C67 Dispersing!

However, the Head Elder quickly dismissed these distractions and shifted his focus to Lin Xuan.

In just one month after joining at the beginner level, Lin Xuan had risen to become the top disciple in the Outer Sect.

Even while at the Fourth Layer of the Qi Gathering Stage, he had already grasped the Artistic Conception of Creation.

His talent was nothing short of that of a super genius!

Properly cultivated, Lin Xuan could very well be the next Liu Qianyu.

It was imperative that Lin Xuan's potential not go to waste.

The Head Elder knew he had to inform the upper echelons of the sect about this prodigy.

With that thought, he turned and hurried toward the core area of the sect.

Upon returning to his small courtyard, Lin Xuan wasted no time. He proceeded straight to the cultivation chamber, settled onto the meditation cushion, and focused his mind.

He made his choice.

Instantly, a wave-like warm current emerged, coursing wildly through Lin Xuan's body.

The system's cool, prompt voice echoed intermittently.

"Congratulations, Host, on advancing to Top Grade Crimson Fire Talent!"

"Congratulations, Host, on leveling up to Great Completion, Rank 6 High-grade Martial Art, Flaming Fist!"

"Congratulations, Host, on advancing to High-grade Heavy Water Talent!"

Simultaneously, Lin Xuan's aura grew steadily stronger.

As Lin Xuan secluded himself to integrate and absorb the copied treasures, the entire Outer Sect of the Drifting Cloud Sect was abuzz with excitement.

The Inner Sect, too, felt a significant tremor.

Today marked the annual Outer Sect Competition.

Scheduling the competition one month after the new disciples' initiation was meant to inspire them.

New disciples were welcome to compete, but historically, they hadn't made any notable impact, often being eliminated in the first round, so they didn't draw much attention.

Everyone had assumed this year would follow the same pattern as previous ones.

Yet, they hadn't anticipated the emergence of an exception like Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan, a newcomer of only a month, had already turned heads during the entrance test when his talent caught the eye of the Third Elder of the Outer Sect, who commended him for possessing the qualities of a true disciple.

He had indeed caused quite the sensation.

The protagonist who had sent shockwaves through the Outer Sect was none other than Lin Xuan himself.

During the first round of the Outer Sect Competition, he navigated the Puppet Tower with an astounding performance.

Chen Yuze, previously the top expert of the Outer Sect, had set a formidable benchmark by revealing his Qi Transformation Stage cultivation and completing the challenge in just three minutes—a record high for recent years.

Yet, when compared to Lin Xuan, Chen's achievement paled in comparison.

Lin Xuan managed to clear the stage in under a minute, breezing through without any setbacks. He demolished everything from level 1 to level 6, including the formidable Ironman at the final gate.

The news sent ripples of shock and disbelief among all who heard it. Such a feat was unprecedented in the decades-long history of the Drifting Cloud Sect's Puppet Tower.

Even the Head Elder, Xu Annlan, and the Outer Sect disciples gathered outside the tower were skeptical at first. It wasn't until the deacon in charge of recording the results emerged, dragging the remnants of the puppets behind him, that they began to entertain the possibility.

Despite the tangible evidence, their astonishment was tinged with doubt, as they had not witnessed the event themselves.

The initial disbelief, however, did not overshadow Lin Xuan's subsequent performances, which proved to be equally impressive.

As the second round of the competition approached, the Head Elder, despite his reservations, allowed Lin Xuan to advance into the top twenty. Lin Xuan was part of the seventh team, and with the puppets destroyed, the remaining three teams were unable to proceed with the first round of eliminations.

The Head Elder offered the Outer Sect disciples a chance to challenge the top twenty before the second round commenced. Those who emerged victorious would take the place of those they defeated.

Predictably, some remained unconvinced by Lin Xuan's seemingly absurd success and issued challenges. Among them was Wang Kui, a top-tier Outer Sect expert with cultivation at the Peak of the Qi Gathering Stage and the prowess to rank among the top twenty.

But the outcome was a devastating loss. Lin Xuan defeated him, leaving him severely wounded.

The news left everyone in shock.

Lin Xuan was a true prodigy, a standout even among the Peak of Qi Gathering Stage talents. Just one month after beginning his training, he had already exceeded the peak level of the Qi Gathering Stage.

His rarity was unparalleled, not just within the Inner and Outer Sects, but across the entire Drifting Cloud Sect.

At the competition grounds.

Lin Xuan's victory over Wang Kui secured him a spot in the top twenty.

What's more, he was the first newcomer in years to break into the top twenty.

Continuing his winning streak, Lin Xuan effortlessly made it into the top ten.

This came as no surprise to anyone.

Having defeated Wang Kui, Lin Xuan's strength was clearly on par with the top three masters of the Outer Sect.

Yet, Lin Xuan's performances continued to astonish the crowd.

In his matches against Zhou Lei and Guan Yuanshuang from the Outer Sect, he emerged victorious.

Throughout the competition, Lin Xuan had bested many challengers.

To this point, he had even taken down two of the Outer Sect's top three experts.

The news sent shockwaves through the ranks.

Even if he hadn't reached the Qi Transformation Stage yet, he was undoubtedly close.

In a mere month, Lin Xuan had achieved such incredible progress.

Once again, Lin Xuan's talent left everyone in awe.

But this was just the beginning.

The real astonishment was yet to come!

The competition was drawing to a close.

The final match pitted Lin Xuan against Chen Yuze, the top expert of the Outer Sect.

This time, Chen Yuze not only showcased his Qi Transformation Stage prowess but also his nascent Concept.

Though it was merely the embryonic form of Sword Intent, the addition of Concept could exponentially amplify the might of martial arts—by several or even dozens of times.

Many Inner Sect disciples at the middle stage of the Qi Transformation Stage might not even stand a chance against Chen Yuze.

Surely, this was the end of the line for Lin Xuan.

That was the silent consensus.

But once again, in this final showdown, Lin Xuan unleashed his full potential.

Indeed, he had grasped the Concept!

Lin Xuan, a new disciple who had only been at the beginner level for a month, was at most in the Qi Gathering Stage. Yet, astonishingly, he had grasped the Concept!

And it wasn't just any rudimentary Concept like the one Chen Yuze had.

He had achieved a genuine Artistic Conception of Creation, with a 5% Sword Intent!

With that, Lin Xuan effortlessly overcame Chen Yuze using his sword intent, clinching the top spot in the competition.

With that, the competition drew to a close.

Upon witnessing this turn of events, everyone was shell-shocked.

They stood rooted to the spot, eyes bulging in sheer disbelief.

Doubt crept in, deep and pervasive.

What? Could they have possibly misheard?

Lin Xuan, merely a new disciple still within the Qi Gathering Stage, had managed to grasp a Concept?

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

This was an achievement that even the current Elite Senior Brother, Liu Qianyu, hadn't attained!

Could Lin Xuan have truly succeeded?

The idea was too much for them to accept!

They suspected it was nothing more than a hallucination.

Because it all seemed too fantastical, too far from reality.