Seeing Lin Xuan’s attitude, the Third Elder grew even more appreciative. “This is the identity token for the top potential new disciple. Take it.” Then, the Third Elder said with a faint smile: “You’ve just joined the sect, so you might not know. Let me explain. Outer sect potential disciples are a special privilege the sect grants to talented disciples, enjoying the same treatment as the top ten outer sect disciples—things like cultivation resources, lodgings, martial arts manuals, and so on. And you, as the top potential disciple, receive treatment identical to the number one outer sect disciple. Of course, this only lasts for three months. After three months, whatever treatment you get will depend on your own strength.”
With that, he took out a black token and handed it to Lin Xuan. Elder Chen, who was in charge of recruiting disciples, was just an ordinary outer sect elder, yet he had the authority to issue potential disciple tokens. As one of the three major figures in the outer sect, the Third Elder naturally could do so as well. The crowd wasn’t surprised by this. They could only gaze at Lin Xuan with immense envy.
Through the Third Elder’s explanation, all the disciples present now understood the gap in treatment between outer sect potential disciples and ordinary disciples. It was like the difference between the top ten outer sect disciples and the regular ones. The disparity was so vast it needed no elaboration. And Lin Xuan, as the top potential disciple, was essentially equivalent to the number one outer sect disciple. He was far more privileged than the other nine in the top ten. They simply couldn’t fathom it. All they could do was envy him deeply.
They knew that, though they had all entered the sect at the same time, Lin Xuan had already pulled ahead of them from the start. Not to mention his formidable talent. As time passed, the gap would only widen. It might even become impossible for them to catch up. At that thought, their hearts trembled even more.
The several stewards exchanged glances, each seeing shock in the other’s eyes. They hadn’t expected the Third Elder to personally explain things to Lin Xuan with such a cordial attitude—something even other elders might not receive. It seemed Lin Xuan was even more of a genius than they had imagined.
“Thank you, Third Elder.” Lin Xuan bowed and took the token. The token was pitch-black, gleaming with a metallic sheen. On the front were the three big characters ‘Flowing Cloud Sect,’ and on the back, the words ‘Top Potential.’ Looking at the token, Lin Xuan nodded lightly, his eyes shining. This was just perfect. His talent grade had improved, and to raise his cultivation and strength, all he lacked were resources. Now, resources had come knocking. Lucky break.
Afterward, they chatted a bit more. The Third Elder praised Lin Xuan a few times before turning and leaving under the watchful eyes of everyone present. As for Zhang Tao, the Third Elder hadn’t spared him a single glance from start to finish. An ordinary potential disciple with a talent intensity of five degrees could make it into the inner sect without much trouble. But reaching the level of a true disciple was extremely difficult. And being on par with him was utterly impossible—such a person wasn’t worth his attention.
Only when the Third Elder’s figure had completely vanished from sight did the crowd shift their gazes back to Lin Xuan. Their expressions ranged from admiration and envy to jealousy and awe. They knew that, though they were all new outer sect disciples, they were already in different worlds. Lin Xuan would rise swiftly, enter the inner sect, and even become a true disciple. Meanwhile, they might linger in the outer sect for years, lucky to enter the inner sect, or unlucky enough to return to the mortal world and cut off their martial path. Naturally, they admired and envied him greatly.
As for Zhang Tao, still no one paid him any attention. He stood off to the side, looking abandoned, his face as dark as a pot bottom, staring fixedly at Lin Xuan. Lin Xuan, however, ignored all of this, standing still and nodding slightly. He gazed at the attribute panel before him in the void. Thanks to the Third Elder’s visit, he had gained quite a few energy points. But he had just used up all his original energy points copying the treasures from the Third Elder. It wasn’t enough yet—he needed to accumulate more. The rate of energy point gain in the Flowing Cloud Sect was far faster than in Green Jade City. He wasn’t worried. Once today’s events spread, he was sure a flood of energy points would come in. Then, he could copy again and boost his strength.
The talent test continued. But most people’s gazes still kept drifting toward Lin Xuan. The shock in their hearts hadn’t subsided. The subsequent test results were the same as before—only a thirty percent pass rate. There wasn’t even a top genius like Lin Xuan with a talent intensity of six degrees, nor someone like Zhang Tao with five degrees. Occasionally, a four-degree talent would appear. But with Zhang Tao and Lin Xuan ahead, especially Lin Xuan, the top genius who had drawn the Third Elder’s attention, these results could no longer stir any reaction.
As for the group from Green Jade City, aside from Lin Xuan, only Lin Yun, Wu Qili, and Chen Yu passed. The other five were all eliminated. Still, they had awakened one or two attribute talents, so it wasn’t a wasted trip. Lin Yun, Wu Qili, and Chen Yu all stood behind Lin Xuan, staring at his back in a daze. They still hadn’t fully processed it. They never imagined that, coming from the same Green Jade City, they had barely scraped through the talent test, while Lin Xuan had become the top genius among the new disciples. Only now did they understand why Lin Xuan had effortlessly crushed them during the earlier competition among the four major forces. Even Zhang He, who had cheated his way to the late Opening Aperture stage, couldn’t withstand a single punch from Lin Xuan. It turned out the gap in their talent was so vast, like a chasm that couldn’t be crossed.
Time slowly passed. Soon, all the disciples in the hall had finished testing. Out of over three hundred disciples, fewer than a hundred passed. Then, everyone was led out of the hall. A new batch of disciples came in for testing. Those who failed were sent back. Those who passed were now outer sect disciples, taken by several stewards to arrange their lodgings. As the top potential disciple, Lin Xuan naturally received the highest treatment.
Half an hour later. Lin Xuan arrived at a small courtyard. After a quick inspection, he nodded with satisfaction. Though the courtyard wasn’t large, it was quite refined and fully equipped—far better than the small wooden huts where ordinary outer sect disciples lived. More importantly, The entire Flowing Cloud Sect was laid out with spirit-gathering formations. And this courtyard was located at one of the nodes. The density of spiritual energy here far exceeded most other outer sect areas. Compared to Green Jade City, there was no contest.
“Not bad.” Lin Xuan’s eyes showed satisfaction. There was no need to tidy up—the courtyard had already been cleaned, ready for him to move in. Then, Lin Xuan went to the cultivation room and sat cross-legged on a cushion. These were ultimately just external things, given by the sect because they valued his potential, and could be taken back at any time. His own strength was what truly mattered.