Under the gaze of everyone present, Zhang Tao let out a cold shout, charged at Lin Xuan, and threw a punch.
"Cracking Rock Fist!"
The punch shot out like the wind, fierce and powerful, with the force to split mountains and shatter rocks, its might astonishing.
Zhang Tao held nothing back with this punch.
His goal was to settle the match in one blow while severely injuring Lin Xuan.
It was revenge for Lin Xuan stealing his spotlight during the test in the main hall.
The surrounding disciples, sensing this overwhelming force, many of them changed expressions slightly.
They could feel that the strength of this punch was so great that even an ordinary late-stage Meridian Opening cultivator might not be able to withstand it.
And according to the information spreading about Lin Xuan, just three days ago during the talent test, he was only at the early stage of Meridian Opening.
In three days, it was uncertain whether he could even break through to the mid-stage, let alone the late stage.
That meant it was basically impossible for him to take this punch.
Everyone shifted their gaze to Lin Xuan, curious to see how he would respond.
What kind of strength did this top genius among the new disciples truly possess? Could he fight above his level?
Not far away, Lin Xuan remained calm and composed from start to finish.
Facing Zhang Tao's powerful punch, Lin Xuan countered with a punch of his own.
"Shattering Jade Fist!"
The fist force was violent, tearing through layers of air.
Its momentum was equally formidable.
The next moment, under the watchful eyes of everyone present, the two fists collided.
*Thud!*
A dull sound rang out.
After the punch, Lin Xuan stood firm, still expressionless.
He slowly withdrew his fist, as if nothing had happened.
On the other side, Zhang Tao's face twisted in pain.
*Ah!*
A scream erupted as he stumbled backward, as if crushed by a massive boulder.
He retreated dozens of meters before collapsing to the ground, groaning in agony.
His right arm was bent at an unnatural angle, blood splattering everywhere—it was clearly broken.
Witnessing this scene, everyone was stunned, staring at Lin Xuan in disbelief.
The arena fell silent instantly.
But soon, it erupted into lively chatter.
"Damn, Lin Xuan is this strong? Not only did he win with one punch, but he also crippled Zhang Tao's arm?"
"Probably because Zhang Tao threatened him and made him really angry, so he went all out."
"Looks like Lin Xuan truly deserves the title of top genius among the new disciples. Three days ago, he was at early-stage Meridian Opening, and now he can one-shot a late-stage Meridian Opening cultivator!"
"He's not just the top genius among new disciples; he's probably a standout among all outer disciples. It won't be long before he becomes another outer sect expert."
"But Zhang Tao isn't easy to deal with. He has a cousin, Zhang Mingliang, who's a Qi Gathering expert. I wonder how Lin Xuan will handle that?"
"Lin Xuan has the highest potential among the new disciples. During this three-month protection period, other senior disciples can't touch him unless he accepts their challenges. And after three months, with Lin Xuan's talent, he might not be unable to deal with Zhang Mingliang."
"That's true."
"..."
The disciples buzzed with discussion, their eyes fixed on Lin Xuan, now filled with shock and disbelief.
Even Zhang Tao, a late-stage Meridian Opening cultivator, couldn't withstand a single punch from Lin Xuan.
The strength Lin Xuan displayed had already made him the top among the new disciples.
Seeing this, everyone realized that Lin Xuan's reputation as the top genius among the new disciples was genuine.
It matched the rumors from the past few days.
And perhaps even surpassed them.
But Lin Xuan paid no attention to the others. He glanced at the attribute panel in the void, where energy points were surging again, and nodded slightly.
Then, with a cold expression, he walked toward Zhang Tao.
On the other side, Zhang Tao lay on the ground, watching Lin Xuan approach, his mind screaming:
"How is this possible?! This can't be! Impossible!!"
He refused to believe that he had been knocked down and defeated by Lin Xuan with a single punch.
But the sharp pain in his arm constantly reminded him that it was real!
He was indeed inferior to Lin Xuan—both in talent and strength!
Whether he liked it or not, that was the truth!
Only then did Zhang Tao understand that Lin Xuan's talent didn't just surpass his—it far exceeded it.
It even went beyond his imagination.
Three days ago, Lin Xuan was only at early-stage Meridian Opening.
Yet in just three days, Zhang Tao, a late-stage Meridian Opening cultivator, couldn't even withstand one of Lin Xuan's punches.
This showed just how terrifyingly high Lin Xuan's talent was!
Thinking this, a hint of regret surged in Zhang Tao's heart.
He regretted provoking Lin Xuan.
He was arrogant, jealous, and vain.
But he wasn't stupid. He knew who to provoke and who to avoid.
And someone like Lin Xuan, whose talent far surpassed his own, was someone he could only look up to—clearly not someone to mess with.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
Lin Xuan walked up to Zhang Tao and said in a low voice:
"Zhang Tao, I've always lived by the rule: I won't trouble others unless they trouble me.
But since you dared to provoke me, don't blame me for showing no mercy. Today, this is your lesson!
If you dare to come after me again—like using Lin Yun, Chen Yu, or others to threaten me—
Next time, I'll cripple you!
Don't think that just because you're the legitimate son of a prominent family in the county, you can act arrogant.
This isn't the county. This is the Flowing Cloud Sect.
And I'm the top genius among the new disciples. Believe me, if I cripple you, I'll only face a minor punishment.
But you? You'll be a cripple forever!"
As he spoke, his cold gaze cut into Zhang Tao's chest like a blade.
Zhang Tao's heart trembled, his eyes filled with endless fear.
He knew Lin Xuan wasn't joking.
He truly meant it and was ready to follow through.
Lowering his head, he whispered:
"I... understand."
He didn't dare meet Lin Xuan's eyes, his voice trembling as he spoke.
"Remember what you said today!"
Lin Xuan patted Zhang Tao's shoulder, stood up, and turned to walk toward Lin Yun and the others.
Throughout it all, the group of lackeys behind Zhang Tao stood frozen in fear, not daring to make a move, let alone step in to stop him.
These lackeys were new disciples that Zhang Tao had forcefully recruited over the past three days, using his strength and his status as the legitimate son of a prominent family.
Since even Zhang Tao had been one-shot by Lin Xuan, these lackeys, who were weaker than him, didn't dare say a word.
Lin Xuan approached Lin Yun, Wu Qili, and the others, and said:
"Alright, it's settled. Focus on your cultivation. It wasn't easy getting into the Flowing Cloud Sect, so don't waste the opportunity."
"Thank you, Brother Xuan!"
"Brother Xuan, we owe you this time."
"..."
The three repeatedly bowed and thanked him, even addressing him as "Brother Xuan."
This time, they had truly witnessed Lin Xuan's strength.
Zhang Tao, whom the three of them together couldn't defeat, had been knocked down and crippled by Lin Xuan with a single punch.
The vast gap between them made them fully realize the distance between themselves and Lin Xuan, extinguishing any thoughts of comparison.
It also instilled a deeper sense of awe.
Naturally, they began calling him "Brother Xuan."