C44 Concept

The Outer Sect Competition takes place annually, and this year's timing was specifically chosen to showcase the strength and depth of the Drifting Cloud Sect's senior disciples to the newcomers, inspiring them to push themselves harder. Participation isn't mandatory for these new initiates, given their recent induction and the inevitable disparity in power compared to their seasoned counterparts. However, if any of them express a desire to join in, they're certainly welcome to do so.

For Lin Xuan, this represents an excellent chance. "I'm really fortunate," he said with a self-satisfied grin, whispering to himself. Having recently amassed a significant number of energy points, he's eager to replicate some treasures. The competition will bring together all the Outer Sect disciples, overseen by the Sect Elders, ensuring a wealth of treasures ripe for duplication. It's also an opportunity for Lin Xuan to earn additional energy points while testing his newly advanced skills, having made significant progress to the middle stage of the Qi Gathering Stage.

"Is it dawn already?" Lin Xuan glanced out the window at the lightening sky. Time was on his side. He rose from his cultivation chamber, freshened up, donned a crisp Outer Sect disciple uniform, and made his way to the Martial Arts Practice Field, where the competitors were to assemble.

Upon his arrival, Lin Xuan found the field already teeming with Outer Sect disciples, easily numbering in the hundreds. As a promising new disciple who had quickly made a name for himself, Lin Xuan drew many curious glances. Yet today, he wasn't the center of attention. Instead, the crowd was drawn to three individuals surrounded by fawning peers, their presence commanding awe and reverence. These were the top three masters of the Outer Sect, with Chen Yuze, the most celebrated among them, standing out in his pristine white attire and sword, exuding the grace and poise of a noble young master.

The second individual, clad in black, was a tall and rugged-looking young man named Zhou Lei, the second-ranked disciple of the Outer Sect.

The final figure was a woman with a sultry figure, dressed in red with an icy demeanor; she was Guan Yuanshuang.

Rumors had it that these three titans of the Outer Sect were at the Peak of the Qi Gathering Stage, on the cusp of advancing to the Qi Transformation Stage and joining the ranks of the Inner Sect.

Their prowess was formidable; even the least among them could exchange several blows with a Qi Transformation Stage cultivator without defeat. They had never been bested in combat.

They stood head and shoulders above the rest of the Outer Sect disciples.

For this grand tournament, they had all arrived early.

As the most powerful and renowned among the Outer Sect disciples, Lin Xuan, being a newcomer, was overshadowed by these three.

Yet, Lin Xuan remained indifferent to the limelight.

His eyes briefly lingered on Chen Yuze, the top Outer Sect disciple.

"Name: Chen Yuze."

"Cultivation: Qi Transformation Stage Level 1."

"Talent: Superior Grade Cultivation Talent, Middle Grade Strength Talent, Middle Grade Speed Talent, High-grade Swordplay Talent, High-grade Gale Attribute Talent, Middle Grade Sharp Gold Talent."

"Martial Arts: Breeze Sword Art (Rank 4 Middle Grade, Great Completion), Wind Chasing Step (Rank 4 Low-grade, Great Completion), Gale Palm (Rank 4 Middle Grade, Great Completion)..."

"Concept: Nascent Sword Intent."

"Personal Treasure: Breeze Sword (Rank 4 Low-grade Spirit Weapon)."

Lin Xuan's expression betrayed a flicker of surprise as he perused Chen Yuze's attribute panel.

Unexpectedly, the preeminent Outer Sect expert had quietly broken through to the Qi Transformation Stage without a whisper of news spreading.

Had Lin Xuan not been able to see Chen Yuze's attribute panel, he might have remained oblivious.

Chen Yuze's breakthrough meant he was eligible for the Inner Sect and no longer required to compete in the Outer Sect tournament.

Yet, Chen Yuze had chosen to participate, likely aiming for the tournament's rewards and the chance to further his reputation.

But such matters were of no concern to Lin Xuan.

After his initial surprise, Lin Xuan's attention quickly shifted to the treasures Chen Yuze possessed.

His gaze continued to scan the attribute panel.

Chen Yuze truly lived up to his reputation as the top disciple of the Outer Sect, boasting an impressive collection of treasures.

Lin Xuan's gaze drifted downward, finally resting on the last line, sending a jolt through his heart. Was he seeing correctly? Did he actually glimpse the Concept? A flicker of disbelief shone in Lin Xuan's eyes. The Concept was a manifestation of the nascent laws of heaven and earth. When wielded with martial arts, it could exponentially increase one's might. Indeed, a martial artist with a Concept could effortlessly defeat a peer without one.

Yet, grasping the Concept was notoriously challenging. Many at the Condensation Spin Stage had yet to understand even its fundamentals. Lin Xuan had absorbed this information while perusing texts at the Martial Arts Pavilion just days before. And here was Chen Yuze, merely at level 1 of the Qi Transformation Stage, already mastering the Concept. His talent was nothing short of remarkable, leaving Lin Xuan astounded.

But his astonishment quickly turned to elation. He too would soon grasp the Concept. With the nascent form of sword intent at his disposal, his power was set to surge. And to think, he had acquired it without any effort. Lin Xuan gave a subtle nod, his eyes alight with anticipation, yet his demeanor remained composed.

His attention then shifted to the top ten of the Outer Sect. As he observed them, their attribute panels materialized before his eyes, one after another. Each panel paled in comparison to Chen Yuze's, confirming that Chen indeed stood as the undisputed prodigy of the Outer Sect, perhaps even surpassing the talent of many from the Inner Sect.

Without delay, Lin Xuan sprang into action. To any onlooker, he seemed to be wandering without purpose. But in reality, he was stealthily moving within ten meters of the Outer Sect's elite, covertly copying their abilities before making his exit.

"3,000 energy points expended. Copy successful. You have acquired the [Middle Grade Speed Talent]."

"3,000 energy points expended. Copy successful. You have acquired the [Middle Grade Crimson Fire Talent]."

With his martial arts already at Rank 6, Lin Xuan had no interest in the martial skills of these Outer Sect disciples. It was their innate talents he sought to replicate. And in no time at all, Lin Xuan had claimed copies of all the treasures that had caught his eye among the Outer Sect's finest.

Chen Yuze, the top expert of the Outer Sect, stood alone.

Lin Xuan made a beeline for him.

Chen Yuze, along with his disciples, all shifted their gaze to Lin Xuan.

They were all familiar with him.

Recently, Lin Xuan had become quite the sensation, even being touted as the premier prodigy of the Outer Sect—a title that had once been Chen Yuze's.

Chen Yuze had been keeping a close eye on Lin Xuan for this very reason.

Yet, he was puzzled by Lin Xuan's approach.

It appeared to be their first encounter.