C63 Heaven's Pride

Though the tear in his clothing was small, it revealed that Lin Xuan hadn't fully evaded Chen Yuze's sword energy.

"The Concept is as formidable as I expected!"

Lin Xuan exclaimed with a sense of admiration.

He extended his hand and a sword materialized in his grasp.

It was a Rank 3 Spirit weapon he had replicated on a whim upon arriving at the Martial Arts Practice Field.

It wasn't on par with Chen Yuze's Breeze Sword, but it was sufficient for this bout.

Seeing his sword energy slice through Lin Xuan's garments, Chen Yuze's confidence surged with the realization that Lin Xuan could no longer dodge with ease. He was gearing up to intensify his attack and secure his victory over Lin Xuan.

But at that moment, Chen Yuze involuntarily paused.

Hearing Lin Xuan's remark, disbelief washed over him.

He couldn't hold back any longer?

What did that imply?

Was Lin Xuan still concealing his true power?

At this juncture, even a typical practitioner at the Qi Transformation Stage Level 4 might not be Lin Xuan's equal.

And yet, Lin Xuan had more to reveal?

If so, Lin Xuan's capabilities truly defied everyone's expectations.

Chen Yuze's bewilderment only deepened as he watched Lin Xuan draw a sword.

Lin Xuan's prowess in movement, fist, and palm techniques was already remarkable and potent.

Could it be that his swordsmanship was even more formidable, potentially enough to defeat him?

Chen Yuze's mind reeled, and he dared not ponder any further.

The disciples encircling the plaza also focused their attention on Lin Xuan, puzzled.

Why had Lin Xuan chosen this moment to brandish a sword?

Was he intending to counter Chen Yuze's swordsmanship with his own?

Yet with Chen Yuze channeling the Concept, his sword's might had surged, imposing a certain dominance over other sword techniques.

Swordplay seemed less effective than the art of the fist or palm.

They were at a loss for Lin Xuan's strategy.

But they were too distant, and the din of the arena drowned out Lin Xuan's murmurs to himself.

Had they heard, they might have been rendered utterly dumbfounded.

Up on the elevated platform, the Head Elder and Core Disciple Xu Annlan also perceived a hint of something stirring. Their eyes met, shimmering with eager anticipation.

On the platform, Lin Xuan's demeanor regained its usual calm as he gently swayed the sword in his grip.

"The Concept has formidable power.

Truly beyond what those at the Qi Gathering Stage can withstand.

But you're not the only one who has grasped the Concept!"

No sooner had Lin Xuan spoken than a fearsome edge emanated from within him, radiating slowly in all directions.

The sound that followed was akin to fabric being ripped apart.

It was as though the very Void itself had been cleaved.

The terror was palpable!

The disciples in the arena were initially taken aback, but quickly grasped the gravity of the situation.

Their eyes widened in shock, hearts pounding with the revelation.

What was Lin Xuan implying?

Had he, too, mastered the Concept?

But before they could ponder further, a chilling sharpness assaulted them.

A stinging sensation spread across their skin.

Looking down, they discovered a network of fine cracks on their arms, from which blood seeped out.

It was as if they had been sliced by innumerable tiny blades.

"What's happening?"

"It hurts!"

"What kind of attack is this?"

"It's terrifying!"

The disciples were profoundly alarmed, eyes wide with dread, as they scrambled backward in a desperate retreat.

It was as if a demon lurked at the heart of the platform.

Then, a series of crisp sounds filled the air.

The swords of all the disciples began to quiver uncontrollably on their backs, as though about to take flight.

They hastily grasped their swords.

Yet, it seemed as if a mighty unseen force was drawing them out, and it took all their strength to keep them in check.

A wave of shock washed over everyone.

On the high platform.

The Head Elder and Xu Annlan found themselves rising to their feet involuntarily.

Their faces were etched with intense excitement.

"The Concept, once more!"

