Why is only Lin Chen left?
The thought emerged in everyone’s minds, but looking at the undamaged Lin Chen, they were somewhat incredulous.
Zhang Xu lost?
If it were just Zhang Xu losing, they might have accepted it, but they couldn’t accept how Lin Chen remained unscathed, just like in the previous fight with Zhao Feng.
This meant that Lin Chen’s strength far exceeded that of Zhang Xu.
At this moment, many innate martial artists who initially wanted to challenge Lin Chen breathed a sigh of relief, thankful they didn’t challenge him, as Lin Chen’s victory over Zhang Xu had made them realize Lin Chen’s true strength.
He was not someone they could defeat; challenging him would only bring them disgrace.
...
At East Sea Divine Palace, when Zhang Xu returned from Martial Arts Mountain, he was accompanied by several middle-aged men, including Hu Yunhua.
Zhang Xu’s gaze first fell on Hu Yunhua: "Senior Brother Hu, Lin Chen is stronger than you told me. His revealed strength is enough to place him in the top fifteen of Martial Arts Mountain, and if he’s hiding his strength, he might even be in the top ten or top five."
"Do you think so highly of Lin Chen?"
Hu Yunhua’s face showed surprise, and Zhang Xu smiled: "The reason I’m ranked thirtieth on Martial Arts Mountain is that I know I don’t have a chance to get into the top ten. Whether ranked in the teens or thirties doesn’t matter much to me. Staying at thirty allows me to spar with upcoming innate martial artists."
"I get it."
Hu Yunhua nodded, understanding that Junior Brother Zhang’s true strength was beyond thirtieth place. But since Junior Brother Zhang felt he couldn’t reach the top ten, he didn’t care about the rank, preferring to stay at thirtieth as a gatekeeper.
Thinking back, since Junior Brother Zhang entered the top thirty of Martial Arts Mountain, he indeed hadn’t attempted to climb higher.
"If Lin Chen really reaches the top, or even the top three, I might visit that island to inform Lin Chen’s family."
In his heart, Hu Yunhua made a decision; he no longer aimed to advance in martial arts but wanted to build good relations for his family’s future generations.
...
On the steps of Martial Arts Mountain.
After returning to the steps, Lin Chen did not rest and directly chose to challenge the next opponent.
On the martial arts battlefield.
Ding Zicheng, looking into Lin Chen’s calm yet sharp eyes across from him, felt enormous pressure. Previously, while observing the fights, he didn’t feel anything, but now, facing Lin Chen, he realized how much pressure Lin Chen exerted on him.
Riding on the momentum of consecutive victories, Lin Chen’s aura was at its peak. Conversely, having witnessed Lin Chen’s battles with Zhao Feng and Zhang Xu, Ding Zicheng had to admit that his strength was still not comparable to these two.
If external aids were allowed, he could rely on some spirit soldier treasures provided by the sect to bridge the gap between them, but Martial Arts Mountain didn’t permit any external objects to be brought in.
Ding Zicheng’s face showed bitterness and helplessness. He cupped his fist towards Lin Chen and softly said, "Your strength is far above mine, I surrender."
Surrender without a fight?
Lin Chen was somewhat speechless, but having an opponent surrender voluntarily was also beneficial, allowing him to conserve his strength.
"I accept your concession."
Lin Chen also clasped his hands in return. The many observing martial artists initially thought it was a normal pre-fight greeting, but as soon as Ding Zicheng’s figure disappeared, exclamations of surprise erupted.
He surrendered?
Before everyone’s eyes, Ding Zicheng actually chose to surrender?
Didn’t he fear being ridiculed for it?
"Such cowardice, not even daring to fight."
"A worthless existence."
The disciples from the Eight Desolates Sect, after recovering from their shock, couldn’t help but start cursing.
They wanted to see a battle where, even if not Lin Chen’s opponent, someone would fight Lin Chen, force out more of Lin Chen’s trump cards, or at least exhaust Lin Chen’s strength.
Now that Lin Chen has reached rank twenty-nine, later arriving innate powerhouses no longer have the chance to challenge Lin Chen directly. Lin Chen can take his time with the challenges.
