Silence filled the arena.
No one had expected such an ending.
Zhou Yan, a late stage Qi Conjunction cultivator wielding a middle grade weapon, had been defeated completely.
And not just defeated—
Toyed with.
The image of Fang Lin's terrifying speed still lingered in everyone's minds.
Even now, many disciples were staring blankly at the arena, unable to recover from the shock.
At the center of the platform, the elder from Zhou Yan's faction stood with his hands behind his back, his expression dark.
Behind him, Zhou Yan struggled to stand, blood still leaking from the corner of his mouth. His face alternated between humiliation and resentment.
Fang Lin stood opposite them calmly.
The atmosphere became heavy.
The elder looked at Fang Lin coldly.
"You've already won."
His tone carried pressure.
A warning hidden beneath calm words.
Fang Lin naturally understood.
If he continued pressing forward now, it would no longer be a matter between disciples.
It would involve elders.
And currently—
He was still too weak.
Fang Lin slowly lowered his hand.
Seeing this, the elder's expression eased slightly.
But Zhou Yan's face became uglier.
He could clearly feel it.
Mercy.
Fang Lin had actually been in a position to cripple him.
That realization hurt more than the injuries themselves.
The surrounding disciples gradually began whispering again.
"Fang Lin actually won…"
"Zhou Yan lost completely…"
"That movement technique… what was that…"
"He broke through during battle…"
Some looked at Fang Lin with admiration.
Others—
With fear.
A newcomer defeating Zhou Yan in such a manner had completely shaken the outer sect.
Li Shan stood quietly at the edge of the arena, his gaze lingering on Fang Lin for a moment longer before a faint smile appeared.
"Interesting…"
Meanwhile, Xuo Mu nearly jumped into the arena.
"YOU WON!"
His voice echoed loudly through the arena, immediately breaking the tense atmosphere.
Fang Lin turned slightly and saw Xuo Mu rushing toward him excitedly while Xue Ji followed behind, though even she couldn't completely hide the astonishment in her eyes.
"You actually won…" Xuo Mu said, still unable to believe it. "That guy was terrifying!"
Fang Lin exhaled softly.
"It wasn't easy."
Xue Ji looked at him carefully.
"You broke through your movement technique."
Fang Lin nodded slightly.
"During the fight."
Xuo Mu looked utterly speechless.
"Who breaks through during a battle?!"
Fang Lin smiled faintly but didn't answer.
Truthfully, even he hadn't expected it.
At that critical moment, under the pressure of Zhou Yan's killing intent, the bottleneck suddenly shattered.
And once it did—
Everything changed.
His speed increased explosively.
The late stage pressure Zhou Yan possessed no longer felt overwhelming.
Instead—
It became manageable.
The elder from Zhou Yan's faction glanced coldly toward Fang Lin one final time before helping Zhou Yan up.
"Let's go."
Zhou Yan clenched his fists tightly.
His eyes burned with hatred as he stared at Fang Lin.
"This isn't over."
Fang Lin's expression remained calm.
"Next time…"
"Don't talk so much before fighting."
The surrounding disciples immediately sucked in cold air.
Even after winning—
He still dared to provoke Zhou Yan.
The elder's face darkened further, but he said nothing more and left with Zhou Yan and the others.
Only after they disappeared did the pressure around the arena finally loosen.
Immediately—
The entire arena exploded into noise.
"Fang Lin is insane…"
"He crossed Zhou Yan completely…"
"No… he crossed the entire faction…"
"That elder definitely won't forget this…"
Xuo Mu's earlier excitement immediately faded.
"That's true…"
He looked at Fang Lin nervously.
"You've offended them badly now."
Fang Lin looked toward the direction Zhou Yan left.
"I already offended them the moment I stood on this arena."
There was no regret in his voice.
Only clarity.
Xue Ji spoke softly,
"Things won't remain peaceful anymore."
Fang Lin nodded slightly.
"I know."
The three left the arena together under countless gazes.
Everywhere Fang Lin walked now, disciples instinctively made way.
The looks they gave him had completely changed.
Before—
They saw him as an arrogant newcomer.
Now—
No one dared underestimate him anymore.
High above the arena, the Sect Master quietly watched Fang Lin leave.
The faint smile on his face remained.
"He's growing faster than expected."
Beside him, Elder Feng sighed lightly.
"That Flowing Wind Steps… intermediate mastery in such a short time."
Even he found it difficult to remain calm.
The Sect Master suddenly asked,
"What do you think the factions will do now?"
Elder Feng frowned slightly.
"They won't stop."
The Sect Master nodded.
"Especially after losing face publicly."
A brief silence followed.
Then his eyes narrowed faintly.
"The problem is no longer Zhou Yan."
Elder Feng understood instantly.
"The elders behind them…"
"Yes."
The Sect Master clasped his hands behind his back.
"They've begun testing boundaries."
His gaze deepened slightly.
"And that means…"
"They're preparing for something bigger."
Elder Feng's expression became serious.
"Should we interfere?"
The Sect Master remained silent for several moments.
Then—
"Not yet."
His gaze rested on Fang Lin's disappearing figure.
"I want to see how far he can go."
On another distant pavilion, Feng Jiu'er quietly released a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
The tension in her eyes slowly faded.
"That idiot…"
Her lips curved slightly upward.
"He actually pulled it off."
But then she immediately frowned again.
"Still reckless."
She had clearly seen it.
If Fang Lin had been even slightly slower earlier—
That clan technique would've severely injured him.
Yet somehow…
He survived.
And not only survived—
He won overwhelmingly.
Feng Jiu'er's eyes gradually softened slightly.
"Intermediate mastery…"
Even she found that absurd.
Then she suddenly realized something.
Her expression immediately stiffened.
"…Why am I even relieved?"
She frowned heavily.
"Hmph."
Without another word, she turned and disappeared from the pavilion.
Meanwhile, back at the outer disciple quarters—
Fang Lin returned to his room alone after separating from Xuo Mu and Xue Ji.
The moment he closed the door—
His calm expression finally loosened slightly.
The battle earlier had consumed far more Qi than expected.
Especially after pushing Flowing Wind Steps beyond its limits.
Fang Lin sat down slowly.
The moment he closed his eyes—
His consciousness entered his spiritual sea.
The silver sea rippled gently.
At the center—
The grey stone floated quietly.
Then—
It pulsed faintly once again.
Fang Lin's eyes narrowed slightly.
Ever since entering the sect…
The stone had reacted more and more frequently.
Especially during moments of growth.
Or danger.
"What exactly are you…"
The stone naturally gave no answer.
But Fang Lin could feel it.
Something inside it—
Was awakening slowly.
And somehow…
It was connected to him.