C99 Reputation

"I see," Lin Xuan said with a smile, nodding slightly in understanding.

He hadn't anticipated events unfolding in such a manner, but he realized he was merely the catalyst. Shifting his focus away, Lin Xuan turned his attention to the nearest fighting platform. The stakes of these elite Inner Sect gambling battles were substantial, dwarfing the bets placed in the average disciple's contests. After all, wasn't his purpose for venturing out to gather resources for cultivation?

His own resources had been completely depleted. The current situation, however, seemed quite promising. Perhaps he was on the verge of another lucrative windfall? A gleam sparked in Lin Xuan's eyes.

Shortly thereafter, a resounding bang echoed as a combatant was sent flying off the platform, blood spewing from his mouth. Victory and defeat had been swiftly determined on the second arena.

"Who dares to challenge me next? The stakes are even higher this time—30,000 contribution points!" The victorious Inner Sect elite, a towering young man, bellowed from atop the platform.

"Lee Quan is seriously formidable; he's on a three-match winning streak," someone remarked.

"Indeed. I've heard Lee Quan is only at level 8 of the Condensation Spin Stage, yet aside from those on the Strong List, it seems no other Inner Sect elite at his stage can best him!"

"I've also heard that Lee Quan is a battle fanatic who never spares his opponents. He's left many Inner Sect elites severely injured after their duels. Over time, people have grown too intimidated to face him."

"It looks like Lee Quan is intentionally upping the ante to lure in some of the more avaricious Inner Sect elites to challenge him!"

"Too bad for them, he's already claimed three consecutive victories, each opponent defeated and bloodied. And with the injuries they've sustained, I doubt anyone else will be brave enough to step up, right?"

The Inner Sect disciples buzzed with conversation, a mix of awe and apprehension in their voices. None seemed willing to take on Lee Quan.

Hearing their chatter, Lin Xuan couldn't help but smile. This was an excellent chance to pad his pockets.

Without hesitation, he strode forward, leaping onto the platform with ease.

"Can you believe it? Someone's actually stepped up!"

"Here comes another daredevil, risking life and limb for the sake of money."

"Doesn't he look somewhat familiar?" the disciples murmured among themselves as they watched Lin Xuan take his place in the arena.

In the arena, Lin Xuan spoke with a calm demeanor:

"Senior Brother Lee, I'm Lin Xuan, just an ordinary disciple from the Inner Sect. I wish to challenge you. Would you accept?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the bustling Fighting Arena fell silent in an instant. Almost immediately, every eye was drawn to the second arena as if by an unspoken agreement. The crowd burst into a buzz of conversation.

"Lin Xuan? The new disciple, Lin Xuan?"

"Yes, that's him. I kept thinking he looked familiar—I've seen him before."

"The Fighting Arena's been all stirred up because of Lin Xuan. Now that he's here, we're in for a real treat."

"Remember, Lin Xuan took down an Inner Sect elite as a newcomer, which was quite a blow to their pride. Those elites won't let that slide easily."

"Exactly, this is our chance to see if Lin Xuan is as formidable as the rumors suggest!"

The disciples were abuzz with excitement. Once the initial shock subsided, they all watched the second arena with keen interest, their attention fixed on Lin Xuan. Though he had only joined the sect a month ago, Lin Xuan's name was already known throughout the Drifting Cloud Sect.

The disciples were intrigued by Lin Xuan, a man who had been continuously setting records, performing miracles, and becoming the stuff of legends since his arrival. They were all eager to see for themselves whether Lin Xuan lived up to the hype and to discern the truth from the rumors.

In the midst of the crowd, Chen Yu stood, her face a picture of bewilderment.

"That's Senior Brother Lin Xuan? I just spoke at length in front of him."

She couldn't help feeling a bit sheepish.

And Chen Yu wasn't alone in her discomfort; the other Inner Sect elites engaged in battles across the various arenas also felt the awkwardness. With Lin Xuan's fame casting such a long shadow, he had become the center of attention the moment he appeared. The other matches, even those featuring the seldom-seen clashes of Inner Sect elites, were suddenly of little interest to the onlookers.

Even the deacons tasked with recording the matches by the arena felt the shift in focus. The Inner Sect elites, realizing they were no longer the main attraction, ceased their fighting and exchanged looks of embarrassment.

To their astonishment, despite being Inner Sect elites, they were outmatched by an ordinary Inner Sect disciple.

They were at a loss for words.

Yet, they lacked the power to alter the circumstances.

So, they tacitly agreed to a ceasefire, turning their attention to Lin Xuan's performance.

Their presence at the Fighting Arena was motivated by the lucrative stakes, and they had considered challenging Lin Xuan.

Now, they had the chance to gauge Lin Xuan's capabilities firsthand.

Afterward, they would strategize their next move.

This was an opportunity they couldn't afford to miss.

On the second platform.

Lin Xuan, having finished his declaration, remained standing, his eyes tracking the surge of energy points on his attribute panel with a look of contentment.

He had intentionally raised his voice earlier to capture the attention of everyone in the arena.

His aim was to accrue additional energy points.

Indeed, his calculations were spot on.

Given his current renown, he had instantly become the center of attention.

Now was his moment to shine and gather even more energy points.

Across the arena, Lee Quan was momentarily taken aback.

As the arena's defender, he had increased the stakes to lure in those driven by greed.

To his surprise, he had drawn in the legendary Lin Xuan himself.

Lee Quan was well-versed in the tales of Lin Xuan's prowess—the top disciple of the Outer Sect who had bested Inner Sect elites.

Lin Xuan's feats spoke volumes of his exceptional nature.

Had Lin Xuan not been a recent initiate at the beginner level, he might well have been hailed as the Drifting Cloud Sect's foremost prodigy.

Lee Quan hadn't anticipated Lin Xuan stepping up to challenge him.

Quickly regaining his composure, Lee Quan was thrilled.

He had been hoping for a stronger adversary, and Lin Xuan might just satisfy that desire.

With a grin, Lee Quan nodded and responded:

"Let's do this."

The referee, standing to the side, declared with a booming voice:

"Let the battle commence!"

He then stepped back, turning his gaze to the two contenders.

Lee Quan proclaimed:

"Junior Brother Lin Xuan, rumors of your exceptional talent and combat prowess precede you. Allow me to put those claims to the test!"

Transforming into a figure akin to a colossal ape, Lee Quan charged at Lin Xuan with overwhelming force, as if tearing through the very air itself.

With lightning speed, he closed the distance and appeared before Lin Xuan in the blink of an eye.

He launched a punch.

"Violent Ape Shakes the Sky!"

He resembled a colossal black ape, his presence overwhelmingly fearsome.

Lee Quan delivered the punch with his full force.