The Outer Sect Arena was packed.
Word had spread since morning—
the newcomer was issuing challenges.
Lin Tian stood calmly at the center of the stone arena, his hands behind his back. His expression was relaxed, almost bored.
Across from him stood three outer sect disciples.
Wu Fan was among them.
His arm was wrapped in bandages, his eyes filled with resentment.
"This time," Wu Fan snarled, "we'll crush you."
The referee, an older disciple, glanced between them.
"Challenge rules apply," he said loudly. "No killing. Yield if you can't continue."
Lin Tian nodded once.
The three disciples smirked.
A moment later—
"Begin!"
They moved instantly.
One attacked from the front, another from the left, the third from behind. Qi surged as they activated their martial techniques.
"Mountain Splitter Fist!"
"Swift Wind Kick!"
Lin Tian didn't retreat.
He stepped forward.
The first punch came straight at his face.
Lin Tian tilted his head slightly and let it pass.
Then he countered.
Crack!
His elbow smashed into the attacker's ribs.
The sound of breaking bone echoed.
The man screamed and flew out of the arena, unconscious before hitting the ground.
Gasps erupted.
The second disciple's kick landed—
or at least, it tried to.
Lin Tian caught his leg mid-air.
The disciple's eyes widened in terror.
Lin Tian twisted.
Snap!
The leg bent at an unnatural angle.
The disciple collapsed, shrieking in pain.
Only Wu Fan remained.
Sweat poured down his face.
"You— you're a monster!"
Lin Tian looked at him calmly.
"You asked for this."
Wu Fan roared and charged, pouring all his qi into one desperate strike.
Lin Tian stepped in.
Palm out.
Boom!
Wu Fan was blasted backward, sliding across the arena floor until he crashed into the barrier.
Silence.
Three moves.
Three defeats.
The referee stared, speechless.
Then he swallowed and raised his voice.
"Winner— Lin Tian!"
The arena exploded.
"That wasn't a fight!"
"He crushed them!"
"He's only Body Refinement?!"
Lin Tian stepped down from the arena as contribution points were transferred to his token.
Not much.
But enough.
From a high platform, Mo Xue watched silently, her eyes sharp.
"…So fast," she murmured.
Beside her, Su Yan frowned slightly.
"This is going to attract attention," she said. "Dangerous attention."
As Lin Tian walked away, a cold voice stopped him.
"Interesting."
A tall figure blocked his path.
His robe was embroidered with silver lines—
Inner Sect Candidate.
Ranked.
Name engraved on his token:
Qin Hao.
"You defeated three outer disciples without techniques," Qin Hao said slowly. "I like strong people."
Lin Tian met his gaze.
"What do you want?"
Qin Hao smiled thinly.
"A challenge," he said. "Tomorrow."
The crowd fell silent.
Outer disciple versus inner candidate.
Madness.
Lin Tian didn't hesitate.
"Fine."
Qin Hao's smile widened.
"Good," he said. "I'll make sure everyone remembers your name."
As Qin Hao turned and left, Lin Tian looked at the sky.
"Tomorrow," he murmured.
He could feel it.
The outer sect was no longer enough.