Challenge

Time flew by in the blink of an eye,

Just as Zhang Qingyuan was preparing to leave the Sect Gate once more and head out to accept missions for cultivation resources,

News came from the Separate Courtyard,

That Dean Liu would personally give a lecture at tomorrow's gathering,

It seemed to be because the Outer Sect Grand Competition was drawing near,

And the Separate Courtyard's results were tied to Dean Liu's sect rewards. Thus, Dean Liu had specially spent some time increasing the number of lectures for the Outer Sect Disciples of the Seventeenth Branch, raising the cultivation of the disciples under his charge.

As an expert of the True Essence Realm,

Zhang Qingyuan naturally could not miss Dean Liu's lecture.

So he temporarily remained behind.

The next day,

The sun rose,

And the morning bell of the Seventeenth Branch rang throughout the mountains.

Figures swept out from their respective residences,

Leaping and darting,

Before gathering atop Chaoyang Peak in one fell swoop.

Zhang Qingyuan was among the crowd as well,

However,

He discovered

That the atmosphere around him seemed somewhat unusual.

Sitting cross-legged at the end of the second row, Zhang Qingyuan sensed that quite a few people in the Separate Courtyard had shifted their gazes onto him.

They whispered among themselves in low voices,

As though discussing something.

Zhang Qingyuan's expression darkened slightly.

"Qingyuan, be careful today. That fellow Yao Ping advanced to the Late Spirit Essence Realm half a month ago, and he's been saying that he wants you to crawl down from that position yourself."

"Dean Liu is here today too. I'm afraid that fellow has already prepared to make trouble for you."

At this moment,

Jiang Yuan, a fellow sect member who had appeared from nowhere, told Zhang Qingyuan the reason in a low voice.

Zhang Qingyuan did not have many friends in the Seventeenth Branch,

But after all, he had one or two friends with whom he shared some rapport.

Jiang Yuan was one of them.

"That fellow Yao Ping—I saw him passing by last time, and he publicly declared that you, Qingyuan, were nothing but a trash cultivator piled up by resources, someone who had always hidden in the sect and didn't even dare go out to hunt Low-level Demonic Beasts. He probably bears a grudge because you took his position last time. Qingyuan, be careful this time."

His tone held both indignation and concern for Zhang Qingyuan.

Like Zhang Qingyuan,

Whenever Jiang Yuan needed to accept Outer Sect missions to obtain cultivation resources, he would take tasks in Area C and Area D involving the planting of Spirit Fields and tending Spirit Plants. As a result, people like them were not skilled in combat.

It was precisely because they often accepted such missions and had that in common that Zhang Qingyuan and Jiang Yuan had become fairly close.

Only,

Before Yao Ping, who had earned some renown in the Seventeenth Branch through his combat power and was known as the Little Fierce Tiger,

With the other party setting his sights on him,

There was naturally no lack of concern.

"Don't worry. If he really dares provoke me this time, I'll teach that fellow a proper lesson."

Patting Jiang Yuan on the shoulder,

Zhang Qingyuan thanked him for his goodwill.

"Ah, Qingyuan, if you really can't beat him, there's no shame in admitting defeat."

Clearly,

Jiang Yuan did not seem very confident in this battle and wanted to offer some consolation.

"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."

Zhang Qingyuan did not explain.

Over the past month or so, his strength had improved considerably. If he used every method at his disposal, contending against a cultivator at the late Spirit Essence Realm Seventh Level would not be a difficult matter.

Perhaps,

His combat experience truly fell short of Yao Ping's,

But the fourth layer of the Water Origin Art, the Cloud Water Thirteen Sword Styles at Great Accomplishment, and the newly purchased Magic Tool, Silver Shadow,

Compared to before Dean Liu's lecture last time,

How could his strength have increased by merely a few points?

If the other party still treated him based on his former strength, he would probably not escape suffering a great loss.

However,

Zhang Qingyuan did not explain the matter in detail to Jiang Yuan.

No matter how one explained, others' impressions would remain stuck in the past. Actual performance was far more convincing.

After the two spoke quietly for a while,

Jiang Yuan returned to his seat with a trace of concern.

Zhang Qingyuan gathered his thoughts once more,

When he suddenly felt that someone seemed to be watching him.

Turning his head,

Yao Ping, seated cross-legged in the first seat on the left side of the third row, stared into his eyes. He formed his hand into a blade and drew it twice across his neck, revealing a provocative gaze.

