Lin Xuan then nodded and said calmly, "Let the past be the past. I won't dwell on it anymore."
He wouldn't push away benefits handed to him. These thirty thousand contribution points, converted into spirit stones, would be enough for him to cultivate for a while and significantly boost his strength. He couldn't give that up over a minor grudge.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Lin." Chen Xiao quickly replied with a smile, breathing a sigh of relief.
Lin Xuan's displayed talent and potential were too terrifying, almost beyond his imagination. He dared not offend Lin Xuan again. Resolving the conflict this way was naturally ideal.
"By the way, I have a small favor to ask of Senior Brother Chen and Elder Zhang..." After a few casual exchanges, Lin Xuan's tone shifted, and he spoke solemnly.
His goal was to convert the contribution points into spirit stones. He could do that at the Inner Sect Affairs Hall, but the exchange rate there was ten to one. In reality, within the Flowing Cloud Sect, contribution points were more popular. Privately, ten contribution points could usually be exchanged for one and a half to two low-grade spirit stones.
The difference seemed small, but when multiplied by thousands or tens of thousands, it became significant. He wanted to boost his strength as quickly as possible, so he wouldn't let this opportunity slip. Here, he intended to use the private rate to exchange some contribution points for low-grade spirit stones.
Given the momentum from his recent defeat of an inner sect elite, even the few stewards present were no match for him. He believed they wouldn't refuse.
As Lin Xuan expected, it wasn't a difficult choice. With his newfound prestige dominating the scene, surpassing everyone, the stewards had no reason to decline. Thus, the exchange was completed.
Lin Xuan had roughly fifty thousand contribution points in total. He exchanged forty thousand, receiving eight thousand low-grade spirit stones. Of course, eight thousand low-grade spirit stones was a substantial sum even for a late-stage Condensation Rotation cultivator.
Two more stewards joined the original Elder Zhang and Chen Xiao, making four in total, to successfully complete the exchange. This was the highest private exchange rate within the inner sect, usually only achievable in urgent situations. Yet the three stewards and Chen Xiao all voluntarily accepted this rate, taking a slight loss.
Clearly, all four valued Lin Xuan's terrifying potential and proactively sought to build goodwill. Lin Xuan naturally didn't refuse. After all, once he grew stronger, he could repay them later. It wasn't a difficult matter.
"This time, I must thank Elder Zhang, Elder Sun, Elder Li, and Junior Brother Chen." Lin Xuan said with a light smile.
"No need, no need." "It's nothing." "Anyway, we have plenty of spirit stones we can't use up. Since Senior Brother Lin needs them, just take them." Chen Xiao and the three stewards quickly replied with smiles.
After chatting a bit more, Lin Xuan cupped his hands and took his leave. He had spent considerable time at the arena and needed to check out the Martial Arts Pavilion. Still, the gains at the arena made it worthwhile.
Lin Xuan headed straight out of the training grounds. Wherever he passed, the disciples actively stepped aside, clearing a wide path. Their gazes were filled with awe and admiration for Lin Xuan, devoid of the earlier mockery and disdain.
Lin Xuan had conquered them with his strength. They no longer harbored any negative thoughts. The scene fell silent.
Everyone watched Lin Xuan's retreating figure until he disappeared from sight, then withdrew their gazes. They said nothing more, exchanging glances before silently dispersing.
Today's major events at the arena left them with no mood to watch or participate in further matches. The shock Lin Xuan had stirred in their hearts had yet to settle. Moreover, they were eager to spread such big news, letting more people know.
Soon, only the stewards remained at the arena. Even Chen Xiao had left with the crowd.
The stewards exchanged bitter smiles. The arena had never been so empty before. Yet now, it was because of a new disciple like Lin Xuan.
Since no one was left, there was no point in staying. After discussing, they left two to guard the place. The rest went to report the day's events to the sect's higher-ups.
The major incidents at the arena today had repeatedly broken sect records. Word would likely spread throughout the sect soon, possibly even reaching the higher-ups. They chose to proactively report to avoid blame. As the stewards on duty who witnessed everything, their accounts would carry credibility.
Lin Xuan knew nothing of the commotion he caused at the arena. By now, he had arrived outside the Martial Arts Pavilion.
After scanning the area, he shook his head helplessly. Nothing worth copying.
He then entered the Martial Arts Pavilion. Using his inner disciple token, he easily ascended to the second floor.
The second floor was much quieter than the first, with fewer than ten inner disciples browsing manuals. The bookshelves were also sparser. A few Condensation Rotation stewards were organizing manuals and guiding disciples to suitable ones.
Lin Xuan's gaze swept around as he moved. The attribute panels of everyone on the second floor appeared before him. He glanced through them but quickly withdrew his gaze, disappointed.
The stewards here were no better than the one at the arena. The inner disciples were ordinary as well. Their attribute panels were unremarkable. There were no treasures worth noting, let alone anything deserving of his energy points to copy.
"Forget it, I'll take a look around the second floor. Can't let this trip be wasted." Lin Xuan shook his head with a sigh.
He stopped focusing on that and began searching for manuals. After over ten minutes, he picked two that seemed suitable.
As for miscellaneous records or manuals on alchemy, artifact forging, formations, and other disciplines, none were available here—not even introductory ones. It seemed he'd need to visit the relevant halls to purchase and study them.
Deciding not to waste more time, Lin Xuan planned to register these two manuals and return to seclusion for cultivation. He had gained eight thousand low-grade spirit stones from the arena, enough to cultivate for a while. It was even possible to reach the late stage or peak of the Qi Transformation Realm in one go. He needed to boost his strength as quickly as possible. Other matters could wait for now.
Just then, an aged voice rang out. "This junior, have you not found a suitable manual? I have one here..."