Lin Dong had so far only shown the fifth level, leading many to believe his progress was lucky rather than earned. Against Lin Ting, however, his strength would be tested.
"Can Lin Dong Brother win against Lin Ting?" Qingtan asked, her small hands clenched in worry.
"Don't you believe in your Brother Lin Dong?" Lin Xuan asked with a smile.
"It's not that I don't believe… it's just that Lin Ting is at the sixth level. Lin Xuan-ge, do you think he can win?"
Her eyes sparkled, looking at him expectantly.
Lin Xuan's expression was calm. "I've watched Lin Dong's previous matches. He won effortlessly each time without needing his full strength.
His Eight Desolations Palm, though rarely shown, is even more refined than Lin Hong's. Your Lin Dong Brother is not simple."
Qingtan blinked in surprise. Being with Lin Dong every day, she knew him well...but even she hadn't fully grasped his potential. Could it be that Lin Dong had been hiding his true strength?
"Watch the match!"
On the stage, Lin Dong and Lin Ting had already begun.
In the original timeline, Lin Xuan would meet Lin Dong early, lose, and fade into the background while Lin Dong rose to fame.
Now, the trajectory had changed. Lin Xuan was determined to be the true protagonist of this life.
While observing, he created new system tasks:
[Task: Defeat Lin Dong in the clan competition. Reward: Bone Structure +10, Luck +10, Divine-grade Automatic Alchemy Furnace.]
[Task: Obtain first place in the clan competition. Reward: Spirit +2, Comprehension +2, Fourth-Grade Yuan Cultivation Pills.]
Lin Xuan couldn't help but marvel at the rewards. Defeating Lin Dong yielded even more than claiming first place...a testament to Lin Dong's potential as the chosen one of this world.
If I could gather all protagonists or their allies from the myriad worlds as my lackeys… my attributes would soar beyond the heavens, he thought, imagining a limitless future.
Meanwhile, the audience erupted. Lin Dong, displaying his true strength at the sixth level of Body Tempering, easily suppressed Lin Ting. Step by step, he forced his opponent to the edge of the stage, eventually sending him tumbling off.
"Lin Dong wins!" Lin Ken announced, and the crowd's attention immediately shifted to the young boy standing on the stage.
Lin Dong's face flushed red as he looked toward his father.
He had been cultivating hard to prove his worth and gain his father's acknowledgment.
"Crack!" The teacup in Lin Xiao's hand split. When had this stinky brat grown so powerful?
His father's eyes reflected surprise, pride, and a tinge of regret.
He had been negligent for too long, paying little attention to his son.
Lin Dong's sudden rise was a much-needed wake-up call.
" Brother Lin Dong really won!" Qingtan cheered, clenching her small fists.
"He didn't even tell anyone he was this strong, making us all worry!"
She glanced at Lin Xuan, admiration shining in her eyes. "
Lin Xuan-ge, you're amazing… even Dad didn't see that Brother Lin Dong was hiding his strength, but you knew…"
Lin Xuan smiled, saying nothing.
Lin Dong stepped down, but Qingtan didn't move to congratulate him. She pouted instead, upset that he had kept his strength hidden from her.
Soon, the top five were revealed: Lin Xuan, Lin Dong, Lin Xia, Lin Chen, and Lin Feng....all above the sixth level of Body Tempering.
The first half of the clan competition had concluded, and the younger generation of the Lin family had produced multiple geniuses, shocking the audience.
The foreign guests praised the Lin family leaders, especially Lin Zhentian and Lin Ken.
The future looked bright for the clan, and smiles spread across the elders' faces, including the usually taciturn Lin Xiao.
The second half would decide first place. The five top contenders drew lots:
Lin Chen vs Lin Feng
Lin Xia vs Lin Xuan
Lin Dong received a bye
Gasps and murmurs filled the hall....Lin Dong's luck guaranteed him a spot in the top three.
Lin Xuan and Lin Xia faced each other again. Previously, they had fought twice: Lin Xia had won once and drawn once.
This time, Lin Xuan wasn't holding back..he wanted the task reward.
"Brother Lin Xuan I'll go all out, so don't hold back either.
Let's have a good fight!" Lin Xia said cheerfully, exuding her usual straightforward spirit.
"Exactly what I want. Sister Lin Xia , be careful," Lin Xuan replied respectfully.
The battle began. Lin Xia unleashed the Spirit Sword Finger, her Yuan Power sword qi like a storm.
Lin Xuan countered with agile movements, employing the Eight Steps Catching Cicadas, his reactions nearly preternatural.
He could clearly read her attacks. If he went all out, he could end it in seconds....but he chose restraint.
After nearly twenty rounds, Lin Xuan forced Lin Xia to the edge of the stage and, with a final palm strike, pushed her off.
"Sister Lin Xia, I've won!" Lin Xuan cupped his hands.
Gasping for breath, Lin Xia admitted, "Your growth… it's too fast. Really perverted."
Meanwhile, Lin Chen narrowly defeated Lin Feng. After a brief rest, the remaining three drew lots again.
Lin Xuan faced Lin Chen while Lin Dong received another bye...luck remained firmly on the chosen one's side.
Lin Chen, only at the sixth level of Body Tempering, wasn't a threat.
Nevertheless, the sparring followed protocol, and Lin Xuan seriously competed, creating a system task for defeating Lin Chen: a bottle of Third-Grade Qi and Blood Pills.
After ten rounds of guiding sparring, Lin Xuan triumphed.
Finally, the stage was set for the ultimate confrontation:
Lin Xuan vs Lin Dong.
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