Originally, after leaving the pass, Chen Xiao had intended to head to the area where Lin Xuan resided. He planned to have Lin Xuan apologize publicly, saving face for both sides. That would have been the end of it, and he wouldn't even have demanded the stolen protection money back. Consider it a gesture of goodwill toward Lin Xuan. After all, as an inner sect elite, he couldn't afford to appear weaker than a new disciple like Lin Xuan. But Lin Xuan's potential was too terrifying—though he likely wasn't a match for him now, he had already caught the attention of the higher-ups, so Chen Xiao couldn't do anything to him. If he soured their relationship, when Lin Xuan rose to prominence in the future, things would turn grim for him. Thus, he had planned a peaceful resolution. It would benefit both sides.
However, he learned from his subordinates that Lin Xuan had come to the arena, so he followed. He happened to witness Lin Xuan, using a nascent form of intent, defeat Shen Anran, a peak Qi Transformation stage cultivator who had also displayed a nascent blade intent. What shocked him even more was that Lin Xuan was only at the fourth layer of Qi Transformation. Not to mention that Lin Xuan had gone from the early Opening Aperture stage to the mid Qi Transformation stage in just a month—a terrifying cultivation speed. Even with both using nascent intent, Shen Anran, at peak Qi Transformation, was utterly crushed by Lin Xuan at the fourth layer, nearly defeated in an instant. This clearly showed that Lin Xuan far surpassed Shen Anran in various talents. Chen Xiao was deeply shaken.
After pondering for a moment, he changed his strategy and stepped forward. He decided to test Lin Xuan's true strength and potential himself. He could sense that even after defeating Shen Anran, Lin Xuan was still holding back. He also planned to resolve their conflict on the arena. As martial artists, a battle would make conversation easier. How to resolve it would depend on the outcome of the fight.
Hearing this, Lin Xuan snapped back to reality and said with a faint smile: "I set a challenge rule earlier that inner sect elites are also welcome to fight, and that's no lie! Senior Brother Chen wants to challenge me—no problem. However, as an inner sect elite at the third layer of Condensation Rotation, the stakes can't be on the same level as those ordinary inner sect disciples at Qi Transformation. At least over ten thousand. How about this, Senior Brother Chen: two thousand contribution points or two hundred fifty low-grade spirit stones as the wager. Do you agree? If so, we can fight!"
Lin Xuan spoke clearly and in detail, his expression calm and composed. The disciples present were all stunned. The several stewards around the arena were also taken aback. They hadn't expected Lin Xuan to actually accept the challenge and set such a high stake. Two thousand contribution points or two hundred fifty low-grade spirit stones was no small amount for many Condensation Rotation cultivators. Moreover, the arena had rules: this wager wasn't one-sided but mutual. That meant if Lin Xuan lost, he would also have to give Chen Xiao two thousand contribution points or two hundred fifty low-grade spirit stones. Even long-standing inner sect disciples who had been in the sect for years would struggle to come up with such a stake, let alone a new disciple like Lin Xuan. How confident was Lin Xuan in his strength to accept the challenge and set such a high wager? Everyone was deeply shaken. Their gazes fixed on the arena, and they couldn't help but look forward to the upcoming battle.
Under the arena, Chen Xiao didn't immediately agree. Instead, he fell silent, deep in thought. The stake was significant, but he could still afford it—though it would sting a bit. However, since even the ordinary disciples could consider this, as an inner sect elite, he naturally thought of it too. Comparing it to Lin Xuan's consistently calm demeanor, Chen Xiao's heart began to waver. His initial confidence was now somewhat shaken, and he no longer had absolute certainty of victory. But at this point, he was already standing beneath the arena. As an inner sect elite, there was no backing down now. Otherwise, if word reached the sect's higher-ups, his future would be bleak. His talent wasn't like Lin Xuan's, a top-tier genius; he still relied on the sect's resource allocation. So, Chen Xiao declared loudly: "Fine! I agree to this wager!" With that, he tossed his identity token to a nearby steward, leaped onto the arena, and stood opposite Lin Xuan.
The crowd was stirred, their spirits lifted. This was a battle involving an inner sect elite and Lin Xuan, who had been making a name for himself since joining the sect—always high-profile, never defeated, surging forward, and breaking countless records. Their fight, win or lose, would be incredibly thrilling and intense. Everyone was excited and full of anticipation. Soon, the steward registered the wager and returned the identity token to Chen Xiao. The referee announced: "The duel begins!"
Chen Xiao looked at Lin Xuan across from him, his expression cold, and said: "Junior Brother Lin, let's fight! Let me see the strength of a top-tier genius like you!" His words focused solely on the battle, with no mention of their earlier conflict. That could wait until after the fight. Bringing it up now might affect the duel, which wouldn't be good. A martial artist fights when it's time to fight—giving it their all, acting on instinct, unswayed by external factors. With that, Chen Xiao turned into a blur, shattering layers of air with a terrifying explosive sound as he charged at Lin Xuan. In an instant, he was before Lin Xuan, throwing a punch like a cannonball. "Mountain-Shaking Fist!" The punch struck like thunder, shaking mountains! Its power was terrifying, clearly surpassing Qi Transformation and reaching the might of Condensation Rotation. The surrounding disciples were stunned, their scalps tingling. They hadn't expected Chen Xiao to unleash his Condensation Rotation strength right from the start, showing no intention of holding back against Lin Xuan. How much did he respect Lin Xuan's strength! Just this one punch alone could kill a peak Qi Transformation cultivator. How would Lin Xuan respond? The disciples stared wide-eyed, not blinking, waiting for what came next. The opening was already this explosive—no wonder it was a battle involving an inner sect elite. Everyone grew even more eager.
Lin Xuan's strength had been escalating without limit. This punch, though formidable, should be something Lin Xuan could handle; at worst, he wouldn't lose in a single blow. The crowd speculated. Sure enough. On the arena, Lin Xuan's expression turned cold, and he met the punch with one of his own. "Overlord Fist!" A domineering fist force radiated outward, wild and violent, surging in all directions, its power no less impressive. The next moment, under the gaze of everyone present, the two fists collided. Bang! A deafening explosion rang out. The shockwave spread in visible ripples. The surrounding disciples were jolted, their vision going dark, ears ringing, and blood churning. They suffered internal injuries, nearly losing their footing and collapsing. Filled with shock, they stumbled backward.