Outside the Saint Institute battlefield, Yin Duwen’s smile widened as he watched the approaching palm.

The crowd of Saint Institute disciples stared at the battlefield without blinking, their breathing ragged and their fists clenched.

The battle was about to reach its conclusion.

Even from outside the battlefield, they could feel the immense pressure emanating from Liu Tian. It was easy to imagine Lin Hao’s fate.

On the battlefield, faced with Liu Tian’s palm strike, Lin Hao didn’t even seem to have a chance to retaliate. In fact, he appeared to have given up, staring at Liu Tian’s approaching hand without making a single move.

"A Holy Stele disciple is truly terrifying. Lin Hao is going to lose," a disciple lamented.

"It’s not just about losing. If that palm lands, I’m afraid Lin Hao won’t survive. This Liu Tian has been hiding his true strength. At this rate, it won’t be long before he challenges the disciple ranked ninth on the Holy Stele."

"I don’t think a probationary disciple of the Saint Institute has ever left their name on the Holy Stele. I really thought Lin Hao would be the one to set a new record. It seems records aren’t so easily broken."

One disciple after another spoke up. Some were reveling in his misfortune, while others felt it was a pity.

Amidst the clamor of discussion, Liu Tian’s palm drew ever closer to Lin Hao.

In the next instant, Liu Tian’s palm suddenly accelerated to an incredible speed.

Many people couldn’t even process what was happening.

Just then, Lin Hao moved as well.

Lin Hao chopped his arm downward...

RUMBLE!

Liu Tian’s palm slammed into the battlefield, causing the entire arena to tremble violently. A powerful gust of astral wind surged out in all directions...

Although the crowd had already retreated several dozen meters after their previous clash, the shockwave this time was far more terrifying. Some were sent flying, spitting up blood as they crashed to the ground, never to rise again.

The remaining disciples were aghast.

Because they discovered that the reason Liu Tian’s palm had struck the ground was because of Lin Hao.

Liu Tian was half-crouched, one hand pressed against the battlefield floor. And on the back of that hand were both of Lin Hao’s palms.

What just happened?

Many people were confused, completely unsure of what had transpired.

"What a fine Lin Hao. He’s not simple at all," an elder among the Saint Institute’s upper echelons remarked with admiration.

"Elder, what happened just now?" This elder was known for being approachable, so a disciple next to him dared to ask.

"Do you know why Lin Hao didn’t move at first? He was meeting change with constancy. Liu Tian’s palm strike was erratic, making it difficult to predict its final target until the very last moment. That strike was ultimately aimed right at Lin Hao’s Dantian," the elder explained.

"Ah!" the disciple exclaimed.

Because if that palm had landed, Lin Hao would have been crippled for life, with no chance of ever recovering.

’I can’t believe Liu Tian is so vicious.’

That thought flashed through the disciple’s mind, but he was immediately eager to know what happened next. He quickly asked, "Elder, what did Lin Hao do?"

"Lin Hao’s combat awareness is beyond imagination. Just as Liu Tian’s palm was about to strike his Dantian, Lin Hao chopped his hand downward, perfectly striking Liu Tian’s wrist. At the same time, Lin Hao bent his body, and Liu Tian’s palm, now under Lin Hao’s own, slammed into the battlefield."

The elder explained why the palm strike had ended up hitting the battlefield.

Beside him, many disciples had a sudden realization.

So Lin Hao hadn’t given up; he was waiting for the perfect moment to neutralize Liu Tian’s Palm Skill.

That alone put him above many of the other disciples.

As the elder was explaining, the situation on the battlefield changed once again.

Liu Tian himself was somewhat surprised that his palm had struck the battlefield.

His Misty Palm was far stronger than Liu Feng’s, just one step away from perfection. Liu Tian had been saving this move for his challenge against the ninth-ranked disciple on the Holy Stele. He used it now for a decisive blow, but it had still failed.

Lin Hao’s strength exceeded Liu Tian’s imagination.

He was absolutely confident that not even an ordinary Soul Gathering Realm Third Layer Martial Artist could have taken that last palm strike, let alone someone at the Soul Gathering Realm First Layer.

And yet, Lin Hao had taken it.

"That last palm strike from Liu Tian was a notch above the martial arts he used a few days ago, but he still couldn’t do anything to Lin Hao. I’d like to see how he’s going to beat him now," a Martial Artist who had lost to Lin Hao a few days prior said, reveling in Liu Tian’s misfortune.

As for the many disciples who had unanimously favored Liu Tian at the beginning, they had all fallen silent after hearing the words of the kindly elder from the Saint Institute’s leadership.

Lin Hao’s performance was too unexpected. At this point, they were starting to doubt Liu Tian.

"Senior Brother Liu Tian may be at the bottom of the Holy Stele rankings, but he fought his way there fair and square. No matter how strong Lin Hao is, he’s only at the Soul Gathering Realm First Layer. Nothing else matters; his combat power is far inferior to Senior Brother Liu Tian’s. It’s impossible for him to win!" one of Liu Tian’s loyal supporters said with conviction.

A considerable number of disciples agreed with this statement.

Although Lin Hao was strong, he was ultimately only at the Soul Gathering Realm First Layer—an insurmountable disadvantage. Meanwhile, Liu Tian had defeated every Second Layer of Soul Gathering Realm disciple in the Saint Institute and was undefeated within his own layer. It was obvious who was stronger.

And in fact, that was the case.

After Lin Hao countered his Misty Palm, Liu Tian didn’t say another word and began a ferocious assault.

Although he wasn’t using the Misty Palm, Liu Tian unleashed a flurry of other Palm Skills and fist techniques with ease. In just a short time, Liu Tian had thrown dozens of strikes, forcing Lin Hao into a constant retreat, unable to fight back.

"Liu Tian’s Palm Skill and fist techniques are all from our Saint Institute’s Upper Academy Library. Most people struggle to master even one, yet he has achieved proficiency in all of them. Incredible," someone from the Saint Institute’s upper echelons said, not hiding their admiration in the slightest.

"I seem to recall this young fellow. He put in a lot of effort to get his name on the Holy Stele, frequently visiting the Upper Academy Library to borrow Cultivation Techniques and martial arts. If I remember correctly, he’s been practicing the several martial arts he just used for two years," another senior figure said.

"Two years? You mean he reached this level of mastery in just two years?" an elder asked, his composure wavering.

"Yes, two years. That’s why I’m not surprised he was able to leave his name on the Holy Stele. His cultivation speed is not far behind the top few on the Stele."

"Haha, that’s excellent. I happen to be at loose ends these days. I wouldn’t mind coaching him a bit."

"I knew you’d say that. But the talented disciples these days are truly becoming more and more..."

The elder didn’t get to finish his sentence. He suddenly clamped his mouth shut, his eyes widening as he stared at the battlefield.

Because he was horrified to see Lin Hao retaliate—using the exact same martial arts Liu Tian had just used.

"C-copying... m-martial... arts?!" The elder was trembling so much he could barely speak.

It wasn’t just him. The other elders, including Yin Duwen, all looked as if they had seen a ghost.