C43 Qi Gathering Stage Level 4

Lin Xuan was unaware that his departure had set off a series of events.

He had since returned to the small courtyard and entered the cultivation chamber. There, he sat on a meditation cushion and commenced his cultivation practice, focusing on opening his acupuncture points.

With an abundance of cultivation resources at his disposal, he saw no reason to squander time.

Elevating his cultivation level and strength was his top priority.

As Lin Xuan secluded himself for intense cultivation, the Outer Sect of the Drifting Cloud Sect was once again abuzz with excitement.

To the astonishment of the Outer Sect disciples, Lin Xuan was at the center of the stir.

This was the same Lin Xuan whom the Third Elder had acclaimed as having the potential of a core disciple and the foremost talent among the new recruits.

Just three days prior, Lin Xuan's talent test results and the Third Elder's commendations had already made waves, and his name was familiar to the disciples.

Yet, they hadn't anticipated a repeat occurrence so soon.

And this time, the news was even more sensational.

Three days earlier, Lin Xuan was merely at the Early Enlightenment Stage during his talent assessment.

But three days later, upon emerging from seclusion, he was confronted by Zhang Tao, another promising disciple.

Zhang Tao, now at the Late Enlightenment Stage, sought to exploit the disparity in their cultivation levels to provoke Lin Xuan and vie for the title of the most promising disciple.

However, Zhang Tao was swiftly defeated by Lin Xuan with a single blow.

The news sent shockwaves through the sect.

Lin Xuan's ability to vanquish a higher-level opponent in one strike solidified his reputation as the top genius among the new disciples.

But this was just the beginning.

Lin Xuan had left seclusion with the intention of visiting the Martial Arts Pavilion to select a secret manual.

However, on his return journey, he was intercepted once more.

This time by Zhang Tao's cousin, the formidable Outer Sect practitioner Zhang Mingliang, who was a second-level Qi Gathering Stage cultivator.

Yet Lin Xuan showed no signs of being outmatched.

He engaged in a fierce battle with Zhang Mingliang, outmaneuvering him with superior agility and rendering Zhang Mingliang's attacks ineffective.

Under Zhang Mingliang's goading, Lin Xuan engaged in a physical confrontation with him. Despite the challenge, Lin Xuan emerged unscathed. Zhang Mingliang, however, was blasted away by Lin Xuan, sustaining severe injuries on the spot. The Outer Sect disciples were left in utter disbelief, their shock rendering them speechless for a long while.

Lin Xuan's disadvantage wasn't just a minor realm below his adversary; he was an entire major realm lower. The odds were heavily stacked against him. One was at the Early Enlightenment Stage, and the other at the Qi Gathering Stage. Both the Body Forging Stage and Enlightenment Stage are foundational phases focused on enhancing Vitality and physical strength. Practitioners could only rely on their own physical prowess, Vitality, and strength.

However, upon reaching the Qi Gathering Stage, they could refine the spiritual qi of heaven and earth into a more advanced form of energy. Additionally, they could harness their own Vitality. The combined power made a Qi Gathering Stage cultivator significantly stronger than one at the Body Forging Stage. Yet, Zhang Mingliang of the Qi Gathering Stage was defeated, easily bested by Lin Xuan, who was merely at the Enlightenment Stage.

The disciples were profoundly shaken by this upset, struggling to regain their composure. It was then that they truly accepted the Third Elder's words: Lin Xuan indeed possessed the makings of a core disciple. And Lin Xuan's displayed talent was just the tip of the iceberg. Could it be that once he joined the ranks of the core disciples, he would stand out as a formidable figure among them? After all, defeating an opponent from a significantly higher realm while at the Enlightenment Stage was an achievement few core disciples could claim. Yet Lin Xuan had done so with apparent ease.

The news quickly reached the Third Elder of the Outer Sect, who was visibly taken aback before a smile of approval graced his features. "I knew I wasn't mistaken; he's shown his exceptional talent so swiftly."

