The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind!

In the span of a few breaths, the several disciples who had first attacked Chen Changqing were already smashed to the ground, knocked unconscious on the spot.

"This?"

For a moment, the entire scene fell into dead silence.

Disciples from every courtyard wore expressions of utter disbelief.

Just moments ago, they had been mocking Chen Changqing, but who would have thought his strength was so formidable?

As the crowd stood stunned, Chen Changqing curled the corner of his mouth, revealing a meaningful smile.

"Swoosh!"

The next instant, his figure shot forward like an arrow.

To him, every disciple present was nothing but walking Points.

Seeing Chen Changqing charging toward them, the disciples from each courtyard finally snapped out of their shock.

"Everyone, don't panic—attack together!"

Someone shouted in alarm.

Then, the disciples from every courtyard actually united against a common foe and struck at Chen Changqing.

"Boom! Boom!"

Spiritual power surged, and a barrage of attacks rained down from all directions, pressing toward Chen Changqing.

In response, Chen Changqing only gave a contemptuous smirk.

Immediately after, a brilliant flash of lightning erupted from his hand.

"Boom!"

In less than an instant, Chen Changqing threw a single punch to meet the combined assault of the courtyard disciples.

"Bang! Bang..."

With each deafening explosion of the fist ringing out, the attacks of the courtyard disciples crumbled into nothing beneath his Thunderclap Divine Fist.

The sweeping residual force of the mighty punch sent numerous disciples flying backward.

"Pfft! Pfft!"

As they tumbled through the air, every one of those disciples spat blood. Before they could even let out a cry of pain, they all crashed to the ground, unconscious.

Chen Changqing lightly dusted off his hands and glanced around.

All the disciples who had been guarding the valley entrance were now completely knocked out.

Without delay, Chen Changqing stripped the Points from the Identity Tokens of these disciples.

"Done!"

"Now for the main event."

After taking their Points, Chen Changqing shifted his gaze and looked deeper into the valley.

At that moment, violent tremors were still echoing from within the valley.

Clearly, Qing Yang and the other three Foundation Establishment disciples were still locked in battle.

Without hesitation, Chen Changqing swiftly slipped into the depths of the valley.

Meanwhile, deep within the valley.

"Boom! Boom!"

Spiritual power raged, and waves of air churned!

Li Yang's body blazed with crimson flames, his fists like dragons, each strike shaking the void itself.

Wen Liang's movements were eerie and unpredictable, his fingers forming seals as gusts of wind twisted and turned, sharp as blades.

Meng Zhou's fists were like hammers, each blow carrying the power to split mountains and shatter rock.

And as for Qing Yang, his sword light was like a rainbow, his sword techniques executed to perfection in his hands.

All four were at the Foundation Establishment realm, and they had now fought themselves into a frenzy, each going all out. The entire valley trembled.

"Boom! Boom!"

Mighty spiritual forces clashed endlessly, sending terrifying shockwaves sweeping across the area.

The four were locked in a chaotic melee, with no specific target—their only goal was to keep anyone other than themselves from getting near the golden light at the bottom of the valley.

Just as their fierce battle reached its peak, a figure silently crept into the depths of the valley.

It was Chen Changqing.

"Senior Brother Qing Yang, my apologies!"

Chen Changqing lifted his gaze to glance at the four still locked in battle midair, then swiftly turned and dashed toward the spot where golden light radiated not far away.

In just a few breaths, he arrived, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Haha, this treasure is mine!"

Chen Changqing was beside himself with elation, and without hesitation, he reached his hand straight into the dazzling golden radiance.

It was at this moment that the four fighting in midair finally noticed what was happening below in the valley.

Seeing someone had beaten them to it, they all erupted in fury!

"How dare you!"

Li Yang's eyes blazed wide, crimson flames surging around him.

None of them had expected someone to try and snatch the prize while they were locked in combat.

"Boom!"

The next instant, Li Yang abandoned his fight with Qing Yang and the others, diving straight toward Chen Changqing!

"Boy, you're asking for death!"

At the same time, Wen Liang's eyes flashed coldly. His fingers moved swiftly through hand seals, and as he lunged forward, wind blades materialized one after another, shooting toward Chen Changqing.

"What mangy brat dares to cut in line?"

Meng Zhou was even more enraged. His fists swung like hammers, unleashing a violent blast of fist force aimed directly at Chen Changqing's back.

In less than a moment, the three reached an unspoken agreement and attacked Chen Changqing in unison.

How could they let a mere Qi Refining disciple snatch their opportunity right under their noses?

"Hm?"

Qing Yang frowned at the sight.

"Chen Changqing?"

"It's him!"

While Li Yang and the others didn't recognize Chen Changqing, Qing Yang naturally did.

After all, both he and Chen Changqing were disciples of the Seventh Courtyard, and both were among the ten elites selected from the Seventh Courtyard to participate in this Outer Sect Competition.

After a brief moment of thought, a look of resolve flashed in Qing Yang's eyes.

From his earlier exchange with Li Yang and the other two, he had already realized that all three were formidable—none weaker than himself.

For him to seize the treasure from the trio alone was nearly impossible.

"In that case..."

"It wouldn't be so bad for Junior Brother Changqing to claim this opportunity."

"At least it won't fall into the hands of another courtyard."

With that thought, Qing Yang steeled himself and immediately unleashed a sword strike.

"Boom!"

In an instant, a sword light arced like a rainbow, slashing directly across the path of Li Yang and the other two as they charged forward.

Their attacks scattered under Qing Yang's sword strike.

Their rushing forms came to a halt.

"What the—?"

"Qing Yang, have you lost your mind?"

"Can't you see someone's cutting in?"

"..."

Li Yang and the others glared at Qing Yang in fury.

None of them had expected Qing Yang to block them at a moment like this.

Unfazed, Qing Yang smiled lightly and said:

"Disciples of my Seventh Courtyard naturally support one another."

At Qing Yang's words, Li Yang and the others finally realized.

Wasn't the purple uniform Chen Changqing wearing exactly that of the Outer Sect's Seventh Courtyard?

In the brief pause of their exchange, Chen Changqing had already thrust his hand deep into the dazzling golden light.

But to his surprise, when he grabbed, there was nothing inside—completely empty.

"What's going on?"

"There's no treasure?"

Chen Changqing was completely stunned.

Before he could even collect himself, an invisible, uncanny force suddenly wrapped around him.

"What's happening?"

After sensing it, Chen Changqing was startled.

He had thought he might obtain some treasure within that golden light, but never expected this.

Before Chen Changqing could think further, the scene before his eyes abruptly shifted.

The next moment, the golden light dissipated entirely, and along with it, Chen Changqing's figure vanished without a trace.

Seeing the scene in the valley below, Qing Yang and the others were all taken aback.

"Where is he?"

Li Yang stared in shock at the spot where the golden light had faded, his face dark as thunder.

"Damn it!"

Wen Liang cursed, killing intent surging in his eyes, but there was nothing he could do.

"Hmph, lucky bastard!"

"He actually snatched it right out from under us."

"Son of a bitch! We'll have to find another opportunity!"

Meng Zhou roared in fury, throwing a punch that directly shattered a massive boulder in the valley.