Chapter 52: Lin Fan Demonstrates His Might, Ambitions of Chang'an

Chapter 52: Lin Fan Shows His Might, The Ambition of Chang'an

As the crowd spoke, their conversation died down, and their eyes turned toward the Heavenly Ladder in the center of the arena.

At the very front of the ladder were five people: Yin Jun and Yang Hong of the Lingwu Sect, Cui Wu of the Cui family, Bai Yuxiang of the Bai family, and Qiu Chen of the Dragon-Tiger Gang.

These five had already reached the sixth tier. One more step, and they would possess the potential of the "Three Proficiencies."

Following them was a second tier of nine people, including Shangguan Chan of the Shangguan family, Jian Shiyi of the Sword Worship Sect, Cui Sheng of the Cui family, and Wu Shan of the Dragon-Tiger Gang.

However, to everyone's surprise, Lin Fan of the Lin family had surged from behind, reaching the fifth tier!

As for Lin Chang'an, he stood at the fourth tier.

"This Lin Fan actually caught up to Cui Sheng and the others. He's got some skill!"

"Damn, I didn't realize this Lin Fan was such a dark horse."

"Whoa, I'm actually getting a bit interested in this Lin Fan now."

"It seems the young clan leader of the Lin family has been hiding his light under a bushel."

"..."

The crowd discussed Lin Fan animatedly, completely ignoring the five people on the sixth tier.

Yin Jun of the Lingwu Sect was furious. He had come to this insignificant place to assert his presence and receive the flattery of these commoners, but now their eyes were all fixed on this Lin Fan. How could he endure this?

"Ah!"

With a roar, Yin Jun stepped directly onto the seventh tier, standing firmly.

A wave of astonishment swept through the arena; the first person to reach the seventh tier had appeared.

On the Heavenly Ladder, the third to fourth tier was a watershed, as was the sixth to seventh.

Among the young participants, many were stuck below the third tier; only half managed to reach the fourth.

Yin Jun's triumph was short-lived, as Qiu Chen and Cui Wu quickly caught up. Yang Hong and Bai Yuxiang were a step behind.

Meanwhile, Lin Fan had reached the sixth tier, while Lin Chang'an stood at the fifth.

"Hehe, Clan Leader Lin, I didn't expect your son to be hiding such depth," Shangguan Jian said with a chuckle, pointing at Lin Fan.

"Indeed, indeed. It seems Clan Leader Lin is also a man who knows how to conceal his talents," Cui Yongzhou remarked, glancing at Lin Xuan with a superficial smile.

The members of the Bai family frowned slightly. It seemed this Lin Fan was not the "waste" the legends spoke of.

Bai Rong, in particular, felt a growing sense of regret in his heart for some unknown reason.

"Hehe, even if he isn't a waste, there is still a vast chasm between him and Yuran. Yuran is at the Lingwu Sect; she can find a much better husband!" Bai Rong thought to himself.

Gong Ling cast a faint glance at Lin Xuan and then at Lin Fan, a sudden idea forming in her mind.

This Lin Fan still had some developmental value. Would supporting him count as helping Lin Xuan?

Faced with the crowd's praise and their underlying sarcasm, Lin Xuan remained noncommittal, merely offering a smiling cupped-hand salute.

"This son of mine has his own ideas. Even I do not know his current level of cultivation."

The crowd scoffed inwardly. *You are his biological father; how could you not know his specific situation?!*

If Lin Xuan knew what they were thinking, he would surely cry injustice, for he truly did not know.

That boy Lin Fan likely held secrets as complex and numerous as his own father!

After another dozen breaths, Yin Jun actually ascended to the eighth tier. However, upon reaching it, he was drenched in sweat and panting like an ox.

Clearly, Yin Jun had reached his limit; the eighth tier was his ceiling.

Seeing that Yin Jun would likely stop at the eighth tier, Ba Li's expression darkened further. *Why do I have such a knack for the number eight?!*

Lin Fan's expression remained steady, without a single drop of sweat at his temples. He stepped onto the seventh tier, and his other foot followed immediately.

"Wow, Brother Lin Fan is on the seventh tier!"

Watching Lin Fan ascend, Lin Xue'er's eyes narrowed into crescents, her beauty heart-stirring.

Hou Mingyu was drawn by that voice, as beautiful as a nightingale, and a breathtaking figure appeared before his eyes.

A simple white dress paired with almost non-existent adornments—it was plain, yet it caused Hou Mingyu's heart to skip two beats.

"It seems Fan'er is going to make a name for himself today."

Lin Xuan did not notice Hou Mingyu's gaze; his eyes were fixed entirely on the Heavenly Ladder.

Lin Xuan wasn't worried about Lin Fan; rather, he was worried about Lin Chang'an.

Lin Chang'an was decent, but this ladder was difficult; for him, it was a true challenge.

After another dozen breaths, Yang Hong, Qiu Chen, and Cui Wu also reached the eighth tier. Bai Yuxiang had one foot on the eighth tier, but his other foot refused to move up despite his efforts; the intense pressure and the weight of the crowd's gaze turned his face flushed.

Lin Fan didn't even spare a glance at Bai Yuxiang as he prepared to step onto the eighth tier.

Lin Chang'an was already on the sixth tier, with one foot already touching the seventh.

"Chang'an, do not disappoint this Clan Leader."

Lin Xuan watched Lin Chang'an intently, his heart racing. Not just Lin Xuan, but Lin Wen, Lin Wu, and the others also found their breathing growing heavy.

After the time it took to burn another stick of incense, someone ascended to the ninth tier. It wasn't Yang Hong, nor was it Yin Jun; it was actually Cui Wu and Qiu Chen. This left Yang Hong and Yin Jun flushed with shame—they were actually inferior to these "scum" from such a small place!

Furthermore, Lin Fan had reached the eighth tier, and Jian Shiyi and Shangguan Chan had also reached the eighth, standing alongside Yin Jun and Yang Hong.

As for Bai Yuxiang, he was stuck between the seventh and eighth tiers.

Bai Yuxiang was miserable, but what made it worse was that a member of the Lin family's collateral branch had reached the seventh tier and was attempting the eighth!

The world had gone mad!

The Sect Master of the Sword Worship Sect watched Jian Shiyi with an unreadable expression.

Shangguan Jian looked at his beloved daughter with an exceptionally doting smile.

Ba Li's face was ashen, Bai Lao's expression was grim, Cui Yongzhou hid a smile in his eyes, and Hu Ya looked immensely satisfied. It was truly a kaleidoscope of reactions.

"Wow, they made it! Shangguan Chan, Jian Shiyi, and even that Lin Fan have reached the ninth tier!"

"Incredible!"

Countless people cried out in shock.

Who would have thought that these three youths, all under seventeen, would surge to the top!

Cui Wu's expression was ugly. He had thought that by surpassing those two pretenders from the Lingwu Sect, he would secure first place, only to have three people catch up to him.

"Damn, Lin Chang'an looks like he's at his limit, yet he's pushing himself to the eighth tier!"

Suddenly, many people began shouting as they watched Lin Chang'an.

In the private boxes, the various clan leaders and sect masters nodded slightly.

Such a person possessed true mental fortitude; he had the perseverance to chase after geniuses!

At this moment, Lin Chang'an was soaked with sweat, kneeling on one knee on the eighth tier, gasping for air.

Everyone thought he was about to give up, but to their surprise, Lin Chang'an looked toward the ninth tier—and even higher!

Lin Xuan's heart trembled. Seeing Lin Chang'an like this, Lin Xuan felt a profound sense of gratification from the bottom of his soul.

With such a talent in the Lin family, how could they not prosper!