Sweeping Victory

"Zhong Qing, this is the place, right?" Wu Cheng said, looking at the small courtyard ahead.

"Yes... Brother Cheng... I just ask that you don't make things too difficult for them." Zhong Qing's expression was complex; he felt a sense of betrayal.

I am doing this for their own good, for their own good. If it isn't us, someone else will come, and perhaps they will end up in an even worse state then. He tried hard to convince himself, as if he could find some comfort in it.

"That depends on whether your two brothers are willing to show some respect." Wu Cheng chuckled and took the lead, walking toward Chen Qinglin and Qi Hanwen, who were standing in front of the courtyard.

Zhong Qing and Xin Shuming exchanged a glance before jogging to catch up.

Chen Qinglin and Qi Hanwen, who had been practicing their swordsmanship in front of the courtyard, naturally noticed the group of people heading their way.

"Is there something you need?" Chen Qinglin stopped his practice and asked the approaching group, his expression indifferent.

"Haha, nothing much. Brother Shuming and Brother Zhong Qing often gather with us for drinks, so the two of them invited us over as guests today," Wu Cheng said, putting on a boisterous air.

Chen Qinglin glanced at Xin Shuming and Zhong Qing behind the crowd and said nonchalantly, "So they are friends of Brother Xin and Brother Zhong. Please, make yourselves at home."

With that, he picked up his longsword and turned to leave, intending to find a quieter place to continue his practice.

Qi Hanwen, standing to the side, took one look and, without saying a word, prepared to follow Chen Qinglin.

"Hold on, where are you two headed?" Wu Cheng was caught off guard by this reaction.

"The courtyard is small and not convenient for Brother Zhong and the other to host you. We will find somewhere else and clear the space for you."

"There's no need for that. The more people, the merrier."

"We wouldn't want to get in your way. We don't really like crowds." As he said this, he prepared to leave again.

"Brother Chen, that's not very respectful, is it!" Wu Cheng's face darkened. The remaining ten men surrounded them, leaving only Xin Shuming and Zhong Qing standing where they were.

They were caught in a dilemma, unable to advance or retreat.

Wu Cheng's expression turned cold as he shot a glance at the two of them.

Seeing this, they hesitated for a moment before walking over to Chen Qinglin. "Qinglin... I..."

"Useless, can't even get a sentence out." Seeing this, Wu Cheng spoke directly to Chen Qinglin:

"Brother Chen, Brother Qi, we came here this time to invite you two to join our Mutual Aid Society."

"I trust you two won't let us return empty-handed, right?" He finished, his eyes locked onto Chen Qinglin.

According to the information he had gathered, Chen Qinglin was at the Body Tempering Eighth Level and Qi Hanwen was at the Body Tempering Seventh Level. Wu Cheng was not afraid of them refusing at all. If they dared to refuse, then perhaps...

"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, brothers. We have no intention of joining any society." Seeing that these people had ill intentions, Chen Qinglin dropped his polite tone.

"Xin Shuming, Zhong Qing, it seems your two brothers aren't very willing to show respect," Wu Cheng said, turning toward the two of them.

He turned back to Chen Qinglin and the other man, saying, "Since that's the case, it's not impossible for you to focus on your martial arts training. However, your Senior Brother here is a bit short on Body Tempering Pills for his daily practice. I wonder if you two brothers could support me a little?"

"Your Senior Brother will certainly remember your kindness in the future."

"Our own Body Tempering Pills aren't even enough for us; we can't support you," Qi Hanwen replied coldly, tightening his grip on his longsword.

"Hahaha, very well. In all this time, no one has ever dared to deny me, Wu Cheng, face."

"Come, go up and help our two brothers test the results of their recent training. Just don't injure them too severely," Wu Cheng said through gritted teeth, signaling to the crowd around him.

"Brother Cheng, please..." Zhong Qing and his companion tried to say something more.

"Hmm?" They were startled by the look in Wu Cheng's eyes and didn't dare to finish their plea.

On the other side, a group of people had already rushed forward, shouting, "You ungrateful wretches, let your Senior Brothers weigh your skills!"

