At this sight.
The disciples from every courtyard watching the battle were all struck dumb.
It took them a long while to recover from their shock.
"This?"
"Chen Changqing... won?"
"Am I seeing things?"
"Even Shi Tian, First Courtyard's genius with a Special Physique, wasn't his match?"
"How is that possible?"
"A Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator defeated a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Body Cultivator with a single sword strike? And Shi Tian even possesses the Stone Spirit Physique!"
"What Divine Ability was that sword strike just now?"
"It felt like he only drew his sword once, didn't it?"
"..."
The disciples of the various courtyards cried out in alarm, their faces full of disbelief.
When they had seen Chen Changqing take the stage to challenge Shi Tian earlier.
No one had believed Chen Changqing could win.
After all, the gap between their cultivation realms was simply too vast.
Chen Changqing was merely at Foundation Establishment Early Stage, while Shi Tian had already reached Foundation Establishment Late Stage and was a Body Cultivator said to be invincible among those of the same realm.
No one had expected the strength Chen Changqing unleashed afterward to be so terrifying.
In the Seven Courtyards Area.
The disciples stared in stunned silence, their minds buzzing.
"Junior Brother Chen... he won?"
"He defeated Shi Tian, First Courtyard's genius disciple?"
"Heavens!"
"Junior Brother Chen is way too fierce, isn't he?"
"What kind of sword technique did he use just now? How could it erupt with such terrifying power?"
"Wonderful! I... our Seven Courtyards is going to become first in the Outer Sect Competition!"
Amid their shock, the Seven Courtyards disciples were beside themselves with excitement, their faces flushed red.
Even Elder Willow Wood was deeply shaken by the sight before him.
"Changqing, this brat... really does love giving people surprises!"
Willow Wood sighed to himself.
Once the First Trial of the Outer Sect Competition had ended, he had already been thoroughly satisfied.
Three disciples from Seven Courtyards had entered the top twenty of the Scoreboard.
Chen Changqing had even ranked second on the list.
Such results had never before been achieved by Seven Courtyards.
What Willow Wood had never expected was.
The surprise Chen Changqing brought him was far from over.
Now, Chen Changqing had directly defeated Shi Tian, First Courtyard's number one disciple, in the arena matches!
"Seems this old man's eye for talent is still quite good!"
"My investment was the right one!"
Willow Wood was in high spirits, already able to picture Seven Courtyards no longer being looked down upon.
In contrast to the joy of Seven Courtyards' disciples, wails rose without end from First Courtyard.
"No..."
"How can this be possible?"
"Senior Brother Shi Tian actually lost to Chen Changqing from Seven Courtyards? And he's only at Foundation Establishment Early Stage?"
"How did it come to this?"
"Our First Courtyard's number one disciple was defeated by a single sword draw?"
"..."
The disciples' faces were filled with utter incredulity.
Li Yang's expression was extremely grim.
He hated Chen Changqing down to the bone.
Back in the Void Realm, Chen Changqing had taken advantage of his chaotic battle with Qing Yang and the others to sneak into the valley and snatch away the opportunity.
Li Yang had originally thought Chen Changqing was nothing more than a petty thief.
But now, he realized he had been utterly mistaken.
"Has this brat been playing the pig to eat the tiger all along?"
"With strength like this, he was completely unknown before now."
"Was he just waiting for this Outer Sect Competition to make a name for himself in one fell swoop?"
Just as the disciples of the various courtyards stood stunned.
Chen Changqing tapped his foot against the ground and flew down into the bottom of the enormous pit.
"Senior Brother Shi Tian, are you all right?"
Chen Changqing walked up to Shi Tian and extended a hand.
"Cough, cough..."
Shi Tian coughed lightly twice.
"Junior Brother Chen, that sword strike of yours just now... truly was formidable!"
"I concede!"
As he spoke, Shi Tian grabbed the hand Chen Changqing offered and rose to his feet with Chen Changqing's pull.
