The crowd behind also erupted in commotion.
The disciples stared at Lin Xuan’s figure ahead, their hearts shaken.
They never expected that Lin Xuan, a new disciple, had entered the domain of the top ten outer disciples.
And not only that, he had stayed there safely without being expelled.
It was truly unbelievable and astonishing to the disciples.
After all, earlier, a late-stage Qi Condensation outer disciple had tried to push forward to show off.
But he was blasted back by one of the top ten outer disciples.
He was seriously injured, which caused his subsequent competition results to drop significantly.
Since then, the disciples understood that the front row was the domain and privilege of the top ten outer disciples.
Those not on the same level were simply not allowed to stand alongside them.
But now, Lin Xuan, a new disciple, had achieved what even veteran late-stage Qi Condensation disciples couldn’t.
Naturally, this shocked the disciples greatly.
At that moment, another new disciple, also a promising talent, saw Lin Xuan drawing everyone’s attention and gaining considerable limelight. Envious, he tried to squeeze forward.
Unfortunately, as soon as he got close, a top ten outer disciple punched him flying.
Though he was a promising talent and considered a genius among the outer disciples, he had only been there a month and was still at the Acupoint Opening stage.
How could he match a peak Qi Condensation top ten outer disciple?
With one punch, he was sent flying backward, coughing up blood, seriously injured.
“Why can Lin Xuan do it, but I can’t? I’m a promising talent too!”
“Get lost! An Acupoint Opening newbie doesn’t deserve to stand with us!”
The top ten outer disciple who blasted him away sneered coldly, too lazy to say more.
The promising disciple’s face flushed red. Feeling the other’s imposing aura, he dared not retort, but still glared at Lin Xuan’s back, deeply resentful.
Just then, a veteran disciple helped him up and said:
“Kid, haven’t you noticed that all of us veteran disciples are behind?
Do you think we don’t want to go to the front?
It’s not that we don’t want to—it’s that we can’t!
Anyone not at the top ten level gets expelled.”
The veteran disciple explained.
“Then why can Lin Xuan, a new disciple, do it?”
The promising disciple asked, still unwilling.
“Because Lin Xuan is highly regarded by the Third Elder, a top genius with great potential to become a true disciple.
You must have heard of Lin Xuan’s various deeds recently, right?
I can tell you, Lin Xuan’s chances of becoming a true disciple are even higher than those of the top ten outer disciples, even the top three, or the number one outer disciple, Senior Brother Chen Yuze?!
That’s why Lin Xuan, though a new disciple, can stand in the front area!
Lin Xuan has boundless potential, and the top ten outer disciples give him enough respect.
If you had Lin Xuan’s potential and talent, you could go too—I guarantee no one would stop you.
If not, then shut up and stand properly in the back!
Don’t think about showing off. Except for Lin Xuan, none of you new disciples are worthy!
Got it?!”
The veteran disciple explained in detail.
By the end, his expression turned cold, and he barked.
What he despised most were these self-righteous hotheads.
If they had Lin Xuan’s strength and talent, fine.
But with nothing, they still dared to be arrogant—asking for a beating, weren’t they?
“Got it, got it, I understand.”
The promising disciple nodded repeatedly, his expression fearful.
He finally realized how vast the gap between him and Lin Xuan was.
They were on completely different levels.
He dared not complain anymore and turned to walk to the very back of the line.
The surrounding disciples also stirred with commotion.
Only then did they realize the rumors weren’t false.
Though they had heard before that Lin Xuan was highly talented, vaguely the top genius among the outer disciples,
it was still just hearsay, not witnessed, so some remained skeptical.
Now, after the veteran disciple’s explanation and seeing Lin Xuan stand safely in the top ten’s domain,
they truly understood.
Lin Xuan’s talent was indeed extraordinary, even stronger than the rumors suggested.
Ahead, the Grand Elder, true disciple Xu Anlan, and the various stewards naturally knew everything happening behind.
But this was a conflict among outer disciples. As long as it wasn’t malicious persecution, life-threatening injuries, or other serious situations, they generally didn’t intervene.
Competition among outer disciples kept things lively.
It helped select better disciples.
If they couldn’t even handle minor scuffles within the sect, how could they survive the real brutal struggles outside?
Let alone strengthen the sect.
Such useless disciples weren’t worth keeping.
So, the sect’s higher-ups usually ignored conflicts and disputes among disciples, as long as they didn’t go too far.
At the very front of the disciples’ line.
Lin Xuan stood near the middle.
He was unaware of the changes his presence had caused among the disciples behind.
At that moment, he was focused on the Grand Elder and true disciple Xu Anlan ahead, planning to replicate some treasures.
Both were Open Aperture realm experts, rich in treasures.
And the energy points he had on hand, after replicating the outer disciples on the training ground, were only 200,000 left.
That wasn’t enough to replicate all the treasures on these two.
Lin Xuan was pondering which ones to replicate.
Soon, he made a decision.
“Let’s replicate talents and artistic conceptions first?”
Talents represented potential and the future.
The higher the talent, the stronger the potential, and the further and smoother the martial path ahead.
He couldn’t let that slip.
Additionally, some talents, like strength talent or certain attribute talents, could provide auxiliary effects and boost combat power.
As for artistic conceptions, they could directly enhance strength!
Once an artistic conception was unleashed, combat power increased almost geometrically, incomparable to before.
And for the upcoming competition, he needed enough energy points.
Plus, the competition rewards were generous, and he wanted them.
So, he needed sufficiently strong strength.
Thus, artistic conceptions would be useful.
Without further delay, Lin Xuan acted.
With a thought.
“Ding, consumed 30,000 energy points, replication successful, obtained [20% Sword Intent].”
“Ding, consumed 100,000 energy points, replication successful, obtained [Spirit-grade Cultivation Talent].”
“Ding, consumed 10,000 energy points, replication successful, obtained [Supreme Strength Talent].”
“...”
In just a few breaths, the 200,000 energy points on hand were all spent.
Replaced by several treasures.
Lin Xuan looked at the replicated treasures in his attribute panel, a smile in his eyes.
With these treasures, his strength could surge again.
But with the Grand Elder and Xu Anlan, both Open Aperture realm experts, present, it wasn’t suitable to fuse and use them.
He’d have to wait.
He could fuse them later inside the Puppet Tower.
The Puppet Tower was relatively safe.
After all, the system was his biggest secret, and he couldn’t risk any exposure.
Then, Lin Xuan maintained a calm demeanor on the surface, following the Grand Elder’s lead along with the other disciples, walking forward.
Soon, they arrived before a hundred-meter-tall tower.
The tower was pitch black, giving a sense of heaviness.
This was the Puppet Tower.