One Sword Suppresses, The Entire Audience Falls Silent!

Seeing Chen Changqing accept the challenge, Zhang Hu grinned, a flicker of contempt flashing in his eyes.

"Junior Brother, please draw your sword!"

In Zhang Hu's view, a disciple guarding the Mountain Gate—how strong could he possibly be?

He prided himself on his cultivation at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining.

Among the Seven Courtyards, he had earned some small renown.

How could he fear a nameless Gatekeeping Disciple?

Hearing Zhang Hu's words, Chen Changqing's expression remained calm as his right hand curled into an empty grip.

The next moment, a pitch-black longsword with faint flowing light shimmering along its blade materialized in his hand.

It was the High-grade Magic Tool Chengying Sword, bestowed upon him earlier by Elder Willow Wood.

"Oh?"

Zhang Hu's face darkened at the sight of the Chengying Sword in Chen Changqing's hand, vaguely sensing its extraordinary nature.

Just then, Chen Changqing looked toward him and said flatly:

"Senior Brother Zhang Hu."

"This one strike of mine—I'm afraid you cannot withstand it."

At these words, Zhang Hu's eyes bulged, and he laughed in fury:

"Hahaha!"

"Junior Brother Chen, aren't you a bit too arrogant?"

"Let me see what skill you have to spout such nonsense!"

With that, Zhang Hu struck a lofty pose, waiting calmly for Chen Changqing to make his move.

In his mind, if he was going to defeat Chen Changqing, he had to do it cleanly and impressively.

Let all the disciples of the Seven Courtyards witness it.

He, Zhang Hu, was a true prodigy ranked among the Seven Courtyards—the spot to participate in the Outer Sect Competition was his for the taking!

Seeing Zhang Hu's posture, Chen Changqing gave a faint, cold smile and didn't hold back.

The next moment, he twisted his wrist, and the Chengying Sword in his hand slashed downward.

"Boom!"

As vast, vigorous energy poured into it, the Chengying Sword's strike erupted with dazzling Sword Qi.

The Sword Qi blazed forth like a rainbow piercing the sun, instantly surging outward.

"This—?"

Not far away, Zhang Hu's pupils contracted sharply at the sight, his face filled with terror and shock.

The truth was, Chen Changqing's strike was far too swift and fierce.

Before the Sword Qi even reached him, his entire body stiffened, and a chill ran down his spine.

Before Zhang Hu could react.

The Sword Qi Chen Changqing had unleashed was already upon him.

In a panic, Zhang Hu hurriedly summoned his own Low-grade Magic Tool longsword to block.

"Boom!"

A deafening explosion rang out.

Zhang Hu was sent flying backward, his Low-grade Magic Tool shattered to pieces by Chen Changqing's Sword Qi.

Within a few breaths, he crashed heavily into the stone wall outside the Training Ground, not even letting out a cry of pain before falling unconscious on the spot.

At this sight, the entire scene fell into dead silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Every disciple of the Seven Courtyards stood dumbfounded, utterly incredulous.

It took a long while before anyone snapped back to their senses.

"This—?"

"Am I seeing things?"

"Just one strike?"

"Is this... still the Qi Refining stage?"

"Such terrifying Sword Qi!"

"Senior Brother Zhang Hu is at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining—and he couldn't withstand a single blow?"

"How is that possible?"

"A Gatekeeping Disciple, this strong?"

The disciples of the Seven Courtyards all stared wide-eyed, their expressions filled with shock.

Such an outcome had come far too suddenly.

To everyone present, Zhang Hu's challenge to Chen Changqing had ended before it even began.

On the high platform, the disciples selected to participate in the Outer Court Competition also wore looks of disbelief.

Liu Ruyan's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, her red lips parting softly:

"Such powerful Sword Qi!"

"His strength has already far surpassed the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining."

Zhao Wuji, seeing this, felt a tremor in his heart and muttered quietly to himself:

"That sword strike of his... even I might not be able to block it."

"His own strength is one factor, but that High-grade Magic Tool also accounts for a good part of it."

Elder Willow Wood and the two Seven Courtyards stewards, witnessing this, all had flashes of shock in their eyes.

Willow Wood, in particular, was deeply stirred.

"This boy... truly a prodigy!"

"In just a few months, his cultivation has already broken through to the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining."

"He's only one step away from the Foundation Establishment Realm!"

Willow Wood marveled inwardly.

He clearly remembered that a few months ago, he had led Chen Changqing and the others on a mission to Qingxi Village.

Back then, Chen Changqing's cultivation was only at the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining.

Who would have thought that in this short span of months, Chen Changqing would have already broken through to the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining?

Moreover, with Willow Wood's keen eyesight, he could naturally tell.

Chen Changqing had held back in that sword strike just now; otherwise, Zhang Hu would likely have been more than just knocked unconscious!

"It seems my investment in him earlier was not mistaken."

Willow Wood said softly, growing more satisfied with Chen Changqing, looking forward to his outstanding performance in the Outer Sect Competition.

"Hmm?"

On the other side, Qing Yang saw this and couldn't help but feel a jolt in his heart, his gaze fixed firmly on Chen Changqing.

"Such a powerful sword strike."

"Can I... can I block it?"

Qing Yang was uncertain. Although he was already at the Foundation Establishment Realm, after Chen Changqing swung that sword just now, an inexplicable sense of dread had arisen in his heart.

Ran Hua, seeing this scene, was left utterly dumbfounded.

"This... is this still the Senior Brother Chen I know?"

He muttered in stunned disbelief.

Earlier, when Chen Changqing was chosen by Elder Willow Wood as one of the Seven Courtyards disciples to participate in the Outer Sect Competition, he had already been greatly surprised.

Now, the strength Chen Changqing had displayed was even more terrifying than that.

Zhang Hu, at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, couldn't even withstand a single sword strike from him.

"Is Senior Brother Chen even human?"

Thinking this, Ran Hua couldn't help but shiver.

Just as the entire venue was in shock, Chen Changqing sheathed his sword and stood upright, his gaze sweeping across the crowd as he spoke coldly:

"Is there any other fellow disciple who wishes to offer guidance?"

"If not, then can I claim this spot for the Seven Courtyards to participate in the Outer Sect Competition?"

As Chen Changqing's words fell, the entire venue fell into dead silence.

Damn!

A single sword strike had suppressed Zhang Hu at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining.

With such strength, who would dare step forward to challenge him?

Wasn't that just asking for trouble?

In particular, those disciples who had earlier clamored to spar with Chen Changqing now all lowered their heads.

None of them dared to meet Chen Changqing's gaze, afraid that he would call them out at this moment.

For a long while, no one raised any objection.

At this point, Chen Changqing turned his gaze toward Elder Willow Wood on the platform.

After receiving Chen Changqing's gaze, Elder Willow Wood smiled in satisfaction, deeply gratified.

Then, he took a deep breath and announced in a clear voice:

"Since no one else will challenge Chen Changqing."

"Then the list for our Seven Courtyards' participation in the Outer Sect Competition is now finalized."

"In three days, I will personally lead you to the venue of the Outer Sect Competition!"

"You are all dismissed!"

With a wave of Elder Willow Wood's hand, the disciples of the Seven Courtyards scattered and left.

After this day's battle.

The name Chen Changqing had been deeply engraved in the hearts of the Seven Courtyards' disciples.