When the guide responsible for the qualification assessment saw that Lin Che actually dared to challenge him in such a manner, he sneered.
The main reason was that Lin Che's cultivation level was far too low to even be worth mentioning.
Therefore, it was no surprise that he looked down on Lin Che to such an extent. In his eyes, Lin Che's combat power was simply incomparable to his own. Although he had suppressed his realm to the early stage of the Tendon Transformation Realm, he was still a full realm above Lin Che.
Moreover, his cultivation was not limited to the Tendon Transformation Realm alone. His control over the spiritual energy within his body was exceptionally refined, not to mention his battle experience.
As for a martial artist like Lin Che, who had been completely unknown during the first ten years of his life, it was impossible for him to believe that Lin Che could defeat him despite the difference in cultivation.
However, Lin Tianran continued smiling as he watched the scene unfold. His smile gave Lin Che tremendous courage and encouragement, while also placing great pressure on the guide who stood as his opponent.
Could there really be something extraordinary about the young man whom Lin Tianran valued so highly?
Although countless thoughts flashed through his mind, he completed the process in an instant. As an experienced fighter, he gave his opponent no opportunity and immediately launched his attack.
"Yin Heaven Palm!"
With a shout, he extended his palm. Lin Che immediately felt that palm magnify countless times, as though it had covered the heavens themselves. Even the light surrounding him seemed to be swallowed by that palm.
An astonishing wave of spiritual energy erupted from the guide's palm and came crashing toward Lin Che.
Lin Che instinctively raised his hands to block. At the moment their palms collided, an enormous shockwave swept through the area. Although Lin Che was only sixteen years old and possessed a strong physique, he felt as though his body was about to be torn apart by the tremendous force.
Compared with this overwhelming spiritual power, the energy released from Lin Che's hands was no more than a drop in the ocean, insufficient even to withstand a tiny fraction of it.
Yet something strange happened.
Suddenly, a tremendous aura erupted from Lin Che's body. His lunar spiritual power was mysterious and powerful, and for a brief moment, it became equal to the guide's spiritual power.
The guide himself was even more shocked. Lin Che, whose cultivation was merely at the middle stage of Qi Refining, was actually capable of contending with him.
Lin Che skillfully circulated the cultivation technique within his body, causing an endless stream of lunar spiritual power to surge forth.
The Yin Heaven Palm, which had originally possessed the advantage, was suddenly forced into a disadvantageous position under the pressure of that mysterious spiritual power.
A fragment of moonlight appeared within the sky previously obscured by the Yin Heaven Palm. The moonlight shone upon the darkness created by that palm and instantly illuminated the entire area.
At that moment, a bright moon filled everyone's vision. It was not perfectly round, yet it radiated a dazzling brilliance. After a flash of intense light, the moonlight completely devoured the spiritual energy contained within the Yin Heaven Palm.
"My Yin Heaven Palm? This child's spiritual power is incredibly strange!"
The guide suddenly sensed that something was wrong. His spiritual energy had vanished, and the bright moon had swallowed the Yin Heaven Palm that was capable of blocking all sunlight.
Such a thing was almost impossible.
The Yin Heaven Palm was a high-grade Yellow Rank martial art, something ordinary people could never master. He had obtained this technique by chance, and it was his greatest pride.
But how could Lin Che, who was only at the middle stage of Qi Refining, overcome it?
The guide's face turned pale under the impact of Lin Che's spiritual power. Having exhausted much of his own energy, he had no choice but to retreat.
Lin Tianran watched everything with satisfaction and smiled as he looked at Lin Che.
Only then did Lin Che speak calmly.
"Senior, your Yin Heaven Palm is extremely powerful. I have learned a great deal from it. However, with your current cultivation, you are still unable to unleash its full strength. You've already achieved a great deal. Master, may I show Senior Ferryman the Hundred Flowers Palm? I believe it can complement his martial arts."
