After a moment, the commotion on the field subsided. However, Lin Xuan's situation had undergone a drastic change. He was no longer the center of admiration but rather the target of widespread condemnation.
Among the crowd, Chen Yuze silently shook his head and sighed. Lin Xuan was still too young and impulsive, daring to challenge an inner sect elite. Inner sect elites were at least at the Condensation Realm, but not every Condensation Realm cultivator could become one. Each inner sect elite was a standout among inner sect disciples, requiring a test of combat talent after breaking through to the Condensation Realm. Among the inner sect disciples, the status of inner sect elites was extremely high. There had never been a case of an ordinary inner sect disciple successfully challenging an inner sect elite, not even among the current twenty-plus true disciples. So, Lin Xuan's words had sparked widespread outrage. Chen Yuze could only sigh from afar, praying that no inner sect elite would be provoked. There was no other way—he was just an ordinary inner sect disciple, a newcomer who had only joined a few days ago, with shallow status and strength within the inner sect.
Beside the arena, the steward was also stunned, his smile frozen. Coming to his senses, his expression turned solemn as he looked at Lin Xuan and said, "Lin Xuan, such rules have never been seen before. Are you sure you want to proceed without any changes?"
"I'm sure!" Lin Xuan replied with a calm smile.
The shift in the disciples' attitudes had indeed exceeded his expectations. The status of inner sect elites within the inner sect might be even higher than he had imagined. But so what? He didn't care. He had confidence in his strength. Moreover, if he defeated an inner sect elite, he would gain even more energy points.
"Very well." Seeing Lin Xuan's insistence, the steward said no more and recorded it. Though he found the rules somewhat absurd, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of anticipation. If Lin Xuan, a new disciple, could defeat an inner sect elite, what a spectacular scene that would be? Though it had never happened before, with Lin Xuan, it wasn't entirely impossible. After all, he knew Lin Xuan had already set several records since joining the sect. Adding another wouldn't be unacceptable.
The inner sect disciples in the field, seeing this, grew even more contemptuous, disdainful, and mocking.
On the arena, Lin Xuan remained unfazed, scanning the crowd and declaring loudly, "No need for more words! Many of you can't stand me, can you? Then come and fight! Don't tell me that you, old disciples who've been in the inner sect for years, are afraid of a new disciple who hasn't even been here forty days! If that's the case, you might as well pack up and go home. Without that bit of courage and fighting spirit, what's the point of cultivating martial arts or pursuing the Dao?!" His final words were almost a roar.
Indeed, Lin Xuan was deliberately provoking these inner sect disciples. His goal was to make them charge out and fight him, so he could earn spirit stones and contribution points. After all, with the talent he had displayed, he should have already caught the attention of the sect's higher-ups. As long as he didn't commit any heinous acts like betraying the sect, they would turn a blind eye and protect him. Doing this was harmless and could even net him more energy points.
As expected, his words ignited an uproar.
"Damn, so arrogant!" "Anyone would think he's a true disciple!" "A new disciple daring to look down on us old-timers? If I don't teach him a lesson, I'm not going home today!" "How infuriating! Even if he's talented, with such arrogance, he'll never achieve anything!" "Yeah, not a shred of humility!" "..."
The disciples' faces flushed red as they shouted angrily, eyes wide, glaring at Lin Xuan. Among the crowd, Chen Yuze kept his head low, afraid of being noticed as another new disciple like Lin Xuan and getting caught in the crossfire. He guessed Lin Xuan's intent but couldn't understand why he would resort to such a crude method. This had practically offended all the inner sect disciples! Wasn't he afraid of retaliation? Was he that confident in his strength? Or had his power already reached a level where he could withstand everything? Chen Yuze then shook his head, dismissing that guess. Lin Xuan was talented and gifted, but his cultivation time was too short; he couldn't possibly handle so many inner sect disciples.
The steward, sitting behind the table by the arena, watched with a wry smile. As a steward, he had seen many changes and immediately saw through Lin Xuan's intentions. But wasn't Lin Xuan's approach too direct? Next, he would likely face retaliatory attacks from many inner sect disciples, possibly even drawing inner sect elites. He couldn't help but worry about Lin Xuan's fate. Of course, that was just a thought. Even if an inner sect elite came, they would at most severely injure Lin Xuan. If anyone dared to harm Lin Xuan's life or damage his potential foundation, he would step in to save him. Moreover, with Lin Xuan's displayed talent, he was already among the top in the entire sect and had caught the attention of the higher-ups. Some might even be secretly watching. Such a top-tier genius, once grown, could strengthen the sect. It was impossible to let him come to harm. If Lin Xuan were truly in danger, a higher-up at the Opening Spirit Realm or above would likely intervene to save him. After all, in the eyes of the higher-ups, an inner sect elite couldn't compare to Lin Xuan. Though Lin Xuan was only at the Qi Transformation Realm with a low cultivation level, his talent made it easy for him to become a true disciple in the future. Most inner sect elites couldn't even make it onto the power rankings, let alone become true disciples. The priority was clear. The steward was just muttering to himself in exasperation.
On the arena, Lin Xuan looked at the virtual attribute panel before him, where energy points were increasing at an even faster rate, and a faint smile appeared on his face. This was quite good. Later, he should be able to gain even more energy points, and many would willingly offer contribution points and spirit stones.
As Lin Xuan expected, it wasn't long before an inner sect disciple at the seventh layer of the Qi Transformation Realm stormed onto the arena, fuming. "Kid, I hear you're talented. But you're just a new disciple! New disciples should keep their heads down! Being this arrogant won't end well. Today, let me teach you a lesson..."
The disciple rambled on, lecturing Lin Xuan as soon as he stepped onto the arena. Lin Xuan was a bit exasperated and looked at the referee beside him.
"The duel begins!" the referee quickly announced.
"You talk too much. Get down!" Lin Xuan then made his move. He walked straight over and threw a punch. Yet, this seemingly simple attack was enough to send the seventh-layer Qi Transformation Realm disciple flying off the arena, unable to defend himself.