"A symphony of a hundred swords! Such a phenomenon is no mere nascent form, but the true Concept!"

"This is the 5% Sword Intent!"

They whispered among themselves, eyes alight with fervor, their focus converging on Lin Xuan, equally overwhelmed by the spectacle.

Though Lin Xuan had consistently surprised them throughout the competition,

all their previous astonishments paled in comparison to this moment.

This time, Lin Xuan had unveiled his Concept!

Not merely an embryonic form of sword intent like Chen Yuze's, but a fully-fledged Sword Intent!

5% Sword Intent.

Grasping it was significantly more challenging than understanding the nascent form of sword intent.

What's more, Lin Xuan was merely at the fourth level of the Qi Gathering Stage.

He had joined the sect less than a month ago.

At the time of his entry-level talent assessment, his cultivation was at the early stages of the Enlightenment Stage.

Yet, Lin Xuan's cultivation had been rapidly advancing, and he had even reached the middle phase of the Qi Gathering Stage.

Additionally, Lin Xuan's proficiency in various martial arts was far from mediocre.

But all that pales in comparison to his latest feat: Lin Xuan had now grasped the Concept, forming a full-fledged sword intent.

Both the Head Elder and Xu Annlan were staggered by disbelief and astonishment.

Currently at the Spirit Opening Stage, they had only touched upon the fringes of the Concept.

They were acutely aware of the immense difficulty in comprehending such a Concept.

Typically, it wasn't until the Condensation Spin Stage or Spirit Opening Stage that they began to grasp the Artistic Conception of Creation.

Xu Annlan, a Core Disciple second only in talent to Liu Qianyu and among the elite in the Drifting Cloud Sect, had reached the middle of the Condensation Spin Stage only after enduring countless trials before finally comprehending the Artistic Conception of Creation.

Yet here was Lin Xuan, still within the Qi Gathering Stage, who had already successfully mastered it.

The Head Elder and Xu Annlan struggled to accept this reality.

But the undeniable truth lay before them, compelling their belief.

They were plunged into a profound contemplation.

It took a considerable while before they could gather their thoughts.

Their eyes fixed on Lin Xuan, the astonishment within them undiminished.

Lin Xuan had not only broken through a significant cultivation realm, but his martial arts skills were also deep and advanced. He had even mastered the Artistic Conception of Creation.

Such achievements in such a brief span indicated an extraordinary talent.

This further affirmed Lin Xuan's exceptional aptitude.

Both the Head Elder and Xu Annlan trembled with the impact of this revelation.

Throughout the competition, Lin Xuan had consistently surpassed their expectations.

His talent had repeatedly left them in awe.

They now considered that Lin Xuan's gift might very well place him at the pinnacle of the Drifting Cloud Sect, alongside the likes of Liu Qianyu and Xu Annlan.

But now, it appears they may have underestimated Lin Xuan's talent.

To grasp the Artistic Conception of Creation at the Qi Gathering Stage—what does that signify?

At the very least, no one like Lin Xuan has ever been seen in the entire Drifting Cloud Sect, let alone in all of Cangyuan Country.

Lin Xuan has undoubtedly shattered an unprecedented record in Cangyuan Country!

His talent soars beyond anyone in the Drifting Cloud Sect and even exceeds the benchmarks of Cangyuan Country.

Such a prodigy would likely rank among the elite in the Chiyang Zone, where Cangyuan Country is situated.

"Is the Drifting Cloud Sect about to produce another genius?" pondered the Head Elder, his gaze alight with a daring thought as he whispered to himself.

"What?"

Xu Annlan, standing nearby, was visibly startled.

"That's impossible," he murmured in disbelief.

After all, in the vast expanse of the Chiyang Zone, only one individual is hailed as a genius.

He found it hard to accept that Lin Xuan might be the next.

Yet, considering Lin Xuan's consistent performance, the idea wasn't entirely out of the realm of possibility.