Chapter 11 The Second Assessment

"First match, Yang Lingchen versus Xiao Jijun," Han Tianling announced. Upon hearing his name, Xiao Jijun leaped onto the arena, his eyes coldly fixed on Yang Lingchen. "Yang Lingchen, come up and die!" Yang Daolin frowned, his voice deep. "Chen'er, are you confident?" "Father, if I kill him, can you cover me?" Yang Lingchen asked with a smile. "No matter who you kill, your father can cover you," Yang Daolin said, a hint of supreme confidence in his eyes. "Father, don't brag!" Yang Lingchen finished speaking and leaped onto the arena. "Young Master Dongfang, Fairy Ling, I have something I want to clarify first," Yang Lingchen said, cupping his fists. "What is it? Speak," Dongfang Jie said indifferently. "Xiao Jijun threatened to kill me. If I kill him, will it be considered a violation?" Yang Lingchen asked. "It will not be a violation. Heavenly Origin Palace will not interfere with your life or death," Dongfang Jie stated calmly. "The match begins," Han Tianling announced. "Yang Lingchen, die!" As soon Han Tianling's words fell, Xiao Jijun drew his long sword and slashed towards Yang Lingchen. "Clang." "Hmph!" Yang Lingchen snorted, his Spirit Bloom Sword drawn. He activated his Phantom Steps and instantly moved to meet Xiao Jijun. "Clang clang clang..." "Swish... swish..." "Clang." In less than two exchanges, Yang Lingchen's Spirit Bloom Sword was sheathed, and he turned to walk off the stage. "Bang!" As Yang Lingchen reached the ground, Xiao Jijun's body crashed heavily onto the arena. Blood seeped from his neck, and he was already lifeless. "Hiss!" At this moment, the scene fell silent. Even Ling Yanyun and Dongfang Jie in the viewing stands couldn't help but glance at Yang Lingchen. "My son!" Xiao Shuoming quickly rushed onto the arena, embracing Xiao Jijun's body, his eyes filled with unbearable pain. "You little bastard, give me back my son's life!" Xiao Shuoming roared, his entire being like a madman, charging towards Yang Lingchen. "Father, get him!" Yang Lingchen's figure flickered, and he instantly hid behind Yang Daolin. "Xiao Shuoming, you seek death!" Yang Daolin let out a cold shout. A terrifying aura erupted from his body, and with a wave of his hand, he unleashed a surge of energy that slammed fiercely into Xiao Shuoming. "Pfft..." "Ah... ah... ah..." Xiao Shuoming let out a miserable shriek, his body sent flying backward in mid-air by Yang Daolin's casual strike. "Xiao Shuoming, listen to me. If you dare to lay a hand on my son again, I will exterminate your entire clan!" Yang Daolin's voice was bone-chilling. At this moment, the surrounding crowd was completely stunned. Even City Lord Han Tianling and Lin Family Patriarch Lin Yaoyang were frozen in place. Even Ling Yanyun and Dongfang Jie showed a hint of apprehension in their eyes. Among the four great families, in the eyes of Hanyang City residents, the Yang family was supposed to be the weakest, both among the younger generation and in overall strength. But the combat power Yang Daolin had just displayed showed he could easily crush the other three great families. "Yang Daolin, I can't believe you've reached the Void Inquiry Realm." Xiao Shuoming's eyes were wide with terror. After speaking, he fainted. "Second match, Lin Beiyang versus Lin Beichen," Han Tianling announced again. This match was between Lin Yaoyang's two sons. No matter who won or lost, it was the same for Lin Yaoyang, as they were both his sons. "I concede." Lin Beiyang directly chose to concede. He was only at the first level of the Profound Clarity Realm, while Lin Beichen was at the second level. The strength gap between the two brothers was significant. "Next match, Yang Lingchen versus Lin Beichen," Han Tianling announced loudly. Hearing his name, Yang Lingchen once again walked onto the arena. "Kid, was it you who injured my second brother?" Lin Beichen's tone was indifferent. "It was me. What are you going to do about it?" Yang Lingchen's lips curled into a cold