The Prodigies War-Chapter 2769 Next

Fu Wenli appeared outwardly calm, but his heart felt heavy.vHe had keenly sensed the anger and disappointment flickering in the eyes of many within the Origin Sect, including Lin Xun.vIt was clear that his outburst against Lin Xun had offended many in the sect.

“Brother Fu, you lost your composure just now,” Xuan Feiling said coldly.

“The rules forbid killing in such duels. I was only reminding Lin Xun to prevent a grave mistake. I also did it for the sake of the sect. How could that be called losing composure?” Fu Wenli replied evenly.

Xuan Feiling said nothing further. The reaction across the Origin Sect just now had already served as an answer to Fu Wenli’s behavior. Lin Xun was undoubtedly using this battle to win the hearts of the entire sect.

“Don’t go looking for trouble next time.” Lin Xun tossed Jing Qingjia’s primordial spirit aside like trash.

“I’ll remember this!” With eyes full of venomous hatred, Jing Qingjia staggered away in disgrace, clutching his broken body, his ruined flesh, and the shattered remnants of his treasures.

The arena boiled with excitement. From the moment Lin Xun stepped onto the stage, he had crushed Xing Jun, then beaten Jing Qingjia. Each battle was fiercer than the last, and each victory was more dazzling than the last. Applause thundered from all sides, and cheers rose in waves, winning him the admiration and support of the entire Origin Sect.

On the viewing platform, the expressions of the high-ranking figures grew increasingly solemn. The foundation Lin Xun revealed at the Heavenly Longevity Stage had already surpassed not only their expectations, but also their imagination!

“Who’s next?” Lin Xun’s gaze swept toward the seven challengers waiting outside the Heavenly Enlightenment Dao Arena.

Their faces were now solemn, their earlier arrogance gone. The crushing defeats of Xing Jun and Jing Qingjia had left them deeply shaken.

“Zhong Ying, it's your turn,” someone called from a distance.

Zhong Ying was the next to step forward after Jing Qingjia and had pressed his handprint to confirm the challenge. Draped in a yellow robe, tall and imposing, with a blood-red halberd strapped to his back, he exuded a savage and oppressive aura.

He hailed from the Zhong Clan, one of the Ten Immortal Giants. As a pinnacle Heavenly Longevity Immortal, in reputation, foundation, and combat power, he was in no way inferior to Jing Qingjia, and perhaps even surpassed him.

“Hmph! Do you think I need a reminder?”

Taking a deep breath, Zhong Ying suppressed the unease in his heart and strode toward the arena. He had no choice. If he backed down, the written agreement, ‘Whoever goes back on their word is the grandson of everyone here,’ would become a stain of eternal humiliation.

Not only would he disgrace himself, but also the Zhong Clan behind him! It was then that he finally grasped Lin Xun’s sinister plan. The so-called agreement was a trap, ensuring no challenger could retreat even if they wanted to.

However, once he stepped onto the arena, his expression steadied. He cast aside all distractions and stood tall with the composure and majesty of a peerless figure.

Clang!

With a steady exhale, a pale silver immortal ring unfurled behind him. As it revolved, the blood-red halberd on his back let out an eager, resonant cry before leaping into his grip.

Boom!

Immortal radiance surged skyward from his body, his yellow robe snapping in the wind. His presence swelled, shaking the heaven and the earth.

“Radiant Shadow Wheel Slash!”

With a roar, he charged forward, his scarlet halberd sweeping out in a blaze of blood-red light. The heavens and earth were drowned in scarlet, as if the arena had fallen into a purgatory of blood.

This was no ordinary strike. It was a ninth grade immortal law, profound and unfathomable, fused into his cultivation and interwoven with his bloodline talent. His very first move was already an all-out assault!

After witnessing the fates of Xing Jun and Jing Qingjia, everyone knew that, against Lin Xun, there could be no reservation or underestimating him. Lin Xun remained unarmed. Without the slightest thought of dodging, he met the attack head-on.

The clash erupted in an instant. One side surged like a vast abyss, obscure laws intertwining and flowing through his palm and fingers, striking forth at will. The other brandished a scarlet halberd, his attacks sweeping wide and free, grand and unyielding. He stood like a peerless warrior of unrivalled might.

In an instant, every gaze was drawn to their duel. However, moments later, Zhong Ying was defeated. A razor-edged sword qi tore across his chest, nearly splitting him in two.

He fought with everything he had, unleashing even his innate divine powers without reservation. Despite that, he still could not withstand Lin Xun and was grievously wounded. Unlike Xing Jun or Jing Qingjia, Zhong Ying admitted defeat decisively on the spot.

Lin Xun stopped at once.

“Even as an enemy, I must admit...you’re very strong.” Zhong Ying’s gaze flickered with reluctance and bitterness. He gave a slight shake of his head, then turned and left the arena.

Outside, silence fell. A heavy, suffocating atmosphere spread across the viewing platform. In the three battles, Lin Xun had proven his strength beyond doubt. Under normal circumstances, no one would dare step forward again without weighing the consequences.

However, this was no ordinary situation. Before the duels began, Lin Xun had forced every challenger to press their handprint onto the scroll. Now, they had no way out.

