C109 Respect

Lin Xuan expressed his gratitude.

Without the mention, he would have remained unaware of these matters.

His initiation into the sect was recent, not even two months old.

And it had been just about ten days since he joined the Inner Sect.

Consequently, he was still unfamiliar with many of the sect's regulations.

He hadn't anticipated that within the Inner Sect, there were specific rules concerning the Strong List.

Strength was honored here. Should any disciple on the Strong List suffer defeat, they would be promptly replaced, regardless of the victor's cultivation level, status, or identity.

Lin Xuan accepted the Strong List Token and the accompanying booklet, giving them a cursory glance.

The token featured a silver edge with a black core, heavy and well-crafted.

'Strong List' was engraved on the front, while the back bore the number '28', signifying his rank.

The booklet listed the names of the ranked disciples on the Strong List along with some introductory information.

He then tucked them away into his storage ring, a hint of a smile in his eyes.

Setting other considerations aside, his new status as an elite disciple was second only to that of a Core Disciple within the Drifting Cloud Sect.

Even elders at the Spirit Opening Stage from the Inner Sect would have to give him due regard.

Not to mention the variety of benefits that came with the position.

Lin Xuan was quite pleased with this unexpected windfall from the wager.

Now informed about some of the Strong List's rules, he brainstormed several strategies to acquire cultivation resources.

Yet, it wasn't the right time to put these plans into action.

He decided to wait and see, adjusting his plans as circumstances evolved.

The sudden revelation sparked a buzz among the other disciples.

"Indeed, there is such a rule on the Inner Sect's Strong List!"

"Absolutely, I would've forgotten too if Deacon Chen hadn't brought it up."

"It's rare, though. Despite the rule's existence, no disciple has ever managed to unseat a Senior Brother from the Strong List. The challenges are few and far between.

Those ranked on the Strong List are, at the very least, peak experts of the Condensation Spin Stage. Even the typical peak practitioners might struggle to last more than a few exchanges.

The other Inner Sect disciples, both ordinary and elite, stood no chance against Senior Brother of the Strong List. They wouldn't dare challenge him, and in time, his authority was firmly established. This led many to subconsciously overlook the rule.

"Indeed, if not for the freakishly talented Senior Brother Lin, we'd never even need that rule!"

"Starting now, Senior Brother Lin Xuan is no longer just an ordinary Inner Sect disciple. He's vaulted onto the Strong List, surpassing the elite ranks!"

"Does this mean Senior Brother Lin Xuan has broken another record?"

"Broken another? I've lost count of the records he's shattered, and it's been less than two months!"

"The guy is simply fearsome!"

The disciples buzzed with conversation, their voices tinged with awe and disbelief at Lin Xuan's formidable talent. This latest feat had earned Lin Xuan yet another surge of energy points.

Lin Xuan acknowledged their chatter with a slight nod. It was through these murmurs that he pieced together why Hu Yuanhua had seemed so taken aback when Deacon Chen had sought him out. The rule, though existent, was typically unenforceable and had been largely ignored. Even Hu Yuanhua, as an elite disciple, had overlooked it until Deacon Chen's reminder jogged his memory.

As for Lin Xuan, he was unfazed. In fact, he was delighted by the oversight, as it meant he had set yet another record. With the news of his achievement spreading, he anticipated a substantial increase in energy points. The finer details were of little concern to him now.

After expressing his gratitude once more, Lin Xuan made his way out of the Fighting Arena. The surrounding disciples instinctively stepped aside, clearing a generous path for him. Their gazes were filled with reverence as they watched him pass; Lin Xuan's demonstrated power had earned him a place among the Inner Sect's elite, commanding their respect.

Before long, Lin Xuan's figure had vanished from view, and the crowd finally turned their attention away. They surveyed the heavily damaged Fighting Arena, the tremors of awe still resonating within them.

After a brief commotion, everyone dispersed.

The day's events at the Fighting Arena were significant enough to send shockwaves through the entire sect.

They were all eager to spread the word.

Minutes later, only a handful of judges remained on the field.

Surveying the cracked surface of the Fighting Arena, they exchanged knowing glances, their eyes tinged with wry amusement.

Given the arena's condition, the scheduled bouts could no longer proceed.

Their presence was no longer necessary.

So, they too took their leave.

It was their duty to report the situation to the higher-ups.

The deacons' accounts carried more weight than the scattered rumors among the disciples.

Moreover, it was their responsibility.

They had to figure out how to repair the Fighting Arena, among other issues.

As for Lin Xuan, the one responsible for the arena's damage, he would face no repercussions.

Upon learning of the incident, the Sect Seniors were more inclined to reward him for showcasing such extraordinary talent.

Lin Xuan's abilities had proven to be far superior to what they had seen before.

Indeed, no one within the sect could match him.

They wouldn't consider punishing him over a damaged Fighting Arena.

Before long, the arena stood deserted.

Passing disciples who caught sight of the aftermath were left in stunned silence.

Meanwhile, in a pavilion several kilometers east of the Fighting Arena, an elderly man in white and a middle-aged man stood by the window.

They were Wang Xufeng and the Sect Master of the Drifting Cloud Sect, respectively. It was Wang Xufeng who had provided Lin Xuan with the Golden Scale Barbaric Elephant Arts at the Martial Arts Pavilion.

Both men gazed toward the arena, their expressions contemplative.

"Is this the might of the Golden Scale Barbaric Elephant Arts? That it could empower someone at the Seventh Level of the Qi Transformation Stage to wield such strength!" the Sect Master whispered to himself.

"The technique is formidable because Lin Xuan is the one wielding it. He has exceeded all others, myself included. And to think, he mastered the Golden Scale Barbaric Elephant Arts to such an extent in mere days. Lin Xuan's talent is beyond my own. I believe he may well be the foremost prodigy of the Drifting Cloud Sect, if not all of Cangyuan Country!"

Wang Xufeng responded, his face betraying a mix of surprise and concern.

Indeed, Lin Xuan's talent is exceptional—he's outclassed every martial artist in Cangyuan Country.

But what of it?

Once he began practicing the Golden Scale Barbaric Elephant Arts, there was no turning back."

The Sect Master exhaled deeply, giving Wang Xufeng a penetrating look.

He could have been the Drifting Cloud Sect's premier prodigy, but now his potential has been squandered.

What a tremendous waste, he thought.

Wang Xufeng hastened to explain.

"Sect Master, Lin Xuan's talent is not ordinary. He's in a league of his own, far beyond any of his predecessors. Perhaps he can overcome this limitation?"

"I certainly hope so," the Sect Master uttered with a heavy sigh, then fixed Wang Xufeng with a frosty gaze.

"Now that Lin Xuan has become one of our elite disciples, I'm going to quintuple his allocation of cultivation resources."

"However, the sect will only provide threefold resources. You will cover the additional two."

"You've brought this upon us; it's only right that you bear some of the cost."

"Yes, Sect Master," Wang Xufeng managed a wry smile, choosing to say no more.