Seven Peak Masters, War Dome Peak Master, True Person Tianbo

Soon, under Elder Willow Wood's lead, Chen Changqing and the others arrived at the Outer Sect Competition grounds.

On the vast square, quite a few Outer Sect disciples of Mount Shu Sect had already gathered.

Looking around, one could see Outer Sect disciples clustered in groups of three or five, whispering to each other about something.

The place was a cacophony of voices, bustling with excitement.

The arrival of the Seventh Courtyard drew little attention, but a few jeers were especially grating.

"Heh! The Seventh Courtyard's here."

"The weakest courtyard, just here to make up the numbers."

"Every year at the Outer Sect Competition, the Seventh Courtyard ends up at the bottom, right?"

"If I were a Seventh Courtyard disciple, I'd be too embarrassed to show my face."

"This time, they'll probably be stepping stones for the rest of us again."

"..."

Hearing the mockery and ridicule around them.

The faces of the Seventh Courtyard disciples all turned sour, but they had no strength to refute it.

After all, among the seven outer courtyards of Mount Shu Sect, the Seventh Courtyard was indeed ranked last in strength.

Because of this, the Seventh Courtyard also received the fewest cultivation resources.

And this trapped the Seventh Courtyard in a vicious cycle.

Without more resources to nurture talented disciples, the courtyard naturally couldn't produce anyone extraordinary.

Thus, they couldn't achieve good results in the Outer Sect Competition.

And so it went, round and round, as if there would never be any hope.

Chen Changqing, upon hearing the taunts, remained calm in expression. His gaze swept across the crowd, his heart utterly unruffled.

"Strength is the best response."

"If you don't have strong strength yourself, you won't earn others' respect."

Elder Willow Wood heard this, his eyes as still as an ancient well.

But deep in his heart, there was some stirring.

"This year's Outer Sect Competition, my Seventh Courtyard can't be at the bottom again!"

Willow Wood murmured softly, his gaze sweeping over Qing Yang and the other disciples participating in the competition.

Finally, he lingered two seconds longer on Chen Changqing.

"I wonder if this kid will surprise me during the competition?"

Willow Wood narrowed his eyes slightly.

In his view, the strength of the other disciples was already a fixed number.

But Chen Changqing was a variable.

Perhaps he could shine brilliantly in this Outer Disciple Grand Competition.

Chen Changqing noticed Willow Wood looking at him and gave a slight smile.

Just then, the crowd in the square suddenly stirred.

"Look!"

"The Second Courtyard's here!"

"..."

Hearing this, Chen Changqing and the others all looked over.

Focusing their eyes, they saw a group of disciples in Orange Robes stepping through the air.

From their bodies emanated sharp, fierce auras.

The Second Courtyard, among the seven outer courtyards, was second only to the First Courtyard.

Their disciples were generally strong, making them a hot favorite to win this competition!

Chen Changqing's gaze swept over the Second Courtyard disciples.

He could sense that several of them had extremely formidable auras, not inferior to Qing Yang's.

"The Second Courtyard disciples all feel very strong."

"They'll probably be tough opponents in this competition."

Chen Changqing said quietly.

Soon, the Second Courtyard disciples descended to the square under the lead of their own elder.

Many disciples saw this and swarmed forward, greeting them warmly, their flattery and sycophancy all too obvious.

That scene stood in stark contrast to the mockery the Seventh Courtyard had received upon their arrival.

Just then, the sky above suddenly darkened.

"Boom!"

Immediately after, an overwhelming pressure descended.

Sensing this pressure, everyone looked up in unison.

What they saw was another large group of figures breaking through the air on flying swords.

"First Courtyard!"

"It's the First Courtyard people."

"The strongest outer courtyard!"

"..."

Seeing the arrivals, the square erupted into commotion.

The disciples of the First Courtyard all wore red robes, their expressions proud, their gazes arrogant.

Especially those participating in this competition—their auras were fierce, solidly at the Foundation Establishment level.

"The prodigies of the First Courtyard are truly terrifying!"

"Just sensing this aura makes one shudder."

"Several Foundation Establishment disciples!"

"Will they take the top spot in this Outer Court Competition again?"

"..."

The crowd buzzed with discussion, many disciples showing reverence at the sight of the First Courtyard.

Chen Changqing watched, his brow slightly furrowing.

"Whether it's the First or Second Courtyard, they both have several Foundation Establishment disciples."

"Among the ten our Seven Courtyards selected, only Senior Brother Qing Yang has reached Foundation Establishment."

"This Outer Court Competition will surely be a fierce battle."

Chen Changqing muttered quietly.

The disciples from their Seven Courtyards attending this competition—

In terms of realm, Qing Yang ranked first, already at Foundation Establishment.

Next was Liu Ruyan, a Half-step Foundation Establishment disciple.

As for the rest, including Chen Changqing, they were at Qi Refining layers eight or nine.

While the crowd was still stunned by the First Courtyard, a sudden change occurred in the sky.

"Boom!"

A thunderous sound rang out.

Then, a crack split open in the sky itself.

In the next moment, a figure slowly stepped out from within the rift.

He wore a dark battle robe, his long hair unbound, carelessly draped over his shoulders.

His eyes were as terrifying as an abyss, faint flashes of lightning flickering within.

The moment he appeared, an incredibly fearsome pressure radiated from him.

Beneath his oppressive aura, everyone felt as if the sky were collapsing and the earth overturning. Disciples with weaker cultivation were nearly suffocated.

Chen Changqing's expression shifted sharply.

He too felt the terrifying pressure of the newcomer.

"So... so strong!"

"Who is this?"

"He might be even stronger than Elder Willow Wood!"

Chen Changqing muttered inwardly, his expression grave.

Meanwhile, many Outer Disciples present burst into exclamations:

"What?"

"Am... am I seeing things?"

"Is that... the Peak Master of War Dome Peak, True Person Tianbo?"

"A Nascent Soul mighty cultivator! He actually came in person!"

"..."

Many disciples gasped, their faces full of shock.

In Mount Shu Sect, there were inner and outer divisions.

The Outer Sect has seven major courtyards, while the Inner Sect has seven peaks, namely:

Burning Heaven Peak, War Dome Peak, Suppress Peak, Void Breaking Peak, Jade Void Peak, Azure Luan Peak, and Cloud Perch Peak.

As for True Person Tianbo, he was the Peak Master of War Dome Peak, a Nascent Soul Realm powerhouse, a supreme expert who had comprehended the grand momentum of heaven and earth.

After True Person Tianbo appeared, his gaze swept across the entire venue like lightning.

Merely meeting his icy stare, everyone felt as if they had fallen into an ice cavern, their bodies stiffening, and even their breathing seemed to become difficult.

The might of a Nascent Soul—terrifying to such a degree!

After a sweeping glance, True Person Tianbo raised his hand and waved it. In his hand, an ancient token materialized.

Then, without any delay, he directly cast that Spirit Vein into the void!

"Void Realm, open!"

Accompanied by True Person Tianbo's shout, the void began to undergo a strange transformation.

"Rumble..."

Behold, that token burst forth with dazzling radiance, distorting the surrounding void.

Before long, a gateway slowly opened in the void, revealing a small world within.

Then, True Person Tianbo's voice boomed like thunder as he announced:

"This Outer Sect Competition is presided over by me."

"The first trial of the Outer Sect Competition: enter the Void Realm and slay Realm Leaders."

"Time limit: ten days."

"For each Realm Leader slain, one point is earned."

"The top twenty in points will advance to the next round of competition."