[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-harem-link-cultivation-system":3,"chapter-harem-link-cultivation-system-harem-link-cultivation-system-chapter-45":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Harem Link Cultivation System",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1651055,2115,"Chapter 45: The Ranking Trial [2]","harem-link-cultivation-system-chapter-45",45,"\u003Cp>\"Begin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang moved the instant the word fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His step slid across the ice in a clean technique, frost rippling under his foot as his blade swept across in a sharp horizontal cut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Tian lifted his sword and met it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steel rang hard enough to buzz through his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang stayed close, pivoting without pause, and the next strike came from a tighter angle, fast and controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You feel the difference already, don’t you, this isn’t a warm-up match, and I don’t waste time testing newcomers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can feel it, and that just tells me I need cleaner movement, not bigger swings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang’s blade skimmed past Lin Tian’s guard and brushed his sleeve, cold biting through the cloth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped back, grounding his feet on the slick surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You adjusted fast, but you’re still reacting instead of setting the pace, and reacting means I decide how this fight flows.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I’ll change the flow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang pressed forward, aura tightening, his speed climbing as frost qi shimmered under each step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade blurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Tian blocked once, redirecting the force rather than meeting it straight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A second strike followed instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shifted again, barely keeping the line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third strike slipped through and tapped his shoulder with the flat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ripple moved through the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang’s voice stayed calm as he advanced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s what a level difference feels like, controlled, steady, and hard to stop once it starts rolling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t need to stop it, I just need to break the rhythm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang feinted high and cut low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Tian read it this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of pulling back, he stepped forward and drove his shoulder into Lu Cang’s centerline, disrupting the balance before the blade could complete the arc.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their shoulders collided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang’s eyes sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You stepped in instead of out, most people retreat when pressure rises.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Retreat gives you space, and your technique gets stronger with space, so I’d rather take that away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Tian pressed close, elbow snapping toward Lu Cang’s side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang twisted and absorbed most of it, but his forward momentum faltered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They separated by a single step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trace at Lin Tian’s wrist twitched, a cold pulse brushing his skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ignored it and focused on Lu Cang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang inhaled slowly, then his aura surged tighter and sharper, speed rising another notch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you want close combat, fine, let’s see if you can survive when I stop holding anything back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn’t come here hoping you would hold back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang’s blade flashed again, faster now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Tian blocked, redirected, shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another strike drove him back half a step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ice at the arena edge glowed faintly under his heel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang advanced, pressure building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you keep giving ground, you’ll hit the boundary, and once you’re there, every option shrinks, and I control the end.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not planning to stay at the edge.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trace pulsed again, stronger this time, urging him to push harder, move faster, match speed with speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept his breathing steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of forcing strength into the block, he angled his blade just enough to guide Lu Cang’s strike past him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same moment, he stepped forward inside the arc again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Closer than Lu Cang expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His free hand caught Lu Cang’s wrist lightly, not gripping hard, just shifting the line of the blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang’s brows tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You keep stepping in like you want to wrestle instead of fight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I step where your technique weakens.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Tian dropped his weight low and drove his hip forward, turning his body into Lu Cang’s center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His balance shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang tried to disengage, but Lin Tian pivoted sharply and used that movement to pull him slightly off-center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ice punished the shift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang’s heel slid a fraction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Tian swept low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With controlled and clean movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang’s legs slipped out and he dropped to one knee with a sharp crack against the ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Tian’s blade stopped at his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arena fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Qiao’s voice carried across the field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Winner, Lin Tian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sound rushed back in waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murmurs. Gasps. Low voices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang looked up, breath tight, anger flickering in his eyes, then settling into something steadier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You didn’t overpower me, you forced the fight where my technique had less room, that wasn’t luck, that was deliberate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I knew I couldn’t match your speed head-on, so I changed the range instead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang rose slowly, brushing frost from his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re not a fluke, and that means people will start paying attention, some of them won’t like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn’t come here expecting comfort or anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang gave a short nod and walked off the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ranking slab flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Tian’s name climbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>#27.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A low stir spread through the outer seats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped off the ice, breathing steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warmth brushed faintly through the Link, quiet approval threading through the connection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t look up, but he felt it clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Qiao’s voice called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Provisional Candidate Lin Tian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Tian turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You will not fight again today, you have secured position twenty-seven, further advancement requires additional evaluation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand, Elder.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bowed lightly and moved toward the exit corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eyes followed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not dismissive now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curious. Measuring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he reached the shadowed walkway, a voice called from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lin Tian, wait.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang approached, there was no crowd around them now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You fought with control, not desperation, that’s rare for someone climbing this fast. Most newcomers burn themselves trying to prove something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn’t need to prove anything today, I just needed to win cleanly and move forward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang studied him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Be careful from here, fast climbers draw attention, and attention here isn’t always friendly, some people protect their rank like it’s the only thing they own.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn’t come here to be liked, I came here to grow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang’s mouth twitched faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That attitude might keep you alive longer than talent alone, just remember the arena isn’t the only place people test you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll keep that in mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Cang nodded once and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Tian watched him go, then continued toward the outer quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noise of the arena faded behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold air filled the corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He flexed his wrist once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trace throbbed faintly under the skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You noticed that fight, didn’t you, pressure makes you stir more, but you still stayed under control.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No answer came, only a dull chill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached his room and closed the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The quiet settled again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned back against the wood for a moment, breathing steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That was only the first layer, the real pressure starts now that they’ve seen me climb.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He moved to the window and looked toward the distant inner peaks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Link pulsed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed his eyes and pushed a simple intention through it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m moving forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warmth brushed back in reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened his eyes, gaze steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trace pulsed once more, stronger than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So the sect watched, the system reacted, and the path just got narrower.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled slowly and sat cross-legged on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Top twenty next, steady steps, no rushing, just clean progress.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed his eyes and began circulating qi again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain air flowed through him, cold and dense, filling his meridians as he settled into cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the arena proved one thing clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had entered the ranking now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And once inside the system, the only direction left was upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>End of Chapter 45\u003C\u002Fp>",1268,"2026-06-06T12:01:50.122Z",1,"novelbin.me","e9b43686482fae435eee559d3c68e3473442492b053b1e9ae73cd5c40eff87fc","harem-link-cultivation-system-chapter-46","harem-link-cultivation-system-chapter-44",142,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fharem-link-cultivation-system-cover.jpg"]