A list of the first-round battles was released. Two hundred participants would fight on one hundred platforms in the venue.

Time was limited to 15 minutes, as stated before.

When the list spread throughout the audience, it immediately caused numerous debates, which were all analysis of first-round battles.

"It seems that there are not many top talents in the first match list. What are you so hopeful for?"

"Notice the 36th platform, please! It’s Lin Xun! Isn’t he a top genius?"

"It's really Lin Xun! That fellow is a cruel man."

"God! I never thought I’d see Lin Xun in the first challenge. Is he really as fierce as the rumors say?”

"Aha, which force Tan Long belongs to? He is so unlucky to meet the monstrous Lin Xun in the first round."

After perusing the information, everyone agreed that the 36th platform was the most worthwhile to watch in the first stage.

After all, there were a hundred battles in the field that will commence at the same time. No one could focus on all of them, so they only chose the most attractive contests to pay attention to.

Obviously, in this first match, Lin Xun's performance was undoubtedly the most anticipated one.

The audience knew that Lin Xun had fought against Qi Yunxiao and Yuan Shu before, and he also had an intense struggle with Huang Jianchen, a disciple of an aristocratic family in the Forbidden City.

In their hearts, Lin Xun had long been a dazzling figure with a fierce fighting prowess. Now in this first phase, it was exciting to see Lin Xun's performance with their eyes.

For a moment, Lin Xun's name echoed in the whole site.

Gu Liang, who was standing in the audience, could not help feeling shocked when he witnessed this spectacle. Who could have expected that Lin Xun, an unnoticed young man in Donglin Town, would now be an imposing figure in Mist City?

On the White Jade platform, hearing the boiling voices in the field, the bigwigs like Liu Wujun, Wei Lingzhen, and Du Dongtuo also had complex feelings.

It had been less than a year since Lin Xun appeared in Mist City, and this young man had risen like a star and garnered great attention; It was no less than a miracle.

Thinking of what happened to Lin Xun, they also had to admit that he really had his redeeming features to be proud!

That battle on the rainy night had caused more than ten powerful forces to suffer heavy losses, but they dared not vent their anger. A peak battle in the arena with Huang Jianchen, a disciple of an aristocratic family, had resulted in him feeling dismayed.

Now, he was participating in the Province Test. Nobody could tell what surprises he would bring this time.

But there was no doubt that inferring from his past performances, it should not be difficult for him to pass the Province Test. Of course, no one was sure whether there would be any accidents before the final results were released.

At this time, even those who took part in the examination were concentrating on Lin Xun. They had heard too much about him these days. Many people had done in-depth research on Lin's fighting power.

However, those were rumors, after all. Today, they could witness Lin Xun's fight in person, and perhaps they would have a more comprehensive understanding of Lin Xun.

The real talents would never underestimate any opponent. Since Lin Xun had now been recognized as the toughest opponent, they’d like to see if he was really as powerful as rumored.

...

Tan Long felt a little numb. Damn, how unlucky he must be to be arranged in the first match? And how unfortunate he must be to meet Lin Xun?

Why was he chosen among so many participants? It was not fair!

When he stepped onto the 36th platform, Tan Long could clearly feel that countless eyes in the field locked on him like sharp blades, as if they were waiting to see his fool’s errand.

Tan Long felt uncomfortable all over his body and took a deep breath to cheer himself up. “Don’t be afraid! Lin Xun is also a Human-gang Realm practitioner, same as me! He can’t have too much power.”

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Suddenly, Tan Long caught a glimpse of a familiar figure approaching the platform from the other side. He couldn't help but stare, "What are you doing, buddy? My opponent is Lin Xun, not you.”

That familiar figure was Lin Xun. When he saw Tan Long, he was stunned too. Wasn’t this the little fatty who claimed that Lin Xun had a savage green face with tusks?

Immediately, Lin Xun laughed. He paced onto the platform and chuckled, "You’re Tan Long, right?"

Tan Long suddenly felt a bit weird in his heart. Some bad premonitions crept into his heart. He swallowed his saliva hard and bobbed his head up and down. Tan Long could not help but ask, "Buddy, are you… are you Lin...”

Before he finished, Lin Xun earnestly nodded, "Yes, I’m Lin Xun."

Hiss!

Tan Long inhaled a sharp breath, and his heart turned cold. He really was Lin Xun!

When he thought about him scolding Lin Xun as a devil from hell at their first meeting, Tan Long felt dizzy. ‘God! You're absolutely fucking playing with me!’

