They couldn't even withstand the aftermath!
Was this the strength of an inner sect elite?
All the disciples were utterly shocked, their gazes sweeping across.
They looked at the arena.
After the fierce clash, both figures retreated backward.
Each pulled back seven or eight meters before stopping.
This time, the two were evenly matched.
The crowd immediately erupted in uproar.
The disciples were deeply shaken, finally confirming that Lin Xuan truly possessed strength comparable to the Condensation Rotation Realm.
Moreover, Chen Xiao was no ordinary Condensation Rotation cultivator.
He was at the third layer of the Condensation Rotation Realm, an inner sect elite with a record of holding his own against fourth-layer opponents without losing ground.
Yet despite that, Lin Xuan, a new disciple, had clashed head-on with Chen Xiao and didn't fall behind.
This left the disciples utterly astounded.
They now recalled why Lin Xuan had set such betting rules.
It turned out Lin Xuan truly had enough strength.
Thinking of their own narrow vision, how they had mocked and ridiculed Lin Xuan, they couldn't help but feel ashamed, lowering their heads.
But perhaps it wasn't entirely their fault.
After all, in the entire history of Flowing Cloud Sect, there had never been such a precedent.
With that thought, the disciples grew even more horrified.
This time, Lin Xuan had once again created a brand-new record.
Absolutely terrifying!
On the arena, Chen Xiao's expression also turned serious.
Although that punch was just a probe, it had still unleashed the power of the Condensation Rotation Realm.
Even first- or second-layer Condensation Rotation cultivators would have to treat it with caution and might not be able to withstand it.
Yet Lin Xuan had taken it.
More importantly, Lin Xuan's cultivation was only at the fourth layer of the Qi Transformation Realm, barely stepping into the mid-stage of Qi Transformation.
And he already possessed strength that crossed an entire major realm.
It was mind-boggling!
He now understood why Lin Xuan had such a reputation, hailed as the sect's top genius, to the point where even true disciple Xu Anlan had voluntarily vouched for him.
This combat prowess said it all.
Even he couldn't help but be shaken by Lin Xuan's talent.
But now wasn't the time to dwell on that.
This match was a challenge he had initiated.
He, an inner sect elite, was challenging a new disciple who had only been in the inner sect for three days.
Under these circumstances, he couldn't afford to lose this battle.
Even if Lin Xuan's talent was extraordinary and shocking.
He still had a major realm advantage over Lin Xuan.
If he lost, his future would likely be bleak.
So, even if he had to unleash his full strength, he had to win.
With that, Chen Xiao's gaze hardened as he looked at Lin Xuan and said coldly:
"Lin Xuan, your talent is remarkable, and your strength is formidable!
I have to admit, I'm impressed.
But you're still a new disciple.
So, I cannot lose to you!
From now on, I won't hold back anymore!"
With that, he reached out and grabbed, a long, slender saber appearing in his hand.
"Good!"
Lin Xuan nodded in response.
He also drew a sword.
A hint of solemnity appeared on his face.
This Chen Xiao truly lived up to his reputation as an inner sect elite, far surpassing ordinary inner sect disciples like Shen Anran.
He would have to unleash some of his true strength to win.
The crowd, seeing this, perked up.
Was that earlier clash just a probe?
Were they about to get serious now?
That single exchange had already been so devastating!
If a full-scale battle erupted, how intense and spectacular would it be?
Everyone grew even more expectant.
At the same time, they instinctively retreated further back.
The earlier shockwave had nearly injured them internally.
If another burst came, they might suffer serious injuries from the aftermath.
Coming to watch a match only to get hurt themselves—that would be laughable.
They didn't want that.
It was better to watch from a safe distance.
They retreated all the way to the edge of the square before stopping.
The center was now completely empty.
Even Shen Anran, Zhou Zhe, and other peak Qi Transformation cultivators dared not approach.
Only a few stewards, who were at the late stage of the Condensation Rotation Realm and tasked with recording the match, remained near the arena.
It created a peculiar scene.
One that made people want to laugh but couldn't.
The two on the arena paid no attention to this.
As Lin Xuan finished speaking, Chen Xiao's aura shifted, becoming razor-sharp and spreading outward.
It was the embryonic form of saber intent!
Though it was the same as Shen Anran's embryonic saber intent.
But Chen Xiao was at the third layer of the Condensation Rotation Realm, a full major realm and three minor layers above Shen Anran.
Coupled with his superior martial arts mastery, the power was far beyond Shen Anran's.
Shen Anran couldn't even get close.
At the same time, the full force of the third-layer Condensation Rotation Realm erupted.
The terrifying aura stirred up layers of airwaves, surging in all directions, making everyone tremble.
Then, Chen Xiao struck.
"Blazing Sky Inferno!"
With a cold shout, he slashed his saber, sending out a fiery blade light dozens of meters long toward Lin Xuan.
Scorching waves spread, and the temperature of the entire square skyrocketed.
It felt like being in a sea of flames.
With the boost from the embryonic saber intent, the power multiplied several times over.
The very air seemed to ripple, as if unable to bear the strain, warping.
The sheer force was awe-inspiring and terrifying!
Its speed was no less impressive.
In the blink of an eye, it was already above Lin Xuan's head.
Lin Xuan's expression darkened.
He hadn't expected Chen Xiao to break the pattern and use intent on his second move.
And it was the same embryonic saber intent.
But executed by Chen Xiao, it was over ten times stronger than Shen Anran's.
Indeed, the higher the cultivation, the greater the boost from intent.
Lin Xuan sighed inwardly.
Now, he would have to reveal more.
Suddenly, a blinding sharpness burst from Lin Xuan, shooting into the sky.
Where it passed, the air instantly shattered.
The white clouds high above were also torn into countless fragments by an invisible force, dissipating.
Even the fearsome fiery blade light seemed to be gripped by an invisible giant hand, its momentum halting instantly.
Its power was significantly reduced.
The surrounding disciples felt it even more acutely, as if a bone-chilling cold pierced their skin, their vision going black as if blinded.
They quickly turned their heads, barely regaining some sight.
Their shock multiplied several times over.
They hadn't expected Lin Xuan to have even more to unleash.
What kind of martial art was this? They were already at the edge of the dueling ground, hundreds of meters from the arena.
Yet they couldn't even look directly at it.
How astonishing was this?!?
The few stewards at the late Condensation Rotation Realm near the arena also felt their vision blur. They quickly circulated their true qi to recover, then looked at Lin Xuan on the stage, their hearts trembling.
"Is this a fully formed intent?!"
"Half-step Sword Intent!"
"Unbelievable, the rumors are true!"
"Lin Xuan actually used half-step Sword Intent, and he's only been a disciple for a month!"
"Such terrifying comprehension!"
"..."
The stewards exclaimed in shock, utterly astounded.
They, too, hadn't expected Lin Xuan to have truly comprehended half-step Sword Intent and used it.