Lin Yun had won. He had defeated Chang Qing, whose combat power was on par with the top ten geniuses of the Yanhuang List. He stood calmly on the Battle Arena, the Gentleman’s Sword piercing through his chest.

At that moment, the entire Battle Arena fell silent. Not a single cheer could be heard. The fight had left everyone’s blood pumping, and they were still mesmerized by the battle the two had put on display.

The first to react was the Primordial Ocean Realm expert from the Royal Family. Snapping back to his senses, he slowly descended before Lin Yun, gave him a long, hard look, and announced, "Challenger Lin Shan, you have successfully..."

He had barely begun to speak when, before he could finish, Kang Lai leaped from the spectator stands onto the Battle Arena. He sent Chang Qing’s corpse flying with a kick and declared coldly, "Since you’ve succeeded in your challenge, you might as well continue challenging the top ten geniuses of the Yanhuang List today. I, Kang Lai, am willing to be your opponent."

Interrupted, the Royal Family’s Primordial Ocean Realm expert seethed with anger. Although Kang Lai was one of the top ten geniuses on the Yanhuang List, he was ranked a mere tenth—at the very bottom. Furthermore, he wasn’t a member of the Royal Family. For Kang Lai to behave this way was to show him, a Primordial Ocean Realm expert, utter disrespect.

However, at that moment, the Fifth Prince’s voice rang out. "Lin Shan, your combat power is plain for all to see. As the Fifth Prince, I hereby demand you challenge the top ten geniuses of the Yanhuang List. If you refuse, I will consider it a voluntary forfeiture of your right to challenge the List."

With the Fifth Prince having spoken, the situation changed entirely. He was a direct son of the reigning His Holiness; even the Primordial Ocean Realm expert from the Royal Family could not disregard his words.

At this sudden turn of events, all eyes turned to Lin Yun, awaiting his response. Anyone with eyes could see that the Fifth Prince and his cohort were using this as a pretext to eliminate Lin Yun.

Lin Yun was already severely injured; it was doubtful he could even muster half his usual combat power. According to the rules, he should have been given half a month to rest.

But now, the Fifth Prince had given Lin Yun no time to recover. Facing Kang Lai at this moment, his chances of victory were practically zero.

"What a vile coward, taking advantage of a man when he’s down," Wangcai swore angrily. Beside him, Li Ji and Chen Xin also wore worried expressions.

Under the gazes of the entire crowd, Lin Yun stood tall and proud. He gripped the Gentleman’s Sword piercing his chest with his right hand and slowly pulled it free. Throughout the entire ordeal, Lin Yun didn’t so much as grunt.

Once the Gentleman’s Sword was free, Lin Yun flung it with a flick of his arm, embedding it in the wall of the Martial Arts Arena. He paid no mind to the blood gushing from his chest, his eyes fixed on Kang Lai with utter disdain.

"If the top ten geniuses of the Yanhuang List are all people like you, then it is truly a tragedy for Yanhuang Country."

The words were spoken calmly. The Primordial Ocean Realm expert from the Royal Family, who had been watching Lin Yun intently, gave a slight nod, his eyes filled with profound admiration.

He was powerless against the Fifth Prince, but that didn’t stop him from admiring Lin Yun.

’Compared to Lin Yun, the Fifth Prince and Kang Lai seem so base. As geniuses, they have no confidence in themselves. How could they ever hope to break through to a higher Realm? A true genius disdains taking any advantage, because such a victory is a victory without honor.’

"I accept. Today, we fight to the death, right here and now. One of us will not leave this arena alive." Despite his grievous injuries, Lin Yun was utterly fearless.

Feeling Lin Yun’s aura surge to the heavens, Kang Lai was inwardly startled. ’Deep down, it was precisely because I was afraid that I resorted to such a despicable tactic. But now, it seems that even with Lin Yun severely injured, my fear of him hasn’t diminished in the slightest.’

Forcibly suppressing his emotions, Kang Lai put on a suave smile. "Lin Shan, I admit you’re strong. But to fight me in your current state is suicide. However, I can give you a chance. If you just..."

"I don’t need it. If you want to fight, then fight. I, Lin Shan, have never feared a coward." Lin Yun cut him off before he could finish, his grip tightening on the Bone Spear in his hand.

The two stood facing each other. Lin Yun’s body was already soaked in blood, but compared to the immaculately dressed Kang Lai, he seemed taller and more imposing. It was a presence that emanated from his very marrow, something that outward appearances could not replace.

"Come," Lin Yun ordered coldly, his Bone Spear aimed at Kang Lai.

"Haha! In that case, I’ll be happy to oblige you today!" Hearing this, Kang Lai let out a boisterous laugh as a blood-red Longsword materialized in his hand.

Facing Kang Lai, who was in perfect condition, Lin Yun initiated the attack. His speed was less than half of what it would normally be, but his imposing aura was still at its Peak.

’I am going to kill Kang Lai,’ Lin Yun resolved. ’This man is a coward, an absolute, unadulterated coward. The fact that someone like him could become one of the top ten geniuses of the Yanhuang List is a complete joke.’

Faced with Lin Yun’s murderous intent and seeing the blood that continued to pour from his body, a cold sneer spread across Kang Lai’s face.

’With such grievous injuries, how much of his combat power could Lin Yun possibly have left?’

"Since you’re looking for death, don’t blame me for giving it to you. No one can take my place!" he sneered, thrusting his sword and clashing with Lin Yun. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

The two clashed. Kang Lai’s strength was comparable to Chang Qing’s—at most, only slightly weaker. But one was grievously wounded while the other was at his Peak in terms of combat power. With this disparity, Kang Lai naturally held the absolute advantage.

In just a dozen exchanges, another seven or eight gashes appeared on Lin Yun’s body. The dense web of wounds covering him from head to toe made for a grisly sight.

Everywhere Lin Yun passed, the ground was stained red with his blood.

"Haha, Lin Yun, the Yanhuang List isn’t as simple as you think! You want to challenge the Yanhuang List? You’re a hundred years too early!" Having gained the upper hand right from the start, the last vestiges of fear in Kang Lai’s heart had vanished, replaced by a twisted frenzy.

’Lin Yun’s strength is greater than mine, so what? He’s still going to die by my sword,’ was Kang Lai’s current line of thought.

"Hmph. You think *you* can kill me?" Lin Yun snorted. Seeing Kang Lai’s sword thrust, he neither dodged nor evaded, but instead met it head-on.

Just as the Longsword was about to pierce his chest, Lin Yun twisted his body slightly, allowing the blade to sink into his shoulder instead.

Though his shoulder was impaled, Lin Yun’s expression remained unchanged. In fact, a bloodthirsty smile spread across his face as he looked at Kang Lai.

Kang Lai’s heart seized, and he instinctively tried to retreat. But just as he took a step back, Lin Yun’s Bone Spear shot forward, piercing Kang Lai’s shoulder as well.

It was a trade of injuries. Lin Yun used his Elemental Power to clamp his muscles around Kang Lai’s Longsword, trapping it so he couldn’t pull it free. Simultaneously, Lin Yun began to slowly withdraw the Bone Spear that had just run through Kang Lai’s shoulder.

"ARGH...!" The moment the Bone Spear was pulled free, Kang Lai screamed in agony.

The scene on the arena inspired a sense of reverence in every Martial Artist present. They knew that the sight of that blood-soaked figure would be etched into their memories forever. He was truly worthy of the title of genius.

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