After the first round of the Outer Sect Trial, Lin Yuan walked calmly across the training grounds, his hands tucked into his sleeves. Whispers followed him wherever he went. Even the usually arrogant outer disciples now glanced at him with caution. His victory over Feng Tian had shaken the sect more than he expected.
Feng Tian, humiliated but not defeated, glared from a distance. His pride had been shattered, and his face burned with anger. He muttered under his breath, "Trash disciple… you'll regret this."
As Lin Yuan approached the next match area, a young man with sharp eyes and a composed aura stepped forward. He was tall, with a refined cultivation foundation that even a casual observer could sense. He bowed slightly, a polite smile on his face. "Lin Yuan, I am Yu Jie. I will be your opponent."
Lin Yuan studied him. Yu Jie was calm, but his cultivation aura was impressive. The system chimed softly in his mind.
[Enemy Analysis: Yu Jie – Cultivation comparable, refined technique, fast reflexes, high intelligence]
[Recommended Strategy: Exploit overconfidence, use environment, focus on precision strikes]
The bell rang, signaling the start. Yu Jie moved first, his steps silent but precise. Each movement carried the weight of disciplined training. Lin Yuan sidestepped easily, observing the subtle patterns in his stance. Yu Jie's attacks were elegant but predictable once the rhythm was noticed.
Lin Yuan struck. A combination of body tempering techniques allowed him to move with extraordinary speed. Yu Jie was caught off-guard by the sudden assault, stumbling back as Lin Yuan's fist grazed his shoulder.
Yu Jie recovered instantly, countering with a sharp kick aimed at Lin Yuan's midsection. Lin Yuan leapt aside, letting his momentum carry him behind a training dummy. He watched as Yu Jie's attack smashed it to pieces, the wood splintering everywhere.
The crowd held their breath. It was rare to see such a precise duel among outer disciples. Both fighters moved with skill and intelligence rather than brute force.
Lin Yuan's system buzzed. [Combat Efficiency: 85% – Minor adjustments recommended] He adjusted his stance slightly, predicting Yu Jie's next move. A sudden feint, a quick jab to the ribs, and Yu Jie stumbled once more.
The final moment came when Lin Yuan used a swift combination of strikes that Yu Jie could not block. With a final push, Yu Jie fell to one knee, gasping, and raised a hand in surrender.
The crowd erupted, murmuring about the unexpected rise of the so-called "trash disciple." Lin Yuan remained calm, wiping the sweat from his brow. He had won without showing his full strength, but he had sent a clear message: he was not to be underestimated.
Yu Jie bowed deeply. "I underestimated you. You are truly talented." Lin Yuan simply nodded. He knew there would be more rivals, stronger and more cunning, but with the system guiding him, he would continue to grow.
The Outer Sect Trial was far from over, and Lin Yuan's reputation was only beginning to spread.