Lin Xuan had no idea that quite a few things had happened after he left.
By now, he had already returned to his small courtyard, entered the cultivation chamber, and sat cross-legged on a cushion, beginning his practice to open his acupoints.
With ample cultivation resources at hand, he naturally wouldn't waste any more time.
Improving his cultivation level and strength was the top priority.
Yet, just as Lin Xuan went into seclusion to cultivate, the entire outer sect of Flowing Cloud Sect was once again stirred by a significant commotion.
What astonished the outer sect disciples was that this time, the target was still Lin Xuan.
That same Lin Xuan, hailed by the Third Elder as having the potential to become a true disciple and the top genius among the new disciples.
Three days ago, due to Lin Xuan's talent test results and the Third Elder's praise, his reputation had already spread once, and many disciples had heard of him.
But no one expected it to happen again so soon.
And this time, the news far surpassed the previous.
Three days ago, when Lin Xuan tested his talent, he was only at the early stage of the Acupoint Opening realm.
Three days later, Lin Xuan emerged from seclusion and was blocked by another promising disciple, Zhang Tao.
At that time, Zhang Tao was already at the late stage of the Acupoint Opening realm, intending to use his cultivation advantage to cause trouble for Lin Xuan and challenge his position as the top genius among new disciples.
The result, however, was that Lin Xuan defeated him instantly.
Upon hearing this, everyone was slightly shaken.
Crossing levels to fight and still achieving an instant kill—truly worthy of being the top genius among new disciples, with extraordinary talent.
But this was only the beginning.
Lin Xuan had left seclusion to go to the Martial Arts Pavilion to select a technique.
On his way back after choosing a technique, he was stopped again.
This time, it was Zhang Tao's cousin, Zhang Mingliang, an outer sect expert who had reached the second layer of the Qi Gathering realm.
Yet Lin Xuan still showed no weakness.
He engaged in a fierce battle with Zhang Mingliang.
First, he surpassed Zhang Mingliang in movement techniques, preventing him from landing a hit.
Then, provoked by Zhang Mingliang's taunts, he clashed head-on with him.
But even so, Lin Xuan remained unscathed.
Zhang Mingliang, on the other hand, was sent flying by Lin Xuan and severely injured on the spot.
Hearing this, the outer sect disciples were utterly stunned, frozen in disbelief for a long time.
This wasn't just crossing levels—it was crossing an entire major realm, making the difficulty several times greater.
Especially between the Acupoint Opening and Qi Gathering realms.
It was well known that the Body Tempering and Acupoint Opening realms were foundational stages focused on strengthening the physique and enhancing blood and qi.
Only the power of one's own physique and blood and qi could be used.
But upon reaching the Qi Gathering realm, one could refine the world's spiritual energy into a higher-grade energy—true qi.
Combined with one's own blood and qi power.
The two together were far stronger than the Body Tempering realm.
Yet, despite this, Zhang Mingliang of the Qi Gathering realm still lost, crushed by Lin Xuan, who was only at the Acupoint Opening realm.
This truly shook the disciples deeply, leaving them unable to calm down.
Only then did they fully believe the Third Elder's words—that Lin Xuan indeed had the potential to become a true disciple!
And Lin Xuan's displayed talent didn't stop there.
Perhaps, even among the true disciples, he would be a top expert?
Because, among the current true disciples, few could cross a major realm and defeat a Qi Gathering realm opponent while still at the Acupoint Opening realm.
Yet Lin Xuan had done it, and with apparent ease.
That said it all.
Soon, the news reached the ears of the Third Elder of the outer sect.
The Third Elder's expression shifted slightly, then he smiled and praised:
"I was right about him. This kid has shown his brilliance so quickly."
Zhao Quxin, the steward who had brought Lin Xuan from Qingyu City to Flowing Cloud Sect, was also stunned upon hearing the news, unable to believe it.
He, too, hadn't expected Lin Xuan's talent to be so high, once again exceeding his expectations.
