On the betting arena.
Shen Anran, Zhou Zhe, and other Qi Transformation Stage peak disciples were surrounded by countless inner disciples, who tried to dissuade and advise them.
In contrast, Lin Xuan, who should have been the center of attention on the stage, was completely ignored.
This created a bizarre scene.
Nearby, several stewards witnessed this and twitched their mouths in speechless exasperation.
Lin Xuan’s interference had shifted the entire focus away from the original point.
His move was indeed clever.
Though it was an open scheme, easily figured out.
But daring to actually pull it off—they had only ever seen Lin Xuan do it.
It seemed Lin Xuan was very confident in his own strength.
This betting match was shaping up to be even more interesting.
The stewards exchanged glances, their eyes filled with anticipation.
After a while longer.
Shen Anran, Zhou Zhe, and the other Qi Transformation Stage peak disciples grew increasingly annoyed by the chatter around them, yet they couldn’t resort to violence here—it would only cause more trouble.
Finally, Shen Anran could no longer endure and snapped sharply:
“I’ll do it!”
As his words fell, the arena fell silent.
All the inner disciples around looked at Shen Anran with great anticipation.
Shen Anran’s expression was cold, but his eyes betrayed helplessness.
Given the strength Lin Xuan had displayed, he wasn’t even sure he could win.
Not to mention that Lin Xuan had remained calm and composed throughout, hiding who knew how much more.
But at this point, he had no choice but to step up.
With a sigh in his heart, Shen Anran walked forward under the gaze of the crowd.
Soon, he reached the stage and stood opposite Lin Xuan.
The arena fell quiet again, all eyes fixed on the stage, eagerly awaiting the upcoming duel.
Nearby, the referee glanced at both of them and announced:
“The betting match begins!”
With that, he stepped aside, also looking on with anticipation.
This was a battle between Qi Transformation Stage peak cultivators.
Such a sight was rare in this betting arena.
Not to be missed.
Across from him, Shen Anran cupped his hands and said:
“Lin Xuan, I truly admire your exceptional talent and strength!
But you shouldn’t, as a new disciple, look down on us old-timers!
After all, not everyone has your talent.
Today, I stand for the old disciples to fight you. Win or lose, I hope this matter ends here.
Let’s not drag it out further—it’s better for everyone!”
“Agreed!”
Lin Xuan nodded slightly.
His goal in provoking these old disciples was to rake in one last round of bets and energy points.
Now that the objective was achieved, there was no need to continue and invite trouble.
“Good!
I won’t hold back in this fight!
Let me see the true strength of the sect’s top genius!”
Shen Anran’s eyes gleamed.
Since the trouble was settled, he would go all out in this match.
He was also eager to know just how strong Lin Xuan, who had been creating miracles since joining the sect, really was.
With that, he reached out, and a crescent-moon-shaped treasured blade appeared in his hand.
“Mm.”
Lin Xuan replied, also drawing a treasured sword.
This, too, was something he had copied.
Many people liked to carry treasured blades or swords on them instead of storing them in storage rings, to practice sword or blade arts and comprehend their intent.
This conveniently worked in his favor.
He didn’t even need to buy spirit artifacts.
He could easily obtain any grade.
Seeing this, the crowd was stirred, their anticipation growing.
In the previous matches, Lin Xuan had resolved everything with just fists and feet.
But now he had brought out a spirit artifact.
This match should be even more exciting.
Moreover, rumors said that during the outer sect competition, Lin Xuan had displayed a fully formed intent.
Would they get to see it this time?
The disciples wondered inwardly.
Among ordinary inner disciples, some had grasped the rudiments of intent, but none had a fully formed one.
They had never witnessed the majesty of a fully formed intent!
So they were extremely eager.
On the stage.
“Lin Xuan, let’s fight!”
Shen Anran shouted, swinging his treasured blade in a single strike.
“Crimson Moon Splits Gold!”
Whoosh!
A streak of crimson light shot out, transforming into a curved red moon blade aura that flew toward Lin Xuan.
It grew larger with the wind.
In an instant, it swelled to ten meters, bearing down as if tearing through the void.
Its sharpness was overwhelming, its power unmatched.
Many inner disciples around felt blinded, unable to look directly at it.
Their hearts shook!
So this was the strength of a Qi Transformation Stage peak cultivator?
Far beyond what a late-stage Qi Transformation cultivator could match!
Everyone trembled inwardly, then turned their gaze to Lin Xuan.
How would he handle such an attack?
On the stage, Lin Xuan remained calm and composed. As the crimson moon blade aura descended, he thrust his treasured sword forward.
“Gale!”
Lin Xuan uttered two words.
Instantly, a fierce whirlwind coiled around the sword, reducing much of the incoming blade aura’s power.
Then, the sword tip struck the crimson moon blade aura.
And he withdrew.
The once ferocious blade aura suddenly lost all its momentum, as if frozen in midair by an invisible force.
Crack! Crack!
Then, countless crisp sounds rang out.
The crimson moon blade aura shattered, dissipating into spiritual energy and vanishing.
It caused no damage at all.
Seeing this, the crowd was stunned again.
Among them, aside from a few other Qi Transformation Stage peak disciples, no one could have confidently blocked that strike.
Yet Lin Xuan had shattered it with ease.
It showed that his strength was far greater than what he had previously displayed.
It seemed Lin Xuan was indeed holding back a lot.
On the stage.
Shen Anran’s heart sank.
That strike, though not his full power, had used sixty percent of his strength.
Even another Qi Transformation Stage peak cultivator would find it hard to handle.
But against Lin Xuan, it yielded nothing.
Lin Xuan had casually countered it.
This new disciple, Lin Xuan, was even stronger than he had anticipated!
The outcome of this battle looked grim.
Shen Anran sighed inwardly again.
Just then, Lin Xuan’s voice came.
“No need for such probing attacks anymore—they’re useless.
Go all out.
If this is all you’ve got, you might as well step down; you’re bound to lose!”
Lin Xuan said calmly.
“Fine!
Lin Xuan, take this!”
Shen Anran roared, gripping his blade with both hands as his true qi surged, and he struck:
“Crimson Moon Sky-Splitting Slash!”
A blade aura flew out, instantly expanding to dozens of meters, nearly covering a third of the stage.
Its power far surpassed the previous strike.
The terrifying sharpness radiated outward, as if tearing through space.
The surrounding disciples stumbled back, unable to withstand it.
Their gazes toward Shen Anran grew even more shaken.
Even the remaining Qi Transformation Stage peak disciples tightened their expressions.
None of them were confident they could block this strike.
They hadn’t realized that Shen Anran had quietly surpassed them.
If not for Lin Xuan’s provocation forcing him onto the stage, they would never have known.
In the square, several Condensing Vortex Stage stewards nodded slightly, their eyes showing approval.
This level of strength was already top-tier among ordinary inner disciples, second to none.