The plaza slowly calmed after the ranking challenge, but the tension in the air had not disappeared.
Lin Ye stood beneath the towering Ranking Board, looking up at the glowing characters now carved onto the black stone pillar.
Rank 20 — Lin Ye
Seeing his name there felt strange.
"…That was faster than I expected," he muttered.
Around him, Inner Sect disciples continued whispering.
"He climbed the board in one day…"
"Liu Feng didn't even stand a chance…"
"Blood Shadow…"
Lin Ye rubbed his forehead.
"…That nickname is going to haunt me."
Gu Chen stood beside him, arms folded.
"You earned it."
Lin Ye sighed.
"Unfortunately."
Before they could continue—
The crowd shifted again.
A heavy silence spread as a tall figure stepped forward through the gathering disciples.
Wu Shan.
The leader of the Black Fang faction.
His dark robes moved slowly as he walked, his calm expression hiding the sharpness in his eyes. The disciples nearby instinctively stepped aside, giving him a clear path toward the arena.
Lin Ye noticed immediately.
"…Speak of the devil."
Gu Chen's gaze hardened.
"He's coming."
Zhao Tian, standing a few steps behind them, crossed his arms.
"…Finally."
Wu Shan stopped several meters away from Lin Ye.
For a moment—
Neither of them spoke.
The entire plaza seemed to hold its breath.
Then Wu Shan smiled faintly.
"Congratulations."
Lin Ye blinked.
"…That sounded almost sincere."
Wu Shan ignored the comment.
"You defeated Liu Feng twice."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"That's impressive."
Lin Ye shrugged.
"He tried hard."
Several disciples nearby snorted quietly.
Wu Shan continued calmly.
"But strength alone doesn't guarantee survival."
Lin Ye tilted his head.
"…You've mentioned that before."
Wu Shan nodded.
"And you still haven't listened."
The tension thickened.
Lin Ye crossed his arms.
"Are you here to repeat the recruitment speech?"
Wu Shan shook his head.
"No."
His gaze sharpened.
"I'm here to test you myself."
A wave of murmurs exploded through the crowd.
"He's challenging Lin Ye?!"
"Wu Shan is Rank 12!"
"That's a huge gap!"
Lin Ye scratched his cheek.
"…You're ranked twelve."
Wu Shan nodded.
"Yes."
Lin Ye sighed.
"…You really don't like losing face."
Wu Shan's smile didn't change.
"Black Fang doesn't tolerate disrespect."
Lin Ye looked around at the watching disciples.
"…Feels like everyone's taking this very personally."
Gu Chen stepped forward slightly.
"You don't have to accept."
Zhao Tian added quietly,
"But if you refuse…"
Lin Ye nodded.
"…Yeah."
He knew.
Refusing a public challenge now would destroy the reputation he had just earned.
Lin Ye stretched his shoulders slowly.
"…Fine."
He stepped forward into the arena.
"Let's do it."
The crowd erupted with excitement.
This was no longer a simple ranking duel.
This was a clash between a rising newcomer and one of the strongest disciples in the Inner Sect.
Wu Shan entered the arena calmly, his movements smooth and controlled.
His aura slowly spread outward.
It was heavier than Liu Feng's.
More refined.
More dangerous.
Lin Ye felt the pressure instantly.
"…Okay," he muttered quietly.
"That's different."
The elder overseeing the arena raised his hand.
"Ranking challenge confirmed."
"Lin Ye versus Wu Shan."
"Begin."
Wu Shan didn't rush forward.
Instead, he stood calmly, studying Lin Ye carefully.
"You grow quickly."
Lin Ye shrugged.
"Occupational hazard."
Wu Shan nodded slightly.
"But growth without foundation…"
"…breaks."
Then he moved.
His speed shocked the crowd.
In an instant he appeared in front of Lin Ye, his palm striking forward with crushing force.
Lin Ye barely reacted in time.
Blood Shadow Step.
He vanished just as Wu Shan's strike slammed into the stone floor, shattering the surface with explosive force.
Cracks spread across the arena.
The crowd gasped.
"…That would've crushed him!"
Wu Shan turned calmly.
"Good reaction."
Lin Ye reappeared several meters away, rubbing his neck.
"…You're stronger than Liu Feng."
Wu Shan nodded.
"Obviously."
Then he attacked again.
This time faster.
Sharper.
Lin Ye dodged again with Blood Shadow Step, but the pressure was already building. Wu Shan's attacks weren't reckless like Liu Feng's.
They were calculated.
Each strike pushed Lin Ye further back across the arena.
Gu Chen watched with narrowed eyes.
"…He's testing Lin Ye."
Zhao Tian nodded.
"And controlling the pace."
Back in the arena, Lin Ye slipped past another palm strike and countered with a quick punch toward Wu Shan's ribs.
Wu Shan blocked easily.
Their arms collided with a sharp crack.
Lin Ye felt the difference immediately.
Wu Shan was stronger.
Physically.
Technically.
Every exchange pushed Lin Ye slightly backward.
Wu Shan spoke calmly as they fought.
"You have talent."
His next strike forced Lin Ye to dodge again.
"But talent alone won't defeat me."
Lin Ye smirked.
"…Good."
Because inside his body—
Something was stirring.
The demonic bloodline.
Responding.
Awakening.
The system flickered.
[Bloodline Awakening: 91%]
Lin Ye's eyes glowed faintly red for a split second.
Wu Shan noticed.
"…There it is."
His smile widened slightly.
"The power everyone fears."
Lin Ye exhaled slowly.
"…You wanted to see it."
He rolled his shoulders.
"Careful what you wish for."
The air in the arena grew heavier.
The demonic aura surrounding Lin Ye began to rise.
The watching disciples fell silent.
Because the battle—
Was about to enter a completely different stage.
Above the arena balcony, Su Qingyue stood suddenly.
Her gaze locked onto Lin Ye.
"…Ninety percent."
Her voice was barely a whisper.
"Don't go further."
Because if Lin Ye lost control now—
The entire Inner Sect would witness it.
And the consequences would be far worse than losing a duel.
Below, Lin Ye raised his head slowly.
His eyes sharpened.
"Alright."
He smiled faintly.
"Let's get serious."
Wu Shan's aura surged in response.
"…Finally."
The storm between them was about to explode.