C58 Top Three
The scene unfolding before them was so beyond anyone's expectations that they could scarcely believe their eyes.
Even Chen Yuze, the top expert of the Outer Sect amidst the crowd, wore a grave look on his face.
He had foreseen Lin Xuan's victory, yet the reality of Lin Xuan defeating Zhou Lei in a mere instant was something he hadn't anticipated.
Despite his history of victories over Zhou Lei during the Qi Gathering Stage, not once had he managed to best him as swiftly as Lin Xuan just had.
Now, even at the Qi Transformation Stage, he couldn't be certain he possessed such capability.
But Lin Xuan had achieved it, leaving him profoundly shaken.
This revelation brought a newfound clarity to Chen Yuze's assessment of Lin Xuan's talent, which was evidently far more formidable than he had ever imagined.
Within the ranks of the Drifting Cloud Sect, Lin Xuan was undeniably a top-tier prodigy.
Chen Yuze had once believed that his advancement to the Qi Transformation Stage, coupled with his nascent mastery of sword intent, would secure his victory in the tournament.
However, the current turn of events was not aligning with his expectations.
Lin Xuan's emergence posed a real threat to his championship aspirations.
It appeared that Lin Xuan was now his sole formidable opponent in the competition.
The question that haunted him was whether his Qi Transformation Stage cultivation and embryonic sword intent would be enough to overcome Lin Xuan.
The fact that Lin Xuan had only been a beginner-level disciple for a month and already possessed such formidable strength only intensified his doubts about securing a win, and his astonishment at Lin Xuan's talent grew.
He was now convinced that a truly remarkable individual had risen within the Outer Sect.
Once the initial shock subsided, the new disciples erupted into cheers and excitement.
They may not have grasped the full significance of the battle, but the pride they felt for Lin Xuan, a fellow new disciple breaking into the top three, was immense.
The thought of this news spreading brought immense pride to those who had joined the Outer Sect alongside Lin Xuan.
With Lin Xuan among them, the senior disciples no longer dared to intimidate them, and their joy and excitement were uncontainable.
High above on the platform, Xu Annlan remained seated, but now his face betrayed a surge of excitement.
The Head Elder's eyes rested on Lin Xuan, his astonishment deepening before morphing into delight. Lin Xuan had surprised him yet again. This time, the Head Elder recognized a true talent. He wondered, though, if such surprises would keep coming. His anticipation for Lin Xuan's future grew.
In the arena, an announcement echoed:
"Congratulations, Host, for harvesting 3000 shock energy points from Xu Annlan, a Second Level Spirit Opening Stage warrior."
"Congratulations, Host, for acquiring 1700 shock energy points from Zhang Quan, a warrior at the Fifth Level of the Condensation Spin Stage."
Lin Xuan, hearing the cool, disembodied voice, watched the energy points in the void before him surge even faster. A gleam of triumph flickered in his eyes. His strategy was correct. He had swiftly defeated Zhou Lei, the second-highest ranked disciple of the Outer Sect. The outcome of this battle brought him a far greater harvest of energy points than before. In just a short time, he had amassed tens of thousands of energy points. He was confident that soon, he would reach the milestone of over a hundred thousand.
Once the tournament concluded, and he had the chance to approach the Head Elder and Xu Annlan again, he would be able to replicate all of their treasures. Satisfaction shone in Lin Xuan's gaze.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted his thoughts:
"Lin Xuan is victorious, advancing to the top three."
Deacon Zhang's voice rang out. Regaining his composure, he loudly declared the outcome. His eyes, filled with shock, turned to Lin Xuan. The defeat of Zhou Lei, the second-ranked disciple who was on the cusp of breaking through to the Qi Transformation Stage and joining the Inner Sect, was staggering. Yet, Lin Xuan, a mere beginner of a month, had bested him in an instant. The scene was beyond anything Deacon Zhang had anticipated, and he struggled to come to terms with the result, his shock profound.
