"Then you die!"
Lin Xuan let out a cold laugh and made his move as well.
It was also a fist technique.
"Overpowering Fist!"
With one punch thrown, domineering energy ran rampant, and violent fist force shattered layers of air, surging forward.
The inner disciples present, seeing Lin Xuan, a new disciple, choose to clash head-on with Zhao Gang, only grew more mocking.
Many others sneered as they made their moves.
They didn't need to think to know that this new disciple's right arm would be crippled.
A new disciple daring to clash head-on with an old disciple like Zhao Gang, who was at the seventh layer of Qi Transformation—was this even how you courted death?
Seeing this, Zhao Gang also let out a sinister laugh, adding another three parts of force to his fist.
The next moment.
Under the gaze of everyone present, the two fist forces collided with a bang.
Boom!
A deafening explosion rang out.
The shockwave spread like ripples, forcing the surrounding disciples back again and again.
But the crowd paid it no mind, their eyes fixed on the room, eager to see the outcome.
Yet the scream they expected never came.
Inside the room, after the clash, both figures retreated.
Lin Xuan only stepped back three paces, steadying himself with a slight shake.
His expression remained cold, as if nothing had happened.
On the other side, Zhao Gang's face changed color. He felt a domineering, terrifying force surge toward him like countless waves, and he couldn't help but stumble backward.
He retreated a full ten meters, crashing into the wall with a dull thud before stopping.
With a muffled grunt, a trace of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
In that single clash, the difference was clear!
Watching this, all the disciples were dumbfounded, standing frozen in place, utterly incredulous.
It took a while before some gradually snapped out of it.
Hiss...
Suddenly, the sound of sharp intakes of breath filled the air.
The scene instantly erupted into chaos.
"Damn, am I dreaming?"
"This new disciple actually knocked Zhao Gang back with one punch? And even injured him?"
"Is he really a new disciple at the first layer of Qi Transformation? How can there be such a monstrous new disciple?"
"Maybe Zhao Gang didn't use his full strength?"
"Still, that's incredible!"
"..."
The disciples buzzed with discussion, their gazes fixed on Lin Xuan, filled with shock.
They had expected that under the clash, Lin Xuan would scream, fly backward, and have an arm crippled.
That would have been normal.
But now, it was the complete opposite.
Lin Xuan was unharmed, while Zhao Gang, the seasoned inner disciple at the seventh layer of Qi Transformation, was the one injured and sent reeling.
Such a stark contrast left the disciples unwilling to believe it.
Even now, as they came to their senses, deep shock lingered in their hearts.
A new disciple at the first layer of Qi Transformation could leap six layers and push back an old disciple at the seventh layer—this scene was simply astonishing!
It had been years since something like this happened in the inner sect.
Even among the current twenty-plus true disciples, few had achieved this when they were inner disciples.
Yet now, it was happening right before their eyes.
They felt as if it were a dream, unable to believe it, their hearts shaken for a long time.
On the scene, Zhao Gang's lackeys were also badly frightened.
They never expected that their boss, who usually dominated this area without rivals, would run into such a tough nut today.
The key point was that the opponent was a new disciple.
Truly terrifying.
Fear flickered in their eyes as they backed away repeatedly, losing the arrogance they had when they first arrived.
A few ran over to help Zhao Gang up, hiding behind him.
Only then did they feel a shred of safety.
Zhao Gang stared at Lin Xuan, wiping the blood from his mouth, his face as dark as water.
He never thought he'd be overturned by a new disciple.
But fist techniques weren't his strongest.
His best was the blade.
He still refused to believe he couldn't handle a new disciple.
If he didn't suppress this today, how could he, Zhao Gang, continue to hold his head up? How could he report back to his backer?
With that thought, Zhao Gang reached out and grabbed a heavy black greatsword.
"Kid, you're strong. A new inner disciple with such strength is already quite talented.
But unfortunately, you've crossed me.
If I don't cripple you today, my name isn't Zhao!"
Zhao Gang's face was icy as he shouted coldly.
"Very well!"
Lin Xuan's expression also tightened.
So this was the cruelty Zhou Yu had mentioned?
But he hadn't expected it to be this brutal—ready to cripple him over a disagreement!
Compared to this, the outer sect was practically paradise.
No, perhaps the outer sect was the same.
He just rose too fast to feel it.
Still, he felt no fear.
In the world of martial arts, the strong rule, and the fittest survive!
He was prepared for this, though he hadn't expected to encounter it so soon.
But since it was here, he'd deal with it.
To avoid more trouble later.
With that, Lin Xuan drew his Clear Wind Sword, a cold glint in his eyes as he swept his gaze over Zhao Gang.
"Then let me test my blade on you!"
Seeing this, the surrounding crowd tensed up, their faces showing surprise.
"Now Zhao Gang's enraged and about to use his best blade technique. I wonder if this new disciple can hold his own."
"Hard to say. Probably not—Zhao Gang's cultivation is higher."
"Not necessarily. Didn't you see that punch just now? The new disciple had the upper hand."
"True."
"..."
The disciples murmured quietly.
This time, no one dared to mock or belittle Lin Xuan.
He had proven himself with his strength. On the scene, aside from Zhao Gang, no one could match him.
They naturally didn't dare to offend him.
Likewise, after witnessing the previous clash, they couldn't be sure Lin Xuan would lose.
After all, he had already achieved a six-layer leap in combat power.
Any seemingly astonishing feat was no longer impossible.
At the same time, the disciples kept backing away.
Zhao Gang's lackeys also retreated in fear to the outside of the room.
From the earlier clash, it was clear that both fighters had reached the late stage of Qi Transformation.
The shockwaves from their battle were something they couldn't withstand.
They dared not get close.
They could only watch from a distance.
On the scene.
"Die!"
Zhao Gang wasted no more words, swinging his greatsword.
"Rock-Splitting Mountain!"
A deep gray blade glow, like gathered rock, shot out.
A sense of immense power emanated.
The momentum spread, several times stronger than the previous punch.
It was also incredibly fast, reaching Lin Xuan in the blink of an eye.
It slashed down heavily, splitting the air cleanly in two.
The disciples outside the room all wore grave expressions, their hearts tightening.
None of them could withstand such a strike.
And they would be severely injured.
How would Lin Xuan, this new disciple who had shown remarkable strength, respond?
All eyes were on Lin Xuan, waiting.
Then, Lin Xuan moved.