C64 Victory!

The conversation between the Head Elder and Xu Annlan had a way of reaching ears, and this time was no exception. The disciples gathered in the plaza hung on every word.

The crowd, previously pushed back hundreds of meters and out of harm's way, now lapsed into a stunned hush.

Then, a wave of exclamations swept through them.

"Senior Brother Lin Xuan has grasped the Concept?"

"And it's an Artistic Conception of Creation, no less?"

"How can that be? Isn't Senior Brother Lin Xuan only at the Qi Gathering Stage?"

"Indeed, has anyone in our Drifting Cloud Sect ever comprehended a Concept before reaching the Qi Gathering Stage?"

The disciples buzzed with speculation, their gazes fixed on Lin Xuan in the arena, a mix of disbelief and awe in their eyes.

Chen Yuze's display of the Concept, following his breakthrough to the Qi Transformation Stage, had been impressive enough. His status as a Level 1 genius in the Inner Sect was undisputed.

But now, here was Lin Xuan, a newcomer, also perceiving the Concept?

And not just any Concept, but a fully-fledged Artistic Conception of Creation, with 5% Sword Intent!

It was almost too much to believe.

Yet, the source of this revelation was the Head Elder and successor brother Xu Annlan themselves. Given their standing as Sect Seniors, the authenticity was beyond question.

So, it was true?

With that realization, the disciples' shock deepened.

Lin Xuan's talent was staggering, far surpassing anything they could have imagined. It was downright terrifying!

Up on the arena, Chen Yuze faced Lin Xuan, who was radiating a fierce brilliance, and a wry smile crept onto his face.

"Concept, Artistic Conception of Creation, 5% Sword Intent.

It seems my defeat is inevitable."

Seeing Lin Xuan unveil a Concept that eclipsed his own 5% Sword Intent, Chen Yuze's will to fight ebbed away, leaving a sense of resignation in its wake.

Lin Xuan, comprehending an Artistic Conception of Creation at the Qi Gathering Stage, was clearly a top-tier genius.

How could he, Chen Yuze, ever hope to compete?

But surrender was not an option, not at this juncture.

"Lin Xuan, your talent has surpassed my expectations once again!

But now that we've both played our hands, let's settle this with a single move!"

Chen Yuze bellowed his challenge.

Even in defeat, he was determined to lose with honor, not with the meekness of surrender.

"Very well!"

Lin Xuan responded with an icy retort.

"Breeze Slash!"

With a roar, Chen Yuze's Genuine Qi surged, and he unleashed a powerful slash.

He poured every ounce of his strength into the strike, sparing no effort as he channeled all his Genuine Qi and sword intent.

Chen Yuze's only wish was to avoid a disgraceful defeat.

A blade of Breeze Sword energy shot forth, carried by the wind. Its speed was astonishing, and its force far surpassed any previous attack, bearing down on Lin Xuan with crushing might.

Lin Xuan, still at the Qi Gathering Stage, had true qi but lacked the ability to project it externally as a sword beam.

Yet, bolstered by his 5% Sword Intent, his attack was formidable.

Lin Xuan's sword cut through the air. He forewent any fancy techniques, delivering a straightforward slash.

But with the sword intent amplifying its power, the slash was terrifyingly effective.

The next instant, it struck the Breeze Sword's light with precision.

A sharp clang echoed.

Lin Xuan's simple slash split the Breeze Sword's energy in two, dissipating it into the spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth.

The might of the slash diminished only slightly as it continued its trajectory. The force, now an air current enhanced by sword intent and sheer power, bore down on Chen Yuze.

Though not a Genuine Qi sword beam, its potency was undiminished.

It closed the distance with incredible speed, reaching Chen Yuze almost instantly.

Chen Yuze's face paled as he sensed its power, but it was upon him too quickly for anything but a desperate block with his sword.

A metallic ring sounded, and Chen Yuze was sent hurtling, crashing down into the square below the platform.

His sword trembled incessantly in his grip.

A deep gash marred Chen Yuze's chest, staining his garment with blood.

The wound was the work of the relentless force.

Thankfully for Chen Yuze, it was a minor injury.

But his fall from the stage signaled his defeat.

Silence enveloped the arena once more.

The disciples stared, eyes wide with astonishment, rooted to the spot.

It took several moments for them to come back to their senses.

A chorus of sharp intakes of breath echoed across the field as it erupted into a cacophony of noise.

"I never saw it coming—Senior Brother Lin Xuan winning!"

"He took down Senior Brother Chen, who was at the Qi Transformation Stage, with just a sword technique!"

"The power of 5% Sword Intent is leagues beyond the mere embryonic form!"

"Senior Brother Lin Xuan, as a newcomer, has risen to the top of the Outer Sect. He's shattered all precedents!"

The disciples buzzed with conversation, their gazes locked on Lin Xuan, awe-struck by the turn of events.

It was beyond anyone's imagination that Lin Xuan would emerge as the victor of the competition.

Moreover, Zhou Lei and Guan Yuanshuang had been swiftly defeated by him.

And Chen Yuze, the Outer Sect's top expert who had advanced to the Qi Transformation Stage and grasped the embryonic Concept, was also bested by Lin Xuan.

The scene was almost too much to believe.

Yet, the undeniable truth unfolded before their eyes, compelling belief.

Their astonishment deepened.

Chen Yuze, now the focus of all eyes, let out a wry chuckle.

"It seems I've been bested after all."

The realization only hit him when a sharp pang shot through his chest.

As soon as Lin Xuan unleashed his 5% Sword Intent, Chen Yuze knew he was defeated.

His challenge against Lin Xuan was driven by a desire not to be utterly disgraced.

But to his surprise, Lin Xuan shattered his full-force strike without even executing his sword technique, sending Chen flying.

It was as if Lin Xuan belonged to the Qi Transformation Stage and he to the mere Qi Gathering Stage.

The gap between them was staggering.

He couldn't even fend off a single strike from Lin Xuan.

Chen Yuze shook his head, a sense of defeat washing over him.

In the face of such a formidable prodigy, he felt utterly ordinary, devoid of any will to resist.

"It's over."

With a sigh and a rueful smile, Chen Yuze turned and walked back into the crowd.

Among the onlookers, the seasoned disciples wore looks of disappointment, their spirits dampened.

In contrast, the new disciples erupted into jubilant cheers.

Zhou Lei and Guan Yuanshuang remained in a daze for a long while before exchanging glances and letting out a collective sigh.

As they watched Chen Yuze approach, their initial fervor faded away. Standing before Lin Xuan, their rivalry with Chen Yuze seemed trivial. Both the duo and Chen Yuze felt inconsequential at that moment.

In the arena, Deacon Zhang was profoundly stunned. He hadn't anticipated that Lin Xuan would emerge as the ultimate victor of the bout. Even Chen Yuze, who had advanced to the Qi Transformation Stage and mastered the Concept, had been bested.

It was only when the crowd's clamor jolted him that he managed to snap back to reality. Yet, the astonishment that gripped him showed no signs of subsiding. His gaze fixed on Lin Xuan, he sensed that the Drifting Cloud Sect might soon witness the rise of a remarkable figure.

Without delay, he made the proclamation: "Lin Xuan is victorious. He has ascended to first place!"