The next day, the Qingyang Sect's outer sect martial arts arena was bustling with activity.
In the center of the vast plaza stood ten bluestone arenas, shimmering with runes, forming a simple protective shield. The surrounding stands were filled with outer sect disciples, and even some inner sect disciples and deacons had come to watch the ceremony. The atmosphere was heated and tense.
For lower-ranking disciples, the outer sect's monthly competition was a crucial opportunity to change their fate; for higher-ranking disciples, it was a stage to consolidate their status and showcase their strength.
Lin Xuan and Zhang Xiaoshan stood in an inconspicuous corner of the crowd. Zhang Xiaoshan rubbed his hands nervously, glancing around. "Senior Brother Lin, there are so many people... Zhao Long and the others seem to be staring at us over there."
Lin Xuan followed his gaze and saw Zhao Long, Zhao Hu, and their followers gathered near arena number one, glaring at them with undisguised hostility. Zhao Long flexed the arm he'd used to fight yesterday, his face trembling as a cruel smile played across his face. He gestured towards Lin Xuan, wiping his throat.
Lin Xuan averted his gaze, his expression calm and composed. A clown, nothing to be feared. His attention was focused on the judges seated on the podium. Besides a few outer sect deacons, he spotted Elder Li from the Transmission Pavilion, and... Liu Yunyan, sitting beside Elder Li, dressed in white and as cool as snow.
She seemed to sense Lin Xuan's gaze, her cold eyes flicking over him, resting on him for a moment before moving away.
"Silence!"
A deacon presiding over the competition walked up to the central podium and spoke in a resounding voice, silencing the clamor of the entire audience.
"The Outer Sect Monthly Competition begins now! The rules remain the same. Opponents will be determined by drawing lots. The competition will be held in the ring. Those who fall off the ring, voluntarily surrender, or lose their fighting ability will lose! Intentional injury is prohibited. Violators will be severely punished! Now, all participating disciples, please come forward to draw lots!"
The crowd surged, each one stepping forward to draw the lot number that would determine their fate.
Lin Xuan drew "Group C, Number 7." The competition was divided into ten groups. A round-robin tournament would be held within each group to determine the top two teams, who would advance to the final round of the top twenty.
He was placed in Group C. Coincidentally, Zhao Hu was also in Group C, and he would face him in the first round! Zhao Long was placed in the strongest Group A.
The draw sparked a flurry of discussion, with eyes flickering between Lin Xuan and Zhao Hu. Everyone could see that this was more than just a coincidence.
"First round, Group C, Lin Xuan vs. Zhao Hu!" the referee's voice boomed.
The crowd automatically parted, their gazes fixed on the two men.
Zhao Hu's arm had been lowered from its sling, but his face remained pale. He stepped onto the stage, glaring with resentment at the slowly approaching Lin Xuan. He lowered his voice and said, "You piece of shit, you were lucky yesterday! Today, in the ring, I'll see how arrogant you can be! I'll return the pain you inflicted on me tenfold!"
Lin Xuan seemed oblivious to him and stood on the other side of the stage.
"The match begins!"
As soon as the referee finished speaking, Zhao Hu roared, unleashing the full force of his fourth-level Qi Refining spiritual power. Like a tiger unleashed, he swung his good arm and unleashed his signature "Stone-Splitting Fist," his fist whistling as he charged towards Lin Xuan! He intended to defeat Lin Xuan in the shortest possible time, and in the most humiliating manner!
However, the moment he moved, Lin Xuan also moved.
His movements seemed slow, even casual. With a slight sidestep, Zhao Hu's destined punch grazed the edge of his shirt. Simultaneously, his right hand shot out like a ghost, precisely grasping the elbow of Zhao Hu's arm that had missed, and gently squeezing it!
"Crack!"
The teeth-aching sound of bone cracking echoed again!
"Ah!" Zhao Hu screamed even more shrilly than yesterday, his entire arm dropping at a strange angle. The excruciating pain instantly drained him of all strength.
Lin Xuan's grip on his elbow didn't release, but he pulled forward, tripping slightly.
"Plop!"
Like a puppet with its strings cut, Zhao Hu fell once again, slumping onto the hard bluestone of the arena, sending up a cloud of dust. This time, he didn't even have the strength to get up, and could only writhe and writhe in agony on the ground like a maggot.
Instant kill!
A complete and utter instant kill!
The entire arena instantly fell into an eerie silence.
Everyone stared in disbelief at the scene unfolding on the ring. While they'd guessed Zhao Hu might be no match for Lin Xuan, no one had expected the fight to end so quickly, so... without a doubt! Lin Xuan hadn't even employed any fancy techniques; simply sidestepping, grappling, and tripping had effortlessly resolved the encounter.
What kind of precise vision, timing, and control of force did this require?!
"Lin Xuan... wins!" The referee paused for a moment before announcing loudly.
After the silence, a roar of discussion erupted!
"How did Lin Xuan... become so strong?"
"What move did he just use? It seemed simple, yet so powerful!"
"A sixth-level Qi Refiner instantly defeated a fourth-level Qi Refiner. While there's a difference in realm, the gap is enormous, isn't it?"
"It seems the rumors are true. He must have had a fortuitous encounter!"