Zhao Quxin, the deacon who had escorted Lin Xuan from Green Jade City to the Drifting Cloud Sect, was equally astounded upon receiving the news. Lin Xuan's talent had far exceeded his expectations once again.

"It seems I've brought back someone quite remarkable," Zhao Quxin mused before retreating into seclusion for cultivation.

By introducing Lin Xuan, a new disciple with unparalleled potential, he had earned a substantial reward of resources, enough to advance through several minor stages.

As word spread, Lin Xuan's fame soared once again, becoming a household name among all Outer Sect disciples and stewards.

Even the top ten disciples of the Outer Sect, along with the Elders and other high-ranking members, had caught wind of Lin Xuan.

While the Outer Sect celebrated Lin Xuan's accomplishments, he himself delved into an extended period of secluded cultivation.

Upon reaching the Early Enlightenment Stage, Lin Xuan would have access to abundant cultivation resources and would no longer require food.

As the most promising new disciple, he was exempt from sect duties, allowing him to focus solely on cultivating and enhancing his strength.

Lin Xuan spent nearly every waking moment in the cultivation chamber, striving to unlock his acupuncture points and break through his current realm.

Time flew by swiftly.

Half a month had elapsed.

Throughout this time, Lin Xuan remained in the cultivation chamber, unseen by anyone.

The chatter about him gradually subsided.

Inside the cultivation chamber, Lin Xuan sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion.

A crisp sound emanated from his body.

A powerful aura unfurled from him, stirring up a miniature whirlwind within the chamber.

Lin Xuan's eyes fluttered open, and he drew in a deep breath, gazing into the void before him.

"Divine Level Duplication System."

"Host: Lin Xuan."

"Stage: Qi Gathering Stage Level 4."

"Talents: Superior Grade Cultivation Talent, High-grade Talents (Speed, Blade Dao), Middle Grade Talents (Strength, Kendo), High-grade Attribute Talents (Sharp Gold, Wild Wind), Middle Grade Attribute Talents (Green Wood, Heavy Water, Crimson Fire, Earth)."

"Martial Arts: Mixed Essence Formula (High-grade Rank 6, Initial Perfect Level), Wind Flame Saber Technique (Mid-Grade Rank 6, Initial Perfect Level), Red Moon Sword Technique (Low Rank 6, Initial Perfect Level), Barbarian Elephant Art (Mid-Grade Rank 6, Initial Perfect Level)."

"Tyrant Fist (Mid-Grade Rank 6, Initial Perfect Level), Shocking Wave Palm (Low Rank 6, Initial Perfect Level), Space Cracking Legs (Low Rank 6, Initial Perfect Level), Shadow Trail (Low Rank 6, Initial Perfect Level)."

"Energy points: 274,000."

"Walkspace: 44."

Lin Xuan gazed at the attribute panel floating in the void and focused his attention.

He sensed a powerful surge of true qi coalescing in his dantian and nodded in approval.

"I've managed to amass 270,000 energy points," Lin Xuan murmured to himself.

He had intentionally taunted Zhang Mingliang into a fight and subsequently defeated him.

His aim was to build his reputation and gather energy points.

Unexpectedly, his actions had intimidated both Zhang Tao and Zhang Mingliang.

He was compensated with an abundance of cultivation resources.

Now, after half a month, he had exhausted all his resources, including the three substandard spirit stones he had recently acquired.

With his superior cultivation talent, he progressed from the Late Enlightenment Stage to the Fourth Layer of the Qi Gathering Stage.

His energy points had also reached a total of 270,000.

This was a serendipitous gain for him.

Lin Xuan was thoroughly pleased with his current standing.

It was now time for mass duplication; he planned to elevate his strength to the next level.

Subsequently, Lin Xuan pulled out his timekeeping device and glanced at it, his expression instantly becoming grave.

"Has time really flown by this fast? It's already been a month since I started as a beginner.

That means the Outer Sect competition starts today, doesn't it?" Lin Xuan pondered aloud.

He was aware of the Drifting Cloud Sect's regulations.

A month after the new disciples begin, the Outer Sect Competition is set to commence.