"You little rascal, you're truly clever. You even know how to use someone else's talent to win their favor."
Lin Tianran laughed and tossed over a secret manual, which the guide accepted gratefully.
"Thank you, Junior Brother Lin Che. My name is Hua Chi. Thank you for your guidance. Junior Brother, despite only being in the Qi Refining Realm, you managed to defeat me, whose cultivation is in the Tendon Transformation Realm. There is no doubt that you will achieve great things in the future. You truly deserve to be Elder Lin's outstanding disciple."
Lin Che smiled and nodded.
Hua Chi had not forgotten his task. After knocking on the door, he said,
"I'll be waiting for you at the sect competition!"
Then he hurried away happily to further cultivate his martial arts.
After this battle, Lin Che entered a rather peculiar state.
He could see his own body and the spiritual energy flowing rapidly before him, yet he could not control them precisely.
In other words, it felt like an out-of-body experience.
His soul seemed to be observing his own body as it underwent a transformation.
"From this day onward, you will truly experience the fruits of the technique you have cultivated diligently for ten years. It will completely change you."
Lin Tianran murmured softly.
At this moment, Lin Che obviously had no idea what the Crimson Moon Divine Descent Technique truly represented. The one who created this technique was an individual revered throughout the entire Nine Heavens Continent.
Completely unaware of his master's thoughts, Lin Che found himself lost within an unknown white ocean.
The white liquid filling that ocean seemed highly beneficial to his soul. At this moment, both his soul and body were undergoing the most important dual evolution of his life, which was also the most crucial step toward becoming a true Chosen One.
Lin Tianran silently observed as the lunar spiritual power inside Lin Che's body gradually solidified, while a strange light flickered within his eyes.
Outside the Xiaohanshan Sect, upon a rocky cliff overlooking endless mountains, Lin Muxue sat quietly with her knees hugged to her chest.
She said nothing.
Her reddened eyes gazed at the sky, feeling how insignificant she was before the vast world.
Xu Long stood behind her, a sinister gleam hidden in his eyes as he observed her silence.
"Muxue, don't be sad. Even if the entire world treats you badly, I will always treat you well."
"Thank you, Xu Long," Lin Muxue replied coldly.
Xu Long had always treated her kindly. As the young master of a prestigious family in Yulin City, his status was not inferior to hers as the granddaughter of a sect elder. Yet he always accommodated her personality and did everything he could to please her.
Because of this, even someone as proud as Lin Muxue could not help but be moved by his long-standing kindness.
"No need for thanks between us."
Xu Long smiled gently.
He knew that although Lin Muxue possessed lofty ambitions, she lacked experience in worldly affairs. He firmly believed that his constant tenderness would eventually melt this flawless and pure ice.
After saying that, he stepped forward and continued,
"The sect competition is indeed an extremely valuable opportunity, but Muxue, there is no need to grieve."
"Don't forget that the Xu Family also possesses a nomination slot. I have transferred my place to you. In this competition, you are undoubtedly more qualified and have a better chance of standing out than I do."
Hearing this, Lin Muxue was greatly surprised.
"You..."
She truly had not expected Xu Long to give up his own place, an opportunity that could allow one to become a true disciple.
Being a true disciple of the Xiaohanshan Sect represented not only status and talent, but also greater cultivation resources and an even brighter future.
Xu Long smiled softly and looked affectionately at Lin Muxue as she turned to face him.
"I know that you do not truly care about those cultivation resources. What you want is to prove yourself before the sect and before Elder Lin, and to prove that Elder Lin's nearly obsessive favoritism over the years was wrong."
Lin Muxue looked at him carefully.
This noble young master from a prestigious family was never arrogant or spoiled. Instead, he was thoughtful and deeply attentive to her feelings and emotions.
She nodded lightly and said clearly,
"Thank you."
Xu Long patted her shoulder and said seriously,
"Since Elder Lin insists on letting that useless waste participate in the competition, then let him lose all his teeth in the arena."