Such strength had already surpassed the Qi Transformation stage, reaching the level of an inner sect elite at the Condensing Whirlpool stage! And this was merely the embryonic form of an artistic conception. According to rumors, Lin Xuan possessed at least half a percent of Sword Intent. Thinking of this, the disciples were once again shocked by Lin Xuan. Around the arena, several stewards also looked at Lin Xuan, greatly shaken. In the months they had been on duty here, they had never seen any Qi Transformation stage disciple with Lin Xuan’s level of strength. Not to mention that Lin Xuan was only at the fourth layer of the Qi Transformation stage, not even at its peak! Recalling that Lin Xuan had only been a disciple for just over a month, they were even more astounded. They gained a clearer understanding of Lin Xuan’s top-tier talent within the sect. The rumors were indeed true!
On the arena. “Ding, congratulations to the host for obtaining 1800 shock energy from Li Que, a seventh-layer Condensing Whirlpool stage martial artist.” “Ding, congratulations to the host for obtaining 1000 shock energy from Chen Huawen, a peak Qi Transformation stage martial artist.” “...”
Lin Xuan’s expression remained calm as he gazed at the void before him. In the attribute panel, the energy points were surging at an even faster rate, and he nodded slightly. This time, he had done well, gaining more energy points. Additionally, he had earned five thousand contribution points. That was enough for him to cultivate for a while longer. This trip to the betting arena could be considered a success.
With that, Lin Xuan put away the attribute panel, swept his gaze across the crowd, and announced in a clear voice: “Now, is there anyone else who wants to challenge me? You’re welcome to fight!” He was just making a final attempt, not holding out much hope.
The disciples on the field exchanged awkward glances, their expressions tinged with embarrassment. Most of them should have been far superior in cultivation to Lin Xuan, a new disciple. Yet none dared to step forward. After all, they had the lesson of Shen Anran before them. Shen Anran, a peak Qi Transformation stage disciple who had even grasped the embryonic form of Blade Intent, had still lost to Lin Xuan. They were far inferior to Shen Anran, so how could they be a match for Lin Xuan? Going up would only be offering themselves up for defeat. So, despite feeling a bit humiliated, they all remained rooted in place, showing no intention of moving.
Lin Xuan sighed inwardly, a helpless look crossing his face. He had still revealed too much of his strength. Otherwise, he might have tricked a few more people into offering up contribution points. But at the time, he hadn’t considered that. He hadn’t expected those late-stage Qi Transformation inner sect disciples to be so easily defeated, all taken care of without effort. This had led to the current situation. A new disciple who had just entered the inner sect, only at the fourth layer of the Qi Transformation stage, had managed to intimidate the entire crowd, including many late-stage and peak Qi Transformation inner sect disciples—a bizarre scene.
Lin Xuan shook his head, preparing to end his defense of the arena. He had already earned enough. It was time to head to the Martial Arts Pavilion and see if he could replicate a big haul. But just then, a cold voice rang out, echoing throughout the betting arena. “Isn’t it true that Condensing Whirlpool stage disciples can also challenge? How about I give it a try?!”
The field fell silent instantly, and everyone’s hearts trembled as they turned to look. They saw a thin young man in black walking over. Wherever he passed, the inner sect disciples involuntarily parted to both sides, clearing a wide path. Though he didn’t emit any aura, his presence alone overwhelmed all the inner sect disciples in the square. When the disciples saw this young man in black, their expressions tightened. The crowd immediately buzzed with excitement.
“It’s Senior Brother Chen Xiao! He’s been stirred to come here!” “Senior Brother Chen Xiao is a third-layer Condensing Whirlpool inner sect elite. Why would he come to this betting arena?!” “I heard that a few days ago, when Senior Brother Lin Xuan entered the inner sect, he ran into Zhao Gang collecting protection fees and a conflict broke out. In the end, Zhao Gang was taken down in an instant by Senior Brother Lin Xuan, and even the protection fees he collected were snatched away. This news is probably true. Senior Brother Chen might be here to cause trouble for Senior Brother Lin Xuan.” “Then there’s going to be a good show! Senior Brother Lin Xuan might still have Sword Intent hidden away. There could be a spectacular battle!” “Yeah, when Senior Brother Lin Xuan set the betting rules, he said inner sect elites could also fight. Now he can’t refuse.” “...”
The disciples buzzed with discussion, extremely excited. They hadn’t expected that an inner sect elite would actually be stirred to come. Due to Lin Xuan’s astonishing previous achievements, the disciples had unconsciously overlooked his earlier words and even addressed him as Senior Brother Lin Xuan. Even with an inner sect elite present, they no longer dared to mock Lin Xuan. Instead, they felt this would be a major battle and couldn’t be sure Lin Xuan would lose. Such was the impact of displaying strength.
On the arena. Lin Xuan also swept his gaze over, raising an eyebrow with a look of surprise. He hadn’t expected Chen Xiao to actually come looking for him. Was he seeking revenge for what happened three days ago? Unfortunately, it was too late. His strength now was several times, even ten times, greater than it was three days ago. Even against an inner sect elite, he had the potential to turn the tables. At the same time, Chen Xiao’s attribute panel appeared before him.
Swish! “Name: Chen Xiao.” “Cultivation: Third layer, Condensing Whirlpool stage.” “Talents: Supreme cultivation talent, superior strength talent, superior speed talent, superior blade talent, superior red fire attribute talent, medium gale attribute talent, medium thick earth attribute talent, inferior green wood attribute talent.” “Martial Arts: Blazing Blade Technique (fifth-rank superior, minor mastery), Crimson Flame Fist (fifth-rank medium, major mastery), Mountain-Shaking Fist (fifth-rank medium, major mastery), Wave Palm (fifth-rank medium, major mastery)...” “Artistic Conception: Half-percent Blade Intent, embryonic form of Fire Intent.” “Carried Treasures: One Green Moon Blade (fifth-rank superior spirit weapon).”
Looking at Chen Xiao’s attribute panel, Lin Xuan’s eyes flickered slightly. As expected of an inner sect elite, he was indeed much stronger than ordinary inner sect disciples like Zhao Gang and Shen Anran. But compared to true disciples like Xu Anlan, he was still far behind. Lin Xuan’s own attribute panel was even superior to Xu Anlan’s. This panel wasn’t bad, but unfortunately, there was nothing among the treasures that caught his eye.
Just then, Chen Xiao’s cold voice came: “What’s the matter? Just because I’m an inner sect elite, I can’t challenge you?” Lin Xuan had been examining Chen Xiao’s attribute panel, but Chen Xiao thought Lin Xuan was deliberately playing dumb, so he asked loudly on purpose. Today, he had come to settle the conflict from three days ago. Zhao Gang had been his underling. Zhao Gang’s collection of protection fees had been at his behest, and most of the fees collected were to be handed over to him. Zhao Gang had been beaten and the protection fees taken. As the boss, he should step in to resolve it. But Lin Xuan’s reputation was too great; even true disciple Xu Anlan had vouched for him, clearly putting him on the sect’s radar. Chen Xiao had his reservations. Plus, he had been in the middle of cultivating a powerful martial art, so he had put it aside for now. But this matter couldn’t just be left unresolved. As an inner sect elite, if he backed down to a new disciple like this, his face would be completely lost. Now that he had emerged from seclusion, he planned to find Lin Xuan and settle things once and for all.