"It seems I've brought back an extraordinary one."
Zhao Quxin sighed with emotion, then also went into seclusion to cultivate.
For bringing back Lin Xuan, the top new disciple with potential, he had received plenty of resource rewards, enough to break through several minor realms.
As the news spread, Lin Xuan's reputation soared once more, becoming known to all outer sect disciples and stewards.
Even the top ten outer sect disciples and high-ranking figures like the outer sect elders had heard of it.
...
While the outer sect was buzzing with noise over Lin Xuan, he had entered a long period of seclusion for cultivation.
At the Acupoint Opening realm, with ample cultivation resources, there was no need to eat.
As the top new disciple with potential, he had no sect tasks and only needed to cultivate to improve his strength.
Lin Xuan spent almost all his time in the cultivation chamber, striving to open his acupoints to break through realms and enhance his power.
Time passed slowly.
Unbeknownst to him, over half a month had gone by.
Lin Xuan never left his quarters, and no one saw him again.
The once fervent discussions gradually subsided.
Inside the cultivation chamber.
Lin Xuan sat cross-legged on the cushion.
Crack!
A faint, crisp sound emanated from Lin Xuan's body.
A surging aura slowly spread outward from Lin Xuan, stirring up small whirlwinds in the cultivation chamber.
Whoosh!
Only then did Lin Xuan open his eyes, exhaling a long breath, and gaze into the void before him.
Swish!
"Divine Copy System."
"Host: Lin Xuan."
"Realm: Qi Gathering, Fourth Layer."
"Talents: Supreme-grade cultivation talent, Upper-grade talents (Speed, Blade Dao), Middle-grade talents (Strength, Sword Dao), Upper-grade elemental talents (Sharp Metal, Gale), Middle-grade elemental talents (Green Wood, Heavy Water, Crimson Fire, Thick Earth, Heavy Water)."
"Martial Arts: Mixed Origin Art (Sixth-rank Upper-grade, Minor Mastery), Wind Flame Blade Art (Sixth-rank Middle-grade, Minor Mastery), Crimson Moon Sword Art (Sixth-rank Lower-grade, Minor Mastery), Wild Elephant Art (Sixth-rank Middle-grade, Minor Mastery), Overpowering Fist (Sixth-rank Middle-grade, Minor Mastery), Surging Wave Palm (Sixth-rank Lower-grade, Minor Mastery), Void-Shattering Kick (Sixth-rank Lower-grade, Minor Mastery), Shadow Following (Sixth-rank Lower-grade, Minor Mastery)."
"Energy Points: 274,000."
"Personal Space: 44."
Looking at the attribute panel before him, a glint flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes.
Feeling the even greater power flowing through his physique and the true qi condensed in his dantian, he nodded in satisfaction.
"And, I've also accumulated 274,000 energy points."
Lin Xuan murmured to himself, nodding slightly.
He had deliberately provoked Zhang Mingliang, fought him, and then defeated him across a major realm.
His goal was to spread his reputation and harvest energy points.
Unexpectedly, it had scared off the Zhang Tao and Zhang Mingliang brothers.
He had received a large amount of cultivation resources as compensation.
Now, over half a month had passed, and the cultivation resources were all used up, including the three inferior-grade spirit stones he had obtained.
Relying on his supreme-grade cultivation talent, he had broken through repeatedly, going from the late stage of the Acupoint Opening realm to the fourth layer of the Qi Gathering realm, equivalent to the middle stage of Qi Gathering.
Now, he had also gained 274,000 energy points.
It was a double harvest.
Lin Xuan was quite satisfied.
Next, he would go on a copying spree to boost himself further.
Then, Lin Xuan took out a timekeeping tool, checked it, and his expression turned serious:
"Time has flown by so fast. It's already been a month since I joined the sect.
That means the outer sect competition is starting today?"
Lin Xuan murmured to himself.
This was a sect rule he knew.
One month after new disciples join, the outer sect competition begins.