Either fight...or admit defeat outright! It was at this moment that everyone finally understood Lin Xun’s intent. The scroll was a trap laid from the start, because he feared these so-called challengers would shrink back in cowardice.

The realization left the high-ranking figures pale. If the defeats continued, all those who had come to the Origin Sect to spectate would lose face, unable to lift their heads before the Origin Sect!

Unfortunately, there was nothing they could do to stop it. The key was already in Lin Xun’s hand: a jade-colored silk scroll bearing their handprints, bound by a vicious oath: “Whoever went back on their words is the grandson of everyone here!”

Who would dare shrink back now?

As for Lin Xun, he seemed utterly unconcerned. He had been drinking and chatting merrily with his senior sister Cheng Yu when this storm disturbed them. He then heard that his enemies had called him out by name to challenge him, how could he possibly be in a good mood?

Furthermore, since every challenger belonged to forces hostile to Fangchun Mountain, how could he possibly let them off lightly? That was why he prepared the scroll in advance

“Who’s next?” Lin Xun asked casually.

Outside the Heavenly Enlightenment Dao Arena stood six challengers. Apart from Yu Fengzi, the other five wore dark, gloomy expressions.

They had dared to step forward earlier only because they believed their strength was on par with Xing Jun and Jing Qingjia. However, after watching those two suffer miserable defeats, their confidence had crumbled.

“Don’t dare anymore?” Lin Xun took out the jade-colored silk scroll and shook it lightly. “Should I read it aloud for everyone? Let’s see who here wants to be the grandson of the crowd!”

That was nothing short of humiliation. On the viewing platform, many elders frowned, itching to rush down and give Lin Xun a beating.

Infuriating!

In stark contrast, laughter erupted from the Origin Sect’s side. No words were spoken, but the mocking laughter alone made the challengers' faces turn even darker.

“I’ll go first!” Yu Fengzi let out a soft sigh. He was clad in a white monk’s robe, his features delicate and refined, his aura ethereal and transcendent. He was a natural-born Buddha, a rare prodigy unseen in the Zen Sect for ten thousand years, and the chief of the guardian disciples. His foundation was beyond measure.

The moment he stepped forward, the atmosphere shifted. In the audience, many secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If Yu Fengzi took action, perhaps he could turn the tide and suppress Lin Xun’s rampant arrogance!

Even the other five challengers felt as though they had been rescued. If Yu Fengzi could defeat Lin Xun, they might not have to enter the arena at all.

However, Lin Xun’s voice cut coldly through the air. “What did I say just now? Line up, one by one. How can the last come first? Monk, get to the back.”

The crowd was stunned.

“Yes! Back of the line! You’re last! Don’t get ahead of yourself!”

“Yu Fengzi, even though you’re a dazzling figure of the Zen Sect, you still have to follow the rules. Don’t forget, you placed your handprint on Deputy Deacon Lin’s scroll.”

Experts of the Origin Sect began clamoring, voicing their support for Lin Xun. In an instant, the five challengers’ faces turned green with rage. They looked as if they wanted to kill on the spot! Even many of the high-ranking figures on the viewing platform wore dark, grim expressions.

Only Xuan Feiling and Dugu Yong were smiling, clearly enjoying the spectacle. Their joy was hard to conceal, and they were already thinking of what rewards and honors the sect should bestow upon Lin Xun once today’s events came to an end...

He had brought immense honor and prestige to the Origin Sect, how could he not be rewarded?!

“That guy...It’s your turn.” Lin Xun’s gaze swept over and locked onto the next challenger.

He was a lean man in a white robe and black hat, with a long, narrow face and a slender green snake dangling from each ear. Mao Qiu of the Mao Clan from the Eighth Heaven Domain.

Being called ‘that guy’ made his face darken. What about my name?! This guy is far too arrogant!

Many Origin Sect disciples shouted, “Mao Qiu, get up there!”

Mao Qiu drew several deep breaths, his expression hardening. Then he said in a low, heavy voice, “To knowingly march into defeat is the act of a reckless fool. Therefore...I concede.”

His tone was steady, his manner composed. Although he was admitting defeat, he wrapped it in such righteousness and solemnity that the crowd was left stunned. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Before long, many were secretly cursing him as shameless.

“You admit defeat?” Lin Xun asked.

“Yes, I admit defeat.” Mao Qiu stiffened under Lin Xun’s gaze, guilt flickering in his eyes.

Lin Xun turned his palm over, revealing a jade slip. “This contains a record of your own admission. I’ll keep it as a memento.”

Mao Qiu froze, then his face turned black with fury. “Lin Xun! I’ve already admitted defeat, and you still humiliate me like this? This is too much!”

“If you’re going to admit defeat, then admit defeat properly. If you refuse to accept it, then step onto the arena and fight?” Lin Xun’s tone was indifferent.

The audience exchanged uneasy looks. None of them had expected Lin Xun to be this ruthless. He seized on Mao Qiu’s disgraceful surrender and held onto it to shame him, making Mao Qiu a laughingstock forever!

“You...” Mao Qiu ground his teeth in fury.

“If you’ve admitted defeat, then move aside. Stop wasting my time and everyone else’s.” Lin Xun didn’t even spare him another glance and turned to the next challenger. “You there. Your turn.”