Divine Emperor Demon Emperor

In no time, Li Yang had scraped together one thousand Merit Points. He looked at Lin Yun with an air of absolute certainty, as if he had already beaten him to a pulp.

"The one thousand Merit Points are here. Lin Shan, let’s go. We’ll settle this at the Martial Arts Arena," Li Yang announced loudly.

"No need. Let’s do it right here," Lin Yun replied with a smile.

The Merit Hall was a long way from the Martial Arts Arena. Dealing with Li Yang would only take a single move. Besides, Lin Yun figured it was about time he showed a little of his strength. ’Otherwise, being called trash all day is getting pretty old.’

When Lin Yun said this, that idiot Li Yang actually thought he was giving up. He immediately turned to the Steward. "Steward, it’s alright for us to duel here, isn’t it?"

At these words, the Steward mulled it over for a moment. He likely knew who this "Lin Shan" was. ’With such a massive gap between them, it’ll only take a few moves. It doesn’t matter where they fight. Besides, the sooner this is done, the sooner I can return to the Steward Hall to handle my other duties.’

With this in mind, the Steward gave a slight nod and warned Li Yang, "Just be quick about it. If the fight gets too intense, you’ll have to move to the Martial Arts Arena."

"Don’t worry, it won’t get intense. I’ll take care of him in a single move," Li Yang replied, shooting a disdainful look at Lin Yun.

The group then moved to the open area in front of the Merit Hall. Lin Yun and Li Yang stood ten meters apart, already surrounded by over a hundred senior class students.

"Brother Yang, smash him with one punch!"

"Yeah! Teach this piece of trash a lesson! How dare he even think about getting Merit Points," Li Yang’s companions jeered. But Lin Yun’s face remained placid, betraying no emotion.

"Senior class ranking match: Li Yang, ranked one hundred and seventy-fifth, versus Lin Shan, ranked eight hundredth. The wager is one thousand Merit Points and one Earth Level Three-Stars Life-extending Pill." With that, the Steward declared the start of the battle.

As the Steward’s voice faded, Li Yang didn’t attack immediately. ’Defeating Lin Yun in one hit would be too boring,’ he thought. ’I should toy with him a little first.’

"I’ll let you make the first move. Otherwise, you won’t even get a chance," Li Yang said with contempt.

Hearing this, Lin Yun couldn’t be bothered to waste any more words on the moron. "Alright," he replied simply. In the next instant, his figure appeared directly in front of Li Yang.

Lin Yun used Inch Step, his speed so incredible that not even a Qi Sea Realm Martial Artist could match it. No one saw how he moved. They only heard a pained shriek as Li Yang was sent flying backward.

The moment Lin Yun appeared before Li Yang, he instantly unleashed Black Steel Tyrant Fist. Before Li Yang had any time to react, Lin Yun’s fist had already slammed into his stomach.

Lin Yun’s strength was undeniable. Naturally, Li Yang stood no chance against his strike and was immediately incapacitated.

Li Yang flew a full twenty meters before crashing heavily to the ground. He coughed up several mouthfuls of blood, his gaze toward Lin Yun now filled with utter terror.

’That strike from Lin Yun... it was like being rammed by a Demon Beast. It felt like his fist went straight through my stomach.’

It wasn’t just Li Yang; the expressions of everyone in the surrounding crowd had changed, including the Steward standing to the side.

The students hadn’t seen Lin Yun’s movements clearly, but the Steward, as a Qi Sea Realm Martial Artist, had managed to see a little. ’The Step Technique Lin Yun just used was incredibly profound, far beyond my own.’

"L...Lin Shan wins. Li Yang’s one thousand Merit Points are awarded to Lin Shan." After a long pause, the Steward took a deep breath and announced the result.

Having won a thousand Merit Points with a single punch, Lin Yun was in an excellent mood. He didn’t bother with Li Yang any further and, under the astonished gazes of the crowd, turned and walked away from the Merit Hall.

"Wh... I didn’t even see how he attacked."

"Me neither. And he defeated Li Yang in a single hit... That kind of power..."

A full quarter of an hour passed after Lin Yun’s departure before the crowd finally snapped out of it. Recalling what they had just witnessed, everyone was completely stunned. It was indeed a one-sided slaughter, but it had been Lin Shan who had completely annihilated Li Yang.

As the crowd reeled in shock, Lin Shan’s name began to spread like wildfire throughout the senior class. Unlike his previous reputation, this one was built on true, undeniable power.

With Lin Yun’s Combat Power now on display, many students from his cohort revealed a shocking inside story.

It turned out that during the class placement assessment, Lin Yun’s name was never even called. His so-called "three-breath" score was very likely the result of a setup.

All at once, everyone became convinced that Lin Shan’s strength was among the very best in the senior class. They concluded that he must have offended someone powerful and been framed by the teacher administering the assessment.

As this news spread like wildfire among the senior class students, it naturally came to the attention of the Punishment Hall.

Lin Yun was escorted by two Stewards into the Punishment Hall. The entire structure was dominated by a blood-red color scheme and permeated with the thick scent of blood.

In the main chamber of the Punishment Hall, Lin Yun saw the teacher who had overseen his assessment. When the teacher saw him, there was no panic in his eyes, only a look of grim finality.

Seeing that look of grim resolve, Lin Yun knew. ’Tang Wushuang must have arranged everything. There’s no way this will be traced back to him.’

"Lin Shan, recount the events of the placement assessment day, step by step," commanded the man in the main seat, a Qi Sea Realm Martial Artist. ’He must be an Elder of the Punishment Hall,’ Lin Yun surmised.

Lin Yun was slightly disappointed not to see the head of the Punishment Hall, but he quickly accepted it. ’How could such a trivial matter possibly warrant the attention of someone that important?’

He recounted the events of that day in perfect detail. However, he didn’t mention Tang Wushuang’s name once. ’It would be useless,’ he knew. ’Tang Wushuang has undoubtedly already tied up all the loose ends.’

After listening to Lin Yun’s testimony, the Punishment Hall Elder turned to the teacher. "Is what Lin Shan said true?"

Few dared to lie within the Punishment Hall. The atmosphere was simply too oppressive; someone with a weak Mental Realm might confess everything without even being questioned.

The teacher didn’t try to deny it. He had arrived prepared to face the worst. As soon as Tang Wushuang had gotten wind of the rumors, he had approached the teacher and promised to take care of his family.

He confessed without hesitation. Upon hearing the teacher’s admission of guilt, the Punishment Hall Elder immediately announced the sentence: the teacher’s Cultivation would be crippled, and he would be expelled from Yanhuang Academy.

"Lin Shan, although you were wronged, the placement assessment is long over," the Punishment Hall Elder stated. "We cannot reactivate the Array just for you. You will have to climb the ranks step by step, according to the Academy’s rules."

Lin Yun didn’t particularly mind that. However, the Elder’s next words made him inwardly ecstatic.

"However, while we cannot re-run the assessment for you, you will not go without compensation. All of this teacher’s personal assets and Merit Points will be awarded to you as recompense."