"A duel in the Martial Arts Hall?" Lin Yun asked, still only half-understanding after Lu Bingning’s explanation. He had never heard of a Martial Arts Hall duel before.

"You’re unbelievable," Lu Bingning said with a helpless sigh, and had no choice but to explain everything to Lin Yun in detail.

"The Martial Arts Hall duels are only available in the Elite Class and Genius Class areas. Because many students need their Merit Points to exchange for treasures or Elixirs, the Martial Arts Hall specially established a dedicated Battle Arena."

"Inside the Battle Arena, a student only needs to present their Identity Token to participate in a duel. The winner earns corresponding Martial Technique Points, and these points can be used to redeem Martial Skills in place of Merit Points. You understand now, don’t you?"

"So there’s a rule like that. Interesting. Come on, let’s go check out the Martial Arts Hall’s Battle Arena." His interest piqued, Lin Yun had Lu Bingning lead the way.

In truth, there was another purpose for establishing these Martial Technique Points that Lu Bingning didn’t know about. Within the Genius and Elite Classes, the Academy’s philosophy was a clear-cut case of survival of the fittest.

It was designed to let students with strong Combat Power grow even stronger, allowing them to obtain more Cultivation Resources while also acquiring more powerful Martial Skills. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Meanwhile, the weak could only grow weaker, as the Academy’s resources were skewed toward its more powerful students.

This was the most effective and direct method, because the value of a single expert to the Academy far surpassed that of countless ordinary Martial Artists.

The Battle Arena was right next to the Martial Arts Hall, a courtyard containing four Martial Arts Arenas. Upon entering the Battle Arena, one first had to have their Identity Token inscribed with an Array. With this Array, the Identity Token could then record the number of Martial Technique Points one held.

The moment he entered the Battle Arena, Lin Yun saw that duels were already in progress on all four Martial Arts Arenas. The Cultivation of the combatants varied, and there didn’t seem to be any referees. If you felt you were outmatched, you could simply admit defeat. Of course, your Martial Technique Points would then be deducted accordingly and transferred to the winner.

"Check your Identity Token. The rules are clearly listed on it," Lu Bingning said.

Hearing this, Lin Yun infused his Elemental Power into his Identity Token. Instantly, the Token displayed the number of Martial Technique Points he possessed and the rules of the Battle Arena.

Zero. That was the number of Martial Technique Points Lin Yun currently had. As for the rules, they were also explained in great detail on the Token.

A duel against an opponent of the same Realm awarded one Martial Technique Point to the winner. The reward increased by one point for every Small Realm of difference between the combatants, and so on.

In addition, it was forbidden to injure anyone during a duel in the Battle Arena; you had to stop as soon as your opponent conceded. Of course, you had the right to refuse a challenge from a student stronger than yourself, but each refusal would cost you one Martial Technique Point.

’What flexible rules,’ Lin Yun thought after reading them all. He now understood that this was a place where only strength mattered.

If you could continuously defeat your opponents, you could remain on the Martial Arts Arena and keep earning Martial Technique Points. If you lost, you naturally had to cede the arena to the stronger fighter, who could then stay and earn points in your place.

"So? Want to give it a try?" Lu Bingning asked with a smile.

"That’s exactly what I was thinking." Lin Yun was already itching to try. The moment a victor was decided on one of the Martial Arts Arenas, he leaped onto it without a second thought.

"Kid, I suggest you get down from here right now, or you’re in for some pain." The victorious student said with disdain upon seeing Lin Yun leap onto the Martial Arts Arena and sensing that his Cultivation was only at the Eighth Layer of Opening.

He knew Lin Yun was a student from the Genius Class, but few who entered the Elite Class were ordinary. They possessed an arrogance that, in their minds, was in no way inferior to that of the Genius Class.

"We haven’t even fought, and you already know I’m going to lose?" Lin Yun retorted with a smile.

This student was only at the Ninth Layer of Opening Realm. Although he was a layer higher than Lin Yun, he posed no real threat. Only a Martial Artist at the Qi Sea Realm could make Lin Yun take the fight somewhat seriously.

"In that case, don’t blame me for what happens next." Without another word, the battle began. The Elite Class disciple charged violently at Lin Yun.

After a dozen exchanges, Lin Yun had already gauged the student’s strength. ’He’s much weaker than Tang Wushuang,’ he thought. ’Probably about on par with Qin Feng, maybe even a little bit weaker.’

"This is over," he said with a soft grunt. Lin Yun instantly unleashed his Black Steel Tyrant Fist. Combined with Inch Step, he appeared eerily at the student’s side. With a lightning-fast strike, his fist slammed into the disciple’s ribs.

He deliberately held back his strength; the punch merely incapacitated the disciple without shattering his ribs.

The victor was decided. A faint light flickered across Lin Yun’s Identity Token. The number of Martial Technique Points, which had been zero, now impressively read two. He had earned them for defeating the student, and two points were deducted from his opponent’s Token in turn.

The loser departed, and the winner awaited the next challenger. In just half an hour, Lin Yun had already defeated five students from the Elite Class, and his Martial Technique Points had risen to eight.

"Kid, I’ll be the one to defeat you!" As his fifth duel concluded, an Elite Class student at the First Layer of Qi Sea Realm leaped onto the Martial Arts Arena.

There were no brackets based on Cultivation here. Of course, if you felt you couldn’t defeat an opponent, you could always refuse the challenge, but it would cost you one Martial Technique Point.

’First Layer of the Qi Sea Realm?’ Lin Yun thought, a smile on his face as he looked at the student. He still appeared completely relaxed.

"The rumor is that you Genius Class students can defeat enemies a Great Realm above your own. Today, allow this Elite Class student to see it for himself." Clearly, these Elite Class students harbored a great deal of jealousy toward the Genius Class, and their words were filled with animosity.

"Let’s begin," Lin Yun said flatly, not interested in a war of words.

A Qi Sea Realm expert was immensely powerful, fundamentally different from someone in the Opening Realm. Moreover, to have entered the Elite Class meant this was no ordinary Martial Artist, but an elite in his own right.

The Elite Class student demonstrated his power from his very first move. His attacks were strong and his speed was impressive.

But against Lin Yun, his Combat Power was still a bit lacking. As the fight went on, Lin Yun gradually gained the upper hand, his Black Steel Tyrant Fist perfectly showcasing his overbearing power.

Without resorting to any tricks, Lin Yun met every blow head-on, forcing the Qi Sea Realm student to suffer one setback after another.

"The Genius Class students truly live up to their reputation. Take this final attack. If you can withstand it, I will gladly concede." The student was surprisingly honorable. Knowing he was no match for Lin Yun, he prepared to make one last gamble.

Pushing his Elemental Power to its absolute limit, the student unleashed his strongest attack. He thrust out a palm, and a hand formed of pure Elemental Power shot toward Lin Yun with incredible might.