Lin Yun felt no satisfaction after blocking the Third Leader’s Barbarian Elephant Axe Blade. Instead, he faintly sensed something was off about the technique.

’Did I imagine it?’ The sensation had been fleeting, so Lin Yun wasn’t sure if he was right.

"Third Leader, use the Barbarian Elephant Axe Blade again. Let’s settle this with a single strike," Lin Yun said to the Third Leader.

The Third Leader found the request strange, but he didn’t refuse. Deciding the match in a single blow was a fine choice. "Alright. You’d better be careful, then. This next strike is my strongest."

"Mm." Lin Yun nodded. To settle the match with a single strike, both men prepared their strongest attacks. A thick, crimson light emanated from the Third Leader’s Giant Axe, far more intense than before.

Lin Yun didn’t let his guard down. He pushed his Red Flame Spear Technique to its absolute limit, and fierce flames completely enveloped his Bone Spear. Wrapped in fire, the ghastly white Bone Spear exuded an incredible might.

"Barbarian Elephant Axe Blade!"

"Red Flame Spear Technique!"

They struck simultaneously. Lin Yun’s Bone Spear and the Third Leader’s axe slammed into each other. The instant they made contact, Lin Yun felt a thick aura of blood surge from the Third Leader’s axe blade.

’Just as I suspected.’ With a look of sudden realization, Lin Yun finally confirmed what he had felt earlier.

Now that his suspicions were confirmed, Lin Yun knew he first had to defeat the Third Leader.

Even with his Flawless Flesh Body at the First Layer Peak, Lin Yun felt immense pressure from the Giant Axe as it flared with crimson light.

"Break!" Lin Yun roared, unleashing his incredible Physical Strength. He slowly gained the upper hand as the flames on his Bone Spear burned ever hotter.

Lin Yun, at full power, forced the Third Leader back step by step. ’I can’t block this...’ The Third Leader knew he couldn’t withstand this attack.

After less than ten breaths, Lin Yun’s Bone Spear shattered the Third Leader’s Giant Axe. A Top Grade Earth Spirit Soldier was destroyed, just like that, by the Bone Spear.

With the Giant Axe gone, Lin Yun’s Bone Spear was unopposed. It shot toward the Third Leader, its tip stopping just shy of his throat.

"I lose." Defeated in a single strike by Lin Yun, the Third Leader surprisingly let out a sigh of relief, his entire body relaxing.

Withdrawing his spear, Lin Yun looked at the Third Leader. After a moment’s thought, he decided to tell him what he’d discovered.

"Third Leader, your Barbarian Elephant Axe Blade is powerful, but it has a major drawback. To unleash its might, you have to pay with your own blood essence. If you use it too often, it will do you more harm than good," Lin Yun warned.

Lin Yun had noticed something was wrong the first time he’d blocked the Barbarian Elephant Axe Blade. Both times the Third Leader had used the technique, his blood essence was rapidly drained to fuel the crimson light on the axe blade.

Using such a Martial Skill too often would only bring harm to a Martial Artist. In severe cases, it could even shorten the user’s lifespan.

The Third Leader already knew this. He simply said to Lin Yun, "Be careful of the Fifth Prince," and walked off the Martial Arts Arena.

Hearing the Third Leader’s words, Lin Yun instantly understood. ’So, the Fifth Prince is the one who wants me dead.’

The only thing that was strange was that he didn’t know the Fifth Prince at all. ’Why would he want me dead?’

He couldn’t figure it out, and he didn’t have time to dwell on it. After defeating the Third Leader, Lin Yun had only one match left to clear the first round.

Soon, his tenth opponent stepped onto the Martial Arts Arena. His strength wasn’t even close to the Third Leader’s, so he was naturally no match for Lin Yun.

By easily defeating his tenth opponent, Lin Yun had earned the right to challenge the candidates for the Yanhuang List.

There were forty-eight candidates for the Yanhuang List in total. Just like in the first round, Lin Yun would have to win ten consecutive matches to earn the right to challenge the top ten geniuses on the Yanhuang List.

These ten candidates from the Yanhuang List were to be chosen at the discretion of the Royal Family; the selection was entirely up to them.

If he were unlucky, and the ten chosen were all among the strongest of the Yanhuang List candidates, the challenge would be significantly harder.

Watching Lin Yun clear the first round, the Fifth Prince’s expression was terrifyingly dark. He couldn’t believe that even the Third Leader had lost to Lin Yun.

’You got lucky, brat,’ the Fifth Prince thought. ’But let’s see you get through the second round.’ He then rose to his feet and sneered at Lin Yun.

"Not bad. It’s been a year, and you’re the first person to clear the first round of the Yanhuang List. You’re quite talented. In that case, allow this Prince to select your opponents for the second round."

The Fifth Prince, of course, had his own agenda. By choosing Lin Yun’s opponents for the second round, he could naturally pick the ten strongest. Even if Lin Yun could defeat them, the exhaustion from ten consecutive battles would be enough to kill him.

A cold glint flashed in Lin Yun’s eyes as he looked up at the Fifth Prince in the stands. The man was wearing a golden Python Robe; Lin Yun had already guessed his identity. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

He had no grudge against the man, yet the prince wanted him dead. And from his words, Lin Yun could already guess what he was planning.

But some situations were simply out of one’s hands. Even though Lin Yun knew the Fifth Prince’s scheme, there was nothing he could do about it.

"Since the Fifth Prince holds me in such high regard, then I must trouble you. If I, Lin, am fortunate enough to pass the second round, I will be sure to choose you as my first opponent when I challenge the Yanhuang List," Lin Yun replied, his voice icy.

One stood high in the stands, the other on the central Martial Arts Arena. They faced off, their auras clashing in the space between them.

"He’s actually going up against the Fifth Prince?"

"He’s done for. That kid’s opponents in the second round are going to be ridiculously strong."

"Yeah. Even though there are only forty-eight candidates for the Yanhuang List, there are still significant gaps in their strength. It would be much easier if he could be matched with some of the weaker ones."

The two stared each other down, the atmosphere growing increasingly tense. Even the normally lawless children of wealthy families didn’t dare make a sound.

One was a Prince, the other a genius with monstrous Combat Power.

Just as the tension reached a breaking point and everyone thought a fight was about to erupt, the Fifth Prince suddenly withdrew his aura. "Good," he said coldly. "This Prince will be waiting for you. Just try not to die on the arena in the second round."

With that, he flicked his sleeve and left the Yanhuang Battle Arena, his attendants following close behind.

Having inexplicably offended the Fifth Prince, Lin Yun could only feel a sense of resignation. ’When you’re covered in lice, you don’t feel the bites.’ He already had plenty of enemies; what was one more?

After being informed that his second-round battle would be in half a month, Lin Yun left the Yanhuang Battle Arena with Chen Xin and the other two.

The delay was to allow time for the ten Yanhuang List candidates chosen by the Royal Family to be summoned. They couldn’t be expected to remain in the Capital City at all times; as young geniuses, they were naturally out seeking training and experience.

They would only return to the Capital City upon receiving a notice from the Royal Family that someone had cleared the first stage of the Yanhuang List challenge.