Lin Yun stepped into the Array. Meanwhile, at the entrance to the Lu Yun Mountain Range, Lin Xiaotian was still unaware that Lin Yun had followed the Academy students into the Ancient Sect’s ruins.

Upon entering the Grand Array, the scene before Lin Yun’s eyes constantly shifted, and soon, the dilapidated ruins of the Ancient Sect appeared before him.

Lin Yun wasn’t particularly surprised by what was happening. It was just a Sect Protection Array, after all.

Following the tracks of the Academy students, Lin Yun made his way deep into the Ancient Sect. When he reached the sect’s main gate, Lin Yun saw three large words written above it.

"Thunder God Hall... It’s actually the Thunder God Hall..." Lin Yun said in astonishment. The Thunder God Hall was very famous on the Celestial Spirit Continent. Legend had it that the entire Southeast Domain revered the Thunder God Hall, and no country or sect could contend with it.

’To think that such a powerful sect would end up vanishing in this tiny Yunlu Mountain Range.’

As he went deeper, he saw that after a thousand years, the Thunder God Hall had long since changed. The entire sect was overgrown with large trees, and everything was in disarray.

Following the auras of the Academy students, Lin Yun gradually reached the depths of the Thunder God Hall. Just then, he heard the sound of fighting in the distance.

’Have they already run into the Martial Artists from the Nan Feng Kingdom?’ Hiding quietly behind a large boulder, Lin Yun watched as two groups faced off. From their attire, Lin Yun easily identified them as the students from Yanhuang Country’s Academy and the disciples from the Nan Feng Kingdom’s Wind Forest Sect.

"Zhang Qingtian, I didn’t expect the Yanhuang Academy to send you this time. What a small world," the leader of the Nan Feng Kingdom group said with a smile.

Hearing this, the man called Zhang Qingtian showed no weakness. "Jiang Changlin, didn’t the Wind Forest Sect send you out as well? It seems we can finally settle the score from last year."

"I’d be happy to oblige," Jiang Changlin replied.

As the words fell, terrifying fluctuations of Elemental Power erupted from both of them. Both had reached the Ninth Layer of Opening Realm, and their bodies now carried a faint hint of the Qi Sea Realm’s aura.

"Gale Leg!" Jiang Changlin attacked first, sweeping a leg rapidly toward Zhang Qingtian. In an instant, a fierce gale was generated wherever his leg passed.

"Hmph. You think I’m afraid of you? Flame Palm!" Facing Jiang Changlin’s Gale Leg, Zhang Qingtian struck out with a palm, flames burning upon it.

The palm and the leg collided violently in mid-air, instantly destroying the surrounding boulders and trees. Lin Yun managed to dodge the aftershock in the nick of time.

He backed away even further, now only daring to watch from a great distance. These two were too strong; Lin Yun couldn’t even withstand the aftershocks of their battle.

’So powerful. Is this the strength of an Academy student?’ Watching Zhang Qingtian’s back, Lin Yun felt a surge of excitement. Back at Iron Gate Pass, Lin Yun feared no one among the younger generation, but compared to these Academy students, he realized he was still far behind.

They weren’t much different in age, yet the others were already at the Ninth Layer of Opening Realm, about to break through to the Qi Sea Realm. Watching these Academy students, Lin Yun’s desire to enter the Academy grew even stronger.

In Yanhuang Country, the Royal Family reigns supreme, and the Yanhuang Academy was established by the Yanhuang Royal Family. Rumor has it that the Yanhuang Academy is filled with countless experts, and geniuses and Demon Fiends emerge one after another. If one wanted to become powerful in Yanhuang Country, entering the Academy was the only way.

In the Nan Feng Kingdom, however, the Wind Forest Sect reigned supreme. Everyone knew that the Emperor of the Nan Feng Kingdom was merely a figurehead propped up by the Wind Forest Sect, holding no real power. All matters, major or minor, had to be reported to the Wind Forest Sect for a decision.

"Zhang Qingtian, take my final move! Gale Fury Leg!" With a loud shout, the Elemental Power around Jiang Changlin’s body began to surge, his presence growing much stronger than before.

Pushing off with both legs, Jiang Changlin shot toward Zhang Qingtian like a gust of wind. Facing Jiang Changlin’s all-out attack, Zhang Qingtian also unleashed his full power.

His entire body was seemingly enveloped in flames. Pushing off with both legs, Zhang Qingtian shot forward. In an instant, their bodies met in mid-air. Jiang Changlin swept out a leg, carrying with it a fierce gale and an astonishing presence.

"Flame-Burning Heaven!" Facing this powerful leg, Zhang Qingtian struck out with a palm, and the mighty flames instantly collided with Jiang Changlin’s Gale Fury Leg.

The aftershock produced by their collision this time was even more terrifying than before. The members of both groups immediately chose to retreat, while Lin Yun, who was hiding far away, didn’t hesitate for a second and had already run even farther.

Dust and smoke rose, boulders shattered, and trees were sent flying. With a single strike from each, the entire space was utterly devastated, a testament to just how terrifying their power was.

After a long moment, the swirling dust and smoke slowly dissipated, and the figures of the two fighters finally reappeared.

"Zhang Qingtian, let’s stop here for today. We’ll settle this at next year’s grand competition," Jiang Changlin said, looking at Zhang Qingtian. Their strengths were equal. They had fought for years, yet neither had ever gained an advantage.

Hearing this, Zhang Qingtian also chuckled lightly. "Fine. I’m ready whenever you are."

Since neither could defeat the other, there was naturally no need to continue fighting. The urgent priority now was to see if they could obtain the inheritance of the Thunder God Hall.

As their voices faded, Zhang Qingtian and Jiang Changlin each led their own groups and headed deeper into the Thunder God Hall.

Over so many years, the Thunder God Hall had already been almost completely explored by both groups.

When the Thunder God Hall first appeared, the entire Southeast Domain was thrown into an uproar. Countless experts came here for Treasure Hunting, and the Thunder God Hall was a lively place back then.

However, as time went on, all the treasures and Cultivation Techniques in the Thunder God Hall were taken. The only thing left was the so-called "path of death." Since it was called that, it meant no one had ever been able to pass through it. Gradually, everyone gave up on this path. Nowadays, only the Yanhuang Academy and the Wind Forest Sect would send disciples here, partly to try their luck and partly as a form of training.

Once everyone had left, Lin Yun emerged from behind a large tree in the distance. Staring at the scene of utter destruction before him, a fiery Battle Intent began to burn within him.

Those two were the top experts of the younger generation. Lin Yun clenched his fists and said with determination, "One day, I will definitely fight you both."

Martial Artists all worship the strong. Zhang Qingtian and Jiang Changlin were the strongest of the younger generation in their respective kingdoms, and Lin Yun now desperately wanted to fight them. It wasn’t for any particular reason; he simply wanted to battle the strong.

Forcibly suppressing the restlessness in his heart, Lin Yun understood clearly that he was currently no match for them. However, he firmly believed that it wouldn’t be long before he had the chance to fight them both.

Instead of continuing to follow them, Lin Yun began to search through the Thunder God Hall, hoping to find any Cultivation Techniques or opportunities that others might have overlooked.

After a thousand years, the Thunder God Hall had truly been turned upside down. Lin Yun searched many places but couldn’t find so much as a single weapon. At that moment, he arrived before a large hall and looked up at the three large words written above it: ’Martial Arts Hall.’

’The Martial Arts Hall? Guess I’ll have to try my luck.’