In the stands, Elder Li paused, stroking his beard, a flicker of surprise and admiration in his eyes. A faint ripple also crossed Liu Yunyan's cold eyes. Lin Xuan's seemingly simple moves revealed a battle acumen and timing unmatched by ordinary people.
Zhao Long stood near the Group A arena, his face gloomy, practically dripping with water, his fists clenched with a crackling sound. He hadn't expected his brother to be defeated so easily; it was a slap in the face!
In the following group stage, Lin Xuan's performance was even more astonishing.
Whether his opponent was at the fifth or sixth level of Qi Refining, no one could last more than three moves under his command. He would evade attacks with exquisite agility, securing a decisive victory with a single strike; or crush them with overwhelming spiritual power; sometimes, simply through his absolute control of the rhythm of battle, he would force his opponent to fall.
His fighting style was ever-changing, yet he possessed a calm and effortless composure, as if conducting a series of teaching demonstrations rather than a competition.
Those who had been waiting to see him laugh, or to take advantage of him, now shut their mouths, their eyes filled with fear.
Zhang Xiaoshan, watching from the audience, was filled with excitement, his face flushed with excitement, and he continuously cheered for Lin Xuan.
Unsurprisingly, Lin Xuan, as the top player in Group C, advanced to the top twenty!
And Zhao Long, as the top player in Group A, also advanced.
The two's gazes met again, sparks flying. Everyone knew that the final qualifying match would be a fierce duel between these two!
The top twenty qualifying match would be an elimination match.
Lin Xuan's opponents ranged from the sixth to the seventh Qi Refining level, but without exception, he easily defeated them all. His fame spread like a whirlwind throughout the Outer Sect. He went from a bully to the biggest dark horse of this competition!
Finally, after several rounds of intense competition, the finals spot was decided.
"Finals! Lin Xuan versus Zhao Long!"
The referee's voice brought the atmosphere in the martial arts arena to a climax!
Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the largest arena in the center.
Zhao Long leaped forward, landing heavily on the arena with a resounding thud, demonstrating his immense physical strength. He stared intently at Lin Xuan as he slowly stepped onto the stage, his voice a beastly growl: "Boy, you've made it this far, you're quite capable. But it ends here! I'll show you the consequences of offending me, Zhao Long!"
Lin Xuan stood still, his sleeves fluttering gently in the breeze, his expression remaining calm: "So much nonsense."
"You!" Zhao Long raged, refusing to speak any more. He unleashed the spiritual power of the eighth level of Qi Refining without reservation, a fierce aura sweeping through the entire audience! He quickly formed hand seals, and an earth-yellow spiritual light converged around him!
"Thick Earth Shield!"
"Giant Strength!"
He first cast defensive and amplifying spells on himself, evidently learning from his rash exchange of blows yesterday and becoming more cautious. Then, with a furious roar, he charged like a wild bull, unleashing a punch at Lin Xuan with unstoppable momentum! The air crackled wherever the punch passed!
"That's Senior Brother Zhao's signature move, the 'Mountain Collapse Fist'!"
"Such a powerful force! Lin Xuan is in danger!"
Exclamations erupted from the audience.
Faced with this earth-shattering punch, Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed. He could have taken it head-on, but there was no need. His steps shifted, his form shifting like a ghost, and he narrowly dodged the violent blow!
"Hide? I wonder how long you can hide!" Zhao Long roared, his fists shifting in momentum, raining down on Lin Xuan like a raging storm!
On the ring, Zhao Long's attacks were like a tidal wave, fist shadows cascading, and a shimmering ochre light. Lin Xuan, on the other hand, was like a small boat on a raging sea. While seemingly dangerous, he always managed to dodge the blows at the last second, his movements agile and graceful, drawing gasps from the audience.
He observed, adapting to the power of this body, searching for flaws in Zhao Long's techniques. After a prolonged and unsuccessful attack, Zhao Long grew increasingly impatient, his spiritual energy draining immensely. A ruthless look flashed in his eyes, and he suddenly changed his tactics, clasping his palms together. A surge of even more violent spiritual energy began to gather, emanating a faintly dangerous aura!
"It's 'Ground Wave Impact'! Senior Brother Zhao is about to unleash his killer move!" exclaimed a discerning disciple.
However, at the very moment his old strength was exhausted and new energy had yet to emerge, his move about to be unleashed—
Lin Xuan, who had been on the defensive, moved!
A cold glint flashed in his eyes, like a long-dormant cheetah finally baring its sharp fangs! Instead of retreating, he advanced, slicing into Zhao Long's midsection at an extremely sharp angle. The spiritual energy within him, condensed from both the state of death and the state of new life, converged at his fingertips, transforming into a beam of extremely concentrated black light that struck the Tanzhong point on Zhao Long's chest!
This finger was swift! Accurate! Brutally fierce! It embodied Lin Xuan's complete understanding of combat and the unstoppable power of the Nine Deaths Nirvana Technique!
Zhao Long's pupils constricted, and he tried to dodge or block, but it was too late!
"Puff!"
A soft, muffled sound.
The ochre-colored spiritual light condensing around Zhao Long shattered like foam. His forward-moving form froze, and his concentrated killing move instantly dissipated. His face was filled with disbelief and horror.
"You..."
He opened his mouth, but no words came out. His massive body collapsed to the ground like a mighty mountain, sending up a cloud of dust.
Deathly still!
Outer Sect Competition, champion, Lin Xuan!