The crowd stared at this scene, hardly daring to believe it.
Such a speed of cultivation was something they couldn't even bring themselves to imagine.
Yet now it was happening right before their eyes.
It felt as if they were in a dream.
But among them, many were at the Qi Transformation stage, or even the Whirlpool stage, so they could naturally sense Lin Xuan's aura—it had indeed reached the Qi Transformation stage.
That is to say, Lin Xuan had truly taken only four days to successfully break through from the fourth layer of the Qi Gathering stage to the first layer of the Qi Transformation stage.
The crowd was even more stunned, utterly shaken by Lin Xuan's talent, almost losing their composure.
They hadn't expected that Lin Xuan's performance during the outer sect competition was already monstrous enough.
But they had still underestimated Lin Xuan.
Lin Xuan's talent was far stronger than the rumors suggested!
It was likely enough to rank among the top of the sect, wasn't it?
The crowd dared not dwell on it further and could only sink into deep shock.
As for Steward Sun, after snapping back to reality, though his eyes were still filled with astonishment, he forced a smile and said:
"Junior Disciple Lin, please wait a moment. I'll go fetch the Second Elder right away."
He dared not offend someone with such monstrous talent as Lin Xuan, nor waste his time.
With that, he immediately rushed into the depths of the Outer Sect Hall.
Before long, he brought out a person—not the Second Elder, but the Grand Elder.
Seeing the Grand Elder striding over quickly, the crowd was jolted.
They hadn't expected to disturb the Grand Elder.
The Outer Sect Grand Elder oversaw all matters of the outer sect and held the highest status there.
The Outer Sect Hall naturally fell under his jurisdiction as well.
However, on ordinary days, the Grand Elder had his own affairs and rarely appeared.
Usually, the Second Elder handled things.
For example, outer sect disciples advancing to the inner sect.
But this time, the Grand Elder came out on his own, showing how much he valued Lin Xuan.
The Grand Elder's gaze fell on Lin Xuan, and sensing his aura, he too was greatly shaken:
"Good lad, entering the inner sect so soon."
The Grand Elder said with a light chuckle.
But he was also quite stirred.
Lin Xuan's cultivation speed had deeply impressed him.
As the Outer Sect Grand Elder, he was aware of nearly every outer sect disciple's advancement to the inner sect and the related circumstances.
But someone like Lin Xuan, with such speed—
From joining the sect to entering the inner sect in just over a month, there had never been anyone like him.
Even the current top true disciple, Liu Qianyu, and the other true disciples were no exception.
It seemed Lin Xuan's level of genius might be even higher than he had imagined.
The Grand Elder thought to himself.
Hearing this, Lin Xuan also bowed and said:
"Disciple has broken through to the Qi Transformation stage and wishes to enter the inner sect. I humbly request the Grand Elder's approval!"
"Hmm."
The Grand Elder nodded slightly and said with a faint smile:
"With your talent, staying in the outer sect would indeed be a waste.
Follow me."
Then, under the gaze of everyone present, the Grand Elder led Lin Xuan into the depths of the Outer Sect Hall.
They went through the process of entering the inner sect.
In truth, the process wasn't extensive—it mainly involved exchanging the identity token for a new inner sect disciple token, receiving the specialized inner sect disciple attire, registering the identity in the records, and so on.
He also gave Lin Xuan the resource allocation for his first month as an inner sect disciple.
Within ten-odd minutes, everything was completed.
The Grand Elder summoned an inner sect disciple on duty at the Outer Sect Hall and said:
"Zhou Yu, take Lin Xuan to the inner sect. On the way, explain the general situation of the inner sect to Lin Xuan, and come back after settling him in."
"Yes, Elder Chen!"
Zhou Yu replied with a bow.
Then he turned to Lin Xuan, cupped his hands, and said:
"Junior Disciple Lin, let's go."
"Alright."
Lin Xuan said.
His gaze swept over Zhou Yu's attribute panel, and he silently marveled.
Zhou Yu's talent was on par with the top three outer sect experts—aside from Chen Yuze, Zhou Lei, and Guan Yuanshuang.
And he was just an ordinary inner sect disciple.
Clearly, the inner sect was far superior to the outer sect.
Afterward, the two walked out through a large door at the back of the Outer Sect Hall.
They arrived in an entirely different, more expansive world.
The buildings, houses, and palaces were far more luxurious, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was denser.
This was the inner sect.
It was also the core area of the sect.
The outer sect was merely the peripheral fringe.
Behind them, the Grand Elder watched Lin Xuan's retreating figure and sighed quietly:
"Lin Xuan, the sect hasn't given you special treatment because of your talent.
Everything depends on your own competition. How far you go is up to you."
He was also looking forward to the day Lin Xuan would rise.
Along the way, Lin Xuan gazed at the scenes around him, far surpassing the outer sect and resembling the immortal realms described in past lives, and found them quite remarkable.
Zhou Yu also carried out the task the Grand Elder had given him, explaining the relevant details of the inner sect to Lin Xuan.
The inner sect differed from the outer sect; it was more specialized.
It had many branches, such as the Alchemy Hall, Artifact Refining Hall, Formation Hall, Task Hall, and so on, each with its own category.
Unlike the outer sect, which only had the Outer Sect Hall, Sect Affairs Hall, and Gold Source Hall.
Outer sect disciples could only enter the inner sect and become inner sect disciples after breaking through to the Qi Transformation stage.
Every inner sect disciple had once been a top outer sect disciple.
Thus, the accumulated number of inner sect disciples was only a little over five hundred.
Far fewer than the number of outer sect disciples.
Moreover, there were further distinctions among inner sect disciples.
They were divided into ordinary inner sect disciples, inner sect elites, and Strong List disciples.
Ordinary inner sect disciples referred to those with average talent, low cultivation at the Qi Transformation stage, or newly entered inner sect disciples.
Inner sect elites were disciples with good talent, under twenty-four years of age, and cultivation at the Whirlpool stage.
Strong List disciples had higher requirements—each was at least at the peak of the Whirlpool stage, possessed considerable talent, and had the potential to become a true disciple.
Every Strong List disciple could be considered at the top of the inner sect, whether in strength or talent.
There were over five hundred inner sect disciples in total, but the Strong List only took thirty-six.
That said it all!
As for someone like Lin Xuan, who had just entered the inner sect, he was an ordinary inner sect disciple.
His treatment was also the worst in the inner sect.
Lin Xuan listened attentively, gaining a certain understanding of the inner sect's situation.
After ten-odd minutes, Zhou Yu led Lin Xuan to a row of small houses.
This was the residential area for ordinary inner sect disciples.
Though they looked ordinary, each was a one-bedroom, one-living-room unit.
Far better than the outer sect.
After showing Lin Xuan around and helping him pick a suitable small house, Zhou Yu prepared to leave.
Before departing, Zhou Yu said solemnly:
"Junior Disciple Lin, the inner sect isn't the cradle that the outer sect is.
There are more resource allocations and various benefits here, but the competition is also harsher.
Some actions that might seem unacceptable are allowed within the inner sect, as long as they fall within the rules.
Be prepared.
Alright, that's all I can say.
Wishing you a pleasant life in the inner sect and flourishing martial path!"
With that, he patted Lin Xuan on the shoulder and left through the door.
Lin Xuan was a bit puzzled.
Still, he had some confidence in his own strength, so he didn't dwell on it much.
He began tidying up the house.
It took him half an hour to get everything done.
But before he could sit down to rest—
Bang!