The forest had changed.
If the first day of the Inner Sect Trial was chaos—
Then the second day…
Was hunting season.
Not for beasts.
For people.
After the Interruption
Su Qingyue's arrival had ended the clash.
Not resolved it.
Just… postponed it.
Lin Ye stood where he was, watching her retreating figure disappear into the mist.
"…She interferes too much."
Behind him—
Gu Chen let out a slow breath.
"…You're lucky."
Lin Ye didn't turn.
"…Or you are."
Silence stretched between them.
Heavy.
Sharp.
Neither attacked.
Not yet.
Both understood—
That next time…
It wouldn't be interrupted.
Gu Chen finally spoke.
"Next time we meet…"
Lin Ye cut him off.
"You won't leave alive."
A pause.
Then—
Gu Chen smiled.
"…Good."
Without another word—
He vanished into the forest.
Tactical Shift
Lin Ye stood alone once more.
The air felt different now.
He could feel it—
Stronger presences moving in the forest.
"…The weak are gone."
Day one eliminated them.
Now—
Only predators remained.
Lin Ye opened his system.
[Status]
Level: 8
EXP: 120 / 900
Bloodline Awakening: 15%
Blood Points: 70
"…Still not enough."
His strength had grown fast—
But his enemies were growing faster.
Gu Chen.
The beast.
Inner disciples.
"…I need more."
The Hunt Begins
Lin Ye moved deeper into the forest.
No hesitation.
No fear.
This time—
He didn't avoid fights.
He searched for them.
Kill Zone
Soon—
He found one.
A lone disciple.
Wounded.
Level 6.
The man looked up.
Fear filled his eyes.
"Don't—!"
Too late.
FLASH!
THUD.
Dead.
[+EXP]
Lin Ye didn't stop.
Another.
Then another.
Each fight—
Short.
Efficient.
No wasted movement.
No hesitation.
Evolution in Combat
With every kill—
His technique improved.
Not learned.
Adapted.
Refined through battle.
"…This is faster than training."
The system responded.
[Ding!]
[Combat Proficiency Increased]
Lin Ye smiled faintly.
"Of course it is."
Ambush
Then—
WHOOSH!
An attack came from behind.
Fast.
Silent.
Lin Ye reacted instantly—
Blood Shadow Step!
FLASH!
He vanished—
Barely dodging a blade.
"…Ambush."
Three figures appeared.
Not ordinary disciples.
Their auras—
Sharp.
Controlled.
[Ding!]
[Targets Identified]
Level 6
Level 7
Level 7
"…A team."
The leader smirked.
"Blood Shadow."
"We've been looking for you."
Lin Ye's eyes narrowed.
"…Fame really is trouble."
⚔️ 3 vs 1
They attacked together.
Perfect coordination.
One from the front.
Two from the sides.
No openings.
No hesitation.
Lin Ye's body moved instinctively.
FLASH!
SWISH!
BOOM!
Dodging.
Blocking.
Countering.
But—
He was pushed back.
"…Good teamwork."
Too good.
🧠 Breaking Formation
Lin Ye observed.
Patterns.
Timing.
"…The weakest link."
Level 6.
He shifted.
Suddenly aggressive.
Blood Shadow Step!
FLASH!
He broke formation—
Attacking directly.
The Level 6 disciple panicked.
"—!"
Too slow.
CRACK!
Dead.
Momentum Shift
The formation broke instantly.
The remaining two hesitated.
Just for a moment.
That was enough.
Lin Ye pressed forward.
Relentless.
BAM!
THUD!
CRACK!
One fell.
Then—
The last tried to run.
"…No."
FLASH!
Lin Ye appeared in front of him.
"Wrong direction."
THUD.
Silence.
[Ding!]
[Multiple Kills Confirmed]
[+EXP]
[Bloodline Awakening: 22%]
Lin Ye exhaled slowly.
His aura—
Heavier now.
Darker.
"…It's growing."
Watching Eyes
High above—
Hidden—
Su Qingyue watched again.
"…He's changed."
Faster.
Colder.
More dangerous.
But—
Something else caught her attention.
"…He's losing control."
The demonic aura—
Was becoming more obvious.
⚔️ Final Encounter
As Lin Ye turned—
Another presence appeared.
Familiar.
"…You again."
Gu Chen stepped out from the shadows.
Uninjured.
Calm.
"You've improved."
Lin Ye smiled.
"So have you."
This time—
No interruptions.
No distractions.
Just them.
⚔️ True Fight Begins
The air froze.
Killing intent surged.
Both moved—
At the same time.
BOOM!
Their attacks collided.
Shockwaves spread.
Trees shook.
Ground cracked.
No holding back.
No testing.
Only killing intent.
🔥 Closing Clash
BAM!
CRACK!
THUD!
Each strike—
Deadly.
Each movement—
Precise.
Neither yielding.
Neither retreating.
Then—
Lin Ye smiled.
"…This is it."
Gu Chen's eyes sharpened.
"…Yes."
The real battle—
Had begun.