C88

In the arena, Lin Xuan's face was etched with concentration. He had just unleashed his 5% Sword Intent to counter the oncoming blaze of the flaming saber light. His cultivation level was significantly lower than Chen Xiao's, and yet, they both wielded the embryonic form of Saber Intent. However, Chen Xiao's version was over ten times more potent than Chen Annrann's. Lin Xuan had no choice but to respond with a more powerful Concept.

With a swift motion, Lin Xuan's sword cleaved through the air.

"Gale!"

A sword light, ensnared by a biting cold gale, burst forth. Bolstered by the 5% Sword Intent, the sword light's force surged, and in a mere moment, it overpowered the massive flaming saber light by a full 30%.

The sword light then struck the flaming saber light with a resounding impact, like thunder echoing in the ears of the onlookers. The fearsome shockwave radiated outward, leaving the Inner Sect disciples in the square momentarily deafened.

They were stunned, hastily channeling their True Qi to shield their ears and diverting their gaze from the spectacle.

Even the deacons encircling the arena looked on with slight shifts in their expressions, visibly shaken as they observed the combatants. Clearly, despite being in the late stages of the Condensation Spin Stage, they too felt the disturbance.

Back on the arena, the aftermath of the clash left a haze of smoke and dust, with the tumultuous wind and fire dissipating. Both fighters were pushed back; Lin Xuan managed to steady himself after retreating seven or eight meters, while Chen Xiao was driven back more than ten meters. Lin Xuan had clearly gained the upper hand.

The disciples, coming back to their senses and regaining their composure, turned their eyes once more to the arena. A hush fell over them as they processed the scene, which was soon replaced by a buzz of excitement.

"Senior Brother Chen Xiao, an elite of the Inner Sect, at a disadvantage against a newcomer like Lin Xuan? Can it be true?"

"It's true! Senior Brother Lin Xuan is incredibly powerful! That must have been the Artistic Conception of Creation, the 5% Sword Intent! With it, Senior Brother Lin Xuan's strength soared, putting even Senior Brother Chen Xiao on the back foot!"

"An Artistic Conception of Creation? 5% Sword Intent! I can't believe the rumors are actually true!"

"He's been training for just a month, and his cultivation has skyrocketed. His strength has surged, and he's even mastered the Concept. His talent is unbelievably terrifying, isn't it?"

"I've never witnessed such astounding talent before!"

The disciples buzzed with conversation, their eyes fixed on Lin Xuan, their shock palpable.

Even Chen Annrann, at the peak of the Qi Transformation Stage with a nascent understanding of Saber Intent, was no match for Lin Xuan. Since arriving at the Fighting Arena, Lin Xuan had fought and won several bouts.

It was clear to them that Lin Xuan's abilities had eclipsed the Qi Transformation Stage, propelling him into the Condensation Spin Stage!

So when Chen Xiao, a standout from the Inner Sect, showed up to challenge him, they refrained from their earlier mockery and were no longer certain of Lin Xuan's defeat.

Yet, deep down, they still felt Lin Xuan was more likely to fail.

Despite Lin Xuan's exceptional talent, his time spent cultivating was brief, and he was still a whole realm behind Chen Xiao!

But to their astonishment, once the duel commenced, the two were initially evenly matched, and then Lin Xuan began to dominate.

A newcomer against an Inner Sect elite. The disparity in their strengths was vast, yet Lin Xuan managed to take the lead.

They found it hard to believe!

This truly shattered their expectations once more!

Hearing that Lin Xuan had to employ 5% Sword Intent to secure such a victory in their clash left them even more astounded.

They had never imagined that the rumors from the Outer Sect could be true.

Lin Xuan had indeed grasped the Artistic Conception of Creation, 5% Sword Intent!

The disciples were beside themselves with disbelief.

Recalling that Lin Xuan had only been a beginner for a little over a month, not only had his cultivation advanced dramatically, but his strength had also experienced an explosive increase.

He had actually managed to grasp the Artistic Conception of Creation, 5% Sword Intent!

In such a brief span of time, they themselves might not have managed to break through even a minor realm.

Lin Xuan, on the other hand, had achieved such remarkable progress.

It was truly astounding!

Moreover, Lin Xuan was a recent addition to the beginner level, and the sect hadn't even begun to take notice of him.

This meant that Lin Xuan's accomplishments were solely a result of his innate talent.

The disciples quickly gained a more vivid appreciation of Lin Xuan's formidable talent.

The rumors hadn't overstated his abilities; in fact, they had sold him short.

Lin Xuan's genius far surpassed what they had envisioned!

He even outshone the sect's top prodigies.

None of them had displayed such staggering prowess at the Qi Transformation Stage as Lin Xuan had.

The disciples dared not dwell on it too much.

Those elite talents were now at least at the Spirit Opening Stage and held positions among the Sect Seniors.

Lin Xuan was merely a newcomer, still at the Qi Transformation Stage; the difference between them was vast.

Despite Lin Xuan's boundless potential,

It was not yet a reflection of his actual strength.

In the world of martial arts, one's true power is paramount.

Potential is, after all, merely a promise of what might come.

In the arena,

Chen Xiao experienced a tumultuous surge of vitality. He hastily engaged his Body Building Martial Arts and, looking at Lin Xuan, his gaze was tinged with astonishment.

He hadn't anticipated that even after executing the nascent form of Saber Intent, he would still be outmatched.

He had suspected the Outer Sect rumors to be accurate, that Lin Xuan had grasped the 5% Sword Intent.

Indeed, Xu Annlan himself had vouched for Lin Xuan.

Yet, he hadn't foreseen that Lin Xuan, at merely the fourth level of the Qi Transformation Stage, could wield such fearsome might.

Many disciples at the peak of the Qi Transformation Stage paled in comparison to Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan's gift was even more extraordinary than Chen Xiao had imagined!

A wave of shock washed over Chen Xiao.

Simultaneously, a flicker of relief crossed his mind.

Thankfully, he had an ace up his sleeve: the 5% Saber Intent!

Saber Intent and Sword Intent were of equal stature.

The force he could unleash was significantly more potent than Lin Xuan's.

This match was his to win.

As for whether Lin Xuan had any more tricks up his sleeve, he couldn't say. And he dared not dwell on the thought.

After all, Lin Xuan had mastered 5% Sword Intent, which in itself was frightening enough.

Should Lin Xuan possess further concealed strengths, he wouldn't just be a top-tier prodigy—he'd be a monster!

In all of Cangyuan Country, there was no one else like him.

If Lin Xuan truly were such a formidable force.

Then accepting defeat would come easily.

And mockery would be the least of his concerns.

Indeed, Lin Xuan's very presence was profoundly alarming.

He could effortlessly challenge opponents beyond his rank.