smile. He hated nothing more than people acting arrogant in front of him. "You don't know your place. You think defeating that good-for-nothing Xiao Jijun gives you the right to be arrogant in front of me? Today, I'll show you that there are always stronger people out there." Lin Beichen's eyes were cold. As Hanyang City's top genius, he never expected Yang Lingchen to speak to him like that. "Your brother was acting just as arrogant back then, but I beat him like a dead dog," Yang Lingchen said with a disdainful laugh. "You seek death!" Lin Beichen was furious. He unleashed a palm strike, and a fierce palm force, carrying a chilling killing intent, instantly swept towards Yang Lingchen. "Stop!" Yang Lingchen roared, simultaneously dodging to the side. "What, only now do you think of begging for mercy? Isn't it too late?" Lin Beichen's tone carried a hint of mockery. "City Lord Han hasn't said 'begin' yet! This is a violation, do you know that? The organizers can disqualify you from the assessment for this kind of behavior!" Yang Lingchen shouted sternly. "This...?" Lin Beichen turned to look at City Lord Han Tianling. "Begin," Han Tianling said gravely. "Whoosh." "Slap." As soon as Han Tianling's words fell, Yang Lingchen transformed into an afterimage, instantly slapping Lin Beichen across the face. "Ah... ah..." Lin Beichen let out a scream, his body sent flying, crashing heavily off the arena, where he immediately fainted. "Patriarch Lin, don't get too agitated! Your son only has some superficial injuries," Yang Lingchen said with a chuckle. "Hmph!" Lin Yaoyang snorted. He was furious! This brat had actually ambushed his son. Lin Beichen was his most promising son to enter Heavenly Origin Palace. Now that he was knocked unconscious, he would likely be unable to participate in the remaining rounds of the assessment. "Next match, Han Ruoxue versus Lin Beiyang," Han Tianling announced. "Sister Ruoxue, you should just concede! You're no match for me," Lin Beiyang said with a smile. Although he liked Han Ruoxue, for the sake of the Heavenly Origin Palace assessment spot, women seemed less important. After all, entering Heavenly Origin Palace meant a chance to ascend to greatness, with boundless future prospects. "That's not necessarily true!" Han Ruoxue's lips curved into a smile, her beautiful eyes radiating confidence. "Begin," Han Tianling announced. As Han Tianling's words fell, Han Ruoxue and Lin Beiyang began to fight. Both were at the first level of the Profound Clarity Realm, but Lin Beiyang had entered the Profound Clarity Realm several months earlier than Han Ruoxue. However, Lin Beiyang clearly held back, not wanting to injure the woman he liked. Han Ruoxue, on the other hand, attacked without holding back. They exchanged dozens of blows, neither gaining an advantage. Gradually, Lin Beiyang lost his patience and unleashed his most formidable trump card, intending to defeat Han Ruoxue in one move. Lin Beiyang's sword drew an arc, thrusting towards Han Ruoxue. At that moment, Han Ruoxue dodged, her battle sword moving to meet his. Just as their swords were about to clash, Han Ruoxue's sword momentum suddenly changed, drawing a streak of white light that struck Lin Beiyang's wrist. Immediately, Lin Beiyang's battle sword was knocked to the ground. Then, Han Ruoxue kicked him in the chest, sending him directly off the arena. "You actually broke my Startling Swan Sword Art!" Lin Beiyang exclaimed, his face filled with disbelief. "I've already thoroughly analyzed your Startling Swan Sword Art, young master," Han Ruoxue said, a hint of disdain in her eyes. During this time, Lin Beiyang had been pursuing Han Ruoxue, and they often sparred together. Lin Beiyang had held nothing back from Han Ruoxue. To show off in front of her, he had used his Startling Swan Sword Art multiple times. At that time, Lin Beiyang greatly enjoyed Han Ruoxue's admiring gaze, but he never expected that Han Ruoxue had been studying the weaknesses of his sword art all along.