ALL NOVEL Chapter 26 – Battle of Champions
"Since you've chosen to stand here, you must bear it. What's there to regret?"
"If I were Lin Hao, I would choose to concede."
"Yes, conceding in front of a Foundation Establishment cultivator isn't shameful."
Amidst the noisy chatter, not a single voice seemed to support him, yet Lin Hao remained unfazed.
Wang Jingzhan stood with his foot on his spear, his voice cold, "Will you concede, or should I knock you down?"
"You make the first move," Lin Hao replied calmly.
A flash of anger crossed Wang Jingzhan's eyes. A Foundation Establishment cultivator being looked down upon by a mere Qi Refining novice!
The audience below seemed to have heard the biggest joke of the century.
"I'm going to laugh myself to death. Where does Lin Hao get his confidence from?"
"A mere Qi Refining novice daring to let a Foundation Establishment cultivator make the first move!"
"He probably doesn't understand that the gap between realms is like a chasm, especially between Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment, like the difference between mortals and immortals."
"Arrogance will pay the price!"
Wang Jingzhan was amused, his voice deep, "You're really arrogant. I quite admire you, but arrogance requires strength to back it up!"
He kicked the spear beneath him, sending a spear light shooting towards his opponent.
Being able to send out a spear light was already a sign of respect for his enemy.
"The same words back to you!"
Facing the opponent's disdainful casual strike, Lin Hao revealed his Foundation Establishment strength and attacked with full force!
Surging spiritual energy condensed into hundreds of Flame Blades, crashing towards the enemy!
A look of shock flashed in Wang Jingzhan's eyes. The opponent was actually at Foundation Establishment?!
This... how is this possible!
He had always considered his opponent a Qi Refining novice, never expecting him to be at Foundation Establishment.
Boom!
He wanted to defend, but the opponent's attack was too swift. He couldn't react in time and was blasted off the stage.
"Lin... Lin Hao wins."
This battle left the elder referee bewildered. This was supposed to be a top-three match, yet it ended in a second.
And the one who was defeated was the previous favorite to win.
"My god, what happened? How did Senior Brother Wang suddenly get knocked off the stage?!"
"Did I see that right? Lin... Lin Hao is actually at the Foundation Establishment stage!"
"Amazing, Lin Hao is truly amazing, feigning weakness, then exploding in strength, eliminating Jingzhan!"
"This Lin Hao is really cunning, hiding his true cultivation just to catch everyone off guard today!"
"Poor Senior Brother Wang, he fell for Lin Hao's trick!"
The audience was stunned. A genius cultivator from the outer sect had been defeated by an unknown youngster!
On the high platform, Murong Qinxue, the master of Water Peak, was laughing heartily, her chest heaving up and down.
"Lin Hao is really interesting. He lay low for so long just to take down a Foundation Establishment opponent in one go. His fighting style really suits our Little Bamboo Peak."
Beside her, Feng Cangyue's phoenix eyes turned cold, and she said indifferently, "Suits what? Didn't you see he used fire techniques to defeat his opponent? He's a fire spirit root, naturally suited to my techniques!"
"So what? I have treasured fire techniques that are no worse than your manuals!"
"Can you teach him this move?"
Feng Cangyue sneered, raising her jade hand, and a mountain-sized fire lotus appeared out of thin air, dyeing half the sky red.
Feeling the heat, almost everyone looked up simultaneously at the fire lotus.
"World-Burning Fire Lotus, the Venerable Feng actually used this move. Is there an unparalleled enemy attacking our Xuan Yin Sect?"
Everyone looked at the enchanting fire lotus with longing, wondering when they could become a great cultivator like the Venerable Feng!
"Hmph!"
Murong Qinxue was at a loss, snorting unwillingly.
Meanwhile.
"Ha!"
Wang Jingzhan leaped back onto the stage, his Soul-Breaking Spear exuding a chilling killing intent. He was very unwilling to be defeated in such a manner.
Boom!
He erupted with overwhelming spiritual energy, ready to fight again and show his strength.
"Zhan'er, stand down."
A charming woman ascended the stage, and with just one look, Wang Jingzhan's killing intent melted away.
"Mother... but I shouldn't have lost like this. He's not stronger than me."
"A win is a win, a loss is a loss. A man must know when to hold on and when to let go."
"Yes."
Wang Jingzhan bowed and accepted the lesson.
The woman turned to Lin Hao, her expression kind, "Young friend, my family discipline is lacking, and I've caused you trouble. I apologize."
A hint of surprise flashed in Lin Hao's eyes. He had expected the Wang family to bear a grudge like the Jiang family, but their politeness caught him off guard.
"Elder, you're too kind."
Lin Hao slightly bowed in return.
The woman maintained a warm smile as she led her son off the stage.
Lin Hao watched the alluring figure leave, momentarily lost in thought, before biting his tongue lightly to regain focus.
Stay clear-headed; she definitely doesn't have Primordial Yin!
...
The final battle!
Lin Hao suddenly opened his eyes, listening to the roaring cheers, a smile tugging at his lips.
Finally, he had reached this point, just one step away from the champion's position!
If he defeated the two Foundation Establishment cultivators and won, he would surely become a personal disciple. Thinking of this, Lin Hao's eyes burned with fighting spirit.
He stepped onto the stage, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below, among the thousands of cultivators.
Besides Li Qiushui, Cui Qing'er, and other women cheering for him, everyone else seemed to support Leng Fengchun?
Being so underestimated, even the usually calm Lin Hao couldn't help but feel a flicker of anger.
The treatment difference between male and female cultivators was too great, making him tremble with rage!
Just then, he heard a strange voice.
"Senior Brother Lin, you have to win!"
Lin Hao followed the clear voice and saw a female cultivator in a pale yellow dress waving at him.
This junior sister seemed to be called Xiang... Xiang Xiaoyuan, if he remembered correctly.
He nodded at her, then exchanged glances with his senior sister, whose gentle eyes were full of warmth.
Then he looked at Cui Qing'er in her purple dress, her rich softness somewhat dazzling.
He had to win, he must win!
Clenching his fists, his gaze sharp as a knife, he looked at his opponent!
Leng Fengchun still wore a white robe, a sword box on her back, her high ponytail tied up. Though clearly a young woman, she appeared more valiant than any man.