The crowd on the scene froze, their expressions stiffening as they struggled to accept what had just happened. After a moment of realization, the area erupted into noise once more. "What the hell is going on? Even Senior Brother Wu Jie, ranked ninth on the Power Ranking, came out to apologize on his own?" "Can't you see? It means Senior Brother Lin Xuan has surpassed Senior Brother Wu Jie in both strength and potential, so Wu Jie wants to settle the grudge!" "Senior Brother Lin Xuan truly deserves to be the number one genius of our Flowing Cloud Sect—too strong!" "Even the usually arrogant Senior Brother Wu Jie has backed down! Senior Brother Lin Xuan is incredible!" "..."
The disciples whispered among themselves, careful not to offend either Wu Jie or Lin Xuan. Their hearts were shaken to the core. They never imagined that even Wu Jie, a top-ten Power Ranking member, would bow his head and apologize to Lin Xuan. This was a scene they had never even dreamed of. The top ten of the Power Ranking were the most elite existences within the inner sect. They held high status and, barring accidents, would all become true disciples, far beyond the reach of ordinary disciples. The others could only look up to them, unable to even get close. Yet today, such a scene unfolded. It was enough to make them rub their eyes in disbelief. But at the same time, they were even more awed by Lin Xuan. Even Wu Jie, who usually stood high above them, untouchable, was now voluntarily yielding to Lin Xuan. This only highlighted Lin Xuan's terrifying prowess! It had already far exceeded their imagination. The disciples were even more stunned.
On the other side, Wu Jie paid no attention to the crowd. He looked at Lin Xuan, his heart also filled with shock and a whirlwind of emotions. Originally, he had never planned to apologize. He wasn't the type to easily back down. In fact, after learning that his sister Wu Mengna had been bullied, he had even considered ways to retaliate. Even if it was Wu Mengna's fault. But Lin Xuan's reputation was too great, spreading throughout the entire sect, hailed as its number one genius. He was heavily watched by the sect's higher-ups, which made Wu Jie cautious. Moreover, the latest Power Ranking booklet had estimated that Lin Xuan, a new disciple, possessed strength close to the top ten. And while Wu Jie was in the top ten, he was only at the tail end. If he couldn't take down Lin Xuan, he would lose face badly. So he had held back, making no moves. Today, when he saw Lin Xuan leave and take the initiative to challenge him, though he didn't leave the pavilion out of pride as a top-ten member, he still watched from the second-floor window. After witnessing Lin Xuan obliterate Tian Guangliang in a single, effortless strike, he realized the sect's rumors were true. He truly had no confidence in defeating Lin Xuan. Later, Lin Xuan guided Zhang Xin. Not only did he master the technique after a single viewing, but he also grasped its true intent. Then, he demonstrated a single sword strike. The power of that strike made even the formation barrier tremble. Wu Jie found that he himself would struggle to withstand it. And that was just a casual swing from Lin Xuan, clearly without even using sword intent. Only then did he truly understand that Lin Xuan was even more terrifying than he had imagined. He, ranked ninth on the Power Ranking, was no match for Lin Xuan—far from it! In that moment, he couldn't help but be awed by Lin Xuan's frightening talent. By the time he snapped back to reality, Lin Xuan had already guided another sword technique and revealed its true intent. The two techniques were of different types, different attributes, completely unrelated. Yet Lin Xuan had mastered both with ease. If the first time could be chalked up to coincidence, the second time was inevitable. He finally realized that Lin Xuan's terror went far beyond his imagination. Such a monstrous prodigy—how could an ordinary genius like him afford to provoke?! The thought of revenge was instantly wiped from his mind. Seeing Lin Xuan about to turn and leave, he hurriedly chased after him. Knowing Lin Xuan lacked cultivation resources, he proactively offered thirty thousand low-grade spirit stones as an apology, bowing his head to make amends. All to resolve the earlier conflict. After all, with Lin Xuan's terrifying potential, he was already no match for him now. In a few months, with a bit of growth, Lin Xuan might become the top of the Power Ranking, or even a true disciple—nothing was impossible. By then, if Lin Xuan remembered the old grudge, he wouldn't even need to act; a mere hint would bring countless people rushing to curry favor with Lin Xuan by dealing with the problem. At that point, even as a top-ten Power Ranking member, he would be utterly useless. He would truly be in danger. So, for someone like Lin Xuan, there were only two options. One: eliminate the opponent before they grow. Two: bow your head and resolve the grudge. But Lin Xuan's current strength was already beyond his, and with Lin Xuan in the Flowing Cloud Sect, hailed as its top genius and watched by the higher-ups, he lacked the power to take the first option. So he had to choose the second. Though it was a bit embarrassing, what did it matter as long as the grudge was settled? To secure his future, this was necessary.
On the other side, Lin Xuan had no idea how much Wu Jie had been thinking. After checking the spirit stones, he showed a faint, calm smile and nodded slightly. "It's nothing. Just a small misunderstanding—it's all in the past." Lin Xuan waved his hand, looking casual and carefree. Of course, how much of that was genuine and how much was due to the thirty thousand spirit stones was hard to say.
"Then thank you, Senior Brother Lin." Wu Jie let out a long sigh of relief, expressed his gratitude again, and relaxed.
Watching this, Lin Xuan silently marveled. Though Wu Jie's actions had caught him off guard, he could roughly guess why Wu Jie had suddenly changed his attitude. It was likely due to his earlier display—obliterating Tian Guangliang, making the formation barrier tremble with a single sword strike—which had scared Wu Jie. He hadn't expected that, but it made sense. Indeed, in this world, the strong reign supreme, and strength governs everything. He had only shown a bit of his power without even making a move, and it had already achieved this effect. Still, it wasn't bad—he was just short on cultivation resources. Wu Jie's offering would let him train a while longer and break through a few more realms.
After a few more exchanges, Lin Xuan turned and left under the gaze of the crowd. He disappeared into the twenty-eighth pavilion. Only then did the crowd withdraw their gazes, filled with emotion. Though Lin Xuan's Power Ranking remained unchanged at twenty-eighth, everyone now knew that his strength was enough to break into the top ten. He simply didn't care to do so.
Before long, the crowd dispersed. Outside the Power Ranking residential area, many inner disciples had gathered. The Power Ranking area was rich in spiritual energy, far surpassing other zones. Plus, those living there were the inner sect's elite, each with a high chance of becoming a true disciple and joining the sect's upper echelons.