"Just as expected from a new disciple—utterly useless!" "Yeah, no matter how tough you were in the outer sect, once you enter the inner sect, you have to bow your head." "This kid has learned his lesson now, hasn't he? Let's see if he dares to provoke anyone again!" "..."
The surrounding inner sect disciples erupted in noise. Most of it was mockery, sneers, and scolding aimed at Chen Yuze. Because over the past few days, Chen Yuze had been constantly challenging veteran inner sect disciples and winning streak after streak. He had thoroughly embarrassed them. Now that they finally saw him lose, they naturally reveled in gloating.
Chen Yuze's face darkened. But he had indeed been defeated and had no room to argue.
"Kid, as a new disciple, you should keep your tail between your legs and behave. If you want to act tough, wait another two years! Every new disciple goes through this!"
On the arena, the victorious Sun Cheng sneered, lecturing and taunting him. Chen Yuze's expression grew even more grim.
Just then, a familiar voice rang out. "Is that so? I'm a new disciple too. Why don't you come and teach me as well?"
Chen Yuze and the other disciples turned to look, and saw a handsome young man stepping forward. With a flicker of movement, he landed on the arena.
"Lin Xuan, what are you doing here?" Seeing Lin Xuan, Chen Yuze realized why that voice had sounded so familiar. He couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
The surrounding disciples immediately buzzed with excitement. "Is that the Lin Xuan?" "Didn't he only join a month ago? How is he already in the inner sect?" "Yeah, the inner sect requires at least the Qi Transformation stage, right? Even at the outer sect competition a few days ago, he was only at the fourth layer of Qi Gathering!" "Haven't you heard the rumor? Three days ago, Zhao Gang went to the ordinary inner sect disciples' living area to collect protection fees as usual. He ran into a new disciple and tried to collect from him. The new disciple refused, and a conflict broke out. In the end, Zhao Gang wasn't a match for him—he was taken down instantly, and the protection fees he'd already collected were snatched away!" "You're saying that new disciple is Lin Xuan? Impossible!!" "I find it hard to believe too, but that rumor names Lin Xuan! And Zhao Gang hasn't denied it—the area where that new disciple lives hasn't been charged protection fees since!" "..."
The disciples murmured among themselves. But their voices unconsciously grew quieter. Soon, silence fell. All eyes fixed on Lin Xuan, filled with shock.
If these rumors were true, then Lin Xuan's talent was terrifying beyond belief! In just four days, he had broken through from the fourth layer of Qi Gathering to the first layer of Qi Transformation, entering the inner sect. And at the first layer of Qi Transformation, he had instantly defeated Zhao Gang, a veteran among ordinary inner sect disciples. Such a frightening cultivation speed, paired with a surge in strength— It was too astonishing!
The disciples stared at Lin Xuan, utterly stunned and incredulous. At the same time, a hint of anticipation flickered in their eyes. Since Lin Xuan had stepped onto the arena, they could finally verify whether those rumors were true.
Lin Xuan, a new disciple who had only joined a little over a month ago, had not only participated in the outer sect competition and become its champion! He had also broken through to the Qi Transformation stage so quickly, entered the inner sect, and earned a reputation for instantly defeating a veteran disciple at the late Qi Transformation stage. Countless accolades surrounded him, dazzling and blinding. In comparison, it only highlighted the uselessness of these inner sect disciples.
Many inner sect disciples felt oppressed by Lin Xuan's reputation, a pent-up frustration simmering within them. Now that Lin Xuan had come to the dueling arena and voluntarily stepped onto the platform— Wasn't he just walking right into their hands? They couldn't let this chance slip by.
Once word spread from here, many veteran inner sect experts would surely come. Even inner sect elites might be stirred. They refused to believe it! At most, Lin Xuan was only at the early Qi Transformation stage now—could he really stand against an inner sect elite at the Condensing Vortex stage?
The disciples eagerly anticipated Lin Xuan's defeat. His rise had been too fast, his brilliance too blinding, suffocating everyone. If Lin Xuan lost, even just once, they would feel some relief.
Unfortunately, they were destined to be disappointed. Since Lin Xuan dared to step onto the arena, he was fully confident.
In the crowd, Chen Yuze stared blankly at Lin Xuan on the platform. Originally, after this defeat, mocked by countless inner sect disciples like a target of public scorn, He had felt overwhelmed and wanted to flee. But now, seeing Lin Xuan, he chose to stay.
"Lin Xuan, I didn't expect you to enter the inner sect so soon," Chen Yuze murmured in a daze. His shock deepened. He had thought that, despite Lin Xuan's incredible combat prowess and victory over him in the competition, Lin Xuan was only at the fourth layer of Qi Gathering. It would take some time for him to enter the inner sect— At least half a month, maybe a month or more.
Yet now, only seven days had passed, not even ten, and Lin Xuan was already here. Moreover, Chen Yuze could sense that Lin Xuan's aura now completely overwhelmed his own. That meant Lin Xuan's cultivation had surpassed his, reaching at least the third layer of Qi Transformation or higher! In just seven days, he had gone from the fourth layer of Qi Gathering to above the third layer of Qi Transformation! Such a terrifying cultivation speed was almost unbelievable.
Chen Yuze's heart refused to accept it, but Lin Xuan stood before him, forcing him to believe. His awe at Lin Xuan's talent grew even greater.
Hearing the murmurs around him, Chen Yuze's shock intensified. If these rumors were true, then Lin Xuan was nothing short of monstrous! Not only had his cultivation soared, But his strength was also this formidable! Was this guy even human?!
He too fixed his gaze on the arena, eagerly awaiting Lin Xuan's performance. Unlike the other inner sect disciples, he hoped Lin Xuan would win—preferably keep winning. He wanted Lin Xuan to defeat all these so-called veteran inner sect experts, crushing their arrogant pride. Because the situation now was completely different from the outer sect.
Lin Xuan and he were both new disciples, on the same side. The better Lin Xuan performed, the more it benefited him. If Lin Xuan could win streak after streak, defeating all those inner sect experts, His own situation would improve greatly. With Lin Xuan around, no one would dare to mock him for being a new disciple. He could live a little easier.
On the arena, Lin Xuan's expression was cold. He had indeed planned to earn energy points and cultivation resources, like spirit stones, in this dueling arena. But now, a sense of indignation had joined his resolve.
He knew that everywhere, bullying newcomers was the norm, almost like an unwritten rule. But since he was currently a newcomer, he couldn't stand for it. And with his cultivation speed only accelerating, He wouldn't stay in any place for long. He would often find himself in the role of a new disciple. And he refused to tolerate this.
So he would use his strength to prove that newcomers weren't to be trifled with. Not this time, and not in the future.