"I'm Lin Xuan. Hand it over!"
Lin Xuan said coldly.
As his words fell, the scene instantly fell into dead silence once more.
Then, it erupted like an explosion.
"What? He says he's Lin Xuan?"
"Lin Xuan, the one who ranked first in the outer sect competition a few days ago? The one who comprehended artistic conception?"
"How is that possible? During the competition, Lin Xuan was only at the fourth layer of Qi Gathering. Just four days later, he's reached Qi Transformation and entered the inner sect? Such a cultivation speed—how could it be?!"
"If he's really Lin Xuan, that explains how he could defeat Zhao Gang, who's at the late Qi Transformation stage, with at most early Qi Transformation cultivation!
Lin Xuan's performance in the outer sect and the talent he displayed are among the top in the sect—few in the inner sect can match him!"
"Yeah, and he hasn't even used his artistic conception yet!"
"If it's Lin Xuan, he might actually be able to stand against Senior Brother Chen Xiao. And Chen Xiao might not dare to provoke Lin Xuan, whose potential is boundless!"
"..."
The disciples buzzed with discussion, even louder than before.
Their gazes fell on Lin Xuan, filled with shock.
They had never expected that this new disciple would be Lin Xuan—the one who, just four days ago in the outer sect competition, had become the top outer sect disciple as a newcomer, breaking the outer sect's records.
Such a cultivation speed was simply terrifying!
But this also proved that many of the rumors about Lin Xuan were true.
It only deepened their awe of Lin Xuan's incredible talent.
At the same time, they understood why a new disciple could leap across six cultivation layers and instantly kill Zhao Gang, who was at the seventh layer of Qi Transformation.
Because he was Lin Xuan!
That alone explained everything!
The disciples' gazes toward Lin Xuan shifted from mockery and indifference to admiration and reverence.
Lin Xuan's various feats and deeds—
Entering the sect for just a month, becoming the top outer sect disciple, and comprehending a fully formed artistic conception!
Then, in just four more days, entering the inner sect and instantly killing Zhao Gang, a veteran inner sect disciple at the seventh layer of Qi Transformation.
...
These were enough to change their attitude toward Lin Xuan.
As for Zhao Gang's group of lackeys, they stood there dumbfounded, like fools, unable to believe it.
They had just tried to extort protection fees from a new disciple, only to run into Lin Xuan, the hottest rising star recently.
From the battle where Lin Xuan instantly killed Zhao Gang, it was clear that the many rumors about Lin Xuan were true.
With such monstrous, top-tier talent, even Zhao Gang had been killed instantly—how could they possibly afford to provoke him?
No, even their backer, the inner sect elite Senior Brother Chen Xiao, might not dare to mess with him!
Given Lin Xuan's consistent performance, breaking so many records,
What difficulty would it be for him to break through from Qi Transformation to the Condensing Vortex stage?
It wouldn't even take much time.
And by the time Lin Xuan reached the Condensing Vortex stage—no, even the late Qi Transformation stage—and used his artistic conception, even Senior Brother Chen Xiao would struggle to be his match, right?
Thinking this, the lackeys were all stunned by Lin Xuan's talent.
At the same time, they couldn't help but feel a chill run down their spines.
Why, of all people, did they have to provoke Lin Xuan, this monster?
One wrong move, and they'd be doomed forever!
Now, they only hoped that Zhao Gang hadn't angered Lin Xuan too much.
Otherwise, even if Chen Xiao could protect them for a while, it wouldn't last long.
What's more, Senior Brother Chen Xiao might not be willing to offend Lin Xuan, a top-tier talent with boundless potential, just for their sake.
Inside the house.
Zhao Gang leaned against the wall, his eyes wide, frozen in shock.
Hearing the discussions around him, he finally understood that the person before him was Lin Xuan, the one making waves recently.
Given Lin Xun's incredible feats, it was no surprise that after breaking through to Qi Transformation and entering the inner sect, he could defeat or even instantly kill him, Zhao Gang, at the seventh layer of Qi Transformation.
Because this was Lin Xuan!
And this time, Lin Xuan hadn't even used his artistic conception—the half-formed sword intent he'd displayed in the competition—yet he still killed him instantly!
That said it all!
Lin Xuan's talent was indeed as terrifying as the rumors claimed.
Though he'd only heard about it before, now he'd seen it with his own eyes. No matter how much he wanted to deny it, he had to believe it!
Zhao Gang's shock deepened.
Then, he took out a storage ring, placed it on the ground, and lowered his head, speaking quietly:
"Senior Brother Lin Xuan, this is the protection fee we collected today. It's all here.
Given your reputation, you're certainly qualified to take it. Please, take it!"
At this point, Zhao Gang didn't dare to address Lin Xuan directly by name, instead calling him "Senior Brother."
Lin Xuan had defeated him, and in the martial world, the strong are revered.
Though Lin Xuan had just entered the inner sect, he was indeed a senior brother now.
Knowing it was Lin Xuan, he realized the protection fee was lost.
To avoid further harm, he handed it over willingly.
Besides, since it was Lin Xuan, he could explain it to his backer, Chen Xiao, when he returned.
Thus, he abandoned any thought of resistance.
"Oh?"
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow, a look of surprise crossing his face.
He had only wanted to try, but he hadn't expected it to actually work.
Was his reputation really that big now?
Even the inner sect had heard of him—this was beyond Lin Xuan's expectations.
Still, it was for the best.
To subdue the enemy without fighting—that was the ideal resolution.
With that, Lin Xuan reached out, and a fierce suction force emanated.
The storage ring flew through the air and landed in Lin Xuan's hand.
After inspecting it, he found a large number of spirit stones and an identity token inside, and he nodded with satisfaction.
"Alright, you can leave now.
If Chen Xiao asks, tell him Lin Xuan took it.
He can come find me anytime—I'll be waiting."
Then, Lin Xuan waved his hand.
Everyone present felt a chill.
Sure enough, Lin Xuan, still only at the early Qi Transformation stage, showed no fear of Chen Xiao, an inner sect elite at the Condensing Vortex stage.
Truly a top-tier talent.
Their hearts trembled once more.
Zhao Gang and his lackeys, upon hearing this, snapped out of their daze and breathed a sigh of relief, as if granted amnesty.
They quickly rushed in, helped Zhao Gang up, and hurried toward the outer sect.
As if Lin Xuan were some kind of flood or beast.
Lin Xuan let out a light chuckle.
"Wait."
Suddenly, Lin Xuan's voice came again.
The group froze in their tracks, turned around, and forced smiles that looked worse than tears, respectfully asking:
"Senior Brother Lin, is there anything else you need?"
"Zhao Gang damaged my house here. Go clean up the house next door and make it spotless, then you can leave."
Lin Xuan said calmly.
"Is that all?"
"Sure thing."
The lackeys quickly replied.
Two of them helped Zhao Gang, while the others rushed into the adjacent house and started cleaning.
Before long, it was spotless.
They bowed once more to Lin Xuan, and only after he nodded did they help Zhao Gang away quickly.
The other inner sect disciples, seeing this, looked at Lin Xuan with awe, gratitude, and admiration, then returned to their own places.
None dared to disturb Lin Xuan further.