"Just because of you, you also wish to stop me?"
Lin Yi sneered, neither confirming nor denying.
"Heh heh, soon enough you won’t be able to act so tough."
Liu Qianyi clearly had full confidence in his cousin, Liu Hong; Lin Yi would definitely have no chance to pass the Inner Sect Assessment.
Moreover, this fellow tried to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice; Liu Hong had already promised to teach Lin Yi a harsh lesson in his stead, to avenge a previous slight.
The Inner Sect Assessment was presided over by a Venerable Realm Inner Sect Elder, and after everyone had gathered, he publicly read the rules of the Inner Sect Assessment.
The rules were actually quite simple, this Inner Sect Assessment primarily consisted of two stages.
The first stage required defeating a Gatekeeper who was an Inner Sect Saint.
The second stage involved ascending the Sacrificial Altar to test one’s Sword Dao aptitude.
Only those who passed both strength and aptitude could become an Inner Sect Saint.
The Gatekeepers for the first stage were decided by drawing lots.
Lin Yi walked over to the drawing box to draw his lot.
However, as he was drawing, he distinctly felt an abnormal disturbance interfering with the drawing process.
When Lin Yi checked the result of the draw, the name written there was none other than Liu Hong.
Without any hesitation, Lin Yi walked towards the Battle Platform where Liu Hong was located.
"Ah, this is so rigged!"
Seeing Lin Yi head towards Liu Hong’s Battle Platform, Gu Xing couldn’t help but sigh and shake his head, indicating helplessness.
"Kid, this time I have to see how you continue to act so arrogantly."
A scheming smile appeared on Liu Qianyi’s face. Offend him in the Outer Sect and still aspire to become an Inner Sect Saint? Wishful thinking!
On the Battle Platform, Liu Hong folded his arms across his chest, looking down at Lin Yi with a mocking demeanor, "Xu Qing, is it?"
"Daring to oppose a member of the Liu Family, you must pay the price for your ignorance."
Having said this, Liu Hong took out a jade-colored Battle Axe, injecting True Yuan into it, which caused a series of red Engravings to flare up, releasing a startling wave of power.
The power of the red Engravings was activated, and the Battle Axe seemed as if it was suddenly lit with roaring flames, making Liu Hong look like a War God of blazing fire from afar.
Feeling the terrifying momentum unleashed by Liu Hong, many of the Outer Sect Saints watching the fights in the arena couldn’t help but frown,
"Liu Hong’s Red Flame Axe Technique is a King Grade Lower axe technique. It’s said that Liu Hong has cultivated this technique to Great Success."
"Indeed! When Liu Hong first practiced the Red Flame Axe Technique, he even lived by an active volcano, enduring the unbearable heat that most people could not withstand, stayed there for three years, until he had perfected the Red Flame Axe Technique, then returned to the Holy Land."
"How come an Inner Sect Saint with strength like Liu Hong’s has become a Gatekeeper? Isn’t this blatant bullying?"
"Who let Xu Qing offend Liu Qianyi! Now good luck with that; it’s certain he won’t pass this first stage, he might not even be able to take one strike from Liu Hong!"
"It’s impossible for him to withstand it, even Sikong Xue, the number one Outer Sect Saint, might not be able to take it!"
Many of the Outer Sect Saints were all discussing eagerly, not a single one was optimistic about Lin Yi.
And Sikong Xue, who was on another Battle Platform not too far away, also noticed the battle between Lin Yi and Liu Hong, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.
The gap between Outer Sect Saints and Inner Sect Saints was already considerable.
Moreover, Liu Hong wasn’t just any ordinary Inner Sect Saint, he was one of the stronger ones.
It could only be said that Lin Yi was unlucky, having met a Gatekeeper like Liu Hong, he could only wait for the next opportunity.
"Fierce Axe Mountain Opening."
It was at this moment, on the Battle Platform, Liu Hong, like a War God ablaze, erupted with a wild momentum, delivering a strike towards Lin Yi with his axe!
This strike was fierce and powerful, like a terrifying beast rushing towards Lin Yi.
However, Lin Yi merely extended a finger, elegantly pointing forward.
A Sword Qi instantly flew out from his fingertip, bursting with a sharp aura, instantly piercing the fiery axe light.
Sword Qi, though it was only a short length, seemed invincible; after piercing through the axe light, it struck Liu Hong’s chest with precision, instantly piercing through Liu Hong’s Protective True Essence and leaving a bloody hole in his chest!
Liu Hong’s body was immediately sent flying off the Battle Platform, like a kite with its string cut, crashing down heavily onto the ground below the platform, flopping like a fish out of water.
Such a sorry state sharply contrasted with his earlier overbearing demeanor.
The surrounding Saints, whether from the Outer or Inner Sect, were stunned into silence, staring dumbfoundedly at the scene.
In the blink of an eye, Liu Hong had been knocked off the Battle Platform by this Xu Qing?
In their eyes, Liu Hong, the strongest Gatekeeper present, had been defeated by Xu Qing with a single move?