He Zhao watched Qin Luo's departing figure, his eyes flashing with resentment, but even more so with fear. He knew Qin Luo wasn't just making empty threats; judging from the strength and methods he had just displayed, he was absolutely capable of carrying out this threat.
Only after Qin Luo's figure completely disappeared from his sight did the oppressive emotion ease somewhat.
He Zhao gritted his teeth, then a strange light flashed in his eyes.
"Since you're so overconfident and confident of victory, then I'll add fuel to the fire for you!"
Thinking of this, faint fluctuations of spiritual energy intermittently emerged from his dantian, and then he fled in a disheveled manner.
Only a day after He Zhao left, Qin Luo's name spread like wildfire throughout the assessment grounds, attracting countless cultivators to discuss it.
"Hiss! Who is this Qin Luo? He dares to provoke Lin Cheng, what audacity!"
"Who knows? Maybe this person does have some skill, otherwise how could he dare to be so arrogant and presumptuous?"
"However, Lin Cheng is not someone to be trifled with. Back then at the Ten Thousand Beasts Cliff, he faced three late-stage Soul Contract Realm cultivators all by himself. Not only was he not afraid at all, but he also suppressed them completely with his overwhelming strength. Such terrifying strength is something that cannot help but make people wary."
......
As the news spread, more and more people began to pay attention to Lin Cheng's reaction.
On the edge of a steep cliff, a man in black robes stood, the mountain wind howling past, making his robes flutter. His eyes were deep and unfathomable as he gazed at the distant, indistinct figure of a demonic beast.
This person is Lin Cheng, one of the four most popular candidates in the assessment.
Behind him, He Zhao, his face pale, briefly recounted Qin Luo's instructions, clearly indicating that his injuries had not yet fully healed.
Lin Cheng gazed calmly into the distance, seemingly unconcerned about the content of his words. After a long while, He Zhao finally finished speaking, anxiously awaiting Lin Cheng's response.
"You mean he eliminated Lin Yang?"
Lin Cheng turned his head slightly, looking calmly at He Zhao, and a slight ripple finally appeared in his usually calm eyes.
"Yes, this person is very cunning. He deliberately pretended to be at the Spirit Vortex Realm level, and I was caught off guard..."
He Zhao paused, then didn't continue.
Lin Cheng looked into the distance again, narrowed his eyes slightly, and remained silent for a moment. The mountain wind howled even more fiercely in the silence, and after a long while, a soft sigh could be heard from the wind.
“I know my younger brother has always been arrogant and domineering, and he always thinks that he can do whatever he wants in this assessment area because of my reputation.”
"But it's not up to an outsider to discipline them for me!"
At this point, Lin Cheng raised his hand slightly and made a loose fist towards the distance.
"This Qin Luo is quite interesting. He wants to stir up trouble in this assessment grounds and make a name for himself in one battle? Then I'll see if he has the strength to earn that kind of fame!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Cheng's aura suddenly surged, and his black robe fluttered even more violently in the wind.
"Spread the word that I, Lin Cheng, accept Qin Luo's challenge. Tomorrow I will let him know that provoking me with words alone is not enough."
He Zhao nodded quickly and turned to leave.
With Lin Cheng's response, the entire assessment area erupted in excitement. A surge of activity began, and more and more people rushed towards the bronze gate.
At the same time, Qin Luo also heard the news that Lin Cheng had accepted the challenge. Looking at the growing number of people around him, he smiled helplessly:
"It seems there are quite a few people this time, but that suits me just fine. I hope Lin Cheng won't disappoint me..."
After saying this, Qin Luo ignored the frequent gazes directed at him from not far away, slowly closed his eyes, adjusted his state, and waited for Lin Cheng to arrive.
Meanwhile, the crowd in the distance watched as their gazes shifted back and forth between Qin Luo and the bronze gate, their hearts filled with various speculations and expectations.
"Is this Qin Luo, who declared war on Lin City? He doesn't seem particularly special. I wonder what abilities he has that make him dare to challenge Lin City."
"Who knows? Maybe he's hiding his strength. But Lin Cheng is quite famous in this assessment area. Those who challenged him in the past never had a good ending."
"However, the portal behind him seems a bit strange. Although he blocked it with his spiritual energy, I can still sense a very faint illusory aura."
Upon hearing this person's words, the surrounding cultivators looked at the bronze gate with even greater curiosity, their gazes revealing a variety of expressions.
Time passed quietly amidst everyone's anticipation, and as the first ray of light pierced the sky, the horizon began to lighten.
Qin Luo slowly opened his eyes, stood up and stretched his limbs, then looked up at the distant horizon.
"Are they here?"
As his murmur faded, a streak of light, accompanied by a whooshing sound, streaked across the sky at breakneck speed. Wherever the light passed, a long trail was torn through the clouds.
The light and shadow shifted in an instant, and when the light dissipated, Lin Cheng's tall and imposing figure was revealed. His black robe fluttered in the wind, and his eyes, sharp as a hawk's, were fixed on Qin Luo.
"You're very bold."
"You're the first person to dare use my Lincheng as a stepping stone. Let me see just how capable you really are."
After saying that, Lin Cheng didn't say anything more. A rich wood elemental energy surged out from his dantian and flowed through his meridians to his hands.
His hands were enveloped in a dense layer of green light, which contained powerful vitality, yet also exuded a chilling sharpness.
Lin Cheng slightly crouched down, then suddenly exerted force, his body transforming into a streak of green light as he attacked Qin Luo. The azure light in his hand formed a small halo.
As the light wheel spun rapidly, its sharp edges whipped up gusts of wind. And on the light wheel, the spiritual energy of the green wood swirled like a serpent, emanating a chilling aura.
"Aoki Spirit Spin Slash!"
In the blink of an eye, Lin Cheng had arrived above Qin Luo, let out a cold shout, and fiercely swung out the green wood light wheel in his hand.
Qin Luo's eyes narrowed. Facing the fierce attack, he remained calm and stood firmly with his feet apart. His spiritual power surged into his palms like a rushing river.
In an instant, a ball of emerald-like spiritual flame rose from his palm, and as the flame danced, it dyed his palm with an emerald color.
As the Azure Wood Wheel of Lincheng approached, Qin Luo gave a soft shout:
"Flame Rhythm Palm!"
He then thrust his palms forward with a sudden burst, and when the spiritual flame collided with the green wood light wheel, a strong surge of spiritual energy erupted between them.
The spiritual power of the green wood and the spiritual flames intertwined and clashed, and for a time they were evenly matched.
But compared to Qin Luo's current calm, Lin Cheng's heart was in turmoil. His expressionless face changed instantly, and he exclaimed in shock:
"Ninth stage of the Spirit Vortex Realm?!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
