If Rich, Don't Forget? Noble Family Disciple?

Seeing the crowd depart.

Liu Ruyan descended gracefully and landed before Chen Changqing and Ran Hua.

"Junior Brother Chen."

"You truly become harder and harder to read."

"In just a few months, your cultivation has advanced with astonishing speed."

"At this rate, even compared to those Prodigies in the Inner Sect, you're likely not far behind."

Hearing Liu Ruyan's praise.

Chen Changqing gave a faint smile and said:

"Senior Sister Liu flatters me!"

"This Humble One merely broke through by chance."

Liu Ruyan smiled softly, her interest in Chen Changqing growing even more.

"Three days from now, don't miss it."

"I hope that in this Outer Sect Competition, Junior Brother Chen will stun everyone and win glory for our Seventh Courtyard."

With that, Liu Ruyan didn't wait for Chen Changqing's reply before she flew off on her sword.

Ran Hua stood nearby, staring blankly at Chen Changqing.

"How come it's always 'broke through by chance' with everyone?"

"How many chances can there be in this world?"

No one knew better than Ran Hua just how fast Chen Changqing's cultivation had been rising.

Although he had entered the sect later than Chen Changqing, he had actually been ahead in cultivation at first.

When Chen Changqing was still in the Qi Nourishing Realm, Ran Hua had already reached the Late Body Tempering Stage.

But then, somehow.

Chen Changqing's cultivation speed began to skyrocket, surging forward without pause.

Soon, he surpassed Ran Hua.

Every time Ran Hua asked, Chen Changqing's answer was always that he had made a small breakthrough by chance.

"How exactly does Senior Brother Chen cultivate?"

He muttered quietly, utterly unable to figure out how Chen Changqing could raise his cultivation so quickly.

Just as Ran Hua was lost in thought, Chen Changqing glanced at him:

"Junior Brother Ran, aren't you leaving yet?"

"Planning to stay here in the Training Ground to cultivate?"

Hearing this, Ran Hua snapped out of his reverie.

The two didn't linger and headed back toward their lodgings together.

"Senior Brother Chen, Senior Sister Liu is known throughout the Seventh Courtyard for being aloof."

"But when she's with you, she seems really warm."

"Could it be she's taken a liking to you?"

Chen Changqing smiled faintly and said:

"Junior Brother Ran, if you have time to think about such trivial matters."

"You'd be better off putting more effort into your cultivation."

"Maybe then you'll be selected in the next Outer Sect Competition."

Hearing this, Ran Hua looked embarrassed and quickly nodded:

"Senior Brother Chen's advice is right."

Earlier in the Training Ground, seeing Chen Changqing suppress Seventh Layer of Qi Refining Zhang Hu with a single sword strike.

Ran Hua had instantly gained deep admiration for Chen Changqing.

Beyond that, he also understood.

With Chen Changqing's strength, participating in this Outer Sect Competition, he was very likely to be chosen to enter the Inner Sect for cultivation.

After thinking this over, Ran Hua quickly caught up to Chen Changqing's impressive stride and flattered him with excitement:

"Senior Brother Chen! When you strike it rich, don't forget me!"

"If you enter the Inner Sect later, don't forget your junior brother here!"

"With my talent, who knows how long I'll be stuck in the Outer Sect. If I can get a bit of your help in the future, I'll have an easier time out here."

Hearing Ran Hua's words, Chen Changqing couldn't help but chuckle.

The Outer Sect Competition hadn't even started yet, and Ran Hua already seemed certain he would enter the Inner Sect.

Besides that, Chen Changqing was also well aware in his heart.

Wanting to achieve a good ranking in the Outer Sect Competition was no simple matter.

Take Qing Yang, for example—at Foundation Establishment cultivation, he had only made it into the top twenty in the last Outer Sect Competition.

Seeing Chen Changqing silent, Ran Hua frowned slightly.

He wondered if his fawning and flattery had displeased Chen Changqing.

Just as he was about to say something more, a sudden shout came from not far away:

"Junior Brother Chen!"

Hearing this, Chen Changqing and Ran Hua both turned to look in unison.

Focusing their eyes, they saw a figure slowly walking toward them.

"Why is he here?"

Chen Changqing frowned slightly, his gaze fixed directly on that tall, slender figure—who else could it be but the Top Disciple of the Seven Courtyards, Qing Yang?

"Could he be here to put me in my place?"

As he sized him up, this thought crossed Chen Changqing's mind.

In his view, he had just stolen the spotlight in front of the Seven Courtyards disciples.

As the leader among them, Qing Yang might well come to suppress him.

Though this doubt lingered in his heart, Chen Changqing remained extremely courteous on the surface, cupping his hands toward Qing Yang and saying:

"Greetings, Senior Brother Qing Yang."

Seeing this, Ran Hua quickly bowed deeply as well.

Qing Yang smiled faintly, his gaze fixed deeply on Chen Changqing, and praised:

"Junior Brother really showed off your might today!"

"In front of everyone from the Seven Courtyards, you suppressed Zhang Hu with a single sword strike."

"With strength like that, even I, as your senior brother, feel a bit ashamed of my inferiority."

Hearing Qing Yang's politeness, Chen Changqing replied humbly:

"Senior Brother flatters me."

"May I ask what business Senior Brother Qing Yang has with me?"

Qing Yang did not rush to answer Chen Changqing. His bright eyes locked firmly onto Chen Changqing's form.

That sharp gaze seemed to want to see through Chen Changqing completely.

"Hm?"

Suddenly scrutinized by Qing Yang like this, Chen Changqing's expression gradually turned serious.

After a brief silence, Qing Yang suddenly spoke:

"Junior Brother Chen."

"Which clan are you from? Or which dynasty?"

In Qing Yang's view, Chen Changqing's background must be extraordinary.

With such talent and strength, he was likely a disciple sent by some major power to train at Shushan.

"Ah?"

Chen Changqing was taken aback, then shook his head and said:

"Senior Brother Qing Yang must be mistaken."

"I'm just an ordinary person, from a small place, hardly worth mentioning."

Hearing Chen Changqing's reply, a flicker of surprise flashed through Qing Yang's eyes, but it quickly subsided.

"Very well, since Junior Brother is unwilling to say more, I won't press further."

With that, Qing Yang paused briefly.

When he spoke again, his tone suddenly turned much more serious.

"I hope Junior Brother will give his all in the Outer Disciple Grand Competition three days from now and bring glory to our Seven Courtyards!"

Chen Changqing nodded and said with a smile:

"This Humble One will naturally do his best."

After that, Qing Yang did not linger and turned to leave.

Watching Qing Yang's gradually receding figure, Chen Changqing frowned and began to speculate inwardly.

"Did Qing Yang come to me just to ask these things?"

"Was he testing me for something?"

After thinking it over briefly, Chen Changqing let out a long sigh and didn't dwell on the matter.

Time flows like water.

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.

This morning, the gathering bell of the Seven Courtyards rang out once more.

Upon hearing the bell, Chen Changqing hurried toward the Seven Courtyards' Training Ground.

By the time he arrived, several dozen disciples of the Seven Courtyards had already assembled.

Elder Willow Wood stood at the forefront. Seeing that everyone had gathered, he waved his sleeve and said:

"Follow me, let's set out!"

With that, Elder Willow Wood was the first to take off on his sword.

Seeing this, Liu Ruyan and the others promptly summoned their flying swords and chased after Elder Willow Wood.

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Chen Changqing was not slow either. Stepping onto the Chengying Sword, he flew through the air, the wind whistling past his ears and the mountains and rivers like a painting beneath his feet!