Chapter Thirty: Battle Against Lin Jing

Lin Jing said indifferently, "Lin Xu is dead, and I have no desire to discuss the rights and wrongs of it. If you wish to stop me, let your strength do the talking."

Hu Junfeng sighed heavily. "In that case, Senior Sister Lin Jing, please offer your guidance."

Both simultaneously unleashed their battle qi. Lin Jing, unexpectedly, was also a ten-star Martial Master, merely a hair’s breadth away from becoming a Great Martial Master.

Hu Junfeng did not dare to be the least bit careless. From the start, he employed his "Spectral Shadow Split," condensing over a hundred flying swords around him before launching them toward Lin Jing in a piercing barrage.

Lin Jing’s response was far more composed than Ning Feng’s had been. She drew a circular arc with her blade, and a fiery red shield of battle qi materialized around her. As the flying swords struck the barrier, a series of hissing sounds erupted, and they were extinguished one by one. Hu Junfeng had exhausted his entire arsenal of swords without breaking through her defense.

Hu Junfeng took a deep breath, preparing his ultimate technique. The hundred flying swords coalesced into a single, massive blade of battle qi, which he propelled toward Lin Jing.

Lin Jing held her sword upright before her with her right hand and slid her left hand along the blade. A crimson phoenix emerged from the sword’s edge, instantly colliding with the incoming giant blade. A massive shockwave tore outward, forcing both of them to stagger backward repeatedly. Disciples standing near the ring were blown away, crashing hard against the ground. When the crowd regained their senses and looked toward the stage, they saw that both combatants had been pushed to the very edge of the ring.

The scene erupted into an uproar.

"Damn, Senior Sister Lin Jing is actually this strong! She’s on par with Senior Brother Hu Junfeng!"

"I thought Senior Brother Hu Junfeng was the pride of our generation, but I never expected someone to stand toe-to-toe with him."

"It’s unfair; Lin Jing joined the sect a year earlier than Hu Junfeng. If they had cultivated for the same amount of time, Lin Jing would surely be no match for him."

"There is no such thing as absolute fairness in this world. People only care about the strength displayed today."

Wang Dongxuan, however, felt a glimmer of joy. "That’s great, Hu Junfeng held his ground! If they draw, Hu Junfeng will retain his position as the Holy Son!"

Lu Xingchen said in a low voice, "Let us hope so."

With their ultimate techniques neutralized, the two began to trade sword strikes. Both poured their battle qi into their longswords, engaging in close-quarters combat. Hu Junfeng felt immense pressure. Although his "Spirit-Dissolving Sword Art" could drain thirty percent of an opponent’s battle qi, Lin Jing’s reserves were vast and ceaseless. At this rate, it was impossible to tell when a winner would be decided.

After trading over a hundred blows, the outcome remained undecided. Hu Junfeng had lost the confidence to defeat Lin Jing and now sought only a draw, or to rely on his sword art to deplete her energy.

But Lin Jing did not share this sentiment. She wanted to win; she had to win.

As Hu Junfeng thrust his sword toward her abdomen, he assumed she would inevitably retract her blade to parry. To his shock, she discarded her sword entirely and slammed a palm against his chest. Her own abdomen was pierced through, and a spray of blood splattered outward. Hu Junfeng, meanwhile, was sent flying by her strike, landing outside the ring. He performed a backflip to regain his footing, completely unharmed, but having fallen from the stage, he was effectively defeated.

Hu Junfeng couldn't help but curse, "Damn, that was cold-blooded!"

Lin Jing reached out with her right hand, grasped the hilt of the Spirit-Dissolving Sword, and yanked it out violently. In an instant, another fountain of blood erupted, staining half the ring crimson. She cast the sword aside, pressed several acupoints on her body, and the bleeding from her wound slowed.

Though her face was deathly pale, Lin Jing managed to pull a smile as she looked at Yi Hong. "Master, can you announce the result?" Having been personally trained by him, just as Lin Xu had been, calling him "Master" was only fitting.

Yi Hong’s eyes reddened, and he let out a heavy sigh. After a long silence, he announced in a loud voice, "Lin Jing is the victor!"

This time, the area beneath the ring fell into an eerie silence; not a soul dared to speak. They were stunned. This Lin Jing had risked her very life to win! If Hu Junfeng’s strike had been aimed at her heart instead of her abdomen, she would be dead. Everyone watched her with complex emotions, their hearts filled with turmoil. Wang Dongxuan covered her mouth, her face etched with shock.

"Is there anyone else who wishes to challenge Lin Jing?" Yi Hong was merely going through the motions. Lin Jing had proven she would sacrifice her life to win and had already defeated the previous Holy Son. He did not believe anyone else would dare step forward.

Just then, Lu Xingchen spoke softly, "Senior Sister Dongxuan, could you yield your position as the Chief Disciple of Xiaozhu Peak to me?"

Wang Dongxuan was taken aback, then exclaimed, "You want to challenge Senior Sister Lin Jing?"

Lu Xingchen nodded firmly. "Senior Sister Lin Jing does not even care for her own life, so she certainly will not care for the lives of her fellow disciples. If she becomes the Holy Daughter, the Lingxiao Sect will surely suffer catastrophic losses. Therefore, I must stop her."

"But you have only been in the sect for a few months. How could you possibly be a match for Senior Sister Lin Jing?"

"Senior Sister Dongxuan, there are no other options. Won't you trust me just this once?"

Wang Dongxuan nodded. "Very well, I will trust you."

While the crowd remained silent, Lu Xingchen walked toward the ring and shouted, "Lu Xingchen, Chief Disciple of Xiaozhu Peak, challenges Senior Sister Lin Jing!"

The crowd was silent for a moment before erupting into a massive commotion.

"Damn, another lunatic!"

"I know Lu Xingchen; he’s a new disciple who just joined. He previously defeated Senior Brother Hu Junfeng when he suppressed his cultivation."

"I recall that a month ago, Lu Xingchen was only a four-star Martial Master. With such weak strength, he dares to challenge Senior Sister Lin Jing?"

"The Holy Son selection doesn't involve suppressing cultivation levels. Is Lu Xingchen seeking death?"

"How did a new disciple like him even become a Chief?"

Having defeated Hu Junfeng, Lin Jing had assumed the matter was settled, only to find another obstacle standing in her way. Her expression immediately turned dark. She looked up at Lu Xingchen—a fresh face she had never heard of before.

Yi Hong had never cared for Lu Xingchen, and now that he was causing trouble, his temper flared. "Lu Xingchen, you are a new disciple—what are you doing stirring up trouble? Get down here!"

Lu Xingchen smiled calmly. "Peak Master Yi, is there any rule stating that a new disciple cannot be a Chief Disciple?"

Hearing this, Yi Hong was startled. This kid wasn't just here to cause trouble; he actually intended to challenge Lin Jing? How could he dare?

Yi Hong looked at Wang Dongxuan. "Wang Dongxuan, what is the meaning of this?"

Wang Dongxuan gritted her teeth and said, "I have already passed the position of Chief Disciple to Lu Xingchen. He is qualified to run for Holy Son."

Yi Hong roared, "Absurd! You are all being absolutely absurd!" He paused, then added in a low voice, "The Holy Son selection is postponed. We will wait for Lin Jing to recover, and then she shall face Lu Xingchen!"

Lin Jing frowned and immediately sat cross-legged on the ring to heal her wounds. Just then, Lu Xingchen slowly stepped onto the stage.