C19 Top Ten!

The crowd was left in utter disbelief.

A look of shock swept across their faces.

They had anticipated Lin Xuan's victory in the match.

After all, just half a month prior, Lin Xuan had bested Lin Yun at the peak of the Ninth Level of Body Refining.

Chen Feng, merely an eighth-level Body Refining practitioner, stood little chance against Lin Xuan.

Yet, they hadn't foreseen Chen Feng's defeat to be so swift.

Chen Feng was overwhelmed before he could even muster a response, swiftly bested by Lin Xuan.

The disparity in their strength was so vast, it was as if they were in completely different leagues.

It was then that everyone was convinced of Lin Xuan's status as the top prodigy.

They had all witnessed it firsthand.

Up on the stage.

Zhang Ping hadn't anticipated the fight to conclude so abruptly.

It was the quickest match to date since the competition had begun.

Without delay, he declared with a resonant voice:

"Lin Xuan wins this round, earning one point!"

A buzz of excitement rippled through the crowd.

Lin Xuan glanced at his attribute panel, where his energy points were surging, and a subtle smile played on his lips. He leapt down from the stage and made his way to the spectator stands.

Down below, Chen Feng snapped out of his daze at the sound of the commotion.

He stared at Lin Xuan, his eyes wide with astonishment.

He had believed he could withstand a few exchanges with Lin Xuan.

The reality, however, was starkly different.

He was knocked out of the arena before he could even brace for defense.

The gulf between them was immense.

Massaging his sore chest, Chen Feng headed to the stands.

Lin Xuan may have only made one move in the match, but Chen Feng was acutely aware of his formidable strength.

Lin Xuan was surely on par with Chen Yu, if not more.

He realized he was out of his depth to challenge Lin Xuan.

With that, he resolved to bow out.

The competition marched on.

Match after match unfolded.

In the meantime, Lin Shiyun, Lin Yun, Chen Yu, Wu Qilee, Zhang Hee, and others took their turns on the stage.

Their adversaries were all at the eighth level of Body Refining.

Eager to showcase their prowess, on par with Lin Xuan's, they each dispatched their opponents in a single move.

Clearly, this was a strategic move orchestrated by the upper echelons of the four major powers.

To maintain a sufficient level of fairness, they prevented the true prodigies who had broken through to the Enlightenment Stage from encountering one another.

Before anyone realized it, an hour had slipped by.

"Next up, Lin Xuan versus Wu Qixing!" announced the referee, Zhang Ping.

It was time for Lin Xuan to take the stage once more. The crowd's attention shifted to the source of the announcement. Shortly after, both competitors stepped onto the platform. Wu Qixing, too, was at the eighth level of Body Refining.

"Let the match begin!" declared Zhang Ping.

Lin Xuan remained composed, readying himself for the bout. To him, this was going to be straightforward. He had no interest in prolonging the inevitable.

Just then, a voice carried across from the opposite side.

"I concede!"

Wu Qixing's voice rang out clearly. He leapt from the arena and made his way to the stands, leaving the audience in a state of shock.

This turn of events was unexpected for Lin Xuan.

"Lin Xuan wins this match and earns one point!" Zhang Ping, momentarily taken aback, quickly grasped the situation and announced the outcome.

The renown of Lin Xuan as Green Jade City's premier genius, along with his ability to vanquish an opponent with a single strike, had left Wu Qixing without any hope for victory. Lin Xuan could empathize with his opponent's sentiment; the gulf in their abilities was indeed vast.

With a smile, Lin Xuan regained his composure, hopped down from the arena, and headed towards the stands. He hadn't anticipated that his reputation would soar to such heights, to the extent that he could triumph without engaging in battle.

As Lin Xuan observed the surge of energy points within his attribute panel, his smile broadened. The crowd, still processing Zhang Ping's announcement, erupted into a greater commotion than before.

The competition pressed on. Another half-hour breezed by, and the first round of the scoring matches drew to a close. A thud echoed as a contestant was ejected from the platform, signaling the end of the final match of the round.

After declaring the outcome, Zhang Ping unfolded a list and surveyed the crowd, proclaiming with clarity, "The first round of the scoring matches has concluded. The top ten contenders are Lin Xuan, Zhang Hee, Lin Yun, Wu Qilee, Chen Yu, Lin Shiyun, among others."

Zhang Ping swiftly recited the top ten names without missing a beat.

Lin Xuan, hailed as the premier prodigy of Green Jade City, naturally secured the top spot.

Joining him in the top ranks were Lin Yun, Lin Shiyun, Chen Yu, Zhang Heh, Wu Qilee, and other disciples who had advanced to the Enlightenment Stage.

The remaining four, though not yet at the Enlightenment Stage, had reached the pinnacle of the Ninth Level of Body Refining.

The others, including Lin Hai who had also achieved the Ninth Level of Body Refining, were regrettably eliminated.

Pausing briefly after his announcement, Zhang Ping then raised his voice, "Congratulations to the ten of you for making it to the top ranks and earning your place at the Drifting Cloud Sect!"

His words were met with a wave of applause.

Envious gazes followed the ten achievers, while those who didn't make the cut wore their respect and envy openly.

From this point forward, their paths diverged; the ten would venture to the Drifting Cloud Sect, stepping into a vast new world.

The rest would remain, perhaps forever confined to the ordinary realm of Green Jade City.

Upon their next meeting, it might well be appropriate to address them as 'senior.'

Yet, the others could only offer a wistful smile, acknowledging their own limitations in talent and power.

From his seat in the eastern stands, Lin Hai absorbed the announcement. His eyes, filled with a hint of dread, turned towards Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan's place in the top ten was as anticipated.

But what of himself?

He had expended significant cultivation resources to reach the Ninth Level of Body Refining in just half a month, only to fall short.

The gap between them had now widened significantly.

He reflected on his past actions towards Lin Xuan.

With Lin Xuan securing a spot, he was poised to ascend within the Drifting Cloud Sect, perhaps reaching remarkable heights.

Meanwhile, he was left behind in Green Jade City, uncertain of how long it would take to break through to the Qi Gathering Stage.

Years later, when Lin Xuan returned from the Drifting Cloud Sect, he might still be struggling at the Enlightenment Stage.

When the time comes, if Lin Xuan decides to seek vengeance, it will be the end for him.

At that thought, Lin Hai shuddered uncontrollably, fear deepening in his eyes.

Regret surged within him.

Had he known about Lin Xuan's exceptional talent, why on earth did he ever provoke him?

Wasn't that just asking for trouble?

Lin Qixing observed the shift in his demeanor, shook his head, and let out a silent sigh.

Unbeknownst to Lin Xuan, simply making it into the top ten had sent Lin Hai into a state of terror.