C74 Instant Kill

"Gale!"

With a low cry, Lin Xuan thrust his sword forward.

A fierce wind howled through the arena, blinding everyone momentarily.

An immense, unseen force overwhelmed them, compelling them to stagger backward once more.

The onlookers were astounded by the formidable power of the newcomer, Lin Xuan.

On the stage, Zhao Gang felt a profound shock.

His gaze fixed on Lin Xuan, his body trembling involuntarily.

He had not anticipated Lin Xuan's overwhelming strength.

The extraordinary phenomenon that erupted from his attack was beyond any comparison to his own abilities.

As expected, Lin Xuan's blade of light struck Zhao Gang's dark gray aura.

In an instant.

Cracks webbed across the blade in the blink of an eye.

Then, it shattered, transforming into innumerable particles of spiritual energy that dissipated into the heavens and earth.

"He's incredibly strong!"

Zhao Gang watched in horror.

He hadn't foreseen that Lin Xuan, a novice disciple, would possess such fearsome power, rivaling even those at the peak of the Qi Transformation Stage.

Regret washed over him.

Why had he chosen to provoke someone so clearly out of his league?

But now was not the time for regrets.

Lin Xuan was on the move again.

His sword swept through the air, leaving a trail of afterimages, as a screeching sound tore through the void.

Zhao Gang had no time to evade; his only option was to block.

A resounding clash echoed.

Then, Zhao Gang was hurled backward, crashing into the wall. Blood spilled from his lips, his right arm grotesquely twisted, his chest concave. He was gravely injured.

His treasured blade clattered to the ground.

To the disciples, it was as if a tempest had passed. They instinctively stepped back.

When their vision cleared, Lin Xuan remained unshaken at his post, while Zhao Gang lay on the ground, bloodied and severely wounded.

The scene unfolded like a swift and decisive execution.

Silence enveloped the arena.

Then, murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"Zhao Gang was taken down in a flash! Is this even real?"

"And by a new disciple who's only just joined the Inner Sect!"

"Can this be for real?"

"Yes!"

"However, Zhao Gang has the backing of an elite Inner Sect disciple. I'm not sure he can handle him?"

The disciples buzzed with conversation, their eyes wide with astonishment as they watched Lin Xuan.

Initially, they believed that once Zhao Gang executed his signature blade technique, he might turn the tide.

But the outcome was even more devastating.

He was taken down in an instant!

Such a turn of events was hard for them to fathom.

But they had to face the truth.

A tremor of fear ran through the disciples.

At the same time, they came to a realization.

Lin Xuan was a top-tier prodigy!

Otherwise, there was no way he could have instantly defeated a disciple at the Late Qi Transformation Stage.

Exchanging glances, they all saw the profound shock in each other's eyes.

They recognized that someone remarkable had emerged within the Inner Sect.

And they were the witnesses.

As the disciples marveled at Lin Xuan's gift, a surge of excitement welled up within them.

Zhao Gang's followers, who had accompanied him, were shaking, their eyes brimming with terror.

They could never have anticipated that Zhao Gang, after unleashing his most powerful blade technique, would be instantly vanquished by a newcomer to the Inner Sect.

They struggled to come to terms with the reality.

Meanwhile, their fear of Lin Xuan intensified.

If Lin Xuan could dispatch their leader, Zhao Gang, in a heartbeat, what chance did they stand against him?

Had Zhao Gang not still been inside the house, they might have bolted then and there.

Yet, they dared not step inside to lift their fallen leader.

In that moment, their dread of Lin Xuan was palpable.

Inside the house.

Lin Xuan sheathed his Breeze Sword, a trace of a serene smile on his face.

This encounter had given him a new measure of his own capabilities.

Could his power now rival that of the Peak Qi Transformation Stage?

Even if not quite there, he surely wasn't far behind.

And he had achieved this without venturing beyond the Concept Realm, relying solely on his innate strength.

It appeared that talent truly was paramount.

His formidable power stemmed not just from the exceptional purity and concentration of his True Qi, but from his innate talent as well.

Lin Xuan let out a silent sigh.

Then, turning his gaze to Zhao Gang, who lay on the ground coughing up blood, he let out a disdainful snort.

"How about that? I was right, wasn't I?

If you had just handed it over sooner, none of this would've happened.

But no, you had to force my hand. Now, with injuries like yours, you're looking at a recovery time of at least ten days to a fortnight."

At those words, Zhao Gang's mouth twitched involuntarily.

He had just reopened a wound that was beginning to heal, and blood was seeping out, though he seemed completely oblivious to it.

How could I have known you were so powerful?

What kind of new disciple has strength like yours?

Zhao Gang kept these thoughts to himself, not daring to voice them aloud.

He hung his head, unable to meet Lin Xuan's gaze.

Lin Xuan, unfazed, pressed on:

"Now, will you hand it over?

Don't force my hand again.

Otherwise, I'm sure you don't want to face the consequences!"

"No way!"

Zhao Gang's voice rang out defiantly.

Lin Xuan's eyebrows shot up. Such a stubborn stance, especially for someone so gravely injured? That was intriguing.

Lin Xuan decided he would take matters into his own hands.

After all, this lot couldn't stop him.

"This belongs to Senior Brother Chen. He's an elite of the Inner Sect, with his cultivation at the third level of the Condensation Spin Stage!

You might beat me, but you're no match for Senior Brother Chen!

If you dare to take what belongs to Senior Brother Chen Xiao, he won't let you off the hook.

Here's what I propose: I'll stop demanding protection money from you, and I won't ever come for it again, out of respect for your strength.

You really should reconsider taking this item."

Struggling to sit up, Zhao Gang wiped the blood from his mouth and spoke softly.

Lin Xuan's expression hardened at this revelation.

So, there was a third-level Condensation Spin Stage Inner Sect elite backing him up. No wonder Zhao Gang had the audacity to extort protection fees.

But Lin Xuan was undeterred.

He had an arsenal of Concepts at his disposal.

With the power of Concepts, his combat strength would surge.

Even if they were both at the third level of the Condensation Spin Stage, the outcome of a confrontation was anything but certain.

He had no intention of passing up the protection fee.

Having such an abundance of spirit stones and contribution points was a rare opportunity, one that could rapidly advance his cultivation level and power.

If he let this chance slip by, he might not come across such a favorable opportunity again.

Without hesitation, Lin Xuan introduced himself:

"I'm Lin Xuan..."