"So strong!" "Is this the power of artistic conception?" "And this is just a nascent blade intent? It's already this powerful—probably enough to instantly kill a peer who hasn't comprehended artistic conception. I can't imagine how terrifying a fully formed one would be!" "Didn't the rumor say that during the outer sect competition, Lin Xuan once displayed a half-formed blade intent? I wonder if we'll get to see it!" "That's not certain—maybe it's just a rumor." "......"
The inner sect disciples on the field buzzed with heated discussion, their voices clamorous. All were shaken by Chen Anran's strength. At the same time, many turned their gazes toward Lin Xuan, hoping he too would reveal his artistic conception.
Among the crowd, Chen Yuze's expression shifted slightly, his eyes glinting as he looked at Chen Anran. Truly worthy of being the top among ordinary inner sect disciples, at the peak of the Qi Transformation stage. Even with the same nascent artistic conception, his execution far surpassed his own. Killing him in an instant would be effortless. Yet, at this moment, his focus was more on Lin Xuan. He knew the outer sect rumor was true—because back then, Lin Xuan had displayed his half-formed sword intent during their battle. Though less than ten days had passed, Lin Xuan's cultivation and strength had surged more than tenfold. He wondered if Lin Xuan had made progress in comprehending artistic conception. But even with his current strength alone, unleashing it would result in an explosive increase in power, far beyond what it was before. He too wanted to see the clash of two artistic conceptions. Could Lin Xuan continue to break records and maintain his winning streak this time?
On the arena.
"So this is the power of artistic conception at the peak of the Qi Transformation stage?" Lin Xuan murmured, raising an eyebrow. A hint of surprise flickered in his eyes, but that was all. Then, he swung his treasured sword horizontally.
"Gale Wind!"
A sword light, swirling with fierce winds, shot forth, rapidly expanding to ten meters in size. A terrifying sharpness radiated from it, no less formidable than the crimson moon blade light charging toward him. Both were nascent artistic conceptions—nascent sword intent. Indeed, against Chen Anran, he didn't need to unleash his fully formed artistic conception; the nascent form was enough to settle it.
The chilling edge spread, forcing the surrounding disciples to retreat further. They stared at the two on the arena, their hearts filled with awe. So the rumor was true! Lin Xuan, a new disciple, had actually comprehended artistic conception! Even if it was just the nascent form, it had already broken the inner sect's record! Was this the talent of the sect's top genius? Their perception of Lin Xuan was once again reshaped, and they no longer dared to treat him as a mere newcomer.
On the arena.
Across from him, Chen Anran's expression darkened. This was his strongest full-force strike, unleashing even the nascent blade intent he had kept hidden. It was his trump card for advancing to inner sect elite. But he hadn't expected Lin Xuan to truly have comprehended artistic conception, as the rumors said. Even with just the nascent form, Lin Xuan's execution was no less than his own. This match had become even more dangerous. Chen Anran sighed inwardly. But since things had come to this, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and fight on.
Then, under the gaze of everyone present, the ten-meter Gale Wind sword light fiercely clashed with the dozens-of-zhang crimson moon blade light. Though the sword light seemed much smaller in size, its momentum was no weaker—in fact, it was even fiercer.
Boom!!
A deafening explosion rang out. The shockwave spread in visible ripples, sending many disciples flying. Even more felt their blood churn, barely holding back from spitting blood. Their awe toward the two on the arena deepened. Even the shockwave was this powerful! Just how formidable was the direct collision? They dared not imagine it. Was this something inner sect disciples could achieve? Even if not on par with inner sect elites, it couldn't be far off!
Looking back at the arena, the sword light and blade light exploded violently. Lin Xuan stood firm, completely unaffected. Across from him, Chen Anran stumbled backward uncontrollably, nearly reaching the edge of the arena before stabilizing. But before he could catch his breath, Lin Xuan's cold voice and the sharp whistle of slicing air reached his ears. Chen Anran turned to see Lin Xuan beside him, striking with a blade.
"When did he?!?!" Chen Anran's heart raced in terror—he hadn't sensed a thing. This movement speed was terrifying! Even if it were said to match that of an inner sect elite at the Condensing Rotation stage, he would believe it. But now, he had no time to dwell on it. Lin Xuan's attack came again. This strike lacked any grand momentum and didn't seem like a martial art, but its raw power, combined with that incredible speed, made it fearsome. Yet, Lin Xuan's attack was too sudden; Chen Anran had no time to react, let alone dodge. He could only raise his blade in a desperate attempt to block.
Clang!
A piercing metallic clash rang out, sparks flying. Chen Anran felt a surging, wave-like force crash down, his blade trembling violently as if it might snap at any moment. His tiger's mouth split open instantly, blood streaming. Unable to endure any longer, he spat out a mouthful of blood and was forced backward again. But he was already at the arena's edge—where could he retreat? In an instant, he tumbled off the platform, defeated on the spot.
Lin Xuan watched Chen Anran crash onto the square, his expression cold as he slowly sheathed his sword. His face remained calm, as if nothing had happened.
Swish!
At this sight, the arena fell into dead silence. Everyone's eyes widened, staring blankly at Lin Xuan on the platform, their gazes filled with shock. After a few breaths, someone finally reacted. Accompanied by a chorus of sharp intakes of breath, the crowd erupted into clamor.
"That was too fast, wasn't it?" "Senior Brother Chen Anran lost just like that?" "I didn't even see what happened!" "Is this the strength of the sect's top genius? Too powerful!" "......"
The crowd buzzed with astonishment. After witnessing both unleash their artistic conceptions and clash head-on, with Chen Anran at a disadvantage, they had guessed Lin Xuan would win this match. But they hadn't expected that, in the blink of an eye, after a single clash, Chen Anran would be blasted off the arena and defeated. It caught them all off guard. That strike with artistic conception had already surpassed the Qi Transformation stage, nearing the Condensing Rotation stage of inner sect elites. Yet Lin Xuan had unleashed speed far beyond before—no one had seen his movement trajectory. Chen Anran must have been the same, instantly knocked off the platform. Everyone was stunned. At the very last moment, Lin Xuan had still revealed even greater strength, ending the duel in near-instant defeat. Just how much had Lin Xuan been hiding?