Challenge

In the days that followed, Lin Xuan went up the mountain to practice swordsmanship during the day and cultivated the Eternal Life Art at night. Occasionally, he visited the Mission Hall to repair longswords and earn a few contribution points.

Such days passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, half a month had gone by.

The atmosphere in the outer sect was also quietly changing. Many disciples had returned from Taihang Mountain, preparing for the upcoming inner sect selection tournament. Only by entering the inner sect could one be considered a true disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect. There, they could not only learn profound martial arts but also receive guidance from advanced cultivators, along with all kinds of abundant cultivation resources. Every outer sect disciple wished they could bore through a wall with sharpened heads to squeeze inside.

At the same time, a new Outer Sect Rankings list was released. Quite a few outer sect disciples had been discussing it these past few days and checking their own standings.

The Outer Sect Rankings only listed the top five hundred. It roughly estimated a disciple's combat strength based on their cultivation and usual performance, then compiled the rankings.

No one knew who created it. In the past, some had been dissatisfied with their low rankings and challenged those above them, only to suffer crushing defeats. There had been more than a hundred such cases, and every final result matched the rankings list.

Only then did the outer sect disciples accept the list and regard it as an important means of understanding others' strength.

At Martial Arts Arena Number Three, He Shaobing stared at the exquisite booklet in his hand, a trace of anger appearing on his face. The booklet was the Outer Sect Rankings. Though beautifully made, it could not stir the slightest interest in He Shaobing.

"Hmph!" He snapped the booklet shut, then crushed it tightly in his hand. Before long, the roster had turned into a clump of powder.

"This is going too far! They actually dared to lower my ranking!" Fury burned in He Shaobing's eyes. He had originally been ranked one hundredth, one of the top disciples. Yet who would have thought that this time, he would be placed at one hundred and first?

Though it was only a difference of one rank, the meaning behind it was worlds apart. Among the tens of thousands of outer sect disciples, the top hundred were considered top disciples, geniuses of the first tier. After entering the inner sect, they would receive special attention. But now that he was ranked one hundred and first, he had become a second-tier disciple. His status was completely different.

The one who had replaced him at rank one hundred was a newly promoted outer sect disciple named Lin Xuan.

"What right does a little disciple who just joined the outer sect have to rank among the top hundred? I refuse to accept it!" He Shaobing clenched the longsword in his hand.

"Shaobing, calm down," said a slightly plump disciple beside him. "I've heard of this Lin Xuan too. He has been causing quite a stir with the Divine Might Corps lately. Apparently, he defeated quite a few Divine Might Corps disciples in succession. He must have some skill."

"So what? You think I'll lose too?" He Shaobing snapped.

The outer sect of the Profound Heaven Sect was enormous, with countless disciples. Not everyone knew Lin Xuan, and with so many things happening every day, they had long forgotten the reputation of one minor disciple.

"It's not that I'm afraid you'll lose. There's simply no need to do this. Wouldn't it be enough to defeat him openly and honorably at the inner sect selection tournament?"

He Shaobing said nothing, but cold glints flashed through his eyes from time to time.

Martial Arts Arena Number Seven, northwest corner.

Lin Xuan held the Red Flame Greatsword and practiced with meticulous focus. This was a swordsmanship technique he had recently learned, the Lone Mountain Swordsmanship, a mid-grade Yellow-ranked martial art.

This swordsmanship differed from those Lin Xuan had learned before. It did not excel in speed, but belonged to the heavy, powerful kind. Its speed was slow, and every strike carried full force.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The broad, sweeping forms felt immensely satisfying as Lin Xuan wielded them. He had always devoted himself to fast swords in the past, but now that he was practicing slow swords, he had gained new insights.

This Solitary Peak Sword Art emphasized steadiness, precision, and ruthlessness. Though slow, if the timing was grasped well, it could absolutely kill with a single blow. Through these days of slow-sword practice, Lin Xuan's grasp of timing in battle had improved greatly compared to before.

Fast swords seized the initiative, focusing on striking first to subdue the enemy. Slow swords, meanwhile, caught an opponent's mistakes—or created mistakes for them. With fast and slow combined, Lin Xuan's swordsmanship had already surpassed what it once was.

Just as Lin Xuan was immersed in his swordsmanship, a youth walked toward him.

He was somewhat thin, with large eyes and a cold gaze.

"You are Lin Xuan?" The youth's tone was unfriendly.

"That's right." Lin Xuan stood with his sword in hand and asked, "What is it?"

"I'll defeat you and take back the rank that should be mine!" The youth was none other than He Shaobing.

Lin Xuan was somewhat baffled. "What rank?"

"Stop playing dumb. You only need to tell me whether you accept my challenge!" He Shaobing shouted.

He Shaobing's shout made the disciples practicing nearby turn to look. At that moment, a slightly plump youth ran over from afar. He grabbed He Shaobing's arm and said, "Shaobing, let's go!"

"Little Wei, don't mind me. Today, I will definitely defeat him!" He Shaobing declared loudly. "The weak are unworthy of that spot!"

"What's going on?" someone nearby asked.

"You don't know? He Shaobing's hundredth-place position was pushed out by that kid!" Someone secretly pointed at Lin Xuan.

"No wonder he's furious. If a kid who just entered the outer sect climbed over my head, I'd be anxious too!"

Lin Xuan pricked up his ears and finally understood part of the situation.

"Since you want to fight, then come!" Lin Xuan happened to want to test the Lone Mountain Swordsmanship.

"Hmph!" He Shaobing gritted his teeth. "You'd better use your full strength, or you'll lose miserably!"

With a flick of his palm, he took out an array disk. Both hands formed seals with spiritual power, and a great green flag rose in the wind before stabbing into the ground with a clang, forming a small arena.

Formation Flag Battle!

Lin Xuan was no stranger to it. He had once fought this kind of match against disciples from the Divine Might Corps. At once, he drew the Red Flame Greatsword, walked into the formation flag with a lazy smile on his face.

He Shaobing snorted coldly, then moved and stepped inside.

The surrounding disciples stopped what they were doing and gathered around. The disciple called Little Wei merely stared with wide eyes, watching nervously.

"Come!" Lin Xuan held the Red Flame Greatsword horizontally before his chest and stood still in focused concentration.

Swoosh!

A flash of cold light burst forth with a sharp, urgent sound.

He Shaobing's body swayed as he rushed forward at high speed. The longsword at his waist gleamed with specks of cold light. In the blink of an eye, he had reached Lin Xuan's side. With a flick of his wrist, his longsword lunged like a venomous snake.

His speed made everyone look sideways!

"Fast Sword Style..." Lin Xuan raised a brow. His feet shifted slightly as he adjusted his stance, while his greatsword thrust lightly forward, cutting off He Shaobing's sword move.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

He Shaobing's longsword struck the blade of the Red Flame Greatsword, producing crisp rings. When his first strike failed, he immediately pressed forward with his sword. The tip spat cold light as it attacked Lin Xuan's head.

Lin Xuan swept an arm across, and the Red Flame Greatsword swept out horizontally. Its heavy force compelled He Shaobing to break off his attack and retreat to save himself. The moment he retreated, he exposed an opening. Lin Xuan shook his greatsword and thrust forward.