"Er, Brother Lin, I didn't mean that before. I... I heard rumors about you from others. I didn’t mean any harm."

Before the battle even started, Tan Long had already lost his morale and said with a sour face.

"It's all right. I don't blame you. You just need to have a good fight with me later."

Lin Xun said with a smile, looking quite generous.

"Can… can I give up?”

Tan Long's face was crumpled. He really didn't have much fighting spirit while standing in front of Lin Xun. He wasn’t a timid person, but he knew very well that he was just too far apart from Lin.

It was better to admit defeat quickly than to be humiliated by a violent beating. At least, he could maintain his persona that way.

Lin Xun was at a loss for words. He had no idea that the little fatty would be so upset. He couldn't help but cheer up Tan Long, "Don't you want to fight with all your strength? Maybe, there will be a miracle."

Tan Long shook his head hard, "I never believe in miracles."

Lin Xun stopped his kindness and commanded, "There’s no way for you to give up! You have to fight this battle. Even if you are going to concede defeat, the outcome should be controlled by me!"

"Uh..."

Hearing Lin Xun’s words, Tan Long felt like he was struck by lightning and wanted to cry. Lin Xun was being too domineering by doing this; even the results of admitting defeat should be controlled by him. It was bullying, blatant bullying!

Their comments and expressions were reflected in the eyes of the audience in the field. They didn’t know how to react to this incident and then despised Tan Long heavily. They had never seen such a dispirited man before. What a shame it was to surrender before the battle even kicked off.

However, from this, it could be seen how fierce Lin Xun's fame was! He could frighten his opponents directly and let them take the initiative to admit defeat.

Clang~~

The bell rang in the air, signifying the beginning of the first round.

On the 36th platform

With a clang, Lin Xun pulled out a massive saber with a broad blade. It shined with a cold and fierce light, giving people a very strong visual impact like a giant door panel.

"What kind of saber is that? What an exaggerated look!"

"I don't know. It's supposed to be the latest developed spiritual artifact, right?"

Suddenly, everybody was attracted by the huge saber in Lin's hands. Its size was just too shocking. The blade was about 133 centimeters long and was dark all over, full of piercing glimmer. It could be imagined how powerful its killing force must be.

On the opposite end, Tan Long shivered all over and wailed in his heart. ‘Damn it, it’s inevitable that I’ll be beaten up.’

At this point, Tan Long had to grit his teeth fiercely, pull out a pair of brass hammers, take a deep breath, run all his strength, and stare at Lin Xun with a desperately.

"Lin Xun, do me a favor. How about we duke it out in one blow?"

Tan Long shouted while hefting his hammers.

"Well, as you wish."

Lin Xun agreed with pleasure.

"Kill!"

Before the sound fell, Tan Long's figure menacingly rushed ahead and drew an afterimage in the sky. His fat body was extremely sensitive while moving.

Boom ~ ~

A red glow flooded on his whole body, making him akin to a burning volcano. His wanton momentum rose suddenly as his strike landed.

The audience was shocked. The fat man was so strong and aggressive that it was totally different from his losing outlook before.

Obviously, this guy just pretended to be upset.

Many people scolded Tan Long for being despicable and insidious. According to his performance, though his power could not be compared with that of the top figures, he could be regarded as first-class. How to explain his deflated performance before? Everyone believed that he was pretending to be a weakling.

"It’s funny. This little fatty is interesting."

On the White Jade Platform, Wei Lingzhen was dumbfounded. Other dignitaries laughed as well. It was obvious to see through Tan Long’s fighting strategy with their experiences. The reason why he was so upset just now was that he was obviously to fool Lin Xun.

After all, there weren’t any ordinary individuals since they had passed through several selections and were participating in the Province Test.

If Tan Long was really a push-over, how could he possibly enter into the Province Test?

Boom!

Two brass hammers soared through the air, entangling with each other like a pair of dragons, crushing the air, and producing terrible destructive force.

At this moment, Tan Long, in the face of such well-known Lin Xun, had obviously done his best!

The audience couldn’t help but feel excited. They widened their eyes, wanting to know how Lin Xun would deal with such a violent blow.

Would he be taken to the cleaners for being careless?

However, Lin Xun stood still until Tan Long's attack came from the mid-air. He turned his wrist and raised the large, exaggerated saber in his hand.

He looked like pulling up a door panel.

Boom!

When the saber clashed with the hammers, a loud noise burst out. Tan Long's body was shot out like a fat fly!

In a flash, the audience was dumbfounded. Wasn’t it…too…too brutal? Next chapter -> Rising to Prominence