Seeing Chen Changqing accept the challenge, Zhang Hu grinned, a trace of contempt flashing through his eyes.
"Junior Brother, draw your sword!"
In Zhang Hu's eyes, Chen Changqing was merely a disciple guarding the Mountain Gate. How strong could he possibly be?
He relied on his Seventh Layer of Qi Refining cultivation.
Within the Seven Courtyards, he was considered somewhat renowned.
Why would he fear an obscure Gatekeeping Disciple?
Hearing Zhang Hu's words, Chen Changqing remained calm and casually curled his right hand.
The next moment, a jet-black longsword, its blade faintly shimmering with flowing light, fell into his grasp.
It was precisely the High-grade Magic Tool Chengying Sword that Elder Willow Wood had bestowed upon him earlier.
"Hm?"
When Zhang Hu saw the Chengying Sword in Chen Changqing's hand, his expression darkened. He vaguely sensed that this sword was no ordinary weapon.
Just then, Chen Changqing looked at him and said indifferently,
"Senior Brother Zhang Hu."
"I'm afraid you won't be able to take this sword strike of mine."
The moment those words fell, Zhang Hu's eyes widened. So furious that he laughed instead, he burst out,
"Hahaha!"
"Junior Brother Chen, aren't you being a little too arrogant?"
"I'd like to see what abilities you possess to dare spout such shameless boasts!"
Having said that, Zhang Hu assumed the posture of a master and waited for Chen Changqing to make his move.
In his view, if he wanted to defeat Chen Changqing, he had to win beautifully.
That way, he could let the Seven Courtyards disciples present have a good look.
He, Zhang Hu, was also a heaven-blessed prodigy ranked among the Seven Courtyards. The spot in the Outer Sect Competition was his and his alone!
Seeing Zhang Hu act like that, Chen Changqing gave a cold little laugh and did not stand on ceremony.
Immediately after, he flipped his wrist, and the Chengying Sword in his hand suddenly slashed down.
Boom!
As boundless vital energy poured into it, the Chengying Sword erupted with dazzling Sword Qi in a single slash.
The Sword Qi was like a rainbow piercing the sun, instantly sweeping forth with crushing force.
"This?"
Not far away, Zhang Hu's pupils constricted sharply at the sight, his face filled with terror and shock.
Chen Changqing's strike was simply too fierce and swift.
Before the Sword Qi even arrived, his entire body stiffened, and a chill ran down his spine.
Before Zhang Hu could react,
the Sword Qi Chen Changqing had unleashed had already blasted before him.
Seeing this, Zhang Hu hurriedly summoned his own Low-grade Magic Tool sword in a fluster to block it.
Bang!
A deafening sonic boom rang out.
Zhang Hu was sent flying outright, while the Low-grade Magic Tool in his hand was crushed to pieces by Chen Changqing's Sword Qi.
In less than a few breaths, he slammed heavily into the stone wall outside the Training Ground. Without even letting out a cry of pain, he fainted on the spot.
At that sight, the entire area fell dead silent. A pin dropping could be heard.
Every Seven Courtyards disciple stood dumbfounded, their faces full of disbelief.
Only after being stunned for a long while did the crowd finally come back to their senses.
"This?"
"Am I seeing things?"
"He only used one strike?"
"Th-this is still the Qi Refining level?"
"What terrifying Sword Qi!"
"Senior Brother Zhang Hu is at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, yet he couldn't withstand even one strike from him?"
"How is that possible?"
"A Gatekeeping Disciple is actually this powerful?"
"..."
The Seven Courtyards disciples all stared wide-eyed, their expressions filled with horror.
This result had come far too suddenly.
To everyone, Zhang Hu's challenge against Chen Changqing seemed to have ended before it had even begun.
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 as her red lips parted.
"What powerful Sword Qi!"
"His strength has already far surpassed the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining."
Seeing this, Zhao Wuji's heart trembled, and he muttered to himself,
"Even I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to receive that strike of his."
"His own strength is one factor, but that High-grade Magic Tool also played no small part."
Elder Willow Wood and the two Seven Courtyards stewards both had shock flash through their eyes.
Willow Wood in particular was deeply stirred.
"This boy... he truly is a monster!"
"It has only been a few months, yet his cultivation has already broken through to the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining."
"He is only one step away from Foundation Establishment!"
Willow Wood secretly marveled.
He clearly remembered taking Chen Changqing and the others to Qingxi Village for a mission several months ago.
At that time, Chen Changqing's cultivation had only been at the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining.
Who could have imagined that in just these short months, Chen Changqing would already have broken through to the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining?
Moreover, with Willow Wood's discerning eye, he could naturally tell
that Chen Changqing had held back in that strike just now. Otherwise, Zhang Hu would not merely have fainted.
"It seems my earlier investment in him was not mistaken after all!"
Willow Wood said softly, growing increasingly satisfied with Chen Changqing and looking forward to his outstanding performance in the Outer Sect Competition.
"Hm?"
Elsewhere, Qing Yang's heart jolted, and his gaze locked tightly onto Chen Changqing.
"What a powerful strike."
"C-can I take it?"
Qing Yang was somewhat uncertain. Although he had already reached the Foundation Establishment Realm,
after Chen Changqing swung that strike just now, an inexplicable sense of apprehension had risen in his heart.
Ran Hua was left utterly dumbstruck by the sight.
"Th-this is still the Senior Brother Chen I know?"
He muttered in a daze.
Earlier, when Chen Changqing had been chosen by Elder Willow Wood as one of the Seven Courtyards disciples participating in the Outer Sect Competition, he had already been extremely shocked.
Now, the strength Chen Changqing displayed was even more terrifying.
Zhang Hu, at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, could not even block a single strike from him.
"Is Senior Brother Chen even human?"
At that thought, Ran Hua could not help but shudder.
While the entire crowd remained in shock,
Chen Changqing sheathed his sword and stood tall. His gaze swept over the crowd as he spoke coldly,
"Is there any other senior or junior brother who wishes to offer instruction?"
"If not, may I have this Seven Courtyards spot for the Outer Sect Competition?"
As Chen Changqing's words rang out, the entire place fell silent.
Damn it!
With one sword strike, he had suppressed Zhang Hu at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining.
With such strength, who would still dare step forward to challenge him?
Wouldn't that just be asking for trouble?
Especially those disciples who had been clamoring to compete with Chen Changqing earlier; they all lowered their heads now.
None of them dared meet Chen Changqing's eyes, afraid he might call them out at this moment.
After a long while, no one raised any objection.
At that point, Chen Changqing turned to look at Elder Willow Wood on the platform.
Meeting Chen Changqing's gaze, Willow Wood smiled in satisfaction, greatly gratified.
Then he took a deep breath and announced loudly,
"Since no one else wishes to challenge Chen Changqing,"
"the list of our Seven Courtyards participants for this Outer Sect Competition is now decided."
"In three days, I will personally lead you to the Outer Sect Competition venue!"
"Dismissed!"
With a wave of Elder Willow Wood's hand, the Seven Courtyards disciples dispersed one after another.
After today's battle,
Chen Changqing's name was deeply branded into the hearts of the Seven Courtyards disciples.
Before you continue