Chapter 50: Lin Chang'an of the Lin Family Possesses the Potential of the Three Talents

Lin Chang'an gripped the shaft of his spear tightly, his eyes focused.

Holding a battle saber, Zhao Kuang leaped into the air, his blade descending directly toward the crown of Lin Chang'an's head.

"Earth-Splitting Cleave!"

With a wild roar, he unleashed a Sixth-Grade martial technique right from the start. Clearly, this Zhao Kuang was no pushover.

However, he wasn't invincible. Facing Zhao Kuang's fierce assault, Lin Chang'an remained perfectly composed, and the spear in his hands began to dance wildly.

"Whirling Gale!"

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

The battle saber and the long spear clashed countless times in an instant. The two fought with such intensity that the world seemed to turn upside down. The onlookers watched the stage in disbelief—how could Lin Chang'an, who was only at the third level of the Kaiyuan Realm, hold his own against Zhao Kuang?!

While it wasn't impossible to overcome a gap of a single cultivation level, such a feat occurring in a member of the Lin family's collateral branch was nothing short of astonishing.

"Hehe, Patriarch Lin, this youth of your clan is quite extraordinary."

Shangguan Jian smiled, stroking his beard as he looked toward Lin Xuan.

Hearing this, Lin Xuan offered a slight smile. He was quite satisfied with his junior, Lin Chang'an; the boy was indeed a talent worth molding. In fact, looking at the entire Lin family currently, Lin Chang'an was the most promising of the third generation in Lin Xuan's eyes.

"Hah, only at the third level of the Kaiyuan Realm at eighteen? Even if his combat strength is decent, his achievements in this lifetime will likely peak at the Dayan Pill Realm at best."

A sudden voice rang out—it was the disdainful Cui Yongzhou.

"What does Elder Ba think?"

After his mockery, Cui Yongzhou turned to look at Ba Li.

"Hehe, the third level of the Kaiyuan Realm at eighteen... with such talent, if he were to join my Lingwu Sect, he could serve as a handyman disciple."

Ba Li smiled as he stroked his grizzled beard, his words dripping with sarcasm.

Lin Xuan snorted inwardly but remained composed on the surface. *The future achievements of Lin Chang'an are not something a group of frogs in a well like you could ever understand.*

"Master is absolutely right. I still remember that the requirements for outer sect disciples during our Lingwu Sect's last recruitment assembly were to reach the second level of the Kaiyuan Realm by age seventeen, and the fourth level by age eighteen."

A young man beside Ba Li said with a smile.

On the surface, he seemed to be reporting to Ba Li, but in reality, he was speaking to everyone present—especially to Lin Xuan.

The requirement caused the crowd to gasp. To reach the fourth level of the Kaiyuan Realm by age eighteen—there were far too few people in the entire Huaqing Prefecture who could meet such a standard, and that was merely for an outer sect disciple.

Even the top geniuses of many great families wouldn't even qualify for the outer sect.

It was truly ironic.

"Hehe, the Lingwu Sect is indeed the number one sect in our Dongzhou. I, Cui, am truly impressed!"

Cui Yongzhou immediately stood up and gave a slight bow toward Ba Li.

Seeing this, Hou Mingyu let out a cold sneer. The Lingwu Sect truly acted like the local emperors of the entire Dongzhou. Most powers in Dongzhou only knew of the Lingwu Sect and were unaware of the Great Desolation Imperial Family. How ridiculous!

Lin Xuan glanced at Ba Li and Cui Yongzhou but said nothing.

As for Shangguan Jian, he lost interest in continuing the conversation. As the atmosphere grew cold, everyone turned their eyes back to the stage in silence.

On the stage, the battle between Lin Chang'an and Zhao Kuang had reached a fever pitch.

Lin Chang'an grew more courageous as the fight progressed, despite suffering multiple saber wounds.

As for Zhao Kuang, he was living up to none of his name; he was anything but "wild" now. He was terrified of Lin Chang'an's suicidal fighting style.

