Gatekeeper Disciple? The Whole Place Erupts in Uproar, Doubts Arise!

At that moment, the disciples of the Seven Courtyards seethed with indignation.

In their eyes, Chen Changqing was utterly unremarkable.

In fact, before this, they had never even heard his name.

How could someone like him be chosen to represent the Seven Courtyards in the Outer Sect Competition?

Amid the surrounding doubts, Chen Changqing's expression remained calm, paying them no heed at all.

Earlier, he had vaguely suspected as much.

He felt that Elder Willow Wood would select him.

"This Elder Willow Wood really thinks highly of me!" Chen Changqing sighed inwardly.

At first, Elder Willow Wood hadn't taken him seriously.

But after he broke through to the Qi Refining Realm.

Elder Willow Wood first gave him a pouch of Low-grade Spirit Stones, urging him to cultivate without delay.

A few months ago, during the campaign to Qingxi Village.

Elder Willow Wood had even brought Chen Changqing along, and before leaving, bestowed upon him the High-grade Magic Tool, the Chengying Sword.

The meaning of this favor was clear without words.

Meanwhile, the disciples who had been selected earlier all fixed their gazes on Chen Changqing as well.

Liu Ruyan narrowed her beautiful eyes, lost in thought.

"Strange."

"I... how can I not see through his cultivation?"

Liu Ruyan murmured quietly.

When they had gone to Qingxi Village together before, she had seen at a glance that Chen Changqing was at the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining.

But meeting him again now, she found she could no longer see through him.

"Could he have some magic tool on him that conceals his aura?" Liu Ruyan speculated silently.

Qing Yang cast a faint glance at Chen Changqing, his entire demeanor showing no ripples, utterly calm.

"I never thought the last slot would be given to him by the elder!" Zhao Wuji exclaimed, unable to help recalling the scenes from Qingxi Village when Chen Changqing had slain the Demonic Sect cultivators.

"Though his cultivation isn't high, this man's combat strength is still considerable."

"Back in Qingxi Village, he killed quite a few Demon Cultivators."

"..."

At the same time, Chu Feng, Xiao Yun, and other disciples who had been to Qingxi Village all spoke up as well.

Their impressions of Chen Changqing were still quite vivid.

Seeing this, Elder Willow Wood, standing on the platform, did not offer any explanation for Chen Changqing. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.

Just then, a disciple suddenly remembered something.

His gaze toward Chen Changqing shifted dramatically, and he couldn't help blurting out in shock:

"I... I remember now!"

"Isn't this Chen Changqing the Gatekeeping Disciple who guards the Mountain Gate?"

"I ran into him at the Mountain Gate before; back then, this kid was leaning against the gate, dozing off and slacking off!"

With this disciple's words.

The scene erupted once more!

Upon learning that Chen Changqing was an unknown Gatekeeping Disciple, the disciples grew even more dissatisfied.

"What?"

"He's just a Gatekeeping Disciple?"

"Did I hear that wrong?"

"What right does he have to represent us, the Seven Courtyards, in the Outer Sect Competition?"

"He's not even a formal disciple—where does he get the qualification?"

"Did the elder make a mistake?"

"The Seven Courtyards hasn't sunk so low as to send a disciple who guards the gate to compete, has it?"

"..."

At once, many disciples voiced their outrage.

The doubts about Chen Changqing reached their peak.

In their eyes, how could a disciple who merely guarded the Mountain Gate possibly represent the Seven Courtyards in the Outer Sect Competition?

Hearing these murmurs, the few disciples who had once gone with Chen Changqing to Qingxi Village on a mission exchanged knowing smiles. They had witnessed Chen Changqing's strength and held a certain respect for him in their hearts.

"These fools have no idea how formidable Junior Brother Chen is!"

"Though he's just a Gatekeeping Disciple watching the mountain gate, his strength is not to be underestimated."

"Aside from us, he's among the top in the Seven Courtyards."

Zhao Wuji said with a faint smile.

Hearing Zhao Wuji's words, Qing Yang's usually calm face showed a flicker of surprise. Just moments ago, he hadn't paid much attention to Chen Changqing. It was only when some disciples recognized Chen Changqing's identity as a gatekeeper that Qing Yang grew a bit interested. Now, hearing Zhao Wuji's praise for Chen Changqing, Qing Yang couldn't help but take a closer look at him.

"A mere gatekeeping disciple, yet he went on a mission with Zhao Wuji and the others."

"And from the looks of it, he performed fairly well."

"What's so special about this Chen Changqing that he's earned such favor from Elder Willow Wood?"

Qing Yang pondered silently. Last time Elder Willow Wood led a mission outside, he happened to be in seclusion, so he hadn't joined. He knew little about Chen Changqing, but he could deduce one thing: when Elder Willow Wood went out on a mission, he brought not only the outstanding disciples of the Seven Courtyards but also Chen Changqing. This clearly showed how much Elder Willow Wood valued him. Moreover, Chen Changqing was among those selected for the Outer Sect Competition from the Seven Courtyards. Elder Willow Wood's expectations for him were obvious. After a moment's thought, Qing Yang grew even more curious about Chen Changqing.

Just then, someone stepped out from the crowd.

This man was burly, with a tiger's back and a bear's waist. He glared fiercely at Chen Changqing, then turned his gaze to Elder Willow Wood on the platform.

"Elder, I, Zhang Hu, refuse to accept this!"

"Why should a mere Gatekeeping Disciple represent the Seven Courtyards? I want to spar with him!"

"If I can defeat him, then he should give up his spot!"

Zhang Hu said angrily. He was at the seventh layer of Qi Refining. He had been certain he would be selected this time, even hoping to enter the Inner Sect through this opportunity. He never expected his spot to be taken by a Gatekeeping Disciple!

As Zhang Hu spoke, many disciples in the crowd chimed in:

"That's right, Elder!"

"What qualifies a Gatekeeping Disciple?"

"I want to challenge him too! If I beat him, give me the spot for the Outer Sect Competition!"

"You're not getting ahead of me—let me do it!"

"Chen Changqing, do you dare fight me?"

"Aren't you all bullying him? Chen Changqing, how about this—I'll fight you with one hand tied behind my back?"

"..."

In an instant, the disciples of the Seven Courtyards were riled up. In their eyes, Chen Changqing had become an easy target. After all, how strong could a Gatekeeping Disciple watching the mountain gate really be? If they could defeat Chen Changqing and snatch the spot for the Outer Sect Competition, wouldn't that be a huge win?

Seeing so many disciples eager to spar with Chen Changqing, Zhang Hu grew displeased and quickly said to Elder Willow Wood on the platform:

"Elder, I was the one who first proposed sparring with Chen Changqing!"

Elder Willow Wood smiled faintly and slowly raised his hand, signaling for everyone to quiet down. Then, his gaze shifted to Chen Changqing.

"Changqing, Zhang Hu has doubts about you and wishes to spar with you."

"What do you think?"

Chen Changqing's expression remained calm. He stepped forward slowly, his eyes fixed on Zhang Hu, and said, "I am willing to learn."