C54 Advancement
Among the disciples, quite a few had initially been eager to challenge Lin Xuan.
As a newcomer, Lin Xuan seemed to be the weakest link among the top twenty.
But now, having seen Wang Kui's dire defeat, they were immensely relieved.
It was fortunate they hadn't stepped forward, or they would have shared his fate.
They realized that Lin Xuan's talent defied their standards of judgment.
His abilities surpassed their understanding and imagination.
The Outer Sect's top three experts wore grave expressions.
Apart from Chen Yuze, who had already advanced to the Qi Transformation Stage, both Zhou Lei and Guan Yuanshuang looked particularly solemn.
Even they might not have been able to defeat Wang Kui as decisively as Lin Xuan had.
Yet Lin Xuan had accomplished just that.
It was clear that Lin Xuan's strength was likely on par with theirs, if not greater.
This revelation left the trio in awe of Lin Xuan's prodigious talent.
Undoubtedly, Lin Xuan's gifts far exceeded their own.
With such prowess already at his disposal, it wouldn't be long before they stood no chance against him.
They understood the urgency to break through to the Qi Transformation Stage and ascend to the Inner Sect.
Otherwise, they risked being bested by a newcomer like Lin Xuan.
Despite being the Outer Sect's three great masters, they had their pride.
Even within the vast Drifting Cloud Sect, Lin Xuan was recognized as a top-tier genius.
Still, he was a novice, and they had no intention of being outshone by one.
A silent pact was formed as they exchanged determined glances.
Up on the high platform, Xu Annlan's eyes lingered on Lin Xuan, his gaze inscrutable.
The Head Elder, on the other hand, nodded approvingly, his eyes reflecting his contentment.
"Excellent," he remarked, his face breaking into a smile.
Lin Xuan's talent ranked him among the elite core disciples.
Given the chance to mature, his potential was boundless.
Such a prospect was of considerable benefit to the Drifting Cloud Sect.
As one of the Sect Seniors, he was understandably elated.
Meanwhile, on the arena stage...
"Congratulations, Host, for receiving 3000 shock energy points from Xu Annlan, a warrior at the Second Level of the Spirit Opening Stage."
"Congratulations, Host, for receiving 700 shock energy points from Chen Yuze, a warrior at Level 1 of the Qi Transformation Stage."
Lin Xuan, with notifications continuously chiming in his ears, gazed at the attribute panel before him in the Void. The energy points were soaring, and his eyes shone with satisfaction.
He had amassed tens of thousands of energy points, which pleased him greatly.
He was determined to excel in the upcoming tournament.
If possible, he aimed to clinch the first place.
By doing so, he wouldn't just rake in a hefty sum of energy points but also earn 3,000 contribution points.
That was the equivalent of at least 300 substandard spirit stones.
Could those be exchanged for enough cultivation resources to break through to the Qi Transformation Stage?
His cultivation talent had now reached the Spiritual Rank, and his other talents were not far behind. He even surpassed Core Disciple Xu Annlan.
From the Qi Gathering Stage to the Qi Transformation Stage and then the Condensation Spin Stage, he faced no bottlenecks.
No matter how swiftly he advanced, his foundation remained solid.
What he needed now was an abundance of cultivation resources.
Perhaps this tournament would provide just what he lacked.
Lin Xuan pondered his strategy quietly.
Then, he turned to the official beside him and remarked:
"Deacon Zhang, isn't it time to declare the outcome?"
Deacon Zhang was momentarily dazed, the result of the match having taken him by surprise.
He hadn't anticipated such a swift conclusion.
It was Lin Xuan's prompt that jolted him back to reality.
With a complex look, he scanned the area, realizing that the sect might soon witness the rise of another exceptional talent.
Afterward, his voice rang out clearly:
"Lin Xuan wins this match!"
His declaration sent a wave of astonishment rippling through the crowd.
No longer would anyone underestimate Lin Xuan simply because he was a newcomer.
This wasn't like the Puppet Tower, where evidence had indirectly proven his worth.
Here, under the watchful eyes of all, Lin Xuan had demonstrated his true capabilities.
They couldn't help but acknowledge his strength.
For the new disciples, Lin Xuan became an object of adoration.
The thought of comparing themselves to him had vanished.
Lin Xuan had far outstripped them.
They could only gaze up at him, realizing that soon, they might not even qualify to do that.
The idea of vying with him was out of the question.
Admiration was the only sentiment they harbored.
The challenges pressed on.
Following Lin Xuan, others stepped up to take on the top 20.
Half an hour earlier, all opportunities for challenge had been exhausted.
In the end, only three challengers broke through to the top twenty.
The rest met with defeat.
These three were renowned within the Outer Sect as Peak of Qi Gathering Stage masters.
The difficulty of their achievement was evident.
The Head Elder's voice then filled the air from the elevated platform.
"The challenge is over!
The top twenty have been determined!
The second round will continue as an elimination match, with head-to-head battles. Winners advance, losers are out!
We'll determine the top ten!
The list is with me. Deacon Zhang, please come and collect it.
Let the competition commence!"
With that, Deacon Zhang leapt from the ring and made his way to the platform to collect the list of matchups.
The other disciples cast envious glances at Lin Xuan, Chen Yuze, Zhou Lei, and the rest.
To be among the top twenty was to stand at the pinnacle of the Outer Sect, a height they could only aspire to.
Moreover, just breaking into the top twenty earned them a reward of 100 contribution points.
This prize was tantamount to ten Substandard Spirit Stones.
Even for those in the top ten of the Outer Sect, such a sum was significant.
For the average disciple, it was an astronomical figure.
Yet, it remained out of their reach.
Their envy of the victors was palpable.
Among the top twenty contenders at the Peak of the Qi Gathering Stage, Lin Xuan stood out as the sole exception. He was merely a new disciple, having entered the beginner level just a month prior, which made him all the more conspicuous.
Lin Xuan drew more attention than Chen Yuze, the top expert of the Outer Sect, earning him additional energy points.
Chen Yuze, on the other hand, was quite disheartened. He hadn't anticipated being upstaged by a newcomer. He had imagined that after his breakthrough to the Qi Transformation Stage and entering the competition, he would be the focal point for all. Yet, it was Lin Xuan who captured everyone's interest, even outscoring him.
There was nothing Chen Yuze could do about Lin Xuan, except stew in his own frustration.
Shortly thereafter, Deacon Zhang descended from the high platform and made his way back to the arena, announcing in a clear voice, "The second round of the elimination tournament begins now! The opening match will be Wang Heh versus Ye Feng!"
The clashes among the top twenty were nothing short of spectacular. Each match was a must-see, unfolding in rapid succession. The crowd hushed as Deacon Zhang's announcement echoed, with all eyes eagerly fixed on the arena, anticipating the showdown.
Two Outer Sect disciples emerged from the group, stepping onto the arena to commence their duel. Both at the Peak of the Qi Gathering Stage, their strengths were closely matched, making it a challenge to predict the outcome.
After a grueling ten-plus minutes, marked by the heavy toll of their expended true qi, a victor was finally declared. Without delay, the arena set the stage for the second bout to begin.
