to admit defeat." The Third Elder was clearly pleased with Lin Ba's flattery and laughed heartily.
"I just wonder what rank Lin Feng will end up in Group Four?" The Third Elder's voice wasn't low, and he deliberately glanced at Lin Hai as he spoke.
The massive battle platform was divided into four areas for the four groups' battles, allowing them to proceed simultaneously.
"First Group: Lin Qian vs. Lin Han; Second Group: Lin Hong vs. Lin Lei; Third Group: Lin Wu vs. Lin Xiao; Fourth Group: Lin Feng vs. Lin Yan."
Hearing the matchups for the first round, the crowd's eyes lit up. These were all focal battles. It seemed the Second Elder had deliberately arranged it this way.
Lin Qian and Lin Hong's brother duo went without saying. Lin Wu was also an outstanding figure among the younger generation of the Lin Clan. As for Lin Feng, although his strength was weak, his reputation was no less than the others. That was why the first battle of Group Four didn't even feature Lin Yu but instead arranged Lin Feng.
The eight people walked onto the four areas of the battle platform. The two battles the crowd was most interested in were Lin Qian's and Lin Feng's. They wanted to see how strong Lin Qian was now, and also wanted to see what level the clan's waste had reached.
"I concede." Lin Han from the first group said very bluntly, causing many to show disappointment. But everyone could understand Lin Han — who would want to provoke Lin Qian?
"First Group: Lin Qian wins." The Second Elder announced.
With Lin Qian's battle over, the crowd's attention immediately shifted to the fourth group's battle area.
Lin Feng, versus Lin Yan.
"I don't want to insult my sword. You should concede." Lin Yan was at the seventh layer of the Qi Martial Realm, and with his sword martial soul, he had few opponents among those at the seventh layer. He looked at Lin Feng with an arrogant expression.
"Fourth Group: Lin Yan wins."
The Second Elder directly announced the result.
"Hmm?" Lin Feng's gaze sharpened slightly. Lin Yan wins? Had he said he conceded?
But Lin Yan seemed to take it for granted and walked off the battle platform very calmly.
"Why are you still here?" The Second Elder asked, seeing that Lin Feng hadn't moved.
"Did I concede?" Lin Feng asked.
The Second Elder frowned, thinking to himself that this guy really didn't know what was good for him. Having him lose directly was to save him from embarrassment, but instead of being grateful, he dared to question him.
"Whether you concede or not, the result is the same. Get down quickly and don't disrupt the annual gathering."
"Since I didn't concede, what right do you have to declare Lin Yan the winner?" Lin Feng continued, as if he hadn't heard the Second Elder.
"Because I am the Second Elder, presiding over the annual gathering."
"Heh, it seems no one considers me, the Clan Leader, worth paying attention to anymore." Lin Hai's calm voice rang out, carrying a hint of suppressed anger. "Second Elder, in front of everyone, you openly violated the rules of the annual gathering by declaring a winner before the battle even began. Who gave you that authority?"
"Clan Leader, the outcome of this battle was obvious without even needing to fight. I did this to preserve your dignity, Clan Leader. Why must you make an issue of it?"
"Preserve my dignity? I think you're deliberately trying to make me look foolish. Now, you may step down. The Sixth Elder will preside over the gathering from now on."
"I disagree." Lin Ba spoke up.
"I disagree as well. What the Second Elder did was reasonable." The Grand Elder echoed, and at the same time, Lin Haoran, the Third Elder, and the Seventh Elder all stood up.
"Is this a threat?" Lin Hai swept his gaze over these faces. His two brothers, plus four elders, including the top three ranked elders — these people held the lifeline of the Lin Clan.
"And what if I insist on doing this?" Lin Hai sneered.
"Clan Leader, the Second Elder did nothing wrong. You have no right to strip him of his authority to preside over the gathering. If you stubbornly persist and use your position for personal revenge, wouldn't that chill the hearts of our Lin Clan members?" The Grand Elder said with a half-smile.
Seeing this situation, everyone understood clearly. Today's annual gathering was indeed different... The First Master and Third Master, along with several elders, wanted to force the Clan Leader to abdicate.
Lin Hai smiled and said in a very low voice, "I know what you want. But it seems you're still missing an excuse. I'll give you one now."