As a genius Body Cultivator, he had his own pride.
But Shi Tian was not someone who could not accept defeat.
In Shi Tian's eyes, strength had always commanded the greatest respect.
A loss was a loss. There was nothing to argue about.
Seeing how open-minded Shi Tian was, Chen Changqing smiled freely.
"Senior Brother Shi Tian, you're very strong too."
Chen Changqing was not merely flattering Shi Tian.
In his view, had he not obtained the Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique in the Void Realm, the outcome of this battle truly would have been difficult to predict.
Just then, True Person Tianbo's voice suddenly descended from the air.
"In this battle, Chen Changqing of Seven Courtyards is victorious!"
"Is there anyone else who wishes to challenge him?"
At True Person Tianbo's words, the entire venue fell silent.
Even a genius like Shi Tian had been unable to withstand a single sword strike from Chen Changqing. How could they dare challenge him?
After waiting a brief moment and seeing that no one else issued a challenge, True Person Tianbo immediately announced:
"Since no one else wishes to challenge him."
"I hereby announce that in this Mount Shu Sect Outer Disciple Grand Competition."
"Chen Changqing of Seven Courtyards has claimed first place!"
With True Person Tianbo's announcement, the Seven Courtyards Area immediately erupted.
"We won!!"
"Our... our Seven Courtyards is first!"
"This feels far too unreal, doesn't it?"
"Who could have imagined that our Seven Courtyards would seize the top spot in the Outer Disciple Grand Competition?"
"Junior Brother Chen is mighty!"
"..."
The Seven Courtyards disciples were wildly excited.
Elder Willow Wood could not hide his agitation either, his face even flushing red.
At this time, Chen Changqing and Shi Tian had already stepped down from the arena.
Shi Tian cupped his fists toward Chen Changqing, then returned to First Courtyard's area.
Just as Chen Changqing was about to join Willow Wood and the others, the space before him suddenly rippled.
When he looked closely again, True Person Tianbo, who had originally been floating in midair, had appeared before him.
Seeing True Person Tianbo, Chen Changqing hurriedly bowed.
"Greetings, Peak Master!"
True Person Tianbo nodded lightly, his deep gaze studying Chen Changqing.
"Chen Changqing, where did you learn the sword technique you used just now?"
Seeing True Person Tianbo inquire about the sword technique's origins, Chen Changqing did not conceal anything and explained everything truthfully.
"Reporting to Peak Master."
"Earlier, while this disciple was hunting Realm Beasts in the Void Realm, I happened to encounter True Lord Qingxu's divine-sense incarnation. He bestowed this sword technique upon me."
At Chen Changqing's explanation, True Person Tianbo immediately understood.
Earlier, he had been wondering how an Outer Disciple like Chen Changqing could possess Yin Yue Holy Dynasty's supreme technique.
He had never expected it to be an opportunity obtained from the Void Realm.
True Person Tianbo naturally did not doubt Chen Changqing's words. Smiling faintly, he said:
"You brat certainly has good fortune!"
"Even when I meet a senior like True Lord Qingxu, I must respectfully address him as Martial Uncle."
"I hope that after entering the Inner Sect, you work hard."
"Perhaps we will have another chance to meet!"
After saying this, True Person Tianbo casually waved his hand, and a Jade Slip landed in Chen Changqing's palm.
"Within this Jade Slip are my Nascent Soul Insights!"
"It should be of help to you!"
Having said that, True Person Tianbo did not wait for Yu Tianqing to respond before his figure vanished in a flash.
His voice echoed between heaven and earth:
"This Outer Sect Competition has now come to an end."
"Those Outer Disciples who entered the top twenty of the Grand Tournament are to gather in two days and proceed to the Inner Sect!"
Chen Changqing lowered his eyes to look at the Jade Slip in his hand. Without giving it much further thought, he headed toward Willow Wood and the others.
Before you continue