After half an hour, the first round of elimination ended, leaving thirty-two people. Most of those eliminated were at the fifth or sixth level of cultivation, of course, there were also a few unfortunate individuals at the seventh level of the Qi Martial Realm who were defeated by a group and had to leave the stage.
Some people did not even move throughout the entire first round of battles, such as Lin Qian, Lin Qian's elder brother Lin Hong, and Lin Wu, Lin Yu, Lin Feng.
"Hehe, this guy is really lucky, Lin Qian actually protected him to advance."
"What's the big deal, Lin Qian is just setting him up for a worse defeat in the second round."
The crowd was buzzing about Lin Feng, clearly unhappy with his advancement without a fight.
The second round of battles was divided into four groups, each with eight people. They would take turns fighting, and each person would have to battle the other seven in their group. The two with the most wins in each group would advance to the next round.
First, there was a draw to divide the groups, and then the Second Elder announced the results. Lin Qian was placed in the first group.
"Lin Feng, Lin Yan, Lin Tao, Lin Yue, Lin Ran, Lin Li, Lin Cai Zhu, Lin Yu, fourth group."
Upon hearing the Second Elder announce the fourth group, the Third Elder on the high platform smiled. "The fourth group is the weakest of the four. With Yu's cultivation, there should be no problem."
"Lin Yu will dominate the fourth group." Lin Badao said politely.
"Haha, not necessarily. If he faces Lin Qian, Lin Yu will have to admit defeat." The Third Elder clearly enjoyed Lin Badao's words and laughed heartily.
"Just wonder where Lin Feng will rank in the fourth group." The Third Elder's voice was not low, and he deliberately glanced at Lin Hai.
The large battle platform was divided into four areas for the four groups to fight simultaneously.
"First group, Lin Qian vs. Lin Han; second group, Lin Hong vs. Lin Lei; third group, Lin Wu vs. Lin Xiao; fourth group, Lin Feng vs. Lin Yan."
When the crowd heard the first battles, their eyes lit up. These were all key matches, clearly arranged by the Second Elder.
Lin Qian and Lin Hong, brothers, were no surprise. Lin Wu was also one of the best among the younger generation of the Lin family. As for Lin Feng, although his strength was weak, his fame was no less than the others. Therefore, the first match of the fourth group did not feature Lin Yu but Lin Feng.
Eight people walked onto the four areas of the battle platform. The two most watched matches were Lin Qian and Lin Feng. They wanted to see how strong Lin Qian was now and also how far this family waste, Lin Feng, had progressed.
"I admit defeat." Lin Han of the first group said straightforwardly, disappointing many, but everyone understood. Who would want to provoke Lin Qian?
"First group, Lin Qian wins." The Second Elder announced.
Without Lin Qian's match, the crowd's attention immediately turned to the fourth group's battle area.
Lin Feng vs. Lin Yan.
"I don't want to disgrace my sword, you admit defeat." Lin Yan, at the seventh level of the Qi Martial Realm, and with a sword martial soul, was almost unmatched at his level. He looked at Lin Feng with a haughty gaze.
"Fourth group, Lin Yan wins."
The Second Elder directly announced the result.
"Hmm?" Lin Feng's gaze slightly narrowed. Lin Yan wins? Did he admit defeat?
But Lin Yan seemed to think it was natural and calmly walked off the stage.
"Why are you still here?" The Second Elder asked Lin Feng, who did not move.
"Did I admit defeat?" Lin Feng asked.
The Second Elder frowned, thinking this guy was really ungrateful. Letting him lose directly was to save him from embarrassment, but he not only did not appreciate it but also dared to question him.
"Whether you admit defeat or not, the result is the same. Get down quickly, don't interfere with the annual meeting."
"Since I didn't admit defeat, what right do you have to announce Lin Yan's victory?" Lin Feng continued to ask, as if he did not hear the Second Elder.
"Because I am the Second Elder, in charge of the annual meeting."
"Hehe, it seems no one respects me as the Clan Head." Lin Hai's calm voice echoed, with anger hidden in his calmness. "Second Elder, you openly violated the rules of the annual meeting in front of everyone, announcing the result without a fight. Who gave you that right?"
"Clan Head, this battle's result was obvious from the start. To preserve your dignity, I did this. Why do you care?"
"Preserving my dignity, I think you are deliberately trying to embarrass me. Now, you can step down, and the annual meeting will be hosted by the Sixth Elder."
"I disagree." Lin Badao said.