Zhang Qingyuan's expression darkened slightly,

But he did not respond.

A thread of anger rippled through his previously tranquil heart.

Yet it swiftly subsided.

At this time,

Most of the Outer Sect Disciples in the Seventeenth Branch had already gathered atop Chaoyang Peak.

Not long after,

Dean Liu arrived riding his sword,

Drifting down gracefully from high altitude.

After a brief, encouraging opening speech,

Dean Liu began that day's lecture.

Zhang Qingyuan hurriedly focused and listened.

This lecture

Concerned Martial Skills, mainly the use of Martial Skills in battle, how to inflict the greatest damage upon an opponent, the matters requiring attention when cultivating Martial Skills, and how to increase the speed of training them.

During this period,

Dean Liu also focused on explaining the Nine Refinements Bone Forging Fist and Cloud Water Thirteen Sword Styles, the two most common basic Outer Sect Martial Skills of the Cloud Water Sect.

Among them,

The Nine Refinements Bone Forging Fist was an internal cultivation Martial Skill. It tempered one's bones and blood, melding them into one to strengthen the physique. It was the most widespread fist Martial Skill in the Cloud Water Sect's Outer Sect.

Of course, this fist art focused on circulating the qi and blood within the body and tempering the bones,

So it was not particularly offensive,

But according to Dean Liu, once the Nine Refinements Bone Forging Fist reached Great Accomplishment, its power could not be underestimated.

Several of its attacking moves, if cultivated to perfection, possessed even more inconceivable might.

As for the Cloud Water Thirteen Sword Styles,

Named after the Cloud Water Sect, it was naturally also the most widely taught sword art in the Cloud Water Sect, without equal.

Although these thirteen sword forms were plain and unremarkable,

As the Basic Sword Style cultivated by Outer Sect Disciples,

They were the distilled essence of swordsmanship foundations compiled by the sect's true core experts. Their early power might not be high, but what mattered was that they could lay an exceptionally solid foundation for Outer Sect Disciples.

Let alone the fact that if cultivated to greater depths, their power was also far from weak.

This was a sword art with a low floor, requiring vast effort to cultivate, yet if one achieved something with it, its ceiling was also extremely high.

It was said

That if one could cultivate the Cloud Water Thirteen Sword Styles to perfection, the Inner Sect had an advanced sword art based upon it, and its might was extraordinarily astonishing.

On the high platform, Dean Liu slowly and methodically shared the gains from his own cultivation, explaining matters in a clear and accessible manner.

The people below listened with great relish.

Zhang Qingyuan, amid the crowd, was even more so.

When he lacked sufficient Contribution Points to purchase other offensive spells or Martial Skills, these two Martial Skills were among Zhang Qingyuan's most important methods for facing enemies.

[You listened carefully to Dean Liu's lecture and compared it against your own cultivation. You gained insight into the Nine Refinements Bone Forging Fist. Your Nine Refinements Bone Forging Fist proficiency +1]

[You listened carefully to Dean Liu's lecture and compared it against your own cultivation. You gained insight into the Cloud Water Thirteen Sword Styles. Your Cloud Water Thirteen Sword Styles proficiency +1]

In the Data Panel deep within his mind,

Lines of text continuously emerged.

Until two hours later,

The sun stood at its zenith,

And Dean Liu ended the lecture.

By then, Zhang Qingyuan's Nine Refinements Bone Forging Fist proficiency had already reached 740, while the Cloud Water Thirteen Sword Styles proficiency had also increased by 8 points.

Name: Zhang Qingyuan

Nine Refinements Bone Forging Fist: (Great Accomplishment: 740/1000 (+11))

Cloud Water Thirteen Sword Styles: (Great Accomplishment: 21/1000 (+8))

That was not all he had harvested.

There were still parts of Dean Liu's explanation that Zhang Qingyuan had yet to digest.

Once the gathering ended and he returned to the Inner Residence,

If he practiced once more,

Then the proficiency of both Martial Skills would rise again!

"The Outer Sect Grand Competition is approaching. Cultivate diligently, and strive to obtain a better ranking in the Grand Competition."

After delivering the usual formal remarks,

Just as Dean Liu was preparing to leave,

Suddenly,

A voice rang out from below the stage:

"Reporting to Dean, this disciple Yao Ping challenges Zhang Qingyuan. I ask that Dean grant permission!"

Dean Liu gave Yao Ping below the stage an indifferent glance,

His gaze barely wavering.

"Since that is the case, begin."