The ten thousand consecutive victory challenge has no time limits and no requirement to finish within a day or a few days.
From their perspective, Lin Chen should be taking a break now.
But when Lin Chen’s figure appeared on the light screen again, this time preparing to continue challenging, the Eight Desolates Sect’s disciples were stunned. Lin Chen still wants to continue challenging?
Not only the Eight Desolates Sect’s disciples, but other observing martial artists were also bewildered.
Already at rank twenty-nine, shouldn’t he take a rest?
The martial artist ranked twenty-eighth on Martial Arts Mountain had a complex expression when he received Lin Chen’s challenge. He didn’t consider himself Lin Chen’s opponent and originally thought Lin Chen wouldn’t challenge so soon, giving him time to discuss with sect elders on what decision to make.
Whether to fight or directly concede?
But now Lin Chen wasn’t giving him time to ponder.
So be it, it’s not like I’m the only one conceding. Since others have done so before, it shouldn’t draw much attention.
As innate martial artists under twenty years old, they were all proud. They were unwilling to lose miserably while knowing they’d exhaust themselves in vain battling Lin Chen in front of everyone.
Most importantly, someone had initiated it.
If the previous opponent hadn’t started conceding, they might have fought with all their might for dignity.
But now that others conceded, if he fought desperately on Martial Arts Mountain and ended up with a crushing defeat, he might be ridiculed for not recognizing his own limits.
"I concede!"
"I surrender."
"I accept your concession."
"Thank you for conceding."
...
Ranks twenty-eight, twenty-seven...
One after another, seven opponents conceded, leaving all the observing martial artists astonished. Lin Chen had climbed to rank twenty-three effortlessly.
Some were angry, some helpless, some found it normal, while others found it exciting.
"The junior brother should rest now."
"The junior brother can pause now."
"Yes, that’s how it should be. While riding this momentum, before these guys react and keep hesitating, keep challenging!"
On the Canglan Sect’s plaza, Chai Daoqi’s words continuously shifted from initial concern to later support for Lin Chen’s continued challenge.
Understanding why some innate martial warriors conceded, likely intimidated by their own junior brother’s aura, unsure of winning, and not wanting a crushing defeat, while previous concessions allowed them to follow suit.
If given time to recover, these people might not have conceded.
Twenty-two, twenty-one...
The martial artist ranked twenty-first on Martial Arts Mountain, Yu Nanchun from Eight Desolates Sect.
"This time, I won’t concede."
"There’s a good show between the Eight Desolates Sect and the Canglan Sect."
Once they saw Lin Chen’s opponent’s identity this time, many martial artists watching felt relieved.
Anyone else could concede, but not this one.
The enmity between Canglan Sect and Eight Desolates Sect is well-known throughout the Flame Dynasty. Many neighboring sects hold grudges, but enmity as deep as between the Canglan Sect and Eight Desolates Sect is rare. Only during Canglan Sect’s several declines did Eight Desolates Sect attempt to annihilate them, failing each time, yet costing Canglan Sect many powerhouses and disciples, resulting in lifelong animosity.
"Lin Chen, your journey to the top of the martial path ends here."
Yu Nanchun smirked at Lin Chen, who squinted slightly, aware of the deep-seated hatred between his own sect and Eight Desolates Sect, despite having joined recently.
If disciples from the two sects met outside, in a secluded place, a life-and-death struggle was inevitable, let alone encountering on Martial Arts Mountain now.
"If Senior Brother Lin can defeat Yu Nanchun, even if the climb fails later, he will be our Canglan Sect’s hero."
It’s fine to lose the climb, but against the Eight Desolates Sect, never lose.
This reflected the genuine thoughts of the Canglan Sect disciples observing the fight.
"Here it comes, Lin Chen’s climb ends here; Senior Brother Yu will make Canglan Sect recognize arrogance."
...
A fervent atmosphere enveloped both sects’ disciples, while on Martial Arts Mountain, Lin Chen and Yu Nanchun wasted no words. They attacked almost simultaneously.