"I also disagree, the Second Elder's actions are reasonable." The First Elder agreed, and at the same time, Lin Haoran, the Third Elder, and the Seventh Elder all stood up.
"Is this a threat?" Lin Hai swept his gaze over these faces. His two brothers, plus four elders, including the top three elders, these people controlled the Lin family's lifeline.
"What if I insist?" Lin Hai sneered.
"Clan Head, the Second Elder did nothing wrong. You have no right to strip him of his authority to host the annual meeting. If you insist, it would be a personal vendetta, which would disappoint everyone in the Lin family." The First Elder said with a smile.
Seeing this situation, the crowd realized that today's annual meeting was indeed different. The First and Third Elders and several other elders were trying to force the Clan Head to step down.
Lin Hai smiled and said in a low voice, "I know what you want, but you seem to lack an excuse. I will give you one."
The eyes of the people opposite him flickered, not understanding Lin Hai's intention.
Lin Hai turned to face the crowd and said loudly, "My son Lin Feng and Lin Yan are in a match. Lin Feng did not admit defeat, and they did not fight. The Second Elder announced Lin Yan's victory. I believe the Second Elder disrespected the Lin family's rules and should be punished. However, several elders think I am using my position for personal gain. To give everyone a fair judgment, let Lin Feng and Lin Yan fight. If Lin Feng loses, it proves I am narrow-minded and not fit to lead the Lin family, and I will step down willingly."
When Lin Hai said this, the crowd was in an uproar. Lin Feng was only at the fifth or sixth level of the Qi Martial Realm three months ago, and now at most the seventh level. How could he be Lin Yan's match? The Clan Head was clearly giving the others a chance.
Indeed, Lin Badao and the others' eyes lit up. They did not expect Lin Hai to say this, saving them the trouble of finding an excuse.
"However, if Lin Feng wins, it proves the Second Elder disrespected the Lin family's rules and should receive a palm strike from me, and his position as an elder will be stripped." Lin Hai's tone grew colder, and the crowd could almost feel a chill. Lin Hai was betting his position as Clan Head against the others.
"I agree." Lin Badao immediately said, his face cold. How could Lin Feng win against Lin Yan?
"I also agree." The First Elder said.
"Good, Second Elder, what about you?" Lin Hai looked at the Second Elder.
The Second Elder cursed inwardly. Even if Lin Feng won, it would not affect Lin Badao and the First Elder, so they were happy to agree. But he could only keep this thought to himself and nodded. "I have no objection."
"Trouble." Lin Haoran cursed inwardly. Lin Feng could disable his son Lin Heng, so he must be at least at the eighth level of the Qi Martial Realm. Lin Yan would surely lose. He wanted to stop it, but Lin Badao and the First Elder agreed too quickly, so he had to keep quiet.
"Lin Yan, come up and fight him." The Second Elder's voice was cold, glancing at Lin Hai. This is your own decision to give up the Clan Head position.
Lin Yan returned to the battle platform and looked at Lin Feng mockingly. "Being a waste is one thing, but to drag your father down with you. However, I, Lin Yan, can decide the Clan Head, which is not bad."
"Is your sword as useless as your words?"
"Looking for death." Lin Yan drew his sword and charged at Lin Feng.
"Chilling Sword Shadow."
"Scram." Lin Feng growled, taking a step forward. The sword qi Lin Yan emitted instantly shattered, and then his fists broke through the gaps in the sword, landing on Lin Yan's chest, sending him flying.
Lin Yan's sword had already fallen to the ground, and he lay there, confused. Defeated? How did he lose?
"Sword, fast, accurate, and ruthless. Your sword has none of these. It is full of flaws. Using a sword like this is an insult to the sword. You are a waste." Lin Feng kicked the sword away, returning the two words Lin Yan had given him.
Not only Lin Yan, but the entire Lin family was stunned. This move was so familiar, just like when Lin Feng defeated Lin Yun three months ago, a single strike, effortless.
Looking at Lin Feng on the platform, confident and proud, this waste of a youth seemed to have transformed. Even Lin Yan, at the peak of the seventh level of the Qi Martial Realm, was no match for him.
"How is this possible? How can this be?" The Second Elder's body trembled, his whole body cold. Lin Hai, on the main seat of the high platform, was walking toward him step by step.
ps: I was robbed of 2000 yuan in cash and various documents. Damn, it was a daylight robbery when I got off the car. I felt someone touching my pocket, and I was immediately separated by the crowd. No one... Everyone, be careful in the future, it's hard to guard against!