C82 Schemes

"You're going to fail!"

"Lin Xuan, remember you're just a new disciple. Don't get ahead of yourself!"

Subsequently, a wave of anger propelled five or six Inner Sect disciples into the arena to challenge him.

All were at the Late Qi Transformation Stage.

Yet, each was effortlessly blown away by Lin Xuan's punch.

Despite their efforts, none could withstand that seemingly unskilled blow.

It appeared to lack any martial technique.

It carried no visible might, as if the force behind it was feeble.

But this very punch was one that not even five or six Late Qi Transformation Stage fighters could resist.

It was bizarre to the extreme.

A hush fell over the arena once more.

Everyone stared at Lin Xuan, their faces a mix of astonishment and disbelief.

They were clueless about the martial art Lin Xuan employed, but the fact remained: he had instantly taken down six Late Qi Transformation Stage warriors.

Lin Xuan had clearly transcended their level.

And to think, he had been at the beginner level for just over a month, initially at the Early Enlightenment Stage.

Lin Xuan's talent was nothing short of terrifying!

The crowd was profoundly shaken.

Though it was a bitter pill to swallow, they had to concede that Lin Xuan truly deserved their respect.

No longer would they dare to scoff or underestimate him.

Amidst the onlookers, Chen Yuze felt a surge of emotion, "Lin Xuan, once again you've surpassed all my expectations!"

He was awestruck by Lin Xuan's prowess yet again.

Atop the arena, Lin Xuan remained unfazed, a slight smile playing on his lips.

He glanced at the Void attribute panel before him and gave a small nod.

This bout had netted him a hefty sum of energy points.

Plus, there was the wager of ten thousand contribution points waiting for him.

He could look forward to an extended period of cultivation upon his return.

It was a pity, though, that the contribution points were still insufficient.

Progress became increasingly challenging at the higher echelons of martial cultivation.

The ten thousand contribution points would only convert to a little over a thousand Substandard Spirit Stones.

These were far from enough for him to break through several realms.

He needed to amass more wealth.

With that, Lin Xuan's gaze swept over the crowd.

Almost everyone averted their eyes, unwilling to meet his gaze.

Yet, a few Qi Transformation Stage Peak cultivators returned his look with calm equanimity.

Lin Xuan waited a bit longer, yet none of them showed any intention of challenging him in the arena.

After a moment of contemplation and noticing the flicker in their eyes, Lin Xuan quickly grasped the situation.

He found himself in a rather uncomfortable position.

He had demonstrated such strength that not even the Qi Transformation Stage Peak disciples felt confident enough to defeat him.

And he was merely a newcomer.

For these individuals, stepping into the ring meant they were expected to win. But a loss would be a significant blow to their pride.

They weren't fools. They wouldn't subject themselves to such humiliation.

His earlier remarks had scorned the entire Inner Sect group.

But as long as they acted as if they hadn't heard, there would be no issue.

After all, his comments were about the group, not individuals.

"I didn't see this coming," Lin Xuan said, shaking his head with a sigh.

He had inadvertently created this standoff.

But he knew he could turn the tables.

Raising his voice, Lin Xuan declared, "It appears that you, the seasoned Inner Sect disciples, have merely aged. You're utterly ineffective.

You can't even handle a new disciple like me.

It seems the sect's current generation just doesn't measure up!"

His words were now more pointed and clear-cut.

The disciples, upon hearing this, seethed with fury, fists clenched and teeth gritted.

Lin Xuan pressed on.

"What's the matter? Did I strike a nerve? Still not convinced?

Then prove me wrong!

I'm right here waiting!

If you've got the skill, step into the ring and battle me. Silence me if you can!"

Lin Xuan's challenge intensified, stoking the old disciples' rage even further.

Yet, none of them moved an inch; they just stood there, seething.

The idea of stepping into the ring was out of the question.

After all, the six Late Qi Transformation Stage disciples before him had already been defeated by Lin Xuan.

They were no match for him.

Even if they did enter the arena, it would only result in defeat and further embarrassment.

"Time to turn up the heat," Lin Xuan mused to himself, seeing their reaction.

Without missing a beat, he raised his voice once more:

"Have you no courage?

Are you too afraid to even challenge me?"

Chen Annrann, Zhou Zhe, Chen Huawen, are you Qi Transformation Stage Peak warriors too scared to take me on in battle? You're utterly useless! Why don't you just go back to farming instead?" Lin Xuan's words came out with a cold sneer, his challenge more blatant than ever.

Upon hearing this, Chen Annrann, Zhou Zhe, and their fellow peak Qi Transformation Stage warriors' faces twisted with displeasure. They hadn't anticipated Lin Xuan's audacity in singling them out so directly. They had hoped to blend into the crowd, ignoring Lin Xuan's taunts. Now, there was nowhere to hide.

They were left with no alternative.

As Lin Xuan's voice faded, all eyes turned to them expectantly.

"Senior Brother Chen, it's all on you now!"

"Senior Brother Zhou, step up and quell Lin Xuan's insolence!"

"Senior Brother Chen, we haven't been this humiliated in a long time. You've got to stand up for us. How else will we face the new disciples after this?"

Their fellow disciples were imploring them, each one more persuasive than the last, trying to coax Chen Annrann and Zhou Zhe into the arena. Lin Xuan's dismissive remarks had struck a nerve.

But lacking the strength to confront him themselves, they had no choice but to swallow their frustration.

Now that Lin Xuan had boldly called out Chen Annrann, Zhou Zhe, and the others, they were desperate to see them step up. A victory would redeem their pride, and even in defeat, they personally had nothing to lose. After all, they weren't the ones stepping into the ring, so they eagerly anticipated the showdown.

And so, the stage was set.

"Damn it!" Chen Annrann, Zhou Zhe, and the others glared at Lin Xuan, their rage boiling over. They hadn't expected to be roped into Lin Xuan's scheme.

It was a clear provocation, an open stratagem that anyone with clear sight could recognize. Yet, they couldn't avoid it; they had to face the challenge and ascend to the arena. Otherwise, the next ones to bear the brunt of the Inner Sect disciples' scrutiny wouldn't be Lin Xuan—it would be them.

They might have been unable to handle Lin Xuan, but when it came to criticizing him, they were in their element, doing so without any sense of burden. This was the cleverness in Lin Xuan's strategy.

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