vulnerable

After half an hour, the first round of elimination ended, with thirty-two remaining. Those eliminated were mostly those with the strength of the fifth or sixth level, with a few unlucky seventh-level Qi Martial Realm cultivators who were defeated by others and had to withdraw from the stage.

Some people, like Lin Qian, her elder brother Lin Hong, Lin Wu, Lin Yu, and Lin Feng, did not even move during the entire first round of battles.

"Heh, this guy is really lucky. Lin Qian actually guaranteed his advancement."

"So what? Lin Qian is doing this to make him suffer more in the second round."

The crowd discussed Lin Feng, clearly displeased that he advanced without fighting. 

The second round of battles was divided into four groups, each with eight people. They would take turns fighting, with each person having to fight the other seven in their group. The top two with the most wins in each group would advance to the next round.

First, they had to draw lots for the groups, which were then announced by the Second Elder. 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, in the fourth group."

Upon hearing the announcement, the Third Elder on the high platform smiled, "The fourth group is the weakest. With Yu'er's cultivation, there should be no problem."

"Lin Yu is enough to dominate the fourth group," Lin Badao complimented.

"Haha, that's not true. If he encounters Lin Qian, Lin Yu will have to admit defeat." The Third Elder obviously appreciated Lin Badao's words and laughed loudly.

"I 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 as he spoke.

The huge stage was divided into four areas for the four groups to fight simultaneously.

"The first group, Lin Qian against Lin Han; the second group, Lin Hong against Lin Lei; the third group, Lin Wu against Lin Xiao; the fourth group, Lin Feng against Lin Yan."

The crowd's eyes lit up at the first fight, which was a focal point. It seemed that the Second Elder deliberately arranged it.

Lin Qian and Lin Hong were both exceptional among the younger generation of the Lin family. As for Lin Feng, although his strength was weak, his reputation was not inferior to the others, so in the first battle of the fourth group, instead of matching him against Lin Yu, they matched him against Lin Yan.

The eight people stepped onto the stage in the four areas, with the most attention on the battles between Lin Qian and Lin Feng. People wanted to see how strong Lin Qian was now and what realm Lin Feng, once considered a family waste, had reached.

"I surrender." Lin Han in the first group conceded straightforwardly, disappointing many people. However, they also understood. Who would want to provoke Lin Qian?

"The first group, Lin Qian wins," announced the Second Elder.

With Lin Qian's battle over, the crowd's attention immediately shifted to the fourth group's battle area.

Lin Feng against Lin Yan.

"I don't want to insult my sword, so surrender." Lin Yan, at the seventh level of the Qi Martial Realm and a sword martial soul, was rarely matched in the seventh level of the Qi Martial Realm. His gaze at Lin Feng was full of pride.

"The fourth group, Lin Yan wins."

The Second Elder announced the result directly.

"Huh?" Lin Feng's gaze slightly condensed. Lin Yan wins? Did he admit defeat?

However, Lin Yan seemed to think it was only natural. He calmly stepped down from the stage.

"Why are you still here?" The Second Elder, seeing Lin Feng not moving, asked.

"Did I admit defeat?" Lin Feng asked.

The Second Elder frowned, thinking this guy really didn't know what was good for him. Declaring his defeat directly would save him from embarrassment, yet not only was he ungrateful, but he also dared to question him.

"Whether you admit defeat or not, the result is the same. Go down and do not disturb the annual meeting."

"Since I did not admit defeat, what qualifies you to announce Lin Yan's victory?" Lin Feng seemed not to have heard the Second Elder and continued to ask.

"Because I am the Second Elder, presiding over the annual meeting."

"Heh, it seems that no one in the Lin family respects me as the family head anymore." Lin Hai's calm voice sounded, containing anger. "Second Elder, you openly violated the rules of the annual meeting by announcing the result without a fight. Who gave you the right?"

"Family Head, this battle did not need to take place to know the result. I did this to preserve your dignity. Why do you care?"

"To preserve my dignity? It seems you are deliberately trying to embarrass me. Now, you can step down, and the annual meeting will be presided over by the Sixth Elder."

"I disagree," Lin Badao spoke up.

"I also disagree. The Second Elder did nothing wrong," the Patriarch seconded. At the same time, Lin Haoran, the Third Elder, the Seventh Elder, all stood up.

"Is this a threat?" Lin Hai looked at these faces, his two brothers, plus four elders, including the top three elders. These people controlled the fate of the Lin family.

