"In this match, Lin Xuan wins, advancing to second place!"
On the arena, Elder Zhang announced the result.
As his voice fell, the crowd erupted into an uproar.
Everyone's gaze converged on Lin Xuan, trembling with shock.
Although many had anticipated this outcome,
seeing it with their own eyes still brought a considerable jolt.
Zhou Lei and Guan Yuanshuang, two of the three top outer disciples, had both been instantly defeated by Lin Xuan.
This had proven that Lin Xuan's strength had reached the pinnacle of the outer sect.
Even if he might not be a match for Chen Yuze,
Chen Yuze had broken through to the Qi Transformation stage and would head to the inner sect after the competition.
That meant Lin Xuan, a new disciple who had only been here a month, was about to become the outer sect's top expert?
Thinking of this, the disciples were even more astounded by Lin Xuan.
Moreover, who said Lin Xuan definitely couldn't beat Chen Yuze?
Lin Xuan had been defeating opponents in a single move from start to finish, never revealing his true strength.
Who knew if he could overcome a higher realm?
With Lin Xuan's terrifying talent, even crossing major realms wasn't impossible!
The disciples' hearts grew even more awestruck.
Even Chen Yuze's expression turned grim.
Having witnessed Lin Xuan's two matches, he wasn't confident he could defeat him either.
He could only give his best.
They would settle it on the arena.
On the high platform, the Grand Elder's gaze fell on Lin Xuan, filled with even greater admiration.
Then, Lin Xuan stood on the arena with no intention of stepping down, looking at the referee Elder Zhang and said calmly:
"Elder Zhang, there's one match left. Shall we continue?"
"Hmm?"
Elder Zhang was momentarily stunned.
Then he snapped back to reality and nodded:
"Alright."
Though there was supposed to be a half-hour break to recover true qi,
Lin Xuan had been finishing his opponents in one move, so he had little to recover.
Plus, since Lin Xuan requested it, it was fine to agree.
He looked toward the top twenty in the square and said:
"Chen Yuze, come up to the arena!"
"Alright!"
Chen Yuze responded loudly, striding forward with a fierce fighting spirit.
Originally, he thought that after breaking through to Qi Transformation, no one in the outer sect could rival him.
But now, a freak like Lin Xuan had emerged, with strength surpassing the Qi Gathering stage.
He was worth fighting.
Soon, Chen Yuze reached the arena.
Standing opposite Lin Xuan.
"Begin the match!"
Elder Zhang announced.
With that, he stepped aside, watching the two with anticipation.
This was the final and most thrilling match of the competition.
He had to watch closely.
Everyone in the square perked up at that moment, their eyes fixed on the pair.
This was the ultimate battle of the competition.
Both were top experts of the outer sect.
Chen Yuze, the long-reigning top outer disciple, had now broken through to Qi Transformation. His strength, needless to say, had surpassed the outer sect's limits.
But Lin Xuan was no slouch either.
As the top potential new disciple of this cohort, his talent was beyond what the outer sect could imagine.
Even within the entire Flowing Cloud Sect, he ranked among the elite.
In just one month as a disciple, he already had strength far exceeding the peak of Qi Gathering.
He had instantly defeated Zhou Lei and Guan Yuanshuang, two of the outer sect's top experts.
This showed his power.
One was the veteran top expert, the other a rising genius.
When these two clashed, who would come out on top?
They were all eager to see.
But regardless of who won, the disciples knew these two were far beyond them, figures they could only look up to.
On the arena.
Chen Yuze's expression was serious as he cupped his hands:
"Lin Xuan, as a new disciple, reaching this point has truly exceeded my expectations!
Your strength and talent in this winning streak are unmatched in the outer sect!
But defeating me won't be that easy!"
He didn't claim victory, because he truly wasn't confident, nor would he boast.
Yet Chen Yuze's words caused an uproar among the disciples in the square.
Even Chen Yuze, who had broken through, admitted he wasn't sure of winning.
Was Lin Xuan really that strong?
They found it hard to believe.
Zhou Lei and Guan Yuanshuang, after roughly treating their injuries, returned to the crowd to watch the final match.
Hearing Chen Yuze's words, both were shaken.
They exchanged a glance and smiled bitterly.
So even Chen Yuze at Qi Transformation might not win.
Lin Xuan's strength had already crossed from Qi Gathering to Qi Transformation!
No wonder he had instantly defeated them.
It seemed their loss wasn't unjust.
At the same time, they were once again awed by Lin Xuan's talent.
In just one month, he had reached such strength.
What about a few more months?
Would he become an inner disciple, a true disciple, or an elder?
They couldn't even imagine.
On the arena.
"Yeah."
Lin Xuan nodded slightly, his expression calm.
It was unclear what he meant.
As if he didn't care at all.
This attitude only made Chen Yuze more wary.
A sense of foreboding crept in.
But at this point, overthinking was pointless. Time to fight!
"Lin Xuan, I'm making my move!"
With that, Chen Yuze stopped wasting words. With a loud shout, his Qi Transformation aura exploded.
It turned into a fierce gale, charging at Lin Xuan.
"Wind-Chasing Step!"
"Gale Palm!"
Chen Yuze muttered, striking out with a palm.
The palm force surged, shattering layers of air, pressing down on Lin Xuan with extraordinary momentum.
The disciples in the square felt a blur before their eyes, then a wave of wind hit them, forcing them back repeatedly.
They stared at Chen Yuze on the arena, deeply shaken.
So this was the power of Qi Transformation?
Too strong!
They couldn't even see the attack's trajectory, let alone withstand its aftershocks.
It felt like they were on completely different levels.
Only then did they grasp the gap between Qi Transformation and Qi Gathering.
It was terrifyingly vast.
Their gazes remained fixed on the arena.
How would Lin Xuan respond this time?
Would he unleash even greater strength?
But they saw Lin Xuan's expression unchanged as he sent out a palm strike.
"Raging Wave Palm!"
With one palm, surging waves rolled forth, a torrent of billowing force spreading out in visible ripples of air, scattering in all directions.
The disciples on the field were again pushed back, their chests tight as if a boulder pressed down on them.
Their shock deepened.
Lin Xuan's strength was this immense!
This time, Lin Xuan had indeed unleashed even greater power.
It was no longer at the Qi Gathering level but had reached Qi Transformation!
The disciples gained a clearer understanding of Lin Xuan's terrifying talent.
Guan Yuanshuang and Zhou Lei felt even more bitter.
So Lin Xuan hadn't really shown his true strength when fighting them.
This was his real power, wasn't it?
Only Chen Yuze, at Qi Transformation, could force it out.
They couldn't.
They weren't worthy!