Upon hearing this, both Lin Tao and Lin Yan'er, as well as others, felt a chill in their hearts. When did this rule come into existence? The gap in strength between Lin Tao and Lin Hao was obvious; even if Lin Hao had ten times the courage, he might not dare to fight Lin Tao. If he could refuse, Lin Hao would certainly not accept the challenge!
"Sir Steward, how can there be a refusal? I challenged Lin Hao; how can he refuse?" Lin Tao was somewhat unwilling.
"His ranking is one tier lower than yours, so he naturally has the right to refuse your challenge." The steward stated it as a matter of course.
"Senior Elder!" Lin Tao, dissatisfied, looked at Elder Lin Chen in the distance.
"Lin Hao can refuse your challenge." Unexpectedly, Elder Lin Chen also agreed with the steward's statement.
Seeing even the elder say so, many outer sect disciples sighed. They had thought there would be a good show, but who knew that the challenge could be refused. It seemed that Lin Hao was not a fool and would not accept Lin Tao's targeted challenge.
"Lin Hao, you can refuse the challenge." The steward looked at Lin Hao, waiting for his response.
"I refuse the challenge." Lin Hao said calmly.
Upon hearing this, everyone showed a look of "as expected," and some even laughed sarcastically.
But people like Lin Bai and Lin Xin were relieved for Lin Hao. If he really accepted Lin Tao's challenge, that would be an unwise move.
"Scoundrel without courage." Lin Yan'er glanced at Lin Hao indifferently. This result was indeed as expected.
"Hmph." Lin Tao coldly snorted and sat down again.
...
"I want to challenge." Suddenly, Lin Hao looked at the steward from before.
Upon hearing this, the steward said, "Lin Hao, as one of the top twenty disciples, you have the right to challenge, but if you challenge the top thirty disciples, they have the right to refuse, and you will lose one challenge opportunity. Who do you want to challenge now?"
"I challenge..." Lin Hao's gaze fell on Lin Tao: "Lin Tao."
Lin Tao?!
Upon hearing this, everyone on the martial arts platform fell silent. No one had expected that Lin Hao, who had just refused Lin Tao's challenge a few seconds ago, would now actively challenge Lin Tao!
"This kid, he just refused Lin Tao's challenge, why is he now actively challenging Lin Tao? Did I hear wrong?" An elite disciple looked surprised. How could Lin Hao dare to actively challenge Lin Tao? What was he thinking?!
"Lin Hao... He is familiar with the rules of this year's competition. Lin Tao is in the first tier, while Lin Hao is in the second tier. According to the rules, if Lin Tao challenges Lin Hao, regardless of the outcome, their rankings will not change. So, it was reasonable for Lin Hao to refuse Lin Tao's challenge. But now he is actively challenging... Could he really think he is Lin Tao's match?!" Lin Bai was surprised.
Lin Hao had his own thoughts and goals. He was well-versed in the competition rules and would not be foolish enough to accept Lin Tao's challenge, as it would be meaningless. The rules had already been explained: if a top ten disciple from the first tier challenges a top twenty disciple from the second tier, even if the challenger from the first tier loses, their ranking will not change. This means that if Lin Hao had accepted Lin Tao's challenge earlier, even if he won, Lin Tao would still be ranked eighth, and his own ranking would not change.
Such a challenge would be a thankless task, and Lin Hao would not do such a thing.
Moreover, by refusing Lin Tao's challenge earlier, Lin Hao effectively wasted Lin Tao's challenge opportunity. But if Lin Hao won this time, he would still have the right to challenge, giving him a significant advantage.
This could not be blamed on Lin Hao for being cunning; it could only be said that Lin Tao was not familiar with the competition rules, which led to this hidden loss.
"Are you sure you want to challenge Lin Tao?" The steward was somewhat surprised. If so, then his refusal of Lin Tao's challenge earlier was just a mockery.
"Exactly." Lin Hao's words were followed by his graceful landing on the platform.
"Fine, I accept your challenge." Lin Tao's lips curled up, revealing a cold smile. He did not expect Lin Hao to play this move, but it was nothing.
With a swoosh, Lin Tao landed on the platform, facing Lin Hao.
"Ten moves, if you can last ten moves against me, you win." Lin Tao stared at Lin Hao, full of contempt.
"Ha ha..." Lin Hao smiled calmly: "Lin Tao, if you can last one move against me, you win."
One move?!
The entire venue was in an uproar. Lin Tao said he would win in ten moves, but Lin Hao claimed he would win in one move. This was sheer arrogance to an incurable degree!
Lin Tao was powerful, nearing the Seventh Level of the Spirit Body Realm. He had the absolute capital to say such things, but what did Lin Hao rely on? Did he think he could defeat Lin Tao in one move?
"Just you, one move? Beat my brother?! Ha ha!" Lin Kuan laughed heartily from below the platform, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world. Lin Yan'er and others sneered and shook their heads. Lin Hao thought that winning dozens of matches made him a match for Lin Tao, and even claimed he could defeat him in one move.
"The ignorant are the happiest..." Lin Yan'er sneered.