Lin Xuan, upon hearing the announcement, calmly leaped down from the arena and joined the ranks of the top twenty contestants.
As he moved through the crowd, the elite of the Outer Sect instinctively stepped aside, their faces etched with awe and admiration. Such was the power of strength to command respect.
In a world where martial prowess was held in the highest regard and strength reigned supreme, this was nothing out of the ordinary.
Lin Xuan understood this well and remained unfazed.
He found a spot to stand, casually waiting for the next bout.
The tournament pressed on.
The upcoming match featured one of the three most formidable experts of the Outer Sect, the sole female disciple Guan Yuanshuang, facing off against another top ten Outer Sect contender.
Guan Yuanshuang, the strongest female disciple with commendable looks and stature, was hailed as the most beautiful woman of the Outer Sect. Her entrance usually prompted a wave of cheers.
But this time, the reaction was lukewarm.
While the disciples shifted their attention to her, their enthusiasm seemed to have waned.
Guan Yuanshuang couldn't help but smile wryly at the subdued response. She was well aware that it stemmed from Lin Xuan's recent display.
Lin Xuan, the newcomer, had effortlessly dispatched Zhou Lei, the second-highest ranked Outer Sect disciple, in a stunning upset that left the crowd electrified and unable to shake off the excitement.
Guan Yuanshuang could only offer a resigned smile. She knew she couldn't hold a candle to Lin Xuan's prowess.
There was nothing she could do but accept their lackluster attention.
The match was over in short order.
True to expectations, Guan Yuanshuang claimed victory within ten moves, highlighting the significant gap between the top three and the rest of the Outer Sect's top ten.
Yet, seeing Guan Yuanshuang's ease in defeating another top ten disciple only underscored the shock of Zhou Lei's swift defeat at Lin Xuan's hands.
The crowd's amazement at Lin Xuan's strength grew even more profound.
Having only been with the Outer Sect for a month, Lin Xuan's innate talent was undeniable.
The spectators were left in awe of his natural gifts.
And with that, Lin Xuan harnessed yet another surge of energy points.
From atop the high platform, the Head Elder's voice resonated:
"The third round of the competition has concluded!
The top three contenders have been determined: Chen Yuze, Lin Xuan, and Guan Yuanshuang!
Each is a distinguished talent within the Drifting Cloud Sect.
The sect will prioritize their development and bestow upon them generous rewards!
Congratulations to them!"
With the Head Elder's final word, a roar of applause, akin to thunder, filled the competition arena.
All eyes were on Chen Yuze, Lin Xuan, and Guan Yuanshuang, their faces a mix of envy, admiration, and awe.
These top three from the Outer Sect were more than just the elite; they were the cream of the crop.
Upon their ascension to the Inner Sect, they wouldn't be mere disciples but recognized as geniuses among their peers.
Their potential for future accomplishments was immense.
Moreover, as the competition's top three, they were guaranteed a minimum of 500 contribution points each.
That's the equivalent of no less than 50 Substandard Spirit Stones—a fortune that left their fellow disciples green with envy.
Particularly noteworthy was Lin Xuan, who had advanced to the Inner Sect as a newcomer and secured at least second place.
His rapid rise garnered intense interest, especially since he had outperformed Chen Yuze, the foremost expert of the Outer Sect.
After a brief pause, the Head Elder's voice filled the air once more:
"We now proceed to the fourth round of the grand competition, the Ranking Competition, where the final order of the top three will be established.
Contestants will pair off and duel, and from these clashes, we shall determine the ultimate rankings!
However, in light of the considerable true qi expended in your prior matches, a half-hour respite is granted.
The fourth round will commence following this intermission."
The Head Elder's announcement stirred no surprise this time; such a pause was a customary part of past competitions.
Despite appearances that Lin Xuan, Chen Yuze, and Guan Yuanshuang had scarcely tapped into their reserves, the rules were clear and would be upheld.
