C145 Lin Xuan Arrived in Time

Morning dawned, and the gentle sunlight spilled across the land, carrying with it a touch of warmth. The Inner Sect area, typically a hive of activity, was unusually serene today. In stark contrast, the Inner Sect Plaza bustled with a throng of disciples.

A host of Inner Sect Elders and deacons were present, and even several Elders at the Spiritual Essence Stage graced the event with their presence. The reason for this gathering was clear: today marked the Drifting Cloud Sect's annual Strong List Ranking Competition.

The Strong List represented the pinnacle of Inner Sect disciples, a roster of the mightiest among them. Those who found their names etched on this list could harbor dreams of becoming Core Disciples, with aspirations of ascending to the ranks of the Sect Seniors.

Elite disciples on the Strong List enjoyed privileges far surpassing those of their peers, with each higher rank bringing increasingly lavish benefits. Furthermore, the sect bestowed substantial rewards upon those who climbed the ranks of the Strong List.

Given the dual allure of prestige and profit, the Ranking Competition captivated an immense audience. Virtually every Inner Sect disciple had risen at the crack of dawn to converge on the plaza. The deacons from the various branches of the Inner Sect, free from their duties, also joined the assembly.

The Strong List Ranking Competition had become a significant affair within the Inner Sect, commanding the attention of all its members. The plaza was now a sea of humanity, with crowds spilling out beyond its bounds. Aside from the central area, where five arenas stood ready for combat, and their immediate vicinity, people were everywhere.

To the east rose a lofty platform where the Inner Sect's upper echelon sat in observance of the matches. To the west, a smaller platform, nearly half the height, held thirty-six seats. At the very top sat one individual, followed by two on the next level, then four on the third, and so on down to the thirty-six Inner Sect disciples ranked on the Strong List.

Encircling the arenas, the Inner Sect's finest—those eligible to compete in the Strong List Ranking Competition—stood ready. Meanwhile, the ordinary disciples still at the Qi Transformation Stage were relegated to the role of spectators, barred from participating in the competition.

Of course, they could attempt to join if they were so inclined. However, doing so would only invite swift defeat at the hands of the Inner Sect elites, leaving them not only vanquished but also nursing their wounds.

Therefore, it's uncommon for ordinary Inner Sect disciples to enter the competition.

The Ranking Competition kicked off shortly after.

The first round was an all-out melee.

Participating disciples spread across five arenas for a tumultuous battle royale.

The fray continued until only ten remained in each arena.

These fifty survivors would move on to the next stage.

Of course, those who excelled in the melee but failed to advance would still receive some rewards from the sect.

Next came the challenge round.

The fifty who advanced earned the right to take on the elite disciples.

Victory meant they could take the place of those on the Strong List.

Each contender had one opportunity to challenge an elite disciple.

Then came the third round: the Ranking Competition.

Once the Strong List's thirty-six spots were secured, those elite disciples would challenge one another.

They dueled freely to establish their final standings.

The rules were straightforward.

As time slipped by, the first round concluded almost imperceptibly.

The second round was nearing its conclusion as well.

Yet during this time, Lin Xuan, the sect's once-celebrated top prodigy, was conspicuously absent.

The 28th seat below the small platform remained conspicuously vacant.

It's worth noting that Lin Xuan, previously at the Qi Transformation Stage, possessed formidable strength.

He not only held the twenty-eighth rank but also shattered the precedent of a Qi Transformation Stage disciple making the Strong List.

Furthermore, Lin Xuan was unmatched by even the top dozen or so on the Strong List.

Wu Jie, ranked ninth and within the top ten, conceded he was no match for Lin Xuan, going so far as to offer a public apology.

Lin Xuan's prowess was widely recognized as top ten Strong List material.

In theory, Lin Xuan should have been present for the Ranking Competition.

Regardless of his stance on fame, the competition's rewards were substantial.

Lin Xuan, seeking ample resources for cultivation, wouldn't likely skip the event.

Yet, Lin Xuan was still nowhere to be found.

Per sect regulations, if he failed to show by the end of the second round, he would face elimination.

Lin Xuan faced expulsion from the Strong List, barred from issuing any challenges for the next six months.

To everyone's surprise, he was a no-show at such a crucial Ranking Competition.

The crowd was abuzz with confusion.

Meanwhile, a number of disciples couldn't help but feel a secret thrill, elite disciples among them.

With Lin Xuan absent, an additional spot on the Strong List was up for grabs.

Given Lin Xuan's formidable strength, even if he wasn't top three material, the rest of the top ten lacked the confidence to best him.

His presence would have meant a potential drop in their own rankings.

Not to mention the risk of sustaining serious injuries at his hand—a pattern evident from his past battles where each opponent was left severely wounded.

These were outcomes they were all too eager to avoid.

So, Lin Xuan's absence was, to them, a cause for quiet celebration.

Yet, they kept their joy under wraps, aware that Lin Xuan had caught the eye of the Sect Seniors.

No doubt, many of these high-ranking members were covertly monitoring Lin Xuan's progress, and none of the disciples wanted to risk their ire.

On the elevated platform, several Inner Sect Elders at the Spiritual Essence Stage were visibly irked.

The competition was a significant Inner Sect event, yet typically, it would only require one Spiritual Essence Stage Elder to preside over it.

Their collective presence wasn't necessary—the Strong List contenders were merely Core Candidates, after all.

Their attendance was motivated by the chance to witness Lin Xuan, the sect's new top prodigy who had outshone Liu Qianyu.

But Lin Xuan's absence now cast a shadow of futility over their visit.

Impatience was etched on the faces of the Spiritual Essence Stage Elders—if Lin Xuan truly failed to appear, they would be forced to depart prematurely.

Elsewhere, within a pavilion several kilometers from the Inner Sect Square, two silhouettes observed the scene from a distance.

One, a middle-aged man exuding a commanding presence, gestured for an attendant and issued a few quiet instructions.

Back at the heart of the square, on Arena No.3, the referee's voice cut through the murmurs, "Is there anyone else willing to challenge Lin Xuan? If there are no challengers, the second round will conclude!"

A voice rang out, "I want to challenge him!"

A young man standing next to the arena surveyed the small stage before calling out loudly, "My name is Zheng Yuan, and I challenge Senior Brother Lin Xuan!"

With that, he leaped onto the platform.

Observing the scene, the referee announced in a resonant voice, "Lin Xuan, will you accept the challenge?

If there's no response from you, I'll consider it a concession of defeat!"

A hush descended over the crowd, the silence as profound as death.

But before the referee could conclude, a voice cut through the quiet.

"I accept the challenge!"