In the next moment, the two stared at each other, wide-eyed—like a turtle facing a mung bean...
"Is it you?"
"Is it you?"
They both exclaimed in unison!
But then, Link's brow furrowed, and a sinister smile crept across his face.
"Just in time! I was just wondering where to find you, and here you are, delivering yourself right to my doorstep!"
"You... how could you be here? No, wait, how could you still be alive?"
Barton stared at Link, dumbfounded, unable to comprehend the situation!
According to his calculations, Link had offended the "Three Radiant Sons" all at once, and logically, he should have been killed the moment the assessment began!
Yet here he was, not only alive but standing there perfectly fine!
How could this be possible?
Meanwhile, Link was not idle; he unleashed a "Sword of Bones," shooting it straight at Barton's legs without a second thought!
Pfft!
Blood splattered everywhere!
"Ah..."
With a piercing scream, Barton's right leg was completely pierced through, blood gushing forth as he collapsed to the ground, utterly defenseless!
"Go back and tell your idiot father to prepare to hand over your family and title. If he dares to embezzle even a single coin, I will wipe out your entire family!"
With that, Link didn't even bother to glance at Barton again. He commanded the zombie beneath him and swiftly entered the magic circle!
...
Outside the assessment arena, a group of noble parents had gathered, each one either craning their necks or perched on their servants' shoulders, anxiously watching the chaotic scene unfolding in the arena.
Unfortunately, with thousands of students participating, the chaos was overwhelming.
They were practically bulging their eyes out, still unable to discern where their own offspring were, only able to watch in frustration!
At that moment, Viscount Bruno had already awakened, squatting on the ground with a heavy sigh, having lost all interest in observing the assessment.
To put it bluntly, if it weren't for Ron repeatedly assuring him that his son would be fine, he would have likely been planning Link's funeral by now...
Just then, Viscount Holt strolled over, arms crossed, looking quite pleased with himself.
"Haha, Bruno, my old friend, it seems this time your Laowens family is finished for good!" Holt said, unable to hide his smugness, reveling in Bruno's misfortune.
"I..."
Bruno opened his mouth, wanting to retort, but the words turned into a deep sigh!
Having offended all three "Radiant Sons," even as Link's father, he couldn't see a glimmer of hope for Link's survival!
In his despair, Bruno even lost the will to defend himself!
On the other hand, Ron, hearing this, looked at Holt with a cold smile and said, "You'll soon find out whose family is finished first!"
"Hmm?"
Holt raised an eyebrow, displeased, and snapped, "You, a mere servant, dare to talk back to me?"
At this point, Holt turned to Bruno, saying with disdain, "Bruno, your Laowens family's upbringing is getting worse by the day. You can't even control your own dog; it's no wonder your family is doomed!"
"Who are you calling a dog?"
Ron glared, suddenly standing up, his magical energy surging wildly!
"You... you're actually a practitioner?"
Noticing the magical fluctuations from Ron, Holt's expression changed!
But before he could say anything further, a servant from the Quake family rushed over in a panic, exclaiming, "Sir! A... a disaster has occurred!"
"What is it that's so urgent?" Holt frowned and asked.
"It's... it's the young master! The young master has been eliminated!" the servant stammered.
"What?" Holt's face went blank, still not grasping what had happened!
Suddenly, two more servants from the Quake family rushed in, carrying a stretcher, and on it lay none other than Barton!
"Father! My leg! My leg!! It's ruined!!"
Barton screamed hoarsely, and after that, he could no longer contain his grief, bursting into tears!
"What on earth happened? Who did this?" Holt trembled, unable to believe that his son's seemingly secure assessment had taken such a turn!
"It was Link! It was Link from the Laowens family!" Barton cried, tears and snot streaming down his face.
"What? Link?" Holt was momentarily stunned!
"Father, you must avenge me!" Barton clutched Holt's arm tightly, placing his last hope in his family!
Meanwhile, Bruno, who had been squatting on the ground sighing, suddenly sprang to life upon hearing Barton's words, rushing over to grab Barton's shoulders and asking loudly, "Barton, what did you just say? My son did this to you? He's still alive?"
"Bruno Laowens! The Quake family and your family are irreconcilable!" Barton spat, his face twisted with resentment!
As soon as he finished speaking, under the horrified gazes of everyone present, Barton suddenly raised his hand and lunged at Bruno's chest, his palm glowing with intense fighting spirit!
"Not good!" Bruno's face changed dramatically. He had little strength to begin with, and he never expected Barton to attack suddenly. Caught off guard, he was about to be killed on the spot!
In that critical moment!
"Barabara Little Magic Fairy, la ba la ba, transform!"
"Sword of Bones!"
Pfft!
Blood splattered, and his brain exploded!
A massive sword, entirely formed of pure bone, pierced through Barton's forehead, turning his head into a mushy mess!
"Ah?"
This sudden turn of events left not only Bruno stunned but even Holt was left gaping in disbelief!
As the instigator of it all, Ron merely clapped his hands lightly, as if he had accomplished something trivial, and said nonchalantly, "Dare to harm my master? Seeking death!"
"Son!!!!"
In the next moment, a heart-wrenching wail echoed throughout the Imperial Academy of Cultivation!