Ji Shan seized the opportunity to pour oil on the fire. He let out a loud, theatrical sigh. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. It seems the Lin Clan is full of cowards today. First the girl is too weak, and now the young master is too scared to even try? What a pity. I thought the Lin Clan had more spine."
Lin Feng, who had been observing everything with a cold calm, frowned deeply. He was about to stand and speak, to deflect the challenge onto himself. He would not allow his brother to be used as a pawn in this humiliation.
But before he could utter a word, a calm voice cut through the tension.
"I accept."
The two simple words rang out with a clarity that stunned the entire avenue. All heads swiveled to the source.
Lin Yun had stood up.
He gently placed a hand on his second sister's arm, giving her a reassuring look. Lin Wanrou was stunned, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Little Brother, no! Don't be rash!"
Lin Yun offered her a small, serene smile. It was a smile that didn't belong on the face of the known "waste." It held a quiet confidence that was entirely new.
"Second Sister," he said, his voice calm but firm, carrying to those nearby. "As a member of the Lin Clan, I have a responsibility to answer this challenge. Our clan's honor is everyone's duty, not just the strong."
With that, he stepped around her and began walking calmly towards the stage. His white robes, embroidered with the Verdant Dragon, fluttered gently in the breeze. His movements were not rushed, not fearful, but measured and deliberate.
Lin Canghai watched his son go, a complex mix of worry, confusion, and a flicker of something else—pride?—in his eyes.
"Yun'er…" Mu Qiuxue gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.
Lin Feng's frown deepened, but he remained seated, his sharp eyes analyzing his younger brother's every step.
Lin Yun reached the base of the stage. He took one last, deep breath, centering himself. This was it. His first real battle in this world. The theoretical knowledge, the secret training, it all came down to this moment.
Then, he jumped up, landing lightly on the stone platform to face Ji Meili.
The crowd buzzed with a fresh wave of whispers. This was unprecedented. The Lin Clan's good-for-nothing third young master actually had the guts to step onto the stage? It was either incredibly foolish or... no, it was just foolish.
Ji Meili looked him up and down, her smirk widening. "Well, well. The little waste has some spirit after all. I almost respect you for walking into your own ruin."
Lin Yun didn't respond. He simply fell into a basic fighting stance, his mind racing yet utterly focused.
He was not as reckless as he seemed. In the days leading up to the banquet, he had not been idle. Under Lin Feng's strict and surprisingly patient guidance, he had pushed his body and his comprehension to the limit.
His gaze flickered inward for a nanosecond, checking his progress.
[Fleeing Cloud Step: Progression: 708/50000 to Level 3.]
[Fire Fist: Level 3. Progression: 28/10000 to Level 4.]
These were his tangible gains.
The Fire Fist, a basic offensive skill, had actually broken through to Level 3 thanks to his relentless practice. He could now channel his fire-attribute spiritual energy into his fists with decent power and control.
But his greatest confidence came from a discovery he had made while training. His Heavenly Eyes were not just for alchemy.
He focused now, activating them subtly. The world didn't turn golden, but his perception shifted. He could see the flow of spiritual energy within Ji Meili's body.
He could see the faint grey currents gathering in her core, suppressed to the 3rd Level as she had promised. More importantly, he could see the subtle shifts in her muscles, the minute adjustments in her stance that telegraphed her intentions.
He was essentially reading her data in real-time.
"Ready to lose, little waste?" Ji Meili taunted, her body tensing.
"Begin," Lin Yun said simply, his voice calm.
"Hehe! Watch out!"
With a contemptuous laugh, Ji Meili shot forward. Even with her cultivation suppressed, her speed was formidable, a product of her higher base level and better-trained body. Her hand, coated in a pale grey energy, shot out like a viper, aiming to slap him across the face—a deliberate, humiliating first strike.
In the past, the old Lin Yun would have frozen. He would have taken the hit squarely.
But not now.
Swoosh!
Lin Yun's legs bent, and he pushed off with the Fleeing Cloud Step. It wasn't a grand, flowing movement yet, but it was quick and efficient. He sidestepped the slap by a hair's breadth, the wind from her strike brushing against his cheek.
Ji Meili's eyes widened slightly in surprise. That was faster than she expected.
She didn't let up, immediately following with a low sweep of her leg, aiming to knock his feet out from under him.
Lin Yun's Heavenly Eyes saw the energy gathering in her leg a fraction of a second before she moved. He didn't jump; instead, he took a small, quick step back, just enough to let her leg whistle past harmlessly.
He was not attacking. He was purely defending, using the bare minimum of movement to evade. He looked clumsy compared to her fluid assaults, but he was effective. Each dodge was precise, economical, saving his limited spiritual energy.
"What's the matter, Third Young Master?" Ji Meili sneered, her attacks becoming more rapid. A flurry of palms and fists whistled through the air around him. "Can you only run? Is that the great Lin Clan's technique? Running away?"
"Hahaha!"
The members of the rival clans began to laugh. It was comical to see Lin Yun dodging and weaving like a frightened rabbit.
But on the Lin Clan's side, the elders and core disciples were beginning to look puzzled. Lin Feng's brow was furrowed in deep thought.
"He's... not being hit," Lin Wanrou murmured, her initial panic giving way to confusion.
Lin Canghai leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowed. His son's movements were unrefined, yes. But there was a strange precision to them.
"This is not our Fallen Leaf Step." Butler Yu whispered in surprise.