C40 To Face Him Head on

"Crimson Fire Palm!"

"Snake Steps!"

On the clearing, Zhang Mingliang unleashed his movement technique, launching a series of fiery palm strikes at Lin Xuan.

Yet Lin Xuan evaded each attack with ease.

After numerous attempts, even Zhang Mingliang, who was at the Qi Gathering Stage, found himself panting for air.

Lin Xuan, however, remained unfazed.

He hadn't sustained a single injury.

The Outer Sect disciples spectating were astounded.

Lin Xuan's movement technique had already outclassed most at the early Qi Gathering Stage.

They surmised that only those at or above the middle stage could match him.

And Lin Xuan, merely at the Enlightenment Stage, had managed to bridge a significant gap in realms.

This revelation left the disciples in awe.

They now fully grasped why the Third Elder had immediately recognized Lin Xuan as a true disciple, deeming him the most promising among the newcomers.

His prowess in movement alone spoke volumes.

His innate talent eclipsed that of everyone there, including all the new disciples.

The moniker of the top prodigy among the new disciples was indisputably his.

Meanwhile, Zhang Mingliang's flabbergasted followers exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of their next move.

This was a duel between Lin Xuan and Zhang Mingliang, and with all eyes on them, they dared not intervene.

They could only stand by and watch in silence.

In the crowd, Zhang Tao's expression darkened further, fear mounting in his eyes.

Lin Xuan's genius was beyond his wildest expectations.

Just three days prior, Lin Xuan was at the Early Enlightenment Stage, effortlessly defeating Zhang Tao in his Late Enlightenment Stage.

Now, Lin Xuan had transcended an entire realm.

His speed and agility were on par with Zhang Mingliang of the Qi Gathering Stage.

Such a feat was unheard of.

Zhang Tao, with over a decade in the Martial Tao and as a direct disciple from a prominent family, had never encountered such a phenomenon.

Even now, witnessing it firsthand, he was steeped in disbelief.

It took him a long time to snap out of his daze.

He was certain that the scene unfolding before him was no illusion.

The terror in his eyes deepened.

Simultaneously, a pang of regret surged within him.

Lin Xuan's talent had surpassed his wildest expectations.

Why had he ever thought to provoke such an extraordinary prodigy?

A single misstep could spell disaster for both him and his family!

In that moment, Zhang Tao found himself wrestling with indecision. Should he extend an apology to Lin Xuan after their wager and plead for mercy?

Yet, doing so would tarnish his pride.

He was somewhat unwilling to swallow that pill.

But another thought had taken root in his mind.

Regardless of the outcome of their bet, he resolved to cease antagonizing Lin Xuan.

Even if Lin Xuan were to lose, he would not subject him to further humiliation.

Lin Xuan was, after all, the genius disciple cherished by the Third Elder.

At best, he could only cause Lin Xuan a fleeting physical discomfort. He dared not cross any further lines.

For if the Third Elder were to unleash his wrath, neither he nor his family could withstand it.

And what if Lin Xuan emerged unscathed and their feud intensified?

Given Lin Xuan's formidable talent, it wouldn't take many years for him to ascend to the ranks of the truly powerful.

When the time came for Lin Xuan to seek retribution...

He feared the repercussions for both himself and his family could be devastating, potentially crippling.

Thus, after weighing the benefits and risks, he firmly decided to steer clear of Lin Xuan from then on.

Meanwhile, on the stage.

Zhang Mingliang's relentless assaults failed to make contact with Lin Xuan, leaving him with a look of utter frustration.

He hadn't anticipated being outclassed in agility by a novice like Lin Xuan, who had only entered the Enlightenment Stage three days prior.

He had underestimated Lin Xuan, and now, he could not afford to lose.

Defeat would mean not only a loss of face but also the depletion of much of his savings.

So, Zhang Mingliang halted his attacks and stood his ground. With a contemptuous scoff, he challenged:

"Lin Xuan, all you do is evade. Have you got the guts to take me on directly? Let's find out who's truly more formidable.

You're the one who challenged me to this fight. If all you're going to do is duck and weave, then I might as well walk away. We can call it even.

And you can forget about claiming those three subpar Spirit Stones!"

Since Lin Xuan had been baited, he decided to return the favor.

"Show some guts and take on the boss directly!"

"All you do is duck and weave—that's not the way of a true warrior!"

"Dodging won't get you the victory!"

Zhang Mingliang's cronies started taunting him.

Meanwhile, the other Outer Sect disciples looked on with mocking laughter.

The disparity in their cultivation levels was simply too vast.

A direct confrontation with Zhang Mingliang was out of the question.

Zhang Mingliang was a formidable expert of the Outer Sect, and none were a match for him.

So, they merely observed with detached amusement, none daring to interject.

But then, something astonishing occurred.

"Alright."

Lin Xuan responded calmly.

The crowd was momentarily dumbfounded, almost believing they had misheard.

Yet Lin Xuan maintained his serene demeanor.

"Is this what it means to be at the Qi Gathering Stage?"

Lin Xuan whispered to himself.

He felt a surge of confidence.

The time had come to end this.

"You're the one who said it!"

Zhang Mingliang's face brightened with glee.

Lin Xuan's superior movement technique indicated his exceptional talent for speed.

But Zhang Mingliang was an entire realm above Lin Xuan.

It seemed impossible for Lin Xuan to withstand his assault.

Zhang Mingliang's followers erupted into cheers.

The onlookers from the sect sighed inwardly.

Lin Xuan was just too inexperienced.

They only hoped his defeat wouldn't be too harsh.

Should Lin Xuan sustain grave injuries, he would need months to recover, potentially falling behind other promising disciples.

They doubted Lin Xuan's chances of victory.

In the entire Drifting Cloud Sect, not even the Core Disciples had managed such a feat.

And here was Lin Xuan, merely an Outer Sect disciple.

At that moment, no one present held out hope for Lin Xuan.

But Lin Xuan himself remained unfazed.

Then, with a fierce shout, Zhang Mingliang lunged at Lin Xuan.

"Crimson Fire Palm!"

He unleashed his palm strike, sending a fiery imprint of the Crimson Fire Palm hurtling towards Lin Xuan.

Zhang Mingliang, anxious to avoid any further mishaps, took immediate action.

His sole aim was to take down Lin Xuan in a single blow.

Lin Xuan stood his ground, not bothering to evade, much to Zhang Mingliang's delight.

He poured an additional surge of power into his hand.

But in the blink of an eye, Lin Xuan countered.

"Wind Palm!"

He too launched a palm strike.

Lin Xuan's might surged dramatically.

With his palm thrust, a fierce gale roared to life.

In a mere moment, he scattered the oncoming waves of heat.

Zhang Mingliang's strength had been largely extinguished.

He sensed an invisible barrier before him, as if a wall had materialized from thin air.

Zhang Mingliang found himself unable to advance even a step.

"How can this be?"

Zhang Mingliang's inner scream echoed with disbelief, unable to accept the reality before him.

And in that moment, Lin Xuan acted.