The Cloud Water Sect's Outer Sect

Did not prohibit battles between disciples.

After all, some resources were ranked according to strength, and Dean Liu had no intention of stopping it.

Very quickly,

Upon the empty arena atop Chaoyang Peak,

Yao Ping leaped into the field,

His gaze provocatively fixed upon Zhang Qingyuan amid the crowd.

Facing the many gazes around him,

Zhang Qingyuan remained expressionless.

With a light sweep of his body, he drifted gracefully into the field.

"Two months ago, I said it already. Don't think that entering the Late Spirit Essence Realm ahead of time makes you so impressive. Today, I'll let you know that with your three-legged cat kung fu, you're nothing but a joke!"

Within the arena, Yao Ping glared viciously at Zhang Qingyuan opposite him.

Zhang Qingyuan frowned.

"I have never thought myself particularly formidable. On the other hand, you—why must you provoke me again and again over nothing more than a seat?"

"Hmph! If you hadn't occupied that position and claimed the share of resources that should have belonged to me, I would have broken through to the Late Spirit Essence Realm a month ago!"

"Enough nonsense, come on! Today, I'll properly teach you, you piece of trash, a lesson!"

Provoked again and again,

The anger in Zhang Qingyuan's heart could no longer help but rise to his face.

Do you really think you've already won?!

Once they were ready,

The battle began!

Yao Ping struck first,

Letting out a thunderous roar as an air wave surged up and swept the air clear!

He stomped fiercely, making the ground tremble. A fine crack split open, and a ring of smoke and dust visible to the naked eye burst upward. His figure shot forth like an afterimage, smashing down toward Zhang Qingyuan's head through the air. His Fist Intent was upright and imposing, fierce and majestic, Filled With an overwhelming masculine force!

Heavenly Dipper Dragon Tiger Fist!

Roar!!!

Faintly,

A faint yet ferocious tiger's roar suddenly echoed through the air,

A virile aura

swept up a gale in the air, like a fierce tiger descending the mountain, filled with an irresistible, overwhelming, terrifying might!

"Good!"

Yao Ping's punch surged like a rainbow, his assault like crashing tides, Fierce Fiendish Qi shaking the heavens.

At once, it drew a chorus of praise from the other Fellow Sect Members beneath the arena.

"As expected of Yao Ping, known as the Little Fierce Tiger. His Heavenly Dipper Dragon Tiger Fist has already reached Great Accomplishment and gained a trace of a fierce tiger's essence. Among cultivators at the Early Spirit Essence Realm Seventh Level, I'm afraid not many could withstand this move!"

Yao Ping had always loved battle.

He had long earned the title of Little Fierce Tiger within the Seventeenth Branch.

Before Zhang Qingyuan advanced to the Spirit Essence Realm Seventh Level, he had already been the strongest person beneath the Late Spirit Essence Realm.

Now that he had entered the Late Spirit Essence Realm,

his might and strength had risen to another level.

Even the Outer Sect Disciples ranked fifteenth and sixteenth felt a pressure rise in their hearts at the sight.

This Heavenly Dipper Dragon Tiger Fist—

if it were them on the stage, they might not necessarily gain any advantage from it!

"Looks like Zhang Qingyuan is going to lose. It seems the only thing he's good at is the Spring Breeze Fine Rain Technique."

"Yeah. In comparison, whether in combat experience or understanding and mastery of Martial Skills, the gap between them is more than just a little."

The crowd beneath the stage

whispered among themselves,

their words all expressing little optimism for Zhang Qingyuan.

And at this moment,

facing Yao Ping's savage and brutal punch,

Zhang Qingyuan shifted his footsteps, his figure moving through the void like a phantom. By a hair's breadth, he forcibly evaded Yao Ping's fierce, virile punch!

The Fist Intent struck empty air,

making the air hum and tremble.

Seizing the opening created by Yao Ping's missed punch, he closed in. One palm drew the air along like rippling water as it struck toward Yao Ping's chest!

The currents of air roared to life,

Spirit Essence rippled across his palm, scattering misty energy!

Turning defense into offense,

this reversal

occurred in no more than an instant,

leaving the Disciples below the stage staring in astonishment.

Yao Ping's expression changed in shock.

He clearly had not expected

Zhang Qingyuan to evade the punch he had been certain would land, much less retain the strength to counterattack. Judging from the dense and powerful force behind this palm, if it struck solidly, he would likely be severely injured on the spot and lose all combat power!