Such a vast disparity left the crowd utterly incredulous. Once again, everyone was stunned by Lin Xuan’s strength, talent, and potential.
At the southern stands. The high-ranking members and disciples of the Cangyuan Sect’s various factions were all dumbfounded. They could hardly believe this reality. It wasn’t until the announcement by the Grand Elder of the Yangyuan Sect that they snapped out of it. Instantly, their expressions shifted to shock and overwhelming joy.
For this Red Sun Domain Grand Tournament, the first place had come from the Cangyuan Kingdom, not the Chiyan Kingdom. This was the first time in decades. It meant that the Red Sun Domain would no longer be dominated solely by the Chiyan Kingdom. The Cangyuan Kingdom might finally be on the rise.
The high-ranking members and disciples of the five major forces in the Cangyuan Kingdom were overjoyed, erupting in cheers. Among them, the Liuyun Sect members were the most excited, thrilled, and utterly astounded. They, too, had never imagined that this Red Sun Domain Grand Tournament would end with Lin Xuan defeating the prodigy Zhang Yuchen with a single sword strike.
Originally, although Lin Xuan was exceptionally talented and performed brilliantly, after the puppet secret realm incident, he had been vaguely regarded as the fifth公子-level genius. But in their eyes, Lin Xuan could at most stand shoulder to shoulder with the Four Great公子. More likely, he was still somewhat inferior. Because Lin Xuan’s rise had been too brief. From his entry to now, it had only been two months.
In two months, ordinary disciples barely familiarized themselves with the outer sect environment. Yet Lin Xuan had soared through leaps and bounds at a speed they could hardly fathom. From a newcomer to a true disciple, and even the chief true disciple. He was the top among the younger generation of the Liuyun Sect, even the entire Cangyuan Kingdom, and the leader of the potential rankings. Such progress was already astonishing enough, setting an unprecedented record in the Red Sun Domain.
The Four Great公子, however, were established top-tier geniuses of the Red Sun Domain, with years of renown. In their view, even if Lin Xuan were incredibly talented, surpassing the Four Great公子 would still take some time—perhaps a few months—to match them. That seemed like a high estimation of Lin Xuan. But they never expected to have underestimated him.
In this Red Sun Domain Grand Tournament, Lin Xuan defeated Zhou Wenhao and Chen Feng, two of the公子, within three moves. Against Zhang Yuchen, the former top genius and sole prodigy of the Red Sun Domain, he also won with a single sword strike. Such performance, showcasing his talent, potential, and strength, had far exceeded their imagination.
The high-ranking members and disciples of the Liuyun Sect were plunged into endless shock, unable to calm down. At the same time, a surge of ecstasy welled up in their hearts. Lin Xuan hailed from the Liuyun Sect. With his talent and potential, reaching the Yuanhai Realm should be easy, likely within just a few years. He might even achieve a realm beyond the Yuanhai Realm.
Under Lin Xuan’s leadership, the Liuyun Sect could fully rise. Matching the Yangyuan Sect was probably just a matter of time. Perhaps they could even break out of the Red Sun Domain. The crowd was overjoyed, cheering wildly.
Meanwhile, at the northern and eastern stands, the three major forces of the Chiyan Kingdom remained silent. Their gazes shifted between Lin Xuan and the southern stands, filled with intense envy. They, too, had never imagined that the Cangyuan Kingdom, which they had always ignored and looked down upon as a desolate region of the Red Sun Domain, could produce such a monstrous talent as Lin Xuan.
Even their chief true disciples and heirs, cultivated with the full resources of their sects, and even Zhang Yuchen, the sole genius of the Red Sun Domain, were no match for Lin Xuan. And Lin Xuan’s cultivation level was much lower. This only highlighted Lin Xuan’s terrifying and heaven-defying talent.
They were naturally envious. But at the same time, they knew they had to change their attitude toward the Cangyuan Kingdom. They might even have to cede some benefits to it. Because Lin Xuan had already begun his rise, unstoppable. As long as he didn’t meet an untimely end, his future achievements were beyond their imagination. In just a few years, he might be able to dominate the entire Red Sun Domain.
When Lin Xuan returned then, if anything displeased him, their forces would face utter destruction. The high-ranking members of the three major forces sighed inwardly.
...
At that moment, a clear voice came from the top of the eastern high platform. Though calm and not loud, it instantly spread across the entire square, reaching everyone’s ears. It was none other than Fire Yuan Zhenren.
“Since it’s over, it’s time to get down to business. The top twenty, gather below the eastern stands.”
As the words fell, the arena fell silent. Lin Xuan’s eyes flickered with a gleam, and he turned, leaped off the platform, and walked toward the base of the eastern stands. Zhang Yuchen quickly followed upon hearing this. The other top twenty—Chen Feng, Wu Xin, Liu Qianyu, and the rest—also rose from their seats and made their way over.
Soon, the top twenty were all assembled below the eastern stands. Lin Xuan stood at the front. Next was Zhang Yuchen, followed by the three公子—Chen Feng, Zhou Wenhao, and Wu Xin. Behind them were Liu Qianyu, Duan Feichen, Chen Hanshuang, and the others in the top twenty. The hierarchy was clear.
No one objected to this arrangement. It was based on strength, the fairest measure possible.
On the platform, Fire Yuan Zhenren stood up, transforming into a streak of fire as he leaped down. He landed before the top twenty. His gaze swept over them, settling on Lin Xuan at the front, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
Lin Xuan’s eyes also met Fire Yuan Zhenren’s. A glint flashed deep in his pupils.
Swish! “Name: Jiang Yuanchang.” “Cultivation: Yuanhai Realm, Seventh Layer.” “Talents: Xuan-grade cultivation talent, Ling-grade strength talent, Ling-grade speed talent, Ling-grade blade talent, Ling-grade gale attribute talent, Ling-grade sharp metal attribute talent, Jue-grade red fire attribute talent, Jue-grade green wood attribute talent, Jue-grade thick earth attribute talent, Jipin-grade heavy water attribute talent.” “Martial Arts: Ten-Thousand-Fathom Wind Wave Art (Eighth-rank Upper, Great Completion), Storm-Breaking Wave Sword Art (Eighth-rank Middle, Peak), Sharp Metal Extinction Finger (Eighth-rank Middle, Peak), Wind-Shaking Cloud-Pushing Palm (Eighth-rank Middle, Peak), Ten-Thousand-Mile Cloud-Stepping Art (Eighth-rank Upper, Great Completion)...” “Intent: 80% Blade Intent, 70% Metal Intent, 70% Wind Intent, 55% Fire Intent, 50% Wood Intent, 50% Earth Intent, 40% Water Intent.” “Carried Treasures: None.”
Gazing at the attribute panel of Fire Yuan Zhenren before him in the void, Lin Xuan’s heart trembled. Truly a martial artist from the core region of Fengwu Prefecture—this attribute panel was the richest he had ever seen. Then, it turned into wild joy. So many treasures—he couldn’t let them slip by.
He then looked at his own attribute panel, scrolling to the bottom. “Still have fifteen million energy points?” Lin Xuan murmured inwardly, a slight smile on his face. He hadn’t expected to accumulate such a massive amount. It must have been due to the huge stir he caused at today’s Red Sun Domain Grand Tournament. Although he had spent some energy copying the treasures of the Four Great公子 and others, the total amount had increased rather than decreased, suddenly reaching a staggering fifteen million.