"This is a sparring match, not a life-and-death struggle!"

Zhao Kuang roared internally. His cowardice caused him to stumble into several life-threatening situations.

"Hahaha! It seems this young clan leader of the Zhao family is somewhat unfit for great things!" Lin Xuan laughed loudly, showing no restraint.

"Zhao Kuang, take my final move: Dance of Lightning!"

This move was a Seventh-Grade martial technique!

Generally speaking, Seventh-Grade techniques were practiced by experts in the Yuan Dan Realm; those in the Kaiyuan Realm could at most practice Sixth-Grade techniques.

Of course, there were geniuses who could comprehend higher-level techniques early—such as Lin Xuan, who had comprehended a Spirit-grade technique while still in the Kaiyuan Realm, a terrifying feat.

Zhao Kuang clearly did not know any Seventh-Grade techniques. Facing Lin Chang'an's Seventh-Grade move, he was paralyzed with fear.

"Kuang'er, watch out!"

Zhao Tai's face paled with terror. He immediately rushed toward the stage, intending to protect his son.

Lin Xuan snorted inwardly and used the Drifting Dragon Step to stride through the air toward the stage.

"Patriarch Zhao, this is a martial competition, not children playing house!"

Lin Xuan pressed his index and middle fingers together, shooting a streak of sword qi directly toward Zhao Tai.

Zhao Tai was instantly repelled, forced to watch helplessly as Lin Chang'an's lightning-clad spear lunged toward Zhao Kuang.

*BOOM!*

"AHHH—!"

A massive explosion was punctuated by Zhao Kuang's screams.

"Kuang'er!"

Zhao Tai cried out in grief and rushed forward to catch his son.

As for Lin Chang'an, having exhausted the energy for that move, he fell to one knee, gasping for breath while gripping his spear. His body was covered in blood and scars.

Clearly, Lin Chang'an's victory had not been easy.

However, defeating an opponent while being a lower cultivation level was already quite an achievement.

Lin Xuan landed beside Lin Chang'an, pulled out a healing pill, and gave it to him with a smile. "Good lad, well done. You didn't disgrace the Lin family. This battle has brought us immense face!"

Receiving Lin Xuan's praise, Lin Chang'an revealed a smile. In that moment, he seemed to transform back into that gentle and elegant young man.

"Thank you for the praise, Patriarch."

"Mhm. This is a high-grade healing pill. Take it first; there are still tough battles ahead."

"Yes."

Lin Chang'an wasted no words. He took the pill, tossed it into his mouth, and sat cross-legged to begin circulating his energy to heal.

Watching Lin Chang'an heal, Lin Xuan turned his gaze toward the Zhao family members.

"The bet from earlier was heard by all the families. Five thousand essence stones. Patriarch Zhao, I believe it is time to pay up?"

Lin Xuan said with a smile.

Zhao Tai clenched his fists, staring death at Lin Xuan, wishing he could kill him, yet finding himself utterly helpless.

"Five thousand essence stones. A bet is a bet!"

Zhao Tai threw a storage bag to Lin Xuan and hurried away with his son to seek medical treatment.

Lin Xuan glanced at the storage bag. It was indeed five thousand essence stones, no mistake. However, these stones belonged to Lin Chang'an; he had won them through his own injuries. Lin Xuan naturally would not seize the resources of his junior.

As the battle concluded, the surrounding families began to whisper among themselves.

"Impressive!"

"I didn't expect a collateral descendant of the Lin family to be so powerful."

"Too impressive. This Lin Chang'an has the potential of the 'Three Proficiencies'!"

"If the Lin family can survive this crisis, I would truly love to marry my best direct granddaughter to him."

"He is indeed a fine son-in-law. It's a pity he was born into the Lin family."

"A pity, a pity indeed."

The crowd was filled with both admiration and regret.

Everyone knew that the Lin family had already provoked Ba Li and the Cui family, and now the Bai family also held a grudge against them. For the Lin family to weather this storm would be harder than anyone could imagine!