As Steward Zhang's voice rang out, the entire square erupted into a frenzy. Only then did everyone snap back to reality, realizing that what they were witnessing was real, not an illusion. Lin Xuan, this new disciple, had truly claimed first place in the outer sect competition, shattering an unprecedented record in the outer sect's history. Instantly, everyone present was deeply awestruck by Lin Xuan's performance, achievements, and talent.
On the arena platform, "Ding, congratulations to the host for gaining 3000 shock energy from Xu Anlan, a martial artist at the second layer of the Opening Spirit realm." "Ding, congratulations to the host for gaining 1800 shock energy from Zhang Qiushan, a martial artist at the fourth layer of the Condensing Rotation realm." "..."
Lin Xuan listened to the crisp system notifications ringing in his ears, watching the energy points in the void before him surge at an astonishing speed, a satisfied gleam in his eyes. Now, his total energy points were approaching 200,000 again. That would be enough to replicate the remaining treasures from Grand Elder and true disciple Xu Anlan. Moreover, once news of everything that happened in today's competition spread, the entire outer sect, and even the inner sect, would be shaken, wouldn't it? By then, he could harvest another wave of energy points. Soon, he would break through to the Qi Transformation realm and enter the inner sect. These energy points would also suffice for him to replicate extensively and establish a foothold there.
A faint light flickered in Lin Xuan's eyes as he nodded. Then, he dismissed the attribute panel and leaped off the arena platform. Under the gaze of everyone present, he walked toward the crowd. Wherever he passed, the disciples looked at him with reverence, actively stepping aside to clear a path. Lin Xuan casually chose a spot to stand. Yet, a wide empty circle formed around him, with no one daring to approach. Because Lin Xuan's performance was simply too extraordinary. In his presence, they couldn't help but feel inferior, unable to lift their heads. With Lin Xuan around, they seemed like nothing, just ordinary people. Only by staying far from him could they feel a shred of their own worth. So, they avoided him, afraid to draw near. Lin Xuan understood this, but he didn't mind. Those who ascend to the pinnacle of strength are always a rare few. The strong are also lonely. If one can't even endure this solitude, how can they become a martial arts powerhouse?
After a while, the atmosphere on the field gradually calmed. On the high platform, the Grand Elder stood up, swept his gaze across the entire crowd, lingering a moment longer on Lin Xuan with a look of approval and admiration, then announced loudly: "This competition is now nearing its end. And the most outstanding performer in this competition is Lin Xuan. A new disciple who joined only a month ago has won first place, setting a new record for the outer sect! ..." The Grand Elder praised Lin Xuan for a while before getting to the point: "Next is the award ceremony. The top three of the competition, come up to the high platform. I will present the awards. The top ten, hand your identity tokens to Steward Zhang, and he will bring them up. As for the top twenty, after the competition, go to the Affairs Hall and claim your rewards with your identity tokens."
This award process divided the top twenty of the outer sect into tiers. Clearly, in the Grand Elder's eyes, only the top three were worth attention; the rest didn't merit mention. Then, a round of enthusiastic applause erupted on the field. Lin Xuan, Chen Yuze, and Guan Yuanshuang walked toward the high platform under everyone's watchful eyes. According to the rankings, Chen Yuze followed behind Lin Xuan in second place. But Chen Yuze felt his scalp tingling. For him, this award wasn't a reward but a punishment. As an old disciple who had reached the Qi Transformation realm, he had lost to a new disciple at the Qi Gathering realm, losing immense face. Now, going to receive the award felt like public humiliation, a slow torture under everyone's gaze. At that moment, Chen Yuze wished he could find a crack to crawl into rather than accept the award.
Behind him, Guan Yuanshuang, in third place, looked calm, even with a hint of a smile. She had originally been third, and she was still third now, her ranking unchanged. Meanwhile, Zhou Lei, who had been ahead of her in second place, had been unlucky enough to encounter Lin Xuan early in the competition and was eliminated instantly, failing to even make the top three and falling behind her. Compared to Zhou Lei, she considered this an improvement. Moreover, facing a prodigy like Lin Xuan, who had comprehended a fully formed artistic conception at the Qi Gathering realm, even Chen Yuze at the Qi Transformation realm had lost. As a Qi Gathering realm cultivator, being instantly defeated was perfectly normal. So, she had shed her earlier dejection, recovered her composure, and even wore a faint smile.
Soon, the three arrived at the high platform. Lin Xuan's gaze swept over the Grand Elder and Xu Anlan, and he made a mental move. "Ding, consuming 30,000 energy points, replication successful. Obtained [Explosive Flame Fist (Sixth Grade Upper, Mastery)]." "Ding, consuming 3,000 energy points, replication successful. Obtained [Superior Heavy Water Attribute Talent]." "..." In the span of a breath, he had replicated all the remaining treasures from the two Opening Spirit realm martial artists. Lin Xuan wore a satisfied expression.
Not far away, the Grand Elder looked at Lin Xuan and the other two, smiled, and beckoned, saying: "Lin Xuan, come here." Lin Xuan walked over, bowed, and said: "Disciple Lin Xuan pays respects to the Grand Elder! Greetings to the true disciple senior brother!" The Grand Elder and Xu Anlan both nodded in acknowledgment. The Grand Elder said with a smile: "Lin Xuan, take out your identity token." Hearing this, Lin Xuan retrieved his identity token from his storage ring and handed it over. The Grand Elder took it, infused it with spiritual energy, tapped it lightly, and returned it to Lin Xuan: "Lin Xuan, although you're only at the fourth layer of the Qi Gathering realm, with your talent, you should break through to the Qi Transformation realm and enter the inner sect within a month. So, I've given you 5,000 contribution points here. Three thousand is the reward for first place. The other two thousand are converted from the resource supply for your remaining two months as a potential disciple, given to you directly as contribution points." "Thank you, Grand Elder." Lin Xuan took the identity token, bowed again, and showed a delighted expression. Two thousand contribution points were equivalent to at least two hundred inferior-grade spirit stones. That was no small amount. For an outer sect disciple, it was a colossal sum. He was naturally overjoyed. With these 5,000 contribution points, he could not only exchange for enough cultivation resources to break through to the Qi Transformation realm faster but likely advance several minor realms after reaching it. However, Lin Xuan knew that his monthly resource supply as a potential disciple, converted to contribution points, probably wouldn't even reach a hundred. Yet the Grand Elder had given him at least ten times that amount. This showed his investment and regard for Lin Xuan. Lin Xuan silently took note of this.
Behind him, Chen Yuze and Guan Yuanshuang both widened their mouths slightly, stunned. Two thousand contribution points—even many inner sect disciples might not have such savings on them. Yet it had been granted to Lin Xuan, an outer sect disciple, on a completely unreasonable pretext.