Chapter 40

Lin Xuan's words caused a stir among the crowd. Everyone looked at him with disdain.

"How dare he challenge the Four Heroes of the Outer Sect! He’s just asking for death!"

"Exactly, he even wants to defeat Senior Jiang. Does he even know his own limits?"

"Does he think he’s a god just because he can fly by stepping on a stone? His head must have been kicked by a donkey!"

Everyone mocked Lin Xuan. Duan Fei, one of the Four Heroes, sneered, and Jiang Yulong laughed maniacally.

"Boy, I don’t know why you came out of the Demon Pit, but with just this, you think you can defeat me? It’s a joke! Kneel down and apologize now, and I might spare your life."

Lin Xuan drew the red-flame greatsword from his back. He had already mastered the weight of this sword. The dark red blade slowly slid, flashing an eerie light in the sunlight.

"Haha! You’re killing me! Did you come out to clown around? You’re actually holding a rusty sword!"

"Everyone knows you’re poor, but you don’t have to use such a broken sword. With this, you think you can challenge Senior Jiang?"

The corners of Lin Xuan’s mouth twitched. He ignored their taunts; to him, action was the best way to silence them. His arm swung, and the red-flame greatsword transformed into a red shadow, slashing towards Jiang Yulong.

"Tch, no spiritual energy at all, are you brain-dead?"

"Senior Jiang, finish him off!"

Lin Xuan indeed wasn’t using spiritual energy; he was relying on pure physical strength. He had already perfected the Golden Jade Body Tempering Technique, making his body not only incredibly hard but also extremely powerful.

Seeing no spiritual energy fluctuation from Lin Xuan, Jiang Yulong’s eyes were full of disdain. He stood casually, not even using spiritual energy to protect himself.

However, his pupils suddenly constricted, and he quickly retreated. A red glow flashed in the air, and the red-flame greatsword instantly appeared above his head, the violent force creating numerous gusts of wind.

One sword stroke, and the wind and clouds were stirred!

The surrounding disciples were forced to retreat three steps by the gusts of wind. Those with weaker cultivation began to use their spiritual energy to protect themselves. They all looked at Lin Xuan in shock, unable to believe that a thin, frail-looking youth could generate such immense power!

After the first strike, Lin Xuan reversed his grip and slashed the red-flame greatsword at an incredible angle, aiming at Jiang Yulong again.

"You’re asking for death!" Jiang Yulong, having lost the initiative, took a step back and drew his sword in a rage. Instantly, purple flames enveloped the blade, and the temperature in the air soared, as if it could melt a person.

Boom!

The longsword with purple flames collided with Lin Xuan’s red-flame greatsword, and a visible energy wave spread out, causing many disciples to turn pale and stagger.

The two forces were evenly matched, pushing each other back, creating a series of sparks in the air.

"How is this possible? He actually blocked Senior Jiang’s attack?"

"Am I seeing things?" Many people began to rub their eyes.

"Impossible, Senior Jiang must not have used his full strength. Once he gets serious, this boy is dead for sure!"

"Damn! How did this guy’s strength improve so quickly?" Jiang Yulong’s brows furrowed. "I must get rid of him, or he will become a major threat!"

With this thought, he swung his sword, and a peculiar aura began to form.

"Sword Momentum!" Lin Xuan’s eyes deepened, a hint of excitement flashing in them. "I’ll use you to test the power of my new sword technique!"

Lin Xuan held the sword with one hand and advanced. His face was calm, a confident smile on his lips, and a formidable aura formed around him, like a supreme divine sword, sharp and invincible.

The two forces were about to clash when a voice came from afar, like a thunderclap.

"Stop!"

The voice contained immense energy, but Lin Xuan and Jiang Yulong seemed not to hear it, continuing to swing their swords with all their might.

Whoosh!

A flying dagger cut through the air, coming from afar, like a bolt of lightning, dazzling and brilliant.

Ding!

The dazzling flying dagger struck the two swords, creating a burst of white light, forcibly separating the two. Lin Xuan felt as if a mountain had pressed down on him, the force almost making him lose his grip on the greatsword.

"What terrifying power, who is this person?" Lin Xuan was shocked.

At this moment, a figure appeared, a handsome young man. He curled his fingers and pulled back, drawing a small, exquisite flying dagger into his hand.

Lin Xuan was slightly stunned when he saw the young man’s hand, unable to help but admire it.

The young man’s hand was exceptionally pale, with long, slender fingers, like jade. Lin Xuan even thought such beautiful hands shouldn’t belong to a man.

"Brother!" A clear voice rang out, and a fiery red figure burst into the crowd.

"It’s actually Tang Yi!" Seeing Tang Yu, Lin Xuan naturally understood the young man’s identity, a top expert of the Inner Sect, Tang Yi!

"Truly a top expert of the Inner Sect, his strength is indeed unfathomable." Lin Xuan had a clearer understanding of the Inner Sect disciples for the first time.

Tang Yi affectionately ruffled Tang Yu’s head, then walked over with a stern face.

"As a disciple of the Xuantian Sect, you must always remember not to disgrace these three words!"

"Thank you, Senior, Lin Xuan will remember."

Seeing Lin Xuan’s politeness, Tang Yi’s expression softened slightly. He turned to look at Jiang Yulong.

Jiang Yulong gritted his teeth, his expression changing several times before he finally bowed and said, "I will remember, Senior."

Then, he glared at Lin Xuan, saying with a sinister tone, "At the Inner Sect Selection Competition in a month, I will break all your bones in front of everyone!"

Everyone was shocked. Jiang Yulong was issuing a challenge, a challenge from one of the Four Heroes of the Outer Sect!

"I look forward to it." Lin Xuan’s expression was calm, as if he was agreeing to something trivial.

"Heavens! Lin Xuan actually accepted, is he crazy?" The Xuantian Sect disciples were shocked. This matter would surely spread throughout the Outer Sect.

"We’re leaving!" Jiang Yulong sneered and then led the members of the Divine Might Group away in a grand procession.

...

Lin Xuan finally returned to his small house. The events of the past few days seemed like a dream to him, incredibly bizarre.

After resting well, Lin Xuan once again immersed himself in intense cultivation. He was gradually transforming, both physically and mentally, growing rapidly.

Thinking about the competition in a month, a wave of emotion surged in Lin Xuan’s heart.

The Inner Sect Selection Competition was the most important event for the Outer Sect disciples, determining whether they could enter the Inner Sect. The ranking in the competition also determined the level of attention they would receive in the Inner Sect. The higher the rank, the more attention from the Inner Sect’s higher-ups, and the sect would be willing to cultivate such geniuses.

"I will get first place!" Lin Xuan said firmly.

In the past, he was a useless person who couldn’t cultivate, suffering endless humiliation. Now that he could cultivate, he was determined to stand at the pinnacle of martial arts, to gain immense power, and to return to his family as a strong person!