C35 Provocation

The Barbarian Elephant Art truly lives up to its reputation as a Mid Grade Rank 6 Body Building Martial Art—the results are impressive. In a mere three days, I've shattered two realms in succession and ascended to the late period of the Enlightenment Stage.

Lin Xuan gazed into the void before him and gave a slight nod of approval.

Yet, such progress came at a significant cost in resources.

The month's worth of cultivation supplies provided to me were depleted in just three days.

Lin Xuan could only sigh inwardly.

Deprived of cultivation resources, he was left to cultivate by absorbing the spiritual essence of Heaven and Earth. Despite his exceptional talent, this method would diminish his efficiency by more than tenfold.

Understandably, Lin Xuan was far from satisfied with this sluggish pace of advancement.

He had no choice but to halt his practice.

"I need to acquire some cultivation resources," Lin Xuan mused.

"First stop, the Martial Arts Pavilion."

The Pavilion is a treasure trove of the Drifting Cloud Sect's martial arts knowledge and a cornerstone of the sect.

He could, in fact, use energy points to directly replicate the martial arts of others, gaining their level of mastery in the process.

This would allow him to bypass traditional cultivation entirely, offering extreme convenience.

But this ability was his most closely guarded secret, one that must never be revealed.

He would need to use the Martial Arts Pavilion as a cover for his secret.

Besides, as a key site within the Drifting Cloud Sect, the Pavilion was likely under the watchful eyes of numerous martial experts.

Perhaps he could encounter some of these masters and replicate a few of their treasures.

After pondering briefly, Lin Xuan made up his mind.

He rose from the cultivation chamber, tidied up, and stepped out of his small courtyard, heading straight for the Martial Arts Pavilion.

As a new disciple, one is entitled to select a Rank 3 martial art from the Pavilion's first floor within the first month of initiation.

And for a new disciple of my potential, the options are virtually limitless.

Yet, I am restricted to choosing only Rank 3 martial arts.

As he made his way, Lin Xuan's eyes darted about, on the lookout for treasures worthy of duplication.

But here in the Outer Sect, where most possess lesser gifts than his own, duplicating their treasures would be nothing short of squandering energy points.

Lin Xuan didn't dwell on his innate talent; he shifted his focus to other areas and quickly reaped significant benefits. The majority of the new Outer Sect disciples were in the Enlightenment Stage and couldn't yet afford storage rings. They carried their small, essential cultivation resources like pills and herbs with them. Lin Xuan found he could replicate these items, and throughout the day, he had accumulated a number of energy points. He wasn't about to pass up the opportunity.

As he strolled down the road, he subtly drew near new disciples within a ten-meter radius and began the duplication process. "500 energy points spent. Replication successful. Acquired one bottle of [Top Grade Rank 2 Blood Accumulation Pill]." "1000 energy points spent, duplication successful, obtained one [Rank 3 Middle Grade Crimson Blood Ginseng]." With each step, Lin Xuan's Walkspace grew heavier with a growing stash of cultivation resources, leaving him quite pleased. "Now I can focus on my cultivation for some time," he thought, continuing until he had exhausted his energy points.

He made his way briskly toward the Martial Arts Pavilion, but before long, Lin Xuan halted. The ones blocking his path were Lin Yun, Wu Qilee, and Chen Yu—three acquaintances from Green Jade City. "Lin Xuan, help us!" they pleaded. "We're all from Green Jade City; won't you lend us a hand?" "Be careful, Lin Xuan. Someone might be after you!" The trio approached in a flurry, their Outer Sect uniforms tattered, signaling recent hardships.

"What's the matter? Explain yourselves," Lin Xuan urged. He felt a sense of duty to assist, especially since Lin Yun shared his Lin Family lineage. But before they could elaborate, a crowd surged toward them, led by a youth in fine clothing. It was Zhang Tao, another promising disciple identified during the recent talent assessment. "So, Lin Xuan, you've decided to show yourself. I was starting to think you'd chosen to remain a coward," he taunted.

Zhang Tao spoke with an icy detachment.

A chorus of mocking laughter soon followed from behind him.

"Lin Xuan, that's the guy!"

"Over the last three days, Zhang Tao has been leveraging his status as the direct heir of a prominent family to amass a following of lackeys, constantly oppressing us."

"The wounds we bear are the handiwork of his cronies."

Chen Yu and the other two hastily interjected, their gazes filled with a tinge of dread as they looked towards Zhang Tao and his entourage.

It wasn't until they joined the Drifting Cloud Sect that they realized their own talents were insignificant.

Their gifts had become a target for relentless ridicule and abuse.

"I see," Lin Xuan said, his face turning frosty.

He now understood that Zhang Tao was intentionally targeting him, Chen Yu, and Wu Qilee, all to draw Lin Xuan out.

"What do you want?" Lin Xuan asked Zhang Tao, his voice sharp with coldness.

"Nothing major. I simply believe you're unworthy of the title 'disciple with the most potential.'"

Zhang Tao declared with a cold bark:

"Let's have a duel. I'll show you how I'm going to strip you of your title as the top potential disciple!"

"Hold off on rejecting me."

"Not if you care about the well-being of your three fellow villagers."

"You may be the new disciple with the most potential, and that affords you some protection—I can't touch you. But your three fellow villagers? They're fair game."

"Unless you plan to do nothing but guard them day in, day out."

"If not, they'll continue to suffer at my hands."

"So, you might as well accept."

"Fine! I accept," Lin Xuan stated, a glint of icy resolve flashing in his eyes.

This was Lin Xuan's first encounter with such a threat.

It seemed it was time for Lin Xuan to assert his authority.

Otherwise, he'd become fair game for everyone's bullying.

"Excellent!" Zhang Tao said, a grin spreading across his face as he gestured dismissively.

"Step back, everyone. I want to see for myself the true strength of Lin Xuan, the new disciple touted as having the most potential!"

Zhang Tao was brimming with confidence for this showdown.

In the past few days, his power had surged, reaching the Late Enlightenment Stage.

Lin Xuan, on the other hand, was merely at the Early Enlightenment Stage during the assessment.

Despite the disparity in their innate abilities,

Zhang Tao was convinced that Lin Xuan couldn't possibly leapfrog two whole levels and defeat him.

"Step back, all of you."

Lin Xuan directed his gaze to Chen Yu and the other two, speaking with a calm detachment.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yu's companions, along with Zhang Tao's underlings, all moved back.

Meanwhile, the disturbance had drawn the attention of numerous Outer Sect disciples passing by.

They gathered around, watching the unfolding scene and buzzing with speculation.

"Isn't that Lin Xuan, the top genius among the new disciples, with the highest potential? And there's Zhang Tao, another disciple recognized for his potential, right?"

"What's going on here?"

"Looks like Zhang Tao is eyeing Lin Xuan's reputation as the most promising newcomer."

Even though Lin Xuan was a prodigy, with talents eclipsing those of Zhang Tao,

the Drifting Cloud Sect was still a force to be reckoned with.

Since both were marked as disciples with potential, if Zhang Tao could openly best Lin Xuan, he'd take over as the foremost potential disciple."

"So that's the situation. We're in for quite the spectacle."

"Who knows who'll come out on top?"

"Probably Zhang Tao, don't you think? Lin Xuan may be more gifted, but Zhang Tao has a more advanced level of cultivation."

With all eyes on the field, Zhang Tao initiated his assault.