Then, the referee returned the identity token to Lin Xuan after the wager was transferred.
Lin Xuan took it and, under the gaze of everyone present, walked toward the next arena guarded by an inner sect elite.
Everyone in the arena exchanged bewildered glances, never expecting things to turn out this way.
What was originally a sparring ground meant for honing combat skills had seemingly become a place for Lin Xuan to rake in contribution points.
It was truly bizarre.
The disciples didn't know what to say anymore.
Among the five arenas, the strongest inner sect elite defending a platform was Li Quan.
Li Quan had been crushed by Lin Xuan in what was nearly a one-shot defeat.
The others were naturally no match for Lin Xuan.
With Zhou Feiyang's example fresh in their minds, they also saw no shame in conceding.
So, when Lin Xuan stepped onto the arena to issue a challenge, they voluntarily surrendered.
In the end, aside from two arenas where matches were still ongoing, the inner sect elites defending the other five platforms either conceded or were defeated by Lin Xuan.
Through this, Lin Xuan gained sixty thousand contribution points.
Plus a considerable amount of energy points.
Lin Xuan was quite satisfied.
He put away his identity token and was about to leap off the arena and leave.
Everyone's gaze remained fixed on Lin Xuan.
Among them were many inner sect elites.
Watching Lin Xuan's almost predatory performance, the inner sect elites all wore grim, ugly expressions.
Originally, this group of inner sect elites had come to the sparring ground with the goal of luring Lin Xuan out for a challenge.
Then, they would defeat him and restore the honor of the inner sect elite.
As it turned out, Lin Xuan did come, still as an ordinary inner sect disciple.
But no one could stand against him.
Even Li Quan, a top expert among the inner sect elites, was challenged by Lin Xuan and easily defeated in two moves.
Two others didn't even dare to fight, surrendering outright.
Among all the inner sect elites present—no, among all inner sect elites—given the combat strength Lin Xuan had displayed, not a single one could match him.
Not only had they failed to reclaim their honor, but they had utterly lost face.
After today, the entire inner sect elite group would likely be ridiculed endlessly.
How could they have any good expressions?
Yet, cowed by Lin Xuan's formidable strength, they could only endure, with no one daring to challenge him.
They could only watch helplessly as Lin Xuan collected tens of thousands of contribution points and left under the spotlight.
On the arena.
Lin Xuan had also stored his identity token in his storage ring and walked to the edge of the platform, ready to leap off and depart.
But just then, a discordant cold shout rang out.
"Wait, I want to challenge!"
This voice exploded like thunder in the sparring ground.
Almost everyone's heart jolted as they turned to look.
They saw a black-robed, handsome young man approaching.
Though he exuded no aura, it seemed as if an invisible force field pushed the inner sect disciples aside.
Even some inner sect elites at the late Condensation Whirl stage were no exception.
Seeing the black-robed youth's face, the disciples present froze, their pupils contracting.
The arena fell silent in an instant.
But the next moment, it erupted like an explosion, waves of noise surging skyward.
"Am I seeing things? It's Strong List senior brother Hu Yuanhua!"
"That Hu Yuanhua, ranked twenty-eighth on the Strong List? Really?"
"Indeed, it's Senior Brother Hu. I never thought he'd come to the sparring ground!"
"Right, the sparring ground usually has mostly ordinary inner sect disciples. Only recently have some inner sect elites shown up. Strong List seniors have never come before!"
"Probably Lin Xuan's overwhelming momentum is too much, even the Strong List seniors can't stand it? Didn't you just hear? Senior Brother Hu is challenging Lin Xuan!"
"If that's the case, it's quite possible. Looks like Lin Xuan is about to lose this time!"
"No way around it. Since Lin Xuan joined, he's been advancing rapidly, making astonishing progress. Now he's even being hailed as the sect's top genius, stealing the spotlight too much! Even if he's not quite at the level of a true disciple, he's close. Many can't stand it."
"Lin Xuan has only been in the sect for less than two months, with limited training time. Even with his exceptional talent, he can't possibly be a match for Senior Brother Hu, who's on the Strong List, right? His undefeated record is about to be broken!"
"..."
The disciples buzzed with discussion, the noise overwhelming.
Everyone was shaken by the arrival of Hu Yuanhua, a member of the Strong List.
At the same time, there was a hint of schadenfreude, veiled mockery, and cold sneers toward Lin Xuan.
Since Lin Xuan's debut over a month ago, he had set countless records, his momentum so strong that it now nearly overshadowed the entire sect.
These veteran disciples, who had been in the sect for years, were both deeply awed by Lin Xuan and suffocated by the pressure.
Every time they thought of Lin Xuan, a sense of powerlessness surged within them.
Compared to Lin Xuan, they, the so-called geniuses, became utterly ordinary, nothing more than mediocre.
So, they all hoped someone could defeat Lin Xuan.
Bring him down.
Even if just once.
That way, with a loss on his record, Lin Xuan would no longer be so dazzling.
And they could feel a bit better.
Thus, the disciples' attitudes shifted.
But things might not develop as they wished.
Defeating Lin Xuan—how easy could that be?
Then, under everyone's watchful eyes, the black-robed youth Hu Yuanhua leaped onto the arena, standing opposite Lin Xuan.
"So, Junior Brother Lin, do you dare to accept my challenge?"
Hu Yuanhua said coldly.
"Sure."
Lin Xuan looked back, his gaze steady.
Shwoosh!
"Name: Hu Yuanhua."
"Cultivation: Peak Condensation Whirl stage."
"Talents: Supreme cultivation talent, Supreme strength talent, High-grade speed talent, High-grade blade talent, Supreme crimson fire attribute talent, High-grade gale attribute talent, Mid-grade thick earth attribute talent, Mid-grade sharp metal attribute talent."
"Martial Arts: Crimson Flame Art (Sixth-grade lower tier, Minor Completion), Blazing Fire Blade Technique (Fifth-grade upper tier, Major Completion), Fire Yang Feather Fist (Fifth-grade upper tier, Major Completion), Sky-Rending Fist (Fifth-grade upper tier, Major Completion), Golden Wind Blazing Palm (Fifth-grade upper tier, Major Completion)..."
"Intent: Half-step blade intent, One-tenth fire intent."
"Personal Treasures: One Azure Flame Blade (Sixth-grade lower tier spirit tool)."
Gazing at the attribute panel of Hu Yuanhua floating in the void before him, a glint flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes.
So this was a Strong List expert?
Indeed, far stronger than the other inner sect disciples.
Even Li Quan, a top expert among inner sect elites, fell short compared to Hu Yuanhua.
More importantly, within Hu Yuanhua's attribute panel, there was something Lin Xuan found valuable.
With a thought.
"Ding, consumed 10,000 energy points, replication successful, obtained [One-tenth fire intent]."
Then, it was copied over.
He would use it after returning.
As for other aspects, though they far surpassed almost everyone present, they were beneath his notice.
All of this took less than a breath.
Naturally, no one on the scene noticed.
Lin Xuan looked at Hu Yuanhua and continued:
"For Senior Brother Hu to come and challenge me is my honor, and I naturally won't refuse.
However, about the wager..."