The eyes of the people opposite him flickered, not understanding what Lin Hai meant.
They watched as Lin Hai turned around, facing the crowd, and announced loudly, "My son Lin Feng is fighting Lin Yan. Lin Feng has not conceded, and the two have not yet fought. Yet the Second Elder declared Lin Yan the winner. I believe the Second Elder has shown contempt for the Lin Clan's rules and should be severely punished. However, several elders believe that I, as Clan Leader, am using my position for personal revenge. So, to give everyone an explanation, let Lin Feng and Lin Yan fight. If Lin Feng loses, it will prove that I, the Clan Leader, am narrow-minded and unworthy of leading the Lin Clan. I will willingly abdicate."
As soon as Lin Hai said this, the crowd erupted in uproar. Three months ago, Lin Feng was only at the fifth or sixth layer of the Qi Martial Realm. At most, he might be at the seventh layer now. How could he possibly be a match for Lin Yan? Wasn't the Clan Leader giving the First Master and his faction an opportunity?
Sure enough, Lin Ba and the others' eyes lit up. They hadn't expected Lin Hai to say this, saving them the trouble of finding another excuse.
"However, if Lin Feng wins, it will prove that the Second Elder has shown contempt for the Lin Clan's rules. He will receive one palm strike from me, the Clan Leader, and be stripped of his elder position." Lin Hai's tone gradually turned cold. The crowd could almost feel a chill. Lin Hai was betting his position as Clan Leader against them.
"I agree." Lin Ba immediately spoke, his expression cold. Lin Feng defeating Lin Yan? Impossible.
"I also agree." The Grand Elder also spoke.
"Good. Second Elder, what about you?" Lin Hai looked at the Second Elder.
The Second Elder cursed inwardly. Even if Lin Feng won, it wouldn't affect Lin Ba or the Grand Elder. Those two were naturally happy to agree. But the Second Elder could only swallow his words and nod. "I have no objection."
"Damn it." Lin Haoran cursed under his breath. Lin Feng had been able to cripple his son Lin Heng, which meant he was at least at the eighth layer of the Qi Martial Realm. Lin Yan was sure to lose. He wanted to stop this, but Lin Ba and the Grand Elder had agreed too quickly, and he could only keep his words to himself.
"Lin Yan, get up there and fight him." The Second Elder's voice was cold as he glanced at Lin Hai. You brought this on yourself by handing over the Clan Leader position.
Lin Yan returned to the battle platform and looked at Lin Feng mockingly. "It's bad enough that you're a waste yourself, but now you're dragging your father down with you. Still, it's not bad that I, Lin Yan, get to decide who becomes Clan Leader."
"Is your swordsmanship as full of useless nonsense as your speech?"
"You're asking for death." Lin Yan's long sword left its sheath as he lunged straight at Lin Feng.
"Sword Shadow, Cold Light."
"Get lost." Lin Feng let out a low shout and took a step forward. The sword energy Lin Yan had sent out instantly shattered. Then, a pair of fists broke through the gaps in the sword's defense and landed on Lin Yan's chest, sending him flying backward.
The long sword had already fallen to the ground. Lin Yan, lying on the floor, wore a dazed expression. Defeated? How had he been defeated?
"Sword techniques require speed, precision, and ruthlessness. Your sword has none of these. Your moves are full of flaws. Using a sword is an insult to the sword itself. You're nothing but a waste." Lin Feng kicked the sword at his feet away, returning the two words Lin Yan had given him.
It wasn't just Lin Yan who was stunned. The entire Lin Clan was dumbfounded. This move was so familiar — exactly like when Lin Feng had defeated Lin Yun three months ago. Just one strike, effortlessly executed.
Looking at Lin Feng on the platform, confident and proud, this waste of a youth seemed to have been reborn. Even Lin Yan, at the peak of the seventh layer of the Qi Martial Realm, was still utterly defeated.
"How is this possible? How could this happen?" The Second Elder's body trembled slightly, his whole body turning cold. On the high platform, Lin Hai was walking toward him step by step.
PS: Had two thousand in cash and various documents snatched from me. Damn it, it was practically daylight robbery when I got off the car. I felt someone touch my pocket, turned around, and the crowd had already scattered them — gone... Everyone, please be careful in the future. It's hard to guard against!