C147 Attack
As Lin Xuan finished speaking, a hush fell over the crowd.
All eyes converged on him, filled with eager anticipation.
They hadn't seen him for days, and if history was any indication, Lin Xuan's prowess and cultivation level had likely soared.
Now, they would witness it firsthand.
He was also about to deal with Zheng Yuan, who had incurred the wrath of many.
With that, Lin Xuan sprang onto the stage.
He faced Zheng Yuan in a direct standoff.
Lin Xuan appeared as an ordinary man.
Yet, no one could afford to underestimate him any longer.
His presence was overwhelmingly formidable.
Even those at the Early Spirit Opening Stage might pale in comparison.
Fear etched across Zheng Yuan's face; he wanted to concede defeat.
But, to his horror, he found himself unable to speak.
He couldn't even turn to run.
It was as though he was ensnared by an invisible, terrifying force.
Feeling Lin Xuan's icy stare, he knew this was Lin Xuan's doing.
Lin Xuan simply stood his ground, doing nothing.
Yet, his mere presence left Zheng Yuan utterly powerless, unable to so much as twitch.
Such strength was beyond terrifying.
He was far more formidable than the rumors suggested.
Zheng Yuan was engulfed in a wave of shock.
Fear and regret flooded his heart.
He lamented his actions.
Every one of Lin Xuan's opponents had suffered grievously.
They either paid dearly to avert disaster or used wealth to settle their feuds.
Why had he provoked Lin Xuan?
Regret consumed him.
He could already envision his bleak fate.
His eyes pleaded with Lin Xuan, hoping for mercy.
But in this world, there is no cure for regret.
Actions have consequences, and Zheng Yuan would face his.
Lin Xuan remained unmoved.
His resolve was ironclad.
The referee, with a hint of satisfaction, declared loudly, "Let the challenge commence!"
As the words rang out, Zheng Yuan's complexion grew even more ashen. He attempted to flee.
But under the weight of Lin Xuan's aura, he was paralyzed, escape an impossibility.
With a cold demeanor, Lin Xuan launched his attack.
"Startling Waves Palm!"
Lin Xuan's voice boomed.
The power unleashed was fearsome to its core.
It bore down on Zheng Yuan with crushing force.
Lin Xuan had only exerted 30% of his True Qi and half his strength in that palm strike.
Yet, it was well beyond the defensive capabilities of someone at the peak of the Condensation Spin Stage.
The peak-level Condensation Spin Stage judge felt the overwhelming force and his face paled dramatically.
He hastily activated his movement technique to escape the platform.
Still, the residual shockwave caught him, drawing a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth.
Clearly, he had sustained significant internal injuries.
Terrified, he stumbled backward until he reached the safety of the crowd.
Turning to face Lin Xuan, his eyes were wide with horror.
He had not anticipated Lin Xuan's power to be so formidable.
He himself was at the peak of the Condensation Spin Stage.
Yet, he couldn't withstand even the backlash!
Had he not sensed the danger and fled in time, his injuries would have been far more severe.
And this wasn't even the full extent of Lin Xuan's power.
Lin Xuan had yet to deploy his Concept!
Lin Xuan's true strength was bound to be staggeringly fearsome!
The judge's heart quaked, overwhelmed with awe.
The rumors didn't lie.
Lin Xuan was easily among the top ten of the Strong List.
Perhaps, he might even break into the top three.
In just a matter of days, Lin Xuan's strength had surged so dramatically!
His talent was indeed fearsome.
Truly, he was the sect's number one prodigy.
The judge inwardly sighed with admiration.
And if the judge was so affected, Zheng Yuan, the intended target, felt the impact even more acutely.
In a flash, Zheng Yuan sensed a lethal threat bearing down on him.
He shook uncontrollably, drenched in cold sweat, paralyzed by fear.
But in the face of Lin Xuan's power, he was helpless to evade.
All he could do was watch the horrifying attack descend, too petrified to even think.
In the next moment.
As all eyes were fixed on the scene, the formidable power struck.
A thunderous boom echoed across the plaza.
The shockwave sent all the disciples reeling back several meters, their eyes fixed on Lin Xuan with renewed shock.
On the platform.
The sound of bones shattering filled the air.
Zheng Yuan was reduced to a bloodied figure, flung hundreds of meters before crashing onto the plaza with a dull thud.
Yet, there was no scream.
For Zheng Yuan had succumbed to unconsciousness, overwhelmed by agony.
His body was limp, contorted into an odd shape.
Every bone had been pulverized.
His once formidable presence at the peak of the Condensation Spin Stage rapidly diminished until it vanished completely.
Had it not been for his faint breaths,
They would have believed Zheng Yuan to be slain by Lin Xuan right there and then.
On the platform,
Lin Xuan stood with his hands clasped behind him, the picture of serenity. His breathing remained steady,
As if the event had barely registered.
Beneath Lin Xuan's feet, the stage bore several centimeter-long fissures.
To the average Inner Sect disciples, these cracks were insignificant.
But to the elite disciples and Inner Sect Elders perched on the elevated platform, the sight caused a collective jolt.
They quickly regained composure, their gazes shifting to Lin Xuan with a newfound sense of awe.
Theoretically, not even the full force of the Strong List's disciples could mar the arena.
Yet Lin Xuan's single palm strike had rent it with cracks.
The sheer power behind that blow was nothing short of monstrous!
Clearly, Lin Xuan had held back.
Otherwise, Zheng Yuan's fate would have been far grimmer; he would have been obliterated on the spot, his body beyond preservation.
This was a stark testament to Lin Xuan's formidable prowess.
The faces of the Strong List disciples grew heavy with gravity.
Even the top three shared this sentiment.
Having seen Lin Xuan's palm strike, they harbored no illusions about their chances against him.
A hush fell over the crowd.
All eyes were transfixed on Lin Xuan and the pain-stricken, unconscious form of Zheng Yuan, shifting back and forth in disbelief.
Moments later, the spell broke, and a chorus of sharp intakes of breath rippled through the air.