Seeing this, Chen Qinglin remained completely calm and drew his longsword.

With a flick of his wrist, he precisely parried the incoming blades and weapons. His figure swept past like a gale, and with a kick as swift as an autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, he sent the men in the front row flying.

A flash of sword light flickered, knocking the swords from the hands of several others. Within a few moves, the remaining men were beaten to the ground, their bones shattered, wailing in agony.

This was only because Qingfeng Mountain forbade disciples from killing one another; otherwise, there would be no need to prepare dinner for them tonight.

"You've got some skill, let me—" Before he could finish, Chen Qinglin had already lunged toward him with his sword, forcing him to hurriedly raise his own to meet the attack.

Facing an unwelcome guest, there was nothing to do but meet him with a blade.

Chen Qinglin's Mortal Grade Swordplay was at the Perfect Stage, allowing it to unleash multiple times its usual power, surpassing even Skilled stage Human Grade Low-Rank Swordplay.

High Mountain Falling Rocks!

The strike was heavy and powerful. Despite both being at the Body Tempering Ninth Level, Wu Cheng was completely unable to withstand it and was heavily wounded in a single blow.

"Ahhh!" He collapsed to the ground, howling in constant, excruciating pain.

As things stood, unless one had practiced a Human Grade martial art from the very beginning and reached the Mastery stage, it was impossible to compete.

Since everyone else was only practicing Mortal Grade martial arts and had at most reached the Minor Accomplishment stage, they were no match for him at all.

"It seems this brother won't be able to practice martial arts for the next half-month. What? You want to support me? How could I be so embarrassed!" He looked at Wu Cheng on the ground and crouched down.

"Ah! What are you doing?" Wu Cheng cried out while screaming.

"Too much talk." He slapped Wu Cheng's head to the side and began searching his body.

"Yo, you really did come to deliver a gift!" Seeing the five bottles of Body Tempering Pills in Wu Cheng's robes, he added, "How could I be so embarrassed?"

Wu Cheng felt blood rush to his head upon hearing this; he spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted.

Turning to look at the other ten people, they hurriedly pulled pills from their robes. "That's right, that's right! Senior Brother Chen is gifted and intelligent, how could he be without pills? We specifically brought these for Senior Brother Chen today."

The few who had been sent flying earlier offered smiles and presented the Body Tempering Pills.

Chen Qinglin took the Body Tempering Pills and glanced at them with a smirk. "You brothers are truly good people."

"Alright, you can go now."

"Of course, next time you come to visit, please bring more Body Tempering Pills. And remember to carry him away." He pointed to the soundly sleeping Wu Cheng on the ground as he spoke.

Young people are truly great; they can just drop off to sleep anywhere!

The group limped away, carrying Wu Cheng with them.

Xin Shuming and Zhong Qing stood where they were, their expressions complex. "Qinglin, we..."

"No need to say more. Everyone has their own path to walk. I don't blame you for being unable to act otherwise."

"But I hope the two of you will bring fewer people here," Chen Qinglin said indifferently.

The two nodded with bitter smiles, knowing that this relationship had reached its end.

They cupped their hands toward Chen Qinglin and followed after Wu Cheng's group.

"Thank you, Qing..., Brother Chen." Once everyone had left, Qi Hanwen bowed to Chen Qinglin.

"No need for formalities. Just call me Qinglin," he said, looking at the usually reticent Qi Hanwen.

"Mm." Qi Hanwen nodded in agreement, not knowing what else to say.

Having lost interest in practicing martial arts, Chen Qinglin simply returned to his room.

Outer Sect Disciples of Qingfeng Mountain were entitled to receive one Human Tier Low Grade martial art, but Chen Qinglin had not yet claimed his, intending to wait until he entered the Inner Sect.

He had heard that there would be an Outer Sect Competition in half a year, open to both new and old disciples. The top three Outer Sect Disciples would be granted direct entry into the Inner Sect, along with generous rewards such as Qi Gathering Pills.

However, Chen Qinglin could not wait that long, nor did he intend to participate. Over these past few days, he had already gained complete control over his own blood and qi.

He would break through to the next realm tonight!