Only Lin He looked serious. He did not think Lin Hao was arrogant because the Seventh Level peak assassin in the Heavenly Swinging Mountains might have been killed by Lin Hao. If that were true, defeating Lin Tao in one move was not a delusion!
Even several platform dominators were drawn in, eager to see how Lin Hao would defeat his opponent in one move.
On the platform, Lin Hao stood with his hands behind his back, calmly saying, "Go ahead."
"Ha ha, you are indeed arrogant." Lin Tao said, his figure darting forward, so fast that only a blur could be seen.
The Floating Pagoda Palm!
Lin Tao's fighting spirit was astonishing. His palms were like a streak of lightning, shining brightly, emitting a light like a small sun. A terrifying aura spread within and rippled outward, his palm force sweeping across the entire platform.
"Such a terrifying palm force, even the aftereffects could severely injure us!"
Seeing Lin Tao's terrifying attack, the eyes of several platform dominators showed respect.
As soon as Lin Tao attacked, everyone was certain that Lin Hao would surely lose. Even several stewards quickly moved toward the platform, fearing that Lin Tao's terrifying power would injure Lin Hao.
A palm force spread across the platform, accompanied by a strong gale.
Swoosh!
Suddenly, a figure leaped out from the midst. Everyone focused and saw that it was none other than Lin Hao!
His Cloud Wind Step had reached a high level. In the outer sect of the Lin family, if it came to agility, only a few like Lin Tian could compare. Even Lin Tian might not be faster than Lin Hao.
"Wind Sweeps the Residual Clouds!" Lin Tao shouted, his arms swinging, and with his palms, a strong palm wind surged from all directions, surrounding Lin Hao and preventing him from breaking through.
Seeing this, Lin Hao sneered. He lightly tapped the air, using the force to rise, seemingly crossing a short distance in the air, which was astonishing. Even Elder Lin Chen nodded, secretly acknowledging the boy's agility.
Rumble!
The gale burst, and the entire platform shook violently. Fortunately, it was made of steel and iron; otherwise, it would have been destroyed, unable to withstand Lin Tao's attack.
"Lin Hao... are you only good at running away?" At this moment, Lin Tao's face was dark, his eyes filled with killing intent.
"As you wish." Lin Hao descended from the sky, like a diving eagle.
"Good, you're asking for it!" Lin Tao sneered, thinking Lin Hao was courting death!
Three Parts Return to the Origin!
In Lin Tao's right palm, a terrifying palm force condensed, his aura rising several times. With the lifting of his right palm, ripples spread, a palm force that could make a Seventh Level expert frown.
Star-Breaking Palm!
Lin Hao saw this but showed no fear. Suddenly, his palm moved like a flowing light, so fast it could not be seen, like a meteor rushing toward Lin Tao.
Rumble!!!
A deafening explosion echoed throughout the martial arts field. Everyone's eardrums ached as if a thunderclap had exploded next to them. Even disciples of the Second and Third Levels of the Spirit Body Realm felt chest tightness and discomfort.
An invisible wave swept in all directions, the platform creaking. In the mist, a figure shot through the air, like a curved line, and with a thud, fell heavily to the ground, rocks shattering and dust rising.
"Hmph, overestimating yourself." Several elite disciples stared at the figure in the dust, sneering, thinking it was Lin Hao.
Soon, the dust settled, and when everyone saw the figure, they gasped in shock.
"Lin... Lin... It's Lin Tao!" Someone exclaimed, disbelief and a brief daze on their face.
The one who had flown off the platform and fallen heavily to the ground was not Lin Hao, but Lin Tao!
"Damn..." Lin Tao struggled, his eyes filled with venom, looking at the platform. When Lin Hao's Star-Breaking Palm collided with his Three Parts Return to the Origin, the two powerful palm forces created an invisible wave. The palm force erupted like a flood, and Lin Tao could not withstand the terrifying combined force, being instantly blasted away. He did not believe Lin Hao could be in any better shape.
However, when the wave dissipated, Lin Hao stood calmly, his black hair flowing, unharmed, shocking everyone.
At this moment, time seemed to stop, and everyone's eyes were either dazed or terrified.
"Brother lost... How is this possible? This can't be, it must be impossible!" Lin Kuan could not accept this, his face panicked.
Especially Lin Yan'er, her sneer still on her beautiful face, but her eyes showing a stark contrast to her smile.
Lin He showed a look of "as expected." He was even more certain that the Seventh Level peak assassin in the Heavenly Swinging Mountains had been killed by Lin Hao, even though Lin Hao did not admit it.
"Lin Hao wins, temporarily ranked eighth in the outer sect. Due to your victory, your challenge opportunity remains unchanged." The platform steward stared deeply at Lin Hao and then announced the result of the match.
Subsequently, Lin Hao did not stay, turning to leave the platform and return to his seat.
At this moment, everyone looked at Lin Hao in his seat, gasping in shock. The boy had not exaggerated; he had indeed defeated the peak Sixth Level Spirit Body Realm Lin Tao in one move!
"This... How is this possible..." Lin Yan'er's expression was complex, muttering to herself.