Morning light stretched across the Green Bamboo Sect like flowing gold, and a thin layer of mist drifted between the bamboo peaks as if the mountains themselves were breathing.
Inside Room 53579, Fang Lin slowly opened his eyes.
For a brief moment, a faint grey light flickered deep within his pupils, then vanished without a trace.
He remained still.
Silent.
Then he slowly closed his eyes again and looked inward.
Within his spiritual sea, the mysterious grey stone floated calmly.
But now—
It was different.
A thin layer of smokey grey mist surrounded it, swirling slowly like quiet smoke rising from a hidden fire.
It was no longer faint.
No longer uncertain.
It had grown.
Almost one percent.
Just a small change—
Yet the feeling it gave was deep, ancient, and unsettling.
Fang Lin watched it carefully.
"This… is progressing," Fang Lin thought.
He could not explain it.
But instinct told him clearly—
The day this grey mist completely covered the stone…
Something terrifying would happen.
Something that could shake the heavens themselves.
Fang Lin slowly opened his eyes.
His expression returned to calm.
Fang Lin said softly, "No need to rush."
Then he stood and walked out.
The outer disciple arena was already filled with noise.
Disciples gathered everywhere, their voices rising like waves.
Excitement.
Expectation.
And tension.
The moment Fang Lin stepped into the arena—
The noise changed.
Eyes turned toward him immediately.
Some filled with admiration.
Some filled with fear.
And some—
Filled with hostility.
Among them—
A familiar voice rang out loudly.
"So you finally showed up."
Fang Lin turned his head slightly.
Xu Ren was already standing there.
His arms crossed.
His face full of arrogance.
And unlike before—
There was clear hostility in his eyes.
Xu Ren stepped forward slowly.
Xu Ren said loudly, "I was wondering if you would hide like a coward today."
The surrounding disciples immediately became quiet.
They all knew—
These two had already clashed before.
Xuo Mu frowned.
Xuo Mu muttered, "This guy again…"
Xue Ji remained silent, but her eyes turned sharp.
Xu Ren continued speaking without restraint.
Xu Ren said, "Last time you acted quite bold in front of Senior Brother Chen Hao."
"You think beating Zhou Yan makes you important?"
He laughed mockingly.
"You are still nothing."
Fang Lin looked at him calmly.
But this time—
His patience was thinner.
Xu Ren took another step closer.
His voice grew louder.
"Let me remind you."
"In this sect, people like you either fall in line…"
"Or get crushed."
Fang Lin finally spoke.
His voice was calm.
But slightly colder than before.
Fang Lin said, "You talk too much."
The words were simple.
But they cut deeply.
Xu Ren's expression darkened instantly.
"What did you say?" Xu Ren said.
Fang Lin looked at him directly.
Fang Lin said, "If you want to fight, fight."
"If not, stop barking."
The surrounding disciples gasped.
"He said that directly…"
Xu Ren's face twisted.
His pride—
Was struck hard.
At that moment, the referee elder stepped forward.
"Fang Lin."
"Xu Ren."
"Enter the arena."
Both stepped onto the stage.
The air grew heavy.
Xu Ren cracked his neck and smiled coldly.
Xu Ren said, "Good."
"I will make you regret those words."
Fang Lin said nothing.
"Begin."
Xu Ren exploded forward.
His speed was like a sharp wind cutting through space.
He appeared beside Fang Lin instantly.
Strike.
Fast.
Precise.
Fang Lin moved slightly.
Flowing Wind Steps.
The attack missed.
Xu Ren attacked again.
Faster.
Sharper.
More aggressive.
Fang Lin dodged again.
Calm.
Effortless.
Xu Ren's face darkened.
"Stop dodging!" Xu Ren shouted.
"Fight me!"
Fang Lin's eyes turned cold.
Fang Lin said quietly, "Then take it."
Boom.
The Nine Nether Phantom Body activated.
A heavy pressure spread instantly.
The air seemed to sink.
Xu Ren's pupils shrank.
"What—"
Fang Lin moved.
Like a shadow.
Like a storm.
Bang!
A single strike landed.
Xu Ren was sent sliding backward.
The crowd froze.
"One move?!"
Xu Ren gritted his teeth and rushed forward again.
This time—
Fang Lin did not hold back.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Three consecutive strikes.
Clean.
Heavy.
Direct.
Xu Ren's body shook violently.
His arms trembled.
His breath became chaotic.
Fang Lin stepped forward.
Slowly.
Each step—
Like pressure.
Like dominance.
Xu Ren's confidence shattered.
"No… impossible…" Xu Ren muttered.
Fang Lin disappeared again.
Bang!
A palm struck Xu Ren's chest.
Xu Ren was thrown into the air and slammed onto the ground.
Silence.
Fang Lin stood above him.
Calm.
Cold.
Xu Ren tried to rise.
But his body refused.
Pain surged through him.
Fang Lin looked down at him.
Then Fang Lin said calmly,
"You are weaker than your mouth."
Those words—
Hit harder than any strike.
Xu Ren's eyes turned red.
His fists clenched tightly.
His nails dug into his palms.
"You…!"
Xu Ren roared.
His voice trembled with rage.
A violent aura began to rise from his body.
His Qi surged wildly.
His pride—
Was burning.
"I will kill you!" Xu Ren shouted.
The crowd became tense.
"He lost control…"
"He is furious…"
Fang Lin stood calmly.
Watching.
Waiting.
Xu Ren slowly stood up.
His body trembled.
His face twisted with anger.
His eyes filled with hatred.
"This is not over," Xu Ren said in a low, cold voice.
The air became heavy.
The battle—
Was about to escalate even further.
And inside Fang Lin's spiritual sea—
The grey stone pulsed once more.
The smokey mist around it—
Grew slightly thicker.
Quietly.
Silently.
As if watching everything unfold.