"What if I insist on doing so?" Lin Hai sneered.

"Family Head, the Second Elder did nothing wrong. You have no right to strip him of his right to preside over the annual meeting. If you act recklessly and seek personal revenge, it will chill the hearts of our Lin family members." The Patriarch smiled, seeming to understand Lin Hai's intentions.

Seeing this situation, everyone understood. Today's annual meeting was indeed different. It seemed that the Patriarch and Third Elder, as well as several elders, wanted to force the Family Head to step down.

Lin Hai smiled and said in a low voice, "I know what you want, but it seems you lack an excuse. I'll give you one now."

The faces of the people opposite him fluctuated, not understanding Lin Hai's intentions.

Lin Hai turned around and faced the crowd, saying loudly, "My son Lin Feng fought against Lin Yan. Lin Feng did not admit defeat, and they did not even fight, yet the Second Elder announced Lin Yan's victory. I think the Second Elder is disregarding the rules of the Lin family and should be severely punished. However, several elders believe that I, as the Family Head, am seeking personal revenge. So, to give everyone an explanation, let Lin Feng and Lin Yan fight. If Lin Feng loses, it proves that I, as the Family Head, am narrow-minded and not worthy to lead the Lin family. I am willing to step down."

With Lin Hai's words, the crowd was in an uproar. Three months ago, Lin Feng was only at the fifth or sixth level of the Qi Martial Realm. Now, he was at most at the seventh level. How could he be Lin Yan's opponent? This move by the Family Head was giving the Patriarch and others an opportunity.

Indeed, Lin Badao and the others' eyes lit up. They did not expect Lin Hai to say such words, saving them the trouble of finding another excuse.

"However, if Lin Feng wins, it proves that the Second Elder

 is disregarding the rules of our Lin family, and he should be punished by me, the Family Head, and stripped of his position as an elder," Lin Hai's tone gradually became colder, and everyone seemed to feel a chill. Lin Hai was risking his position as the Family Head to gamble with the other side.

"I agree," Lin Badao immediately spoke up, his face icy. How could Lin Feng, at most at the peak of the seventh level of the Qi Martial Realm, defeat Lin Yan?

"I also agree," the Patriarch also spoke up.

"Good, what about you, Second Elder?" Lin Hai looked at the Second Elder.

The Second Elder cursed inwardly. Even if Lin Feng won, it wouldn't affect Lin Badao and the Patriarch. These two guys were naturally happy to agree. However, he could only keep this thought to himself and nodded, "I have no objection."

"Oops." Lin Haoran cursed inwardly. If Lin Feng could defeat his son Lin Heng, who was at least at the eighth level of the Qi Martial Realm, then Lin Yan would undoubtedly lose. He had wanted to stop it, but Lin Badao and the Patriarch agreed too quickly. He could only keep his thoughts to himself.

"Lin Yan, come up and fight him." The Second Elder's voice was cold, glancing at Lin Hai as if to say, 'You gave up your position as Family Head.'

Lin Yan returned to the stage, mocking Lin Feng, "It's one thing to be a waste yourself, but to also involve your father. However, I, Lin Yan, can decide who the Family Head belongs to. It seems not bad."

"Is your sword as useless as your words suggest?"

"Seeking death." Lin Yan's long sword unsheathed, heading straight for Lin Feng.

"Sword Shadow, Cold Light."

"Get lost." Lin Feng's voice was low. Stepping forward, the sword energy emitted by Lin Yan instantly dissipated. Then, a pair of fists broke through the gaps in the sword, landing on Lin Yan's chest and directly sending him flying.

The long sword had already fallen to the ground, and Lin Yan, lying on the ground, looked confused. Defeated? How did he lose?

"Swords should be fast, accurate, and ruthless. Yet your sword had none of these qualities. Full of flaws, using a sword is simply an insult to the sword. You are a waste." Lin Feng kicked the long sword under his feet and returned the two words Lin Yan had given him.

Not only was Lin Yan incapable, but the Lin family was also stunned. How familiar was this move? It was just like three months ago when Lin Feng defeated Lin Yun. Just one strike, effortlessly.

Looking at Lin Feng on the stage, confident and proud, this waste of a young man seemed to have been reborn. 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 could this happen?" The Second Elder's body trembled slightly, feeling cold all over. Lin Hai, who was on the main seat, was walking towards him step by step.