The sect leader of Ling Xiao Sword Sect, He, immediately stopped Xu Lan beside her.
"Don't be rash!"
"Senior Brother?" Xu Lan could not suppress her anger, but being stopped by her senior brother, she could only glare at the elder of Cang Hai Sect with furious eyes.
"Good, very good. Cang Hai Sect, I, Xu Lan, remember you!"
The elder of Cang Hai Sect stiffened upon hearing her words. He wanted to explain, but he also knew that they had acted dishonorably.
He could only hope that Qing Nan would quickly defeat Wang Shu and put this matter to rest.
"This, this is a martial arts stage, blades and swords are blind, injuries are inevitable," he stammered with a forced laugh.
Xu Lan did not want to deal with such a shameless person. Indeed, when the foundation is rotten, the beams and pillars will be crooked. A disciple who would resort to sneak attacks on the stage would surely have an elder no better than him.
On the martial arts stage, Lin Yan's offensive grew fiercer. Her injuries did not affect her movements, but the hidden weapons were indeed troublesome. Even with the system's reminders, she was still hit by them quite a few times.
The strength of the Golden Core mid-stage was indeed superior to the Golden Core early-stage, but as a sword cultivator, Lin Yan's strength was greater than an ordinary Golden Core early-stage cultivator.
With the system's assistance and the power of her soul, she soon gained the upper hand.
With a turn and a dodge, Lin Yan's sword blade rested on Qing Nan's neck. With a slight press, a gash appeared on his neck.
Lin Yan retracted her sword. "True Person Qing Nan, you have yielded."
"I!" Qing Nan was extremely unwilling to admit it, but he had indeed lost. "I lost."
He lowered his head. At this moment, admitting defeat could still salvage some of his dignity. "True Person Wang Shu is indeed worthy of being the youngest Golden Core True Person in the Southeast Region. In time, she might even become the foremost among Golden Core cultivators!"
As these words were spoken, the disciples of Ling Xiao Sword Sect displayed expressions of excitement and pride. Their Senior Sister had won, defeating a Golden Core mid-stage cultivator with her Golden Core early-stage cultivation.
However, the expressions of people from other sects present were not very pleasant.
Old Ancestor Xu commented, "This True Person Qing Nan is truly deep in thought!"
"Old Ancestor?" Xu Yi asked, puzzled.
"We'll talk about it later." There were too many people here, and it wasn't the time.
The elders of Ling Xiao Sword Sect were also not very pleased, but since their side had already won, they could not show their displeasure at this moment.
Lin Yan naturally understood the meaning behind his words, but as a sword cultivator who advanced with unwavering determination, she did not care about those who were unconvinced of her.
She possessed all the memories of the original host, and thus, she had her understanding of cultivation. If she wished, she could reach her ultimate cultivation level in a short period.
Initially, she had worried about her inability to withstand the power of the heavenly tribulation. Now, she knew that the heavenly tribulation could not harm her at all, and she could completely accelerate her cultivation.
What she lacked most now was practical combat experience, not just with demonic beasts, but also with these cultivators.
Although True Person Qing Nan's words elevated her status and were effectively attracting enemies for her – "A tall tree is exposed to the wind" – if her strength was sufficient, she would fear no challenge.
The Core Formation Grand Ceremony concluded with this victory in an advanced-level challenge. Cang Hai Sect offered some gifts as compensation and then left in somewhat of a dejected manner.
After exchanging pleasantries with Ling Xiao Sword Sect, the other sects also departed. Lin Yan and her elders saw them off and made arrangements to spar together.
After the Core Formation Grand Ceremony, Lin Yan's fame spread completely. The words of True Person Qing Nan were also disseminated.
This rumor spread rapidly, and within a short period, it had swept across the entire Southeast Region. The person behind the operation was self-evident.
"Wang Shu, you should remain in the sect and cultivate in seclusion for the time being," Xu Lan said with concern.
"Master, isn't this a good thing?" Lin Yan smiled.
"You?" Xu Lan looked at Lin Yan with disapproval. "The rumors outside have already painted you in such a light, attracting so many enemies for you. How can this be a good thing!"
"As long as I can bear the pressure brought by the rumors, they will cease to be mere rumors. Is there anyone in the entire Southeast Region who doesn't know about our Ling Xiao Sword Sect now?" Lin Yan spoke with great confidence.
"You, you child, how can you be so arrogant!" Xu Lan was very angry seeing Lin Yan treating this matter so lightly.
"Junior Sister, there's no need to be so angry. I, on the other hand, think what Wang Shu said is quite right. These rumors are both a crisis and an opportunity." The sect leader happened to walk in at this moment.
"Sect Leader Senior Brother, you too!"
"Little Wang Shu, do you have this confidence?" Sect Leader He looked at Lin Yan.
"I will try my best."
After the rumors spread, both Lin Yan's appearance and her strength became topics of discussion.
Lin Yan's portraits were sold in various markets throughout the Southeast Region. These were drawn by disciples skilled in painting during the Core Formation Grand Ceremony and then sold.
In the portrait, the woman, though not wearing ornate or lavish robes, nor adorned with any hairpins or jewelry, possessed a face that was simply unforgettable.
With such a face, there was no need for any adornments.
After the portrait spread, the fame of Fairy Wang Shu gradually became known, and soon, even other regions began to see this portrait.
As for Qing Nan's assertion that Lin Yan would become the foremost among Golden Core cultivators, many people merely laughed it off.
These individuals understood True Person Qing Nan's abilities and knew that he was only saying this because he was a sore loser.
However, there were still those who wished to challenge Lin Yan, but these individuals were merely seeking to use Lin Yan's current fame to establish their own.
After the Grand Ceremony, Lin Yan began to focus on her own cultivation, teaching, and studying formations.
When someone came to challenge her, she would go to the martial arts stage for a match. As for those who came to admire her beauty, Lin Yan simply ignored them.
After cultivating, impurities in the body are expelled, and people become clearer with the infusion of spiritual energy. Therefore, there are very few ugly people in the cultivation world.
Moreover, during the Golden Core and Nascent Soul stages, one can even reshape their body. Thus, cultivation can be considered the best means of beauty enhancement.
Yet, even so, they still paid great attention to the appearances of others.
Just like how they ranked the "Top Ten Handsome Men," "Top Ten Beauties," or "Number One Beauty of the Southeast Region," and so on.
It was unavoidable, given their long lifespans; they had to find some entertainment for themselves.
After Lin Yan's beauty spread, it attracted many suitors, and even requests for marital alliances from some sects and prominent families.
However, these marriage proposals were all politely declined by Sect Leader He. His own prized "white cabbage" was only in her early teens, still a child, while those suitors were so much older; it was utterly shameless.
Furthermore, Wang Shu was a candidate for the next sect leader. How could she possibly be married off through an alliance!
Their sect did not need to form marital alliances with any sect or family. They were a sword sect, all sword cultivators; a sword was all they needed. What need was there for alliances!
Thus, without Lin Yan's knowledge, Sect Leader He had already fended off many unwanted suitors for her.